Football

“We’re going to really go for it” : Mikel Arteta sends a message to Liverpool after closing the gap on the league leaders Mikel Arteta’s men earned a crucial victory against Leicester City on Saturday. This has helped the Gunners to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool. Arsenal are now just four points behind Liverpool, with their rivals facing Wolves on Sunday. Mikel Merino’s heroics helped Arsenal claim all three points against the Foxes. The match was heading for a 0-0 draw, before the Spaniard scored two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match. Mikel Merino was deployed as make-shift centre forward in the absence of the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka. The super sub scored a header to give the visitors a lead, and calmly put the ball into the back of the next with his left foot for his second goal. This victory has helped Arsenal to maintain the pressure on Liverpool, who dropped points against Everton last week. “Yes, and it was [important] for us as well. Everything that happened in the last few days, it was a lot of noise to show how much we want it, because regardless of what happens, we’re going to really go for it, that we believe for the resources that we have and the quality of our players and still adapt and be competitive and still win a lot of football matches,” Arteta had said, following their victory over Leicester. Mikel Arteta answers if Mikel Merino can solve Arsenal’s problem up top Mikel Arteta gave his opinion if Mikel Merino could be his go-to striker for the rest of the season. The Spaniard has been facing a huge selection dilemma over the past couple of weeks, with several forwards being sidelined due to injury. Mikel Arteta stated that different players could be used in the false number nine role depending on the situation and player availability. He hopes that they can perform as well as Mikel Merino did against the Foxes. “We’re going to have to share that, we know that. We’re going to have various contexts; sometimes we’re going to have to make a sub because a player isn’t performing, or because the opposition is doing something else, or because someone’s a yellow card, or it’s fatigue, that’s going to restrict what we do really in terms of the personnel. We have prepared for different scenarios then those have to work, hopefully they will work as good as Mikel worked today,” he added. Mikel Arteta further heaped praise on the Spaniard stating that he has a good sense of his positioning, and has an eye for the goal. Moreover, he also mentioned the delivery he received for both of his goals, which were near inch perfect. “I didn’t think that to be fair [on the comparisons to Marouane Fellaini], but Mikel has got that. He’s a goal threat, because he can smell danger, he can anticipate the action, he’s got really good timing to arrive into certain areas and then he obviously has the capacity to execute with that part of his body. He needed the delivery, certainly had that as well and he put it into the back of the net,” said the Arsenal boss. Also Read: “Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home” : Santi Cazorla on a potential return to North London

“I’ve never seen a decision like this in my career” : Mikel Arteta furious after Brighton penalty decision as Gunners drop crucial points Mikel Arteta was disappointed after Arsenal were held to a draw by Brighton on Saturday. The Gunners opened the scoring through Ethan Nwaneri in the 16th minute, as the visitors looked poised for a comfortable evening away from home. However, the hosts were awarded a controversial penalty in the second half, which was converted by Joao Pedro in the 61th minute. William Saliba missed the ball as he struck his head into Joao Pedro’s forehead during a corner kick for Brighton. The referee decided to award a penalty kick which shocked the Arsenal players, and left Mikel Arteta fuming post the final whistle. Arsenal boss stated that he had never seen a decision like this in his lifetime, and neither did his players too. “I’ve never seen a decision like this in my career. I asked the boys, and they have never seen anything like it,” said Arteta. Mikel Arteta also spoke about his team’s below par performance, as his side lacked control after opening the scoring in the first 20 minutes of the game.  “First of all One thing, I’m disappointed with the result, especially since we started the match very well and scored a beautiful goal, but then we lacked control, lost the ball, and didn’t do the simple things well enough to be on top of the match and control the course of the match as required. The game was always open without us conceding any goals.” Arsenal drop two vital points in bid to win Premier League title This draw leaves Arsenal five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have two games in hand. The Gunners now face an uphill task if they are to win the league title from here on. Arsenal will now host Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals, as they play five successive league games. They will also host Manchester United at the Emirates next week for the FA Cup third round clash. Mikel Arteta stated that a lot of things were not up to the mark in the second half as the players looked pretty tired and exhausted. The Spaniard stated that the intensity had dropped in the second half, as he believes that his side lost two points against Brighton. On the second half performance: “We did a lot of things that were not at the desired level with the ball so we did not get any momentum We never settled in areas where we could create opportunities and counter-pressure at the right moment We conceded one chance when we had 10 players on the pitch, I think we have to do much better than today and unfortunately we lost two points.” Also Read: “Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home” : Santi Cazorla on a potential return to North London

“Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home” : Santi Cazorla on a potential return to North London It is no secret that Mikel Arteta has done a fantastic job ever since taking the mantle of head coach with the Gunners. Arsenal was the team with the most number of wins throughout this year as well. The problem that lies is, apart from an FA Cup and two Community Shields, the Spaniard does not really have anything else to show how far their progress has come. Prior seasons it was Manchester City, and currently it is Liverpool who is absolutely dominating thanks to new manager Arne Slot’s tactics along with Mohamed Salah’s Ballon d’or worthy form. The Gunners are currently six points behind the Reds (who have a game in hand) as the first half of the season is already done. While Mikel Arteta would regularly not care for some extra assistance in coaching, he would certainly make an exception for former Arsenal midfield maestro Santi Cazorla. The Spanish duo played together at the North London club while also winning an FA Cup, as Cazorla slowly became a fan-favourite. The 40-year-old is currently playing in Spain’s Second Division club Oviedo, but would not mind a return to his Gunners family as part of the coaching staff, as he expressed his sentiments towards Arteta and the club in a recent interview. “Mikel is doing an incredible job. I understand that competing with Manchester City last year and Liverpool this year is very difficult, but they must keep fighting. I believe in them. I hope Liverpool loses some points, and Arsenal can win the title.” “Yes, why not? Arsenal is my home. I love this club and the fans, so we’ll see what happens in the future. I don’t yet know what role I could take. I need to think about it, but I definitely want to stay in football because it’s what I love.”Cazorla said when asked about a potential return to the North London club. “He’s one of the best players that I have played with” : Mikel Arteta’s thoughts on Santi Cazorla The Spaniard coach was also not shy on heaping praise towards his former teammate, who he believes had a very special six years with the club from 2012 to 2018, winning two FA Cups and Community Shields. Arteta also reflected on the fact that apart from his football, he was also a beloved member in the dressing room, even without his knowledge of the English language. “He’s one of the best players that I have played with. But then it’s also about the person, and he’s a very special character. He was loved by everybody in the dressing room, [and everybody] at the club. Even without speaking English, he was loved by all the crowd, which is a compliment of him.”the 42-year-old expressed to Amazon Prime Video. Santi Cazorla was also present at the Emirates stadium on Friday when the Gunners narrowly marched past Ipswich Town in a 1-0 victory. It will not be the first time a former club player will return to the team as a coaching member, and certainly will not be the last time. Most recently, former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago also joined Hansi Flick’s coaching staff in the summer with rumours of him making his return in the second half of the season as well. Regardless, Santi Cazorla’s homecoming to Arsenal would be a special one for the fans especially, if it ever happens, sooner or later.

“I feel a lot of sympathy” : Mikel Arteta on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s recent poor form Manchester City have far and away been the best English team in football for the past decade. But when Pep Guardiola arrived in Manchester in 2016, he brought in a new era of football with him, an era which we are still living in. The Spainard, after his heroics with FC Barcelona from 2008-2012, made him cemented as one of the greatest managers of all time. And while there were doubts regarding whether or not he would hack it in the toughest league in the world, those soon vanished after he dominantly won the league in his first full season with the club. Now, with six Premier League titles and one Champions League while breaking a variety of league records, the Spainard has revolutionized the sport once again, and it seemed like there was no stopping Manchester City as long as the Spainard is around. But, for the first time in his whole managerial career, Pep Guardiola just lost five matches in a row, add a draw against Feyenoord in the most recent match and that was the breaking point for Guardiola, as his face was literally filled with question marks. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, formerly Guardiola’s assistant during his stint with the Blues, knows what its like working with the Spainard and the huge responsibility that comes with the job, after setting the standards so high. Naturally, Arteta showed sympathy towards Guardiola and has suggested worry for his mental well-being. “Everybody has a bump” : Mikel Arteta Although Mikel Arteta has confirmed his worry for his former boss and now rival, he believes that City will ultimately get back on track like nothing happened, as the empire that Guardiola has built up over his tenure cannot just go in vain. “That is something very personal, but I feel a lot of sympathy for all my colleagues because I know the job, I know how ruthless this industry is, I know how we get judged just by one thing, which is results, regardless that you have done exactly the same thing and the outcome becomes different. We have to deal with that. I know how difficult it is because personally I have been through that a lot and every defeat is obviously super-painful. And that’s it. Then just put some perspective into it like we always do and move on, because there is always another game.” Arteta said. The Gunners head coach also talked about the level and consistency the teams have to be in in order to gain monumental success, and to do that for more than eight years is something else. “What people have to talk about [is] how difficult it is what they have done for nine years consistently. And yeah, a bump, everybody has a bump. For them, it is very strange because in nine years they never had it. But that tells you as well the level and the environment that we are in, that everything has to go almost perfect. Performance has to be perfect, availability of your squad has to be perfect, things have to go your way and the opposition, the level is different, and it’s so hard to win.” the 42-year-old added. Apart from losing Rodri through an unfortunate ACL injury, blame can also be put on Manchester City’s dull transfer window. Their average squad age has grown over the years to more than 27, as the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, newly returned Ilkay Gundogan among others look a shadow of their former self. It is clear that the Spainard would need fresher legs in the upcoming winter window as the level of intensity in Europe nowadays require more than just 11 starting players. To get their first win in seven matches, Pep Guardiola now has to go to a literal lion’s den in the form of Liverpool, who look out of this world at the moment. Although it is a high-risk high reward game, Pep is one of those few managers who can turn the tide in his favour at any given moment.

“Good player, but, not for Arsenal, no” : Former England international believes Arda Guler might not be the right suit for the Gunners Arda Guler has been one of the biggest young prospects this year, some even comparing his performances at the Euros this year to the prodigy that is Lamine Yamal. The youngster got his breakthrough last year by receiving a transfer call from Real Madrid, but his club career has gotten off to a very underwhelming start. This season especially, the Turkish international has been seen on the bench more often than not, as with the addition of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick this season the Los Blancos are already stacked in attack whereas Carlo Ancelotti does not see Guler reprising a role in the midfield. Due to not receiving enough playing time, there have been reports that Arda Guler might be transferred or either loaned in the upcoming winter window, and the Gunners have been the frontrunners to seek this opportunity of signing a world class young talent, via Spanish outlet Sport. But take this information lightly for now, as Sport has been widely inconsistent with its reports for some time now. But not everyone is convinced that Arda Guler is essentially a good fit at the North London club, as former England international Darren Bent believes the Turkish might not break into Arteta’s strongest eleven just yet. “He won’t fit the squad” : Darren Bent Guler’s usual preferred position is on the right wing or as an advanced midfielder, both of which are occupied by Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard respectively, who are also one of the best players in those positions. So, it might be tough for the 19-year-old to break into the first team and receive regular playing time, at least initially. “Not for me. You want a grade out of five? He won’t fit the squad. I think he’s a very good player, I saw him at the Euros, very talented. But will you swap one bench for another?” Bent said on talkSPORT’s Insider Gooners podcast. “At Real Madrid he’s not getting the opportunities. Coming to Arsenal there are better options, be it out wide or in the No.10 role. I can’t see that one happening. Good player, but, not for Arsenal, no.” the former Spurs striker added. Maybe the January transfer window will be a good opportunity for the 19-year-old to move on loan for the time being, as LaLiga clubs will be desperate to gain the creative abilities of Guler, while he gets more accustomed to the league. Another high-profile young signing from Barcelona, Vitor Roque, is currently on loan to Real Betis where he is absolutely thriving. And obviously, transferring from Real Madrid to basically any other club can be termed as a downgrade. Also Read: “I think we dominated them, we were the better team in many phases and situations” : Was Mikel Arteta ‘furious’ over the draw at Stamford Bridge?