Can Arsenal Make History with 5 Wins in a Row Against Manchester United? Expect a close game

 By Danong

It’s no secret that the biggest fixture in European football this weekend is Manchester United versus Arsenal. The two Premier League giants are set to square off at Old Trafford this afternoon in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

While both teams have rich histories and passionate fanbases, their contrasting current form adds an extra layer of intrigue to this showdown.

Manchester United, who find themselves languishing in an unimaginable 14th place on the league table, are desperate to climb into the top half.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will be playing for pride. With a 14-point gap between them and league leaders Liverpool, it seems unlikely that the Gunners will snatch the title this season. However, they can still make it tough for Liverpool to seal the league and aim for a strong finish.

The Gunners are expected to be without some of their finest attacking options, including Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli. 

Yet, after demolishing Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven 7-1 earlier in the week, Arsenal have shown that they are capable of finding goals even without key players. Their confidence will surely be high heading into Sunday’s game.

Manchester United, however, have struggled on both ends of the pitch. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven consecutive matches and have only scored nine goals this season—a tally that explains their difficulties in climbing the table.

With Arsenal’s solid defense and United’s lack of firepower, the Gunners may only need to replicate their “PSV effectiveness” to secure a result.

Yet in our previous encounters this season we struggled to break them down and had to rely on set pieces to claim the victory in the league. And in the cup they again made it very difficult for us taking the game to penalties which they won.

So don't expect an easy game for Arsenal. 

The suggested lineup for Arsenal remains unchanged from Tuesday’s triumphant outing:  

Raya
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
Partey, Rice, Odegaard
Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

If Arsenal manage to beat Manchester United on Sunday, they will make Premier League history as the first club to defeat the Red Devils five times in a row in the PL. With such a record on the line, both teams will be motivated to leave everything on the pitch.  

Are you confident in Arsenal’s chances of extending their dominance over United?

The Alternative Takeaways from Arsenal’s Champions League Demolition of PSV

 By Danong

Arsenal made their ambitions for UEFA Champions League glory crystal clear as they stormed into Eindhoven and left the Philips Stadion with a historic 7-1 victory in the Champions League knockout stages—the biggest win in the competition's history.

With Premier League silverware looking unlikely, sitting 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool and domestic cup success no longer an option, the Gunners’ best shot at glory this season lies in Europe.

But what did we really learn from this dominant display against PSV?

1. Arsenal Can Deliver Despite Injuries
  
Even with key players sidelined, Arsenal demonstrated their ability to score goals and secure wins. Netting seven times, with Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Martin Ødegaard (twice), Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori on the scoresheet, the Gunners proved their resilience.  

After going two consecutive games without scoring, Arsenal showcased their intent. By crowding PSV’s box and using an inverted fullback to bolster midfield dominance, the Gunners converted their chances clinically, scoring 7 goals from 8 shots on target. Arsenal showed they're better than critics give them credit for.

2. Jurrien Timber Is On Another Level 
 
While Ødegaard may have been named Man of the Match, Timber was undoubtedly the star of the show, laying the foundation for Arsenal's win. From breaking the deadlock to silencing Noa Lang and dominating defensively, Timber’s influence was immense.  

Many expected Ben White to start, giving Timber a rest, but Arteta’s decision to stick with Timber proved to be a masterstroke. 

Here’s Timber’s standout game by numbers:  

- 7/9 duels won
- 5x possession won
- 3/3 aerial duels won
- 3 touches in the opposition box  
- 2/3 take-ons completed
- 2 shots
- 2 tackles
- 2 interceptions
- 1 chance created
- 1 goal

3. Arsenal Are a Force to Be Reckoned With  

Some may argue Arsenal shouldn't overhype a victory against PSV, but let’s give credit where it’s due. PSV had beaten Liverpool and Juventus earlier in the season and had remained unbeaten at home in the Champions League for three years. Arsenal's emphatic victory deserves every bit of praise.

4. The Importance of Hale End
  
The connection between Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri for Arsenal's second goal perfectly highlighted their rapid development. 

It's remarkable to see these youngsters, with just six months of senior football experience, thriving in both the Premier League and Champions League. Their impact is nothing short of extraordinary.

5. Riccardo Calafiori Impresses
  
While Myles Lewis-Skelly may have earned his left-back spot, Riccardo Calafiori showed he is a versatile and influential player.

His performance against PSV was nothing short of magic. Here’s Calafiori’s game by numbers:  

- 55 minutes played
- 100% long passes completed
- 100% tackles won
- 22 passes completed
- 2 interceptions
- 2 clearances
- 1 assist
- 1 goal

6. Ødegaard’s Second-Half Brilliance. Let’s have more of that.
 

We need the second half vs PSV version of Martin Ødegaard every game. The Norwegian captain silenced critics with his masterful second-half display, reminding everyone that form is temporary, but class is permanent. His game by numbers:  

- 53 touches
- 37/43 passes completed
- 6 final third entries
- 5 touches in the opposition box  
- 4x possession won
- 3 chances created
- 2 shots
- 2 goals
- 1 assist

With tough fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea on the horizon, this victory provides the momentum needed for better performances in those crucial 

And perhaps even a shot at European glory?

Arsenal’s Champions League Lifeline: Can a Patchwork Squad Outwit Dutch Giants PSV?

By Danong

It has been a dull weekend with no action from Arsenal, but the Gunners are back on tonight. Mikel Arteta and his squad have flown to the Netherlands to face Dutch heavyweights PSV Eindhoven in a Champions League round of 16 clash.

Out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and with a 13-point gap between them and Liverpool, Arsenal’s hope of making this season a success may lie in winning the Champions League. 

Among the teams that reached the round of 16, PSV is not the toughest opponent the red and white could have drawn. However, the Dutch side cannot be underestimated.

Notably the winner of this bout faces a tricky quarter-final clash with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid. 

But for now, the focus is on the task at hand. Arsenal must be at their best. Arteta needs to field a capable lineup and the players need to demonstrate their desire to salvage this season.

Injuries remain a concern for the Gunners. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli (who’s just returned to training), Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus are of course expected to miss this fixture.

However, with Raya in goal, White, Saliba, Gabriel, and Myles Lewis-Skelly in defense, Partey, Rice, and Odegaard in midfield and Nwaneri, Sterling, and Trossard in attack, the North Londoners could just leave the Philips Stadion with a healthy win.

You might be wondering why Sterling over Merino and why bench Timber for White in this game.

The last two games have shown that starting Merino as the CF isn’t the solution to the striking injury crisis. The Spaniard is an option in specific game states but should not start. He can make an impact from the bench.

On the other hand, Sterling hasn’t been great, but we need to make the best of his presence. Beyond his struggles, there’s a player there if we are to believe that class is permanent.

As for White replacing Timber, it’s time Timber gets a rest and White needs some minutes to get into the season. 

A point of contention about Timber is that he doesn’t overlap enough. If he did, Nwaneri would have more space, and Odegaard would be in full flow. On his best days, Ben White overlaps even without receiving the ball, adding a threat to Arsenal’s attack.

That said, that’s my team to take on PSV. What’s yours?

What we have really learned from yet another disappointing performance

 By Danong

Much has been said about Arsenal failing to beat Forest, but at Arsenal Analysis, here's a round-up of our key takeaways:

1. William Saliba’s Stellar Defense:

William Saliba kept us in the game with an underrated defensive performance. Despite the goalless draw, his impressive numbers stood out:

- 7 Clearances
- 5/5 Aerial Duels
- 2/2 Recoveries
- 2/2 Interceptions, one being very important
- 1 Clean Sheet

2. Kieran Tierney’s Solid Contribution:

Introduced at halftime, the Scotland international put on a very decent defensive performance. Here’s a look at his key stats from the second half:

- 45 Minutes Played
- 12/15 Passes Made
- 80% Pass Rate Accuracy
- 26 Touches
- 50% Ground Duels Won
- 100% Aerial Duels Won
- 2 Clearances
- 1 Headed Clearance
- 1 Defensive Interception
- 2 Defensive Recoveries
- 0 Times Dispossessed

3. Sad to say, but Liverpool are on top because they deserve it:

Drawing 0-0 with Forest and Liverpool beating Newcastle 2-0 widened the gap between Arsenal and the Reds at the top of the league to 13 points. Liverpool might have played a game more, but it’s unlikely Arsenal can turn things around.

The 1-0 loss to West Ham and the draw with Forest have nullified any threat Arsenal had in the title race.

4. Offensive paralysis, but would have Liverpool coped?

Arsenal have now failed to score twice in a row, highlighting how downgraded their attack has been in recent weeks.

Against Leicester, Mikel Merino managed a brace, but his recent performances leave some wondering if it was through sheer luck or if Leicester were that bad.

Even Nuno Espirito Santo admitted, "Arsenal don’t have a striker, so with Mikel Merino playing in that position, there’s no need for an extra body in defence."

But it's really worth wandering how Liverpool would have coped if they had the equivalent players out.

- No Salah (Saka)
- No Jota (Havertz)
- No Gakpo (Martinelli)
- No Diaz (G. Jesus)

We would probably have been neck and neck. 

This tweak will help spark Arsenal revival at Forest

 By Danong 

Journalist Connor Humm reports that when asked if his Arsenal team would give up this season, Mikel Arteta firmly responded, “Over my dead body.”

If he means it, Arsenal needs to return to winning ways on Wednesday night as they take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

On Saturday, West Ham managed to steal a 1-0 win over the Gunners. That frustrating result, coupled with Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, has led some to believe Arsenal is out of the title race. However, others (like Arteta) think otherwise.

But the truth is that if Arsenal is to remain in the Premier League title race, they must take care of Nottingham Forest, one of the most formidable sides this season.

Some say they’re punching above their weight, but results like Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham, Nottingham 2-1 Aston Villa, and Nottingham 1-1 Liverpool show how seriously difficult this fixture is.

Arteta needs to get the players fired up and play to prove everyone, predicting their downfall, massively wrong. Like it's us against everybody else.

And this needs to materialise without a massive squad boost. Arteta admitted the following on injuries:

Ethan Nwaneri: “Just cramping, he’s fine.” Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli: “Progressing well but still a bit far to come back.”

So Arsenal will have to beat Forest without Saka, Martinelli, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and now Myles Lewis-Skelly.

I wish Mikel Arteta retains the Arsenal lineup that started against West Ham:

Raya  
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori  
Partey, Rice, Odegaard  
Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

With this lineup, I’d expect a tactical tweak where Trossard and Merino (given his left-side bias) keep switching positions.

Merino could tuck in (not hugging the touchline) when he drifts wide, and Trossard shifts to the 9 position. Calafiori and Rice on the left-hand side would need to be alert defensively.

Additionally, I’d expect Ben White to be introduced early, looking forward to his overlaps, crosses and his ability to get under Forest players' skins during set pieces.

Ultimately, I feel the above predicted lineup, if it lives up to expectations, should beat Forest. 

I don't know about you, but I’ll happily take a 1-0 win, Corner FC style, and continue to do so until Saka and Martinelli return.

Arsenal Silences Doubters with 2-0 Victory Over Leicester: Five Key Takeaways from the Match

 By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Given their attacking injury crisis, some pundits didn't give Arsenal a chance of winning against relegation-threatened Leicester (who were at full strength).

But this lot were left disappointed as a spirited cameo appearance by Mikel Merino saw Arsenal beat Leicester 2-0.

These are the key takeaways:

-Academy stars Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis Skelly performances were pivotal to the win.

Lewis Skelly’s back post defending stopped a Leicester goal before he was subbed off and Nwaneri provided a gorgeous cross for Mikel Merino to break the deadlock.

But that wasn't all. He enjoyed five out of five successful take-ons and won all eight of his duels. 

He also won two tackles and struck the bar and woodwork with two excellent shots from outside the area. He was also a threat in the final third with four shots and six dribbles.

- Odegaard was way below bar in the first half but stepped it up in the second  carrying the team with numerous sprints and exceptional passing. He has to start games much better though.

- The Arsenal left-back position is in safe hands, as was clear versus Leicester. Lewis Skelly continued his resurgence with a classy performance, but so did Riccardo Calafiori. 

The Italian fullback's cameo was full of purpose, intensity, and quality. Long gone are the days when the left-back position was a source of concern.

- Raheem Sterling really struggled. Despite having a lot of the ball in dangerous areas, that spark wasn't there. 

He has been like this in all his Arsenal appearances so far looking really out of his depth. He is not even fit to play for a league one team and Arteta shouldn't contemplate starting him again.

- Merino the saviour!

Mikel Arteta's decision to start Merino as a false 9 next weekend versus West Ham and drop Sterling will not be questioned. The Spanish midfielder has shown that he can get in the right positions and put that ball in the back of the net.

- That win means Arsenal are unbeaten in 15 Premier League games in a row, their longest streak since April 2011 under Arsene Wenger.

The Premier League title race is on; Liverpool will not sleep easy tonight. The pressure is on them.

Up next for our Gunners is a London derby clash with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal are yet to lose this season in the league. 

Sterling is a liability. Get him off

 By 1970s Gooner 

There is no way we will win this game at Leicester with Sterling on the pitch. 

He is match unfit, cannot control the ball and keeps getting offside. 

Please get him off and bring on anyone else. That kid on the bench Butler-Oyedeji will be way better than him.

Or Calafiori even in the middle and Trossard on the left

If Arteta doesn't act quickly we will lose the game. 

Let's get the win at Leicester with this attacking tweak

 By Danong

After a long wait, Arsenal are back in action this Saturday against Leicester.

While Arsenal are second in the league, 7 points behind Liverpool and needing a win to maintain their title ambitions, the Foxes are third-last and battling relegation.

Mikel Arteta and Ruud Van Nistelrooy both need to field their strongest line-ups for a win; a draw doesn't benefit either side.

Team News:

The Leicester boss revealed that Jamie Vardy, Jannik Vestergaard and Victor Kristiansen have all trained this week and should be involved, admitting there are no fresh injury worries. So his team might be at their strongest.

Vardy's return should worry the Gunners, as he’s scored 11 times in 17 meetings against them (William Saliba and Gabriel ought to nullify his threat).

Arsenal's best attacking options are out with injury: Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

Possible or probably in terms of the attack, the only available Arsenal line-up:

- Raya
- Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly
- Partey, Rice, Odegaard
- Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard

Alternatively Trossard may play as a false 9 with Sterling on the wing.

In any case the defence and midfield will be at their strongest, but can we trust this attack, which the Spaniard may have no choice but to field?

Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left, Arsenal haven't had an out-and-out striker.
They’ve relied on a system where the team shares the goals. And we may need to rely on this even more now.

Let's hope that  Sterling, interchanging play with Trossard and Nwaneri, disrupts the opposition with smart runs and chaotic dribbling, creating the chances for someone to capitalise on.

On the other hand it may be time we opt to maximise our chances of scoring from set pieces.

It's been a long time since we've achieved this but we may well need to resurrect this under the current circumstances.

At this point it’s not about how we win but just winning by any means necessary.

Let's prove the doom sayers wrong who believe the season is over and get the win which will put pressure on Liverpool.

The title race is only just beginning. 

If there was a perfect moment for Liverpool to begin to lose their grip on the title race, it's now.

 By Danong

Before Liverpool faced Everton in the rescheduled Merseyside derby, Gooners were worried that a Reds' win would widen the gap at the top of the table.

However, a passionate and determined Everton managed to contain Liverpool’s dominance in the second half, striking late to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw.

For us Gunners, Liverpool dropping points is a massive boost to our title charge. There are now just 7 points separating us from them.

In fact, looking at the Reds' situation, that derby draw was the first of their five league matches in the next 15 days, with meetings against Wolves (H), Aston Villa (A), Man City (A), and Newcastle (H) quickly following.

If there was a perfect moment for Liverpool to begin to lose their grip on the title race, it's now.

For us Gooners, I can't help but feel our fixtures are much better than theirs. We play Leicester, West Ham, Nottingham, and Manchester United (after which we should have Gabriel Martinelli and hopefully Bukayo Saka back).

Yes, for a while, we might have limited attacking options, but Martinelli and Saka are likely to return for the run-in and carry us from the London derby against Chelsea in mid-March until the end of the season.

We still have a date at Anfield to determine our fate. Yes, after the Kai Havertz season ending injury, some thought the title race was over. Its not now. We can still win the title.

Why so? With Martinelli and Saka returning, we might have to trust Sterling, Trossard, and Nwaneri as our front three for the next four league games. Despite being overlooked, they may surprise many.

Trossard and Nwaneri can make a difference, and we just need Sterling to step up and play that false 9 role well. We also hope Martin Odegaard, as the skipper, will step up and carry this Arsenal attack.

So, does Liverpool dropping points against Everton breathe hope into Arsenal's title charge?

It surely does.

The one that flew away which Arsenal will regret

 By Danong

During the winter transfer window, the consensus was that Arsenal needed to bolster their attack.

While Gabriel and William Saliba's defensive partnership flourished, Timber found his footing at right back, and Nwaneri broke into the team, the attack was the one area needing reinforcement, especially with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to injury.

According to transfer guru reports, Arsenal were offered Ollie Watkins for £60 million, but they didn't agree to the deal (apparently £20 million more than they were willing to spend).

Beyond Watkins, the Gunners held talks with other targets. But one player they did not go for is Randal Kolo Muani.

Muani was desperate to leave PSG, and Juventus were fortunate to sign him. And guess what. Kolo Muani has been on fire:

3 Games, 5 Shots on target, 5 Goals, 100% conversion rate and 2 MOTM awards!

Looking at these stats (which are before Juve vs PSV), you'd easily dub him a "Rolls Royce number 9." A hero in Turin, Muani has become the first player in Serie A history to score 5 goals in his first 3 league matches.

In these 3 games, he's guided Juve to 3 wins. Surely Arsenal could have used such an impactful signing.

But they overlooked the chance to sign Muani and they will probably regret it.

He can play anywhere across the front three, stretch the play with channel runs, drop deep and link up play, carry the ball into dangerous zones, provide final third balls to teammates, and, most importantly, SCORE goals.

The Daily Mail mid-January revealed, "Arsenal were offered Randal Kolo Muani... to fix attacking issues but expensive fees and hefty wage demands scuppered January deals."

Let's hope the Dubai training camp does the trick and Kai Havertz comes back supercharged to guide this Arsenal team to the title. 

If not, seeing winter targets like Muani and Watkins shine elsewhere while our attack falters could be frustrating and lead us to question how much Arsenal's decision-makers really wanted a path to glory.

Are these the games where Liverpool may slip up?

 By Danong

Less than a month after Manchester United knocked us out of the FA Cup, we failed to turn around the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle. 

With Arsenal out of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, our Gunners now have just two trophies left to fight for this season—the Champions League and the Premier League.

As for the Champions League, after finishing in the top 8 of the league format, the Gunners have to wait for the play-offs before they know their round of 16 opponents. 

Finishing 3rd means Arsenal will face one of the teams that finished 13th, 14th, 19th, or 20th i.e Milan, PSV, Juventus, or Feyenoord.

Meanwhile, in the Premier League title race Liverpool have a 6-point lead and a game in hand. This means that the title is out of Arsenal's hands and it's Liverpool's to lose.

All Arsenal can do is try to be better than the Reds from now until May. Is there hope for Liverpool to drop points, and which games might they falter in? Here are some fixtures where they could slip up:

1. 12th February: Everton vs Liverpool - Everton seem to be on a resurgence under David Moyes, having lost only once in their last four games. They certainly could avoid a Merseyside derby loss.

2. 23rd February: Manchester City vs Liverpool - By then, Manchester City might have gotten their act together. If they can't beat Liverpool, they might at least force a draw.

3. 15th March: Aston Villa vs Liverpool - Unai Emery's team, with the additions of Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford, and Donyell Malen, could potentially beat the Reds at Villa Park. Gooners will be hoping for a shock.

4. 3rd May: Chelsea vs Liverpool - Chelsea have been unpredictable, but let's hope they can nullify anything Liverpool throws at them by the time they host the Reds at Stamford Bridge.

5. 10th May: Liverpool vs Arsenal - If Arsenal are to pip Liverpool for the title, this is a must-win game. The boys in red and white must win, no matter what.

So Arsenal are now in Dubai for a 10-day camp. We Gooners will be hoping they'll find their rhythm and get plenty of sun and rest which would allow them to replicate their 2023-24 post-Dubai form.  

They came out of Dubai supercharged and unplayable: 16 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss and 53 goals scored switching from shaky form to title charge mode.

They say that history repeats itself...

All players need to step up after the Dubai trip but this one will be key in reaching the top

 By Danong

For Arsenal's 2024-25 season to end in glory, the boys in red and white find themselves in a tricky position—they must win either the Premier League or the Champions League (or indeed both).

The Gunners are in this tough spot after once again failing to make strides in the league and FA Cup. If they want to dominate English football, that's something they need to address (but that's a story for another day).

So, how can Arsenal clinch the league or the UCL?

The defense and midfield have delivered this season, and we can trust them to do their part, but will the attack do the same?

Most Gooners are hoping that the team, currently on a training camp in Dubai, can replicate their post-2023-24 Dubai form. While I share that hope, I'm particularly interested in Kai Havertz replicating his 2023-24 post-Dubai form.

Post-Dubai, in 18 games (15 starts), Havertz managed 10 goals and 4 assists.
"Maybe we should go back to Dubai now," Havertz joked when asked about the key to his resurgence as he steered Arsenal in their 2023-24 PL title run.

Well, the club has taken them back to Dubai, and let's hope Havertz gets the rest he deserves (he looked tired ahead of the trip), comes back, and steers this Arsenal team to glory.

With Gabriel Martinelli sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up in that 2-0 loss to Newcastle, Arsenal's attacking options look slim.

Bukayo Saka will not be ready to be counted on until late in the run in, leaving Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard as the only attacking options after the Dubai training camp.

This makes it even more important that Arsenal have Havertz at his A-game if their attack is to perform in the PL run-in and the UCL knockouts.

Arsenal should have signed a top striker, but they didn't, yet they need to score more. Arteta has to work with what he has and Havertz might be the man to bail out his attack.

If Havertz can replicate his last season's PL run-in form, Arsenal might just have it in them to pip Liverpool in the title race!

As Arsenal Bow Out of Carabao Cup, Their Top Target Continues to Prove He's Worth £150M+

 By Danong

Wednesday night, unfortunately, wasn't a night Gooners would remember fondly, as Arsenal once again lost 2-0 to Newcastle, bowing out of the Carabao Cup with a 4-0 semifinal aggregate loss.

There were a lot of negatives from an Arsenal perspective, but one positive stood out: the performance of Alexander Isak, confirming he's the striker Arsenal should be targeting.

The explanation for why Arsenal didn't go all out to bolster their attack was that they didn't just want to add bodies—they wanted their ideal targets and didn't want to stray from getting them by making stopgap signings.

Let's hope that Arsenal's chiefs have highlighted Isak as their top target and are doing everything to get him on board.

On Wednesday night, he may not have scored against them, but he once again put in a fantastic performance. Although he didn't find the net, he set up the goals for his team, showcasing his quality.

The goal he has disallowed was the result of his great movement to get behind Saliba and his very sharp strike of the ball.

Before the game, I thought Gabriel and Saliba should have dominated him physically and mentally. But quite evidently that wasn't the case, as Isak was once again a terrible nuisance for them.

Isak vs. Arsenal
- Minutes: 90
- Touches: 10
- Disallowed goal: 1
- Total shots: 2
- Shots on target: 1
- Accurate passes: 1
- Key passes: 1
- Accurate long balls: 1/1
- Tackles: 1
- Clearances: 1
- Turnovers: 2
- Was fouled: 1

Alexander Isak vs. Arsenal in the 2024/25 season played 3 Matches and scored 2 Goals. It's like he always wants to prove to Arsenal how good he is.

Arsenal certainly have been proven wrong for not hijacking his £63 million switch to Newcastle when the chance was there for the taking. Interestingly, The Athletic now says that other than Benjamin Sesko, Isak is one player Arsenal admires the most.

Isak is surely every club's dream number 9. He's tall, fast, has great positioning, can dribble, possesses great composure, has excellent finishing, and a superb first touch. It would be hard to get him now, with £150 million plus thought to be the asking price.

That said, Arsenal should blow their whole budget on Isak—that's how we'll get over that frustrating 2025 winter transfer window.

Arsenal shouldn't worry about getting him at a premium. He's still pretty young, deadly in front of goal and Premier League proven!

It’s been two windows now where Arsenal have saved finances so let's splash the cash and give Arteta the ammunition to go for glory.

Going full gas for a historic win

 By Danong

Arsenal are back in action tonight as they take on Newcastle in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Newcastle have been a thorn in Arsenal's side this season. They frustrated the Gunners at St. James' Park in a Premier League encounter that ended 1-0 and managed a 2-0 away win in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in early January.

Gooners will be hoping Arteta and the boys pick up from where they left off on Sunday, when they thrashed the defending champions Manchester City 5-1.

Interestingly, Arsenal are yet to score a goal against Newcastle this season. However, if they can replicate their goal-scoring exploits from last weekend, they might just turn around the two-goal deficit and book a spot in the Carabao Cup final.

After losing 2-1 to Fulham at home last weekend, Newcastle will be looking to bounce back, but Arsenal will make sure that won't be the case.

The Gunners go into this game on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions, winning five and drawing one. Newcastle, on the other hand, have one win and two losses in their last three games.

The Gunners will be without Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ben White. The latter will probably be back after the trip to Dubai.

Newcastle will be missing Harvey Barnes, and Jamaal Lascelles. Callum Wilson may be back.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted to the media ahead of the game that his side is preparing to go "full gas" against Newcastle United in their Carabao Cup semi-final.

The importance of winning a trophy means that resting some players is not an option. But anyway we will have a 10 day rest period after this game so we might as well go for it.

What a match this is going to be, and this Arsenal lineup maximises our chances of going through to the final:

David Raya
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
Odegaard, Partey, Rice,
Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard,

Is there anything you'd change in this lineup?

This gunner is Arsenal's outstanding player of the season so far

 By Danong

For the first time on Sunday against Arsenal, a Pep Guardiola side conceded five goals and lost a game by more than four goals.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal managed to humble Manchester City as the boys in red and white thrashed their main rivals of the last two league seasons 5-1.

Martin Odegaard gave Arsenal the lead early in the first half. Erling Haaland managed to equalize early in the second half, but the Norwegian's goal only seemed to poke the bear.

Arsenal, through Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ethan Nwaneri, responded mightily for that healthy win.

Most Gooners rose to the occasion, but you can't talk about that resounding victory without mentioning the top top performance Thomas Partey put on.

This season, the soon to be free agent, managed to shake off his injury struggles and has been available for almost every Premier League match day, running the show in midfield or filling in at right back.

There has been displeasure about Partey playing at right back, given how the midfield misses him when he does that.

Performances such as the one versus Manchester City exemplify this notion.

If Arsenal fail to win the league, it might be because Arteta took his best midfielder and nullified his impact by playing him at RB instead of midfield in crucial games. 

Examples are Newcastle, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Brighton, leading to dropped points in such a tight Premier league race.

In the last three games Thomas Partey played 90 minutes in midfield:

- Beat Palace Away 5-1
- Beat Brentford Away 3-1
- Beat Man City Home 5-1

In midfield versus City, Partey chewed up their engine room and spat them out. Certainly a force to be reckoned with, he did everything for Arsenal to control the game. 0 yellow cards, a super goal, and midfield domination. Here are his stats:

- Minutes played: 90
- Touches: 51
- Accurate long balls: 3/4
- Tackles: 5
- Clearances: 2
- Interceptions: 2
- Accurate passes: 45 (88.2%)
- Total shots: 1
- Shots on target: 1
- Goals: 1

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, Raya and Nwaneri may receive all the plaudits from that game, but I don't see how Arsenal would have won without Partey, who was absolutely unbelievable all over the pitch.

It would really be criminal if Arteta and Arsenal let him go at the end of the season.

They surely have to give him a new contract. 

This Hale End star deserves to start against City on Sunday

By Danong

Was Ethan Nwaneri's performance in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Girona his best yet since joining the senior team?

Having already qualified for the Champions League round of 16 with their 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb, coach Mikel Arteta didn't have to be cautious with his team selection against Girona.

This was a match where Arteta and his technical bench could afford to rest some players and give others an opportunity to show what they can bring to the table.

Girona broke the deadlock, with Danjuma giving them the lead in the 28th minute after capitalising on poor positioning by Partey compounded by Arsenal deputy goalie Neto's rustiness in decision making due to lack of game time.

However, that lead didn't last long. Arsenal were handed a penalty after Arnau Martinez's foul on Thomas Partey, which Jorginho converted from the spot.

In the 42nd minute, Ethan Nwaneri scored a fantastic curling 'Sakaesk' type effort from the edge of the box to give Arsenal the lead.

That was Nwaneri's 6th goal of the season, making him one of the few PL stars to achieve such a feat before turning 18, a milestone only Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen had reached before him.

Arsenal went into the break with a 2-1 lead. Girona tried to turn things around in the second half and almost succeeded through Cristhian Stuani, but his 76th-minute goal was disallowed due to offside.

In injury time, Raheem Sterling could have made it 3-1, but his penalty was saved by Girona goalie Pau Lopez.

He was handed the penalty by his teammates so that he would regain some confidence and also become the first player to score in the CL for three separate teams. He never looked like he was going to score.

However this match was an opportunity for Nwaneri to show his capabilities and he took his chance with both hands.

The Hale End graduate was a hit, putting up a performance that yelled "This kid is the real deal."

Watching him, I couldn't help but feel our star boy is a hybrid version of Bukayo Saka and a little bit of Phil Foden. He's got a keen eye for goal, lovely footwork, and great finishing ability.

He was named Man of the Match and rightfully so.

According to AiScore he had the most :
shots on goal(3), accurate crosses (2) and turnovers (2).

The 17-year-old's maturity and physicality make him look mature and experienced. It is scary what he could be able to do with more time at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Saka has always been the point of reference for Arsenal's emerging talents. Well, Nwaneri is certainly  following in his footsteps.

The Arsenal #7 had 15 G/A for Arsenal at 17. Nwaneri is on 6; it's uncertain if he'll surpass this record, but with more starts he certainly will get close to it.

He deserves to, and will probably, start against Manchester City on Sunday. 

Midfield Duo Returns as Arteta fields a strong starting 11 vs Girona

 By Danong

The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League phase wraps up tonight with the Matchday 8 fixtures played simultaneously.

Arsenal will be looking to end the UCL group stage on a high as they take on the Spanish side Girona at the Estadi Montilivi stadium. In 7 games played on the European stage, our Gunners boast 5 wins, a draw, and a loss.

Last time out, Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 to book a spot in the round of 16. Even so, I don't think they'll be complacent. They'll be looking to maintain their impressive form of not conceding from open play in the UCL.

They’ll also be keen to extend their 4-game unbeaten run and remain unbeaten in 9 games away from home across all competitions.

Girona's Struggles

Girona come into this game on a poor run. They've lost their last 3 matches in all competitions and have only won 2 of their last 11 games.

Their Champions League form is also worrying; they've only won once and have lost their last 4 Champions League games without scoring a goal.

They have nothing to play for in the Champions League as they're already eliminated (31st in the table).

Perhaps they'll play for pride and look to stun Arsenal for a perfect turnaround to their poor campaign.

Arsenal Team News

Merino and Odegaard were in training on Tuesday after missing the 1-0 win over Wolves. Havertz, who looked drained at full time on Saturday, was also training.

However, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White, contrary to reports, weren't in training. So, like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, they'll certainly miss this game.

If Merino and Odegaard are available for the game, they should play to get them up to speed. Havertz, Rice, and Timber should be rested ahead of a tricky run of fixtures against Manchester City and Newcastle.

Predicted Arsenal Line-Up vs. Girona

- Raya
- Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
- Jorginho, Merino, Odegaard
- Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri

This line-up looks very strong and is expected to finish the league phase of the revamped CL with a win.

PL Star's Latest Heroics Push Arsenal Toward Big-Money Move

 By Danong

Arsenal has been heavily linked with Alexander Isak as a marquee signing for summer 2025 (though Newcastle will be looking to offer their star man a new lucrative deal by then). 

Performances like the one he had against Southampton justify why the Gunners might be willing to break the bank for the Swedish international.

On Saturday evening, Isak was once again the hero as Newcastle managed to beat Southampton. The Saints took a 10th-minute lead, looking to stun the Magpies. However, Isak wasn't going to let that happen.

After a VAR review awarded a penalty for Joe Aribo's foul on him, Isak converted the penalty in the 26th minute to equalize. 

Then just four minutes later, Jacob Murphy teed him up inside the box, and he rolled the ball into the bottom right corner past Alex McCarthy. Sandro Tonali's third goal early in the second half ensured Isak's efforts didn't go to waste.

If Arsenal wants a tried and tested Premier League striker to massively upgrade their attack, they shouldn't look further than Alexander Isak.

Performances like the one against Southampton are a stark reminder that he may be one of the best out there, and there should be no ignoring that.

Alexander Isak vs. Southampton:

- 80 minutes
- 2 goals
- 19/27 (70%) successful passes
- 1/2 successful long balls
- 2/3 successful dribbles
- 4/9 duels won
- 9.2 match rating (Sofascore)

Isak has now scored in Newcastle's last 5 away games. Brentford, Ipswich, Man Utd, Tottenham and Southampton.

In the last 15 games, Isak has 16 goals and 4 assists, making him the most in-form Premier League star.

Looking at other Arsenal striking targets:

Matheus Cunha (22 league games, 10 goals, 4 assists),

Benjamin Sesko (18 league games, 8 goals, 2 assists),

Viktor Gyokeres (19 league games, 22 goals, 4 assists)

Maybe Gyokeres is more productive than Isak. However, the fact that Gyokeres wasn't pursued last summer and this winter is quite telling. 

Perhaps the Arsenal scouts feel he isn't a perfect fit for this Arsenal team and there's a question mark over whether he can be a hit in the Premier League.

Darwin Nunez was a top goal-scorer in the Portuguese league but hasn't been able to replicate that in the PL.

If Isak was leading our attack against Wolves, before Myles Lewis-Skelly was controversially red-carded, we'd have probably a lead to hold on to.

Don't you think so?

This Gunner is Cementing His Spot in The Arsenal Team Amidst Criticism and Replacement Links

 By Danong

On Wednesday, with a 3-0 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb, Arsenal has most probably secured their spot in the round of 16.

Goals came from Declan Rice, who delivered a £105 million-worthy performance, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.

Havertz's goal was his 14th of the season, which is what he actually scored for the whole of last season!

What is also equally interesting is Havertz's goal stats when compared to some of the strikers fans suggest we should bring on board. 

He is averaging 0.5 goals per game which is about the same as the strikers suggested for Arsenal:

- Havertz: 30 games, 14 goals, 4 assists
- Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford): 26 games, 13 goals, 4 assists
- Matheus Cunha (Wolves): 22 games, 10 goals, 4 assists
-Benjamon Sesco (RB Leipzig): 26 games, 14 goals, 3 assists

Many believe that if Arsenal landed a killer No. 9 this winter, it would massively boost our title chances.

Yes, Arsenal needs a top goal-scoring striker, but let's not overlook the fact that Havertz has been decent and quite underappreciated.

Even if we manage to sign someone like Benjamin Sesko, Havertz, who's not considered that clinical, deserves a chance in Arteta's lineup as he could end up making this his most prolific season.

In fact, it should be scary to opponents what a prolific striker paired with Havertz could offer this Arsenal team.

The title?

The bench fills up and new faces go into the starting eleven vs Dinamo

 By Danong

Champions League football returns at the Emirates Stadium tonight as Arsenal take on Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.

After a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, Arsenal now have just one win in their last five games (with two draws and two losses) across all competitions. They will surely be keen to get back to winning ways.

Dinamo, on the other hand, settled for a draw in their last game and are on a run of two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five games.

Form aside, this game is of great importance for both sides. Arsenal, currently 5th in the Champions League standings, will be hoping to secure their spot in the top 8 with a win for automatic qualification to the UCL round of 16.

Dinamo Zagreb, 25th in the table, will want to sneak into the top 24 teams and have a chance to book a UCL knockout spot through the playoffs.

Team News
Ben White, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still expected to be out for Arsenal due to injury.

The Gunners could welcome back Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori for their squad for this clash. 

However, despite being available, it’s likely that Nwaneri and Calafiori will be on the bench providing better quality and experience than the academy players who were on the bench against Aston Villa.

Thomas Partey and Declan Rice might be rested, with Mikel Merino and Jakub Kiwior deserving minutes. 

Given limited attacking options, Arteta will probably retain the attacking trio that started against Villa last Saturday. Here's the predicted Arsenal lineup:

Raya  
Timber, Kiwior, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly  
Odegaard, Jorginho, Merino,   
Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard

As for Dinamo Zagreb, they will be without sharpshooter striker Bruno Petkovic, who's dealing with a muscle problem, and are also expected to be without Petar Sucic.

Nevertheless, former Ballon d'Or winner Fabio Cannavaro still has a decent squad to field a competitive lineup in his first outing as the Croatian side's boss.

That said, Arsenal have the chance to all but secure Champions League qualification tonight at the Emirates Stadium. Let's take it. 

Guess what the results have been when Partey was moved to right back

By Danong

In the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, Thomas Partey’s lapse in marking Ollie Watkins, leading to the equaliser, has fans furious with coach Mikel Arteta for sticking to one strategy: playing the midfielder at right back.

Partey filling in at right back does more harm to the team than good. Arsenal entered this season with their sights set on winning the Premier League, but such results make their quest for league glory trickier.

Have a look at these Arsenal games below. Guess what they have in common.

- Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
- Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
- Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal
- Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
- Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
- Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

In these six games, Arsenal has only managed one win. Why highlight these games? Well, those are the league games Partey has filled in at right back.

For sure, Thomas Partey at right back is not having the impact it was meant to have on this team. 

It is about time Mikel Arteta and his technical bench were bold enough to try someone else at right back and play Partey in midfield (we  score more and win more with him as a #6).

Mikel Arteta has made some bold decisions that have paid off, but there's one thing most of us fans would like him to embrace. The Spaniard ought to play his best players in their best positions.

Thomas Partey, ignoring the right-back issues, has had a great campaign in red and white. As the pivot in Arsenal's engine room he has excelled, creating chance after chance, making those crucial tackles with the penetrative passes to follow.

Though controversial to say, him playing right back is not the problem—his absence in midfield is where the problem lies.

Against Villa, Arteta should have been bold enough to play Partey in midfield where he excels, with Jurrien Timber at right back, where he's shown his true brilliance.

His decision to move Partey at right back meant that four players were forced to change positions!

Partey was one, Timber moved to centre back was another. Rice moved to #6 and Merino brought into the starting 11 as a left sided midfielder makes four.

So, who would I have Arteta replace the injured William Saliba with (expected to be sidelined for two weeks)?

Jakub Kiwior, a center back, should be covering for Saliba unless Ben White or Tomiyasu return soon.

Imagine you don't have a proper striker, don't have your best winger and then you opt to not play your available best midfielder in midfield and also opt to not play your available best right back at centre back. How'd that patched-up team work?

With so much at stake, Mikel Arteta, please try playing your players in their best positions.