Arsenal's No Frills Win Over Bilbao & Massive Man City Clash Preview

Champions League Kick-Off: Gunners Grind Out Win in Bilbao

The Gunners began their Champions League campaign with a solid 2-0 win away at Athletic Club Bilbao. It wasn’t a fireworks display, but it was composed, professional, and showed the kind of maturity the Arsenal team is starting to show in European away games. More suited for Europe, maybe.

As I said in my UCL preview, this wasn’t going to be an easy ride. Club Athletic is no joke — 3 wins in their last 4, 4th in La Liga last season, and a team that plays with serious bite. So if you expected Arsenal to stroll to 3 points, think again. From the jump, the Basques were aggressive. Declan Rice picked up a yellow in under 10 minutes, setting the tone for a scrappy first half. Arsenal managed it well, though. Raya had a comfortable 45 minutes, and Unai Simon in the Bilbao goal only had one routine save to make — from Gyökeres, who also missed a decent headed chance. Eberechi Eze was quiet on the left, and while Noni Madueke looked lively, his decision-making in the final third is still lacking. That’s what separates him from someone like Bukayo Saka — Saka knows what to do and when to do it. He’s just elite. Hopefully, Arteta can help Madueke develop that quickly at Arsenal.

Second half? Much better. Bilbao came out strong, but Arsenal took control again. Rice’s delivery found Gyökeres, but another header went wide. Inaki Williams forced a save, and the game got physical — blood was drawn. Literally. Big Gabby clattered into Gyökeres; Merino had his own collision. This wasn’t pretty football. It was European football.

Then came the changes.

Credit to Mikel Arteta. With the match in the balance, he rolled the dice. On came Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, and they turned the game on its head. Martinelli’s run and recovery of the ball was pure instinct, and his goal was a thing of beauty. Then he set up Trossard to seal it. Both super subs, both delivering when it mattered. Martinelli needed that — he’s been under fire recently. People calling him a liability in a strong Arsenal side. Maybe Eze’s arrival is the push he needed. Martinelli plays best when he doesn’t have time to think — just instinctive movement and chaos. That’s what we got.

And Trossard? Mr. Clutch. One goal and two assists in three games this season. That’s 52 goal contributions in 120 Arsenal appearances. Call him what you want — I call him reliable. So, all in all — a clean sheet, 3 points away from home, and a boost in belief. Next up: Olympiakos at the Emirates. But before that, it’s City at the Emirates in what could be a season-defining clash.

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Arsenal vs Man City Preview: A Clash of Mentors and Mentees

Sunday at the Emirates. Arsenal vs Manchester City. The biggest test of the season so far. And honestly? Arsenal should go into this one full of confidence.

The form table says it all. Arsenal have won 4 of their last 5, conceding just once — and that wasn’t even from open play. City, meanwhile, are fresh off a 3-0 win over United and a strong UCL showing against Napoli. And yet, you look at the way we’re playing — solid at the back, midfield dominant, attack getting the job done without quite clicking — and you can argue Arsenal are slight favourites. And I’d agree. This is no longer the Arsenal that gets rolled over by City. We’re unbeaten in our last six against them. Pep remembers that loss at the Emirates last season, and Mikel certainly does. The chess match is real — two managers who know each other’s every move.

City still has danger men. Phil Foden is picking up form, Rodri is gradually getting back to being a midfield ticker, and Haaland always looks in fine form, even when quiet. But City’s back line is still not settled, and Donnarumma, though a great shot stopper, can be exposed if we’re brave.

This is where Arsenal must strike — in the gaps between City’s midfield and defence. Get the ball into Viktor Gyökeres early, isolate their left back, and feed him quickly. He will score if given the service.

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Arsenal Starting XI Prediction vs Man City

With Saka still out, Madueke keeps his spot on the right. Not the most productive winger yet, but he stretches the pitch. The big question is what Arteta does with the left wing and the central creative role.

Does he start Martinelli after his Bilbao heroics? Or stick with Eze on the left and Merino in the 10 role — or does Eze move into the 10, and Ethan Nwaneri gets the nod for his goal threat? There’s also the matter of Mosquera, who’s been immense standing in for Saliba. Does he keep his place next to Big Gabby, or does Arteta go with tried and tested? Here’s the XI I’d go with — not necessarily what Mikel will pick, but the one I believe gives us the best chance:

 
#ARSMCI Teamsheet

But more likely, Arteta sticks to the Bilbao team. Martinelli on the bench, Merino in the 10, and Eze wide left. Structure over chaos. As long as we win, I don't mind......We’ll see.

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The Stakes: A Statement Game for Arsenal??

Arteta and team have come under somewhat unfair criticism for his style of playing 'Not to Lose' instead of 'playing to Win', with Thiery Henry being the latest to send the barrage against his former team. I get it, the narrative has to be piled on, whether right or wrong. I won't come on here to disparage Henry for his comments; he wants us to go for it, he wants to see Arsenal winning, but I don't agree with some of his criticism. Now, if City do go for it and lose, they’re six points behind Arsenal and nine behind Liverpool after just six games. That’s pressure. If Arsenal lose (God forbid please), we’re chasing Liverpool and only just staying level with City. Not great either. A draw? Doesn’t help much, but hurts City more than us. So maybe Pep will be forced to be bold. The question is — will Arteta match that boldness? 

This is a game Arsenal can win. And if they do, the message is clear: maybe we’re not just title contenders, maybe we are ready to win the titles.  Anyway, that's it from us here at #Anaijagunner, kindly let us know your thoughts in the comments, like & share...#Coyg. Do enjoy the game wherever you are....Ciao

Arsenal Back To Winning Over Nottingham Forest: Madueke Shines, Zubimendi's Beauty, and Champions League Focus

 Arsenal’s Big Win 

Arsenal put in an impressive performance, dispatching Nottingham Forest 3-0 in a dominant display that saw the Gunners grab all three points and a well-deserved clean sheet. Raya now has how many clean sheets since he joined Arsenal, some ridiculous number like that. Massive props to that defence. Back the the game, with a brand-new front three leading the charge, Arteta’s side sent a strong message, showing they mean business this season. A lot of positives from the game, but let's break it down.

Madueke’s Electric Performance: A Step in the Right Direction

Noni Madueke was the standout player for Arsenal against Forest. On the right wing, the young forward was a constant menace, showcasing pace, dribbling, and directness that made him unplayable at times. His performance was nothing short of electric, and he was central to Arsenal’s attacking threat. Neco Williams wont forget his in a hurry with the torrid time he had defending against Noni.

However, while Madueke created 5 big chances—the most by any Arsenal player on the pitch—his final product was still missing. Yes, he’s creating chances, but it’s about converting those into goals and assists. Still, it’s hard to ignore his influence on the match, and this is exactly why Arteta and Berta brought him in. The Gunners needed a player who could offer dynamism and creativity on the right, and Madueke is certainly delivering in that regard.

I’ll admit, I was one of the skeptics when Arsenal first signed him, but his recent performances have me eating my words. Sure, the jury’s still out when it comes to consistent goals and assists, but if he keeps playing like this, it won’t be long before those numbers follow. Even Gary Neville, who’s not exactly my go-to for praise, had this to say: 

“'I'll be honest with you, when Arsenal signed him [Madueke], I'd seen him play quite a lot at Chelsea. I thought....I can see why Chelsea sort of let him go. I tell you--- what a different player at Arsenal, and in the England games in the last few weeks'.” 

If Neville’s right about anything, it’s that Madueke has taken his game to another level since joining the Gunners.

Zubi’s Stunning Volley & Arsenal’s Depth

Of course, it wasn’t just Madueke who stood out. Zubizarreta’s stunning volley was a thing of beauty—peaches, as Wenger would say. The technique was immaculate, and it was a reminder of the quality Arteta has at his disposal. A player who’s fast becoming a crucial part of this team.

What also stood out was the depth of Arsenal’s squad. Mikel Arteta has a wealth of attacking options, and Leandro Trossard, who came on as a substitute, made an immediate impact with an assist for Zubimendi’s second goal. Trossard is a clutch player, and he’s shown time and time again that he can be relied upon to make a difference when needed.

Gyokeres Continues to Impress: 3 Goals in 4 EPL Matches

Viktor Gyokeres also deserves a mention. The Swedish striker scored his third goal in four Premier League appearances for Arsenal, continuing to prove his worth. Whether it’s a tap-in or a world-class finish, Gyokeres is in the right place at the right time. His job is to score goals, and so far, he’s been doing just that.

Left-Back Battle: Calafiori vs. MLS

One interesting subplot at Arsenal is the ongoing battle for the left-back spot between Riccardo Calafiori and MLS. Calafiori has impressed with his attacking runs and ability to create chaos on the left, but he still has the occasional lapse in concentration. MLS, on the other hand, is the more defensively solid option especially how he uses his body to shield the ball, but he doesn’t offer as much going forward, fine margins between those two at left back.

Both players have their strengths, and it’ll be interesting to see how Arteta rotates them throughout the season. I’d expect both to get plenty of minutes, especially as the season progresses and more competitions come into play.

Champions League: Arsenal’s Focus Turns to Bilbao

Image Credit: Arsenaldotcom

Looking ahead, Arsenal’s Champions League campaign is about to kick off, and their next challenge is a trip to Bilbao. While the Gunners have already beaten them in the Emirates Cup earlier this summer, the stakes are much higher now. Bilbao has started their La Liga season strong, winning 3 out of 4 games, and they’ll be playing at home, so this won’t be an easy test for Arteta’s men.

It’s important not to get complacent. Bilbao is a team with plenty of quality, and this is the real deal. Arteta will need to ensure the squad is fully focused and comes with the right mentality. One potential change could see Riccardo Calafiori rested for this game, with MLS stepping in to offer more defensive stability. It’s an opportunity for both players to stake their claim, and given the importance of the match, Arteta will be keen to get it right. In midfield without Odegard I may want to go with Merino, Zubi  Rice with Merino in the quasi 10 role. Start Ethan on the right, resting Noni ahead of the weekend game against City. Eze starts on the left with Gyok-9 still at the tip of the spear. On the bench, I still have Martinelli, Trossard (impact sub), Dowman (chaos), Calafiori, Hincapie, Madueke

Final Thoughts: Arsenal’s Momentum & A Long Season Ahead

Arsenal’s depth, attacking quality, and defensive options are looking strong as we move deeper into the season. Juggling Champions league, Carling cup and EPL games will be where we know how well Mikel Arteta has grown as a coach. Madueke, Zubimendi, and Gyokeres are all showing they have the ability to make a difference, and Arteta’s tactical flexibility is starting to show. With a solid win over Forest, the Gunners will want to carry this momentum into their Champions League opener against Bilbao. Sterner tests lie ahead in games Vs Athletico Madrid, Bayern and Inter. The gunners need to zone in to rack up as many away wins as possinble to finish higher on the Champions league table. Anyway as the season progresses, we would see thing unfold. Lets hope Mikel Arteta and the boiz get us off to a winning start in the champions league tonight. That is it from us here at #Anaijagunner, remember to like the blog post, Comment share your thoughts on my team selection and share the word. Do enjoy the game where ever you are....Ciaooo