Gabriel Jesus caused chaos in training but William Saliba dropped: How Arsenal could line up against Leeds

Arsenal are preparing for the home game in pursuit of the long-awaited Premier League title.
The Gunners are currently eight points clear at the top of the table with just 10 games left as they look to end their 19-year title wait.

The Gunners are in a strong position at the top of the Premier League

Next up for Arteta’s side is a home draw with Leeds United on Saturday, a match in which the north London side will be seen as clear favourites, but they go into the match with some selection dilemmas to ponder.
William Saliba has been ruled out of the match against Leeds after picking up a back injury against Sporting Lisbon.
Before the match, Arteta explained: “He is progressing, unfortunately he still has some back discomfort. He won’t be fit for this game and we’re trying everything to feel better. But not yet.”

After being absent from the Crystal Palace clash, the French defender could be replaced by Rob Holding, with Saliba hoping to return before the end of the season.

Although he’s pictured in training this week, another player who could still be missed is Thomas Partey.

Partey was an unused substitute for Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola on Monday.
After the match, manager Chris Hughton said: “Thomas has a few small issues, a small injury issue and we felt it was too big a risk to start him.”

If he misses out, Jorginho is well-equipped and ready to make the starting XI after impressing in his first few weeks with the Gunners. They will also be without Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah, who are on long-term absence.
A more positive selection dilemma for Arteta is whether to give Gabriel Jesus a place in the starting XI.

The Brazilian hasn’t started an Arsenal game since the World Cup through injury and the striker has recovered.
Jesus came off the bench ahead of the international break against Palace and with two more weeks of training the striker could be anything but ready to make the starting XI.
When asked if he was 100 per cent fit, Arteta said: “He’s very close to it. In the last 10 days he has taken a big step forward. You can tell he’s relaxed and not thinking about it. He creates that chaos during training. He’s in a really good position right now.”

Should the Leeds match come too early, Arsenal would be more than happy to start Leandro Trossard, as the Belgian star has been in fine form since he arrived from Brighton in January.
How the Gunners could play against the Gracia team on Saturday

Saturday showdown on talkSPORT

Saturday, April 1 will break out on talkSPORT. 12.30pm: Earlier today, Manchester City host Liverpool in an important Premier League fixture.
3pm: Crystal Palace vs Leicester sees the return of Roy Hodgson in the Selhurst Park dugout.
7 p.m.: Preparation begins for the heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin as AJ begins his way to the top.

You can tune into talkSPORT via our free online streaming service at talkSPORT.com, DAB digital radio, download the talkSPORT app or have your smart speaker play talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2.

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Arsenal’s against Man City fixtures ahead of  Premier League title race

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are just ten games away from a truly remarkable title win.

Despite the club’s disappointing end to the 2021-22 season, there was excitement among the Gooners ahead of the new season. Edu had worked his magic in the transfer market and Arteta’s side shone on the pitch last season. However, very few expected to be in their current position before the final stage of the campaign.
The goal was to finish in the top four. The triumph of the title was to come later.
However, Arsenal’s brilliance this season means they currently hold an eight-point lead over nearest rivals Man City in the title race. The current back-to-back holders have played one game less and are finally starting to find their compelling rhythm, but chasing down the Gunners will be no mean feat.

Here’s how the two clubs’ Premier League schedules compare to the final quarter of the 2022/23 season.

Arsenal’s remaining 2022/23 Premier League fixtures

01/04/23 – Arsenal – Leeds (3.00pm)

09/04/23 – Liverpool – Arsenal (4.30pm)

16/04/23 – West Ham – Arsenal (2.00pm)

21/04/23 – Arsenal – Southampton (20:00)

26/04/23 – Manchester City – Arsenal (20:00)

29/04/23 – Arsenal – Chelsea (5.30pm)

05/06/23 – Newcastle – Arsenal (3.00pm)

13/05/23 – Arsenal – Brighton & Hove Albion (3.00pm)

20/05/23 – Nottingham Forest – Arsenal (3.00pm)

28/05/23 – Arsenal – Wolves (4.30pm)

The Gunners’ schedule is always busy. They have won four and lost five of the corresponding games they have left in this 2021/22 season (excluding Forest away).
Their crucial games include Liverpool, Newcastle and of course City in April, all of whom are away from home. If they get six points from those games, for example, they are well placed to claim their first title since 2003/04.

However, their supposedly “easy” matches on their schedule are pitted against teams fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table. The league leaders face Leeds and Southampton in April, with both teams desperate to score points to support their bid for survival. The City Ground is no easy place to win, as City have recently discovered, while Brighton under both Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi have demonstrated their ability against the Premier League’s best. Whilst Arsenal are expected to win most of their remaining games, these games are far from easy and the added pressure will only make these fixtures more difficult.

Manchester City’s remaining 2022/23 Premier League fixtures

01/04/23 – Manchester City – Liverpool (12:30)

04/08/23 – Southampton-Man City (17:30)

15/04/23 – Manchester City-Leicester (17:30)

23/04/23 – Brighton & Hove Albion – Manchester City (date TBC)

26/04/23 – Manchester City – Arsenal (20:00)

30/04/23 – Fulham – Manchester City (2.00pm)

05/06/23 – Manchester City – Leeds (15:00)

13/05/23 – Everton-Manchester City (15:00)

20/05/23 – Manchester City – Chelsea (3.00pm)

28/05/23 – Brentford-Man City (4.30pm)

Manchester City have more than just a Premier League title to think about, which should play into Arsenal’s favour. The Citizens will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals in April and Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals.

However, the Citizens have been here before and certainly have the team depth to compete on multiple fronts. Pep Guardiola won’t be too concerned about the reduced schedule.
As for the remaining Premier League matches, City host the majority of the “difficult” matches against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Though the road to Brighton will be tricky, so will a trip to Goodison Park in May. Brentford’s home form will scare Guardiola if City need points to win the title on the final day.

However, there is no doubt that City’s schedule to finish the season is friendlier than Arsenal’s. However, the Gunners’ lighter workload could prove to be their trump card in the end.

Who do you think the fixture could favour looking at the teams they go against.? Leave your comments… 

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Sheringham tells Arsenal they could achieved their main West Ham midfielder target for the summer

Sheringham tells Arsenal they could achieved their main West Ham midfielder target for the summer

Former Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham says he doesn’t “want to see” Declan Rice at Arsenal because he “would make them a better team”.

The West Ham midfielder has put in consistently impressive performances for the Hammers for some years now, although his form has deteriorated this season with David Moyes’ side struggling in the Premier League.

West Ham are currently in the Premier League relegation zone with 12 games left to play this season and it now looks all but certain that Rice will continue into the summer transfer window.
Rice has several suitors but Arsenal and Chelsea are said to be the two main teams interested in signing him in the next window.

The England international has made it clear that he wants to play in the Champions League as soon as possible and Arsenal are certainly in a better position to bid next season than 10th-placed Chelsea. It was rumored it could cost between £70m and £100m to sign Rice from West Ham in the summer and he justified his price again on Thursday night.

Rice scored as England beat Italy 2-1 in their first Euro 2024 qualifying match in Naples with the West Ham midfielder showcasing a brilliant display.
Speaking of Rice, Sheringham admitted he would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal. He told talkSPORT: “You put him against other great players and the complete midfielder could defend, tackle, run forward but also score goals.

“If you add a few goals to Declan’s game, maybe not a few, if you add six or seven goals to Declan Rice’s game with what he has right now, suddenly you’re talking about an absolute world hitter by a player.
“Wherever he goes, he will make that team a better team. Maybe Casemiro has that role at Manchester United, so maybe they don’t need him.

“But it would definitely make Arsenal a better team. I hate to say it but they are pretty good this season and I don’t want Declan to go there because it will make them a better team.
“He can join any team.”

On West Ham having to cash in on Rice, Sheringham added: “I think you have to.
“For a club like West Ham, if you think about keeping him for another season and you don’t get anything for him, to get something like £60 to £80 million… I’d put it around that figure. “If he had a three-year deal you’d probably have to pay £120m to get him released, but he hasn’t.

“He stayed with West Ham, he was very loyal, but I think this summer is probably when they’re going to want to cash in and get that £70million for him so they can help bring in other players.”

Do you think that Declan Rice at Arsenal will be a good choice for the team? Leave your comments… 

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Wayne Rooney to coach MLS All-Star squad against Arsenal this summer

It is no news by now to know that Wayne Rooney is to coach MLS All-Star squad against Arsenal this summer as Manchester United legend says exhibition match will be a ‘personal highlight’

Wayne Rooney will take charge of an MLS All-Stars squad to take on Arsenal in Washington DC this summer.
Rooney is currently the head coach at D.C. United, where he was a player between 2018 and 2019.
Rooney will be in charge of an MLS All-Star squad to take on Arsenal this summer.

Rooney – who has played and managed in MLS – sees the opportunity to lead the all-star team as a personal “highlight”.
“I’ve had a front row seat to see the growth and development of Major League Soccer, first as a player and now as a coach,” Rooney said.

“The chance to lead the best our league has to offer, against a top Premier League club like Arsenal, will be a personal highlight for me and an unforgettable experience for our passionate fans here at DC.”

Rooney will be in familiar surroundings for the clash as DC United play their home games at Audi Field. DC United are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference after their first four games.

Arsenal are hoping to go to the US as Premier League champions this summer.
The Gunners are eight points clear of Manchester City with ten games to play.

Do you think the presence of Wayne Rooney as coach will do them great boost? Leave your comments… 

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Mikel Arteta quickly removed dressing room“madness” ex-Arsenal star confirmed it

The Arsenal manager has molded the Gunners into a well-oiled machine, but that process hasn’t been easy and has led to Mikel Arteta exiling a number of top-flight talent.

Former Arsenal star Lucas Torreira once called the Gunners dressing room ‘madness’, although Mikel Arteta assured that was not the case these days.

Torreira was brought to the Emirates by then-boss Unai Emery in 2018, but after a bright start to life in north London, the Uruguay international’s form has taken a hit due to reports of homesickness and the desire to leave the Emirates. After being loaned out to Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina, Torreira’s final exit was confirmed last summer when he joined Galatasaray on a permanent basis.

Shortly before his departure, Torreira opened up about his time at the Gunners in an open letter published by Italian outlet Cronache Di Spogliatoio. In the letter, he talked about what it’s like to share a dressing room with Mesut Özil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. “Every time I go to the national team, I try to make the most of my proximity to certain champions,” wrote Torreira.

“I was lucky enough to meet many of them. At Arsenal in my first year I didn’t speak English, but some in the team did speak Italian, like Sokratis, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.”
“Mesut Özil and Alexandre Lacazette sat next to me in the dressing room. Crazy. You can imagine: me drinking mate and her next to me”.

Well, almost exactly one year later, all three of the aforementioned trio left the club. Two had already been suspended when Torreira’s letter was written to Ozil and Aubameyang, although Lacazette was not behind when he parted ways with Arsenal last summer.

The outings mark a stark shift in strategy from Arteta, who has apparently been trying to rid the Gunners’ locker room of two or three big stars and the kind of egos that go with them.
Replaced instead by a group of talented players who have all adopted the vision of the Spaniard.

It’s a plan that has worked perfectly so far with Arsenal now looking like a different beast to the struggling side they’ve been with for so long during Torreira’s time at the club. The Gunners are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League and with reigning champions Manchester City breathing down their necks, Arsenal’s improvement under Arteta cannot be ignored.

Most Emirates loyalists would say that Arteta busting out Torreira’s favorite trio of teammates would be one of the key factors behind Arsenal’s rise.
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Do you think the players deserve a nice looking dressing room? Leave your comments…