There is still plenty of chapters to be written in the 2022/23 Premier League title race, but the last few pages have not been a good read for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
With that said, keep the blog on lock as we bring you all the latest Arsenal news.
Arsenal dropped more points in the race for the Premier League title against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon as they drew 2-2 against West Ham. The Gunners led the Hammers 2-0 in the opening 15 minutes after goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard gave Mikel Arteta's side an early lead.
City will have two games in hand on Arsenal ahead of their potential title-deciding clash at the Etihad Stadium next week as they prepare for FA Cup semi-final action this weekend. Pep Guardiola's side have their title destiny in their own hands, but there is still plenty of twists and turns that could happen before the end of the season.
A potential boost for the Gunners is that City still need to face Chelsea - despite the Blues enduring one of their worst Premier League campaigns in their history. Only Tottenham (28) have beaten the reigning Premier League champions more than Chelsea in the English top-flight - winning 27 games from 51 meetings with City.
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The immediate aftermath of a result which did not fall in the way of the Gunners was always going to see the emotion and fiery responses. It also brings plenty of hyperbole and the overreaction toward individuals, in particular, can boil over and cross lines.
Arsenal’s draw with West Ham United was the second instance of the Gunners dropping points in consecutive games for only the second time in the season. In comparison, Manchester City have not yet dropped points in consecutive games all season.
The two draws both featured the stand-in right-sided centre-half Rob Holding. The experienced Arsenal defender has been performing in place of William Saliba who has missed the last four matches with a back injury suffered against Sporting CP prior to the international break.
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Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli & Bukayo Saka have been nominated for the FIFA Ultimate Team Premier League Team of the Season in FIFA 23.
Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli & Bukayo Saka have ALL been nominated for the FUT Premier League Team of the Season in FIFA 23. Cast your votes here: https://t.co/0ISMIZ80OY pic.twitter.com/19uRgB3LjV
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are hoping to see Saliba back in training soon after suffering a back injury against Sporting CP a month ago.
The trip to Manchester City looks like it will come too soon for the centre-back with the final games of the season his current target.
Last week, Arteta issued his latest update on Saliba: “He’s progressing well and we’re hopeful that we’ll have him available in the next few weeks. We’ll have to see.”
Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga's agent has rubbished transfer rumours linking him with a switch to Arsenal in January.
Camavinga’s agent Barnett: “Rumours on Arsenal move in January? That was garbage, it's something that wasn't going to happen”. #RealMadrid #AFC“He never thought of playing for another team and Real would not let him leave. He’s Real Madrid’s future”, told Goal. pic.twitter.com/OZ9ftlSgRK
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka and club legend Ian Wright have agreed in their support of Bukayo Saka after he missed a crucial penalty against West Ham on Sunday afternoon. The Hale End graduate stepped up to take a penalty after Michail Antonio was penalised for handling the ball in the penalty area.
Following the draw against West Ham, Xhaka gave his support to Saka and backed the England international to bounce back immediately. "We don’t need to blame anybody, not Bukayo, not any player," Xhaka said.
"It happens, not only to him but to bigger, bigger players. This is part of the job, part of his career.
"It will not be the first and it will not be the last… so if there is another penalty on Friday (against Southampton), I will push him to take it again. This guy is so young, he’s 21… he needs our support maybe more now than before.
"He is young and this is one more experience for his future. But, I think he is so strong mentally that he will show a reaction on Friday."
Wright joined Xhaka in offering his unequivocal support for Arsenal's 'star boy' and admitted he expects everyone at the club to do the same. “He will always be our starboy no matter what," Wright told The Athletic..
"He has my unequivocal support and I would expect everyone around Arsenal to do the same. Vocal support matters.
"I want him to know we will always rally around him. Then you see the racism.
"As a black player that is always there. It’s not enough to miss the penalty and take the disappointment that comes with that, because as a black player you must also take racist abuse?
“We will keep lifting him up above the hate. Watch our fans on Friday night. He’s going to feel the love. I can tell you that.
“Despite what he has been through he has continued to take responsibility. He can do so again. He has greatness. Just go again, Bukayo.”
Arsenal have been given just a 34% chance of winning their first Premier League title in 19 years after they drew 2-2 against West Ham on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners have dropped points in their last two fixtures, allowing Manchester City to move within a point of them at the top of the table.
FiveThirtyEight's supercomputer has now predicted that Arsenal will miss out on the Premier League title - finishing second on 87 points - and given the north Londoners just a 34% chance of becoming champions for the first time since 2004. Guardiola's side have a 66% chance of winning the title and are predicted to finish top on 88 points.
Prior to Arsenal's draw against the Hammers, City had a 60% chance of winning their fifth title in six years with that probability now increasing after Mikel Arteta's side dropped points once again. Speaking with football.london after the game, Granit Xhaka admitted that these were two difficult games in the context of a Premier League season, with the Switzerland international promising to supporters that there will be a response from the Gunners in their clash against Southampton this week.
"I think you play away to Liverpool and away today in two very difficult games, in my opinion. We knew that," he told football.london.
"But let’s refresh everything now. Let’s analyse the game today and after we keep going from tomorrow.
Arsenal need to respond quickly if they are to reassert themselves at the top of the Premier League table. Having held an eight point gap over Manchester City less than two months ago that can be cut to just one point by this time next week.
It comes after the Gunners fell to a second 2-2 draw in a row, giving up a two-goal lead in both away games against West Ham and Liverpool. Both games were dramatic and had missed penalties but with Manchester City hotting up down the final straight there is no time to look back.
Mikel Arteta's men have a chance to establish a game between themselves and their nearest challengers once more on Friday when they welcome struggling Southampton to the Emirates Stadium. When the two sides met in October Saints were just the second team to take any points off Arsenal in the opening 11 games.
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Arsenal's lead at the top of the table is just four points heading into the final seven matches of the season. Their draw with West Ham on Saturday means it is four dropped points in the same week, the first time they have failed to win in consecutive league games since February.
After moving eight points clear two months ago, that could be as little as one by the time the next round of games is over. It is Southampton next up for Mikel Arteta's men as a chance to respond ahead of Manchester City arises, but the pressure is building.
City have now won their past nine games by a combined score of 34-4. This is what Pep Guardiola's side do and they have started to look like the unstoppable force that many predicted throughout the season. How Arsenal deal with this added weight of challenge in the final run-in may well define just successful it is.
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The Premier League are set to introduce more cameras focusing on each penalty area of the pitch next season to improve the accuracy of the Hawk-Eye system. This comes after a number of incorrect decisions being made this season, impacting the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
The Premier League's use of the VAR system continues to divide fans, players and managers in football but the introduction of more cameras to allow officials to have more viewing angles of incidents could help reduce errors. Many of those in the game disagree about the offside law, regarding whether a toe or an armpit is enough for goals to be ruled out, but only two offside decisions this season have been definitively incorrect - Toney's equaliser against Arsenal and Brighton's disallowed goal against Crystal Palace.
There have been a number of other incidents where there has been doubt due to cameras being obscured or not at the right angle. A report from The Athletic has revealed that the Premier League are now looking to add a further four additional cameras that focus on each penalty area to improve accuracy of decisions.
The report adds that trials of FIFA’s semi-automated offside system, which was used at the World Cup in Qatar, are likely to take place. However, the Premier League feel that route is less effective as images take longer to come through which could lead to longer delays on decisions and cause further frustration amongst fans at stadiums.
The decision to add more cameras to help aid VAR's accuracy in decisions will need to be approved by at least 14 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs.
Pep Guardiola has explained why Brighton pose a significant threat to Manchester City's title hopes this season. Arsenal are now only four points ahead of the reigning champions at the top of the Premier League table after surrendering a healthy lead against West Ham at the weekend.
However, while City may have a game in hand, they must still face the Seagulls and Guardiola has highlighted this clash a potential stumbling block. Speaking to the press on Friday afternoon, the Spaniard claimed that Roberto De Zerbi's side are the best in the world for their build-up play.
"The reality is we are six points behind, no guarantee we will win the games in hand," said Guardiola. "The best team in the world for build-up, the best team is Brighton – there is no better team in bringing it from the ‘keeper to the last quarter. No team better right now."
Read on here.
Tunnel camera footage has revealed that Declan Rice waited for Martin Odegaard in the tunnel after Sunday's clash so that he could get a signed Arsenal shirt. The two captains locked horns at the London Stadium as West Ham clinched a crucial point in their survival bid, while also denting the Gunners' hopes of winning the Premier League.
With a game in hand, the Hammers are now four points adrift of the drop zone but their status in the top flight is far from safe with plenty of difficult fixtures on the horizon. David Moyes' side must still face Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United before the end of the season, not to mention a potential Europa Conference League charge.
Read on here.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has stood by Bukayo Saka after the winger missed a crucial penalty in the dramatic and potentially costly 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday.
After the game, Saka posted a message on Instagram which reads: "Regardless of the outcome, I’ll always accept my responsibility. Apologies Gunners, I’ll do everything I can to make it right."
His skipper was among those to send a message of support in the comment section. Odegaard wrote: "All together bro always, we keep going [red heart emoji]."
Radio pundit Simon Jordan can see both sides in the debate around Arsenal's season after the Premier League title race was blown apart on Sunday.
"Gary is correct, if you look at it in isolation and say to Arsenal 'would you have taken finishing second in the league at the beginning of the season' most of their fans would have gone 'oh yes' and so probably would have Arteta," Jordan said on talkSPORT.
"But the circumstances are as they are now, you saw them get beat by Man City at the Emirates and ultimately get outclassed in the second half and have seen them bounce back. There is merit in both arguments, Roy will play that card all the time in terms of winning being the outcome you expect.
"But also if you take out of that character and look at the exponential growth and the development of Arsenal and the side that they are against Man City - the finished article."
Read the full story here.
Speaking with football.london after the game, Granit Xhaka admitted that Arsenal's previous two games were difficult in the context of a Premier League season. However, the Switzerland international made the promise to supporters that they would see a response.
"I think you play away to Liverpool and away today in two very difficult games, in my opinion. We knew that," he said. "But let’s refresh everything now. Let’s analyse the game today and after we keep going from tomorrow. I am sure that you guys, but as well from our side, will see a reaction on Friday."
Martin Odegaard proved why he's club captain after the midfielder was spotted consoling Bukayo Saka during Arsenal's clash against West Ham. Shortly into the second-half, the north Londoners were granted the chance to reclaim their two-goal advantage after Michail Antonio was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.
Bukayo Saka was trusted with the responsibility of converting from 12-yards but, with the weight of the club's title hopes on his shoulders, he missed the target. His head dropped in despair but Odegaard was the first on the scene to console him.
The Arsenal captain ran up to Saka and patted him on the neck. Just minutes later, the Hammers piled on the misery and Jarrod Bowen levelled proceedings.
Jamie Carragher was very impressed by Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus against West Ham on Sunday. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender said: "Jesus has been fantastic, I love what he’s just done.
"We know he’s been playing deep in this game, but he just took that responsibility to go and get on the ball in a tight area. The responsibility he took to get on that ball, take the sting out of it. [He’s saying] ‘give me the ball’, like all the great players do.
"They help the others, they’re always available for a pass. He just doesn’t stop, throws himself into challenges, he’s been the best player on the pitch Jesus."
Tunnel camera footage has revealed that Declan Rice waited for Martin Odegaard in the tunnel after Sunday's clash so that he could get a signed Arsenal shirt. The two captains locked horns at the London Stadium as West Ham clinched a crucial point in their survival bid, while also denting the Gunners' hopes of winning the Premier League.
Despite the arrival of Jorginho, football.london understand that Arsenal still hold a strong interest in Rice. But, it's also understood that he remains a key target for Chelsea too...
Martin Odegaard signing an arsenal's home shirt for Declan Rice pic.twitter.com/Yc5iJt04ZD
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has explained why West Ham's penalty against Arsenal was not overturned. In an interview with The Sun, he said: "Lucas Paqueta went past Gabriel and it’s clear the Arsenal defender caught him so it was an obvious penalty. It was a careless challenge and Arsenal cannot have any complaints.
"There were suggestions Declan Rice handled the ball in the build up, but even if there was contact, it looked to be accidental and accidental handball is not an offence. VAR would not get involved in that situation because it was subjective."
Bukayo Saka has insisted he will do everything he can to make amends after his missed penalty in Arsenal's Premier League with West Ham. The 21-year-old was handed a golden chance to put the Gunners back in control at London Stadium with the game finely poised at 2-1, but the Arsenal attacker shockingly sent his penalty wide off the target.
In the first half, goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard had put the league leaders in total control with the Gunners dominating the ball. However, a number of mistakes at the back, starting with Thomas Partey gifting possession to Declan Rice, allowed the Hammers back into the game with Gabriel Magalhaes bringing down Lucas Paqueta in the penalty area.
Said Benrahma stepped up and comfortably dispatched his spot kick to drag his side back into the game. Early in the second half, Saka had a chance to score from 12 yards but he fired his effort wide of the target at a crucial time in the game.
That fact was proven no less than 120 seconds later as Jarrod Bowen levelled the game. Despite 30 minutes remaining, neither team scored a winning goal, which for Arsenal meant another two points dropped in the title race.
Likely feeling his role in the game could have cost the Gunners, Saka responded to his penalty miss with a determined message on Instagram.
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Declan Rice faced a huge afternoon regarding his transfer future with the West Ham captain leading his team out to face Arsenal.
The Gunners have been the team strongly linked with making a move for the England midfielder and thus his display at London Stadium was not just important for the Hammers' relegation battle but also his chances of signing for the north Londoners in the summer.
Mikel Arteta's men flew out of the traps with Rice's West Ham getting off to the worst possible start as they were two goals behind after just 10 minutes. However, the skipper was integral in dragging West Ham back into the game just beyond the half-hour mark.
Rice flew out of his midfield position to put significant pressure on Thomas Partey. The 24-year-old was successful in robbing the Arsenal man of possession in a dangerous area and no less than 10 seconds later, West Ham had a penalty after Gabriel Magalhaes brought Lucas Paqueta to the ground.
In the second half, Rice and his team-mates kept up that level of intensity seen in the build up to their Said Benrahma's penalty. Just a few minutes after Bukayo Saka's missed spot kick, Jarrod Bowen equalised with a half-volley into the ground that Aaron Ramsdale, despite getting a hand to it, could not keep out.
Following the game, Rice was spotted in the tunnel alongside Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, with the latter shown to be signing an Arsenal home shirt for Rice, as picked up by a BeIN sports camera, which sent supporters into transfer theory overdrive.
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Arsenal were handed a major blow before their decisive Premier League clash against West Ham with Oleksandr Zinchenko missing with a groin injury.
Rumours had began to circulate throughout the week regarding Zinchenko, with the versatile Ukrainian not spotted in training and Kieran Tierney's inclusion in the starting XI confirmed those worries.
Moments after the line-up was revealed, Arsenal confirmed in a social media post that Zinchenko's absence was precautionary because of a tight groin.
Although that offers some hope of an imminent return, no Zinchenko adds to the defensive concerns Mikel Arteta will likely have.
Hello and welcome to today's dedicated Arsenal live blog on football.london. Stay tuned to this page for regular transfer news and general club updates throughout the day!