Ben White is lucky to have worked with Marcelo Bielsa and Mikel Arteta., two great managers who have played an important role in his career.

He worked with Bielsa when he played for Leeds United and has been under Arteta since he moved to Arsenal.

White came to the Emirates as a centre-back, but the outstanding partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes means he has been forced to play as a right-back.

He is doing well in that role at Arsenal and has been one of the finest players in his position in the league, even though he is not as technical as most fullbacks are.

The defender was asked about the most demanding of both managers he has worked with and said to The Guardian:

Martin Odegaard showcased outstanding form as Arsenal secured victory against Burnley this afternoon, earning praise from Ian Wright and numerous Arsenal supporters.

Odegaard has consistently been a stellar contributor to the Gunners’ success this season, exemplified by his role as the club’s captain.

In the match against Burnley, the Norwegian maestro once again controlled the midfield, posing significant challenges for Arsenal’s opponents throughout the game.

Burnley struggled to contain most Arsenal players, with Odegaard particularly standing out for his tactical acumen and his ability to provide essential service to his teammates, enabling them to continue posing a threat to their opponents.

Impressed by Odegaard’s performance, Wright couldn’t contain his admiration and took to Twitter to express his thoughts, stating: “Odegaard has been so good,” accompanied by five clapping hands emojis

Arsenal has emerged as one of the most in-form clubs in Europe this year, and the statistics behind their stunning run have been unveiled.

Under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal secured a resounding 5-0 victory against Burnley, marking another instance where they scored at least five goals in consecutive games. This second half of the season stands in stark contrast to the previous campaign, where they experienced a loss of momentum at this stage.

The impressive win against Burnley has propelled Arsenal to score an astounding 21 times in their last five matches. This goal-scoring spree is noteworthy for a team that faced struggles in front of the net in preceding seasons.

Journalist James Benge, closely monitoring Arsenal’s remarkable form tweeted after the Burnley victory:

“In their last five games, Arsenal have given up shots worth 1.7 expected goals.

Mikel Arteta has expressed his delight in working with his current group of players, highlighting their exceptional commitment and ability to secure victories consistently.

In the latter part of the previous season, Arsenal struggled, losing momentum in the title race, and their form suffered a significant dip, ultimately leading to them missing out on the title.

This season, the team has learned from those mistakes, demonstrating improvement at a crucial stage rather than seeing a decline in their performance levels. The players’ commitment has notably eased Arteta’s responsibilities, and he is impressed by their conduct in games, acknowledging how they make his role as their coach more manageable.

After the game, he was asked about Arsenal’s stunning start to 2024 and said to the BBC:

“Individually and collectively, the purpose they are playing with, the form the players are in, even at 3-0 4-0 they want more.

Bukayo Saka has notched a brace in each of his last two matches for Arsenal, and the forward expresses his hope to achieve a hat-trick soon. As a pivotal player for the Gunners, Saka has showcased significant development in becoming a more clinical player this season.

His two-goal performance in the victory against West Ham was followed by another brace against Burnley today. Saka’s growing reliability is evident, highlighting his potential to play a crucial role in Arsenal’s pursuit of success in the league or Champions League this term.

After the victory, the attacker told the Arsenal Media:

“I’m really pleased. 

“I’m enjoying my football, but obviously I need to keep focused. But yeah, of course I’m happy to score two, two weeks in a row and hopefully the third one will come soon.

Following Arsenal’s 5-0 victory against Burnley this afternoon, Kai Havertz disclosed that the team puts in significant effort to maintain their form. Despite challenges from Liverpool and Manchester City, Arsenal continues to destroy opponents, with Burnley being the latest victim.

Watching Arsenal play has become a source of joy, as the team consistently displays a stylish performance in all their league matches since the beginning of the year. While the fans relish their victories, Havertz emphasised that achieving such results requires a substantial amount of hard work behind the scenes.

The German told Premier League Productions:

“I think we are in a good moment. Won all of the games so far this year. It feels good but behind all of that was hard work. There are many more hard games to come, the next one’s on Wednesday in another competition. 

“We have to continue that hard work. We wanted to start the game very well, we lacked that a bit at West Ham. The early goal was very important for us. We scored another couple of good goals and we’re happy with the win.”

Chris Sutton was impressed with Arsenal’s win against Burnley this evening and praised them for keeping the Premier League title open.

Liverpool had defeated Brentford earlier in the day to move five points clear of Mikel Arteta’s men, and the Gunners needed to win to remain close to the top.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been fantastic in 2024 and were understandably confident ahead of the game.

They made another quick start by scoring inside the first four minutes to show their intent, and Burnley never recovered from going behind that early.

Arsenal showed yet again that they are a team that everyone should respect as they went on to score four more goals, and Sutton said on BBC live:

Arsenal secured a 5-0 win against Burnley this afternoon, staying two points behind Liverpool and keeping their title hopes alive. The Gunners had scored nine goals in their previous two games before the match against the Clarets and started the game with full intent. They took the lead just four minutes into the match, marking yet another fast start from the lads, who cannot be stopped at the moment.

Burnley continued to struggle and received more yellow cards than clear-cut chances before Arsenal doubled their lead through a Bukayo Saka penalty. It was the perfect first half for Mikel Arteta’s men, who went into the break having to do very little defending against Burnley.

Two minutes after the restart, starboy Saka extended Arsenal’s lead with a delicious strike into the top corner. Burnley’s main attacking threat was Datro Fofana, who posed problems for Gabriel and William Saliba on some occasions with his physicality and speed, but Burnley did not look like the hosts.

The Clarets soon conceded a fourth from a well-worked Arsenal move finished off by Leandro Trossard. Despite substituting Saka, Trossard, and Ben White, Arsenal continued to dominate, and Kai Havertz put the icing on the cake with a fifth for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Arsenal won yet another game on the road in emphatic fashion, making Liverpool and Manchester City aware that this will be a very tight title race.

Arsenal embarks on a journey to Burnley with the aim of securing three crucial points to sustain their title challenge. Mikel Arteta has unveiled the lineup he believes can clinch the victory.

𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎

Unchanged from last time out

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!! pic.twitter.com/6oo3HkXYdx

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 17, 2024

The divisive nature of football by Ben Dungate

More than ever, I am noticing the divisive nature of football and the effect it seems to have on ordinary people. The historical violence football has incited will long live in the memories of those that witnessed it first hand, or grew up during the era where barely a weekend went by where the news wasn’t filled with scenes of police battling with ‘fans’ in the street, with tear gas and Molotov cocktails passing in mid-air, both sides embroiled in a war neither partly really understood.

In today’s society, thankfully, outbreaks of this nature are very rare, at least in the West of Europe. However, despite the streets no longer being littered with the fall-out of such events, the seedy underbelly of fanatical football support still lives, only now it is mostly hidden away online in the comments sections of football forums and fan sites, where no one is safe even from their own fans. Dare to cast aspersions on a particular favourite and the metaphorical firebombs are instantly launched from all sides. Because in today’s ultra tolerant society, intolerance reigns supreme.

A differing opinion is met with scorn and sarcasm, and occasionally with a well-thought out erudite counter argument; but only very occasionally. Fans cannot and will not stand for a view that doesn’t align with their own and will die on a hill for their chosen one.

But it doesn’t need to be this way. What is wrong with considering how an opinion was arrived at before declaring it to the world? How about pausing before writing that reply – to really assess what you’re writing and why you’re writing it. By all means engage in polite debate with your fellow supporters, because when conducted appropriately and in the right manner fan forums are tremendous places where some truly insightful people share their deepest thoughts on the team, the players, and the game in general.

It’s matchday and Emirates will be bouncing! Arsenal Women v Manchester United WSL match kicks off at 12.30PM UK today, at a SOLD OUT Emirates Stadium.

A historic match for Arsenal Women – selling out the Emirates Stadium for the first time in their history – and a new WSL attendance record to boot!

Arsenal & Manchester United are as hungry as eachother, for the possible 3 WSL points up for grabs today, which should make for a magnificent game of football! I want to see our Gunners on fire today – I hope they come out with ALL GUNS BLAZING!

You can watch all the action live on SkySports Main Event or on the FA Player.

Here is Eidevall’s starting XI for this historic match:

Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged that a lot of people believe his Liverpool side could lose to Arsenal.

The Reds will visit the Emirates for the crucial fixture tomorrow, and it is a match that Arsenal cannot afford to lose.

While the Gunners historically struggled in matches against Liverpool, there has been a notable shift in recent times, evident in their draw against the Reds at Anfield in the reverse fixture. Additionally, Arsenal did not lose to Liverpool in the league last season and emerged victorious at home. The question now arises: can they repeat this feat?

The confidence in Arsenal’s potential is bolstered by their recent victory against Manchester City at the Emirates. Klopp is actively preparing his team to secure a win, aiming to maintain their comfortable position at the top of the league standings.

However, even the German knows winning will be tough and says, as quoted by The Sun:

Bukayo Saka is widely regarded as one of England’s beloved footballers, resonating with many for his commendable character and amiable demeanour. His significant contributions to both Arsenal and the England national team, coupled with consistently impressive performances on the pitch, have established him as a key player.

As Arsenal’s primary attacking force, Saka holds a pivotal role and is routinely among the first names on the team sheet for any game. Despite his positive attributes, Saka has encountered a disheartening trend of being subjected to boos from opposition fans, particularly in away matches.

This behaviour has elicited frustration from Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who finds it perplexing and unwarranted. Wright contends that the goodwill and exemplary character displayed by Saka merit admiration rather than derision.

Speaking on Wrighty’s House, he said: “Everywhere he goes. Everywhere he goes, it’s just horrible.

“He’s like one of the nicest people. I get upset about it.”

Arsenal legend David Seaman expresses confidence that the Gunners have the potential to make a significant statement with a noteworthy result when they face Liverpool this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s team currently trails behind Liverpool in the league table, and a victory for the Reds at the Emirates tomorrow could potentially diminish Arsenal’s aspirations for the title.

Despite a subpar conclusion to the year 2023, Arsenal has commenced the current year with two consecutive league victories, fostering optimism as they prepare to confront Liverpool.

Seaman backs Arsenal to produce a positive result in the forthcoming game, potentially reshaping the narrative surrounding their title aspirations.

He said, as quoted by Metro Sport:

Arsenal Women have confirmed that defender Jen Beattie has left the Gunners, and transferred to Bay FC in the San Francisco Bay area, California. Bay FC issued a press release on 2nd February 2024, confirming that Jen has signed. See full press release. Bay FC in the San Francisco Bay area’s new women’s professional soccer franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Beattie has signed a contract through to the 2025 season, with an option for the 2026 campaign.

Having spent over 8 years, across 2 different periods, with Arsenal Women, Jen will be sorely missed. 32-year-old centre-back, Beattie, first joined our Gunners in 2009, winning one league title, two FA Cups and two League Cups. She then had spells at Montpellier, Manchester City and Melbourne City. Jen returned to Arsenal Women in 2019 and has been an integral part of the club since then.

Jen successfully beat breast cancer in 2020 and was given the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. Jen was also awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List 2023, for services to football and charity.

Jen herself, issued an open letter to fans on Arsenal.com:

Gooners, I want to start by saying thank you. 

Tottenham defender Micky Van de Ven is one of the fastest defenders in the Premier League but believes that William Saliba is faster than him.

The Frenchman has been a rock in the Arsenal defence since last season and is considered a “Roll-Royce” with the way he plays.

Saliba has been so good that he has earned comparisons with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman is one of the best defenders in the world and has won all the club trophies at Liverpool apart from the Europa League.

Van de Ven has just moved to the Premier League and has been a superb signing for Tottenham this term.

Cesc Fabregas has issued a warning to Arsenal ahead of their match against Liverpool.

The Gunners host Liverpool tomorrow in a must-win game if they are serious about clinching the Premier League title.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been outside the top two since the end of last year after losing back-to-back matches.

The Gunners are facing Liverpool at a time when the Reds are in form and hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

It is a critical game for both clubs, and Fabregas believes Arsenal cannot afford to keep dropping points at this stage of the season.

Arsenal Women’s Australian international, Kyra Cooney-Cross, is destined for greatness, according to Vivianne Miedema. The 21-year-old moved to Arsenal last summer, from Swedish women’s club Hammarby. She has only appeared six times for Arsenal, totaling 290 minutes, in the 12 WSL games she may have played.

Most people who have watched Kyra on the ball, would agree that she has been fantastic; it’s just that she hasn’t had the chances, due to the huge talent & experience that is Arsenal Women’s midfield. The young midfielder is wonderful; the ball sticks to her feet like glue, and she is inventive. She is a joy to watch play for Arsenal and she was an utter joy to watch at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, in Australia.

Arsenal Women’s Dutch international star, Vivianne Miedema, who has recently returned to the pitch, after a long recovery from an ACL injury, has nothing but praise for the talented youngster. And coming from Miedema, who is the all-time top goal scorer in the WSL, as well as the all-time top goal scorer for the Netherlands, that is high praise indeed.

“If there’s someone who will tell her off, then it will be me,” Miedema said of Cooney-Cross, tongue in cheek.

“She’s a massive talent; she’s a raw diamond, I think, and the future is going to be amazing for her.” as per Optus Sport.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has reportedly committed his long-term future to Arsenal, with the official announcement expected upon his return from the Asian Cup.

Tomiyasu has proven to be a valuable player for Arsenal since joining the club, and the Japanese star has established himself as a reliable presence.

Impressed by his performances, Arsenal has chosen to reward him with a new contract, thereby extending his tenure at the club.

During the last transfer window, the Gunners received inquiries from several clubs for his signature, particularly from Serie A.

Having previously spent time at Bologna before his move to the Emirates, Tomiyasu attracted interest from the likes of Napoli and AC Milan, both keen on bringing him back to the Italian league.

Arsenal has received a positive development ahead of their upcoming match against Liverpool, with the possibility that Darwin Nunez might be unavailable for the Reds.

Nunez, a pivotal player for Liverpool, demonstrated his potency by striking the bar four times in Liverpool’s recent fixture against Chelsea, underscoring his threat in matches.

Despite possessing one of the league’s most robust defences, Arsenal is keenly aware of the challenges that an adept attacker like Nunez can pose, and would undoubtedly prefer not to contend with his dynamic presence.

The Uruguayan concluded the Chelsea game nursing a minor injury, prompting Jurgen Klopp to indicate that there exists a likelihood of him being absent for the forthcoming Arsenal match. This potential absence could constitute a significant boost for Arsenal as they prepare to face Liverpool.

The German manager said, as quoted by The Sun: