Merino rejects new contract offer amidst Arsenal strong interest

By Danong and 1970s Gooner

One of Arsenal's major needs is to sign a talented midfielder who can join Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to form a dream midfield trio.

In recent months, Arsenal has been linked with several elite midfielders including Merino's teammate Zubimendi who has however declared his intention to stay at Real Societad.

Mikel Merino is the player Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is now actively targeting and in an attempt to persuade the midfielder to join his project the Arsenal manager spoke with him over the phone. It is reported that the club has offered him a deal of a lifetime to move to the Emirates.

Martin Odegaard who collaborated with the midfielder in Sociedad's engine room in the 2019/20 season could also potentially influence his decision to move to North London.

However, there is no guarantee that the player will move to the Emirates Stadium. 

In fact, both Barcelona (who are willing to offer their defenders in swap deals to clinch the deal) and Atletico Madrid are interested in the Real Sociedad star, who may be available for as little as £17 million.

A significant reason for his low valuation is the fact that he has one year remaining on his contract. And according to Mundo Deportivo he has rejected an extension.

As much as we want Merino to join Arsenal what can he bring to Mikel Arteta's midfield?

The Sociedad midfield standout, who is a fantastic box-to-box midfielder, is capable of filling Xhaka's 22/23 LCM role.

His strong aerial presence will improve Arsenal's box-crashing skills and further increasing its goal threat especially from set pieces.

Mikel Merino is a defensive beast; he has won the most duels (326) in Europe's top seven leagues. And he was rightfully assessed as the highest-ranked centrral midfielder in La Liga last season by WhoScored.

Summarily, Merino's stats last season were as follows:

 • He made 79 tackles, which ended up being 2.86 tackles per 90 minutes.

 • He attempted 581 ground duels, but as highlighted above, he won 327, which is 11.85 duels per 90 minutes.

• He won 170 aerial duels, which was 6.16 per 90 minutes.

We refer to Declan Rice as Mr. Reliable, always available when called upon and never missing a game. Given that Merino is virtually always fit and has only missed 13 games in five seasons is music to Arteta's and every Arsenal fan's ears.

Calafiori tells Bologna to let him fulfill his dream move to Arsenal

By 1970s Gooner 

Riccardo Calafiori on his return from holidays for pre season told the Bologna hierarchy that he wants to leave and asked them to let him fulfill his dream and play for Arsenal. 

This is according to respected journalist Fabrizio Romano who also claims that Bologna have accepted Arsenal’s offer of an initial £33.7m plus £4.2m add-ons!

Arsenal are now working round the clock to finalise the deal and get it over the line so that the player can join the Arsenal squad that will be travelling to the States for a series of friendlies.

Personal terms with Calafiori have already been agreed. 

GREAT NEWS

Meeting this morning opens the way for Calafiori to join Arsenal

By 1970s Gooner 

We all know of Bologna's reluctance to part ways with their star defender unless the gap in valuation between themselves and Arsenal of 10m is closed. 

Behind this lies ofcourse the reported 40% sale on clause they agreed with Basel when they bought the player only last season!

It has now become apparent that Arsenal have offered Kiwior as part of the transaction to help Bologna fill the gap that will be left.

This ofcourse opened up a can of worms because firstly Bologna have to assess if they deem Kiwior as an adequate replacement and hence raise additional valuation issues.

And secondly Kiwior himself has to be convinced to make the move too with reports stating that he is set for joining A.C Milan. 

Amidst all these complications however the Italian journalist Gianluca Dimarzio has reported today that Bologna is actively looking at replacing Calafiori with Juventous defender Daniel Rugani.

And that a meeting took place this morning at Bologna's headquarters between Rugani's agent, Torchia and the team's hierarchy to discuss this possibility. 

So a way out looks likely but it now depends on Rugani and Juventus agreeing to this deal...

You know what they say : things need to get worse before they get better...

It's not Gyokeres or Osimhen but this Dutch sensation is the hitman closer to Arsenal switch

By Danong and 1970s Gooner

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Arsenal's search for a new striker.

There was a time when it seemed like the Gunners really wanted to bring in a top striker. 

Then it turned out that getting a new striker wasn't really a big deal because they believed that with Kai Havertz, the Arsenal attack was still strong enough.

So apparently the Gunners have given up on plans to sign Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

The club's decision to snub Osimhen is understandable, given his hefty price tag of over £100 million.

Snubbing Gyokeres is interesting, but I hope the chiefs at Arsenal know what they're doing because the Swedish striker had an impressive campaign last season, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 50 games for Sporting CP.

This was his first season at the club after leaving Championship side Coventry. Based on these statistics, he would have been an excellent recruit. 

It's reported however that he has an 86m release clause and like Osimen he will not come to Arsenal if he is not guaranteed a starting place in the team.

Which brings us to Ajax's Brobbey as the likeliest to grace the carpet. He is 22 and will be willing to fight for his place as the number 9, which means he will more often than not start on the bench.

He offers youth and potential without upsetting the apple cart in the Arsenal forwards hierarchy.

He is an excellent finisher with18 goals and 8 assists last season in 30 matches. He's also quite strong, evoking similarities with Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Didier Drogba.

He's also agile and has the ability to drive the ball forward quickly, which is what the Arsenal attack craves.

Arteta will aim to use him as an alternative for the forward line while helping him develop further to be able to challenge for a first team place in his own right.

Transfermarkt value him at 35m 

Teammate admits he gets why Arsenal wants to sign 21yo rapid winger

By Danong    

Spain No. 1, Unai Simon, has shared his thoughts on why top European clubs are interested in Nico Williams. The Athletico Bilbao star is definitely one of the best up-and-coming Spanish talents. 

Rumours suggest that Arteta is interested in bringing him to the Emirates Stadium, as he's keen to add a versatile winger to his project.

Williams has been absolutely outstanding in the European Championship, playing a crucial role in Spain's incredible success in the competition. 

One cannot overlook his impressive performances along with Lamine Yamal when discussing Spain's 2024 Euro campaign. Their brilliance on Spain's wings has truly been dazzling.

That said, just before the Euros started, Williams signed a new deal, which suggests he's not in a rush to leave his La Liga side.

Despite the new deal, Arsenal is really keen on signing him, and there's even talk of them considering activating his around £47 million release clause.

When Unai Simons was asked about the attention his fellow countryman was receiving in the transfer market, he responded, as quoted by Estadio Deportivo:

“Nico can play wherever he wants, and that’s what he’s going to do. Well, honestly, I think it’s normal that you hear all these rumours that Nico can go to Barca, that he can go to Chelsea, to Arsenal... 

It’s normal that you hear that because Nico is a player who right now could play in most teams in the world because of what he is showing in this Euros, because of the growth that Athletic have had this season, and because he is very decisive in many situations."

It is without doubt that Williams could bolster Arsenal's attack. At only 21 years old, he's already showing a lot of promise for the future. He's got some serious speed and killer dribbling skills. 

Adding his skills to Arsenal's attack would bring a fresh dynamic, making them harder to predict and more adaptable. In 37 games last season, he racked up 8 goals and 19 assists.

Williams is versatile and can play on either wing, which adds flexibility to attacking formations and Arteta can try out various tactical setups thanks to his adaptability.

Certainly, bringing him on board would be a key step in the long-term plan to further strengthen rhe team and establish Arsenal as a dominant force in Europe. His signing would help build a solid foundation of young, skilled players who can consistently compete at the highest level now and in the long run.

With Calafiori joining will Mikel Arteta now have the best defence in Europe?

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

It looks like Riccardo Calafiori's move to Arsenal is a matter of when, not if. Over the last few days, it has seemed that the Italian Euro standout is getting closer to signing for Arsenal.

One of the best aspects of the Calafiori signing is that he significantly increases Arsenal's defensive squad depth because he can play either left back or left central defence. 

He will be joining a set of central defenders who could be playing in all four positions at the back: White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Timber, Kiwior. 

The latter however may be transferred to make room for Calafiori.

So, what would Arsenal's defence look like with Calafiori? 

Mikel Arteta could choose between three defensive setups.

Option A:  White, Gabriel, Saliba, and Calafiori. 

This defensive line is one of the tightest, capable of repelling any attack. You can play it against teams with strong attacking talent, such as Real Madrid and Manchester City especially in the Champions League which will give you the best platform to go deep in the competition.

• Option B: Timber, Saliba, Calafiori and Zinchenco. 

This defence features our best on-the-ball defenders. You can field this defensive line against teams that prefer to sit back and defend with a low block. 

If one wants to break down one of the toughest defences, this may be the backline to lay the foundation for unlocking such opponents. 

One may question the need to take a risk with Zinchenko, but with a strong LCM in Calafiori to cover for the Ukrainian international, the left side will be defensively sound.

•Option C: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori. 

This option might rely on Timber and Calafiori's on-ball abilities while also exploiting their defensive qualities. On any matchday, you can use this defence against any opponent. 

I'm sorry, Ben White fans, but this option could potentially be Arsenal's strongest defensive unit on paper and possibly the best defence in Europe.

In addition to the six defenders mentioned in the three options above, Takehiro Tomiyasu, who can play throughout the backline would also be a strong option to fill in for anyone who isn't fit.

Along with Jakub Kiwior reports also predict the departure of Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares.

Calafiori to reject Chelsea?

 By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

According to Fabrizio Romano, it seems that Arsenal and Chelsea are currently the only clubs in discussions to acquire Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.

But have Juventus really cooled their interest or is there a game being played here by his agent and/or his current employer, Bologna, to spike the price up that Juventous will eventually have to pay.

There are some similarities here with the Vlahovic case where Arsenal, if you remember, were led to believe that the

player was available but of course he ended up at Juventous where he wanted to go to in the first place!

In any case the Bologna defender, who is reportedly interested in moving to the Emirates Stadium if Arsenal can reach an agreement with his club, has according to some press outlets received a long-term offer from the Gunners.

However, Arsenal might have to deal with competition from Chelsea, which is also interested in the player as they tend to follow what Arsenal aim for in the transfer windows (remember the Mudryk transfer saga).

What if Chelsea also ends up making a tempting offer to the Italian? And what if they "confuse" him with a tempting wage package that he won't be able to turn down?

If this ends up a straight fight with Chelsea, Arsenal have two very strong cards to convince the 22-year-old to join them.

Firstly playing for Arsenal he will be competing in probably the best and most high profile league in the world. And fighting neck and neck against Man City directly for the league title.

Secondly, next season, playing for Arsenal will present Calafiori the opportunity to compete in the prestigious Champions League and have a realistic chance to go deep in the competition and possibly win it.

He will of course play in the CL with Bologna if he decides to stay but it's debatable if they manage to go deep in the competition.

Chelsea will not have Champions League football on offer and there's no guarantee they'll be in the Premier League title race. In fact they are more likely to be competing for a top four place!

If Riccardo Calafiori is ambitious, he's definitely not going to settle for a club playing in the Conference League.

For him, there's only one destination—Arsenal.

Saka and Rice can bring it home in this new formation

By 1970s Gooner 

Well it's very obvious that England and Southgate haven't got a cat in hell's chance to progress through the quarter finals let alone win the damn thing.

The players are knackered, they can't play through the mid or even a low block that is deployed against them, they can't press the opposition themselves and to cap it all haven't got any ideas how to progress forward with the ball!!

No wonder Pickford more often than not elects to go long looking for Kane's head! Reminds of the kind of football I grew up with in the 70s!

I can confidently predict that if Southgate picks the same team and more importantly the same formation England will get knocked out by Switzerland in the quarter finals. 

There is no way that England will be able to call again upon the extremely fortuitous chain of events that materialised 35 seconds in the 90 +5 minute of the game and again in the second minute of extra time!

The radical change that absolutely needs to happen is not necessarily a change of players but a change of formation. I would suggest to change to a 3 4 1 2 formation.

Pickford 

Walker Stones Konsa

TAD/Trippier Rice Mainou Saka

Bellingham 

Toney Kane

The message should be: pass the ball forward not side ways, take your player on and play with freedom.

Can Mikel Arteta forego a superstar forward signing?

By Danong

Let's be honest: with King Kai Havertz's form we shouldn't be keen to add a striker.

Benjamin Sesko, who many believed to be our top target, revealed the other day that he will not be joining; he has committed his future to RB Leipzig.

Prior to Sesko, Alexander Isak expressed his desire to stay at Newcastle following a successful season last year.

There are other striking options to consider but Arsenal's striker search is becoming more difficult than some of us anticipated.

Currently, teams may perceive Arsenal as desperate to sign a striker and attempt to exploit the situation.

In addition, strikers might be apprehensive about joining Arsenal, observing Havertz's comeback and questioning whether their move to the Emirates would ensure a starting position.

As difficult as it is for Arsenal to sign a striker, do they really need one given Havertz's form?

In 17 games for club and nation since last season, the German striker has scored or assisted 19 goals (11 goals and 8 assists).

Interestingly, in Arsenal's final nine games of the season, he had 8 goals and 7 assists. By the end of the season, most Gooners were content with Havertz directing the offensive.

After initially playing Havertz as a left back, German head coach Julias Nagelsman was eager to capitalise on Havertz's revival at striking. A week before the Euros, the German boss made it obvious he trusted the Arsenal player to lead his forward line.

Well, clearly, it was the best decision he ever made, as Havertz validated his selection in Germany's Euros opening against Scotland.

Havertz shined as the lone striker, getting a high 8/10 Sofascore rating with a spectacular performance that demonstrated his skill and authority on the pitch.

He contributed one assist for Jamal Musiala's goal in the 19th minute and he converted a penalty with composure and perfection to make it 3-0 for Germany.

He had a 100% success in duels (3/3), demonstrating his dominance on the pitch and his ten passes in the final third demonstrated his vision and ability to pierce Scotland's defence.

Niclas Fullkrug replaced him in the 63rd minute, and the spectators showered him with a well-deserved standing ovation as he exited the pitch.

Kai Havertz has transformed his circumstances in just over half a season, going from the least popular player to one who is always well-supported by both Arsenal and the German national team.

Looking at the ex-Blues' performance in the last few months, I can't help but believe that even if we don't sign a striker, we have one we can rely on.

I don't know about you, but with Gabriel Jesus and Havertz covering the number 9 (or 9 1/2) position and us signing a superstar winger who can play both wings and has an eye for goal, Arsenal's attack should be fired next season to go and win the league. 

£34m French wonderkid the X-factor Arsenal attack needs

By Danong

Arsenal seems to heavily rely on Bukayo Saka as its go-to player. He only missed three league games in the last three seasons, which might not seem like a big deal to some. But he's playing way more than he should. And burn out is what we should avoid.

But out of all the potential transfers to the Emirates Stadium, I would be genuinely surprised if Arsenal didn't view a £34 million move for Desire Doue as an opportunity.

This 18-year-old Rennes winger has been making waves in the French football scene since his debut in the 2022–23 season.

On the pitch, he's known for his versatility, playing on either side of the wing as well as in the attacking and central midfield positions. 

He's known for his stylish dribbling, quick feet and entertaining football, which creates plenty of chances for the team. 

He's pretty young, but he's already got the freedom to call the shots when he's got the ball at his feet. He's got some serious skills when it comes to controlling the tempo of the game with his dribbling and passing abilities. 

Stats, as per fbref, he's a pretty solid ball carrier:

Progressive carries: 4.38 (ranking 99 percentile)

Carries into Penalty Area: 1.55 (ranking 99 percentile)

Carries into the Final Third: 4.20 (ranking 99 percentile).

If he signs, the young Frenchman could be a fantastic backup for Saka. His versatility allows him to play in various attacking positions, although he may not be the best option for a striker. 

With him at Arsenal, our offensive game would definitely improve, so I wouldn't mind spending £34 million to secure his deal.

What this 'tried and tested' PL star brings to Arsenal as the club returns for him 6 months after initiating talks

By Danong

Arsenal were at their peak last season, scoring their most goals ever (91), being at their best not to allow the opposition to score (conceded just 29), having a goal difference of 62 and raising their best points tally in years (89).

For sure, Arsenal must be at their best next season to stand a chance of league glory and no doubt they can only do so by bringing in more quality players. The engine room is one position that will undoubtedly require bolstering.

Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice have established their worth in Arteta's engine room, but many believe the club needs to sign another talented player to complement them and give Arsenal a strong midfield trio.

It is considered that Partey is likely to depart in the summer window coming up given his atrocious injury record raising strong doubts as to his availability for next season. He has also one season left in his contract and Arsenal are unlikely to offer an extension.

Below are the midfielders who seem to fulufil Arteta's criteria:

Bruno Guimaraes: The Athletic reports that Arsenal is interested in him, but it is believed his £100 million release clause may prove too expensive.

Douglas Luiz: The Villa midfielder is one who some Arsenal fans would like to see at the Emirates Stadium, but he, too, may be available for a high price and Arsenal have made enquiries last season.

It is unclear however whether he is willing to leave the Birmingham club, which will compete in the Champions League next season or indeed go to Juventous who seem interested.

Martin Zubimendi: According to Sport.es, Artera has made enquiries before and now is willing to pay his £51 million release clause but the player is reluctant once again.

Joao Neves: The Benfica star is one of the most exciting prospects in European football. He could be the perfect midfield addition but signing him for his £100 million or more asking price is unlikely.

What is apparent from the above options is that Arteta seems to have decided that an additional defensive midfielder brought in to sit at the base will release Rice to play at the left side of midfield.

That being said, which midfielder should Arsenal consider signing? I'd suggest we go for Amadou Onana. Notably, according to Fabrizio Romano, as reported by Give Me Sport, they have already made contact over the swoop.

These recent links aren't new; the Everton star is a midfielder. Sacha Tavolieri, the Belgian journalist, said Arsenal held talks for the move during the winter transfer window, with the player back then interested in the move, but the deal never materialised.  

Arsenal was confident he was the ideal addition to their project at the time, so why shouldn't he continue to be so today?

Despite reports that he is available for £50 million, he could go for less given that Everton are in a difficult financial situation and require sales this summer; an enticing offer could persuade them to let the Belgian international leave.

If Onana signed, what would he bring to Arsenal?

People often perceive Onana as a 'destroyer', adept at regaining possession of the ball and facilitating the creation of opportunities for others. 

With his 6'4 size, the former Lille star dominates his zone and has the ability to physically overpower the rival midfielders. 

His elastic, long legs allow him to be a good tackler, which is becoming increasingly important as the Premier League shifts to a more centre-progression-focused approach.

His ball-carrying style is reminiscent of Yaya Toure's—powerful ball carriers with lengthy strides and muscle, but also comfortable when closed down. 

If paired with Declan Rice, Onana may take turns going on marauding runs with the ball while the other sits and marshals the defence.

Though he is mostly a 6, the 22-year-old hybrid midfielder can play as both a 6 and an 8, so if he joins, Arteta will pick where he plays. He can continuously trade positions with Rice, depending on the opponent.

For sure, teaming Rice and Onana would be devastating for opponents since it would go a long way in establishing domination in central midfield while also providing Arsenal with the option of carrying the ball centrally themselves.

This is what i think. What do you think?

Arsenal crave for something special to unlock defences; if it's not this playmaker, I don't know

 

By Danong

In an analysis of the transfer business Arsenal may intend to conduct this summer, the Athletic have revealed what could define Arsenal's recruitment strategy. 

They allege that following Arsenal's defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, the decision-makers at the club felt the team lacked a specific X-factor in attack—something special to unlock defences on the greatest stages.

At first glance the fact that Arsenal at the initially stages of the season lacked a clinical striker suggest that signing one could be the solution. 

However, is this truly the case? I don't think so, given that Arsenal were at their best in attack by the time they played Bayern Munich. 

The clash with the German giants came at a time when Havertz was having a good run that saw him score eight goals and provide seven assists in nine league games.

I believe that "to unlock defences" Arsenal definitely needs another elite playmaker to improve the left side of central midfield. The departure of Xhaka last summer left a void that Arsenal has yet to fill.

So, who should Arsenal consider signing for LCM?

Arsenal needs someone like PSG's Xavi Simons. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Dutch playmaker come winger may be available to go out on loan this summer but he is still uncertain where to go. 

Arsenal must make it their mission to ensure that he selects them as his next destination because he could be the X-factor the team desperately needs.

To break down defences, Arsenal needs a player who is exceptional at dribbling, playing through balls and critical passes, having an eye for a shot, finishing and being nearly faultless.

Footystats reports that last season in the Bundesliga (for RB Leipzig on loan), he made 2.72 critical passes per game which led to major scoring opportunities. 

As the numbers will reveal below, Simons has made a splash in the Dutch league and the Bundesliga over the last two seasons and I believe he will be a success at the Emirates.

2022–23: 34 games, 19 goals, 8 assists.

2023–24: 32 games, 8 goals, 11 assists

Simons will add another very reliable option which will give Arteta plenty of room to maneuver within the available midfielders depending on the type of opposition and the tactics he wants to use 

He is of course well adept at playing on either wing utilising his pace and in this sense Arsenal will be gaining an additional very viable option for him to play as a winger. 

And if his switch to Arsenal proves a success (like say how Odegaard's loan proved to be) he could make the move permanent (Darren Dein is his agent).

Yes, a top striker ought to be signed, but I believe Arsenal should consider bringing Simons on loan; who knows, he could the X-factor this Arsenal team needs to succeed.

Sesko said yes and here's an idea of what Arsenal will get

 By Danong and 1970s Gooner

Arsenal are believed to be interested in signing a striker. One may argue that they already have a capable option in Kai Havertz, but the German clearly needs competition, which Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah cannot provide. And next season, Mikel Arteta needs another striking option to share Havertz's workload.

Notably, these last few days, we have been led to believe that RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is the striker to join this Arsenal team. Mirror’s John Cross is claiming that Sesko has agreed to move to North London with the Gunners looking to part ways with £45 million.

But what is Arteta expecting he will bring to the Emirates Stadium?

Sesko's versatility, speed and ability to quickly change direction confuses defenders. And he's one of the most clinical strikers with precise and powerful shots. 

Off the ball, he continues to work hard, persistently pressing opponents, making him a nuisance for teams that try to play out from the back. It's an attribute Mikel strongly values in a pressing from the front tactic that we saw Havertz and Odegaard carry it to perfection last season.

As tall as he is (6 feet 5in – 1.95m), he is strong in the air, winning headers and scoring from crosses and set pieces, something in which Arsenal excelled last season. But he also drifts deep to link up the play and provide opportunities for counterattacks.

Lastly his age will appeal to Mikel. He is only 21 and can therefore be coached and developed to fit in to the way Arteta’s Arsenal play their football providing a viable option for the number 9 position. 

And he can be part of the model of a young squad which can develop and mature, something that Arteta embraced from the beginning of his tenure thus not only preserving but increasing the player's value during his time at Arsenal.

Sesco’s league stats compared to Gunner strikers Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Eddie Nketiah over the last two seasons show he could be an upgrade to Arteta's attacking options.

2022-23

Sesko: 30 games, 16 goals, 3 assists 

Jesus: 26 games, 12 goals, 6 assists

Nketiah: 30 games, 4 goals, 1 assist 

Havertz: 35 games, 7 goals, 1 assist 

2023-24

Sesko: 31 games, 14 goals, 2 assists 

Jesus: 27 games, 4 goals, 5 assists 

Nketiah: 27 games, 5 goals, 2 assists 

Havertz: 37 games, 13 goals, 7 assists

Sesco appears have a better ratio of goals to games but one has to take into account that last season was Havertz’s first and the constant changing of positions from left midfield to false 9 (or 9 ½) has negatively impacted his effectiveness. It is logical to assume that Havertz will be far more influential next season.

And Sesco’s competition and freshness can propel both players to provide the impetus that we need up front to maintain the team’s efficiency at a high level both in the Premier League and in the Champions League.

 

Is this the midfielder this Arsenal team needs to shake off one glaring weakness next season?

 By Danong

Arsenal had an impressive 2023–24 season, finishing second in the Premier League with 89 points, just 2 points behind the league champions, Manchester City. Almost every stat this Arsenal team set was impressive; in fact, they broke record after record.

They set a club record-breaking 28 wins in a 38-game league campaign. They set a club record goal difference of +62, conceding the fewest goals (29) in 20 years. They also equaled the record for most goals from corners (16). 

Most of Arsenal's records were quite heartwarming, but there is one surprising statistic that has emerged, indicating the need for improvement in the upcoming season.

Arsenal scored a whopping 91 goals, but it's a bit of a letdown that only six of them were from outside the penalty area. The Gunners could use some more firepower from a distance. 

This discovery has exposed Arsenal's heavy reliance on close-range finishes and their limited ability to make impactful shots from a distance. 

While some Gooners may not view this stat as significant, given the continued success in scoring goals, it should be, as Arsenal strives for excellence in all areas. The fact that Manchester City scored 15 goals from outside the penalty area only highlights this weakness.

Being able to find the target from a distance and score from a long range, if not setting up the forwards for tap-ins, could have been really useful for the Gunners. 

It would have been handy in the first half of the season, especially considering the losses they experienced due to them struggling in front of goal. During the first half of the season, the team's attack lacked bite.

In the matches against Aston Villa (1-0 loss in December) and Newcastle (1-0 loss in November), having the option of long-range shots could have been useful. If Arsenal had won either of these matches, or even if they had ended in draws, they would have become the league champions. 

Arsenal appear to have mastered scoring from set pieces, and scoring from long range could be the key to their success next season.

With the transfer window upon us, Arsenal is looking to strengthen their midfield in addition to their attack. Maybe the Arsenal scouts should think about bringing in a top midfielder who has an eye for a shot. 

Even though he might be a bit expensive, Douglas Luiz is that player. The Brazilian definitely brings a much-needed long-range threat to a team. 

His shot-power rating in the FC 24 game was 83. In the 2023–24 Premier League season, Douglas Luiz, though a deep-lying midfielder, proved to be a consistent threat in front of goal. 

With 28 shots taken in 34 matches, he has shown his willingness to pull the trigger when the opportunity arises. His shooting accuracy of 60.71% is an impressive stat, with 17 of his shots finding the target. This accuracy has resulted in a goal for every 3.11 shots he takes, showcasing his efficiency in front of goal.

On average, he takes 0.87 shots per 90 minutes, highlighting his active involvement in the attacking phase of the game. 

Douglas Luiz's shooting stats speak volumes about his proficiency in front of goal and his ability to make a significant impact for his team.

We'll have to wait and see what happens this summer—if Luiz, who can't stop being linked with a move to the Emirates since Arsenal had three bids rejected for him, is finally captured.

Ultimately, Arsenal must step up their game in terms of scoring from distance. It could provide them with the extra boost they need to outwit Manchester City for the league title.

Timber the answer to Arsenal's summer transfer straregy

By 1970s Gooner

Jurrien Timber had a most impressive 25 minutes against Everton at the Emirates today, the last game of the campaign. It was his second appearance since he suffered that horrible injury in the season's opener.

But he was immense. Strong and determined he inverted towards the midfield as if he was playing all season there.

He will most definitely be Arteta's first choice left back for next season. No doubt about it. 

And in addition to saving all that money to buy a left back Arteta won't have to go for an additional centre back to cover for the fabulous duo of Gabriel and Saliba. Timber remember is a centre back as well as a full back. 

Tomi will be a cover for all positions at the back and the same goes for Timber! This is in addition to Quior and Zinchenko providing additional cover.

The transfer strategy and the financial resources will therefore switch towards getting another centre forward and a central midfielder if Partey goes.

The center forward will be selected to have the versatility to also play on the wing.

Add to all the above the large room for improvement that is within this young squad and the experience gained in the last two seasons.

It's a sure recipe for surpassing City and lifting the premier league trophy next May. 

On the Brink of Glory: Arsenal’s Progressive March Under Mikel Arteta

By Danong

Mikel Arteta has done an impressive job at the Emirates Stadium. Take a look at this trend:

2019-2020: 56 points and finished 8th

2020-2021: 61 points, finished 8th

2021-2022: 69 points, finished 5th

2022-2023: 84 points, finished 2nd

2023-24: ??

It is apparent that Arsenal under Mikel are on the rise; each season they improve. Since the Spaniard took over halfway through the 2019–20 season, Arsenal's points have increased significantly each season in an upward trend. 

Compared to the past seasons prior to the Arteta era, the Gunners have never remained still or exhibited signs of deterioration.

The 2023–24 season concludes today. An Arsenal victory over Everton will see the Gunners finish with a maximum of 89 points. Unfortunately, these points may not help them win the title (though they may win if Manchester City, who have 88 points, drop points against West Ham on Sunday).

Even so, reaching 89 points is commendable given Arsenal's growing momentum, but it is insufficient to meet coach Mikel Arteta's target of 90 points if his side is to win the Premier League.

"The demands, you might have to win every game. I don’t know. I have no clue. There are a lot of games and we are all going to have crazy schedules and this league might be different to last season," said Arteta back in March of the title race as quoted by 90MIN.

"Anything under 90 points I think would be very difficult."

Anyway, given the trend, there's every reason to expect Arsenal to gather more points next season than they did this season. So, if not this season, Arsenal will return with an even better version next season, aiming to win the Premier League title with 90 or more points. 

Whatever happens on Sunday, whether Arsenal win the league or not, the most beautiful days for the Gooners are ahead.

Arsenal player ratings in the Villa defeat: Very few players stood out

By Danong and 1970s Gooner

Arsenal needed to bag all three points against visiting Aston Villa to return to the top of the league, especially since Liverpool dropped all 3 points prior to Arsenal's game. 

One would have thought that this alone would be enough to motivate the players, but it wasn't to be so. Rather, in the first half they seemed a little bit more anxious than usual and coupled with going in at half time drawing culminated in the insipid display that we witnessed afterwards. Unfortunately, they suffered a disappointing defeat thanks to two late Villa goals scored by Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.

 

Nevertheless they could have won it in the first 45 minutes had they been clinical. In the second half, Villa were re-energised; they showed passion and resolve to get something out of the game and it paid off.

 

David Raya (5/10)

He was lucky not to concede from the two attempts by Watkins and Tielemans that hit the post and bar respectively but they were fantastic shots. It's debatable if he was at fault for their first goal as Gabriel and the Villa player were both very near the goal post which must have put him off.

He can be blamed partially for their second goal as he didn't need to come out since Smith Row was very close to Watkins. By coming out he encouraged Watkins to chip it over him. He did come out of his area against Bayern and he conceded on that occasion too. Raya must learn to choose well when to rush from his goal. 

 

Gabriel Magalhaes (4/10)

He wasn't as dominant as we've known him to be. Almost conceded a goal in the first half by finding the back of Zinchenko's head which resulted in Watkins shot on the post. He made a very similar mistake for Bayern's first goal where he rushed a pass to an unsuspecting Kiwior. 

He also allowed Villa's forward to get ahead of him in the near post which resulted in the first goal we conceded. 

William Saliba (5/10)

He made some key interventions throughout the game. However, I'm not sure where he was when Bailey scored.

 

 Ben White (7/10)

Had an excellent game. He rarely puts one foot wrong. He was the best player for Arsenal yet again, but sadly, he was subbed off.

 

Oleksandr Zinchenko (4/10)

 

Was dreadful; his defensive troubles were obvious. It seemed like he was doing everything he could to win the league for Manchester City.

 

Declan Rice (6/10)

 

He had to play the No. 6 role, which requires him to be more cautious and reserved. He produced a good performance although he failed to spot Baily was behind him in the box who as a result had a free shot at goal. Rice has been a little underwhelming recently but would have been more effective in a free role—a box-to-box midfield role.

 

Martin Odegaard (7/10)

 

In the first half, Villa was unable to contain him, rendering him unplayable. His impact decreased in the second half. He was later subbed off with Arteta claiming he had felt something.

 

Kai Havertz (6/10)

His timed runs caused problems for the Villa defenders but he wasn't clinical, though.

 

Leandro Trossard (5/10)

Showed flashes of brilliance. He pressed with determination and, several times, demonstrated quick feet. It was disappointing that he did not score from two yards when all he had to do was hit the three quarters of the goal that were not being guarded by Martinez. He failed to show that he is more than just a supersub.

Gabriel Jesus (5/10)

His work with the ball was excellent, but he continues to demonstrate that he is not the Arsenal team's clinical striker. He just can't accomplish the easy stuff, which is frustrating. Arteta will have to sign a real goal scorer if we are to get anywhere.

Bukayo Saka (6/10) 

Had an excellent game in the first half and an average game in the second. His direct runs and intricate dribbling caused problems for the Villa defense. He had a few chances to score but didn't.

 

Substitutes:

 

Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10)

 

Was solid. His impact was palpable. Should've started at left back.

 

Gabriel Martinelli (5/10)

Had an uneventful game. He was not impactful. 

 

Jorginho (4/10)

He gave the ball away cheaply for Ollie Watkins' goal.

 

Emile Smith Rowe (4/10)

He wasn't as game-changing as Arteta had hoped. 

 

Eddie Nketiah (N/A)

He came on late and did not contribute significantly.

 

 

Manager:

 

Mikel Arteta (4/10)

 

His team selection raised numerous questions. Why drop Havertz from his number 9 role where he's been at his best?

Jorginho and Rice in midfield excelled together; why change it?

He is partly to blame for the loss.

Where did Arteta go so wrong to be stunned by compatriot Unai Emery?

 

By Danong

With a win, Arsenal intended to maintain their strategic position in the Premier League title chase this weekend, but suffered a major setback by loosing 2-0 to a motivated Aston Villa. While Villa's tactical plan under Unai Emery was superb, Mikel Arteta made two key tactical blunders that contributed to that loss.

 

1. Overreliance on the inverted fullback

 

Since last season, Mikel Arteta's utilisation of the inverted fullback has been a major component of Arsenal's game plan. However, against Aston Villa, this strategy failed miserably. Oleksandr Zinchenko frequently overstayed in midfield, leaving Arsenal's left wing vulnerable for Villa wingers Diaby and Bailey to exploit. He also gave the ball away more often than not and we were lucky to avoid going one down much earlier than we actually did.

 

It's astonishing Mikel Arteta didn't realise Unai Emery's game plan was to capitalise on Zinchenko's shift to midfield, leaving space on the wings. Earlier in the second half, introducing Jorginho and either Jakub Kiwior or Takehiro Tomiyasu would have been the correct move. Jorginho would have eliminated the need for an inverted fullback role, allowing the fullbacks to play as typical fullbacks, giving the Gunners a chance in that game.

 

2. Ineffective midfield setup

 

I'm not sure why Arteta abandoned the Jorginho, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard midfield—it delivered week in and week out. Playing Kai Havertz in midfield just doesn't work. Rice has been effective when not playing as the No. 6; he's flourished when allowed a licence to roam and contribute to the attack. If Arteta hadn't started Jorginho, he should've started Thomas Partey to play the No. 6 role.

 

A Havertz, Rice, and Odegaard midfield provides more control than creativity and it also lacks the dynamism and penetration required to disrupt a well-organised defence like Aston Villa's.

 

Villa's midfielders routinely outmuscled Arsenal, restricting their build-up play. Arsenal not having someone play as the box-to-box midfielder allowed Villa to easily dominate the midfield duel, significantly restricting their establishing control, especially in the second half. 

 

This defeat to Aston Villa may have a significant impact on Arsenal's title aspirations. Arteta will need to reflect on these tactical mistakes, learn from them, and do better to lead this Arsenal squad to victory.

Rotate or not? Arsenal can put one foot in the UCL semi-finals with this lineup

 By Danong

Tuesday night sees Arsenal facing Bayern Munich in the highly anticipated Champions League quarterfinals at the Emirates Stadium. This game is a must-watch, as it would be the perfect litmus test if this Arsenal team truly has rediscovered its competitive edge. 

Bayern find themselves in a challenging situation as they grapple with the issue of inconsistency. Arsenal, on the other hand, have been in exceptional form, securing one victory after another. They have only suffered a single defeat (a 1-0 loss to FC Porto) since the winter break, triumphing in 11 out of their 13 matches during this impressive run.

Is it wise for Mikel Arteta to consider rotating his squad against this Bayern Munich side so that he has a fresh looking side for the game against Villa?

Despite Bayern Munich's recent inconsistencies, Arsenal should view them as their toughest challenge yet.

Last week, the Arsenal boss took a calculated risk by rotating his lineup against Luton. The outcome was a resounding success, with his side securing a 2-0 victory. Even if there's a big clash with Aston Villa coming up (with PL glory at stake), Arteta can't rest his best players in a must-win match like Bayern.

Reports suggest that all the Gunners, including Jurrien Timber, participated in full first-team training on Monday. Therefore, Arteta has an abundance of options when it comes to selecting who to play and who not to play.

 

Which raises the question: what is the most formidable Arsenal lineup the Spaniard can field Tuesday night? 

The lineup Arteta fielded against Brighton is strong enough for the task at hand, but there are just two changes I'd make if I were Arteta. I would drop Oleksander Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus for Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel Martinelli.

 

Oleksandr Zinchenko's defensive vulnerabilities were on display against the Seagulls, as Simon Adingra had no trouble in 1v1 situations with the Ukrainian international. It was evident that Brighton had identified him as a weak link in the Gunners defence, so they targeted him. 

Jakub Kiwior's performance as Arsenal's left back after the mid-season break was truly impressive. With Kiwior as a typical leftback, we witnessed Ben White embracing the inverted right-back role, which unlocked him to dazzle and may end up winning the player of the season award. 

Arsenal can trust they'll have a solid defence with Kiwior at left back and White at right back, especially with the reassuring presence of William Saliba and Gabriel in central defence.

 

Now that Havertz is the preferred striker, Gabriel Jesus is finding game time on the wings. Despite doing everything well, he continues to struggle with efficiency. 

Arteta needs an efficient attack versus Bayern. Martinelli, who's been making cameo appearances since returning from injury, ought to return to the starting lineup. The presence of the Brazilians, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka in attack could spell trouble for Thomas Tuchel's defenders.

 

With this line-up below, Arteta could field a starting 11 that is more than capable of overpowering Bayern and put one foot in the semifinal of the Champions League. 

Raya 

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior

Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard

Saka, Havertz, and Martineli

 

This Arsenal player wasn’t at his best. Arsenal player ratings vs Brighton

 

By Danong

Arsenal defeated Brighton 3-0. The Seagulls hadn't lost a league match at the Amex Stadium since August 26^th when West Ham defeated them 3-1 but then Arsenal showed up.

This highly impressive victory showcased very clearly Arsenal’s fantastic balance in its structure between defence, midfield and attacking play. It has sent an ominous message to its rivals for the Premier League crown especially to Liverpool who are next to play.

How it happened: Tariq Lamptey hauled down Gabriel Jesus in the 31st minute resulting in a penalty kick which Bukayo Saka converted to break the deadlock. Arsenal led 1-0 at the break. Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard scored in the second half for the 3-0 final score.

Mikel Arteta fielded close to his best lineup after resting a number of his key players in the 2-0 victory last Wednesday over Luton. As expected the Gunners, as a team, showed up alright but how did they perform individually?

David Raya (8/10).

Calm as always. He didn't have much to do. The only remarkable aspect of his play on Saturday evening was an impressive first-half save to deny Enciso. Except for a few errant passes early in the game (which he needs to eradicate from his play) he played well. Notably, he recorded his 12th Premier League clean sheet. 

Ben White (7/10).

Following his recent brilliance as an inverted fullback he returned to playing as a typical right back. He was a high-flying right-back on the right wing and his link-up play with Saka occasionally tormented Estupinian. However, Enciso gave him a difficult time. 

William Saliba (8/10).

He had a relatively quiet performance; he wasn't tested much and Gabriel performed all the dirty work. Though, as usual, he provided serenity to Arsenal's defence especially when bringing the ball out of the defence like a seasoned midfielder. With him and Gabriel playing as a pair, Arsenal have now gone 7 hours without conceding an away goal.

Gabriel Magalhães (8/10)

Saliba injected serenity, but Gabriel was hands-on, defending high and attempting to get on the receiving end of corner kicks. Should have scored with at least one header. He gave Danny Welbeck a hard time. Late in the game he made a key block in the penalty area and helped the Gunners record their 14th clean sheet. Had an injury scare towards the end of the first half but looked fine in the second half.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (6/10).

He wasn't at his best, mislaying a few passes. He didn't have the same impact on the game as we've come to expect as he neither helped the team defend nor assisted us to have more control in midfield. We can however forgive him because he's only recently recovered from injury and still trying to find his consistency. But he occasionally had a great link up with Gabriel Jesus. 

Jorginho (7/10).

Initially, Brighton found a way to isolate him. However, he tapped into his experience to still influence the game. His passing was impeccable and he played some fantastic through balls. His major contribution was of course the excellent assist for Havertz's crucial goal.

Declan Rice (8/10).

He covered a lot of distance as per usual. Had to chase back a lot, especially when Brighton broke Arsenal's press which was more than it should have been. Towards the end of the game he had the opportunity to put his name on the score sheet but didn't. He really should have passed the ball to someone who was better placed to score. But overall he had a great game and competed hard.

Martin Odegaard (8/10).

Leader. Continues to excel despite not scoring or assisting in the game. Is crucial to Arsenal's game plan especially when leading the press from the front. He's a joy to watch. He played an excellent pass to Jorginho who set up Havertz for Arsenal's second goal of the game. He was superb as usual—a captain's performance.

Bukayo Saka (6/10).

Coming off an "alleged injury," he was decent, not at his best. He missed a great opportunity to open the scoring when he managed to cut inside the area but his shot went out when everyone expected the net to bulge. He did score the opener a little later on however when he calmly slotted in the penalty. Linked up play beautifully with White on the right wing to trouble Estupinian..

Kai Havertz (9/10).

Clinical. Was the man of the match. Can we finally agree that Arsenal signed him to bolster their attack not to replace Granit Xhaka? The German's revival continued as he led Arsenal's attack against Brighton. He scored Arsenal's second goal of the game before assisting Trossard for the third. Kai Havertz is the Premier League player with the most direct goal contributions (8) since February 17th. What a player!

Gabriel Jesus (7/10).

Had a decent performance. Won the penalty. Forced a save from the Brighton custodian, missed a couple of headers, but was okay on the left wing.

Substitutes

Leandro Trossard (7/10).

He was fantastic and re-energised Arsenal's attack when he came on. Forced a save from the Brighton goalkeeper before scoring Arsenal's game-winning goal.

Gabriel Martinelli (5/10).

His impact was not felt. Had an uneventful game.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (5/10).

He was brought on to see out the game, which he did.

Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah (n/a)

They came on late, with the Seagulls already taken care off.                    

 

Mikel Arteta (8/10).

Resting players vs. Luton paid off. He fielded a powerful lineup which ensured they left Amex Stadium with all three points. Every decision he made in that game, including the lineup and substitutions, was bang on. The Spaniard has convinced everyone that Arsenal can beat anyone they play.