Arsenal Grind Out 1–0 Win: Brighton Fallout || FA Cup Rotation Win || Leverkusen Champions League Preview

 Arsenal's 'Pretty' Grind To 3 Points

That was so much fun, the pressing to win the ball back, the crisp passing, the dribbles, the spectacular goals. That’s what we came here for… to be entertained, init?? Except the game itself was far from entertaining. Arsenal walked away from Brighton with three points, but the manner of win sparked plenty of noise across the league. A gritty 1–0 win had pundits crying anti-football while Arsenal fans simply saw a team doing what title contenders do: finding a way to win. With the FA Cup rotation game out of the way and a Champions League trip to Germany looming, there’s a lot to unpack.

George Graham would be proud to see how Arsenal rolled back the years, ripping something straight out of his old playbook to grind out a 0–1 win. From the moment Saka put the Gunners ahead, the remaining 90+ minutes became one of those days where the team simply had to stink the place out with some of the grittiest, most attritional football you’ll ever see. Even Arsenal fans were holding their hands up like, “yeah… we took grinding out a result to a whole new level today.” Rival fans were in tears and, to be fair, I get it. It wasn’t pretty. But you know what? If that type of performance brings major trophies to Arsenal over the season, I’ll take that all day long.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler had already turned the dial up a notch with his pre-match comments on Arsenal and time-wasting. He doubled down on those comments post-match with statements like “only one team came to play,” pointing fingers at Raya and even saying he wouldn’t want to win a league title like that. Have a day off Mister!!

First of all, yes, Arsenal ground their way to three points and it wasn’t the most entertaining watch. But those side comments from Hurzeler were well below the belt that was gloves off. I actually like the new breed of managers coming through. The Mikels, De Zerbis, Roseniors, Howes, Carricks, Slots  recently retired players taking up the mantle from the Peps, Klopps and Emerys. But I have no sympathy for managers who run their mouth in an incendiary way, and right now Hurzeler has turned himself into exactly that. He’s gone down more than a couple of notches for me. Not that his opinion really matters though. If Arsenal go on to win major honours in May, who’s honestly going to care about the Brighton grind? Really… who does? 

2025/26 Arsenal Dominance 

Now, with that said, I wanted us to look into the facts so, looked up Opta to do some digging and it turns out most of the media narrative about Arsenal playing “anti-football” is simply false. The data clearly shows Arsenal play far more attacking football than they’re given credit for. The dominance maps show the Gunners pinning teams back for long spells, and that attacking intent is backed up by the numbers: Arsenal have two players in the top five for expected assists, with Rice ranked 3rd and Saka ranked 5th. I hear the argument already — Corners. Fair enough. Here’s the clap-back question: Do teams concede corners because they’re attacking, or because they’re defending? If your answer is the latter, then it confirms Arsenal are forcing teams back consistently by going for it, NOT defending. Even Manchester City have done it against us this season.

We dig a little deeper and the numbers get even more interesting. In terms of expected goal difference (xG for vs xG against), Arsenal rank 1st in the league with a +28 xGD, with Manchester City second on +20. That tells you City are slightly outperforming their xG efficiency — and why not, they have Haaland for footballing gods’ sake.

Let’s continue. Every team wastes time in football, but the stats tell a different story. Raya ranks 17th among the league’s 20 goalkeepers for time-wasting incidents. When you think about it, that makes sense. Raya is key to Arsenal’s play and often looks to release the ball quickly to our wingers to start counters.

Arsenal have also only been involved in four of the 20 longest games this season .Villa, Spurs, Wolves and Brighton and in three of those matches the opposition were responsible for the delays. That means the Gunners were only the main culprits once, against Brighton. Just one game — yet Mr Hurzeler is out here spouting fiction. Honestly, he might need glasses.

Finally, the attacking numbers speak for themselves. Arsenal are tied with Manchester City for the most goals scored by an English team across all competitions this season — 101 goals. Across Europe, only Kane powered Bayern (134) and Yamal's  Barcelona (112) have scored more. Out of those 101 Arsenal goals, the Gunners have the most from open play, with City second and that’s a Haaland-powered City we’re talking about.

I took the time to do this research for our readers because of the constant “noise” around Arsenal. There’s a media narrative some pundits love to push, and it’s becoming ridiculous. Some of these legends , who, I give all due respect, do sound like they’re jumping on a bandwagon  of lazy analysis that lacks the most basic research or even thinking. Quit the crap sounding agenda, the data don't lie. That’s unfortunately the downside of shoehorning ex-players straight into punditry and podcasting. When you look at their coaching credentials, many of them leave a lot to be desired. 

That we lean into our strength if and when need be is suddenly a crime or anti football, something City has been lauded for in times past. Meanwhile the same Arsenal’s free-flowing form in Europe tells the real story open football, fluid attacking patterns, goals scored with ease. That’s no coincidence people so ask yourself why that is...... Nuff said.

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FA Cup Win & Draw

Moving away from the league, Arsenal travelled to the Midlands to face Mansfield in the FA Cup and booked their place in the quarter-finals with goals from Noni and Eze. Arteta, as expected, fielded a heavily rotated side with nine changes from the starting lineup against Brighton. Rice, Zubimendi and Big Gabby didn’t even travel with the squad, which makes perfect sense considering how fatigued the midfield duo in particular have looked recently.

A bit of rest at this stage of the season is absolutely necessary.

MLS could have started at left-back but had accumulated two yellow cards and missed the match through suspension. That meant Hincapié and Calafiori had to step in, which I wouldn’t have liked for the former, while the latter unfortunately ended up back on the injury table again. Timber also had to feature because Benny Blanco is still out injured. Mikel experimented with a back three of Mosquera, Marley Simons and Calafiori, but the balance never quite looked right. Mansfield, to their credit, really put up a fight. Arsenal dominated possession but never quite put them to the sword. Max had a very good game, that boy keeps his head down, works with the right attitude... then he may become a truly truly world class player...fingers crossed. Jesus was largely anonymous. Havertz did okay considering his injury management, and Madueke was lively on and off. The breakthrough eventually came when Madueke finished a sweeping move to put Arsenal ahead. However, Mansfield pulled level in the second half after a defensive mistake allowed them a clear look at goal, which they took. Mosquera could probably have done better with the cover and has looked quite shaky of late, but he’s also just coming back from injury.

Eventually the cavalry came on and Eze delivered the decisive moment, a thunderbolt to restore the gunners lead. The match finished 1–2 to the Gunners, a tricky tie navigated and Arsenal safely through to the quarter-finals. Arsenal have now been drawn away to Southampton at St Mary’s in the quarter-finals. On paper that’s a favourable draw. Chelsea hosting Port Vale might look easier, but honestly we can’t complain. Across the FA Cup, Champions League and EFL Cup this season, Arsenal have had a fair bit of luck with the draws, the rub of the green, as they say.

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UCL Round Of 16  Preview

Away from the FA Cup, attention now shifts back to the UEFA Champions League, with Arsenal travelling to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash. 

Although Leverkusen are one of Germany’s traditional clubs, they are a long way from the invincible side that Xabi Alonso built in the 2023/24 season. That team went unbeaten domestically and almost completed the fairy-tale run in Europe until Ademola Lookman ended it in the Europa League final for them with Atalanta's triumph. Since then, they have lost many of the players who made them such a formidable unit. Wirtz, Frimpong, Hincapié, Xhaka, and of course Alonso himself have all departed. What remains is largely a rebuilt squad with players like Patrik, Poku, Tillman and Quansah joining Grimaldo and Garcia from the old guard. They currently sit 6th in the Bundesliga, 22 points behind Bayern Munich who are running away with the league as expected. That said, Leverkusen still have a dangerous squad and their home form has been very solid, conceding very few goals. Arsenal will need to be sharp from the first whistle.

Most fans naturally see Arsenal as favourites to go through, but football can be unpredictable. It would be foolhardy for the lads to think this is an easy game.  If I were Mikel, I’d remind the players that to win the Champions League you have to overcome hurdles like this. Leverkusen have already beaten Manchester City at the Etihad earlier in the competition, so Arsenal cannot afford to take a day off. Remind themabout Liverpool's imperious form in last seasons's group stage, only to fall to at the PSG hurdle. This is the knockout phase now there are no second chances.

Arsenal must go to Germany with the intention of winning the match,  worst case, securing a draw. If the Gunners perform like they did against Bayern and Inter earlier in the competition, they should have more than enough quality to handle the Germans. But if they approach the game with the wrong  mentality like Liverpool once did in Turkey they could easily leave themselves with a mountain to climb. You can also see the toll the long season is starting to take with Arsenal competing on multiple fronts with player playing like they are running on fumes. That’s the downside of going for everything. 

But it’s also exactly what we’re here for, init? Two more months remain, and if things go to plan Arsenal fans could soon be counting trophies.

Arteta said:

“The only thing you can take it is game by game and try to, tomorrow, be better than the opposition and then the right to win. We always talk about that. Obviously, we play so many games in different competitions.

“In the next three games, you're going to play in three different competitions, competing against different opponents. You have to adapt to that. You have to, very early in the match, understand what the game is going to require, adapt to it and be better than them.”

“We start to play games where you are in or you are out, but there is no margin for manoeuvre, so we're going to face a very difficult contest tomorrow against a really good team.”

That sums up the attitude I expect nicely, stay focused, be at it right from the get go without taking any team for granted, and you will likely be lifting trophies come the end of the season. My team sheet would look like this below.

#UCL Team Selection

As much as I would have liked to still rest Rice & Timber for the visit of Everton at the weekend, I don't think Ben white is ready to start even though he traveled and between Rice or Zubi, I think Rice looks more elastic in recovery terms. Kai Havertz would have been on the bench but we are a bit light in the middle of the park with Odegard & Merino injured. We would still have to manage his load, to ensure he remains available fitnesswise for the business end of the season as we get things over the line. All in all, I believe thats still a very strong team to do a proper job at Bayer, time will tell. That's it from us here at #Anaijagunner hQ, lets hope the gunners win in Germany with a clean sheet too. Do enjoy enjoy the game wherever you are....#COYG

For more Arsenal match analysis, Champions League previews and tactical breakdowns, stay tuned

#ARSVsChe: London Derby Review || Ugly Punditry Rants || Brighton Preview

 Arsenal vs Chelsea – Gunners Make It 3W IN 4

Arsenal rolled Chelsea over like a you-know-what and smoked them to blazes in a London derby to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League table back to 5 points, albeit with a game in hand. Yeah… I wish that was what we did to the Blues from West London. We beat them though, and some will say at this stage of the #EPL season that is all that counts, 3 points on the board, forget the games in hand. I won’t argue with that logic because at the end of the day it’s about who has more points in the Premier League title race, so fair enough.

Now, that being said, the performance in the second half left a whole lot to be desired, especially after Neto hit the self-destruct button, as is becoming expected with the Boyz in Blue this season. The Gunners couldn’t steamroll Chelsea even with a man down; we couldn’t give them a statement win to remember in this Arsenal vs Chelsea clash. In the end, the match had a tetchy, stretched, slightly nervous ending. The first half saw Arsenal dominate proceedings even though Chelsea did an okay job of shoring things up. Their back line was helped by Arsenal not being crisp or accurate in the final third. Our build-ups were good but seemed to miss that final pass at the last hurdle. Sanchez almost gifted Arsenal a goal when he failed to clear properly, with Gyokeres barreling down on him and nearly nicking the ball. His lack of composure was a theme all evening, although he did well to save some shots when called upon to fare. 

David Raya, on the other side of the spectrum, was absolutely immense for Arsenal in goal. His magnificent save late in the match quickly comes to mind and the one in the Rice handball melee showed serious agility. Right now, Raya is playing like one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. I remember saying in my preview post that Alisson is probably the only keeper I’d have over Raya right now, but watching Alisson drop a clanger recently, I’m asking if that stance still holds water on current form… lol.

Anyway, Arsenal didn’t play too well but got the 3 points which is the koko as we say in Nigeria. But there are some concerns. Declan Rice and Zubi are looking really tired lately, and Mikel needs to give them a breather somehow as we push for the #EPL title. It might be time to bring in MLS alongside NØrgaard because we are kind of short of options in the middle of the park. I love Rice but his sloppiness in the last two Premier League games is starting to worry me. On another day, that’s a yellow card and a penalty — even I know we got away with one there. Zubi again almost gifted a goal with that sloppy back pass to Raya. He really needs to cut those casual passes out of his game knowing the position he occupies. He is still a fantastic player though, so I don’t get the criticism of late. The dude is just tired — understandably so (first season in the #EPL). Eze did much better in this game than the Stamford Bridge fixture but not enough for me. He needs to do more. He has the keys now with Ødegaard out , the talent is there. Eze, seize your moment.

Trossard also had a quiet game. Up against Reece James, who gave no change, he didn’t really influence Arsenal’s forward play like you’d expect in a big Premier League game. There was one instance where James bossed him off a duel that Leo had a head start on, and I was like, well done James… come on Leo. Sometimes the opponent is so good you have to applaud them. Such was Reece James in this London derby. He was by far Chelsea’s best player in my opinion.

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RANTS – VAR, PGMOL & The Anti-Arsenal EPL Narrative

The ugly things are the rules of the Premier League. Shoving and almost pulling an opposing player’s jersey off is apparently allowed, but a slight touch on the back or shoulder is a foul. PGMOL, please make it make sense. I mentioned Rice earlier, he should have had a yellow for grabbing Joao Pedro with both hands. It was almost a chokehold and yet no foul was blown. If that was Arsenal at the receiving end in this tight #EPL title race, I’d be fuming. If certain soft touches elsewhere are given as fouls, then Rice almost choke-holding Pedro is all day a foul.

I thought Gyokeres and Saka had shouts for penalties too, but hey, what do I know? The inconsistencies of VAR in the Premier League are becoming so blatant and appalling that it’s bordering on incompetence. Why have VAR seeing what the ref doesn’t see and yet you still don’t make the right call? Arsenal won the game in the end through well-taken set pieces that no one can complain about, even though haters bemoan our prolific nature in that department. Set pieces are part of football. If Arsenal are elite at them in the #EPL, that’s coaching.

Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel, worthy Man United Legends but come on I’m really  looking at your biased takes. It’s not illegal. If you don’t like it, come play ball at the Emirates (in fairness, Man U did though). In the latter Wenger days, Arsenal were labelled soft and naive. Now we combine power and guile and are very much up for the scrap, and suddenly we’re “Set Piece FC” ruining the beautiful game?

If Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy in May, none of that will matter!!

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Brighton PREVIEW

Anyway, away from my rant — Arsenal still have 9 more Premier League games to play, and Brighton away at the Amex is next. Arsenal won the reverse fixture 2-1 at the emirates but this Brighton seems to have found some spring to their step of late.  They have won 2 in a row for the first time in a few months, Welbeck is enjoying some new lease of life to the point of being whispered as a potential world cup squaddie. Arsenal haven't won at the Amex for 2 straight seasons now I think, not too sure. They have always being a tricky customer for us and ManCity as well so potential Banana skin here. What I would reiterate is, if the gunners want to guarantee that they lift the #EPL title in May, they are going to have to win all remaining 9games, 8Wins and a draw likely does it but 9W is a guarantee with the current 2 point gap over City(me assuming city wins their game in hand). 

The onus is on us, to bend the game outcome to our will, no more gifts or slipups, get a foothold on the game and kill it with early goals. This something we seem to be struggling with, City looks to be in that zone of we can win go an run powered by Halaand, we dont look like it but we have done it before. Arsenal will have to respond by saying, we may not have Halaand and co upfront, but we have Own goal and Set piece in our Arsenal...LOL. Seriously though, the gunners have to pull out all stops to ensure they pick max points at Brighton. No matter how well Hürzeler has his lads set up. Minteh and Mitoma are going to have to be kept very quiet while Eze needs to think they are Spurs and play a blinder. Gabby Jesus has a habit of scoring against Brighton, I'd start him on the left with Trossard to come on in the second half. Madueke could also start on the right with Saka given a rest but knowing Mikel, he probably wont go for that. There is the decision on Kai Havertz too, does he start up top or as a foil to Victor Gyokeres. My team sheet would loom like this:

#BHAVsARS

I'd be giving a couple of people a breather if I was Mikel but I know he wont. Zubi, Rice and Timber, should sit this out without us having any issues, (touch wood). I know there is an FA cup 5the round  game at the weekend against Mansfield town, some would say its an opportunity to rest key players, I would say, No. We also dont want these key players to be injured due to an overload, Rice is tethering close, so is Timber. I know its the run in but with Merion out and Ødegaard & Kai in a limbo, we just cant afford any more injuries in the midfield for these last 9 games. Its also important we maintain at the very least the two point lead over Man City going into the clash at the Etihad in April. Who blinks first, is us or City? That's it from us at #Anaijagunner HQ, do enjoy the game wherever you are.....#COYG 

NLD Review After Arsenal’s Smash Spurs || Champions League Draw Reaction || Chelsea Preview

 

NLD Is Red!!: Are Spurs in Freefall?

That was smashing, just what the doctor ordered. Five straight NLD wins by the way. Are Spurs really going to go down this season? I really don’t know, sha. But what I do know is that Eberechi Eze again came up with the goods vs Spurs, and Tottenham Hotspur fans are double livid with Levy and co for failing to get that deal over the line which then allowed us to hijack it right under their noses.

Anyway, before we get carried away with the buzz of the North London Derby win, let’s remind ourselves, we haven’t won the league yet or anything yet, so let’s temper the excitement a bit… right. Back to Spurs though, City must be wondering how this team took four points off them this season. Crazy stuff football is. Spurs are currently 16th on the #EPL log, four points off the relegation zone, and somehow in the Champions League Round of 16. They haven’t won a single game this year, and their last home win came in December. Football is just something else. As for Arsenal, that was an accomplished and comprehensive win against your little bro type club, our noisy neighbours type rivalry. Not like they are ever challenging us for titles or anything. The last time they came close to challenging us for anything was in 2015/16 when Leicester City won the league ahead of us.

The manner in which Arsenal FC took the game to Spurs and delivered that smacking was telling. It showed the huge gulf in class between both teams. Man for man, Spurs were no match. The usual suspect was Eze again. He does have a thing for Spurs who must be sick of him now. He followed that imperious Wigan performance with this one, pulling the strings, opening the scoring and being instrumental to Viktor Gyokeres’s first. Both players, much maligned this season, quite unfairly in my opinion, decided this was their party to shine. The second goal that restored Arsenal’s lead was a proper striker’s goal, arguably his best goal so far this season in the #EPL. Eze added another one where he was again instrumental, pinching the ball in midfield, getting a nice flick back from Gyokeres and being on hand to finish following the block on Saka’s shot. Martin Odegaard then came on and supplied the pass for Gyokeres to get his brace.

The good was that we spanked Spurs, especially after the lacklustre draws versus Brentford and Wolves. We bounced back to winning ways in our hunt for the #EPL title. The bad was that we should have scored more. Declan Rice played us into danger and gave away a cheap goal scoring opportunity that led to Muani’s equaliser. So much for stay focused guys. Big Gabby got away with one on that disallowed goal which I thought was really soft. Gabriel, you are a beast of a defender, could you stop falling over at the slightest touch. If I was the ref, I wouldn’t have disallowed the goal. That said, I also think that push by Ekitike on Romero should have been a foul, the goal disallowed. Both can be true.

We also almost gifted Spurs another one which David Raya duly cleared off the line. Raya is definitely worth his gloves for Arsenal. The only goalie I’d have over him in the #EPL is Alisson Becker and that’s a close one. Lastly, the ugly. It’s ironic that Rice was the one who switched off in a dangerous area leading up to the goal we conceded. Life can be funny. He has been very vocal of late, giving interviews and having a go at anyone who isn’t switched on. I get it, you want to win the league after coming painfully close three times, but we have to stay level headed and not give into the nerves of our emotions.

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Champions League Draws: A Path Opened, Focus Required

Let’s move on to the Champions League. The draws were held midweek and Arsenal couldn’t have wished for a better lay of the cards. We have to beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen, or else that would be disastrous. Liverpool last season, anyone. The lads need to stay focused on Leverkusen first, then we can project ahead to the last eight, then the last four, then the final, and then the trophy. All that said, Mikel would be looking at the path to the final Arsenal is on and saying grace. We know no team is a pushover. Don’t let me hear you call anyone small. They earned their stripes and deserve respect. 

#UCL Draw

Last season’s run ended 3–1 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain. I would expect the team to be buoyed by the prospect of going two steps further this time. It’s going to be tricky balancing the demands of the Champions League along with the EPL because in the knockout stages you only get one chance over two legs or you are out. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has been very feisty in recent days with Manchester City. Not his usual calm self. From political call outs to saying he has no advice to give Mikel Arteta at this juncture, it’s a different kettle of Pep. Maybe he really is leaving at the end of the season and wants to sign off with a bang. Unfortunately for him, standing in the way of that legacy is his own apprentice. Anyway, I want a champions league win above anything else, its an itch Arsenal needs to scratch, tick it off the to-do list. I know some would argue how much of a travesty it would be to Win the UCL but lose the title to City especially after leading the log and being the better team for most of the season. I know and I get the gripe, I am just saying, if it came down to choosing one out of the the two, its UCL for me. Arsenal ladies, did it last season, it would be nice for the lads to back it up with a win.

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Chelsea Preview: Arsenal vs Chelsea, No Room for Nerves

To the #EPL. The Gunners are back on home turf after a run of three straight away games where we picked up just five points from nine. We have City breathing down our necks. Beating Chelsea FC on Sunday would certainly stamp a statement of authority, especially if City win the day before. Arsenal have to win against Chelsea. No sugar coating it. Chelsea dropped two serious points recently and if you check their next five games you will understand why that may be damning for their Champions League hopes. They have Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle, Everton, City and United coming up, with games running out. They have also collected eight red cards in the #EPL alone and eleven in total this season. Every time they’ve gone down a man, they have drawn or lost, never winning any.

Kai Havertz is still not back which is a bummer for Arsenal. Chelsea have their own issues with injuries and suspension, meaning another makeshift backline. They do have Reece James back though and if his game against us at Stamford Bridge is anything to go by, that’s a huge boost for them. I would still give it to Arsenal as favourites here. If we turn up like we did against Spurs, hungry, energetic and aggressive in a disciplined manner, we will suffocate Chelsea into costly turnovers for their loss. If we allow the nerves to kick in, Chelsea may get the fuel to play spoilers and return City a favour....(naah) I would like to see Norgaard in midfield ahead of Zubimendi. I like his connection with Eze and he has barely put a foot wrong. Zubi might need a breather. Even though we have had seven days between games, fresh legs for that physical midfield battle wouldn’t hurt. Play Eze on the left, Saka in the ten and Madueke on the right. Arteta will probably not go with my tinkering, but it’s a nice twist if you ask me.

Gyokeres has ten league goals so far this year and fifteen across all competitions. Not bad for a guy who runs like he has on a bag of jeans, as Paul Scholes would say. Bottom line, if Arsenal want to win the #EPL title, this is one of those games. Beat Chelsea, hold your nerve, and keep marching.

#ArsChe

I'd like to bank this game as another home win, even though it does have a potential banana skin written all over it. I don't expect it to be as easy as some would think.....look at our game at Wolverhampton. That said, the lads have no other option than to find our will to win this game. Games are running out, you cant bank on Man City dropping points so #COYG. Squeaky bum time, the only way to guarantee Arsenal lifting the #EPL title come may, is to to win all our remaining games, Mikel knows it, the fans know it, its time for the players to show they know it. That's it from us at #Anaijagunner HQ, enjoy the game wherever you are....Ciao

Arsenal Wobble With Points Dropped || The NLD Preview

 

Arsenal's Response Against Wigan After Brentford Slip

Before discussing Mikel Arteta’s recent decision not to sign a shirt for the young fan, let’s review Arsenal’s strong performance in their FA Cup clash against Wigan. Eberechi Eze was the standout player in the 5th round match, helping Arsenal bounce back after their frustrating 1-1 draw against Brentford. That draw saw Arsenal struggle with Brentford’s physicality, a challenge that would have overwhelmed them in previous seasons. However, this time the Gunners showed resilience and determination. Some may view the draw as a point earned but Arsenal needed a response in the FA Cup.

The Gunners delivered exactly what was needed, blitzing Wigan in the first half, with the game effectively decided by the 30-minute mark. Eze, who was substituted at halftime against Brentford, came out with something to prove. His performance against Wigan was a showcase of his talent, and while it’s easy to downplay it due to the opponent, his growth was evident. His first no-look pass to Madueke was a beautiful piece of skill, followed by a sublime assist to Martinelli. Beyond the assists, Eze's ability to control the tempo and track back defensively stood out. His growing awareness of space and ability to close down opponents highlights the significant progress he’s made under Mikel Arteta's coaching. Shoutouts also go to Madueke, who scored back-to-back goals for the first time this season. This is a positive sign for the final stretch of the season. Saka, returning from injury and playing centrally with Madueke flanking him, looked promising. Let’s not forget Norgard, who played a crucial role for Eze, providing clean passes into attacking areas, including the assist for Jesus’ goal. Even the own goal, as Saka’s cut-back was mistakenly steered into the net, contributed to a solid team performance. Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 victory, securing a crucial win. The Gunners now face Wolves at Molineux, with momentum on their side.

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Arsenal vs Wolves: Crucial Points Dropped Again

After a disappointing draw at Brentford, Arsenal traveled to Wolves for what was a must-win Premier League match at Molineux. The Gunners got off to a strong start in their last game, with Saka opening the scoring inside five minutes. Rice whipped in a perfect cross, and Saka’s header deflected through Sarr’s legs, giving Arsenal the early advantage. At this point, it seemed Arsenal would kick on, knowing the importance of the match. A win would extend their lead at the top of the #EPL to seven points, but a loss would see the gap reduced to just one point, especially after Manchester City’s win over Newcastle. Though Arsenal dominated possession, they lacked the cutting edge to seal a second goal. Eventually, in the second half, Gabriel’s pass through to Hincapie allowed him to chip Sarr, doubling Arsenal’s lead. VAR initially caused a delay, but the goal stood, much to the relief of the team. With the game looking secure, a defensive mistake allowed Bueno to curl one past Raya, pulling Wolves back into the game at 2-1. Arsenal’s defensive fragility was exposed once more.

The game took another twist when a misjudged clearance between Gabriel and Raya allowed Edozie to finish the loose ball for a 2-2 draw. It was a bitter disappointment, and Arsenal will be left wondering if this will be the result they look back on come May much like their 0-2 loss to Aston Villa two seasons ago. Arsenal's form over the last seven matches two wins, four draws, and one loss shows a dip in consistency. If they want to be Premier League champions, they must improve. Manchester City is closing in, and Arsenal cannot afford to drop more points.

From 7 points clear to potentially 9 points clear to now just 2 points clear, all in a matter of just over a week, how things change quickly in football. Its crazy, the thing is, games are running out, leaving either us or city with little or no room for error to be crowned #EPL champions come may. ManCity has to be perfect (I doubt if this iteration of Pep's City can) and Arsenal has to be 99% near perfect to guarantee the stave off (I'm hoping this Iteration Of Mikel's gunners can). Either way, still in our hands.

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Squeaky Bum Time: The North London Derby 

Looking ahead, Arsenal faces their biggest challenge yet: the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs, fresh off parting ways with manager Thomas Frank after a home loss to Newcastle, sit in 16th place in the Premier League. Despite their struggles, Tottenham will always provide a tough test in a derby. However, after the convincing 3-0 victory at the Emirates earlier this season, Arsenal will be confident of another win. Mikel Arteta has a vital role to play here. He needs to fire up his players, especially in light of the media’s criticism about Arsenal’s supposed "bottle jobs." The players need to channel this negativity into motivation. With a slender lead at the top, Arsenal’s title destiny is still in their hands, but they must step it up to keep Man City at bay. Arteta knows this

He said: "What I’ve seen is a tremendous reaction again and I’m not surprised at all. When you lose points in the last kick of the game again, in a very unpredictable manner, to concede an equaliser in the manner that we did it, nobody can really understand that.

"But this is football and that’s the beauty of it, and that was a chapter. So we have a long season. Chapter 27 says, okay, we draw against Wolves in this manner. What I’m very interested in is the next one, it’s what we are made of. Ok, what do we do about this and how do we write our own destiny from here and going forward, and that’s it. You have to react to that because life moves on, the result has to stay, unfortunate as it was. There is nothing that we can do, what we can do is a lot, it’s what’s going to happen next."

The North London Derby is a massive game.  Arteta’s tactics should be simple: stay compact, win first and second balls, dominate key duels, and capitalize on Spurs’ defensive weaknesses especially in the half where they struggle most(or maybe not with Igor Tudor).  Arsenal must head into this match with the desire to win, regardless of Spurs’ managerial changes. The title is still within Arsenal's grasp, but only if they rise to the occasion. Let’s see if Arteta can rally his troops and ignite a fierce determination to secure all three points. their lead, ensuring they keep City at arm's length with only 11 games remaining. My team sheet would look like this:

#TotVsARS

If kai is available, he starts in the 10 role for me. Calafiori, Eze and White get the nod in those positions cause of their better attacking threat than their other, I need a team that's switched on when its time to attack. I know Calafiori has been shaky somewhat in his last few but the guy is just back from injury, I would also like to see Norgaard in the middle with Rice, his forward passes are needed to platform a quick transition from the back to the attack. Don't get me wrong, Zubi has been a very good anchor in the middle, plus his goals but a little tweak here and there could refocus the teams dynamism. That's it from us here at #Anaijagunner hq, hopefully the lads get the 3 points at Spurs, NLD stays red, improve our away form record, and get back our title charge, enjoy the game wherever you are...#COYG

Arsenal Must Show Their Mettle: Man United Reality Check || Brentford Frustration & FA Cup Rotation Time

The Sack of Thomas Frank & Sean Dyche

This is going to be quick! I know it’s been a bit, but we have to start off with the sack of Silver card member Thomas Frank, who got the boot. I’m sure y’all know I like him as a bloke, despite him being a former Spurs coach. But, let’s be real, he had it coming. Tiny Totts are closer to relegation than the top half of the EPL table, with no win in their last 5 league games. Losing at home to Newcastle, who themselves are not having the best of seasons, was probably the last straw. When you’re relying on Manchester United to snatch a last-minute draw that denies West Ham all 3 points—points that could’ve sucked you into the relegation fight you know it’s dire. It was definitely coming.

Sean Dyche wasn’t spared either. Marinakis got tired of waiting. I’d love to be a party pooper and say "serves Marinakis right," but I actually kinda like Forest. They had a good manager in Nuno, who knew what he was doing. But the owner had to show who was in charge by firing him, upsetting a stable setup... too bad. Anyway, let’s get back to things at Arsenal.

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Arsenal’s Loss to Man United & Recent Performances

We couldn’t hold our nerve against Man United, falling to a Cunha curler that led to our only loss this season at the Emirates. That game left us with 2 points from 3 matches, after failing to capitalize on City’s slips in their equivalent fixtures. Arteta still hadn’t beaten Carrick in 4 attempts (if I’m not mistaken). Arsenal started the game well, pressing United really high, eventually taking the lead. But a mistake by Zubimendi (who’s been sensational this season, by the way) gifted Mbuemo the equalizer, and from there, United took control.

Dorgu put them ahead with another cracker from distance, although the ball clearly touched his hand before he rifled it past Raya. No excuse for losing our heads, though. Arsenal equalized from Merino (who’s out for the season, by the way), and you thought, "Okay, let’s go on and get the win," but it wasn’t meant to be. We got sloppy on the right flank. Rice couldn’t clear the ball, and Cunha bent one around Big Gabby and beyond Raya. United got the deserved win—no excuses. There are arguments for a penalty against Maguire, but it wasn’t clear and obvious for VAR.

Credit to Man United. They played better, but did they deserve the win? Not so sure. The boos from the fans were unsavory though. Really? Have we become Spurs? But we move.

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Recent Wins & FA Cup Focus

Since the United loss, the Gunners have bounced back with 3 wins and 1 draw. They dispatched Kairat in the Champions League, even though the scoreline doesn’t fully reflect Arsenal’s total dominance. Next, Arsenal traveled to Elland Road to face Leeds United, smashing Daniel Farke’s lads 4-0. Make no mistake, it wasn’t all straightforward, but the team handled the business professionally, with no fuss or drama, just doing the damn job. Then came Sunderland, who visited the Emirates off the back of some impressive results. They gave a good account of themselves, but Arsenal got the job done. Regis Lebris’ boys pressured Arsenal into tight spaces in the first half, closing down passing lanes and looking dangerous on the counter. It was a tight half, until Zubi’s goal. But let’s give Trossard a shoutout for that pass, crisp, well-weighted. Zubi allowed the ball to move across him before drilling it home. This opened up Sunderland, who now had to come at us more. In the second half, Arsenal put the game beyond their reach.

Next, Arsenal traveled to Brentford for a midweek clash at Gtex Stadium. With City having won, the gap was cut to 3 points. Arsenal needed to respond but couldn’t, drawing 1-1. It wasn’t the most appealing game, but it had its frenetic moments. In the dying embers, Martinelli should’ve done better, and Odegaard too. But in fairness to Brentford, we never created clear-cut chances that called Kelleher into action, so a draw was probably fair. The gap is now down to 4 points, and there’s no room for errors, especially with a trip to City still on the horizon.

I hear Arsenal fans saying, “Here we go again,” but I’d say, “Get a grip and calm down.” Tense environments serve no one. Let’s back the team fully. City may smell blood, but we’re a better team, and we need to show our mettle on the pitch. No one’s handing it to us, so let’s get locked in for the remaining 12 games—one at a time. Let’s keep the quadruple talk off the shelf for now. Focus on what manners, show City you are here and you have an #EPL title to win.

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FA Cup: Time for Heavy Rotation

The FA Cup game comes around this weekend as the Gunners face Wigan in the 5th round. The fact is, if we can’t beat a Wigan side that just parted ways with their coach due to poor performances, we don’t deserve to be in the FA Cup, simple as that. I’d go for heavy rotation in the squad. With Kai Havertz suffering a relapse from injury and Merino out for the rest of the season, I’d be careful with players like Zubi, Timber, and Rice. MLS needs more game time, and Norgaard and Eze really need to step up to show they’re all-in. Thank God Captain O and Saka are back, hopefully they weren’t rushed. Let’s go there, get the win. That's it from us at #Anaijagunner hQ, enjoy the game wherever you are.....COYG!

Arsenal vs Inter: Arteta’s Gunners Dominate the San Siro | UCL Reaction & Man United Preview

Europe Beckons: Arsenal Set the Tone in Milan

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The Gunners strutted into the San Siro with a goal in mind, get the job done and they did! There are a couple of performances to love from the Gunners this season. Away at Newcastle in the #EPL comes to mind, Atletico in the second half is another one to love, but this game would be remembered for how Arsenal showed their dominance versus Inter Milan on their home turf. Arteta, as we ought to have expected, started a strong side with Saka, Zubi and the starting backline, without Calafiori who remains out injured. Let’s be clear though, I would have preferred most of these guys rested, knowing we have the visit of Man United at the weekend. To be fair, Mikel made 7 changes to the starting 11 as he mixed it a bit in the middle, starting Eze over Ødegaard, while Jesus got the nod ahead of Gyökeres. But for me, Saka and Zubimendi shouldn’t have started this game. Still, that’s done, so we move.

I liked the way we approached the match from the get-go. Saka attacking down the right flank and putting the home side on the back foot right off the bat. We pressed, harried and attacked the Nerazzurri like we needed the points more. Strange it was, to be honest. The first 10 minutes saw the Italians struggling for any sustained bit of possession. The goal duly came from a smart bit of play with Eze, Timber and finally Jesus contriving to make a goal out of a shot that was going wayward from Timber, I think. Jesus deserves credit for his awareness to steer the ball back on target for the opener. Inter snapped out of their shell like the goal was a jolt to their arm. Suddenly Dimarco, Thuram and Martinez started getting the ball to stick and they threatened. MLS and Mosquera had to be alert to snuff out a couple of half chances from Thuram. 

Their breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Arsenal failed to properly deal with a ball into the box. Our failure to clear the line properly allowed Sučić (18’) to bend one around our defenders. At first I thought, Raya come on, how did you allow that go in. I watched the replay and thought, okay, well done Sučić. 1–1 at 18 minutes. Arsenal turned on the next gear though, wrestling back control, forcing errors from the Italians and our favourite assister this season, Set Piece Ole Ole, was on hand again. We won a corner kick, Saka delivered to the back post and Trossard showed the hunger that typified Arsenal by chasing what may have been a lost ball. He looped a header back across goal and there was Jesus to nod in for our second goal of the night. Arsenal were putting their foot on the gas pedal with the hunger they showed.

That was Arsenal’s 19th goal from a corner this season, well clear of anyone in Europe’s top five leagues. For context, Liverpool scored only their second goal from a corner this evening versus Bournemouth from 102 attempts. Arsenal, on the other hand, have turned this into another string to their bow, it’s crazy. The Gunners went into the interval with a one-goal advantage, deservedly.

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Game Management, Depth and Why the Numbers Matter

Both teams came back for the second half with the home side showing a bit more desire. Arsenal had to ride the initial wave of pressure before wrestling back control. Esposito was particularly lively for the Italians when he came on, putting us on the back foot for a bit with his smart play, picking the ball up in some tight pockets here and there. He just needed some support around him.

Arteta made changes, bringing on Gyökeres, Rice, Gabby, Benny and Martinelli. Jesus, Trossard, Timber, Mosquera and Zubi made way. Martinelli played a wonderful outside-of-the-boot curler looking for Gyökeres. He played it into Saka who miscued it back for Gyökeres to put one in the top bin. The finish, coming from a mishap between Saka and Gyökeres, was ironic considering the amount of furor generated over the past few weeks. The Arsenal manager alluded to something in his post-match thoughts, what if his strikers start firing on 0.75 cylinders, not all, just two thirds. Let’s put some context with stats. The Gunners have the second-highest XG in the Champions League after seven games, have conceded just two goals, four fewer than the next best defence. All this after playing Bayern, Atletico and Inter. Liverpool, who topped the league phase last season, had scored 17 goals at this stage. This is the same Arsenal team that pundits say is underperforming in terms of goals scored. Imagine a 30 percent boost in attacking ruthlessness. Let that sink in.

Some random thoughts. This Arsenal team still has a couple more levels to go up, that’s sure. I can see a run akin to the 2023/24 second-half surge of 16 wins, one draw and one loss. We just played the top team in Italy, Inter sitting top of Serie A, and made them look ordinary at best. No mean feat. Arsenal have now played four consecutive away games in four different competitions and ended up with three wins and one draw. The only draw came in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest, a performance that wasn’t good enough by our own high standards, which in itself tells you how far the bar has been raised.

In Europe, teams come out to play. In the Premier League, teams sit deep and deny space. If you play open football against Arsenal, you’re likely to get smacked. If you park the bus, you might frustrate them into a draw or lose to a set piece. Anyway, that’s seven wins in seven Champions League games. Kairat up next at the Emirates. Again....We move.

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Manchester United at the Emirates – Context, Pressure and Mentality

The Gunners return home this weekend for a top-of-the-bill clash with Manchester United. After back-to-back nil-nil draws in the league, getting back to winning ways feels like a must. The backdrop of United handing City a spanking last week adds spice. The way they ripped into that City side was scary, and Arsenal will do well to be wary.

Arsenal remain unbeaten at home this season, with all wins and two draws, and haven’t conceded more than one goal at the Emirates. Bayern, Wolves, Brighton, Spurs and City are the only sides to breach us once each. History matters too. Wenger versus Fergie, Vieira versus Keane, Keown versus Van Nistelrooy. United may have fallen far from title contention, but Arteta needs the boys to feel like they’re not. Calafiori and Hincapié are back from injury, which can only bode well. MLS hasn’t been at his best this season and Calafiori has raised the level when fit, bringing spontaneity and chaos in our transitions. Still, I don’t see him starting on Sunday. It would be too much of a risk. Mosquera deserves huge praise for his performance against Inter, slotting back into the heart of defence like he never left, even against elite opposition. Mikel Arteta is under no illusions about what’s coming. With City winning at Wolves, the pressure is back on.

“I dont think anybody, has probably more motivation, more hunger more desire for us to go all the way, and win than me. But we know that the only way to do it is to focus and be very present in the moment and doing everything that we have to do and do it better tomorrow that's it.

Thats the only thing we can control, the rest is just doesn't add any value to us and can take the focus away from the wrong place”

Those are the kind of words you want your manager drilling into the boys. Until City are mathematically out of the title race, the energy stays the same. Mikel knows what needs to be done, the players hopefully do too, and more importantly, the lads look up for it from the first whistle.
I would try a bit of a gamble here to hurt united with Pace and Trickery, Martinelli up top with Eze, Ødegaard, and Saka buzzing behind his fleet foot, while detailing Rice and Zubi to sit. This is important to protect our left side in the absence of Calafiori. We must keep Mbuemo, Diallo and Cuhna very quiet while also showing a ruthlessness in front of goal by taking our chances. Sesko is beginning to show bit and pieces of a player Man United thought they paid for, but I trust our center backs on him. That midfield battle is going to be key to achieving the above, harrying Bruno off the ball, so he has little time to pick those passes that break the lines to hurt the opposition. I know Arteta wont be having this but here is how i would set up my team against the red devils below:

#ArsManU

Before we go, shout out the the women's team for the comeback they have made this season, picking up all 3 points in the away game versus Chelsea women. Russo, Mead and Mariona, all combining well for the 2 goals that put Chelsea to the sword. The girls are clawing their way back up the WSL table after such a poor start to the season by their high standards ...long may they continue. Now that's about it from us at #Anaijagunners HQ, help share, comment and  enjoy the game wherever you are.....#COYG

AFCON Finals Drama || Arsenal Forrest Frustrations Pressure & #EPL Title Race || Inter UCL Preview

 AFCON, Leadership, and Sadio Mané

Speaking of Sadio Mané, congratulations to Senegal, the new African champions. Nigeria settled for the bronze, which is consolatory if you ask me. Beating Egypt is nice and all, but Salah continues to wait to lift an African tournament title sad when you consider his legendary status.

Image Credit: Getty Images via BBCdotcom

The AFCON final between Senegal and hosts Morocco exploded into a spectacle on Sunday. Nothing could have prepared us for what unfolded. I won’t go into the details; we either watched it live or read about it online. The bedlam that followed was a stain on football and a blight on African soccer in particular. The win-at-all-costs syndrome almost ruined a beautiful tournament and the North Africans have to look at themselves in the mirror in general. WHY? You would be forgiven for thinking the ensuing chaos you were watching was happening during one of those nasty fiesty Copa Libertadores tournament matchups between Boca Junios and  River Plate or Flamengo and Palmieras. 

Once again, Sadio Mané, take a bow you showed the world how to re-enact Rudiyard Kiplin's Sage 'IF'. The leadership and calm you displayed were exemplary. You let your football do the talking on the pitch, and that is the example the world should emulate....'Africa doesn't deserve the negative image' he said, cue the applause!

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Winning Mentality: Arsenal, Pressure, and the Fine Margins of a Title Race

Winning Mentality, the forest game was mega frustrating and a it of De'javu, a scorelss draw versu Liverpool and followed by another scoreless draw vs Nottingham forrest . two things, thatwas the first tie the gunners went consecutive games without scoring, and more importantly on both occasions, we failed to take max advantage of our closest challenges in City/Vila sipping up. It is really raly frustrating. Declan Rices adlib circulating o the media pages adds more  on teeth gritting to the whole stuff. Lets quickly get that out of the way, Rice s an amazing player and this teamwork's well when e is n form but his recent performances, as with the others haven't been up to the high standards. I do understand the sickening feeling of now bing ble to capitalise on City or villa slipup, but its getting to squeaky bum time and Rice needs to calm down. Once incident, okay... two incidents, maybe a concern but now three incidents....I am thinking, is our supposed captain material going to lose his nerve like Gallas. Arteta needs leaders on the Pitch, Saka , Odegard, Rice, Big Gabby, they all need to be able to hold their nerve when the pressure cranks because there is no shying away from it, there will be pressure. Arteta call them into a room and give them the dresser. A good example is Sadio Mane's exemplary leadership in the heat of the moment, his singular act (God knows I cant) probably spared the blushes of CAF,  Senegal  and hosts Morocco at the just concluded AFCON. LEADERHSHIP by example..... that's what it is!  

Now lets get back to the Forrest game, obviously in hind sight that looks like it wasn't two points dropped, but one point gained, its fair to say the gunners are enjoying a bit of luck this season and to be fair, we are due some good run with mother luck. Or how else can one explain city's form of 1W in 5 and Villa's 2W in 5 while stuttering Arsenal has 3 in the last 5. I mean, Haaland seems to have lost his scoring boots (touch wood), while Villa's lack of squad depth looks to be finally catching up, we falter and the chasing pack oblige us with their faltering. We ended up extending our lead at the top of the #EPL table by 1-point, despite not winning at the city ground. Instead of us going all Declan Rice frustrated, we can spin it by saying hey context matters, the league is a tough one ...look at everybody else (City Villa Liverpool) they all dropped points too. Now, dont get me wrong, a leed of 10 or 11points would be much much comfier say if we had just taken maximum points from one of the last two games, so I get the bad taste not doing that leaves. That been said, we need calm heads in the game, we acknowledge our slip ups, we tell ourselves the levels must be upped again or else we are in danger of choking and then we do the business on the pitch. I believe we are in the best position to win the league title this season, especially having seen how lacklustre City continues to remain but we cant keep hoping other teams would keep handing us points gifts wrapped in indifferent performances. ManCity still have Pep Guardiola at the helm, arguable the greatest of all time. Unai Emery also has Villa punching waaay above their weight, those are legit reasons to be apprehensive about us not getting it over the line this time around. If i know this, I am sure Arteta knows this too, which means the players must know this as well. I wont talk much about MARTINELLI's inglorious miss or the penalty shout. Martinelli should be scoring that, left heel or not and that for me wasn't a penalty at all. The same way Saliba's kick on Barry during our 0-1 win at Everton, blowing a penalty for either 'offence' would have been very soft in my own opinion (I may be wrong). The less I mention for Odegard, the better, I kept asking myself where was my captain in this match? Iknow Sometimes, you just have to salute the opponent for doing a good job but maybe its time to trust Nwanneri wih a good run Mikel. Sean Dyche seems to know how to nullify Mikel [Burnley, Everton, Forrest]. Before I move on, i have a message for the whimpy gooners, get you act together, PTSD is making y'all lose your cool and its just not helping the team. If you want us to win, Back the team all the way, then you are a true Gooner. I'd maintain the same energy.

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Champions League: Inter Milan vs Arsenal at the San Siro

Let’s head to the Champions League and the San Siro, as Arsenal face Italian giants Inter Milan. Finely poised between two strong sides, many are calling it a battle of attrition as two of Europe’s best defences go head-to-head. Who comes out on top with a clean sheet?

Last season, the blue half of the San Siro was blown away by a rampant PSG side. After reaching the final by beating Barcelona in that 11-goal thriller, dubbed by many as the final before the final. Inter’s collapse in the UCL final was an unexpected anticlimax. With a new coach in the dugout and additions to an ageing squad, it will be interesting to see how they approach this. Obviously Mikel  Arteta has to rotate, with one eye on the upcoming matchup versu United. Arsenal currently top the group with 18 points from six games, architects of their own destiny. This raises the big question: with a resurgent Manchester United coming up at the weekend, does Mikel rotate heavily and rest key players like Rice, Saka, and Zubimendi, or does he maintain momentum with a strong XI?

If it were up to me, I’d field a largely B team. As much as I’d love revenge for last season’s group-stage loss to Inter, the United game is far more important. We simply cannot afford to drop more league points and then start praying for favours from other teams. Nah. Mikel, be smart. Use your much-talked-about squad. Give Ethan, MLS, Nørgaard, and Eze meaningful minutes, and allow your key players a full week’s rest before Saturday. United not being involved in Europe means Carrick has had another full week with his lads to prepare. The way they ripped City apart must have been very worrying, for City fans and a pause to be wary for us Gooners too.

With Arsenal needing just one win from their final two group games to qualify comfortably, rotation shouldn’t be an issue given the quality we have. Inter coach Christian Chivu summed it up well:

“Arsenal are a complete side, but they also need to worry about us.”

There’s no trophy for topping the group stage. I won’t be overly fussed by the outcome, though of course I want Arsenal to win. My priority remains the league clash against the Red Devils at the weekend. My team sheet would look like this, Norgard at right back, while I give the midfield trio of our captain, Rice and Zubi the day off. In comes Eze, Ethan [before he heads to Marseille on loan] and Merino at the base. If i have to shake things up, Norgard can come into the midfield with Josh or Marley going to right back. I dont want to see Timber ot Benny Blanco anywhere near this game. 

InterMilan Vs Arsenal

I would love to see a good performance by the lads, get some good minutes into the legs of MLS , Eze and the other players on the fringes. Most importantly, rest our key starters for the weekend and avoid any injuries, If we get a draw or nick a win, all more than welcome. Anyway, that's it from us at #Anaijagunner HQ.....Do enjoy the game wherever you are. #COYG

Arsenal Tested: Liverpool Frustration || Pompey FA Cup Romp || Chelsea Statement & Nottingham Forest Must-Win Preview

 

Arsenal Review: Liverpool Draw, Portsmouth Win, Chelsea Statement & Nottingham Forest Preview

Holla footy nerds, it’s been a loooong while actually two away wins and a home draw ago. And a lot has happened since then. Man City signed Semenyo. Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON trophy crashed into the host nation’s hurdle ...oh well, so much for hope in Osimhen, Lookman and co. The managerial merry-go-round kept spinning too. Xabi Alonso got the boot from the Los Blancos job, claiming it’s impossible to manage a team where players wield too much power ouch, Perez. Oliver Glasner dropped the mic after announcing he wont be renewing his Palace contract. Manchester United also reverted to a familiar face with Michael Carrick stepping in as interim. United being out of all domestic competitions means they’re staring at a 40-game season for the first time in over three decades. Some really crazy stuff, I tell ya. 

It’s been a rollercoaster in the football world — some good, some not so good. But let’s get into the Arsenal action, starting where the frustration really kicked in.

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Arsenal vs Liverpool: Frustration at the Emirates

Arsenal came into the Liverpool game on a run of five wins from five, while Liverpool had drawn three of their last five. Yes, they were unbeaten in six, but they weren’t exactly purring. Add City and Villa dropping points earlier, and the stage was set for Arsenal to capitalise again.

Raya wins Save Of the month
Image Credit:  Arsenal.com

Except… it didn’t happen.

In hindsight, maybe we all assumed beating Liverpool at home was a foregone conclusion. Arsenal were unbeaten at the Emirates, winning all but one home game this season  now make that two. It really was a game of two halves. Arsenal dominated the first half, threatening to run riot but not truly testing Alisson despite the control. The second half saw a different Liverpool. Arsenal couldn’t regain that grip, and while Liverpool were more adventurous, they still didn’t register a single shot on target. The midfield felt easier to play through, Frimpong found joy bombing forward against MLS, and the subs couldn’t shift the momentum. A stalemate. 

The late Martinelli incident left a sour taste, but credit to him for owning it and apologising. Slot’s comments were spot on — calm, measured, like a true African elder putting out sparks before a fire starts. Gary Neville’s commentary, on the other hand… well, you already know. It was an opportunity missed to extend our lead from six to eight points, but in the spirit of sportsmanship, we at AnaijaGunner wish Bradley a speedy recovery.

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Portsmouth vs Arsenal: FA Cup Response Led by Martinelli

Pompey rolled over, and Martinelli responded the best way possible — on the pitch. He grabbed his first Arsenal hat trick in the FA Cup third-round tie at Fratton Park. As expected, Arteta rotated heavily, and Arsenal started sloppily again, conceding inside five minutes — a worrying trend. They snapped out of it quickly, though, with Set Piece FC doing what it does best. An own goal brought the equaliser, no surprises there. Martinelli then shifted gears, meeting a corner with a glancing header to put Arsenal ahead by half-time. From there, it felt like a matter of time.

Madueke was lively throughout. Yes, he missed chances again, but he still provided assists for Martinelli’s first and third goals. Gabriel Jesus, starting ahead of Havertz and Gyökeres, supplied the assist for Arsenal’s third. Nothing too deep to analyse here. Portsmouth tried, Arsenal raised the tempo, quality showed. Martinelli stole the headlines post-Liverpool drama, Madueke contributed creatively, and Nwaneri impressed on a rare start. Mikel, play him more.

Arsenal move on to face Wigan at the Emirates in the FA Cup fourth round — but first came a big night under the lights of Stamford Bridge  in west London.

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Chelsea vs Arsenal: Carabao Cup Statement at the Bridge

This was Arsenal’s third away game in four matches, and a proper spectacle for neutrals. City had beaten Newcastle the night before, so the pressure was on.

The aim was probably simple — get a result, maybe even take a draw back to the Emirates. Instead, Arsenal went two goals up before sloppiness crept in, with Garnacho pulling one back after a rare poor moment from Ødegaard. The Arsenal captain didn’t have his best game overall, and neither did Eze in the FA Cup previously — not bad performances, but definitely room for much more. As captain, Ødegaard needs to rediscover his sharpest level quickly for the end of season run in.

The positives outweighed everything else. Gyökeres scored from open play, yes, Sanchez gifted it, but strikers are paid to react, to be masters of that positional awareness. He then showed excellent hold-up play to assist Zubimendi, whose finish was pure class. The feints, the composure, Fofana left in the mud, just sublime. Zubi continues to look like an elite signing. I wanted Partey kept around to ease him in, but despite the speed and physicality of the league, he’s so far taken to the #EPL like a duck to water, matching his career best of 4 goals a season already. Long may that continue.

Arsenal conceding late again made the tie tighter than it should be, sour taste that is i tell ya. This semi-final could’ve been wrapped up given the gulf in class, but context matters — winning at Stamford Bridge and bringing the second leg back to the Emirates is still a strong position. The social media noise around Gyökeres being frustrated with Saka didn’t move me at all. Also the Rice altercation with the assistant coach in the tunnel moment was quickly defused, with Big Gabi stepping in. Leadership on display. On we go.

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Nottingham Forest Preview: Focus at the City Ground

Matchday 22 brings a trip to the City Ground to face Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest in a late Saturday kickoff. Arsenal could at worst match, or at best better, City’s result against Manchester United — though I’m not holding my breath for favours. This one has must-win written all over it. Dyche is Forest’s third manager this season, and his teams are never easy. They’ve already claimed big scalps, Liverpool at Anfield included. That six-point cushion can disappear quickly if Arsenal lose focus. We need to kill this game early, though it might still end up a narrow one-goal win. A clean sheet would be very welcome — conceding late sloppy goals has become a bad habit.

Physically, I’m not worried. This Arsenal side can no longer be bullied. We’re the ones standing firm now. Concentration for the full 90 plus stoppage time is the key. I expect Saka and Eze either side of Gyökeres, with Arteta likely trusting Victor over Jesus and Havertz, who still isn’t match sharp. A brace here would do wonders for Gyökeres’ confidence and keep momentum rolling. Make no mistake, this is kicks off a big run of games. With City getting Semenyo and Guehi (it appears) everyone is waiting for Arsenal to fumble their lead. It’s up to the players to show hunger, grit focus, and a true winning mentality to get this title challenge over the line.

#NFFCARS

I would bring back Eze into the fold over Trossard and give saka a 65 minute run on the other wing. Norgard would be at the ready to take the reigns from Zubi in the middle of the park. I hate to get ahead of myself but with Inter Milan away in the Champions League, Mikel has to manage the squad load properly. The good thing is, the Inter game is almost inconsequential, except we want to finish the group stage, top of the pile. As much as I dont want to throw away the game, Arsenal are in a great position to not go all out to win it, if you get my drift, especially with Kairat Almaty still to come to the Emirates. I know Forrest is a tricky ground that but, the lads know what's at stake and are up for it. No silly gifted goals or late goals conceding, compact efficient and ruthless professional get the 3 points job. Big up to Raya for that match winning save from Minteh, he got the save of the month award. On that winning note, its curtains from us here at  #Anaijagunner HQ, do enjoy the game wherever you are .....#COYG

EPL Managerial Merry Go-Round || Arsenal’s Title Charge: Bournemouth Win || Liverpool Preview

Amorim Sacked!

In the ever revolving doors of head coaches/managers,  Ruben Amorim has been added to the ever-growing list of managerial casualties, as the former Man U coach was relieved of his duties. Amorim pretty much signed his own sack letter after calling out his bosses during the post-match press conference following the Leeds draw over the weekend. While I didn’t rate him much, he was ultimately fired for daring to criticise the people upstairs which tells you everything you need to know about the state of things at Old Trafford. Terrible!! Darren fletcher would handle things for a bit before Solskajer or whoever Sir Jim and co pull out on a whim.  It’s a sad state of affairs over there. Even as a rival fan, the circus Manchester United has become is ridiculous. But anyway… football.

Bournemouth Review

What an evening of perfect results. City dropped points — twice in five days. Villa dropped points with a draw against Palace. Spurs lost… I know they’re not even in the conversation right now, but they still deserve pointing out. Newcastle vs Leeds was the real cracker though — Barnes with a late winner in the 12th minute of stoppage time. After doing Arsenal a favour against City at the weekend, Rosenoir got a rude welcome to the EPL. Now sitting 8th on the log, another red card for them — their fifth in the league and seventh in all competitions. Chelsea have a disciplinary problem, point blank period. You can’t make this ish up! Up the Chels (in Jason Cundy’s voice).

Anyway, let’s talk Arsenal.

City dropping points against Chelsea over the weekend gifted Arsenal a six-point lead at the top of the table — glorious. Then came the potential gift midweek with another draw, this time against Brighton. That opened the door to really turn the screw… BIG if — if we beat Liverpool.

Now to Bournemouth.

The Gunners travelled to the Vitality Stadium knowing they had to win to maintain their four-point cushion at the summit, with the belief that City would claw back points against Chelsea at the Etihad. Arsenal didn’t exactly start well. Big Gabby gifted Bournemouth the opener, and Tavernier happily said, “I’ll take that, thank you very much.”

The response was immediate though — and once again, it was Big Gabby, finishing off the ping-pong chaos created by Madueke with the precision of a striker. 1–1. The first half ended with Bournemouth shading it, but the second half saw Arsenal crank up the levers. Ødegaard and Rice combined beautifully for the second, with Gyökeres doing the dirty work by dragging defenders away, allowing Rice to slot home. Then the cavalry arrived off the bench. Saka chipped in with his now customary assist  this time for Rice to grab his second. Kroupi tried to spoil the party with an absolute worldie from nowhere, but Arsenal saw it out. Declan Rice, Immese in this game help the team keep the charge going. Three massive points in a game we lost last season. Another overturned result, added to Everton, Villa and Brighton, as Arsenal continue their march toward the 2025/26 EPL title (touch wood).

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Liverpool Preview

Thursday brings the current title holders, Liverpool, to the Emirates in what’s being billed as a showdown. The pressure of this being a must-win has eased slightly after City and Villa both dropped points. That’s now three straight draws for City, which is very unlike the imperious side we’ve come to know under Pep. Something is clearly off at the Etihad. Haaland not firing as usual, while the support cast of Foden, Cherki and Tijani are drawing blanks. This means they’re not killing games with that trademark ruthlessness , ala Chelsea and Now Brighton. Brighton also seems to be becoming a bogey team for City having lost to them earlier in the season. All in all, It’s uncharacteristic and honestly, a little strange. Whatever it is, Arsenal must take advantage. Simple as that.

As for Liverpool, they’ve found some form four wins in their last six  but back-to-back draws have seen them sputter heading into this one. Arsenal, on the other hand, arrive on the back of five wins from five, tightening their grip on top spot. City’s third draw in a week presents yet another opportunity to strengthen that hold. It won’t be a stroll in the park. Liverpool haven’t been playing well despite the results — the Leeds and Fulham games epitomise that. Szoboszlai was quick to remind Arsenal that EPL titles aren’t handed out in January, and he’s not wrong. They are the current champions, and this game demands total focus. The midfield battle will be fascinating. Ødegaard looks like he’s rediscovering his best form, while Rice will have to snuff out either Wirtz or Szoboszlai, allowing Zubimendi to dictate from the base. Liverpool are slightly hamstrung with a half-fit Ekitike,  arguably the best striker signing of the last window alongside Gakpo and Chiesa. Arsenal, meanwhile, still lack a dominant striker, with goals shared around the squad. Gyökeres looks a bit goal-shy lately, so Jesus and Martinelli will need to pick up the slack. Like I said, Liverpool haven’t been good recently — this has to be seen as an opportunity. My team sheet would look like this 

#ARSLIV

Its a shame the likes of Eze and Nwaneri cant seem to get any minutes but such has been the consistency of  Ødegaard who seems to have rediscovered his form lately. The good news is, there is the FA cup 3rd round game coming up next week, that should be an opportunity for Mikel to rotate a little bit in order to rest the starters while giving match sharpness to these lads who must be itching to go by now. Martinelli gets the nod ahead of the impressive Trossard due to his knack for scoring against Liverpool, while Eze and possibly Kai Havertz get to come off the bench.  Before we go, I want to give a quick shout out to the Nigerian Super Eagles for booking a quater final ticket at the ongoing AFCON tournament in Morocco. Their solid display and clean sheet against Mozambique was impressive (I caught a bit), long may this continue. Hopefully they come back home with the AFCON Trophy (touch wood). Thats it from us at #Anaijagunner hq, lets hope the boys get the win and a clean sheet to boot, its been a while we shut a team out. Lets get the three points and pull away from the chasing pack, do enjoy the game wherever you are ....#COYG