Port Vale Breezed Past: Gunners March On
Mikel Arteta played his 297th game as manager, and his boys got the job done at Port Vale with a much-rotated side, securing a place in the next round of the Carabao Cup. The match saw Saka start as part of his recovery, while Ben White, MLS, Norgaard, and Keppa earned their first starts of the season, getting back to full match fitness. Martinelli slotted into the box in the 9th minute, with MLS dummied to allow the assist for Eze to score a well-placed goal past Gauchi in the Vale goal. Eze could’ve doubled his tally just after the 20th minute, but the Port Vale goalkeeper saved comfortably. The first half saw Arsenal go into the break with a one-goal lead.
A slight hiccup came in the 74th minute when Mosquera played a misguided a pass across the face of the backline, but nothing came of it thankfully. Trossard made sure the Gunners would leave with a comfortable 2-0 win in the 86th minute, calmly slotting home a sumptuous lob from Saliba. Bar that, the second half was uneventful, except for Arteta’s substitutions—Big Gabby, Gyokeres, and Rice all got some valuable game minutes. To be honest, the game didn’t have much of a "chess match" feel. Arsenal controlled possession comfortably, but the criticism here is that the team didn’t shift into second gear. I get it—Port Vale didn’t pose much of a threat, but as we head into the next round, we’ll need to be sharper against stiffer opposition like Brighton.
All in all, it was a solid performance. Fringe players got some much-needed match minutes, others got up to speed with new teammates, Eze found the back of the net, and Trossard kept being clutch. Plus, there were no injuries—a win in every sense.
Saliba Signs: Arsenal’s Statement of Intent
Big news for Arsenal fans: William Saliba has signed a new 5-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2030. This is huge in more ways than one. Saliba is arguably one of the best center-backs in the world right now, and to fend off the likes of Real Madrid shows just how far Arsenal have come. How many players can honestly tell Madrid, “Buzz off, I’m staying”? Saliba’s message is clear: he’s here to win trophies at Arsenal. But this renewal isn’t just about Saliba—it’s a statement. With MLS, Big Gabby, Nwanneri, and others committing their futures, it’s evident that these players see something in Mikel Arteta and Arsenal that we fans may not fully grasp. It’s a positive sign for the future of the club, showing belief in the long-term project.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Berta is a Don. If he gets both Saliba and Saka to sign those renewals, Arsenal’s transfer window jumps from a solid 7.5/10 to a solid 9/10. The fact that players are eager to stay tells you they believe in Mikel’s vision. If they didn’t, they'd be seeking exits, and that’s not happening.
Newcastle Preview: Must-Win for the Gunners
After the draw against City, Arsenal now face a must-win game at St. James’ Park against Newcastle. The importance of this game only grew with Palace's victory over Liverpool, so Arsenal needs to seize the opportunity and close the gap. Some fans say it's a tough place to go, but that’s the mentality we need to change. If Arsenal are serious about winning the league, they have to show up at places like this and take all three points.
Newcastle’s midfield trio—Joelinton, Bruno, and Tonali—will be a serious physical challenge. They’re robust, and they know how to play on the edge of the rules. They caused Liverpool problems, and while the Geordies are without Isak, they’re still dangerous. Liverpool only managed to run away with 3 points, but my word, the team gave a good account of themselves against the defending champions, you'd be forgiven if you thought Liverpool was the one down to 10 men, not the other way round. Gordon, in particular, likes to put on a show against Arsenal, so Timber and co. will need to be sharp.
Tactically, I’d consider leaving Ødegaard out for this one. He’s not fully fit, and we can’t afford to risk it in a high-pressure match. I’d go with Rice and NØrgaard as the base of a double pivot. Let them hold the fort while Saka, Nwanneri, and Eze do the creative damage in attack. That front line can be deadly if they’re given the space to run at the Newcastle defense. Up front, I’d stick with Gyokeres as the focal point, not many options with Kai & Jesus still out. I am tempted to bring on Benny Blanko for Timber for more attacking impetus, but let's keep it solid for the start
It's going to be a battle in the middle of the park, but with the right mentality and approach, Arsenal can come away with all three points. I am looking at Mikel Arteta here, go for IT! This game is huge in terms of momentum. If Mikel gets the tactics right and the players execute, Arsenal could be just 2 points behind Liverpool—and that’s an opportunity we can’t afford to miss. My starting 11 would look like this below:
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This leaves us still with a strong bench of Trossard, Martinelli, Zubimendi Mosquera, MLS, and Ben Whites. Now just go there, keep it tight at the back, get the job done, and be back to prep for the Champions League game against Olympiakos in midweek. That's from us here at #Anaijagunner. Please like, subscribe, and don't forget to engage in the comments. Enjoy the game wherever you are #COYG.....Ciao
