Saka may have had an off day against Fulham but he’s still POTS

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are in a league of their own when they are at their best. They were charged up after seeing their main nemesis, Manchester City, win on Saturday night and just had to  overcome Fulham on Sunday afternoon at Craven Cottage.

The Gunners dominated the game from minutes 1 to 90, from the start until the end. Arsenal deserved to win this weekend because they were the best team on the pitch. Of the players who shined for Arsenal this weekend, Trossard came out on top, but Odegaard was also a revelation.

Bukayo Saka didn’t shine this weekend even though he was lauded on Sky Sports punditry (as quoted by Team Talk) before the game by Floyd Hasselbaink, who said, “Bukayo for me is player of the season. He has done so well.” and Jamie Redknapp, who said, “There is nobody who can do what he can do. Brilliant matchup today. Bukayo has been a revelation this season.”

Looking at Saka’s game this weekend, I don’t know about it, but he didn’t look fresh. Many believe he should have been rested against Sporting Lisbon last Thursday, but it is obvious that Arteta relies on him, and he is correct to do so. Saka has 10 goals and 9 assists in 29 appearances so far this season.

But what has occurred is history, and one bad afternoon will not change the reality that Saka could be crowned player of the season.

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After years of trying, Arsenal have a once in a lifetime chance to lift the Premier League. The stars seem to have aligned for Arteta and his boys to clinch the PL title; they are top of the PL with 63 points and have a 5-point lead over second-placed Manchester City. From now until the last game of the league, it is 13 games. The fixtures are favorable, and if they can be as good as they have been in the last 3 games, what stops them from walking away as winners?
Manchester City legend Wayne Bridge isn’t pleased about Arsenal’s fortunes, and he predicts Arsenal will fail to lift the PL title. In fact, Bridge feels that he isn’t the only one who knows Arsenal will fail to lift the 2022-23 PL title, as he says deep down Gooners know they will not manage to lift the league title.
“I think Manchester City will do it and get the title,” Bridge told JOE’s YouTube channel.
“Everyone is waiting for Arsenal to slip up – I think even their fans know they’re going to slip up at some point.
“For me, that’s what will happen and I can just see Man City pouncing.”
Anyway, even if Bridge’s comments are just comments, we can’t take that away from him. Any Gooner who doesn’t believe in Arsenal being favorites to lift the PL title isn’t worthy to be a Gooner.
Arteta in his pre-Bournemouth presser admitted that he isn’t focused on his opponents; all he cares about is what his team can control, and that is the way forward. He via Arsenal.com said, “There are no messages to the opponents. There are just messages to our players to continue doing the same [but] better every single day and that’s the only discussion that we are having among the squad.”
Whatever Arteta is saying, it seems to be working!

Man City legend was wrong to predict Arsenal’s consistency

When Arsenal found themselves at the top of the league standings in the first half of the season, many predicted that they would fall from that position. Sergio Kun Aguero, a Manchester City icon, even believed he knew when Arsenal would fall from first place. The Premier League legend claimed that injuries would see Arsenal slip from first place. He said that with significant injuries, they would become inconsistent.

Aguero stated at the time as per the Mirror, “We’re on the first stage of a Premier League that will be different from many others—by and large because we’ll have a World Cup in the middle of it. That makes it harder to foresee how it’ll turn out.

“Consistency is the name of the game to win the title, and the missing piece is knowing in what condition each player will rejoin their clubs after the World Cup. Arsenal will probably be one of those teams but surely not the only one.”

It’s safe to say Arsenal haven’t suffered much without Gabriel Jesus, who hasn’t hit a ball since the World Cup due to injury. Nketiah has attempted to fill his void, but Arsenal have won games without the Brazilian, which many questioned they would. Even the recent injury to Thomas Partey hasn’t deterred Arsenal; Jorginho’s acquisition has essentially replaced the Arsenal number six; Arsenal defeated Aston Villa without Partey.

Arsenal have been on another level this season, and as ironic as it may appear, all of the criticism has only served to drive them on further.

Man City star refuses to concede title to Arsenal despite Tottenham defeat

Rodri warned Arsenal a few days ago that Manchester City have Haaland, a goal-scoring machine who almost always guarantees them three points whenever they play in the Premier League. Contrary to Rodri’s claims, Haaland was helpless against Tottenham Hotspurs; he did not assist the Cityzens in securing their first win at Tottenham Stadium in the five games they have played there.

If you thought that was the end of Manchester City’s threats towards Arsenal in the Premier League title race, think again. Kyle Walker has issued another warning to Arsenal in their quest to win the Premier League.

“Of course it is [a missed opportunity],” the England international said on Sky Sports following City’s defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “They dropped points, and we needed to pick up points to close the gap, but there is still a lot of football to be played.

“I have been here many, many years in the Premier League, and I know the twists and turns that can happen. I know what this team is about. I know what this team can do. We can go on runs from now until the end of the season, and it’s just about us doing that really.”

Hearing Walker’s claims, it’s clear that Arsenal simply needs to match or outperform Manchester City. After 18 years, Arsenal has the best chance of repeating as Premier League champions, but will they pull it off?

 

Could PSG turn the heads of Saliba and Martinelli?

Arsenal has been the team to watch this season. Arteta has found a way to get the most out of his team, and the Arsenal players are gradually revealing their true colours to the rest of the world. This is great news for Arsenal fans, but it has a negative impact on Arteta’s project because Arsenal’s “dependables” have begun to attract suitors from all over Europe.

According to Media Foot, Ligue 1 powerhouse PSG has identified Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba as two Gunners they want this winter transfer window. Anyone who has seen William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli play could write a book about their brilliance.

Saliba has made Arsenal’s defence a fortress, while Martinelli has made the left wing his own; there have even been claims that Mykhailo Mudryk would have been able to bench the Brazilian.

Yes, the duo has improved, and PSG will be justified in wanting them; these two possess the ability to transform a team. Given the apparent progress of Arteta’s project, it is unlikely that anyone would want to leave Arsenal, at least for the time being.

The only issue that could jeopardise Saliba and Martinelli’s long-term future at Arsenal if PSG’s advances this month fail as they should is that their contracts expire in 2024, which means Arsenal may be forced to offer bumper deals to the duo sooner rather than later, or PSG will keep coming back with sweeteners for the duo.

Gary Neville has made himself look silly with his Arsenal comments

Believe Any Other Claim, But Not That The Gunners Aren’t The Team To Beat For The PL Title

Imagine there is someone who still believes Arsenal will not win the Premier League title. That person has to be Gary Neville’s friend. After watching United go nine games unbeaten last weekend after beating Manchester City, the Manchester legend believes United will finish ahead of Arsenal.

“No. But I said Leicester wouldn’t win the league,” Neville said when asked on Sky Sports if he thought Arsenal would win the title. “They won’t win the league. Manchester City will win the league, and I think Man Utd will finish second, and I know that will annoy Arsenal fans!”

Many Arsenal fans were not comfortable with Neville’s claims, and luckily for them, Arsenal legend Bacary Sagna has blasted Neville’s claims, revealing why the Premier League champion will be coming from North London this time around. “That’s his [Neville’s] opinion. He has his own point of view, but there is a difference between his point of view and what I believe will become reality. This season, Arsenal have been the best and most consistent team. Manchester United and Manchester City have two important games coming up,” said Sagna on FindMyCasino, in response to Neville’s claims.

“I don’t see United finishing in front of Arsenal. They have improved, but Arsenal are better and have been the best team all season—Pep Guardiola will agree with that! He’s been saying they are difficult to catch, and they will be. This weekend Arsenal have an important game and again they will have to show that they’re strong, but I’m not worried about that.”

Bottom line, as a Gunner, you must be aware that much will be said, and some may even argue that Liverpool is still in the title race. However, at the end of the day, statistics are all that matter. Arsenal leads in every statistic that can propel a team to victory in the league. After 18 games, Arsenal have 47 points, which is 8 points more than Manchester City (before their Spurs match) and 9 points more than Manchester United (before their midweek Crystal Palace match). While Manchester City has a goal machine in Erling Haaland, who has already scored 21 goals, they have only scored 4 goals more than Arsenal this season with 46 goals. Imagine if Haaland was at Arsenal.

Anyway, comparing Manchester United’s inferior goals to Arsenal is a joke. Arsenal’s defence has also demonstrated its tenacity, with Manchester City conceding four more goals and Manchester United conceding seven more than Arsenal. This Arsenal team is simply superior to the two Manchester sides tipped to trouble them, to the point where if Arteta’s boys can be better or match the performances of these two in the remaining league games, there is no way Guardiola and Ten Hag will steal the 2022-23 Premier League title under Arteta’s nose.

Liverpool may want Saka – but “I know is not going to happen”

Liverpool has attempted to make some impactful attacking signings this season, bringing in Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, but as seen against Brighton this weekend and the games before, these attacking deals have not resulted in any success for the Reds.

The Liverpool legend Jose Enrique has suggested that Jurgen Klopp make a move for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, a player who could help his attack. Jose Enrique spoke of Saka prior to the North London Derby, where he reacted to a tweet by Stadium Astro, which said,

“Bukayo Saka has been instrumental to the success of the Gunners this season and he will surely play a big role in the derby.”

Enrique’s response to that tweet was, “What a player will love him at LFC even if I know is not going to happen but love him.”

It should be reassuring to Gooners that their Premier League rivals are hoping Saka is their player. Although Saka has been delivering for the Gunners since his debut, it is this season that he has really had to show what he is all about.

In the Premier League, he has not only terrorised left backs, but he is now delivering in front of goal, with 6 goals and 7 assists in 18 league games. He has been undroppable at right wing.

On the other hand, at the national team, he has already established himself as England’s right wing.

Although his suitors may be able to steal him due to his contract situation (his current deal expires in 2024), it is likely that other than winning the PL title this season, Saka may gift Arsenal fans his allegiance by extending his Arsenal contract.

Arsenal need to change their yearly calendars!

Should Arsenal change the way they promote and sell certain products?

If I take a look in my memorabilia box I will come across so many things from over the years that I have been lucky enough to get and I have kept, some even in their original state.

Items such as scarves, hats, Arsenal membership packs and shirts to name a few. But along with that comes things that have ex-Arsenal players on. And although it is nice to look back and remember, when it comes to Arsenal annual calendars, should they stop being produced or the way they are produced changed?

Every time the calendars are put together and put on the shelves, it is with current players in the squad however when we get to the end of the year, how many of those players on the calendar are actually still at the club?

Why am I saying this you will ask, well as a buyer of Arsenal calendars over the years I have become increasingly frustrated at the fact that we cannot go through one season and not have every single player that may have a place in the calendar at the time of production, remain at the club for that year.

Look at this seasons calendar for example, the players we had at the time were Alex Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and throughout the season these two players are now no longer at the club. Laca recently left us on a free and we all know what happened with Auba.

There are also players that look to be on the way out in the shapes of Bernd Leno and possibly Nicolas Pepe.

When it comes to the calendar, Laca is in February, Auba in June, Leno in January and Pepe in November and I know two of the months have passed but I feel as though it is a waste for fans to even take a look back at the calendar knowing players have left. And for value of money all you pay for is the name and the player not anything else. And I know people will say don’t buy it but we all know what calendars are used for and it is not just to stare at the pictures.

Although most of the players for now are still present at the club, we still have to come to terms with the fact that some players are not at the club anymore

As nice as it is to look back on the calendars and see the players who we have had at the club, surely the calendars would be more informative to the fans if it had pieces of our history, ex-players such as legends, alongside memories and achievements throughout the years to look back on.

Maybe a calendar that would inform the young fans and just fans in general of important dates and moments that have occurred in and around our club with people that have graced our club from years gone by and their importance in making the club what it is, rather than just current players.

After all Arsenal is a big club and is all about history and the older generation well some of them, do complain that the younger generation is only focused on the here, now and the present and know nothing about the history so it would be good to have something that generations of all ages and genders can look at and take in.

And if this does ever happen it would be something to look at over the years and if it helps people learn from it then it would help even the younger generation and the older generation to remember and to realise what Arsenal were and how much Arsenal have gone through to get to where they are today.

Now I know some people will moan and say “but your saying you don’t want current players on there because there’s no guarantee they will stay for the whole season the calendar is in production yet you want ex-players on who have left” and yes that is true but I want history, key dates, achievements, ex legends, those that were and are proud to have worn the Arsenal shirt over the years.

Not those that have come in, earned a wage acted like Arsenal meant something to them yet stabbed them in the back when they left or left because things turned sour or for better/more money!

Like the history books are produced and videos and films are made of our seasons gone by, all of this should be put into a calendar each season.

Something that fans will want to buy not knowing what they will get each season. Unlike the players who are easy to guess.

Like articles are produced, Arsenal should think about creating calendars with our history, legendary players and iconic and historical moments from 1886 until now and with each season that passes to add more as it happens.

Very few players are loyal to clubs, but history is something that can never and will never be erased and maybe we should be using our amazing history to teach all Arsenal fans about where the club came from and where it all began to where it is now!

Just a thought!

Gooners?

Shenel Osman

@sh3n3l_

Arsenal-Tottenham combined XI makes grim reading for Gooners

I have been thinking about which Arsenal players might actually get into an Arsenal/Tottenham combined XI on this season’s form, and it looks like I have found a reliable source to give me the answers.

Whoscored.com are a respected stats and rating website, which has given their average rating for all players this season, as long as they have played at least ten games, and this is their verdict on our combined XI….

I am sure we all expected Bukayo Saka to be in the frame, but it would appear that our only other consistent performer this season has been Gabriel Magalhaes in defence, and he hasn’t even played in any of Arsenal’s last three League games!

Our big sumer signing Thomas Partey doesn’t make it due to the 10-game rule, and of course none of our strikers can compare in form to Tottenham’s Son, Kane and Bale.

Even Kieran Tierney, who has had some brilliant performances for the Gunners this year, loses out to Sergio Reguilon.

So, do you think that any other Arsenal players deserve to be included in this combined XI?

How can Arsenal merchandise be so expensive right now?

Extortionate merchandise prices are not worth the spend!

 

I love nothing more than proudly donning the Arsenal shirt and the merchandise in a season. But one thing puts me off buying them, the cost, especially as this pandemic is cutting in to everyones income at the moment.

 

The day we joined up with Adidas as our kit sponsor, I was so happy. Adidas always produces quality clothes and the Arsenal shirts and merchandise has so far lived up to the high expectations I have had of them.

 

Over the past few seasons though, I have rarely purchased items from Arsenal direct online or even in store, not because I don’t like what has been produced, no it is in complete contrast, I love them but the money that Arsenal are asking for, for their clothes are so ridiculous that I don’t feel it is justifiable to spend between £50-100 for one shirt, jacket or even some standard T-shirts with the Arsenal logo on.

 

I feel as though not just Arsenal, but a lot of clubs sell their clothes and general merchandise for round about the same price, however, and I can’t speak for all fans, but for me the price is off-putting. All in all you really are paying for the brand and the club badge.

 

The Arsenal twitter page on Friday was promoting the Anthem jacket worn by our boys out in Austria, on first look I fell in love with the jacket and even considered buying it, but upon checking it on the online store I was shocked to see the price of £100. Instantly putting me off buying what is an absolutely lovely jacket!

 

I will forever be proud to wear Arsenal shirts and merchandise whether I go to a game or watch it from home, even when there is no football on I am proud to wear it too but I refuse to pay extortionate amounts just to get that one item of clothing.

 

Arsenal, lower your prices and maybe more people will purchase the amazing clothes you have on display. I know I definitely would. Gooners what do you make of the Arsenal prices for their merchandise?

 

Shenel Osman