These smart transfer moves and Arteta’s fearless call are going to deliver the perfect title defence and beyond

By Danong 

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have finally laid their hands on the Premier League title.

This Arsenal side have ended a frustrating 22-year league title drought but winning the league is one thing. Defending it is another, and that is now precisely what the boys in red and white must do.

They must prove they are genuinely that good, and that winning the league was no stroke of luck.

That said, as good a team as Arsenal are, one thing is clear: to perform at their absolute best and pull off a successful title defence, they will need to inject even more quality into this squad.

With that in mind, here are some moves Arsenal should be thinking about.

Better the attack

It is high time Arsenal solved their left-wing problem once and for all, high time Arteta moved on from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in favour of a deadlier, Bukayo Saka-like wide option.

The Arsenal attack did well this season, but it would hit another gear entirely if the left wing were as lethal as the right is when Saka is at the peak of his powers.

Fortunately, there is talk of Arsenal pursuing Morgan Rogers. The Aston Villa star should comfortably represent an upgrade on the current left-wing options. 

A ball-to-feet, carry-and-dribble left winger and attacking midfielder hybrid, equally comfortable cutting inside or starting from wide areas and driving into the half-spaces to either shoot or create, Rogers would take Arsenal's left-hand side to a completely different level.

Beyond Rogers, Arsenal should also move for AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi.

Victor Gyokeres has been decent. For a striker many felt would struggle to adapt at Arsenal, 14 league goals is a fine return. The expectation is that he will kick on next season, yet Arsenal cannot rely on him alone as their sole striking option. 

They need another forward, and why not go young? Kroupi would not mind sharing the workload with the Swede, and the arrangement could suit both.

Thirteen goals in 21 league starts, the 19-year-old is one of the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League. He still has plenty to learn, but while he could push Gyokeres to his limits, he too would benefit enormously from playing alongside the Arsenal number 14.

Together, Kroupi and Rogers would take this Arsenal attack to crazy levels . Opposition defences would find them a handful.

Shore up the midfield

After sorting the attack, Arteta will need to bring in a proper defensive midfielder.

Martin Zubimendi started well but lost momentum as the season wore on, at times looking a shadow of himself. His struggles could have cost Arsenal the title, but Arteta acted decisively, dropping him and turning instead to a Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice midfield pairing.

Whilst that partnership could certainly work next season, Arsenal would be wise not to gamble on it. They would do better to sign another top-quality central midfielder.

There is talk that they are back in for Sandro Tonali, and he looks exactly like what they need. On the pitch, the Italian is disciplined, positionally sharp, and consistently available. He keeps things ticking, helps the team maintain structure, and makes intelligent decisions under pressure. 

Defensively, he adds an extra layer of security, reads the game well, tracks runners, and never leaves the back line exposed. He would offer Arsenal precisely what they wanted from Zubimendi but never quite got.

Cover at right back

With the attack and midfield addressed, signing a capable Jurrien Timber alternative would also be a shrewd piece of business.

Overplaying Timber ran him into the ground, and now, at the very moment he was most needed, he has not been fit. 

Had Arsenal been able to call on a trustworthy alternative, Arteta would not have had to lean on the Dutchman so heavily in the first place.

On that front, long-term target Ivan Fresneda, who has been a massive hit in Portugal with Sporting CP, could be the answer.

The Gunners have tracked the right back since his La Liga days, and having excelled for Sporting, now could finally be the moment to bring him to the Emirates.

And finally, embrace rotation

Ultimately, those signings would give Arsenal a stronger, more balanced squad, but they will only translate into a title defence if Arteta embraces proper squad rotation.

You cannot play Zubimendi into every match when you have a Premier League-proven option like Christian Norgaard available. Similarly, you cannot run Timber into the ground by overplaying him when alternatives exist.

Reinforcements and smart rotation will ultimately be Arsenal's greatest weapons in retaining the Premier League title and ushering in an era of domination and titles. 

Arteta's bold reshuffle that could ensure a win as Arsenal lift the PL title at Selhurst Park

By Danong 

Twenty-two years later, Arsenal are back as Premier League champions, with the crowning set to take place at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

With the result against Crystal Palace on Saturday doing nothing to affect Arsenal's title hopes, this is certainly a dead rubber fixture for the Gunners.

The boys in red and white have nothing to play for but pride. And while Mikel Arteta may wish to field his formidable line-up, it is unlikely he will do so with a big Champions League final just a week away.

The Spaniard will want to keep his key players injury-free, and he should, to field his strongest line-up against PSG in Paris.

So in the final game of the season, we could see a massive shuffle of the Arsenal line-up.

We could see:

Arrizabalaga

Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Norgaard, Zubimendi, Eze

Madueke, Gyokeres, Dowman

Key players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz may only be afforded time from the bench.

Unfortunately, Jurrien Timber and Ben White are expected to miss out once again due to injury.

That said, in eight meetings against Palace, Arsenal are unbeaten, and form is firmly with them. The Eagles, meanwhile, have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five games.

Notably, Arsenal have won each of the last 14 final-day fixtures, last losing on the final day in the 2004-05 season. Who would bet against them making it 15?

Courageous line up predicted for West Ham title decider

By Danong 

Sunday and Arsenal make the short trip east to take on city rivals West Ham at the London Stadium.

Their last two visits there have seen the boys in red and white pick up convincing wins.

Now the Gunners need to replicate those results as they edge ever closer to a league title.

West Ham have struggled this season and are in real danger of relegation. That tricky situation, desperate to avoid the drop, should see them throw everything at this one.

Yet Arsenal, as thirsty as they are for league glory, should have more than enough motivation to overpower them.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that both Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino will miss Sunday's clash.

There are no fresh injuries, however, so the Arsenal manager should still have a strong squad to call upon for this derby.

With the Champions League still around three weeks away, the Gunners can go full throttle in their bid to win the league, and that is precisely why Arsenal could field this fierce line-up:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori

Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard

Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

That is certainly the most front-footed line-up Arteta can go with.

Myles Lewis-Skelly has breathed new life into Arsenal's engine room, bringing calmness, control, and progression, qualities that Martin Zubimendi has struggled to provide of late.

Beyond the Lewis-Skelly factor, having both Eze and Odegaard on the pitch at the same time should see the Gunners creating chances in abundance, chances that ought to hurt West Ham.

Win this one, and it will be one down, two to go before Arsenal finally claim the champions' tag.

Significant changes predicted in midfield and in attack that will.propel Arsenal in the final of the CL

By Danong 

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday, hosting Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The first leg ended all square, with the two sides playing out a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano. Tuesday night, however, a winner must emerge, and Arsenal will be hoping that on familiar ground, they are the ones who come out on top.

Earlier in the season, when the Gunners hosted Atletico in the Champions League league phase, they thrashed them 4-0. A similar result on Tuesday night will book the north Londoners a place in the 2026 Champions League final, set for the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday, 30 May.

On Saturday, Mikel Arteta reintroduced Ricardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka in his starting 11 in that convincing 3-0 win over Fulham, with Myles Lewis-Skelly replacing Martin Zubimendi in midfield also proving another astute tactical call.

Against the La Liga outfit, Gooners will be hoping Arteta produces similarly sharp thinking to outwit Diego Simeone.

Notably, the Arsenal boss is boosted by the availability of both Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, a significant lift ahead of such a high-stakes occasion.

With the returning duo back in the squad alongside the formidable side Arteta fielded on Saturday, Atletico have every reason to be worried.

Arteta could opt to play:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Odegaard, Eze

Saka, Havertz, Trossard

With this line-up, Arteta would be making some bold and necessary calls, the most significant being up front, Havertz for Gyökeres and choosing an attack oriented midfield by dropping Zubimendi for Odegaard. 

While Victor Gyokeres reminded everyone at the weekend just what a deadly finisher he is, Havertz represents the better option against Atletico. The German international's movement and work rate suit the demands of a tight two-legged tie far better.

His technical brilliance, alongside Eberechi Eze and Odegaard, could prove the key to unlocking Atletico's typically resolute defence, creating the openings for Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard to capitalise on.

That line-up should comfortably be too strong for Atletico, and could see Arsenal take a decisive step closer to European glory.

I hope Spurs win tonight!

 By 1970s Gooner 

The reason is pretty simple. City play Villa at the Etihad on the last day of the season, 24th May. You would ideally want Villa to be up for this game and try and get a result there.

But if they manage to hang on to the 5th place they hold right now or win the final of the Europa league (if they beat Nottingham Forest and qualify) then they will have very little incentive to be competitive for this game.

The final of the Europa League is four days prior to the last game of the season.

So I hope they loose tonight to Spurs, lose more games slipping away from European qualification and also fail to qualify for the Europa league final.

Time to add more creativity in the team. Predicted 11 Vs Fulham

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Arsenal are back at the Emirates on Saturday night, hosting Fulham as they look to keep their title charge alive.

Hoping to quench their thirst for league glory, it surely needs no emphasis that the Gunners simply cannot afford to slip. Only a win will do, with Manchester City breathing down their neck.

Bukayo Saka is back and trying to find his rhythm, whilst Ricardo Calafiori also returns. However, Arsenal will be without Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.

Even so, Mikel Arteta should have a capable enough side to dispatch the Cottagers. He could go for:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard

Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.

Alternatively if Odegaard cannot shake off the niggling knee problem that has followed him since the away game at Brentford there is the more attractive option of starting Eze. This will provide a more attacking threat as well as a player who can come up with a magic moment to win a what could be a close game.

There is the more attractive option to start both Odegaard, if he is fit, and Eze in midfield. Under this scenario Zubimendi will be rested for the second leg of the Semi-final against Athletico Madrid.

Against Atlético Madrid, Arteta made one brilliant tactical tweak, deploying Declan Rice as a six.

That adjustment made Arsenal more defensively strong and balanced, something the Gunners have been crying out for. Against Fulham, it could lay the foundation for yet another important win.

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Odegaard, Eze

Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Earlier in the season, when these two sides met, Arsenal came out on top with a 1-0 victory. Last season, too, the boys in red and white did not lose this London derby, winning at home and drawing at Craven Cottage.

Surely, when they absolutely need to beat Fulham, you would back Arsenal to do so.

Then the hope will be that Everton have enough in them to halt Manchester City on Monday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Arteta's perfect tweak to get Arsenal firing on all cylinders against Atlético

By Danong 

The Champions League semi-finals are here, with Arsenal heading off to Madrid to face Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.

With Premier League and Champions League glory both at stake, the boys in red and white will need to bring their A-game across these remaining fixtures.

Mikel Arteta and his squad will be hoping to build on the weekend's win over Newcastle, which saw them reclaim top spot in the league.

Bukayo Saka returned in that 1-0 victory over the Magpies and produced an eye-catching cameo, while Kai Havertz, who was withdrawn with a muscular issue, is not likely to be available. Eberechi Eze, who also picked up a muscular issue against Newcastle and could not finish the game, is similarly set to be fit.

Similarly, Martin Zubimendi felt unwell at half-time against the Magpies but should be fine to return, though Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are likely to remain unavailable. On the brighter side, Ricardo Calafiori could be back, a welcome boost.

All things considered, Arteta should have a pretty decent squad to call upon on Wednesday night, and could opt to go with:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard

Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

This line-up should certainly have enough to take care of an Atlético side whom they put four past back in October's Champions League league phase clash.

That said, Saka and Eze should drown Viktor Gyokeres with chances, and hopefully, he brings his scoring boots. Arsenal needs goals badly. This is a game where they must really step up and put an end to the worrying run of just one goal in their last seven competitive outings.

That said, having kept an impressive eight clean sheets in this season's Champions League campaign, securing a ninth on Wednesday night would go a long way in helping the boys in red and white put one foot in the final.

Arsenal have it in them to finally get over the line and bring glory back to North London. Predicted 11 vs Newcastle

By Danong 

Arsenal are back at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening as they host Newcastle in a Premier League Match Day 34 fixture.

Last time out, at the Etihad Stadium, the North Londoners hoped to cushion their lead at the top with a win over Manchester City. Unfortunately, though, they could not deliver. It was a tight contest, but City managed to nick a 2-1 win and as disappointing as that was, things got worse for the boys in red and white midweek when the Cityzens beat Burnley 1-0 to go top of the table.

Against Newcastle, Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side rises to the occasion. He will be hoping they can bring their A-game and shake off their poor league run, having lost their last two league games. Their performance against City last Sunday was certainly encouraging. 

His team will know that a win on Saturday returns them to the top of the league and puts pressure on Guardiola's side.

Looking at their opponents, Newcastle have simply not been at their competitive best this season. The Magpies are winless in their last three league games, and the pressure on Eddie Howe continues to mount.

Newcastle are in a tricky situation. And Arsenal have no choice but to pile on their misery, going for four wins in the last four meetings.

Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are all back fit, and Arteta has been able to rely on them.

Bukayo Saka and Ricardo Calafiori will also make the matchday squad for the Newcastle game and may get some minutes but Jurrien Timber will likely miss out.

Even without Timber and Mikel Merino, Arteta can still field a pretty decent side.

He could opt to go with:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard

Madueke, Havertz, Eze

This line-up, set against a Newcastle side who will be without Anthony Gordon and Joelinton, should be more than capable of taking care of business.

A healthy win would be important for Arsenal's title hopes and should set them up perfectly for a strong finish to the season.

Notably, Arsenal's remaining fixtures come against sides in the bottom half, while City face teams in the top half in their run-in.

At their best, Arsenal have it in them to finally get over the line and bring glory back to North London.

The tactical tweak Arteta must make to unlock Arsenal's ruthlessness

By Danong 

Last summer, Arsenal secured one of the deadliest strikers in Europe, signing the red-hot Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swede arrived fresh from a brilliant 2024-25 campaign. He scored 54 goals in 52 games. These impressive numbers had Arsenal convinced they had finally solved their goalscoring struggles.

Yet despite his 18 goals in 46 games, some Gooners feel the attack is not performing at the level it should. The frontline is still misfiring, and things have not improved as expected.

So, what do Arsenal need to unlock an efficient attack? The obvious recommendation is for them to sign a dangerous left-winger, and maybe bring in another striker. 

But none of that may work if Mikel Arteta fails to address one fundamental issue: his midfield.

Arteta wants a midfield built around a number six and two eights. But in constructing that unit, he has erred on the defensive side.

When fully fit, Arteta's preferred midfield trio is Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Martin Zubimendi.

Zubimendi is a natural six, but so is Rice. The Englishman himself once admitted as much to TNT Sports, via the Metro:

"I think my best position is probably as a number 6. My biggest strength is breaking up the play and taking the ball from deep. I do get excited when I play number 8, though. I get to show the other side of my game. I didn't stop running tonight!"

With both Rice and Zubimendi most comfortable as sixes, the tactical solution is clear: Arteta must be bold enough to settle on just one of them in that role.

Playing Rice alongside Zubimendi, without the attacking full-backs that teams like PSG and Bayern Munich have, certainly suffocates Arsenal's creative play. 

But should Arteta commit to one holding midfielder, the Gunners would have fewer creativity issues. This is particularly true if two natural tens were deployed as the eights.

Arsenal's ambition has long been to surpass Manchester City, but in doing so, they have overlooked an obvious tactical set-up. The Rodri–Bernardo Silva–Kevin De Bruyne midfield should have served as the blueprint for the Gunners' rebuild in the post-Granit Xhaka LCM era.

Instead, they have played two defensive midfielders with just Odegaard as the ten. This setup has further suffocated Arsenal's creativity and forced the team to prioritise caution above all else.

Looking at the current squad, Arteta has four defensive midfielders in Rice, Zubimendi, Cristian Norgaard, and Mikel Merino, with just two number tens in Eberechi Eze and Odegaard. The balance is skewed, and it is showing.

Arsenal must reshape their midfield. With their world-class centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, they can play one holding midfielder and two number tens without being exposed defensively.

Reverting to such a system would help this Arsenal side generate more chances. This approach would give them a greater opportunity to win games with the ruthlessness they crave.

It may take time and sacrifice to perfect this tactical approach. But if Arsenal are serious about developing that fear factor, it could be worth it.

Starting this player, how to bypass the City block and the attitude needed to win

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has equated the clash with Arsenal as the Premier League 2025-26 final.

Last time the two met, City tactically exposed an injury-plagued Arsenal side, fashioning a 2-0 win that clinched the Carabao Cup.

Much has happened since then; Arsenal have been knocked out of the FA Cup, suffered a defeat to Bournemouth, yet also just did enough to secure a Champions League semi-final spot. 

But all of that is behind them now. Arsenal need to deliver, find their rhythm and keep winning if they want to keep their title hopes alive.

Six points ahead of City, who have played a game less, a win would give Arsenal a comfortable cushion at the top. A defeat to the Manchester Blues, however, would cut the gap to just three points, heaping further pressure on the boys in red and white, because should City win their game in hand, the two sides would be level on points.

Arsenal have no excuses but to bring their A-game. Injuries, though, will still be a concern.

Bukayo Saka is confirmed to miss the game. Noni Madueke came off with a knock against Sporting CP, though Arteta was hopeful he would be fit. Ricardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard all remain doubtful; even so, given the sheer magnitude of the occasion, Arteta will surely field the strongest side he possibly can.

We could see Arsenal line up as follows:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie 

Zubimendi, Rice, Eze

Madueke, Havertz, Trossard

Why Havertz over Gyokeres:

Havertz can drop deep and link up play far more effectively. Gyokeres is a fine finisher, but with Havertz leading the line, Arsenal's attack would be more fluid, creating the space for the wingers to attack. The German could keep the City defence occupied before Gyokeres is introduced from the bench to prey on tired legs.

That said, in the Carabao Cup final, City caused Arsenal problems by exploiting their weakness in playing out from the back, something Bournemouth also capitalised on. 

Starting Havertz would be logical as one option for Raya would be to go long to Havertz. The Arsenal number 10, say Eze, and a winger should move up closer to him and give support moving the team further up the field.

Alternatively Raya could chip balls to either wing as City in their four man press involve their wingers and/or their full backs leaving space behind them. 

If Arteta has found a solution to that vulnerability, City are certainly beatable. However implausible an Arsenal victory may seem after the recent dire performances that have been served. 

Especially if the Arsenal players play with gusto, confidence and belief.