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

 By Danong

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

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

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

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

Girona's Struggles

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

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

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

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

Arsenal Team News

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

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

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

Predicted Arsenal Line-Up vs. Girona

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

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

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

 By Danong

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alexander Isak vs. Southampton:

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

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

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

Looking at other Arsenal striking targets:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don't you think so?

Isak's Masterclass Highlights Arsenal's Striker Dilemma: Even Arteta Can't Deny the Need

 By Danong

Arsenal versus Newcastle may not have been pretty for us Gunners, but it certainly opened our eyes to many things—like the glaring absence of a one-man-army striker like Alexander Isak.

In a game where our toothless attack was exposed, Newcastle walked out of the Emirates Stadium victorious, largely thanks to their star man, Isak.

It was as if the Swedish international was proving Arsenal pundits right, showing that the club should break the bank for his services.

Against our Gunners, Isak was a force to be reckoned with—running in behind, dropping deep, executing confident 1v1 dribbles, showing off his final pass, and finishing like a world-class striker.

He quite literally has everything, and I can comfortably say he’s the trickiest striker William Saliba has faced thus far this season.

If Arsenal were to sign him this winter, they’d surely be getting on board one of the most in-form strikers. With the uninspired performance Havertz put up against Newcastle, can we trust him to fire this Arsenal team to glory?

Alexander Isak proved to us last night that he is one player who could easily fire this Arsenal side to league glory.

Mikel Arteta couldn’t help but hint at the difference a quality striker like Isak offers a team. 

He said, “He was involved in both goals, unfortunately the two times that he had the ball in the box. And that’s what you have when you have real quality up front. They can make the difference. They’re very clinical.”

I wish his deal was as easy to do, but it looks like a £150 million swoop isn't something Arsenal is agreeing to this winter.

The whole team were clueless

 By 1970's Gooner 

Odegaard is way way below his best. He looks lost when he gets the ball and looks lost when he hasn't got the ball. 

The absence of Saka means that we have no real threat from the right and also renders Odegaard ineffective. 

Martinelli on the other side tries his best and looked better tonight but that's all really. He couldn't finish when he got through, going for the near post instead of going across the keeper.

Havertz was way off it having been ill in the last 10 days and contrived to miss an easy header with only the keeper to beat. The absence of a proper number 9 was way evident.

In defence Saliba and Gabriel were edgy throughout and Raya kept giving the ball away in the opening 15 minutes or so.

The difference between the two sides was that Newcastle had a game plan of blocking the avenues for Arsenal and knew exactly what to do to get the ball to their forwards.

Arsenal didn't know how to break their block and when they did didn't know how to get to scoring positions.

The whole team were clueless... except Myles Lewis Skelly 

Havertz in contention but will he start and who plays at right back?

By Danong

Arsenal travel to Brighton to take on the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium and really have to win to keep their title hopes alive and put some pressure on Liverpool who play tomorrow.

League leaders Liverpool have a commanding lead in the title race, 6 points ahead of the Gunners with a game in hand.

Brighton had a brilliant start to the season, but have struggled since then. They last won a game in November. Their results since then are disappointing.

For Arteta and the boys, they're unbeaten in 12 games with 9 wins and 3 draws.

Reports suggest Brighton could be without James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood, and Ferdi Kadioglu. Danny Welbeck and new signing Diego Gomez are not expected to feature. Mats Wieffer, Pervis Estupinian and Adam Webster could be available for this fixture.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will definitely be without Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Jurrien Timber misses the game due to suspension. 

Kai Havertz, who was out ill when Arsenal played Brentford, could return. Raheem Sterling could make the matchday squad, having returned to training.

The two major decisions to be made are whether to reinstall Havertz in the starting eleven and who will replace Timber at right back.

Arsenal's forward line is producing the goods so far with Jesus and Martinelli both scoring in the away win at Brentford. I would expect that they will continue as will Nawneri who deserves to keep his place in the team.

Havertz may return in the starting 11 as a left sided midfielder so that Partey can play at right back.

Alternatively Arteta may opt to keep Havertz out and continue with Merino in midfield.

I'd expect Arteta to play this starting XI:

- Raya
- Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
- Rice, Merino, Odegaard
- Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli

Arsenal have historically dominated Brighton, with the H2H stats suggesting so:

- Brighton wins: 8
- Draws: 6
- Arsenal wins: 17


I'm feeling confident and predicting a 2-0 win for Arsenal, with an incoming Thomas Partey masterclass at right back.

Arteta's team selection for tonight will have a significant effect on Arsenal's fortunes for the rest of the title race

By Danong

While Manchester City continues to show they're no threat to us in the title race, Liverpool keeps sustaining their lead at the top of the table.

We must keep winning because Liverpool are bound to hit a bad patch and we will be ready to take advantage, even without Saka.

Arsenal takes on Ipswich tonight in a game they'll be hoping to use to put pressure on the league leaders and widen the gap between us, Chelsea and defending champions Manchester City.

Going into that clash at the Emirates, Arsenal will be without their star man Bukayo Saka—the Englishman is out with a hamstring injury. Raheem Sterling is also out due to injury.

The Arsenal boss will have to find a way to replace his most productive Gunner; almost all of Arsenal's attacking play went through Saka, who boasts 10 assists and 5 goals in 16 games.

Arteta may in fact have to reduce the emphasis placed on our right wing and use both sides equally thus helping confuse the opponents and have a more balanced approach.

Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli have been suggested as options to fill in at right wing.

So, who replaces Saka? Does Jesus retain his spot in the team? Will it be Jorginho instead of Partey? Rice, Havertz or Merino at LCM and who plays left-back?

Arteta's team selection for tonight will have a significant effect on Arsenal's fortunes for the rest of the title race.

Well, my predicted Arsenal line-up against Ipswich Town at the Emirates has:

- Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back: As decent as the young Gunner has been, playing him continues to build his confidence and gives him a chance to break into the team, which is great. 

- Thomas Partey has had a great season so far with Jurrien Timber at right-back. Partey continues his resurgence as the #6.

- Gabriel Jesus remains at the top; with 5 goals in the last 2 games, he's a man in form, and against Ipswich, he could have a great chance to continue his goal-scoring exploits.

When Jesus has scored in a Premier League match, he hasn't lost: he's unbeaten in 61 games (56 wins and 5 draws), so Arsenal needs him to keep scoring.

- Declan Rice also deserves to start, especially after his game-changing performance in his cameo versus Crystal Palace, where he scored and showed what a hit he and Partey can be—the Ghanaian international gives him all the freedom to influence the attack.

Martinelli was a hit at RW. With Odegaard and Timber on the RHS, any quality player will shine at RW.

For a player like Martinelli, with pace, he just has to get the ball, drive and cross with his preferred foot. He'll do well in Saka's absence there.

Predicted line-up against Ipswich Town:

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

An Arsenal win would see them reach 36 points, which is 4 points less than they had at such a time last year.

Some feel our Gunners haven't been at their best, but they haven't been that bad either. There's much to play for in the second half of the season.

Arsenal's Plan to Overcome Crystal Palace

By Danong

Arsenal and Crystal Palace clash on Saturday evening in a Premier League Match Day 17 showdown.

The Gunners, fresh from beating Palace 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium to book a Carabao Cup semi-final spot, now make the short trip to Selhurst Park to once again play their London rivals.

Palace proved on Wednesday night that they can't be taken lightly. Looking at their results prior to that Carabao Cup quarter-final—with 5 games unbeaten—it suggests they were finding their footing after a poor start to the season.

After draws with Fulham (1-1) and Everton (0-0), dropping 4 points, Arsenal's title ambitions can't afford another draw. A draw tonight is like a loss.

Mikel Arteta and his technical bench need to go for the kill. Fortunately, almost every Gunner will be available for that game.

Arteta hinted that Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and Oleksander Zinchenko, who missed the last few games due to injuries, are in contention to feature on Saturday evening.

On Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, Arteta told the media on Friday: "They are both available to be in the squad."

And on any other injury updates, he added: "Zinchenko could probably be available as well. Tomiyasu won't be."

The Arsenal line-up should aim to get the best out of the left-hand side. Criticism arising from Arsenal's last few games suggests they're right-side biased, with almost every attacking play coming from the right through Saka.

The left wing needs to step up, and what better way to do so than to play the best Arsenal left-hand side players on paper? Merino was signed for LCM, and Calafiori was recruited for LB.

The chopping and changing of players in these 2 positions were highlighted as one of the big contributors to Gabriel Martinelli's struggles. Well, against Palace, let's give the Brazilian the perfect conditions to shine.

Notably, Martinelli loves playing Crystal Palace. He has 4 goals in his last 4 games against them. He’s scored more goals against them (5) than against any other club in the Premier League.

That fine statistic, plus the fact that he seems to be at his best when Calafiori is at left back, should have his resurgence arc on Saturday evening.

Martinelli's Stats:

- When he starts with Calafiori:

  - Games: 58

  - Goals: 2

  - Assists: 2

  - Avg rating: 7.84

- When he starts without Calafiori:

  - Games: 10

  - Goals: 1

  - Assists: 0

  - Avg rating: 6.96

Here's my predicted Arsenal line-up versus Palace that will ensure the boys in red and white bounce back to winning ways:

- Raya

- Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori

- Partey, Merino, Ødegaard

- Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

This is the line up that will allow Martinelli to rediscover his form and it could be the lift this Arsenal attack needs to fire on all cylinders.

Why These Four Players Should Start Tonight Against Palace

 By Danong

Tonight, Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.

Under Mikel Arteta, our only success in the cup competitions was the 2020 FA Cup triumph. In the last two seasons however we've been making significant progress in the league, fiercely competing for the title and running Man City very close to league glory. We haven't shown however the same determination in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

That needs to change so that Mikel Arteta doesn't have to be asked questions like, "You’ve only won one trophy. Is this a chance to win another?" like he was asked on Tuesday. He corrected the Sky Sports journalist pointing out the two Community Shields won too.

Tonight it is imperative that Arsenal beat Palace not only to return to winning ways but to also lay down the psychological base on which to win the PL game on the weekend against the same team.

Arsenal will have to do it without Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori who are now long term absentees.  More importantly Rice may also not be available after being subbed off due to injury in that 0-0 draw with Everton. Ahead of the Palace game tonight, Arteta said "He’s fine. We will make the decision on whether he’s available or not."

Even so, Arsenal should still have a strong team to beat a Palace side that the Gunners have beaten in the last four meetings.

I expect Arteta's line up to include Kiwior, Nwaneri, Jesus and Sterling:

- Goalkeeper: Raya

- Defense: Timber, Saliba, Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly

- Midfield: Partey, Merino and Nwaneri

- Attack: Saka, Jesus and Sterling

Why this lineup?

Gabriel has just returned from injury and may need a rest and Kiwior deserves to play. Rice shouldn't be risked. Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz look like they need a rest (though it would be wise to introduce them in the second half). Merino deserves a chance to play. It may be wise to try Sterling on the left wing; he might just be the "savior" of that position given Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli's struggles there. Jesus should be given the chance to carry on the fine display against Monaco.

Arteta will get his players to come out fighting and force the game against Palace as we need to get back to winning ways and also score goals from open play so that the confidence can flow back. 

If we win tonight, here's where we are:

- Premier League: 3rd with 66 points to play for, 6 points off the top (with a game more than Liverpool)

- Champions League: 3rd, all but qualified, with Zagreb and Girona fixtures to play

- FA Cup: Third round vs United at the Emirates Stadium to come 

- Carabao Cup: Semi-Finals. By reaching the semi-finals we can surely go all the way and win it.

Yes, we’ve not been good enough recently, but it’s nowhere near over, is it?

Surprises predicted for Arteta's team selection vs Everton

By Danong 

Today, Arsenal and Everton are going up against each other at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are looking to shake off that frustrating 1-1 draw from their last league match against Fulham at Craven Cottage, where they just couldn't snatch the win.

Arsenal faced some challenges leading up to their 3-0 win against Monaco in the Champions League midweek. 

They were missing most of their defenders due to injuries. Nearly all of their top picks, left-backs Oleksander Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, found themselves sidelined due to injuries. 

The injuries of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, and Thomas Partey raised concerns about the right-back position. 

We thought that Mikel Arteta might have to bring in an academy player to fill that role. Luckily, Partey was able to play in the game.

That said, in that 3-0 win over Monaco, Arsenal really pulled together a well-balanced team that easily created chances through open play. If you've watched that game, do you think it’s too much to ask the Arsenal boss to keep the "Monaco lineup" for the game against Everton?

Arsenal thrashed the Ligue 1 side with the starting 11 of:

Raya

Partey, Saliba, Kiwior, Myles Lewis Skelly

Rice, Merino, Odegaard

Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Myles Lewis Skelly just had an amazing performance midweek! With Calafiori and Zinchenko still out injured, I really don’t get why you’d drop him.

With regard to Calafiori "We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set," Arteta said. "Then we monitor his evolution every single day. We understand he’s not fully ready yet, but he’s getting very close now."

Arteta suggested that Gabriel might be ready to play against Everton, but it might not be a good idea to start him in central defence and shift Kiwior to left-back. 

Kiwior has really shown his skills as a centre-back and he is getting better and better the more he plays, so it doesn't make sense to move him to the left-back position just to fit Gabriel in. 

The Brazilian defender is back from injury, as Arteta suggested on Friday, but there's no need to risk him; he should sit out the Everton game.

Additionally, given his recent return from injury, I would advise against playing Timber against Everton. It might be better to give him a break this time and save him for the next match.

The same can be said of Havertz who has,  prior to the Monaco game, looked tired and not himself. 

It's better to give Jesus a start today as he did play well against Monaco and looked lively setting up Saka for his first goal. 

He got in some very promising positions but his finishing let him down. He is likely to get it right against Everton if we carry on creating the chances. 

Similar to the Monaco match, I believe Arsenal will be highly motivated for their match against Everton. The desire has to be to keep on winning in order to take advantage of a possible Liverpool slip. They will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge to the Toffees, who should leave the capital with a big L.

 

Advantage Arsenal. Gunners Line Up to Beat Stubborn Fulham and Narrow the Gap at the top. Rotation on the cards?

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Arsenal and Fulham are going head-to-head today at Craven Cottage. Looking at results between them last season not being able to beat them, whether at home or away, was definitely a big blow to our title hopes.

Surely it's crucial Arsenal gets it right this time around. It should be so not as a payback for last season but because winning this game really helps Arsenal's title hopes.

Since Liverpool didn't play on Saturday because their match against Everton got postponed due to bad weather, Arsenal will have a chance to narrow the gap at the top of the table by just 4 points.

This puts some pressure on the Merseyside club. And some commentators have pointed out this slight advantage to the chasing pack.

On the other hand if the game had been played it would have been under some favourable circumstances.

The weather which, as severe as it was, would surely have constricted Liverpool in playing their normal passing game and given the lesser opponent a strong platform to get something from the fixture.

Now Fulham isn’t a team to mess around with. Even though Chris Sutton in his BBC column thinks Arsenal will win this battle, he still thinks this game is going to be a tough one for our Gunners.

The ex-Chelsea man, while predicting a 2-1 Arsenal win, admitted, “they did not miss Gabriel at the back against United, but this might be a tougher test for them, especially because some of Fulham’s key players are Gunners old boys”

Gabriel and Calafiori may return to the Arsenal lineup after missing the match against Manchester United. They did not take part in the open training session but it has been reported that they participated in individual training, which is encouraging news.

If they are not available then Arteta will likely go with Kiwior and Zinchenco again which is risky. Zinchenko although he has improved, he still is vulnerable to a pacy winger taking him on.

One alternative would be to move Partey to RB and Timber at LB. We have also favoured Tierney be used at LB but it looks like Arteta may be reluctant to do that.

In midfield the trio of Rice, Partey, and Odegaard  may continue (if Partey is selected to play there) to lay the foundation of an Arsenal dominance.

Trossard may return at LW for Martinelli who didn't justify his start there versus United.

Lastly in the attack Arteta may surprise a lot of people by resting Havertz and playing Jesus there. It wouldn't be a surprise really as Havertz looked jaded against Man utd. On the other hand he may choose to rest him for the midweek CL game instead.

The line up if Calafiori and Gabriel are available:

Raya
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
Partey, Rice, Odegaard
Saka, Havertz, Trossard

If they are not the Kiwior and Zinchenco are likely to start.

What would you change on that lineup?