Category: Arsenal

 

Mikel Arteta has responded to criticism levelled at Arsenal star by Jamie Carragher ahead of the Champions League clash with Girona

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended summer signing Mikel Merino following criticism from pundit Jamie Carragher. The Spanish midfielder joined Arsenal in a £32m move from Real Sociedad but has struggled for consistent game time due to injuries.

 

Merino, 28, has started only a third of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season, leading Carragher to question the wisdom of the transfer. However, Arteta remains optimistic about Merino’s contributions, praising his character and recent performances.

 

“He’s been quite unfortunate, to be honest,” Arteta said at Tuesday’s pre-Champions League press conference. “But Mikel’s character is unbelievable. He’s so determined, and now he has some rhythm and momentum. He’s had some very good moments in the last few weeks with us.”

Although Merino missed Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 victory over Wolves due to a minor injury, he has since returned to training and is available for this weekend’s Premier League clash against Manchester City.

“Unfortunately, he had a little niggle. It was nothing serious, but when you play every two and a half days, missing two matches feels like a lot. He’s fit again, and it’s great to have him back in the team,” Arteta added.

Arsenal are set to wrap up a promising Champions League group stage campaign against Girona on Wednesday. The Gunners currently sit third in the 36-team group standings and are eager to secure their position in the knockout stages.

 

“We’re here to win the game, and to do that, we need to be better than them,” Arteta said, acknowledging Girona’s quality. “They’re a really good side. If you look at their Champions League games against top opposition, they’ve made life very difficult. Tomorrow, it will require a very strong performance to achieve what we want.”

 

In a boost for Arsenal, the FA Independent Regulatory Commission overturned the red card shown to youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly during Saturday’s match against Wolves. The decision ensures the highly-rated midfielder remains available for upcoming fixtures.

The Gunners are short up front at the moment after a serious knee injury for Gabriel Jesus. He could be sidelined for the rest of the year.

 

Kai Havertz has played as the main striker for the past few games, but the German has looked jaded with the heavy workload on him.

 

Arsenal desperately need to freshen up their strikeforce and Ornstein admits that they could do something before the window closes.

 

He has no idea over potential targets, but acknowledged that there is no chance that Alexander Isak will join the Gunners this winter.

 

Newcastle United are pushing for Champions League football and have no plans of strengthening their top-four rivals mid-season.

 

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is also expected to stay put. He could, however, move from the Bundesliga outfit in the summer.

This Arsenal star is on the verge of leaving Arsenal permanently – Beyond The Posts

Arsenal January 26, 2025

Manchester City Are Set To Trigger The £85 Million Release Clause Of The Arsenal Target

In the whirlwind of the January transfer window, the saga surrounding Kieran Tierney’s future has taken a dramatic turn. Initially, there was a widespread belief that the Scottish international would be making a move before the window closed. Numerous clubs had shown interest in recruiting the 27-year-old left-back, whose contract with Arsenal is set to conclude at the end of this season. However, despite the anticipation, it now seems that Tierney’s much-talked-about departure from Arsenal will not occur until the summer.

 

Celtic, the club where Tierney honed his skills and captured the hearts of fans, quickly emerged as the frontrunner to secure his services. From the outset, it appeared that a January transfer was on the cards, with many expecting the former Arsenal defender to don the green and white of Celtic once again. Yet, recent developments suggest a different timeline. Instead of an immediate transfer, Tierney is reportedly on the brink of signing a pre-contract agreement with Celtic, which would see him return to his boyhood club once his current deal with Arsenal expires.

 

This Arsenal star is on the verge of leaving Arsenal permanently:

This strategic move towards a pre-contract signifies that while Tierney’s heart may be set on returning to Glasgow, both parties involved have decided on patience rather than haste. The Telegraph has highlighted this as an emotional homecoming for Tierney, who has evidently chosen the call of his roots over potential offers from other European leagues or a continued stay in England’s top flight.

 

The decision to wait until the summer for this transfer does not stem from any complications in negotiations but rather from a calculated approach to secure the best outcome for all parties. By opting for a pre-contract, Tierney ensures he can return to Celtic without Arsenal receiving any transfer fee, a scenario that reflects his desire to go back to where his professional journey began.

 

This delay also provides Tierney with the opportunity to complete the season with Arsenal, potentially showcasing his talents in any remaining matches and leaving on a high note. Meanwhile, Celtic can plan their squad’s future with the certainty of having one of their prodigal sons back, adding his experience and skill to their lineup for the upcoming season.

 

As the transfer window nears its close, fans, pundits, and the clubs themselves will keep a keen eye on this developing story. The narrative of Tierney’s return to Celtic, now set for the summer, is not just about a transfer; it’s about a homecoming, a testament to the bond between player and club, and a strategic move that could benefit both Tierney’s career trajectory and Celtic’s ambitions in Scottish and European football.

 

Arsenal, without captain Martin Odegaard face Wolves in a crunch Premier League clash as the Gunners looked to keep pace in the Premier League title race.

 

Arsenal dominated the first half and should have been in front before the game took a dramatic turn as Michael Oliver controversially sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly.

 

Halfway through the second half, Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes was sent off for a second yellow card for a challenge on Jurrien Timber.

 

Arsenal finally made the breakthrough when defender Riccardo Calafiori struck the ball home on the half volley to secure a vital three points for Mikel Arteta.

 

Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal appeals to referee Michael Oliver after he shows a red card during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderer…

 

Arsenal player ratings vs Wolves

David Raya- 7.5

Had little to do in the first half but made a stunning save from a deflected Cunha strike in the second half that kept the Gunners on level terms. A big moment in the game.

 

Made a late stop on Ait-Nouri as Wolves piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.

 

Arsenal’s David Raya kicks clear during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Arsenal FC at Molineux on January 25, 2025 ..

Jurrien Timber- 7.5

Gave everything down the right flank, solid in his defensive work and tried to support Martinelli in attack. Drew the foul from Joao Gomes that gave the Wolves midfielder his second yellow card.

 

William Saliba- 7

Not his usual calm and composed self upon return from injury. Sloppy on the ball at times and looked rushed in his decision making.

 

Second half was back to his commanding presence and marshalled an Arsenal back four in difficult circumstances down to ten men.

 

Gabriel Magalhaes- 7.5

A real captain’s performance from the Brazilian. Lead by example with some strong defending and stood strong with the side down to ten men for much of the second half.

 

Myles Lewis-Skelly-5

Another promising performance from the youngster before his controversial red card. Lewis-Skelly can find himself extremely unfortunate to be sent off for what looked like a routine booking.

 

Ultimately, his tackle cost Arsenal a vital three points, which is extremely harsh on the youngster given his bright start to the game.

 

Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal leaves the pitch past Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal after being shown a red card during the Premier

Thomas Partey – 6.5

Neat and tidy in possession and kept a close eye on Matheus Cunha throughout the game. Broke play up at will in the second half however, did have a couple of moments being sloppy in possession at the end of the game.

 

Declan Rice- 7.5

Worked tremendously hard as always in both an attacking sense and covering Lewis-skelly’s ventures forward. Rice has really stepped up as a leader of this Arsenal side in recent weeks and today was no different. Superb performance.

 

Ethan Nwaneri- 5

Tried to pick up pockets of space but found it difficult to get on the ball and dictate at times. Substituted at half time as part of re-shuffle following Lewis-Skelly red card.

 

Gabriel Martinelli- 5

Looked bright in the first half with some excellent movement but failed to find a decisive final ball. Failed to get the better of his man Agbadou in the second half at a time when his team really needed him to.

 

Leandro Trossard- 5

Sloppy on the ball in initial stages that almost led to a sensational Wolves opener on the break but delivered two exquisite crosses that Havertz should have buried in the first half.

 

Set-piece deliveries were poor all afternoon, the Belgian took the corners with his left foot but failed to beat the first man on a number of occasions.

 

 

Made himself a physical presence all game long but once again his afternoon will be remembered for crucial missed opportunities. Should have scored a hat trick of headers, two in the first half from Trossard deliveries.

 

Havertz then headed over from just six yards following a wicked Declan Rice set-piece, he should have buried all three opportunities.

 

Kai Havertz of Arsenal shoots but misses the chance during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Arsenal FC at Molineux o…

 

What an impact from the Italian defender. Fans criticised Calafiori’s absence against Aston Villa but upon return from injury he came into the game at a difficult time for the Gunners and well and truly stepped up to the plate.