All posts tagged: Mikel Arteta

Eze and Havertz injured as Arsenal win the hard way against Newcastle

Eze and Havertz injured as Arsenal win the hard way against Newcastle

Published by Sam Flores

Mikel Arteta has called Arsenal’s game against Newcastle United the start of a “new season” after a fortnight in which their nine-point lead over Manchester City evaporated. The two title contenders are both locked on 70 points and the same goal difference, with City top courtesy of scoring three more goals. Arsenal surrendered control of the race by losing at the Etihad last Sunday. While City’s victory made them bookmakers’ favourites to win the title, there were perhaps reasons for optimism. The presence of Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz in the same line-up helped Arsenal produce possibly their best performance of 2026, and they were the width of a post away from getting a result. Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori returning to the squad today strengthens them further, and fixtures against Newcastle, Fulham, West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace look like a favourable run-in. Much depends on whether they can mentally recover from butchering so many opportunities to put Manchester City to bed throughout the season, notably in January when Pep Guardiola’s team …

Haaland and City bully Arsenal to take control of title race

Haaland and City bully Arsenal to take control of title race

Published by Sam Flores

A defiant Mikel Arteta insisted the real title race starts now despite defeat at the Etihad Stadium handing the advantage to Manchester City.  City will go top via a superior goal difference if they beat Burnley on Wednesday and now appear to have all the momentum. But Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was seen telling his team-mates at full-time that it is “not done”. Those views were later echoed by Arteta, who said of his players: “If they need to be more convinced, I think they are now. They were talking about it in the dressing room. It’s a new league now: they have a game in hand, we have a three-point advantage and five games to play. “Everything is still to play for. We know how much we want it and we are not going to stop. We are going to go again, that is for sure. We have full belief that we can do it – it is in our hands and it’s there for the taking.” Guardiola said the result gives hope to …

Unimaginative Arsenal scrape into Champions League semi-final

Unimaginative Arsenal scrape into Champions League semi-final

Published by Sam Flores

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at the Emirates. In case you missed it, here is a reminder of how the two sides line up tonight: Arsenal: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres. Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Setford, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Havertz, Dudziak, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon. Sporting: Rui Silva; Quaresma, Diomande, Inácio, Maxi Araújo; Hjulmand, Morita; Catamo, Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves; Luis SuárezSubstitutes: Virgínia, Vagiannidis, Mangas, Blopa, Debast, Kochorashvili, Bragança, Simões, Quenda, Faye, Gonçalves, Nel. Source link