If Arsenal win the Premier League, Pep’s decision to sell Jesus and Zinchenko will be his costliest own goal ever
PEP GUARDIOLA has no regrets. Like footballer Edith Piaf, he refuses to cry over past events.
But if Arsenal win the Prem, they may still want to remove the flux capacitor and reconsider last summer’s decision to sell Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko led Arsenal to the titleCredit: Alamy
In retrospect, this turns out to be the most expensive own goal, because we’re not going there.
Not because the absence of the Brazilian striker and the Ukrainian side would have weakened Manchester City. That’s not true.
But the £75m duo have given the Gunners such a powerful lead that they are now contenders to take the City throne next month.
It’s a scenario Guardiola could not have imagined when he handed Arsenal’s check to two men who had been a big part of their Etihad spell.
Hell, even Mikel Arteta didn’t see it coming.
Selling Raheem Sterling to Chelsea seemed like a much bigger risk at the time. But ask anyone at the Emirates about the spark behind this season’s success and they will all point to the arrival of Jesus and Zinchenko.
They are constantly called out for their winners’ mentality and it is evident that when Arsenal players gather for their pre-match meeting, it is usually one of those two who calls the swap.
Zinchenko allowed Arteta to draw directly from Pep’s playbook by pushing his left-back into midfield.
And if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, just look at the number of goals Arsenal now score from six feet out after ripping their opponents to shreds.
Jesus’ return from injury couldn’t have come at a better time to revive a side with a reputation for choking on the final score. He’s scored just seven goals this season while his City replacement Erling Haaland has 42. So there’s no comparison on that front.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola may regret selling Jesus and Zinchenko.
But one could argue that Jesus’ impact on his team was even greater than that of the Norwegian powerhouse because of what he brings into the dressing room and onto the training ground.
He may have won four league titles in his five years at City, but for most of that time he played second fiddle to Sterling and Sergio Aguero.
So did Zinchenko, whose options were limited by Benjamin Mendy and Joao Cancelo. Now they enjoy the responsibility of being the most important men and will be absolutely crucial in the terrible matches at Anfield, Etihad and St James’ Park.
These are the meetings that will decide the title race this season.
And having already racked up more Premier medals than he knows how to, you think winning another would probably mean less to Guardiola than it does to Arteta.
But that past glory won’t ease the pain of being the ignorant architect of your own downfall.
Do you think Pep Guardiola will want Jesus and Zinchenko will to remain on arsenal? Leave your comments…
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Gary Neville now believes Arsenal will win the Premier League title if they win on Sunday
Gary Neville has long supported Manchester City rather than Arsenal
Gary Neville now believes Arsenal will win the 2022-2023 Premier League title on one condition: if they beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 9 April.
The Gunners travel to Merseyside to face Jurgen Klopp’s side in their next top-flight game after beating Leeds United 4-1 at the Emirates on Saturday.
Leaders Arsenal are currently eight points clear of number two Manchester City and have nine games left to go, although Pep Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand.
Arsenal, who haven’t even finished in the top four since 2016, are looking to register their first Premier League trophy since 2004.
Manchester United legend Neville has long thought the north London club won’t win the title and has backed City – who have won four of their last five major trophies – a position which has seen him berated by Arsenal fans . But he seems to be softening his stance and now feels it’s ’50-50′ and even thinks the Gunners will do their job if they beat Liverpool on Sunday.
“It’s 50-50,” Neville told Sky Sports. “I was sure Manchester City would have won the league six to eight weeks ago.
“I certainly thought Arsenal would drop a lot of points by now and they wouldn’t be where they are. But now I think it’s 50-50. “I won’t bet everything on the game against Liverpool (9th April), but our manager always said that if you won at Anfield this time of year, you would win the league.
“It often turned out to be the case. If Arsenal go to Anfield and win, I would definitely say it would be their title.
“The security of that would be incredible. Anfield is a specter of somewhere to go.
Arsenal and City face off again and will meet at the Etihad on 26 April.
Do you think you can trust the judgement of this reporter? Leave your comments…
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Saka admits and mentioned the two Arsenal players that brought winning mentality to the team
Arsenal forward Saka has established himself as one of the best wingers in the premier league. Saka has continued to put on impressive performances for the Gunners and he’s now slowing down. He’s also among the most valuable players in the World.
Bukayo Saka believes Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have brought belief to the dressing room after their 3-1 win over West Ham United. The Gunners grabbed a comeback win over David Moyes’s side thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Saka.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has credited the winning mentality of two new players for changing the club’s fortunes this season. The 21-year-old has praised Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for bringing a new level of quality and leadership to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are currently leading the Premier League table with 69 points after 28 games, but they are closely followed by second-placed Manchester City, who have 61 points plus a game in hand. The Gunners have been in excellent form this season, and much of their success can be attributed to the impact of their new signings.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko were both signed by Arsenal in the summer transfer window last year.
Saka has been particularly impressed with Zinchenko’s impact on the team. “Zinchenko has brought quality – but he’s brought so much more,” he said as per The Mirror. “You can see how he plays and how he controls the game. He’s an outstanding player. He has great leadership qualities, so he’s really helping us on all fronts.”
But it’s not just Zinchenko’s quality that has made a difference. Saka believes that both Zinchenko and Jesus have brought a winning mentality to Arsenal that was previously lacking. “They have brought that winning mentality to us as players who have been there and won the league,” he said. “In difficult moments they know how it feels, they can encourage us because we have a lot of young players. They really help us with the mental side of things.”
Arsenal fans will be hoping that this winning mentality will help them secure their first Premier League title since 2004. With just ten games left to play, the Gunners are in a strong position, but they will need to maintain their form if they are to hold off the challenge of Manchester City and other title contenders.
Regardless of whether they win the title this season, Arsenal fans can be optimistic about the future. With young talents like Saka and new signings like Jesus and Zinchenko, the club looks set for a bright future.
Bukayo Saka told Amazon Prime Video : “Jesus and Zinchenko bring that belief that we can win. Jesus was not even on the pitch today but we can still feel his presence.
“He was encouraging and speaking to me and the other boys in the changing rooms” he said.
ARSENAL FIXTURES
Gabriel Jesus picked up a knee injury at the World Cup and struggled to perform well in the tournament. However, he has been highly impressive in performance since joining the Gunners from City. Gabriel Jesus has netted five goals for Arsenal while Oleksandr Zinchenko has managed ten appearances across all competitions since leaving Manchester City.
Arsenal managed to sign both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
Do you think he was right saying that or do you have a different view?
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William Saliba happy to focus on Arsenal title bid as contract talks continue
William Saliba insists he is “so happy” at Arsenal as contract negotiations continue behind the scenes of an increasingly compelling Premier League title bid.
The Gunners are eight points clear at the top after a 2-0 derby win at Tottenham on Sunday.
An own goal from Hugo Lloris and a long-range effort from captain Martin Odegaard secured Arsenal’s first-ever victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and propelled them higher up the table.
France international Saliba has played a big role in the club’s revival after making his debut earlier in the season after being loaned out three times from north London.
His performances have been so high that he is set to sign a new contract with Arsenal and he is ready to continue the talks in the background as Mikel Arteta’s side seek glory. “We are delighted because the derby is an important match, and it was also an away game,” he said.
“We know it’s not easy to win here, so we are so happy. We didn’t concede a goal and scored two.
“We are focused on ourselves. We are not targeting our rivals. We have to continue like this and only focus on ourselves.
“I’m so happy here. The club are talking to my agent and me, the only thing I can do is (focus on my football). I’m so happy here.”
After Spurs’ victory, Arteta said a continued title challenge “would need almost perfection” for the rest of the season, with Saliba now hitting back with a win over Manchester United – the only team Arsenal should beat this season – looking for the next weekend.
“It’s never enough,” he replied when asked what it meant to be eight points clear at this stage. “We know we have a lot of games to play. We have to be focused because things can change quickly. If we lose a game we can’t have confidence afterwards, so we have to be focused to go ahead and try to win. We focus on ourselves.
“There is no pressure. It’s better to have that pressure when you’re up than when you’re down. It’s better to continue like this and we don’t need to be under pressure.
“We know we have a big game next week. We know they beat us. They are the only team to have beaten us in the Premier League this season and we want to beat them again at home. “We will prepare for this match very well, I think, and I hope we win in front of our fans. We will continue. We didn’t know about it before (Arsenal could win the championship), but when summer started, I said tell me we can do something “.
Also read…
Gary Neville now believes Arsenal will win the Premier League title if they win on Sunday
Gary Neville has long supported Manchester City rather than Arsenal
Gary Neville now believes Arsenal will win the 2022-2023 Premier League title on one condition: if they beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 9 April.
The Gunners travel to Merseyside to face Jurgen Klopp’s side in their next top-flight game after beating Leeds United 4-1 at the Emirates on Saturday.
Leaders Arsenal are currently eight points clear of number two Manchester City and have nine games left to go, although Pep Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand.
Arsenal, who haven’t even finished in the top four since 2016, are looking to register their first Premier League trophy since 2004.
Manchester United legend Neville has long thought the north London club won’t win the title and has backed City – who have won four of their last five major trophies – a position which has seen him berated by Arsenal fans . But he seems to be softening his stance and now feels it’s ’50-50′ and even thinks the Gunners will do their job if they beat Liverpool on Sunday.
“It’s 50-50,” Neville told Sky Sports. “I was sure Manchester City would have won the league six to eight weeks ago.
“I certainly thought Arsenal would drop a lot of points by now and they wouldn’t be where they are. But now I think it’s 50-50. “I won’t bet everything on the game against Liverpool (9th April), but our manager always said that if you won at Anfield this time of year, you would win the league.
“It often turned out to be the case. If Arsenal go to Anfield and win, I would definitely say it would be their title.
“The security of that would be incredible. Anfield is a specter of somewhere to go.
Arsenal and City face off again and will meet at the Etihad on 26 April.
Do you think you can trust the judgement of this reporter? Leave your comments…
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Arsenal 4-1 Leeds LIVE! Premier League result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today
Arsenal are looking to pick up where they left off before the international break as they host Leeds at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon. The Gunners have six consecutive Premier League wins to sit top of the table and eight points clear of Manchester City in their last 10 league games.
Mikel Arteta’s side are heavy favorites to finish seventh here, although William Saliba is still injured on the sidelines. Gabriel Jesus makes his first league start since the World Cup, giving the Gunners a huge boost as they head into the break-in, but Bukayo Saka is named on the bench.
Leeds, meanwhile, are in an almighty fight to avoid relegation and sit 14th in the table but just two points clear of the relegation zone. Any positive result at the Emirates would be a huge bonus. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below, with on-site expert analysis from Simon Collings.
FT: Arsenal 4-1 Leeds….
Arsenal are still eight points ahead!
Job done, particularly impressive after Man City’s win over Liverpool set the tone earlier this morning.
Jesus in doubles, Xhaka and White also on the scoresheet, and the Gunners have seven wins in a row.
KICK OFF!
Travel to the Emirates!
1 minute: Arsenal might want to start learning how to defend breaks.
Nine seconds and Leeds are there, as is Bournemouth. Forced Ramsdale to make a smart save.
On the other side, Jesus throws a basket to Martinelli, the space opens up for him, but the attempt is blocked.
3 minutes: Xhaka keeps his knee on the ground, he needs treatment. Give everyone a chance to calm down after this early chaos.
The Arsenal midfielder is back on his feet and will be fine to continue.
5 mins: Arsenal pressed the pitch as expected, Leeds were already forced to play it again for Meslier to clear a few times.
Jesus does what Jesus does, falling deep and tying the game. It’s nearly impossible to score him. 8 min: Xhaka’s Bella and Odegaard down the right, combining under pressure to keep the ball.
Zinchenko works on the other wing and seems to take the ball behind Martinelli, but too much up and Meslier can claim.
11 min: Gracia will be happy enough with Leeds’ start so far, not allowing Arsenal to pull off the kind of early attack we’ve seen so often at the Emirates this season.
Zinchenko bursts in from behind, ball for Xhaka. Nice cross, Jesus free in the center but with a header over the crossbar. I couldn’t get up high enough, but it’s a big possibility.
13′: Leeds free kick, and they almost make something of it. Koch makes a good run up and is not followed, the ball just above his head.
The visitors then try to break through on the right, but Martinelli comes back and slides inside to stop the attack.
16 min: Leeds really fit as Arsenal have the ball, basically six of the visitors. No room for the Gunners.
Sinisterra replaces another right-back, hacking him under pressure from Trossard.
21 mins: White loses the ball deep in the Arsenal half, luckily the whistle goes for him. I almost got caught by Harrison doing it, there wasn’t much to do.
Arsenal fans are making noise trying to get their side going after a relatively sluggish 20 minutes.
22 mins: The ball wobbles in the Arsenal box, falls on Summerville and he cuts it just past Ramsdale.
The flag is offside, wouldn’t have counted anyway. Another sign that Arsenal need to revive.
26 mins: Zinchenko pressed down the left, he’s out for a Leeds throw-in. Everything is very slow in the Emirates. I hope Saka beat Lemsip this morning, at this rate he will soon be called up.
30 min: Great move by Leeds, one-two by Roca and Summerville and which opens up the defense of Arsenal.
Summerville in the box, there’s room for the shot, but it’s too close to Ramsdale. Store comfortably.
32 min: Arsenal are really struggling. Leeds show up again, Summerville heading for White.
In the box, pushes her towards Harrison and as the angle narrows, he shoots Ramsdale. The guard saves him.
Arsenal 1-0 Leeds | Gabriel Jesus 35′
ARSENAL TAKES CHARGE!
Odegaard held the ball and indicated he would take it, then handed it to Jesus.
He keeps his cool – back on the sidelines and back on the scoring list!
39 mins: Martinelli enters the box, the ball wobbles and he and Jesus swing it. Leeds able to almost tear the ball away.
Emirates with a nice voice, Arsenal look dangerous… a lot has changed in ten minutes!
44′: Odegaard on the ground, giving Arteta the chance to call everyone for a team talk.
The good news for Arsenal is that Odegaard is back on his feet and can continue well.
OBJECTIVE! Arsenal 2-0 Leeds | Ben White 47′
I guess Arteta was not impressed with what he saw in the first 45 minutes and will ask for much better. AND HE GETS IT! Martinelli does it brilliantly on the left, firing a low ball into the box and White finishes at the back post.
52 mins: Jesus, tracing to the corner flag deep in his own half, slides very well to keep the ball in play as well.
Sinisterra appear to have collected the ball on the edge of the box, but Martinelli gets the call. It was very sweet.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Leeds | Gabriel Jesus 55′
GAME SET!
Job done for the Gunners, as Jesus gets his second of the match. Trossard did superbly in the build-up to keep the attack going and produce the cut back, and Jesus is there in the middle for his second.
58 mins: Leeds looking a bit ragged now, Arsenal have found their groove. Zinchenko tries his luck from distance, blocked. Martinelli then wins a corner for the Gunners.
No complete rest for Saka today, he’s going to come on too. Jorginho also getting ready.
59 mins: Martinelli gets across his man at the near post, header saved by Meslier. Gabriel then fires over with an acrobatic effort.
There will be no hat-trick for Jesus. He’s off as Saka comes on, while Jorginho replaces Partey.
62 mins: Another corner for Arsenal, who show no signs of slowing down.
Trossard puts it right on top of Meslier, he makes a mess of it but Arsenal can’t quite bundle it home.
64 mins: Ramsdale called into action for pretty much the first time since the break.
Aaronson in behind, looks to dink it over the goalkeeper but Ramsdale stands up well to deny him.
65 mins: All of a sudden Leeds have come alive.
Aaronson again involved, cuts it back for Kristensen but the defender hammers over the bar inside the box. That was a really decent chance.
68 mins: Leeds very nearly in on the counter, White gets a foot in to stop Summerville charging through on goal.
At the second time of asking he does give away a foul, bit too keen as he dives in.
71 mins: Not sure Saka has had a touch yet since coming on. Feels like an unnecessary risk bringing on someone who has been suffering with illness.
74 mins: Arsenal’s press wins the ball back high up the pitch, Jorginho pounces and slides in Trossard.
Into the box, looks to pick out Martinelli but it’s blocked and hacked away by Leeds. Visitors making a couple of changes – Cooper on for Koch, Rutter on for Summerville.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Leeds | Rasmus Kristensen 76′
Leeds have one back!
Harrison drives forward, squares it for Kristensen and his shot takes a deflection on its way past Ramsdale.
78 mins: Leeds straight back on the attack and they have a corner. Another goal here and Arsenal will be really nervous.
Gunners clear their lines, out of play on the halfway line. There is definitely a tense feel to things now inside the Emirates.
81 mins: Martinelli with a heavy touch, allows Cooper across to put in a strong challenge. Arsenal happy enough to slow things down now, trying to halt Leeds’ momentum.
They kick it out with Trossard down, looks to be holding his back.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Leeds | Granit Xhaka 84′
That does seal it… again!
Xhaka has been in fine goalscoring form recently and it continues here, as he heads home from Odegaard’s brilliant ball into the box.
86 mins: A couple of changes from Arteta after that goal.
Smith Rowe and Vieira both on, as Odegaard and Xhaka make way. Bamford replaces Harrison for Leeds.
89 mins: Tierney is also on for Zinchenko, this Arsenal squad really does have strong depth now.
Gabriel is down after colliding with Bamford, got a bit of a shove from the Leeds forward and doesn’t look hugely pleased with it either.
90+1 mins: Four minutes added on, as Bamford goes into the book for catching Jorginho late. The Leeds man has cut a very frustrated figure since coming on.
Bigger matches to come for Leeds, can’t afford for him to do anything stupid in the last few minutes…
What do you think about Arsenal players performance? Leave your comments…