Arsenal News and Analysis

Gabriel Magalhaes is planting the Ezri Konsa seed for Arsenal

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Gabriel Magalhaes is planting the Ezri Konsa seed for Arsenal

Arsenal didn't need to sign another defender, but they made Aston Villa weaker and signed a starter for the English national team in Ezri Konsa, who has proved to be quite useful as a regular starter with superstar man William Saliba injured until December. Gabriel Magalhaes, the best center back of the 2025/26 Premier League season when Arsenal won the title, praised Konsa heavily and planted the seed that Konsa can be a fixture for Arsenal's lineup one day. He said before the reunion game against his old club Lille in the Champions League, “Since he’s arrived at Arsenal, I think he’s adapted really quickly. He’s a top player and I really enjoy playing with him. We have the best centre-backs at Arsenal. We want to increase the level and we know he’s quality, and of course since he’s...

Steven Gerrard just gave Arsenal some serious bulletin board material

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Steven Gerrard just gave Arsenal some serious bulletin board material

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been making the rounds a lot as a pundit these days, and he is giving Arsenal some added motivation by saying he is already changing his pick to win the 2026/27 Premier League from last season's champions to their main title rivals Manchester City. Gerrard recently said, “Before a ball was kicked, I fancied Arsenal to just carry on, but now, what are we, six, seven games in…I’d put my money on Manchester City, having seen what I’ve seen yesterday. I’d put my money on City. They’re just so strong, and then you see the bench. 100% agree this City side look very good, but after last season you know that this Arsenal side have what it takes to go all the way. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds." Manchester City have won all of their six games this seas...

Mikel Arteta pointed out exactly what Bukayo Saka needs to do to reach the next level

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Mikel Arteta pointed out exactly what Bukayo Saka needs to do to reach the next level

Arsenal superstar right winger Bukayo Saka is one of the best in the Premier League but many have noticed he isn't impacting games like he should in the sense of fulfilling his Ballon d'Or potential. Mikel Arteta told reporters ahead of the Arsenal Champions League fixture against Ligue 1's Lille that he would like to see Saka do more to get into scoring positions and take that responsibility on as the next step in his evolution. He said at the press conference, "That's where we need to get him. And if he misses the chance, so be it. At the end, the more volume we generate, the bigger the probability of him scoring more goals. And he's been getting into great positions. He's getting shots, he's getting one-touch finishes, tap-ins. And that's the kind of unpredictability that we have ...

Mikel Arteta has a different idea for Max Dowman in mind

13Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Mikel Arteta has a different idea for Max Dowman in mind

Max Dowman has mostly been playing as a No. 10 or left footed right winger who cuts inside for Arsenal, but in an effort to get their biggest young gem of them all more involved, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says that it's time to start giving him minutes on the left wing. Arteta told reporters before the Champions League game against Lille, “We haven’t seen much of Max on the left, and I think especially the way we have evolved him and trained him in those two positions [centrally and on the right], probably at the moment is easier. But with the talent that he has, we need to throw him in that position at some point I think he will have the capacity to adapt to it.” Arsenal have nothing to lose by experimenting with Dowman on the left, even if it curtails his tantalizing goal scorin...

Arsenal fans get brutal Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi injury news

12Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Arsenal fans get brutal Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi injury news

Arsenal star defender Piero Hincapie and midfielder Martin Zubimendi both suffered injuries over the weekend in the 2-1 win over Leeds United, and according to a report from Hand of Arsenal, neither key rotational piece will be available against Lille in the Champions League. And both players could miss more time. More tests are going to be run on both Hincapie and Zubi to determine how long the talented duo will be out for the Gunners. Zubimendi and Hincapie suffered ankle injuries during the post game against the Peacocks. While Arsenal will have Bruno Guimaraes fully fit in the midfield to start next to Declan Rice to soften the injury to Zubi, it is still a tough blow to the depth. Meanwhile, Hincapie being out leaves a hole at left back, which will likely continue to be fille...

Bruno Guimaraes just made Arsenal fans love him even more

12Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Bruno Guimaraes just made Arsenal fans love him even more

Bruno Guimaraes had himself a dream appearance off the bench against Leeds United, scoring the winning goal in the 70th minute for Arsenal while drawing three fouls in a dynamic, almost bubbly display in the midfield. And after the game, his words to the Arsenal faithful will only endear him to the fan base even more, “It feels unbelievable. In the last game against Brighton, we were not at the level that this shirt demands. Today, the mentality was bouncing back. This is my first official game at home, scoring an important goal, three important points - I’m very happy!” Arsenal fans will be elated to hear Bruno G. call the team out for how terrible they were in that 3-0 loss to Brighton, because that was indeed totally inexcusable from the defending champions. Bruno really elevat...

Jurrien Timber gave Arsenal fans another reason to fall in love with Bruno Guimaraes

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Jurrien Timber gave Arsenal fans another reason to fall in love with Bruno Guimaraes

Arsenal spent 75 million pounds on Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United this summer transfer window, and now that he is getting back to full fitness, the Gunners are hyped for what he can do at the base of the midfield with Declan Rice. Guimaraes changed the game for Arsenal in the second half of their 2-1 win over Leeds United, scoring the winner in the 70th minute, and the club's young star right back Jurrien Timber was full of praise for the veteran Brazilian international: "The way Bruno entered was amazing. He changed the crowd's enthusiasm and the entire atmosphere of the stadium. I'm just describing him as an amazing player. Everyone can see his quality, and he proved it again today. Not only with his personality, but also by scoring goals. He's amazing. Bruno G. was first k...

David O’Leary hammered home the uncomfortable truth about Bukayo Saka

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

David O’Leary hammered home the uncomfortable truth about Bukayo Saka

Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka is still one of the best wingers in the Premier League, but when it comes to being a Ballon d'Or candidate, the England international has yet to reach that potential or become a true superstar. Former Arsenal legendary center back David O'Leary is the latest to drive that point home, and he made the claim to the media after Arsenal scrounged out another tough win, 2-1, over Leeds United. O'Leary said, “I'd love to give you an honest answer on that, the guy hasn't changed, we haven't got the arrogant side. He's not the player that he was, without a doubt. He's still a top player, but is he the player that got this fantastic new contract at Arsenal to make him one of the top-paid players in the country? I don't think so at the moment. I don't know what's h...

Martin Keown nailed what Bruno Guimaraes brings to the table for Arsenal

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Martin Keown nailed what Bruno Guimaraes brings to the table for Arsenal

Arsenal spent a pretty penny to sign Bruno Guimaraes this season, and while he has not been fit enough to make his biggest impact, he was decisive for the Gunners in their tough 2-1 win over impressive underdogs Leeds United. The iconic Martin Keown waxed poetic about the personality the reigning champions showed in the second half of the win over the Peacocks, and he was particularly impressed with the signing from Newcastle United: “If you're gonna be champions again, to repeat it, you have to win these games. And Arsenal found a way to win. But, credit Leeds, I thought Leeds were outstanding, compact. In the duels they were tenacious. And then suddenly Bruno Guimaraes comes off the bench, and he plays with that electricity, a personality. Ok, Calafiori gets the equaliser, but it g...

Mikel Arteta had the same frustrating response for Viktor Gyokeres

10Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Mikel Arteta had the same frustrating response for Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres hasn't exactly been lighting up the goals since his big money transfer to the Emirates from the Portuguese top flight, but he has definitely been a better scorer than Kai Havertz and played a crucial role as a new anchoring point for the team in Arsenal finally winning the Premier League last season. But despite Havertz coming off an injury over the international break and Gyokeres scoring in all four of his UEFA Nations League matchups for the Swedish national team, the big No. 9 continues to be snubbed by manager Mikel Arteta. Arsenal won 2-1 against Leeds United but no thanks to Havertz, who did not score or assist as the starting No. 9. And many Arsenal fans were not happy to see the German international still starting despite the injury and poor f...