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?

Nerveless Arsenal strengthened by Timber, Gabriel and possibly Calafiori can beat the stuffing out of Villa

 By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

For the final time in 2025, Arsenal take to the field as they welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Tuesday night.  

When the two sides last met in early December, the Gunners were left frustrated, conceding a last‑minute strike that condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park.  

However, as determined as Arsenal have been, they bounced back swiftly from that defeat, stringing together victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, and Brighton & Hove Albion.

This clash, therefore, offers them the perfect chance to prove that defeat was nothing more than a fluke.  

With Gabriel Magalhães back in contention and Martin Odegaard rediscovering his scoring touch, the North Londoners head into this fixture highly motivated, determined to put an end to Villa’s remarkable 11‑match winning run.  

Arteta will also have to be ready to counteract Emery’s emerging tactic. That of allowing the ball to the opponent, tiring them out and then unleashing his fresh players inclusive of Watkins in the second half as he has done against Chelsea and to us in their home game.

Timber, who was rested as a precaution in the 2-1 win over Brighton, is likely to return. If fit, his quality makes him an automatic starter.  And his presence releases Rice to play in his natural position in midfield.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes, having made a cameo against the Seagulls, could be handed his first start since injury.

His rock‑solid partnership with William Saliba has been sorely missed, with Arsenal struggling to keep clean sheets in his absence.  

It goes without saying that if Calafiori is fit he will start in place of Hincapie.

With the backline reinforced and the rest of the team firing, Arsenal should approach this contest with intent and aggression.  

Raya  
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie
Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard  
Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard  

And play free flowing football without nerves please...

Gabriel with the Arsenal squad this morning

 By 1970s Gooner 

Gabriel has been spotted with the Arsenal squad this Saturday morning when the players left their hotel for their pre match walk.

Speaking ahead of the Brighton game, Arteta said on Gabriel:

“He hasn't trained yet, so he’s still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible he can be back because we know the situation now we have in the backline.”

Piero Hincapie was also seen with the Arsenal squad. 

Arsenal’s revamped line-up ready to shock Brighton after midweek rotation

By Danong 

After dispatching Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-final midweek, Arsenal now look ahead to a London derby semi-final against Chelsea.

Yet before that showdown arrives, the Gunners must swiftly redirect their focus back to the Premier League.

The Gunners welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Emirates Stadium in a fixture they simply must win if they are to maintain their grip on top spot in the league table.  

Heading into this clash, Arsenal sit on 39 points, two clear of Manchester City. Yet if City overcome Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early kick-off, they will temporarily leapfrog the Gunners, who play later in the day.

That scenario could well galvanise Arsenal to come out firing, particularly after enduring a tricky spell in which they have scraped through with narrow wins in recent weeks.

Wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and then Everton have lacked conviction. Consequently, Saturday evening will see Gooners craving a statement win, and for that, Arteta is expected to go strong with his selection.  

On Tuesday night, the Spaniard rested the bulk of his key players. Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice were introduced from the bench, while Viktor Gyokeres, David Raya, and Martín Zubimendi remained unused substitutes. Piero Hincapie, deputising for Gabriel Magalhaes in recent matches, was also given the night off and did not feature in the squad.  

Even with absentees such as Ben White, Kai Havertz, Cristhian Mosquera, and Gabriel, Arteta can still field a formidable side against Brighton. His likely line-up may be:  

Raya  

Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori  

Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard  

Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard  

That XI is arguably the strongest Arsenal can put out today. It is a line-up designed to outwit Brighton and heap further pressure on Fabian Hurzelar's men, who arrive winless in their last four league outings.

Eze should start on the bench. The strongest Arsenal XI to sink Everton

By Danong 

On Saturday night, Arsenal make the trip northwest to Merseyside to take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton's new home.  

The Gunners arrive far from their best form, having managed just three wins in their last six league fixtures, a poor spell that has seen their once commanding lead at the top cut to just two points.

To keep their title charge on track, Arsenal must return to North London with all three points. A draw or defeat simply won’t do, particularly with Manchester City, who will have already faced West Ham and probably seize top spot by the time Arsenal play.  

As for Everton, their campaign has hardly been sparkling, yet their resilience at home cannot be ignored. With only two league defeats on Merseyside and unbeaten in the other six league games at the Hill Dickinson, they pose a challenge.

The last two meetings between these sides (Arsenal and Everton) have ended level, underlining the need for Arsenal to raise their game if they are to outwit David Moyes' men.  

Mikel Arteta’s task is complicated by injuries to Kai Havertz, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, and Gabriel Magalhaes, all of whom are ruled out. Even so, there is cause for optimism: Leandro Trossard is expected to be match‑fit, while Ricardo Calafiori returns from suspension to bolster the back line.  

Should there be no late surprises, Arteta could field a strong XI:  

Raya  

Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Calafiori  

Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard  

Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard  

Why this line‑up?

Eberechi Eze has struggled to provide the creative spark and needs to be withdrawn from the thick of the action. 

Martin Odegaard, by contrast, should deliver the creative edge Arsenal have been craving. As for Trossard, the decision is bold but justified. When fit, he has arguably been Arsenal’s most effective option on the left, and he deserves to start.

And if Jesus was completely fit after returning from his long-term injury he would surely have been seriously considered to start the game. He will be ready to come on late in the game, if needed. Let's hope we will not need him. 

Should Arsenal consider going in for Semenyo?

 By Danong

As a squad, Arsenal are arguably as strong as they have ever been. Sporting director Andrea Berta’s debut summer transfer window gifted Mikel Arteta the one thing he had long lacked: genuine squad depth.  

The brilliance of this expanded group has been clear. We have watched Arsenal navigate key injuries without losing momentum, and we have seen them grind out results even when deprived of their most influential players.  

When everyone is fit, Arsenal are already a formidable side. Yet there remains a sense that they could reach an even higher level if they finally secure one elusive deal.  

For several years now, it has been no secret that Arsenal are intent on landing a top winger. Despite links to Premier League talents such as Nico Williams and Rodrygo, the club has struggled to secure this transfer. The prevailing feeling is that if Arsenal can clinch this signing, they may well unlock their absolute best.  

Semenyo: An Opportunity, But Not the Answer

The race to become Arsenal’s marquee left wing signing appears to be narrowing to two names: Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.  

Semenyo has emerged as an opportunistic target. Not long ago, reports suggested the Premier League winger could be available for around £65 million.

His technical ability, ambipedal nature—able to strike cleanly with either foot and his Premier League experience make him a tempting option.  

However, as appealing as he may be, is Semenyo truly what Arsenal need?

The Gunners require an “heir” to Leandro Trossard, someone capable of unlocking compact defensive blocks such as those deployed by Wolverhampton Wanderers. They need a winger with close control and the elite ability to fashion shots in tight spaces, qualities Semenyo does not consistently provide.  

Yes, Semenyo can slice through opponents like a hot knife through butter in transition, but he lacks the nuanced tools to threaten compact defences on a regular basis. In truth, what he offers is not dissimilar to Gabriel Martinelli or Noni Madueke on their better days.

Yildiz: The Ideal Successor to Trossard

If Arsenal are wise, their focus should shift towards Yildiz. The Juventus star possesses the attributes required to dismantle compact blocks: superior close control, technical dribbling, and the ability to manipulate tight spaces with composure.  

Moreover, Yildiz is no slouch in transition. While Semenyo’s athleticism gives him the edge in open play, Yildiz balances his transitional threat with creativity and vision. Crucially, he combines ball-striking and finishing prowess with top-level playmaking, making him a more complete option.  

All that said, it is worth noting that Semenyo would still be a decent signing were Arsenal to win his red‑hot transfer race. Even so, the Ghanaian forward would not quite provide the decisive edge the club so desperately craves. By contrast, were Arsenal to land Yildiz, he would instantly elevate them. 

Meanwhile, social media buzz has many arguing that Semenyo is enjoying a stronger campaign, having already scored seven goals and recorded three assists across all competitions. Yet Yildiz is quietly piecing together an impressive season of his own in front of goal, with six strikes and seven assists. 

Ultimately, Yildiz is a player firmly in form who provides that skill that is most needed for an Arsenal winger: that of being capable of penetrating the more defensive minded opponents.

Arsenal team ready to add to Wolves’ troubles and steady their grip on first place. Saliba ready to start?

 By Danong

Fresh from their exploits in Brugge, where they swept aside the local Club 3-0 to preserve their perfect run in the 2025-26 Champions League, the Gunners will be eager to channel that European momentum back into the Premier League.  

Yet, despite their continental dominance, Arsenal’s league form has been less convincing of late, with just one win in their last three outings. Victory against Wolves is therefore essential if Mikel Arteta’s men are to sustain their grip at the summit and put some pressure on Manchester City.  

History certainly favours the North Londoners. Arsenal have triumphed in each of their last eight meetings with Wolves, six of which saw the Wanderers fail to find the net. On paper, this fixture should prove little more than a routine assignment for the Gunners.  

Nevertheless, Arteta has a tricky situation picking his line-up. Key players like Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and Cristhian Mosquera are all out, while Ricardo Calafiori is suspended.

Arteta has actually said that Saliba is a doubt for today but could feature against Everton next week! This is great news and even if he is fit for today it is more safe to give him another week to make sure.

Timber (knock) and Rice (illness) are likely to be available. Trossard is unlikely to be risked on this game.

Madueke deserves to start after his performance midweek. 

Potential Arsenal lineup vs Wolves 

In defence: Raya (GK), White, Timber, Hincapié, Myles Lewis-Skelly  

In midfield: Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard  

In attack: Madueke, Gyokeres, Saka  

If Rice is unavailable, Arteta will have the opportunity to partner Eberechi Eze with Martin Ødegaard in central midfield, thereby injecting a fresh dynamic into his engine room.  

Ultimately, whichever XI Arteta selects, Arsenal should possess more than enough quality to dispatch Wolves, consolidate their position at the top, and ease the mounting pressure from a resurgent City.