CARRAGHER: ARSENAL TURNING  INTO A MOURINHO-STYLE TEAM
Arsenal News

CARRAGHER: ARSENAL TURNING INTO A MOURINHO-STYLE TEAM

Jamie Carragher has doubled down on his claim that Mikel Arteta is steering Arsenal away from Pep Guardiola’s intricate philosophy and towards a Jose Mourinho-inspired approach. The former Liverpool defender argued on *Monday Night Football* that Arteta’s tactical shift aims to bring more pragmatism and physicality to Arsenal’s play, which he believes could help them finally clinch the Premier League title.

Despite being nine points behind league leaders Liverpool after 11 games, Carragher’s Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville remains confident in Arsenal’s title prospects this season. Neville believes Arteta’s new methods—though unrecognizable from the Guardiola playbook—might be the key to overcoming their recent narrow misses against Manchester City.

GILBERTO SILVA: LIVERPOOL IN THE WAY
Arsenal News

GILBERTO SILVA: LIVERPOOL IN THE WAY

Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has acknowledged that Liverpool’s return to form under new manager Arne Slot has added a significant challenge to the Gunners’ pursuit of the Premier League title. With 28 points from 11 games, Liverpool sits nine points clear of Arsenal, a remarkable start that sets Slot apart as the most successful Liverpool manager in league history over the same period.

Liverpool’s rise comes amid a turbulent start to the season for both Arsenal and Manchester City. Injuries have plagued Mikel Arteta’s squad, while City has struggled in key matches without Rodri. As the Reds build momentum, they now look poised to enter 2024 as strong contenders for the title, reigniting competition at the top of the table.

ARSENAL’S £616M BOOST TO THE UK
Arsenal News

ARSENAL’S £616M BOOST TO THE UK

Arsenal Football Club made a significant economic and social contribution during the 2022/23 season, injecting over half a billion pounds into the UK economy. According to an independent report by Ernst & Young (EY), the Gunners delivered £616 million in economic value, with £425 million directly benefiting the club’s home borough of Islington.

This landmark report marks the first time Arsenal’s economic and social impact has been quantified, shedding light on the broader influence of one of England’s most storied football clubs. Beyond financial contributions, Arsenal supported over 4,400 jobs across the UK and generated an impressive £228 million in tax revenue.

GYÖKERES URGED TO JOIN ARSENAL
Arsenal News

GYÖKERES URGED TO JOIN ARSENAL

Viktor Gyökeres has been advised to make Arsenal his next destination by his former mentor and Swedish football legend Anders Limpar. The Sporting Lisbon striker, who has been in scintillating form, further boosted his growing reputation with a four-goal performance for Sweden on Tuesday night, taking his season tally to an impressive 32 goals for club and country.

With Sporting manager Ruben Amorim recently taking over at Manchester United, Gyökeres has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. However, Limpar, who spent three years at Arsenal and earned 58 caps for Sweden, believes the Premier League rivals would be the ideal fit for the dynamic forward.

NICO WILLIAMS TRANSFER RUMOURS SWIRL
Arsenal News

NICO WILLIAMS TRANSFER RUMOURS SWIRL

Nico Williams, who has attracted interest from Arsenal and Barcelona, insists that the ongoing speculation around his future won’t distract him this season. Despite a summer filled with transfer rumors, the Athletic Club winger remains focused on his current team and personal growth.

Williams was heavily linked with a move after his impressive performances for Spain during their Euro 2024 triumph. Both Arsenal and Barcelona expressed strong interest in signing the 22-year-old, whose contract includes a €58 million (£48.5 million) release clause. However, Williams decided to stay with Athletic Club, taking the prestigious No. 10 shirt, a sign of his growing importance to the team.

ARSENAL HIT WITH MARTINELLI INJURY BLOW
Arsenal News

ARSENAL HIT WITH MARTINELLI INJURY BLOW

Arsenal have been dealt another injury setback during the international break, with Gabriel Martinelli facing a new fitness concern while on duty with Brazil. The winger, who has been a key player for Arsenal this season, picked up a calf problem while preparing for Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers.

Martinelli had been recalled to Dorival Junior’s Brazil squad for the qualifiers against Chile and Peru, joining club teammate Gabriel Magalhaes after being left out of the previous international matches in September. His recall came as a reward for his impressive form at Arsenal, where he has featured in every match across all competitions this season, contributing both goals and assists. His latest contribution was a goal in Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback win against Southampton, further highlighting his importance to the team.

RAMSDALE EXPLAINS ARSENAL EXIT
Arsenal News

RAMSDALE EXPLAINS ARSENAL EXIT

Aaron Ramsdale has opened up about his departure from Arsenal, stating that he left because he “didn’t want to win trophies” without playing an active role. The 26-year-old goalkeeper joined Southampton in the summer, after finding himself relegated to a bench role following the arrival of David Raya.

Ramsdale initially joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021 for £26 million and quickly became the first-choice goalkeeper. Over two seasons, he made 89 appearances, showcasing his skills and contributing significantly to Arsenal’s defensive efforts. However, the dynamic changed when Raya arrived on loan in 2023, and later made his move permanent, pushing Ramsdale out of the starting lineup.

Reflecting on his decision to leave Arsenal, Ramsdale explained to Football Focus, “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me. I just wanted to play football. As a kid, I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench.” His passion for playing the game and his desire to be on the pitch drove him to seek regular playing time at Southampton, a club that offered him the opportunity he was missing at Arsenal.

Ramsdale’s career path has always been marked by his determination to play. As a young goalkeeper at Sheffield United, he opted to go on loan rather than remain as a backup, gaining valuable experience in competitive matches. This proactive approach to his career continued at Arsenal, where he made an immediate impact. During his debut season at the Emirates, Ramsdale earned the Premier League’s Golden Glove award, keeping 16 clean sheets in league play and 20 in total across 41 appearances. His contributions were instrumental in Arsenal’s runner-up finish in the league and their strong run to the Champions League quarter-finals. Between 2021 and 2023, Ramsdale also made his mark on the international stage, earning four caps for England.

Despite his successes, Ramsdale found himself in a difficult position at Arsenal. With Raya taking over the starting role, he played just 11 matches in his final year at the club. Unwilling to settle for a place on the bench, Ramsdale made the difficult decision to move to Southampton, where he could pursue his passion for playing week in and week out. “Getting out and playing was my aim, so I’m lucky I found myself here at Southampton,” he said.

Ramsdale’s return to the pitch is set to be an emotional one as Southampton prepares to face his former club on October 5. His desire to play, rather than merely collect trophies from the sidelines, underscores his commitment to the sport and personal growth as a player. For Ramsdale, the move to Southampton is not just about finding playing time; it’s about staying true to the reasons he fell in love with football in the first place.

MERINO SEES INJURY AS A BLESSING AFTER IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Arsenal News

MERINO SEES INJURY AS A BLESSING AFTER IMPRESSIVE DEBUT

Mikel Merino believes that the injury he suffered in his very first training session with Arsenal turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The summer signing made his long-awaited debut for the Gunners in their 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain, coming off the bench in the second half to play the final 25 minutes in place of Thomas Partey.

Merino, who joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad for over £30 million in August, had to wait patiently for his first appearance after a freak collision with center-back Gabriel left him with a shoulder injury. The setback was mentally tough for the Spaniard, but he now views the situation as an opportunity that has allowed him to get up to speed with Arsenal’s style and tactics.

SAKA CONFIDENT ARSENAL WILL WIN PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE
Arsenal News

SAKA CONFIDENT ARSENAL WILL WIN PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE

Bukayo Saka believes Arsenal are ready to deliver the Premier League title this season, following a statement-making performance in Europe against Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners impressed in their Champions League home opener on Tuesday night, securing a 2-0 win with first-half goals from Kai Havertz and Saka, signaling their potential to challenge the best teams on the continent.

The victory over PSG is one of the defining moments of Mikel Arteta’s near five-year reign at the Emirates, showcasing Arsenal’s remarkable progress under his guidance. It comes after a disappointing goalless draw with Europa League holders Atalanta, demonstrating the Gunners’ ability to rebound and prove they can topple Europe’s elite. Saka’s role in the triumph further underscores his belief that this could finally be the year Arsenal break their long domestic title drought.

RAYA DOUBTFUL FOR LEICESTER
Arsenal News

RAYA DOUBTFUL FOR LEICESTER

Mikel Arteta has revealed that David Raya remains a doubt for Arsenal’s Premier League match against Leicester City on Saturday. The goalkeeper missed Arsenal’s recent Carabao Cup victory over Bolton due to a thigh injury, and his availability for the weekend is still uncertain.

Raya was absent from the squad during the Gunners’ third-round cup tie at the Emirates Stadium, a game in which Arsenal triumphed over Bolton. With backup goalkeeper Neto cup-tied, Arteta was forced to turn to 16-year-old Jack Porter, who made history as the youngest player ever to start a game for Arsenal. Now, as Arsenal gears up for their league encounter with Leicester, Arteta has stated that the club will make a final decision on Raya’s fitness closer to match day.