Arteta may spring a surprise in his team selection vs United

 By Danong 

In arguably the biggest clash of the weekend, Arsenal welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium.  

Fresh from a famous derby‑day victory over City, United are buoyed by a full week’s rest and no European commitments. They arrive as perhaps the trickiest United side Arsenal have faced in recent times.  

Yet the Gunners approach this fixture emboldened by a 12‑match unbeaten run. More telling, they are undefeated against the Red Devils in their last six meetings. This record suggests Arsenal have come to dominate this contest.  

Consequently, Arsenal should feel less pressure going into the game. The burden lies squarely on United, who, under caretaker head coach Michael Carrick, are striving to salvage what has been a shaky season.  

United are expected to be without Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, though they should still field a competitive squad. Arsenal, meanwhile, welcome back Piero Hincapie and Ricardo Calafiori, but will probably be deprived of Kai Havertz and Max Dowman.  

With Mikel Arteta having his best options for this game, he should deploy his most formidable line‑up to outwit Carrick and extend Arsenal’s fine run, ensuring they remain unbeaten at the Emirates. At home, the Gunners have recorded 13 wins and three draws.  

Probable line‑up:  

 -Raya  

- Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori  

- Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard  

- Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard  

Starting Calafiori immediately may spark debate, yet if fit, he should be trusted from the outset. The unorthodox left‑back has emerged as a playmaker of sorts, holding the key to Arsenal’s success this season.  

Indeed, the last 18 matchdays have shown he is irreplaceable; not even Hincapie can replicate his influence. That is why Calafiori deserves to start straight away.  

But if he is not yet ready then either White will come in and Timber move to left back or don't be surprised if MLS starts as he had a very good game in Italy. Arteta may wish to have a player who can invert and bring the ball forward. 

This game is also a stage for Viktor Gyökeres to rise to the occasion and demonstrate to United what they missed by failing to sign a genuine No.9.  

Carrick may attempt to catch Arsenal off guard with tactical surprises, but if the Gunners impose their game, they should have enough to secure a famous win this weekend.

The Arsenal XI ready to shock Inter

By Danong 

Champions League football returns, and Arsenal are back in the thick of it as they travel to Milan to face Inter at the iconic San Siro.  

The Gunners will be determined to sustain their brilliance in Europe’s premier competition. Having played six matches, they boast a flawless record of six wins, conceding just one goal.  

Ahead of this clash with Inter, Arsenal have already toppled giants such as Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid. With those scalps under their belt, the boys in red and white should have all the motivation required to get the job done.  

Even so, some voices have urged Mikel Arteta to rest key players, mindful of the looming clash with Manchester United. Yet it seems unlikely the Spaniard will sacrifice momentum in this fixture. Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori remain sidelined through injury, but Arsenal still travel with a strong squad.  

Indeed, Arteta is expected to go full strength, and Gooners should not be surprised if he fields this line-up:

Raya  

Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly  

Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard  

Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard  

That selection arguably represents Arsenal at their most formidable.  

History between the sides suggests a finely balanced contest: in their last four meetings, Arsenal have won twice and lost twice. Inter arrive unbeaten in eight games, while Arsenal are undefeated in eleven. All signs point to a mouth-watering clash.  

Ultimately, the Gunners will hope to leave the San Siro with all three points, further cementing their place at the summit of the Champions League table  and cementing their progress in the next round.

Arteta to outwit Rosenior with this refreshed Arsenal line‑up

 By Danong

Tonight, Arsenal are back in action as they make the short trip across West London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.  

Fresh from dismantling Portsmouth on their own turf with a commanding 4-1 victory in the FA Cup third round, the Gunners will be eager to carry that ruthless goalscoring touch into this clash.  

Chelsea, meanwhile, arrive with the energy of a new-manager bounce. Liam Rosenior kicked off his tenure in emphatic fashion on Saturday, overseeing a thumping 5-1 win over Charlton.  

As fired up as both sides are heading into this fixture, the outcome will ultimately be decided on the pitch. And with Arsenal’s boss Mikel Arteta determined to end the club’s trophy drought, he has little excuse but to field a strong side tonight.  

It looks like Piero Hincapié and Ricardo Calafiori will be out. Saliba and Trossard are also doubtful. Having rested most of his other key stars in the FA Cup triumph, he should be able to field a competitive line-up:  

Raya  
Timber, Nørgaard, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly  
Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard  
Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Nørgaard showed that when he played as a central defender he put in a quite adequate performance.

On the other hand MLS looked rusty and devoid of confidence in his last two appearances. He will have to raise his game if Arsenal are to get a result tonight to take back to the Emirates.

Chelsea, for their part, will be boosted by the return of Marc Cucurella from suspension, though they may still be without Reece James and Cole Palmer.  

With Arsenal unbeaten in their last nine meetings against Chelsea, this tie could be monumental. Victory would mark a tenth consecutive game without defeat against their London rivals, further cementing the Gunners’ dominance as the undisputed Kings of London.

Arsenal set to humble Liverpool at the Emirates with this superb line-up

By Danong 

Arsenal, buoyed by five wins on the bounce, will be eager to extend their sparkling festive run in the Premier League when they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates on Thursday night.  

Beyond the sheer desire to sustain their momentum, the Gunners carry an added incentive into this clash.

It was Liverpool who first punctured Arsenal’s earlier in the season, one of only two sides to do so, the other being Aston Villa.

That memory alone ensures Arsenal approach this fixture with fire in their veins.  

Gabriel Magalhaes’ return has proved a timely boost, not only reinforcing the defence but also rekindling his instinct for decisive goals. 

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has seized his opportunities with flashes of brilliance that underline his attacking threat.

As for Kai Havertz, he could well come into contention against Liverpool, thereby injecting yet another dimension into Arteta’s tactical options.

With that said, here is how Mikel Arteta might line up to outmanoeuvre Arne Slot’s Liverpool (who are unbeaten in seven):  

Predicted XI  

Raya

Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié

Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard 

Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard  

From the bench, Arteta could introduce Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, and perhaps Jesus, arguably the strongest "finishers" Arsenal can summon on the night.  

In a boost to Arsenal, Liverpool’s striking options, however, appear far less certain. Hugo Ekitike remains a doubt, while Alexander Isak is already sidelined.  

Arsenal’s form, their desire for vengeance, and Liverpool’s attacking absences, with Salah also unavailable, may well tilt the balance in the Gunners’ favour, leaving them well poised to seize a statement victory over the reigning champions.

Are Manchester City bottling it?

 By 1970s Gooner 

Man City have dropped 4 points in their last two games. Have they got the jitters?

Against Sunderland they couldn’t score against a very determined opponent. But in the same fixture Arsenal went one better. They were leading 2 1 and were pegged back with virtually the last kick of the game.

Tonight City were leading 1 0 but they allowed Chelsea to create chances and finally equalise in the last minute.

Now if it was Arsenal doing this then we would be called bottlers.

Are Man City bottling it?