Who Rests, Who Starts? Arteta’s Arsenal Line-up for Dead Rubber Against PSV

 By Danong and 1970s Gooner

Last week, Arsenal ran riot in Eindhoven, smashing seven past PSV in a dominant 7-1 victory during the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash.

Many believe that resounding win has all but secured the North Londoners a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. It would take nothing short of a miracle for PSV to overturn a six-goal deficit and send the Gunners crashing out of Europe.

For Arsenal, this second leg may feel like a dead rubber, with little need to over-commit. Mikel Arteta could seize the chance to rest some of his key players ahead of a crucial London derby this Sunday.

What to expect from Arsenal’s line-up against PSV?

Arteta may choose to rotate heavily, giving some players a well-earned breather. 

David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, and Jurrien Timber (who has featured quite a bit lately) might be rested. Thomas Partey and Declan Rice may also sit this one out.

Neto seems likely to start between the sticks. Ben White could make his first start since returning from injury. 

On his recovery, Arteta told the media: “Ben has been building up well after his surgery. We’ve been careful with his minutes, but now he’s in a good position to start.”

So, we might see a defensive line featuring White, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori, and Myles Lewis-Skelly. In midfield, Jorginho, Mikel Merino, and Martin Ødegaard could take charge.

As for the attack, we may see Raheem Sterling given a rare opportunity, Gabriel Martinelli finally leading the line, and Leandro Trossard wreaking havoc on the left flank.

Here’s how Arsenal could shape up against PSV:

Neto  
White, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly  
Jorginho, Merino, Ødegaard  
Sterling, Martinelli, Trossard

It may look like a makeshift XI, but this line-up should have enough quality to deal with whatever PSV throws their way

On the other hand Arteta may decide to mix it up by providing some solidity in defence just to make sure that nothing extraordinary happens.

So in this case, Raya will start in goal with Saliba and Gabriel in the middle of the defence and Calafiori as a left back so that Myles Lewis Skelly is rested to start on Sunday against Chelsea. Ben White to start on the right.

Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis Skelly
Ødegaard, Jorginho, Merino,   
Sterling, Martinelli, Trossard

Whatever team is selected it's important that we get a good win to bolster the players confidence for the games coming up.

Can Arsenal Make History with 5 Wins in a Row Against Manchester United? Expect a close game

 By Danong

It’s no secret that the biggest fixture in European football this weekend is Manchester United versus Arsenal. The two Premier League giants are set to square off at Old Trafford this afternoon in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

While both teams have rich histories and passionate fanbases, their contrasting current form adds an extra layer of intrigue to this showdown.

Manchester United, who find themselves languishing in an unimaginable 14th place on the league table, are desperate to climb into the top half.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will be playing for pride. With a 14-point gap between them and league leaders Liverpool, it seems unlikely that the Gunners will snatch the title this season. However, they can still make it tough for Liverpool to seal the league and aim for a strong finish.

The Gunners are expected to be without some of their finest attacking options, including Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli. 

Yet, after demolishing Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven 7-1 earlier in the week, Arsenal have shown that they are capable of finding goals even without key players. Their confidence will surely be high heading into Sunday’s game.

Manchester United, however, have struggled on both ends of the pitch. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven consecutive matches and have only scored nine goals this season—a tally that explains their difficulties in climbing the table.

With Arsenal’s solid defense and United’s lack of firepower, the Gunners may only need to replicate their “PSV effectiveness” to secure a result.

Yet in our previous encounters this season we struggled to break them down and had to rely on set pieces to claim the victory in the league. And in the cup they again made it very difficult for us taking the game to penalties which they won.

So don't expect an easy game for Arsenal. 

The suggested lineup for Arsenal remains unchanged from Tuesday’s triumphant outing:  

Raya
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
Partey, Rice, Odegaard
Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

If Arsenal manage to beat Manchester United on Sunday, they will make Premier League history as the first club to defeat the Red Devils five times in a row in the PL. With such a record on the line, both teams will be motivated to leave everything on the pitch.  

Are you confident in Arsenal’s chances of extending their dominance over United?

What we have really learned from yet another disappointing performance

 By Danong

Much has been said about Arsenal failing to beat Forest, but at Arsenal Analysis, here's a round-up of our key takeaways:

1. William Saliba’s Stellar Defense:

William Saliba kept us in the game with an underrated defensive performance. Despite the goalless draw, his impressive numbers stood out:

- 7 Clearances
- 5/5 Aerial Duels
- 2/2 Recoveries
- 2/2 Interceptions, one being very important
- 1 Clean Sheet

2. Kieran Tierney’s Solid Contribution:

Introduced at halftime, the Scotland international put on a very decent defensive performance. Here’s a look at his key stats from the second half:

- 45 Minutes Played
- 12/15 Passes Made
- 80% Pass Rate Accuracy
- 26 Touches
- 50% Ground Duels Won
- 100% Aerial Duels Won
- 2 Clearances
- 1 Headed Clearance
- 1 Defensive Interception
- 2 Defensive Recoveries
- 0 Times Dispossessed

3. Sad to say, but Liverpool are on top because they deserve it:

Drawing 0-0 with Forest and Liverpool beating Newcastle 2-0 widened the gap between Arsenal and the Reds at the top of the league to 13 points. Liverpool might have played a game more, but it’s unlikely Arsenal can turn things around.

The 1-0 loss to West Ham and the draw with Forest have nullified any threat Arsenal had in the title race.

4. Offensive paralysis, but would have Liverpool coped?

Arsenal have now failed to score twice in a row, highlighting how downgraded their attack has been in recent weeks.

Against Leicester, Mikel Merino managed a brace, but his recent performances leave some wondering if it was through sheer luck or if Leicester were that bad.

Even Nuno Espirito Santo admitted, "Arsenal don’t have a striker, so with Mikel Merino playing in that position, there’s no need for an extra body in defence."

But it's really worth wandering how Liverpool would have coped if they had the equivalent players out.

- No Salah (Saka)
- No Jota (Havertz)
- No Gakpo (Martinelli)
- No Diaz (G. Jesus)

We would probably have been neck and neck. 

Sterling is a liability. Get him off

 By 1970s Gooner 

There is no way we will win this game at Leicester with Sterling on the pitch. 

He is match unfit, cannot control the ball and keeps getting offside. 

Please get him off and bring on anyone else. That kid on the bench Butler-Oyedeji will be way better than him.

Or Calafiori even in the middle and Trossard on the left

If Arteta doesn't act quickly we will lose the game. 

All players need to step up after the Dubai trip but this one will be key in reaching the top

 By Danong

For Arsenal's 2024-25 season to end in glory, the boys in red and white find themselves in a tricky position—they must win either the Premier League or the Champions League (or indeed both).

The Gunners are in this tough spot after once again failing to make strides in the league and FA Cup. If they want to dominate English football, that's something they need to address (but that's a story for another day).

So, how can Arsenal clinch the league or the UCL?

The defense and midfield have delivered this season, and we can trust them to do their part, but will the attack do the same?

Most Gooners are hoping that the team, currently on a training camp in Dubai, can replicate their post-2023-24 Dubai form. While I share that hope, I'm particularly interested in Kai Havertz replicating his 2023-24 post-Dubai form.

Post-Dubai, in 18 games (15 starts), Havertz managed 10 goals and 4 assists.
"Maybe we should go back to Dubai now," Havertz joked when asked about the key to his resurgence as he steered Arsenal in their 2023-24 PL title run.

Well, the club has taken them back to Dubai, and let's hope Havertz gets the rest he deserves (he looked tired ahead of the trip), comes back, and steers this Arsenal team to glory.

With Gabriel Martinelli sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up in that 2-0 loss to Newcastle, Arsenal's attacking options look slim.

Bukayo Saka will not be ready to be counted on until late in the run in, leaving Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard as the only attacking options after the Dubai training camp.

This makes it even more important that Arsenal have Havertz at his A-game if their attack is to perform in the PL run-in and the UCL knockouts.

Arsenal should have signed a top striker, but they didn't, yet they need to score more. Arteta has to work with what he has and Havertz might be the man to bail out his attack.

If Havertz can replicate his last season's PL run-in form, Arsenal might just have it in them to pip Liverpool in the title race!

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.