AFTV News

The winners and losers of the summer transfer window By Jonny Bray It's been a dramatic summer transfer window, with top-quality players from around the world joining Premier League sides.  Even clubs tipped for relegation have targeted elite talents this summer.  But who are the window's winners and losers?  The Winners Arsenal Arsenal have strengthened their starting XI this summer, with several leading Premier League talents joining the Gunners.  In Gabriel Jesus the Gunners finally have a 20-goal-a-season striker, while in Oleksandr Zinchenko they have acquired a criminally underrated and versatile talent.  Then there's Fábio Vieira.  He's yet to make his debut for Arsenal, but all signs suggest that he'll make a significant impact on Mikel Arteta's side.  Add Matt Turner and Marquinhos to that list, and Arsenal have enjoyed the best summer of any of the top sides based on what fans have seen so far.  Crystal Palace Crystal Palace have gone ab...

Chelsea, Spurs or Arsenal - which London side has the strongest squad this season?  By Jonny Bray Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal have enjoyed excellent starts to the season. The Gunners are undefeated while the Blues and Spurs played out an excellent 2-2 draw after impressive opening day wins.  But which of these three London sides have the strongest squad heading into the rest of the season? Chelsea Chelsea are so strong at the back.  They have countless stars, with some exciting young players coming through.  In the heart of midfield they're arguably the best in the league, with a variety of versatile talents from N'Golo Kanté to Conor Gallagher.  They would win this debate hands down were it not for their achilles heel, the lack of a recognised centre-forward. When their wingers are at their best this isn't too much of a problem, but now they're out of form, it's clear they need more options.  Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz are both outstanding players, but...

How much will the departure of Omari Hutchinson cost Arsenal? By Will Castle   Arsenal haven’t been short of activity in the transfer market this summer. Following the arrivals of five exciting new talents to the Emirates, including established Premier League stars Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, it would be fair to say that most Gooners are rather satisfied with the business Mikel Arteta has conducted during the transfer window. However, if there is one saga from the summer that will leave a sour taste in the mouth for fans, it would revolve around the loss of highly rated youngster Omari Hutchinson to bitter rivals Chelsea. Jumping ship to the blue side of London, the 18-year-old is now inevitably the topic of disdain among supporters, becoming the latest former Arsenal player to be branded as a ‘Judas’. However, putting emotion aside, there is still one question that needs to be asked: will the failure to keep hold of Hutchinson come back to bite the Gunners?   Yes I...

What are Arsenal’s pre-season plans? By Tum Balogun  With the unusual timing of this year’s World Cup in Qatar, the first half of this season’s footballing calendar is about as condensed as humanly possible.  Many Premier League clubs, including the Gunners, will be returning to pre-season training as early as next week ahead of a busy Premier League campaign which begins 5th August.  Mikel Arteta’s men will be looking to integrate the summer recruits into the team’s system and get some crucial running into their legs for the intense year ahead.  Where are they going?  Arsenal will be participating in two foreign camps before a final pre-season fixture back home at The Emirates.  The first, shorter, trip takes them to Germany ahead of a US tour which is split between Baltimore, Maryland and Orlando, Florida.  The Gunners could yet add more fixtures to the light schedule to guarantee sharpness at the start of the campaign.  Who are they playing?...

Transfer Profile: Tammy Abraham By Alec McQuarrie It is no secret that Arsenal are in the market for a striker this summer, with first Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and now Alexandre Lacazette departing from North London. Discussions are underway to secure the services of Eddie Nketiah beyond the expiry of his contract this month, but even if the 22-year-old is persuaded to stay, Mikel Arteta is desperately in need of forward options for next season. And after a terrific year in Italy, could former Chelsea centre forward Tammy Abraham be the answer to Arsenal’s attacking shortage? Who is he? Despite growing up an Arsenal fan in south London, Abraham joined Chelsea’s academy at under-8 level, progressing through their system to become one of the hottest prospects at the club. Between 2014 and 2016 he scored 74 goals in 98 matches for Chelsea’s youth sides, earning him a first-team debut aged 18. A successful loan spell at Bristol City followed, where he became the first-ever player to win t...

Arsenal’s best and worst moments of the season  By James Reid The 2021/22 season has been a real rollercoaster for Arsenal, with plenty of highs and lows.  A disastrous start was turned around by Mikel Arteta’s youthful side and it looked like a top-four finish was on the cards despite a difficult January and April.  However, crushing defeats to Spurs and Newcastle put a return to the Champions League out of sight for another season.   With the dust beginning to settle on the season, we took a look at some of the best and worst moments.  Best: Chelsea 2 - 4 Arsenal The Gunners came into this game off the back of three defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Southampton.  The results, and the manner of the losses, looked to have derailed Arsenal’s push for the top four as what should have been nine points turned into zero.  Mikel Arteta’s men arrived at Stamford Bridge knowing that nothing but a win would do, never an easy feat away at Chelsea.  B...

How has Arsenal v Manchester United changed the race for fourth? By Alec McQuarrie It’s been a dream week for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. The Gunners bounced back from three straight defeats – only once in Arteta’s reign had Arsenal previously lost three league games on the bounce – with vital wins over top four rivals Chelsea and Manchester United. Both will almost certainly prove decisive come the end of the season, but what does the 3-1 victory actually mean for the race for fourth? United out of the race? Firstly, Arsenal may have just struck a knockout blow to United’s chances of Champions League football next season. Rangnick’s men have now won only once in their last five games and sit six points off fourth, having played a game more than both Arsenal and Spurs. And following a diabolical performance in midweek against Liverpool and a lacklustre showing at the Emirates today, it would be no surprise if they lost their next match to third-place Chelsea. On the other hand, if they ove...