Arsenal have one great advantage before their outing against Aston Villa 

Arsenal head into the weekend clash with their former manager Unai Emery’s team Aston Villa after drawing 2-2 with German giants Bayern Munich. 

That places the Gunners in contention of qualifying for the next round of the prestigious competition as well as lifting the Premier League title. 

A win at the Emirates on Sunday will ensure that Mikel Arteta’s side will not be dethroned from top of the table for one more week atleast. 

And the North London side have one major advantage over their rivals ahead of this exciting clash in the heart of London. 

Manchester City is anticipated to present an altered lineup when they confront Arsenal this weekend, following the injuries sustained by John Stones and Kyle Walker during the international break.

Stones and Walker are integral components of the City squad, often proving to be decisive factors in matches involving the defending champions. However, their absence due to injuries suffered while on England duty means they will be sidelined for the crucial fixture against Arsenal.

Despite City boasting one of the most financially endowed squads in global football, with ample talent to fill the void left by Stones and Walker, Martin Keown anticipates that their absence could make City more vulnerable and easier to defeat compared to when they have the duo in their lineup.

He writes in the Daily Mail:

‘Guardiola will be forced into changing his backline which, from right to left, will most likely consist of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake. 

Micah Richards asserts that the true Premier League title race is between two teams, dismissing Liverpool’s chances of clinching the title.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City want to be the champions of England at the end of this campaign in one of the tightest races in many a year.

Liverpool is second only on goal difference, as they have the same points as the table-topping Gunners.

City is following both clubs closely and remains the favourite because of their recent history in the competition.

If asked to pick two teams that are the favourites, most people will choose Liverpool and City because both clubs have been the main sides winning the league and fighting for titles most recently.

Bryan Robson has predicted who he thinks will be English champions at the end of this season.

This is one of the toughest races to predict, as Arsenal, Liverpool and City are separated by just a point in the top three spots in the league standings.

They have left every team behind them to fight for other European spots, but which of them will win the title?

Table-topping Arsenal are the most inexperienced on paper, as they have not won the league in two decades.

Liverpool and Manchester City have been foes in recent seasons, and City is chasing an impressive four consecutive league crowns.

Pundit Chris Sutton has given his prediction for the upcoming match between Manchester City and Arsenal.

Arsenal, currently in top form, will aim to sustain their unbeaten streak into 2024 as they travel to the Etihad Stadium. Meanwhile, City faces the risk of falling four points behind Arsenal in the title race should they suffer a defeat in this fixture.

With both clubs eager for victory, the match is anticipated to be fiercely contested, with each side giving their all for a chance to emerge triumphant after 90 minutes.

Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has enjoyed a remarkable run of form this year, which has culminated in their ascent to the summit of the Premier League table. As such, they are widely regarded as the team to beat in 2024.

However, City presents a formidable challenge, especially on their home turf, and will likely be the toughest opponent Arsenal will face this season.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has commented on the Premier League title race this season and admits they have to win their remaining matches, which starts with the fixture against Arsenal.

Arsenal visits the Etihad this weekend to face City in a must-win game for both clubs as the Gunners seek to ensure they remain at the top of the league standings.

Liverpool will have a chance to go top before Arsenal and City meet because the Reds play a few hours earlier.

Arsenal’s game against City is the match of the weekend, and Rodri knows his team has no more margin for error, as they have already lost enough games.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s visit, he said, as quoted by the Daily Mail:

Ben White sparked controversy during the last international break by refusing to return to England duty.

Since departing from the World Cup camp in Qatar, the defender has abstained from representing his country and has made himself unavailable for selection.

This decision comes as a significant setback for the Three Lions, considering White’s exceptional form at club level, where he has been a regular starter for Premier League leaders Arsenal.

With ambitions to triumph in Euro 2024, England had hoped to harness White’s talents, recognising his potential to play a pivotal role in their campaign. However, his current unavailability poses a challenge to their aspirations.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s crucial fixture against Manchester City this weekend, manager Mikel Arteta was questioned about White’s decision.

Mikel Arteta is indeed effecting a transformation at Arsenal through his mindset and training methodology, rendering the Gunners a formidable opponent on the field.

Prior to his tenure at the Emirates, when Arsenal faced formidable opponents such as Liverpool and Manchester City, the prevailing expectation was often a defeat. However, since Arteta took charge and began instilling a new culture and mentality within the club, there has been a noticeable shift in a positive direction.

Arteta approaches each game uniquely, meticulously preparing his team to maximize their chances of success. This dedication to thorough preparation has yielded tangible results, with Arsenal securing victories against top-tier rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City at home this season.

A notable instance illustrating Arteta’s unconventional approach occurred when he was filmed blasting out Liverpool’s iconic anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” while preparing for a match against the Reds. While it remains uncertain if similar methods are employed for every opponent, the effectiveness of Arteta’s strategies is undeniable.

As Arsenal gears up to face City once again this weekend, there’s anticipation regarding Arteta’s approach to preparation. While the specifics remain undisclosed, Arteta’s track record suggests that his meticulous planning and innovative methods could once again play a pivotal role in Arsenal’s performance on the pitch.

Arsenal has emerged as one of the clubs monitoring Brazilian prodigy Messinho, as he continues to impress and establish himself as one of the most promising young talents worldwide.

At just 16 years old, Messinho hails from Palmeiras’ highly productive academy and has already showcased his abilities as a standout player for various Brazilian youth national teams.

Despite his youth, numerous top European clubs view him as a player with the potential to significantly enhance their squads and are poised to pursue him once he becomes eligible for a move to Europe.

Currently, these clubs are merely admirers, with a report from Mundo Deportivo indicating Arsenal’s interest in the young talent.

Arsenal boasts one of the most renowned academies globally, with manager Mikel Arteta consistently promoting the club’s top youth prospects.

Arsenal women face Chelsea women in the FA Women’s Continental Cup Tyres final, on Sunday 31st March. kick-off 3PM UK, at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton. You can watch all the action live on BBC2 (coverage starts at 2.30PM UK), BBC iPlayer and The FA Player.

Last year, Arsenal Women defeated Chelsea 3-1 to win the trophy. Is that going to be repeated? That is the question all gunners are asking themselves.

The Gunner women believe that they can win the game. Beth Mead made this obvious in an interview with ArseBlog. Looking ahead to the match against Chelsea, the Arsenal attacker believes the club wants to overcome its London rivals, win games, and win trophies, even if Arsenal Women haven’t been consistent in doing so. Beth was also optimistic about what a quality group this Arsenal team has, noting that some of her teammates can do incredible things on the pitch. But they need to improve their connections more, after which we should see our Gunners as a force to be reckoned with:

“Of course, we’ve got a bunch of amazing players that can do amazing things on the pitch, but it’s now knitting it all together.

“This Arsenal team are hungry to win trophies. Over the last so many years, we’ve not done that so consistently. You want to beat Chelsea, you want to win games, and ultimately, that’s what we’ll be out to do. And, of course, we would love to retain the cup again, but although it’s not always pretty, we always do want to go out and win games.”

Arsenal face Manchester City on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium in a game that, at the end of the season, could be remembered as the one that decided the title battle.

A significant victory this weekend is crucial for our Gunners’ chances of winning the league.

Mikel Arteta will need to field his strongest eleven. But I’d like us to concentrate on the attack he could field. Which forward line should he play? I believe he should field an attack featuring Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka.

Saka, if fit, is ‘undroppable’ on the right wing. Kai Havertz should start as a striker; he has been fantastic in recent weeks, spearheading the Arsenal attack with his fine link-up with Martin Odegaard. There’s a strong argument that the German international is more influential in attack than in midfield. He has scored four goals in his last six games for Arsenal, and dropping him from the attacking line would be scandalous. Gabriel Jesus, a left-winger, could be an excellent option if Gabriel Martinelli is out. Leandro Trossard is an excellent player, but he lacks the energy that Martinelli brings to the left wing. Jesus, who is recognised for his ability to spark Arsenal’s attack, might be an excellent left-wing alternative. As James Benge told Charles Watts on YouTube:

“If Martinelli’s fully fit he goes in my team. I don’t like normally talking about the sort of narratives about players being up for games, but I don’t believe that Gabriel Jesus wouldn’t be up for this game.

Aaron Ramsdale could still return to being Arsenal’s number one, according to Gareth Southgate.

While naming his England Three Lions squad for the March internationals, most Gooners were waiting to see if Ramsdale would get a call, which he did.

Gareth Southgate, in fact, revealed he continues to believe in the ‘wantaway’ Arsenal goalkeeper. He considers the 25-year-old one of the best three England goalkeepers. He is disappointed by the fact that the Gunner has not gotten much playing time, but they still value him. That’s why they give him a chance on the national team.

Strangely, while many believe Ramsdale is leaving Arsenal, Southgate hints he may not need to. He confesses that he believes the ex-Sheffield custodian still has a future as a Gunner; he only needs to keep pushing, and he could return to be their first choice.
Southgate explained: “We have chosen the three goalkeepers who we think are the best.

“It is not ideal that Aaron does not play. But he showed last week that he has the mental toughness to play for England when he responded to the mistake that he made.

Chris Sutton is confident that Arsenal can overcome Bayern Munich and advance to the Champions League semi-finals when they meet in the quarterfinals.

Arsenal secured their spot in the last eight by defeating FC Porto via penalties, showcasing their determination and resilience.

In previous seasons, Bayern Munich would have been considered the clear favourites in such a matchup, given their consistent success in European competition.

However, this year, Arsenal presents a different challenge. The Gunners currently sit atop the Premier League standings and have displayed formidable form throughout 2024.

Conversely, Bayern Munich is facing challenges in their domestic league, losing their grip on the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen.

Benjamin Sesko has caught the attention of Arsenal, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the Gunners pursued him for their squad.

The young striker has been performing well at RB Leipzig since his move from their sister club RB Salzburg.

During his time at Salzburg, Sesko attracted interest from several top clubs across Europe. However, he opted to continue his development by moving to Leipzig.

Leipzig recognises Sesko’s potential as a top talent and understands that they may be unable to retain him for an extended period.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has shed light on Arsenal’s intentions to bolster their striker options, highlighting Sesko as a potential target alongside Viktor Gyokeres.

Harry Kane will return to London to face Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals this season after the Gunners were drawn against his Bayern Munich team.

The striker moved to Germany in the summer and has continued his fine run of form in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

He always enjoyed facing Arsenal as a player of Tottenham, and when the Gunners thought they would no longer need to worry about him in the Premier League, he is now set to face them in Europe.

Everyone knows Kane is a dangerous striker, and Martin Keown has warned the Arsenal’s defence about facing the Euro 2020 finalist.

He said, as quoted by Metro Sport:

Joshua Zirkzee has emerged as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, impressing with his performances at Bologna.

The Dutch striker is enjoying a stellar season, showcasing his talent and making a significant impact in one of Europe’s top leagues.

Bologna, traditionally fighting for survival in Serie A, find themselves in contention for a European place this season, largely due to Zirkzee’s brilliance along with the contributions of his teammates.

With his standout performances, Zirkzee has attracted interest from clubs across Europe, including Arsenal, who are closely monitoring his progress. Valued at around 80 million euros, Zirkzee’s price tag is within the reach of Premier League clubs.

Despite Arsenal’s interest, reports from FC Inter News suggest that their pursuit of Zirkzee may not be as serious as portrayed in the media. As a result, it’s likely that Zirkzee will remain in Italy.

Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the future of Arsenal’s Champions League hero, David Raya, affirming that the Gunners are keen on retaining him.

Raya has been on loan at the Emirates since the beginning of the season, and his performances have left a positive impression on Arsenal.

Quickly establishing himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper over the highly-rated Aaron Ramsdale, Raya initially faced criticism. However, he has silenced doubters with consistent and impressive displays.

Raya’s standout moment came in Arsenal’s Champions League round of 16 match against FC Porto, where he emerged as the club’s hero.

Given his contributions and form, Arsenal is eager to secure Raya’s services beyond his loan spell.

Former Liverpool legend turned pundit Graeme Souness believes that Arsenal squandered the opportunity to win the Premier League title last season, but he commends them for overcoming that setback and using it as motivation for improvement.

Souness highlights that at this stage of the previous campaign, Arsenal began dropping points against teams they were expected to defeat, allowing Manchester City to mount a successful title challenge.

The collapse came as a surprise to many, given Arsenal’s strong start to the season and consistent form throughout much of the campaign. Souness attributes this setback to a lack of experience on Arsenal’s part.

However, in the current season, Arsenal has shown significant improvement compared to the same stage of the previous campaign. Souness is impressed by their progress and how they have addressed the issues that plagued them last season.

He writes in the Daily Mail:

Arsenal is reportedly eyeing a move for Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz and may launch a bid for him in the upcoming summer transfer window.

As Arsenal aims to maintain their upward trajectory in the Premier League, bolstering their squad with new signings becomes crucial for sustained success.

According to a report from Football 365, Diaz has emerged as one of the talents on Arsenal’s radar. The Spanish attacker, who previously featured for Manchester City and enjoyed a successful loan spell at AC Milan, is now part of Real Madrid’s squad.

While Real values Diaz highly, they could be open to offloading him if a suitable offer is presented. The report suggests that Diaz’s market value is around 60 million euros, a figure that Arsenal should be capable of meeting once the current season concludes.

Just Arsenal Opinion

Ivan Toney has spoken about what an ideal summer will be for him as Arsenal and several clubs show an interest in the attacker.

Toney has been one of the best goalscorers in the Premier League for much of his time as a Brentford player in the English top flight.

He missed most of this term due to a ban but is still expected to leave Brentford in the summer, as the Bees have already signed a replacement for him.

Toney could remain in London, where Arsenal and Chelsea are battling to add him to their group.

However, the striker was asked what an ideal summer would be for him, and he revealed, as quoted by Goal.com: