Gary Neville thinks Arsenal has regained momentum in the title race as a result ofManchester City’s shoddy finishing and weak defence.
Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions dropped two crucial points at Nottingham Forest three days after defeating the Gunners 3-1 at the Emirates last Wednesday, when they could only manage a 1-1 draw.
In the meantime, Mikel Arteta’s team recovered from that crushing defeat at home with a thrilling 4-2 victory at Aston Villa, propelling them back to the top of the standings.
And 48-year-old Neville, a legend of Manchester United, thinks the North Londoners will win the trophy in May.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: “We’ve got an intriguing title race. Arsenal needed a good weekend. They’ve conceded 10 goals in the last six games.
“They need to stop conceding goals. One of the traits of a run-in is that if you’re conceding goals and teams feel they have a chance, it’s very difficult to win a league. They just need to watch that.
“They can go five points clear again if they win their game in hand. Thomas Partey not playing is a miss but they just need to think about getting back to clean sheets in this next period.
“But for City, they’re still giving Arsenal a big chance because they’re not playing at their best. They’re sloppy in front of goal and they still look vulnerable themselves at the back.
Gary Neville, pictured with fellow Sky Sports pundits Micah Richards and Roy Keane, is worried for Pep Guardiola’s men
“There is such a long way to go and it will twist back and forward.
“I watched the highlights of the City game against Forest and they missed chance after chance and were sloppy in front of goal.”
Neville has also questioned Guardiola’s decision to deploy playmaker Bernardo Silva as a makeshift defender.
He added: “I still can’t get my head around Silva in a left-back position.
“I think you’ll concede goals there potentially if that continues to happen and Guardiola is taking a risk if he has him there.
“When they went ahead against Arsenal and started to look comfortable was when they went to a proper back four.”
Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer says , Thomas Partey is a key player in the Premier League title match between Arsenal and Manchester City.
After Arsenal’s victory over Aston Villa and Manchester City’s draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Shearer made the remark on the BBC’s Match of the Day.
If Arsenal can get Partey back from injury, Shearer believes they have a good chance to defeat the defending champions this season.
Partey, one of the top defensive midfielders in the league, has been crucial for Arsenal this season. However, the player who makes £200,000 per week is currently injured and was not present for Arsenal’s victory over Villa.
Shearer believes that if Arsenal can keep their main players injury-free and get Partey back soon, they will have a good chance of winning the title.
“I know Partey is out injured at the minute. If Arsenal can get him back and have a little bit of luck between now and the end of the season, keeping their main big hitters free from injury, I think they will do it. Yeah.”
He has scored two goals in 18 Premier League appearances for the Gunners so far this season.
Arsenal is currently at the top of the Premier League table with 54 points from 23 matches, two points ahead of Manchester City, who have 52 points from 24 games.
On February 15, when Manchester City was in town, Arsenal had a difficult night at home as they lost convincingly.
Following a 3–1 loss to Pep Guardiola’s team, Mikel Arteta watched as his team slid to second in the Premier League standings.
Thomas Partey, a player for Ghana, got injured and was replaced by new signing Jorginho in the midfield.
De Bruyne’s opener came from an awful Tomiyasu back-pass, whiles Bukayo Saka restored parity from the penalty spot after Eddie Nketiah was fouled in the City box.
City restored their lead through Jack Grealish before Erling Haaland sealed the three points that took City back to the summit of the league, the first time since November 2022.
The impact of Partey’s absence has divided opinions among social media users. Whiles some insisted Jorginho discharged himself creditably, others disagreed insisting Partey was missed.
Speaking in the post-match interview, the Arsenal coach rued missed chances by his charges. “It’s exceptionally difficult to play at the level they require you to play to have a chance to win.
“I thought in many moments we did and we had them, but if you give three goals the way we did and don’t put away the big chances we had, then the margin for error is almost zero. It’s a shame because we really had them.
“I don’t know if it’s experience or bad luck. I’ve never seen Tomiyasu make that pass back in seven years and he did it today. It’s part of it and they have the quality to punish you.”
When asked how difficult it will be to pick his players up after such a morale-sapping defeat, Arteta added: “We have to pick [up] the points, because the performances are there for sure. Games are decided in the boxes and we have given too much away today and weren’t ruthless enough to convert our chances. That’s what we have to improve.
“Psychologically there is a marathon still out there. I said it three months ago and I said it today, it’s about tomorrow. The most important thing is how we are tomorrow and focus on that because the rest, we don’t know what is going to happen.”
The Gunners travel to Villa Park in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off as they look to get back to winning ways.
Following Arsenal’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City in the top-of-the-table matchup on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta was left to lament his team’s costly mistakes.
Against the champions, the Gunners were forced to pay for a run of individual blunders, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish each scoring important goals as a result of mistakes made by Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhaes.
De Bruyne’s opener came from an awful Tomiyasu back-pass, while Gabriel was robbed of possession high up the pitch before City broke to restore their lead through Grealish in the second half after Bukayo Saka had equalised from the penalty spot.
Speaking after the defeat, which saw Arsenal knocked off top spot in the Premier League for the first time since August, Arteta said: “It’s exceptionally difficult to play at the level they require you to play to have a chance to win. I thought in many moments we did and we had them, but if you give three goals the way we did and don’t put away the big chances we had, then the margin for error is almost zero. It’s a shame because we really had them.
“I don’t know if it’s experience or bad luck. I’ve never seen Tomiyasu make that pass back in seven years and he did it today. It’s part of it and they have the quality to punish you.”
When asked how difficult it will be to pick his players up after such a morale-sapping defeat, Arteta added: “We have to pick [up] the points, because the performances are there for sure. Games are decided in the boxes and we have given too much away today and weren’t ruthless enough to convert our chances. That’s what we have to improve.
“Psychologically there is a marathon still out there. I said it three months ago and I said it today, it’s about tomorrow. The most important thing is how we are tomorrow and focus on that because the rest, we don’t know what is going to happen.”
The Gunners travel to Villa Park in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off as they look to get back to winning ways.
Thomas Partey would miss Arsenal’s match against Manchester City, and this is a major blow to the team.
The Ghanaian has been an essential member of the Gunners team that has dominated the Premier League standings for the majority of the season.
Mikel Arteta will have to get by without him on Wednesday night even though he has played in all but three of their league games this season.
Partey won’t be playing against City because of a muscular issue, according to The Athletic.
The 29-year-old took part in Tuesday’s training session with his teammates, but a new injury prevents him from playing on Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium.
Additionally, he might not play in Saturday’s matchup with Aston Villa.
These developments might herald Jorginho’s first start for the team since his January transfer from Chelsea.
With so much on the line, Partey’s absence may be a major setback for the Gunners.
As Sean Dyche’s management career got off to the best possible start with a 1-0 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal, Everton significantly relied on their connection to Burnley to secure their first victory since October.
The effect he had was instantaneous as another former inhabitant of Turf Moor James Tarkowski headed the winning goal on the hour, despite the ex-Clarets manager’s insistence that he didn’t have any “magic dust” to sprinkle on a struggling squad (the only one not to be strengthened by a January signing).
It was the center-first back’s goal since signing on a free transfer from Burnley in the summer and his first since the first game of the previous campaign. The goal also snapped a skid of 10 games without a victory across all competitions.
Everton’s epic escape is unquestionably on, and with hope never dying at Goodison following a dreadful year under the previous boss Frank Lampard, they briefly moved out of the relegation zone with their midday kickoff.
Arsenal’s loss was their first since September and only their second in the league, which allowed Manchester City to reduce the five-point deficit at Tottenham on Sunday.
As Everton defeated the Londoners three times in a row at Goodison Park for the first time in more than 45 years, Dyche, who has won two and drawn three of his last six encounters with the Gunners, and the home field advantage proved to be yet another obstacle for Arsenal.
There was a protest march in the street ahead of kick-off – with the board of directors absent for the second match running on security advice – and a small sit-in after the final whistle with a plane flying a ‘League’s worst run club #timetogobill’ (a reference to long-serving chairman Bill Kenwright) overhead early in the game.
But in between there was much greater optimism with Dyche making an immediate impact despite having just five days to work with his new squad.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – who had been training on his own after a fall-out with Lampard – made his first Premier League start since mid-August to bring some energy into a five-man midfield, which was a departure from the manager’s usual 4-4-2.
But what was evident on the pitch was reassuringly familiar with Dyche insisting his side be more direct and get the ball forward early to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who looked re-energised having struggled for fitness all season, and he almost latched onto a Dwight McNeil pass but was out sprinted by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Had Calvert-Lewis got more of a connection on Amadou Onana’s low cross after a bursting run down the left then Everton would have been ahead, with the England international also firing in a weak shot from Alex Iwobi’s knockdown and flicking a header wide after Iwobi and Seamus Coleman had combined on the opposite flank.
Doucoure was also making his presence felt and he too wasted a header from a McNeil cross as much-needed confidence flowed back into the side boosted by an encouraged and engaged Goodison Park.
Arsenal dominated possession but found it difficult to find a way through a more compact and committed opposition side, who were quick to get back into shape when they lost possession, with Conor Coady clearing the visitors’ best chance of the half off the line from Bukayo Saka’s volley.
And when Everton won four corners in two minutes Goodison roared its approval and, for a brief period, the Gunners were under pressure with the sight of Granit Xhaka hoofing a ball clear to no-one on the halfway line the most un-Arsenal of moments.
Being cheered off having out-shot and out-fought their opponents – eight was the most Arsenal had faced in the opening 45 minutes all season – was a new experience for players who had been booed at half-time of their previous two home games.
Martin Odegaard ballooned over from Eddie Nketiah’s cross early in the second half as Arsenal redoubled their efforts with new signings Leandro Trossard and Jorginho soon introduced.
But they had not had a touch before Tarkowski rose above a crowded six-yard box to head home a corner and get the old stadium rocking.
Neal Maupay replaced Calvert-Lewin as the Everton defensive rearguard began and his first intervention was to send Gabriel tumbling in the box, resulting in a VAR check for a penalty which came back to nothing.
It was the only negative response all afternoon for the hosts, who were cheered from first to last by supporters desperate for some relief from a second successive relegation battle.
Everton’s new-found resilience was highlighted by the fact goalkeeper Jordan Pickford did not make his first real save until the 78th minute when he batted away a Trossard shot to keep his first clean sheet in three months.
Gabriel Martinelli, a forward for Arsenal, has agreed to a new, long-term contract.
The 21-year-old international from Brazil, Ituano, joined in the summer of 2019 and has played in 111 matches across all competitions.
This season, he has been a constant in the Premier League, scoring seven goals to help the Gunners move five points clear atop the standings.
“Gabi is still very young, so we know there’s still much more to come from him,” said manager Mikel Arteta.
“Our supporters see his quality and energy every single time he puts on the shirt and he’s the same every day in training, with his hard work and positive values.
“We’re now excited to continue to develop his huge talent and look forward to seeing him perform with Arsenal in the years to come.”
💬 "I love everything about Arsenal. I love the city, I love my teammates, I love the fans, I love the club and I’m going to try my best for this football club." We ❤️ this, Gabi
One of the bombshells of the winter transfer window has been made official. After negotiations that nobody expected, the Champions League winning midfielder with Chelsea has joined Arsenal on a contract until 2024 with an option for a further year.
There has been a surprise move on the final day of the winter transfer window.Arsenal have moved quickly to strengthen their midfield for the Premier League title race and have managed to secure a star signing.
The Gunners have agreed a last-minute deal with Chelsea for Jorginho, one of the Blues’ key players. The 31-year-old Italian playmaker will sign a contract with Arteta’s side until 2024 with an option for a further year and Graham Potter’s side will receive £12m for his transfer.
The role of Spaniard Mikel Arteta in the negotiations between the two clubs is reported to have been key to the player’s arrival. In addition, Arsenal went all out for the Italian as their first choice to reinforce their midfield was Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, however, due to the Seagulls’ refusal to sell their rising star, the Emirates Stadium outfit went for the Chelsea player.
In this way, Jorginho leaves Chelsea having made history. The former Napoli player joined the English club in the 2018/2019 season, and leaves after having played 213 official matches, scoring 29 goals and providing 8 assists. Furthermore, it could be said that the midfielder’s career at the club has been quite successful, being crowned Champions League champion in 2020/2021, as well as winning the Europa League title in 2018/2019 and the UEFA Super Cup in 2021.
The international with Italy joins Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table on 50 points, five points ahead of City and with a game in hand. On the other side, Chelsea sit 10th with 29 points after a poor season so far and will be looking to make up for that by qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Jorginho is eager to play for Mikel Arteta after joining Arsenal for £12 million from Chelsea.
The 31-year-old Italian played for the Blues in more than 200 games and won the Europa League in 2018–19 and the Champions League in 2020–21.
At the Emirates, he has agreed to an 18-month contract with a one-year extension option.
The champion of Euro 2020 also acknowledges that he was on the verge of playing alongside Arteta in the past. He might make his debut on Saturday when the Gunners travel to Everton.
Speaking to Arsenal.com, he said: “He was a big influence because I know he tried a few times to get me before and it didn’t happen due to other reasons, not because of my wishes. So of course, he had a big influence.
“I’m very excited for this new challenge and I just can’t wait to be on the pitch. Everything has happened so fast.
“I was a bit surprised but I took the opportunity of this amazing challenge. It’s an amazing club, a big one, and I’m really excited and happy to be here.”
Jorginho is relishing the opportunity to work with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
Arteta’s men sit top of the Premier League table, five points clear of champions Manchester City and Jorginho is relishing the prospect of helping the Gunners to title glory.
He added: “I’ll try to just bring positive energy, hard work and my experience to help the team. It’s what I always bring with me.
“I try just to help with the experience I’ve had in my time with the other clubs and anything I can do just to help the team to achieve more and more. That’s my target.
“All I can promise is that I’m going to give my all to represent this club.”
After being unveiled by Arsenal, the club’s new No20 took to Instagram to thank Chelsea for his spell at Stamford Bridge.
Alongside a video of memorable moments from his time in a blue shirt, Jorginho posted: “Thank you, Chelsea. Had an amazing time. The story was written.”
Neymar continued his rich vein of form in front of the goal with a cheeky goal against Stade Reims on Sunday evening.
The Brazil international’s strike was not enough as ten-man Paris Saint-Germain shared the spoils at the Parc des Princes.
Despite being the brightest of PSG’s vaunted attacking trio, Neymar was withdrawn after 85 minutes,
How did Neymar score?
After a neat build-up from PSG coupled with some clumsy defending from Stade Reims, Neymar was in the right place at the right time to pounce on a loose ball.
The ex-Barcelona ace then rounded up the goalkeeper before cheekily slotting the ball home to give PSG the lead, Neymar was rated the best PSG player despite not playing full throttle.
Neymar scores but PSG draw
On-loan Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun ran through to score a remarkable 96th-minute equaliser as Reims held 10-man Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 stalemate on Sunday.
It looked like Neymar’s strike early in the second half would be enough for the Parisians to take all three points despite substitute Marco Verratti being sent off shortly after that goal.
However, an impressive Reims side got the draw they richly deserved when Balogun broke away to fire home right at the death.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Premier League leaders Arsenal are benefitting from the patience showed to Mikel Arteta in his early years in charge of the Gunners.
Arteta worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City for three-and-a-half years before taking his first senior managerial role in London in 2019. The Spaniard had immediate success in winning the 2020 FA Cup, but failed to break into the Premier League’s top four in any of his first three seasons. Now Arsenal are well on course to end a 19-year wait to win a league title as they lead City by five points and have a game in hand on Guardiola’s men.
The two clubs go head to head for the first of three games in the next few months in the FA Cup fourth round this Friday. “I had the feeling. We knew it when he was here,” said Guardiola on Arteta’s coaching ability. “The biggest compliment for Arsenal as well, is for backing him in the bad moments and trusting him, and keeping him and relying on him. “At the end, you need time, you need investment and the results are there. It is a challenge for us to challenge them.”
During Guardiola’s reign in Manchester, City have dominated English football, winning four Premier League titles among nine major trophies. But he has tried to light a fire under his players in recent weeks to revive the hunger that has brought so much success. Guardiola has even used Arsenal’s desire during the first half of the season as the example for his side to match.
“A team with 50 points in one leg (half of the season) is the best. We have to prove how far away or how close we are,” added Guardiola on Friday’s cup clash. “I encourage them to look themselves. When they are not happy for many reasons, the only way is to perform better. “Think in the past is the past. What happened in the past is the past. We get the salary for what we will do in the future. Extend the contract, what we’re going to do in the future. The past is done.”
Even if the FA Cup match is “very, very different” from the Premier League matchup next month, Mikel Arteta anticipates learning a lot about Arsenal from their matchup with Manchester City.
Leaders Despite not having played second-placed City yet this season, Arteta’s team has established a five-point lead over the defending champions with a game remaining.
Since the Arsenal manager wants to gauge his players against top competition, their first encounter of the season will now take place in the fourth round of the cup.
“It’s a big test for us against, in my opinion, the best football team in the world,” Arteta said.
“We’re looking forward to it, because it’s going to tell us a lot about where we are.”
That tie will take place at the Etihad Stadium, before the teams do battle in the league at Emirates Stadium next month.
Asked how one result might impact on the other, Arteta was dismissive.
“I think they’re going to be two very, very different games,” he said. “The context is extremely different. Let’s see.”
The numbers bear that out, with Pep Guardiola winning 13 of his 16 matches against Arsenal as City manager but suffering his only two defeats in this fixture in their two FA Cup clashes. Arsenal have won four in a row against City in this competition.
Arteta added: “Obviously it’s important to play well and to win; that gives you more momentum, more confidence and prepares you better for the next match. That’s our focus, to do that on Friday.”
Leandro Trossard has officially been acquired by Arsenal from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reputed £27 million.
The international player from Belgium has signed a long-term contract with Emirates Stadium that is anticipated to expire in July 2027.
The announcement was announced by Premier League leaders Arsenal on their official website on Friday, and the versatile midfielder is now available to play this weekend against Manchester United.
“It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro,” Mikel Arteta said.
“He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience in the Premier League and at international level.
“Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”
Mykhaylo Mudryk was previously thought to be Arsenal’s main target as they made no secret of their desire to add attacking reinforcements this month.
Although Mudryk seemed keen to move to north London, Chelsea beat them to the signing of the Ukrainian international last week.
Shakhtar Donetsk said that Arsenal matched the reported £89 million (€100 million) offer from Chelsea in terms of money, but they believed the conditions and bonuses in the Blues’ offer were more reasonable.
Trossard, though, may be seen by some to be a less risky signing and to offer better value.
At the Amex Stadium, Trossard has developed into a top-tier winger who provides both a goalscoring threat and creative ability. It is said that Arsenal has been interested in Trossard ever since he joined Brighton from Genk in 2019.
Only seven players have produced more than 65 opportunities in open play and at least 14 Premier League goals (excluding penalties) since the start of the previous campaign: Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Bruno Fernandes.
Tottenham, Arsenal’s rivals in north London, were also said to be interested, while recent sources said a £12 million offer from Spurs was “laughed off.”
After a disagreement with the team’s head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who took the winger out of the lineup earlier this month due to his attitude, Trossard was eager to leave Brighton.
Following the rejection of Arsenal’s appeal regarding an incident during their FA Cup victory over Oxford United, a £40,000 fine must be paid.
Eddie Nketiah scored twice as Mikel Arteta’s team defeated the opposition 3-0 earlier this month to advance to the fourth round.
However, the Football Association (FA) later reprimanded Arsenal for failing to control their players after they surrounded referee David Coote in the first half to demand a penalty.
Arsenal filed an appeal against the accusation, but it was denied, thus the club will now be required to pay the fine.
“Arsenal FC has been fined £40,000 after its players surrounded a match official during the FA Cup tie against Oxford United FC on Monday 9 January 2023,” read a statement from the FA.
“Arsenal FC denied an allegation from the FA that the club had failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 34th minute, and the club also requested a hearing.
“An Independent Regulatory Commission subsequently upheld the allegation and imposed the club’s fine.
“Its written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course.”
Following a fine for their behavior against Newcastle United in a Premier League match, Arsenal has now been charged with two financial penalties in January.
When a no-penalty call was made by the authorities in the dying minutes of a 0-0 draw, the Gunners were also given a warning for losing control of their players.
Erik ten Hag was left frustrated by Manchester United’s perceived lack of effort to score a second goal as they were held to a dramatic draw by Crystal Palace.
Bruno Fernandes had put United in control at half-time thanks to a well-worked opener just before the break.
For a while that looked set to be enough despite United – who seemed to commit fewer bodies forward in the second half – coming under pressure from Palace towards the end.
Eventually, a stunning Michael Olise free-kick found the top-right corner via the crossbar in the first minute of stoppage time, securing Palace a point and ending United’s nine-match winning streak.
Ten Hag was disappointed by United’s failed quest to get a second goal, which would have rendered Palace’s late strike irrelevant.
“We dropped two points,” he told BBC Sport. “When you’re winning with two minutes to go… [Palace] don’t create anything except one which was a corner and this one was a free-kick from far [out].
“You don’t expect to drop points. We have to invest more to get that second goal and then not be in that situation that a lucky moment costs you two points.
“We were 1-0 up. In the second half we had a lot of space to kill them and go for the second. I never saw we really went for the second goal.
“It’s difficult to say [why]. I have to criticise my team. Go for the second.”
The late equaliser suddenly changed the complexion of Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, which for a while on Wednesday looked to be shaping up as arguably the biggest game of the Premier League season so far.
Now, defeat at the Emirates Stadium will surely end any remaining dreams United have of winning the title this term as it would leave them 11 points adrift.
United will have to face the game without probably their most important player in Casemiro, who earned a late yellow card for a wild lunge on Wilfried Zaha after Fernandes pulled out of a challenge. But Ten Hag is refusing to panic.
“He’s a really important player for us and a reason we’re in this position,” he said. “But last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro. We need to do it again.”
Goalkeeper David de Gea was even more frank about the loss of Casemiro and took the opportunity to vent about the fixture schedule, with Arsenal not in midweek action ahead of the Sunday showdown.
“It’s a big blow to lose Casemiro for Sunday,” told Sky Sports.
“I don’t get it why Arsenal don’t play as we have to play in the same week and they don’t. Now we are missing one of our best players.
“I don’t understand. Now we miss him for a big game and it is a big loss for us.”
Prior to the World Cup, Arsenal reportedly made touch with Orlando City over Facundo Torres.
Since joining the league in January 2022, the 22-year-old has drawn attention, making 33 appearances while tallying nine goals and eight assists.
Ever since his days playing for Penarol in his native Uruguay, the Uruguayan international has been linked to a move to Europe, with Arsenal reportedly having a long-term interest in his talents.
The Gunners continue to look for players to boost their squad but missed out on Mykhaylo Mudryk to London rivals Chelsea, who swooped in to beat the Premier League leaders in the chase for the Ukraine winger.
Torres has opened the door for a fresh approach, expressing his desire to play in the Premier League.
“Orlando City confirmed to me that there was contact with Arsenal, but then I left for the World Cup and I didn’t want to hear about a potential transfer at that point,” he told 90Min.
“So, the conversation stayed there but now that I am back with the team, we will see where the conversation goes.
“I would love to play in Europe. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a kid. At the moment I am focused on Orlando City.
“But La Liga or Premier League would be my targets, and that’s where the rumours are coming from. But yeah, I would absolutely love that.”
Aaron Ramsdale was called “disrespectful” by Tottenham forward Richarlison after the tense circumstances at the end of the north London derby on Sunday.
After the final whistle sounded to signal a 2-0 victory for the Gunners, the Arsenal goalkeeper turned to the home crowd and kissed the badge on his shirt. Richarlison sprinted over to confront him before a Spurs supporter managed to stand on the advertising hoardings and kick Ramsdale in the back as he went to get his water bottle.
Before Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta rushed his squad away to celebrate with the away fans after the victory that gave them an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League, several players from both teams got involved.
Speaking to ESPN, Richarlison explained why he reacted in the manner he did to Ramsdale, saying: “What I really didn’t like was their goalkeeper going to celebrate in front of our fans. It’s kind of disrespectful to our fans. He has his fans, he has to go celebrate with his fans, not be cute with our fans.
“People know that we tried to do our best, but you have to respect other teams. [Ramsdale] lacked respect there, and I went there to charge [against] him.”
Club statement on today's full-time incident at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was not the only time the former Watford and Everton player showed displeasure during the game, including moments with fellow Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes, though he later regretted his shunning of Martinelli when he offered his hand prior to taking a corner.
“I want to apologise to him,” he said. “He put his hand out and I didn’t. Like it or not, he is my Brazil team-mate. This is part of it, it’s a derby, we were hot headed.
“With [Magalhaes], I argued a little because he was holding up the game. He ended up getting a yellow [for time-wasting], and I said to him: ‘Let’s play, let’s play’. And he was holding up the game.”
Tottenham released a statement after the game saying they were “appalled by the behaviour” of the supporter who attacked Ramsdale and confirmed they would be “working with the Met Police, Arsenal and Aaron Ramsdale to take the strongest possible action, including an immediate ban from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.”
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said “violence towards players is completely unacceptable” after a fan appeared to aim a kick at Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following their derby win over Tottenham.
The England international was the target of a kick from a supporter after the Gunners’ 2-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In response, the PFA declared that such issues are a “priority concern” and demanded that players be safeguarded.
A statement said: “Violence towards players is completely unacceptable. These types of incidents are occurring too often.
“Players have a right to be safe in their place of work. When a player is attacked we expect the laws and regulations that are in place to protect them to be properly enforced.
“As the players’ union we treat this as a priority issue. We will be continuing to work with the authorities to demand that players and staff are better protected in their place of work.”
Tottenham condemned the incident in which an onlooker attacked Aaron Ramsdale, the goalie for Arsenal, at the conclusion of Sunday’s north London derby.
Ramsdale was near to a section of home fans after the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had just ended when one fan attacked him, climbed a pitchside railing, and kicked him out.
After Tottenham’s security systems failed to stop the fan from getting so near to the England international, there could be major consequences.
Tottenham has stated that they are currently committed to identifying the individual who fled into the stands after the incident, which was captured on camera.
Tottenham said in a statement: “We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today’s match. Violence in any form has no place in football.
“The club has reviewed its CCTV footage to identify the supporter and will be working with the Met Police, Arsenal and Aaron Ramsdale to take the strongest possible action, including an immediate ban from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.”
England’s national governing body, the Football Association, said the incident was “wholly unacceptable” and said it would play a full part in an investigation.
It issued a statement that read: “We strongly condemn the incident involving a spectator that followed today’s Premier League fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
“This is wholly unacceptable behaviour and we will work together with the police, the relevant authorities and the clubs to ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
Mykhailo Mudryk, a longtime target of Arsenal, has been acquired by Chelsea in a spectacular transaction said to be valued over £88 million from Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 22-year-old has signed a contract with Stamford Bridge for eight and a half years and wasted no time in expressing his happiness at finally getting a Premier League move.
Mudryk stated on the team’s website: “I’m thrilled to join Chelsea. At this point in my career, this is a really alluring challenge for me because it is a huge club in an amazing league.
“I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”
The Gunners have been after the Ukrainian superstar for a number of months, and it was believed that everything had been worked out between the two sides except for the final transfer fee.
The Blues took advantage of the opportunity yesterday by sending co-owner Behdad Eghbali and director of global transfers Paul Winstanley to Turkey, where Shakhtar are presently training. Negotiations had reached a standstill.
Because Chelsea was willing to pay the full asking price, negotiations moved quickly, and Mudryk took the club’s private jet back to West London to do his physical last night.
Mikel Arteta will feel the pain of the transaction because a lot of time and effort was put into attempting to convince Mudryk to move to the Emirates.
The player had even been teasing a move to North London on his social media channels, liking posts from Arsenal fan accounts using the hashtag #FreeMudryk and posting videos of himself watching Arsenal matches.
Mudryk had also described Arteta as a “top coach” but will now hope to help under-fire Potter turn a disastrous season around at Stamford Bridge.
Mykhailo Mudryk has finalised his move from Shakhtar Donetsk after agreeing personal terms with the Blues. 🤝
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and the club’s co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said in a joint-statement: “We are delighted to welcome Mykhailo to Chelsea.
“He’s a hugely exciting talent who we believe will be a terrific addition to our squad both now and in the years to come.
“He will add further depth to our attack and we know he’ll get a very warm welcome to London.”
The Blues took the unusual move of announcing the signing midway through the first half of their Premier League home game with Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
With a 2-0 derby victory at Tottenham, Arsenal extended their lead to eight points atop the Premier League.
Hugo Lloris’s own goal and Martin Odegaard’s 25-yard screamer were the two goals scored by Mikel Arteta’s team in the opening period.
Leaders Arsenal took advantage of the fact that defending champions Manchester City lost at Old Trafford on Saturday by defeating their North London rivals twice for the first time since 2014, giving them even more reason to believe they can win the championship for the first time in 19 years.
In-form Manchester United are Arsenal’s next opponents and they will now hope for a favour from Antonio Conte’s side, who travel to City on Thursday struggling to stay in the top four race and with Harry Kane still one goal short of Jimmy Greaves’ club scoring record.
There were unsavoury scenes at full-time with Aaron Ramsdale appearing to be kicked by a Tottenham supporter who jumped onto the advertising hoarding behind the goal of the South Stand before Arteta was able to lead his players away to celebrate with their own fans.
Both teams had injury concerns ahead of the match and while Dejan Kulusevski returned for Spurs, Rodrigo Bentancur missed out and Bukayo Saka was able to shake off his minor hamstring issue to start for the visitors.
Results elsewhere this weekend only heightened the importance of the match and it did not take long for the leaders to get into their groove with in-form Eddie Nketiah denied by Lloris in the seventh minute.
Lloris’ hesitancy in possession proved the catalyst for the chance and his next involvement produced the opener after another error.
Saka created space by the byline and his cross, which took a slight deflection off Ryan Sessegnon, fooled Lloris, who could only parry the ball into his own net.
It was not the first mistake by the Spurs captain in a big game this season but Tottenham almost levelled instantly when Sessegnon found Son Heung-min inside the area, only for Ramsdale to make a fine low stop with his legs.
It was a fleeting moment of attacking intent from Conte’s side who quickly found themselves back on the ropes.
Lloris saved from Odegaard soon after before Thomas Partey was denied another North London stunner by the woodwork.
Partey, who scored a superb curled effort in the 3-1 win in October, let fly with a volley from 25 yards that thundered against the base of the post after pin-ball in the Spurs area.
A second goal for Arsenal felt inevitable and it arrived eight minutes before the break.
William Saliba won the first ball before Partey and Saka combined to release Odegaard in space and the Gunners captain rifled into the bottom corner from range for his eighth goal this season.
It was fully deserved for the visitors and while Spurs improved, with Kane denied by Ramsdale, it remained 2-0 at the break.
The traditional second-half team were true to their word after the restart with Kulusevski firing over before Kane was denied by another fine Ramsdale save.
Even better was to follow from the Arsenal goalkeeper, who stuck out a boot to deflect a Sessegnon effort wide after a slick one-two with Kane.
Tempers started to boil over when substitute Richarlison had words with Brazil team-mate Gabriel Martinelli and Kulusevski collided with Arteta in the technical area.
Yet those incidents and a flurry of yellow cards only proved to take the sting out of Spurs’ attempted comeback.
Nketiah squandered the chance to seal the points with 21 minutes left when Lloris raced out quickly to save his effort following Granit Xhaka’s pass to keep Tottenham’s faint hopes alive.
Despite Richarlison and Ivan Perisic coming on and Kulusevski testing the excellent Ramsdale late on, Arsenal comfortable saw out the final exchanges to move 14 points clear of their rivals.
However, there were ugly scenes after the final whistle.
After an apparent exchange of words with Richarlison, Ramsdale was on the receiving end of a kick from a supporter. Xhaka appeared to be frustrated by developments, with Arteta stepping in and the Arsenal contingent moving to the other end of the stadium to celebrate with their fans.
Chelsea fans are trolling Arsenal fans after the club successfully hijacked Arsenal’s move for Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Arsenal had been locked in negotiations with his club Shakhtar Donetsk for weeks with the North London side unwilling to meet Shakhtar’s €100m valuation of the player.
Earlier in the week, reports from credible journalists indicated that Arsenal were on the cusp of agreeing a deal for the player only for Chelsea to jump in on Saturday and quickly seal a deal.
According to Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, a member of Chelsea’s board flew to Poland where the club are on a training tour to seal the deal by meeting Shakhtar’s valuation.
Chelsea it is reported also offered more money to the player and have agreed a seven-year deal with the Ukrainian winger.
A Shakhtar statement confirming the deal reads “FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer to Chelsea FC today. Parties are very close to agree on player’s transfer to the club.”
The deal has excited Chelsea fans who mocking their London rivals for missing out on yet another good player.
Chelsea fans claim they have done the double over Arsenal as they also beat the Gunners to the signing of Portuguese player, Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.
Below are some comments
Mudryk (after joining Chelsea): “I was waiting, waiting for Arsenal to decide. Chelsea had shown interest but it wasn’t firm at first. I almost went to Arsenal. My agent said, ‘Chelsea just called me and they want you’. I said, ‘OK, I want to go there!’.” ????
Mikel Arteta is making memories at Arsenal he says he will never forget as he saluted the Gunners’ “incredible dressing room” ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham.
Following a blistering start to the season, in which they have won 14 of their first 17 games, Arteta’s side can move eight points clear at the Premier League summit with victory over their bitter rivals on Sunday.
Arteta endured a testing start to life at Emirates Stadium, but the pendulum has certainly swung in his favour this term, and he is enjoying himself now.
“It’s just an incredible dressing room. It’s just a joy to work with [the players] every single day,” said Arteta, who won the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award for December.
“Some of the things that we’ve done together, I’ll probably never be able to do them with any other team or with any other group.
“Especially on match days and the things that we do together, that will stay in my brain for the rest of my life.”
The maturity of this young Arsenal team has particularly impressed Arteta, who has noted the way his relationship with the players has changed this season.
“[The players] are certainly more mature,” he said. “I think the demands have changed as well and my role and what they, in my opinion, need from me is different as well.
“And that’s why we always have to be evolving and trying to be ahead of what is coming, to give to the players and the rest of the staff what is going to make everything click to be more efficient and to win more games.”
On the pitch, that has translated not only to better results but also better performances.
Arteta said of the changes at Arsenal: “We win more games, which is the most important thing and the thing that changes everything, and I think we play better.
“We deserve to win in the games that we have won, and probably that’s the most relevant thing.”
Following Arsenal’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Oxford United, Mikel Arteta allayed fears regarding Bukayo Saka’s injury and predicted more incisive performances from Fabio Vieira.
On Monday, a victory at the Kassam Stadium led to a match at Manchester City for the fourth round, but Saka was taken off in the second half.
The image of Saka staggering off was concerning for the leaders as Arsenal will play fierce rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
But ahead of this weekend’s quick journey to face Spurs, Gunners manager Arteta said the England winger is “OK.”
After a lackluster first half, Arsenal overwhelmed League One team Oxford, with goals from Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah, who was in fine form, who added a swift double.
One of Arteta’s seven lineup adjustments saw Vieira start. He then assisted Nketiah in scoring the second goal by sending in a superb free kick that Elneny headed in to break the tie.
Due to injuries, the midfielder has had a difficult start to his Arsenal career, but Arteta is certain that he will turn out to be a wise acquisition.
Arteta told ITV Sport: “He has the quality. He is a really creative player, and he can decide games in the final third. He made a difference.”
Nketiah has scored four goals in as many games since the World Cup in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus, taking his tally for the season to seven.
Arteta said of the striker’s form: “It is what we want from every player. I am delighted. You have to be scoring goals, and he is doing it.”
He added: “We have only one [striker]. And to cope for that many months until Gabby’s back is not easy. We have to make the most out of the players we’ve got.”
According to their former midfielder Paul Merson, Arsenal are unlikely to be stopped in their quest to win a shocking Premier League championship.
With a convincing 4-2 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, the Gunners impressively increased their lead at the top of the standings to seven points.
On New Year’s Eve, Manchester City and Newcastle United’s draws provided the Gunners a chance to extend their lead atop the standings.
At the Amex Stadium, they seized the opportunity with both hands when Bukayo Saka’s goal in just 66 seconds set them on their course.
Eddie Nketiah added a third goal, and inspirational skipper Martin Odegaard added two more. Gabriel Martinelli scored either side of goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson of Brighton.
After five straight victories in the Premier League, Arsenal is in fine form and hosts third-place Newcastle on Tuesday in a key match.
Merson predicts a two-horse race for the championship between Arsenal and City, and he will support the Gunners even though Pep Guardiola’s champions are still the odds-on favorite.
“I think they’ll beat Newcastle,” Merson said to Sky Sports. “They’ve just won two games, scored seven goals, confidence is high.
“They’ve won every game at home this season in the league – that’s some doing.
“Arsenal are good to watch, it’s not a fluke. You’ve got to look at Man City, they’ve lost at home to Brentford and drawn at home to Everton who are on a bad run.
“They are two games City are expected to win. That’s five points dropped. I don’t see anyone stopping Arsenal at the moment.”
Wins over West Ham and Brighton since the World Cup break have delighted Merson, as Arsenal bid to win a first league crown since their ‘Invincibles’ team tasted success in 2004.
He added: “When we stopped for the World Cup you thought this could only harm Arsenal. They were flying. They’ve come back and scored seven goals in two games.
“They’ve got a platform, it’s in their hands. I know there’s a long way to go, but there are big teams in this league who can’t win it – Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, probably Man United.
“It’s out of Arsenal and Man City unless the other teams go on the most extraordinary run you’ve ever seen in Premier League history.
“Who goes to Brighton and scores four goals? Arsenal are playing great football and at the moment, they’re the best team in the country and the number one team.
“They’ve given themselves a little gap where they can afford to lose a few games. Man City are not going to win every game, so Arsenal are right in this, I couldn’t talk highly enough about them.
“This is not a fluke, they are where they are because they are a very good football team.
“They went to Old Trafford and got beat, and I didn’t think they deserved to. There are ways of losing matches and they bounced back.
“The other night, they went 1-0 down to West Ham and they came back and brushed them aside.”
Shakhtar Donetsk will continue to negotiate with Arsenal over a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk but warned they will only sell at the right price.
Arsenal are reported to have had a bid of £57million (€64.4m) for winger Mudryk rejected by the Ukrainian champions.
Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini on Wednesday stated that the club will expect a fee closer to the £100m (€113.2m) Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish than the £82m (€92.7m) Manchester United stumped up for Antony.
Sergei Palkin was due to hold further talks with the Premier League leaders on Thursday, yet the Shakhtar CEO stressed the club’s prized asset will be going nowhere if the Gunners do not offer what they are looking for.
He told the club’s official website: “Negotiations are continuing. We receive offers, but they are not the ones we would like to see on our table.
“Now, literally in five minutes, I will have a phone conversation with Arsenal. We are open to negotiations, ready to exchange ideas and figures. If we will agree, then let it be so. If we will not, then let it be another time.”
Palkin’s comments come after Nicolini told Calcio Mercato: “I confirm that Arsenal is one of the most active teams.
“When there is an interested company, we ask: ‘Make a proposal and when we have it in hand we start to negotiate.’
“As we have always said, to deal with Mudryk, you need an important offer. Arsenal may have made such an offer, but there is negotiation.
“Players were sold that the clubs wanted to sell and that we consider no stronger than Mudryk with a valuation of around £100m, so we consider no less than £60m.
“I am not the one to make the figure, I have no particular indications from the company, but the director has said that we need an important offer closer to Grealish than for Antony. If the cash figure is £40m, it is not even taken into account.
Arsenal have reportedly had their eye on Mykhaylo Mudryk for some time and they could finally be set to land their man.
The Gunners have enjoyed a fine start to the season and sit top of the Premier League table — five clear of second-placed Manchester City — having taken 37 points from their opening 14 games.
Maintaining that rhythm over the course of an intense campaign is going to be a challenge, especially with Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus now sidelined through injury.
Ahead of the North Londoners’ Boxing Day clash with West Ham, we take a look at how the addition of Mudryk could give them the added impetus they need.
Going from strength to strength
Pipping Pep Guardiola’s defending champions to the league title would be a phenomenal achievement for Mikel Arteta’s men.
The Citizens have lifted English football’s most prized trophy in four of the last five seasons — only a remarkable effort from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool disrupted their relentless run of success.
Arsenal are endeavouring to do the same but Jesus’ injury has left them light in attack.
Shakhtar Donetsk ace Mudryk is not a striker but the addition of his attacking talents could help to fill the void.
Arteta knows that he must continue to strengthen an already strong side — if he allows his team to stand still, they will likely be overtaken.
Many miles to be run
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be eager to sign new players in January
The Premier League title race is far from over.
City, Newcastle and Tottenham are all within eight points of Arsenal, while the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are also waiting in the wings.
The unique nature of this season — effectively split into two by the break for the World Cup — has given England’s elite the chance to pause, reflect and recalibrate ahead of the Boxing Day restart.
It is imperative that the Gunners hit the ground running when they lock horns with David Moyes’ Hammers.
Injection of impetus
Mykhaylo Mudryk scored three goals in the Champions League this season
One way of injecting impetus into Arsenal’s title challenge would be a statement signing like Mudryk.
The dynamic 21-year-old Ukrainian plays on the left flank and has proven his quality both domestically and in the Champions League.
He has netted seven goals in 12 league games so far this season and a further three in Europe — impressing in a tough group also featuring Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Celtic.
Mudryk’s ability to operate on the left of Arsenal’s attacking trident within their 4-3-3 could enable Gabriel Martinelli to shift to a more central role to replace his compatriot Jesus, though utilising Eddie Nketiah is another option.
Come and get me
Speaking last month, Mudryk made it clear that he would be open to joining Arsenal.
He said: “Shakhtar, for me, is my home. All my thoughts are only about Shakhtar. In winter, we [will] see.
“I think every guy dreams about [playing in the] Premier League. Arsenal is a very good team. Very good coach. I like the way they play.
“From my side, I cannot say no [to Arsenal]. But a transfer is not only my decision.”
Mykhaylo Mudryk impressed for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League
Mikel’s main man
It seems more likely than not that Arteta will land his man.
Shakhtar have publicly put a price tag of £88million on the winger’s head — double what they quoted last summer when Everton and Nice fell short with bids.
But reports suggest that, when push comes to shove, the Ukrainian side will lower their asking price and sanction a move for a fee closer to £53m.
The Arsenal board appear to recognise the opportunity they have before them — a first Premier League title since 2004 — but the Gunners cannot afford to lose focus with West Ham and Brighton up first before the transfer window opens.
Former England striker Gabby Agbonlahor claims that Eddie Nketiah must now prove that he deserves his new contract in order to take Gabriel Jesus’ place when domestic play begins.
The Brazilian player for the Gunners will be sidelined for a number of weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee as a result of an injury sustained during Brazil’s World Cup group stage encounter against Cameroon.
Nketiah has struggled to hit top form for Arsenal, making 12 league appearances and is yet to find the back of the net.
“Eddie Nketiah has got to step up now. He’s getting paid £100,000-a-week. He’s got to repay that faith by banging in the goals until Jesus is back,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.
“Arsenal shouldn’t have given him that money if he wasn’t good enough to step up and be their main striker if needed.
Nketiah has made 19 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal this season, scored three goals and provided one assists.
Vivianne Miedema feels “gutted” to have ruptured her ACL after lightning struck twice for Arsenal, with the Netherlands striker suffering the same cruel knee injury as her partner Beth Mead.
Arsenal and Miedema confirmed the striker’s setback on Monday, with the club saying the WSL’s all-time record goalscorer faces an “extended” lay-off, just like Mead who sustained the same blow in November.
Both could now miss the Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July and August next year.
Miedema appears to have counted herself out of the reckoning for that tournament, four days after the injury occurred in a European clash with Lyon.
She said: “It was one of those moments, where I knew straight away. So many things going through your head: I won’t be able to help my team anymore this season, no World Cup, surgery and rehab for a long time.”
She expects “plenty of difficult days” and said there had already been tears.
Lightning struck twice for Arsenal, with the Netherlands striker suffering the same terrible knee injury as her partner Beth Mead. Vivianne Miedema feels “gutted” to have torn her ACL.
The WSL’s all-time leading scorer, according to Arsenal and Miedema, will be out for a “extended” period of time, just like Mead, who suffered the same injury in November, according to the club.
Both may now be unable to attend the Women’s World Cup, which will be held in July and August of 2019 in Australia and New Zealand.
Four days after the injury in a European match with Lyon, Miedema seems to have written herself off for that competition.
She said: “It was one of those moments, where I knew straight away. So many things going through your head: I won’t be able to help my team anymore this season, no World Cup, surgery and rehab for a long time.”
She expects “plenty of difficult days” and said there had already been tears.
The anterior cruciate ligament injury is one that requires surgery and a long recovery period, and Arsenal’s hopes in this season’s Women’s Super League and Women’s Champions League have taken a fresh hit with the loss of Miedema so soon after Mead’s setback.
Mead posted a message of support to her 26-year-old girlfriend and team-mate, saying: “STRONGER TOGETHER! I was given sympathy for 3 weeks and now she has to go get some of her own but we got this, YOU got this.”
England international Mead joked that there would be “two new signings incoming”, but the jollity masks a bitter reality for Arsenal, both players, and their national teams.
Arsenal said in a statement: “We can confirm that Vivianne Miedema suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during our UEFA Women’s Champions League match against Lyon at Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
“Viv will undergo surgery in the coming days and will unfortunately be ruled out for an extended period of time. A more detailed timescale will be established once the operation is complete.
“Everyone at Arsenal wishes Viv well in her recovery and will be providing her with all the support she needs to return to action as soon as possible.”
With Gabriel Jesus apparently out for three months following knee surgery, Mikel Arteta said Arsenal would “look at the options.”
After suffering the injury during the Selecao’s World Cup match against Cameroon in Group G, the Brazilian forward was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Unconfirmed rumors from Brazil claim Jesus will miss three months of action, but Premier League leaders Arsenal confirmed on Tuesday that Jesus had begun his rehabilitation program.
The 25-year-old has been crucial to the Gunners’ successful start to the season, which has seen them lead the league after 14 games by five points.
Only Martin Odegaard of Arsenal has scored more goals than Jesus’ five, while only Bukayo Saka and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City have recorded more assists in the English top division than Jesus’ five.
Arteta indicated the team is looking into options for how to respond to the setback in the most positive way as the January transfer window draws near.
“What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much,” the Spaniard said. “So what we can do after that, when we know the timescale [of his recovery] and when we can have him back, we will look at the options and try to make the right decision.
“I feel like my squad is really good. Unfortunately, we’ve had injuries, and we will try to see what we can do to be strong. We have players, we have a lot of accompanying players.
“[The question is] do we have the players that can give us the performances and the consistency that we need to maintain and improve from where we are?”
Arsenal resume their title tilt with a home clash against West Ham on December 26, having won six from six at Emirates Stadium in the league this term.
Granit Xhaka acknowledges that the loss of Gabriel Jesus to injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, but he is sure that the Gunners can compete without him and has lent his backing to Eddie Nketiah, who is expected to fill in for him.
Jesus sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup loss to Cameroon, forcing him to miss the rest of the competition and requiring surgery, with a two- to three-month recovery time anticipated.
It deals Mikel Arteta a severe blow before the Gunners resume their Premier League championship defense on Boxing Day. The former Manchester City forward has rapidly become a crucial part of the team.
Jesus faces a lengthy absence, but Xhaka thinks it’s a “minor injury” he can handle and has promised to help his colleague get better.
“I spoke with him straight after the Cameroon game. We have the contact between each other, with all the players we have here in the World Cup,” he told reporters.
“It’s a shame because you saw in the first round of the Premier League how important he is for us. I don’t know how big the injury is, maybe two or three months, I think.
“But he is a strong guy. It’s a small injury for him I think, and we will support him. He knows that we are behind him and hopefully we can get him back as quick as possible.”
Arsenal may choose to use Nketiah to lead the line if Jesus is injured.
Nketiah has made 12 Premier League substitute appearances so far this season without scoring, but he had a good finish to the last campaign, earning a new deal after tallying five goals in the final seven games of the top division.
Xhaka is excited to support Nketiah, 23, in the coming months because he thinks the 23-year-old has what it takes to fill the gap in the Gunners’ attack.
“We have the option with Eddie, of course. He showed great games as well in the past and we need to support Gabi first,” he added.
“We need to support Eddie as well, because he will be a big, big part of the next two or three months.
“But I am looking forward because we have the quality to bring Eddie there and to help him.”
Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day with a London derby against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal and Manchester City will now play on February 15, 2023, in the Premier League.
On October 19, the two clubs were scheduled to square off in a key game as both squads were engaged in an early-season title fight.
However, the match had to be moved to make room for the Arsenal’s Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven, which had been postponed following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The team led by Mikel Arteta is looking to maintain their lead going into their match as a result of the club’s confirmation of a new date.
“Our home Premier League clash with Manchester City has been rearranged for Wednesday, February 15,” read a club statement.
“The game was previously arranged for October 19 but was postponed to allow us to fulfil our Europa League commitments.”
Our home @premierleague fixture with Manchester City has been rearranged 👇
The title race between Arsenal and City this year has produced an intriguing picture of the two teams, especially since Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s assistant before returning to north London, has raided his old squad for fresh players.
The Gunners have added two players who have been among their top performers this season in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who will help them face difficulties both at home and in Europe.
Edu has earned a promotion at Arsenal with the Gunners announcing their former midfielder has become the club’s first ever sporting director.
The Brazilian played for Arsenal between 2001 and 2005, making 29 league appearances in their 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ season, before taking over as the Gunners’ technical director in 2019.
His time in that role has seen him work with manager Mikel Arteta to improve Arsenal’s standing in the Premier League, as their young side head into the World Cup break with a five-point lead at the top of the table.
That success earned Edu a new role, as he takes on responsibility for the academy alongside his existing duties.
In a statement, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said: “We are delighted that Edu is recommitting his future to the Club that he so clearly loves, after making such a positive and critical contribution to our progress in his time with us so far.
“Edu’s promotion formalises his already growing influence over our Academy operations.”
Edu himself added: “I’m delighted to have this new role which I see as an evolution and consolidation of the way we’ve been working.
“I look forward to building on the hard work of so many people and helping all of us grow together and enjoy more success, and am thankful for the trust the club has put in me. We move forward together.”
We are delighted to announce that Edu Gaspar has been appointed as our first-ever Sporting Director.
Any club looking to snatch Mykhaylo Mudryk will have to splash at least £87million, Shakhtar Donetsk’s director of football Dario Srna has said.
The Ukraineinternational has courted the attention of Europe’s elite with spectacular performances in the Champions League, where he scored three goals and contributed two assists in six appearances.
Earlier this week, Mudryk revealed he follows Arsenal closely, amid continued speculation the Premier League leaders are looking to launch a move for his services when the market reopens in the new year.
Mudryk’s services will not come cheaply, though, with Srna arguing the transfers of Antony and Jadon Sancho to Manchester United, and Jack Grealish to Manchester City, have set the bar.
“If somebody wants to buy Mudryk, they must pay huge, huge, huge money. Otherwise, the president of the club [Rinat Akhmetov[} will not sell him,” he told The Athletic.
“All the clubs must respect the president, respect Shakhtar and in the end they must respect Mykhaylo Mudryk, who is one of the best players I have seen. The price is so big.
“The market is deciding the price, not me. Antony, Grealish, they are players of more than €100m and for me, Mudryk does not have less quality than them.
“This is the last two transfers in the past year, in more or less the same positions. Sancho from Borussia Dortmund also. We just want respect. The market is deciding the price, not me – it shows which kind of players cost this kind of money.”
Shakhtar’s chief executive Sergei Palkin confirmed Mudryk is attracting plenty of interest ahead of the January transfer window, claiming that new suitors emerge on a weekly basis.
“Every week, some club appears and starts to feel [where we are]. They’re not coming and saying ‘OK, take 50 million and give me Mudryk’. They understand the story behind him, and they understand that he is quite an expensive player,” Palkin explained.
“But they start to feel our club, what our strategy is, what we should do. In any case, the time will arrive. Definitely, it will arrive and a big club will give us €100m.
“Mudryk is a talent in a process. What he is showing today, it’s just 60 per cent of what he can do in the future. And when you multiply this, you realise he costs much, much more. Therefore, we believe that in the future he can cost definitely around €100m.”
Arsenal will take a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table into the World Cup break after a Martin Odegaard brace secured a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday.
Odegaard broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half before the Arsenal captain added a second in the 75th minute to give his side their 12th win in 14 league games to start to the season.
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They now have a healthy cushion over second-placed Manchester City, after the champions suffered a shock 2-1 loss at home to Brentford earlier in the day.
It means Arsenal will be top of the table on Christmas Day for the first time since the 2007-08 season as they chase their first title since the undefeated Invincibles season of 2003-04. Ten of the last 13 teams to be top at Christmas have gone on to win the title.
“We have to stay calm. We’ve said many times it’s a long way to the end of the season, there are some good teams around us, we’ll play every game as a final,” Odegaard said.
Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s top scorer this season after his two goals against Wolves. Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images
In a battle of top against bottom, Arsenal were made to work hard for all three points against a well-organized Wolves side playing in front of new manager Julen Lopetegui, who will officially take charge on Monday.
But the former Sevilla, Real Madrid and Spain coach will take the reins with his new team four points from safety after their eighth defeat from 15 matches.
Caretaker manager Steve Davis said he was happy with Wolves’ first-half game plan in soaking up pressure then launching counter-attacks.
“In the second half we conceded two goals. Other than that, fantastic,” he added. “He [Lopetegui] watched tonight and has probably been pleased with a lot of aspects.”
The game began worryingly for Arsenal when Granit Xhaka, set to be part of Switzerland’s squad at the World Cup, went down in discomfort in just the second minute. While the midfielder elected to play on, he lasted only until the 16th minute before being replaced by Fabio Vieira.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the game that Xhaka was suffering from a stomach illness, seemingly easing any fears about his participation in Qatar.
After a quiet first half that failed to produce an effort on target for either team, the substitute would go on to play a major role in breaking Wolves’ resistance.
At the end of a well-worked move, Vieira ran onto a pass slipped down the side of the Wolves defense from Gabriel Jesus. The Portuguese midfielder did well to take out Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa with a chipped ball across the face of goal that left Odegaard with a simple tap-in to an unguarded net.
Against a Wolves side that offered precious little attacking threat and had managed just eight Premier League goals all season, the opening goal was always going to be crucial. And when Odegaard pounced to grab his second, and sixth league goal of the campaign, the match was effectively over as a contest.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was instrumental, driving to the byline before firing in a dangerous cut back that found its way to Gabriel Martinelli via a deflection. Sa did well to block the Brazilian’s shot with his legs but could do nothing as Odegaard lashed home the rebound.
“We know the quality we have, we know we are going to create chances, we had to be patient, but it came good,” Odegaard added.
“We played a bit slow in the first half. They defended well, with all the players behind the ball. I think we did better the second half, we played the ball out wide and created some overload, and we got the goals, so I think it worked.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hailed the performance from his squad in the first half of the season and opened the door for new recruits in the January window.
The Gunners head into Saturday’s clash with Wolves, the final game before the World Cup, top of the Premier League and a tally of 34 points at this stage of the season has only once not resulted in title triumph at the end of the campaign (Newcastle United 1996-97).
Arteta’s side have already exceeded early expectations this season, with a top-four challenge being the objective, but a lack of depth within the squad could be problematic as the season progresses.
Arsenal have been linked with major moves when the market reopens, with reports suggesting a bid in excess of £50million has been made for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhalo Mudryk, while interest in Orlando City’s Facundo Torres and Palmeiras’ Danilo is also rumoured.
While Arteta did not delve into specifics, he confirmed activity in the market is on the agenda.
“Some of the players and the experience they have is not the biggest, but we have competed in an impressive way up to now with the numbers we have,” he said on Friday.
“Of course, we can improve the team, we will always be looking to do that as a club. This window is unpredictable, especially with the World Cup in the middle. We will have a look and will try to make the squad stronger.
“We will be active because you don’t know what will happen in the World Cup, touch wood, everyone will be ok.”
10.3 – Kalvin Phillips has recovered possession an average of 10.3 times per 90 in the Premier League since the start of last season; the most of any player to have played at least 500 minutes in this period. Coverage. #ThreeLionspic.twitter.com/e0DFUCNLGU
Arsenal have not been afraid to splash the cash under Arteta and [technical director] Edu, having forked out a reported £80m to sign Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White, and the Gunners boss was asked whether the inclusion of the pair in England’s World Cup squad proves they made the right decision.
“We pick the players that we believe have the qualities and personalities to be helpful and successful at our club,” he added.
“If they are valuable to the national team as well, in this case England, then it is much better.”
The Gunners have a number of players set to compete at the World Cup, including Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu, with Arteta predicting glory for one of his squad.
“One of my players will win the World Cup, I hope so,” said the Spaniard.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has assured fans that he will pick “a very competitive team” for his side’s EFL Cup fixture against Brighton today.
The Gunners are enjoying a spectacular start to the Premier League season, with 11 wins, one draw and one loss from their opening 13 games.
Their success has translated to European competition as well, boasting five wins from their six Europa League group stage matches to sit atop Group A.
With a congested schedule and the World Cup right around the corner, Arteta could be forgiven for using the EFL Cup as a chance to rotate his squad and give his big names some rest, but he told the media that winning is the priority.
“It is a different competition, but the purpose is the same,” he said. “To play as good as we can, win the game and go into the next round.
“You know there are no second chances and we’ll take it very seriously. We’re going to pick a very competitive team.
“I think everyone deserves chances, and we’ll make some changes with judgement in relation to the load of the players, but we’ll play to win.
“The ones that haven’t played want to have their chance, and feel that they are contributing to the team. The positive thing is that everybody has played games and everyone has been important.
“We have two games to go, and the focus has to be there because we know that afterwards we have a big break.”
🤩 Derby day scenes
🔊 That noise from the crowd
❤️ Pure passion from the boss
Relive Sunday’s win over Chelsea with @m8arteta on the touchline ✊
While he claims it will be business as usual against Brighton, Arteta pointed out that heavy rotation of his squad has been their new normal this season, and he sees it as an advantage.
“I think we had a really good pre-season and we put the boys in a really good condition to face this fixture congestion,” he said. “They have responded extremely well, especially the way we play which is really intense.
“I think we are the team in Europe who has rotated the most, and obviously that has its benefits as well. When you are winning, the energy is better and the mood is better, but the preparation is a bit easier, so overall I think they have coped with it really well.
“When they have been used, they have performed really well. For periods in games in the Premier League and when they have started games in the Europa League and the Premier League, I think they have been really consistent.
“It’s a joy of a group to work with because they’re really at it every day.”
Partey received 75 touches, completed 52 of 56 passes that were attempted, made all six of his long balls, won five of six ground battles, and made 13 recoveries.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has called on Arsenal to aim higher than a spot in the Premier League’s top four, saying the Gunners’ fans deserve to see them challenge champions Manchester City.
Arsenal hold a two-point lead over City at the Premier League summit following their 1-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday – their third successive victory in meetings with ‘big six’ rivals.
Zinchenko collected four Premier League medals before swapping City for Arsenal in July, and wants the Gunners to adopt the mentality of title contenders.
“It starts in the dressing room and it’s on the pitch as well,” Zinchenko said following the win at Stamford Bridge.
“We are trying to push each other, we are trying to help each other. I think this is the right way to do it.
“We have a dream, we believe that we can achieve something this season. Let’s see what is going to happen.
“I can feel that this group of people, they are special. Starting from our staff and then all the people on our training ground, our fans, we believe in ourselves, every single game.
“I got used to hearing that Arsenal were top four. I would say that I really want to kill and destroy this stereotype.
“We need to look further, and I think this team, this group of people, the fans, they deserve more. That’s what we need to do. We need hard work in this and let’s see at the end of season.
“You ask me if we can challenge Manchester City. Of course, they are an amazing team, but you never know what can happen in football. We need to go step by step with every single game.”
Arsenal’s return of 34 points from their first 13 games is their highest tally at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
It is one point more than Arsene Wenger’s famous Invincibles team had managed at the same stage of the 2003-04 season.
Mikel Arteta has described Arsenal as “phenomenal” after they returned to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 derby win at Chelsea.
Gabriel Magalhaes capitalised on poor Blues defending to score the only goal of the game in the second half, tapping in a Bukayo Saka corner that evaded everyone and gifted the defender a chance he could not miss.
Chelsea did not pose a threat as their 12-match unbeaten home run came to an end, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starved of service in his first match against his former club before he was hauled off in the second half.
Arsenal comfortably saw out a third consecutive win at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1974, moving two points clear of Manchester City at the summit.
Gunners head coach Arteta expects another outstanding display to give his players even more belief that they can last the pace in the title race.
He told BT Sport: “We wanted to get back to the top, but the competition is so difficult in this league. The challenge for us was to come to this stage and play against a top team to perform and win the game and the boys did that.”
Asked what impressed him the most, the Spaniard replied: “I think for such a young team the maturity they showed, the composure, the resilience and the courage to play the way we wanted to play it was phenomenal. It’s easy to say it before the game but to do it against these opponents it’s a different story.
“Winning against these opponents in this stadium I think is another step for these players to keep believing that they can do it under pressure against big opponents and we have to enjoy it.”
Gabriel Jesus headed wide from close range when he was presented with a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the first half and is now without a goal in nine games.
But Arteta felt the Brazil striker gave another demonstration of how to lead from the front.
He said: “The energy that he transmits to the team is just phenomenal, that to me is his biggest quality. His all-round play I think it was phenomenal how he competes, how he holds the ball, the movement, the anxiety and uncertainty he gives opponents.
“It is something that has taken us to a different level, we’ve said that from the beginning. He’s done it again and while he didn’t score, I thought he was outstanding.”
Mikel Arteta insists he is “extremely happy and proud” to lead Arsenal despite reports linking him with Barcelona as he praised Xavi’s “phenomenal” work at Camp Nou.
Arsenal have won 10 of their 12 Premier League games this season to lead Manchester City by two points at the summit, and they will top their Europa League group if they beat Zurich on Thursday.
The Gunners’ excellent form has seen Arteta linked with a move to Barcelona, where Xavi is facing mounting pressure after failing to lead the Blaugrana to the Champions League’s last 16.
However, Arteta remains fully focused on his current role, saying: “What I can say is I am extremely proud and happy to be where I am now. I think Barcelona are on a really good path now.
“I think they have a phenomenal coach, a coach who has been an absolute legend at that club and has lifted the whole place, and you have to be very respectful of that.”
Despite Arsenal’s strong results, some onlookers have expressed worries about the form of Gabriel Jesus, who has not scored since a 3-1 derby win over Tottenham at the start of last month.
However, Jesus claimed two assists in Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest, as well as playing a key role in the first of Reiss Nelson’s two goals, and Arteta sees no cause for concern.
“If he makes three assists in a game, I don’t think he has to make many adjustments,” Arteta said. “I will be really happy if he is able to do that every game.”
Arsenal fans took to social media to praise Thomas Partey and proclaim him as the best defensive midfielder in the English Premier League after the Ghanaian’s super performance against Nottingham Forest.
The Black Stars midfielder was at his beastly best as struggling Nottingham Forest who beat Liverpool couldn’t stand the fire bathe at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
Thomas Partey lasted the entire duration of the game and scored as Arsenal cruised to a comfortable 5-0 victory over their opponent on matchday 13 of the ongoing 2022/2023 Ghana Premier League.
The performance pleased Arsenal fans who took to Twitter to hail Thomas Partey who is now on top of his game after making the switch from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2020.
Former Arsenal defender, Bacary Sagna, and Nigerian musician, Patoranking led the celebrations as Thomas Partey dominated the trend after Arsenal’s win over Nottingham Forest.
Below are some of the reactions of Arsenal fans praising Thomas Partey for his performance against Nottingham Forest.
Omg !!!!! Partey’s goal…????????✨✨ some deja vu .. @ReissNelson9 impacting the game perfectly
— Bacary Sagna (@Sagnaofficial) October 30, 2022
Partey ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WO7HSKdcf0
— PATORANKING (@patorankingfire) October 30, 2022
Thomas Partey is making this kind of goal a trademark, same against Spurs
— Lατιf???? (@iLatif_) October 30, 2022
We just need Thomas Partey to be fit this season. We’ve not had such a good Defensive Midfielder since Viera.
Arsenal should protect him at all cost. pic.twitter.com/SSxs8zlAbT
— Timoh_P ???????????????? (@timothyminyori) October 31, 2022
Thomas Partey is the best dm in the Premier League and there’s no doubt about it. Put some respect on his name pic.twitter.com/RB21xlbGcM
— Arteta’s Arsenal (@joe_samm1) October 30, 2022
Great weekend for Ghanaian players abroad; Partey scored a stunner, Joseph Paintsil keeps scoring, Baba Iddrisu with an MVP performance, Inaki scored the winner against Villarreal and the list goes on…..
— Bright Kankam Boadu (@TheOnlyBKB) October 30, 2022
Big fan on Mohamed El-Neny tagging Thomas Partey on his Facebook post of his goal against Barcelona ???? pic.twitter.com/wgVfyxw4ds
— Arsenal FC Lovers (@afclovers_) October 30, 2022
Thomas Partey is DAMN PIVOTAL. What a Baller ???????? https://t.co/WAQFT58Coz
— MAŊTSƐ † (@kw3_kaalu) October 31, 2022
— Bortey ???????? (@joelbortey) October 30, 2022
ARSENAL 5 – 0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Little better or sweeter for Ghanaians than seeing Thomas Partey performing and scoring like he did today! World Cup is next month and we pray all Black Stars remain injury free and hit form when it matters! pic.twitter.com/uSjFvgq1DD
— herbert mensah (@t1t2men) October 30, 2022
Partey’s goal from this angle is ridiculous
pic.twitter.com/HpCq0yIuDy
Arsenalreturned to the top of the Premier League in style as forgotten man Reiss Nelson came off the bench for the injured Bukayo Saka to score a brace in a 5-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
England forward Saka seemed to take a knock in the opening minute but still teed up Gabriel Martinelli to break the deadlock, later limping off to be replaced by Nelson, who scored twice in three minutes before assisting Thomas Partey as captain Martin Odegaard wrapped up the win.
Nelson had not scored a Premier League goal in 837 days since getting on the scoresheet in a win over Liverpool, but it was an impact that settled the home crowd after Arsenal had earlier failed to build on a strong start.
After losing to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday night, Mikel Arteta somewhat surprisingly reverted back to the starting XI that was held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton a week ago.
Some of his players seemed to tire in that game, but here they put to the sword a Forest side showing just one change from their shock 1-0 win over Liverpool.
Arsenal made the most of a lively opening as Martinelli stooped to head in a pinpoint Saka cross after five minutes.
The Arsenal players celebrated by holding up a shirt with Pablo Mari’s name and number on the back after the defender — currently on loan at Monza — was stabbed in a Milan supermarket last week.
Arsenal were well on top and came so close to a second, only for Renan Lodi to clear Martinelli’s effort off the line.
But the Gunners were not having everything their own way. Saka had taken a knock early on and having tried to play on, was forced off before the half-hour mark as Nelson replaced him.
The change seemed to give Forest fresh impetus as they enjoyed a couple of rare forays into the Arsenal half and almost levelled as Gabriel Magalhaes gifted possession to Jesse Lingard, whose shot was bravely blocked.
The game changed after the break, with Nelson taking centre-stage on his first Premier League appearance since the opening-day defeat at Brentford last season.
He doubled the lead with a finish high into Dean Henderson’s net after the England goalkeeper had done well to keep out Nelson’s initial effort.
The points were secured just three minutes later. Nelson scored again as he turned home Gabriel Jesus’ cross before laying a pass into the path of Partey, who finished superbly from outside the box to make it four.
Arteta took his opportunity to rest a number of other key personnel as William Saliba, Granit Xhaka and Martinelli were all replaced before Odegaard latched onto a Jesus pass to score the fifth.
That proved to be the last of the goals, with Arteta probably as happy at keeping a first home Premier League clean sheet since March as he was at the clinical display at the other end of the pitch.
Pablo Mari says he and his family are “fine” and the on-loan Monza defender expressed his gratitude for the support he has received after being stabbed on Thursday.
The Spaniard, who joined Monza from Arsenal on a season-long deal in August, is expected to be out of action for at least two months after undergoing back surgery following the horrific attack in a supermarket near Milan.
One person died and a suspect was arrested after being disarmed, with former Napoli footballer Massimo Tarantino named as being among those who stopped the assault.
Mari stated on Friday that he felt lucky to be alive before posting a picture of himself and his wife giving the thumbs up in hospital on Instagram.
The 29-year-old wrote: “After the hard moment we experienced yesterday, both my family and I want to communicate that fortunately we are all fine despite the circumstances.
“We want to thank all the messages of support and affection that we are receiving.
“In addition, we want to send our condolences and all our strength to the family and friends of the deceased person, and we sincerely wish that all injured people recover as soon as possible.”
After being stabbed and witnessing “a person die in front of me” in an Italian supermarket, Arsenal’s Pablo Mar said he felt “lucky” to have avoided life-threatening injuries.
Mar underwent surgery at Milan’s Niguarda hospital to reconstruct two injured muscles in his back.
A 47-year-old supermarket employee was killed in Thursday’s attack in Milan, according to Italy’s Carabinieri police.
Another employee was left injured along with four customers, including Marí.
The 29-year-old, who is on loan at Monza from Arsenal, had been walking around the supermarket with his wife and son when he was stabbed in the back, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.
“After the hard moment we experienced yesterday, both my family and I want to communicate that fortunately, we are all fine despite the circumstances,” Mari wrote on Twitter on Friday afternoon, alongside a picture from his hospital bed.
“We want to thank all the messages of support and affection that we are receiving.
“In addition, we want to send our condolences and all our strength to the family and friends of the deceased person, and we sincerely wish that all injured people recover as soon as possible.”
Después del duro momento que vivimos ayer, tanto mi familia como yo queremos comunicar que afortunadamente estamos todos bien a pesar de las circunstancias, y agradecer todos los mensajes de apoyo y cariño que estamos recibiendo. pic.twitter.com/8NywRczNS8
Monza said Marí’s surgery went well, adding that he will remain in the hospital for two or three days before startingthe rehabilitation process.
“This type of muscle injury usually requires two months of rest before one can resume physical activities,” the club said.
Italian outlet Corriere della Sera reported that former Napoli player Massimo Tarantino was among those who immobilised and disarmed the attacker before police arrived.
“I’m not a hero. I didn’t do anything special,” said 51-year-old Tarantino.
Monza chief executive Adriano Galliani said the club have asked the Italian football league to postpone Monday’s Serie A match at home to Bologna scheduled for Monday because the team is “in a total state of shock”.
“I’m happy with the outcome of the surgery, but we asked to postpone the next league game,” Galliani told Gazzetta.
“Last night our players were crying. The boys are in shock. We do not know if our request will be accepted or not.”
Marí joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Flamengo in January 2020 and played 19 times for the Gunners before joining Udinese on loan at the start of the year.
One person has died and at least five others have been injured – some seriously – in a stabbing in a supermarket near the Italian city of Milan, police have said.
Local media reported that a 30-year-old supermarket cashier died after a man started attacking people in Assago.
Among the injured was Pablo Marí, a football player on loan from Arsenal.
A 46-year-old suspect has been detained. Police have ruled out any terrorist motive.
Reports say the attacker has had mental health problems and had grabbed the weapon from the supermarket shelves.
The man started stabbing people at random at about 18:30 local time (16:30 GMT) at a Carrefour in a local shopping centre.
Screams were reportedly heard inside the centre, as terrified visitors tried to flee in panic.
The attacker is reported to have been detained by several customers and handed over to police who arrived at the scene.
IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS
Image caption, Pablo Marí joined Monza on loan in August
Marí, a 29-year-old Spanish defender, suffered a stab wound to the back – but his injuries are not life-threatening. His agent, Arturo Canales, told the BBC that the star was conscious and no vital organs had been affected.
Monza CEO Adriano Galliani told Sky Italia that Marí had been shopping with his wife and young son when the attack took place.
“He had his son in a trolley and his wife next to him. He didn’t notice anything. He then felt something painful in his back, which was the criminal’s knife,” Mr Galliani said.
“Unfortunately, he also saw the criminal stab someone in the throat. He saw everything that happened and it was deeply disturbing,” Galliani added.
While the executive said the defender had suffered a “fairly deep wound on his back”, he said his life was not in danger and that he “should recover quickly”.
Marí joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Flamengo in January 2020. He has only played 19 times for the Gunners and is currently on loan with top flight Italian club Monza.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “I just found out. I know Edu [Arsenal technical director] has been in touch with his relatives. He’s in hospital but he seems to be okay.”
Arsenalmissed the chance to seal top spot in Group A with a game to spare as Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong helped PSV to a 2-0 Europa League win over the Gunners at the Philips Stadion.
Lively duo Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons both had first-half goals disallowed as Arsenal struggled, but PSV finally hit the front when Veerman picked out the top-right corner after the break.
De Jong was outstanding following his half-time introduction, and he got himself on the scoresheet by beating Aaron Ramsdale to a corner delivery as Arsenal crumbled.
The result saw PSV seal their own place in the knockout stage, also keeping alive their chances of usurping Arsenal for top spot.
23 – Luuk de Jong scored 23 European goals for PSV and FC Twente, with only one player finding the net more often for Dutch sides in European competition in the 21st century. Marksman. pic.twitter.com/nGoA185wES
Arsenal were warned of PSV’s intentions when Gakpo lifted a cool finish over Ramsdale 18 minutes in, only to be denied by the offside flag.
The uninspired Gunners required another reprieve as half-time approached.
Simons somehow squirmed through several challenges before prodding past Ramsdale, but a VAR review spotted an offside in the build-up to halt the hosts’ celebrations.
However, Arsenal’s luck finally ran out nine minutes after the restart, when Veerman took advantage of De Jong’s excellent hold-up play to fire home left-footed.
Mikel Arteta’s men struggled to cope with De Jong throughout the second half, and he made sure of the points when he beat Ramsdale to Gakpo’s corner with a firm header shortly after the hour mark.
Gakpo saw another goal chalked off for offside and De Jong went close with two more headers, but PSV still cruised to victory.
What does it mean? Gunners get reality check
Arsenal’s scintillating start to the season has led to suggestions Arteta’s men could launch a genuine Premier League title bid, while they also entered Thursday’s match looking to defend a perfect record in Europe this term.
Arteta has repeatedly spoken of the importance of topping Group A in order to avoid extra knockout fixtures in the new year, but the Gunners’ hopes of doing so were dealt a serious blow by a brilliant PSV display.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team managed just four shots against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last week – their lowest tally in all competitions since November 2016, but they looked a side transformed on home soil as they dealt the Gunners a deserved defeat.
De Jong plays super sub role
PSV did see two goals ruled out before the break, but the sum of their lively performance amounted to just two shots, and one on target, prior to De Jong’s introduction as a half-time substitute.
The former Barcelona striker was in inspired form after entering the fray, however, teeing up the opener before netting a trademark header.
The striker’s goal was his 23rd in European competition while playing for an Eredivisie team, a tally only bettered by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (24) in the 21st century.
Gakpo in shop window
Gakpo has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for the likes of Manchester United following his fine performances in recent months, and the 23-year-old’s pace and trickery was on full display here.
As well as registering his second assist in the Europa League this season, Gakpo created a team-high three chances during an electrifying display.
What’s next?
Arsenal host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday before facing Zurich in their final Europa League group game next Thursday. The Gunners will need to win that match to be sure of top spot, with PSV bidding to overtake them when they visit Bodo/Glimt.
The Football Association (FA) is to take no disciplinary action after investigating a comment alleged to have been made by a player in the Premier League match between Arsenaland Liverpool.
A complaint was made regarding an exchange between two players in Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Emirates Stadium on October 9.
However, following the conclusion of a “full and thorough investigation” – in which the accused player “strenuously denied the allegation throughout” – the FA announced on Wednesday the matter had been closed.
The FA added in a statement: “Whilst The FA is entirely satisfied that the allegation was made in good faith, it is equally satisfied that there is no case to answer.”
It explained: “The investigation included taking witness statements from the complainant and accused, along with an additional six players who were within proximity of the alleged incident, reviewing multiple angles of video footage, and seeking independent linguistics experts evidence.
“None of the witnesses heard the alleged comment, and the player accused strenuously denied the allegation throughout.”
The statement added: “The FA continues to take all allegations received extremely seriously and would encourage anyone who believes that they have been the subject of or witness to abuse to report this through the appropriate channels.
“The FA receives a number of complaints in any one season and thoroughly investigates each one that it receives. Following consideration of all of the evidence received, not all cases will result in a charge being issued.”
Following an investigation into an allegation received by The FA in the Premier League fixture between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC on Sunday 9 October 2022, The FA can confirm that it will not be taking any disciplinary action.
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