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Arsenal News

SAKA STEPS UP RECOVERY

Bukayo Saka is intensifying his recovery from a hamstring injury as he aims for a return to action for Arsenal. The England international has been sidelined since undergoing surgery in December to repair a torn hamstring, but the Gunners are hopeful he will be ready to return in March to boost their title challenge and Champions League aspirations.

Saka is currently with the Arsenal squad in Dubai, continuing his rehabilitation away from the Emirates. This development comes as a positive sign for both the player and the club, as just a few weeks ago, Saka was seen on crutches after his surgery. On Monday, the club shared images of Saka working in the gym with a smile on his face, captioned “Stepping up that rehab.” These images showcase his determination to return stronger, and the reports over the weekend suggest Saka is targeting a comeback at the start of March.

AST CALL FOR FROZEN TICKET PRICES

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) has urged the club to freeze ticket prices and introduce a 19-game Premier League season ticket for fans. With the current season ticket structure consisting of 19 Premier League games and four Champions League matches, the AST believes that a new ticketing option would benefit fans by lowering the upfront cost and making it easier for those who find it difficult to attend evening fixtures.

The current season tickets range from £1,073 for the cheapest to £2,050.50 for the most expensive adult ticket, with concessions of up to 50% available for juniors, seniors, and disabled access members. There is also a 25% concession for young adults. In response to increasing concerns over affordability, the AST proposed a new ticket that would cover only the 19 Premier League games, allowing fans to purchase tickets specifically for league matches without the additional cost of cup fixtures.

Arsenal News

MERSON REVEALS TITLE DECIDER FOR LIVERPOOL

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes that Liverpool are just one step away from securing the Premier League title this season, with the key to it all lying in their upcoming Merseyside derby against Everton. Despite suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, Merson is optimistic about Liverpool’s title chances, provided they win at Goodison Park.

The Reds are currently top of the table, with Arsenal trailing six points behind in second. Merson sees Liverpool’s victory over Everton as the moment that could all but wrap up the title. “If Liverpool win at Everton, they’d be nine points clear with 15-odd games left,” he said. “They’d have to lose four of them, which I think would be impossible.” According to Merson, a win against Everton would place Liverpool in an almost unassailable position, making it nearly impossible for Arsenal to catch them with so few games remaining.

Arsenal News

ATTACKING CRISIS AFTER MARTINELLI INJURY

Mikel Arteta was already aware that Arsenal’s attack would require adjustment, but the manager may not have anticipated needing to make such changes so soon. Arsenal’s inability to secure a new forward in the January transfer window has left the Gunners with a depleted attacking force, made worse by Gabriel Martinelli’s recent hamstring injury during their 2-0 loss at Newcastle.

The injury occurred just after Arteta discussed the need to “try something different” with his frontline, and now that necessity has arrived faster than expected. Martinelli, who travelled to Dubai for warm-weather training, has since undergone a scan, and reports indicate he will be sidelined for at least a month. This leaves Arteta scrambling for attacking options, especially since Bukayo Saka won’t return until next month following his own hamstring injury, and Gabriel Jesus will miss the remainder of the season after knee surgery.

Arsenal News

ARTETA SYMPATHISES WITH CITY STRUGGLES

Mikel Arteta has described Manchester City’s recent slump as “very strange” but insists the reigning champions remain a major threat in the Premier League title race. City have endured a torrid run, failing to win any of their last six games across all competitions, including a dramatic 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday where they squandered a three-goal lead. Despite their struggles, City are second in the Premier League, eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who they face at Anfield on Sunday.

Arteta, who spent years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City, expressed his surprise at their dip in form but cautioned against ruling them out given their incredible consistency over the last decade. “What I have made of it is what they have done for nine years,” Arteta said. “I think that is what people have to talk about, how difficult it is what they have done for nine years consistently. And yeah, a bump—everybody has a bump. For them, it is very strange because in nine years they never had it.”

Arsenal News

TIMBER SHINES AS ARSENAL’S MOST CREATIVE FORCE

It may come as a surprise to learn that Arsenal’s most creative player in their emphatic 5-1 victory over Sporting wasn’t Bukayo Saka or Martin Ødegaard. Instead, it was Jurrien Timber, whose exceptional performance highlighted his growing importance in Mikel Arteta’s side.

The Dutch right-back was instrumental in Lisbon, creating three chances—more than any other Arsenal player—and delivering a sublime assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal. His pinpoint cross sliced through Sporting’s defense and goalkeeper Franco Israel with surgical precision, setting the tone for a dominant display. Beyond the assist, Timber led Arsenal in passes completed and touches, showcasing his control and influence on the game. On a night where Arsenal made a statement in Europe, Timber made his own statement about his place in the 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.

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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.

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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.

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.