Sean Dyche promises to make life hard for Man City as they hold Arsenal’s last hope of title

Sometime back, Pep Guardiola described Brighton as one of the best teams in the world, saying, “The best team at making the buildup in the world is Brighton.

“There is no team better that make the process to get the goalkeeper to bring the ball into to the last quarter.”

Everton easily defeated them (Brighton) last Monday, winning 5-1, and Arsenal might do the same this weekend. Notably, Everton’s next game after beating the best team in the world, Brighton, is against Manchester City. Given that strong win (against Brighton), the Goodison Park home ground advantage, and the reality that Everton must win all of their games to stay up, could City drop three points this weekend, increasing Arsenal’s chances of taking the league title from the Citizens?

Guardiola knows this Sean Dyche side shouldn’t be taken lightly, admitting in his press conference, “My thought is just Everton—no more than that.

“It’s 11 months working for the Premier League. We don’t have much time to Madrid because we play Sunday—thank you so much—but it’s a real, real priority, Goodison Park.”

On his part, Sean Dyche, as per MEN, has some good news for Arsenal. The Everton boss promises a rough game for Manchester City, saying he’ll tell his boys, “The message will be simple: just take it on. It’s a big challenge, obviously. I’m sure the Evertonians will back us as they do; it’ll be a really good atmosphere for us to go and play in.

“But it’s about taking it on with the mentality we showed at Brighton. All the details have got to be right against Manchester City. You might need them to have a soft one, and your key players play well, all of them things go in the melting pot.

“Yet, it’s still about us taking the game on.”

I am for an Everton win this weekend; what about you?

Could Gabriel Jesus be a Golden Boot contender with no injuries?

Many Arsenal fans would agree that Gabriel Jesus is a key component of their team’s supremacy this season. The arrival of the Brazilian and Zinchenko to Arteta’s project turned Arsenal from a team that only honoured Premier League fixtures to a title challenger.

Arsenal’s attack was toothless in the 2021–22 season, with Aubamayeng (before leaving for Barcelona) and Lacazette failing to dazzle. This struggle saw Arteta willingly pay Manchester City £45 million for Jesus in the 2022 summer transfer window to get his attack right.

It didn’t take long for the Brazilian to make an impact at Arsenal With his impact, Arsenal’s assault was deadlier than ever from pre-season through the World Cup. With his momentum in his first few months at Arsenal, I bet he would have been the league’s signing of the season if he hadn’t been sidelined for three months due to an injury sustained at the World Cup.

Interestingly, Emmanuel Adebayor, an ex-Arsenal player, feels an injury-free Jesus might be in the running for the golden boot. In conversation with FutFanatico, he spoke of how highly he rates the Arsenal number 9, saying, “[It] would actually be interesting to see him play a season without any worries; his potential is huge. Then you would be able to see if he would be in the fight for the goalscoring crown.

“I honestly have no doubts about that because he’s always capable of scoring goals; he’s ice-cold, and he needs fewer and fewer chances to score. He is on a very good path.”

Jesus can score goals; his ten goals in 22 league games hint at that, but he needs consistency in front of goal. If he stops wasting the many chances he’s been wasting (like the chances he wasted versus Southampton), there is a golden boot winner in him

Are Arsenal now looking closer to securing their summer target from last year?

Barcelona fans are anticipating Lionel Messi’s return in the summer. For the last few games, they have been chanting Messi’s name every 10th minute of their games. However, Messi’s return won’t be as easy as the thought of his free transfer in the summer seems to suggest.

Barcelona must sort out their wage bill to accommodate the GOAT’s deal. This may necessitate the departure of some Barcelona players. As per Football Insider, one player who could make way is Raphinha.

The former Leeds man has been linked with Arsenal for the last few months. Last summer, before he joined Barcelona, they wanted him. Sadly, their pursuit failed. The Gunners’ interest re-emerged in the January transfer window, but nothing came of it.

They now have the perfect opportunity for that transfer, with Barcelona now ready to cash in. But Raphinha being made available is one thing; getting him may be something else; there’s a hefty price tag slapped on his head. The La Liga giants want a fee in the £50–60 million region if they are to allow the star winger to leave. Considering his 10 goals and 11 assists in 44 games this season, his price is justified.

Arsenal has no choice but to buy the former Leeds man at the premium price for which he is available to beat the competition. Newcastle and Tottenham are also keen on the 26-year-old.

Arsenal’s leaders have simply “have not been able” says Neville

Much has been said about Arsenal losing their position as favourites in the PL title race. Gary Neville has had his say on The Overlap. The ex-Premier League star says the failure of the experienced Arsenal stars to step up when needed has cost them. He says, Xhaka, Odegaard, Zinchenko, and Partey have just failed to lead by example. Apparently their failure to do so has seen the young Gunners fail to play at the level they ought to.

“In fact, they contributed to the difficulties they were having in the matches,” said Neville.

“Xhaka at Anfield [referring to the incident with Trent Alexander-Arnold], Partey’s performances in the last few games, I think Zinchenko gave a goal away in one game as well—the Liverpool game and maybe West Ham as well—and Odegaard had probably his most difficult game as well against Manchester City.

“And then, if you think of the huddle that Zinchenko did [against Southampton], and then Odegaard came over and said, ‘Break up’.

“So those four players that are the leaders in that team have not been able, at the moment those younger players needed it, to really pull them together and keep them calm and composed. That, to me, has been apparent these last few weeks.”

Going forward, everything will be said about what was not right about Arsenal’s title charge. Winning the Premier League may be hard, but Arteta and his team need to end the season in style.

A five-game winning streak could be a nice way to end the season. It could set up a blockbuster summer transfer window where Arteta could take Arsenal to the next level, because Arteta still needs to take us up another notch to compete with Man City.

Gary Neville pinpoints which Arsenal players have let the side down recently

Much has been said about Arsenal losing their favour in the PL title race. Gary Neville has had his say on The Overlap. The ex-Premier League star says the failure of the experienced Arsenal stars to step up when needed has cost them. He says, Xhaka, Odegaard, Zinchenko, and Partey have just failed to lead by example. Apparently their failure to do so has seen the young Gunners fail to play at the level they ought to.

“In fact, they contributed to the difficulties they were having in the matches,” said Neville.

“Xhaka at Anfield [referring to the incident with Trent Alexander-Arnold], Partey’s performances in the last few games, I think Zinchenko gave a goal away in one game as well—the Liverpool game and maybe West Ham as well—and Odegaard had probably his most difficult game as well against Manchester City.

“And then, if you think of the huddle that Zinchenko did [against Southampton], and then Odegaard came over and said, ‘Break up’.

“So those four players that are the leaders in that team have not been able—at the moment those younger players needed it—to really pull them together and keep them calm and composed. That, to me, has been apparent these last few weeks.”

Going forward, everything will be said about what was not right about Arsenal’s title charge. Winning the Premier League may be hard, but Arteta and his team need to end the season in style. A five-game winning streak could be a nice way to end the season. It could set up a blockbuster summer transfer window where Arteta could take Arsenal to the next level.

Who would you want to replace Arteta if he is tempted to leave Arsenal?

Arsenal are the real deal in the Premier League. Anyone who doesn’t believe this doesn’t watch the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s work at Arsenal speaks for itself. The Spaniard has in his time at the Emirates transformed Arsenal from a team that was in its comfort zone, just honouring PL fixtures, to a team that is now setting the pace in the PL, a team that many fear meeting as they are too dominant.

At the moment, Arsenal are top of the table with 72 points, eight points better than Manchester City, who are second. If Arsenal manages to win the league come May 28th, there will be no doubt Arteta will be considered one of the greatest at the moment.

Him being the greatest, top clubs will be keen to sign him from Arsenal. It is unlikely Arteta will want to leave Arsenal, but if the deal is too good and he leaves, what will happen to Arsenal?

Apparently, as per FC Inter News, Arsenal already have a back-up plan if Arteta leaves as early as the summer. Apparently Arsenal decision-makers have been impressed with Roberto De Zerbi’s brilliant form as Brighton boss since taking over at the Armex stadium last September.

De Zerbi has the Seagulls flying, playing beautiful football, and collecting results. Inter Milan also want him, but Arsenal are ready to beat them to his services if the need arises.

“Should Mikel Arteta consider his cycle at Arsenal concluded with victory in the Premier League, the Italian would be clearly in pole position to take up his legacy,” writes FC Inter News. Though it is unlikely to happen, would you consider De Zerbi replacing Arteta?

If not, who would you front?

Arsenal beat Leeds to maintain the gap over Man City

On Saturday, Arsenal and Leeds clashed for the second time this season at the Emirates Stadium; Leeds couldn’t have picked a worse moment to play Arsenal. The title race has reached the home stretch, and so the only thing Arsenal understands now is how to win.

The game was a thrilling battle between the two clubs, with each expecting to win all three points at the end. However, Arsenal was imperious and ran riot, scoring four goals past Leeds goalie Illan Meslier. Ramsdale would have been happy with a clean sheet, but Leeds got a consolation goal.

Arteta’s team dominated the contest in the end although Leeds made a strong start to the game before the Gunners turned things around and improved their overall performance by playing as if they were battling for something, which they are.

Almost every Gunner was impressive, but Granit Xhaka added to his finest Arsenal season yet. At every opportunity, he was lightning quick with the ball; his precise executions, superb dribbling, and good passing possessions helped the Gunners win all three points.

He nodded in an exquisite cross from Martin Odegaard in the dying minutes of the game to score Arsenal’s fourth. Following Xhaka’s goal, social media was flooded with Arsenal supporters congratulating and praising him for his clinical finish.

Fans think that Xhaka should start every one of Arsenal’s remaining games. Arsenal’s goals came from Gabriel Jesus, his first coming from a penalty, Ben White, and Xhaka, while Leeds’ came from Christensen.

Arsenal defeated Leeds United 4-1. Gooners should be overjoyed with the result, which now puts Arsenal eight points clear at the top of the table and makes winning the Premier League title look even closer.

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.

Who still thinks Man City will beat Arsenal to the title?

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.