AFTV News

What does Balogun's new contract mean for Arsenal? By Peter White While the rumblings of Spotify supremo Daniel Ek’s potential takeover continue to generate optimism around the Emirates, there was further reason to smile this week after youngster Folarin Balogun committed his future to the club.  Though this season’s on-the-pitch endeavours have flattered to deceive in the main - with Friday night’s limp defeat at home to Everton another example of how far the Gunners have fallen in recent years - news of Balogun’s new contract served as a lift ahead of Thursday’s crucial Europa League outing.  The 19-year-old - who scored against Molde and Dundalk in the continental competition during the current campaign - isn’t expected to play a significant role in the upcoming semi-final against Villarreal, but there is a feeling that he could be a key figure in Arsenal’s gradual rise back up the ranks.  Balogun has been with the north London club since he was nine years old and he h...

Changes galore and so much more: What to expect when Arsenal travel to Dundalk in the Europa League on Thursday night By Adam Le Roux With qualification to the knockout stage already sewn up, Arsenal’s biggest challenge when travelling to Ireland to face Dundalk on Thursday night will be seeing if they can maintain their 100% record in the Europa League group stage this season. The Gunners are yet to drop any points from their five European fixtures in the current campaign, and success at Oriel Park will make them the first English side to take maximum points in the group stage since Tottenham Hotspur in 2013. One eye will already be on next Monday’s knockout stage draw, as Mikel Arteta’s side will find out their fate for the round of 32 when the competition resumes in February, but a professional performance is a must in midweek after a miserable North London Derby defeat last time out. So, for the last time in a while, we look forward to a Thursday night tie under the lights, as...

It's time to talk about Dundalk: Three talking points from Arsenal's 3-0 victory over the Irish Champions in the Europa League By Adam Le Roux Arsenal’s unbeaten start to their Europa League campaign continued on Thursday night with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Dundalk at the Emirates. The visitors put up a dogged fight in the first half, until Eddie Nketiah grabbed the opener minutes before the interval.  Joe Willock followed that one up with a second two minutes later, to see the Gunners head into the break two goals to the good, before Nicolas Pepe rounded off the scoring early in the second period. It was an unfamiliar looking Arsenal side with Mikel Arteta making ten changes to the side that went down 1-0 to Leicester on Sunday, but a team worthy of the victory nonetheless.  Here we take a minute to reflect on Thursday night’s performance, and what we can take away from it. The young guns are alright As Arsenal fans, we are used to seeing the next generation...

Mikel Arteta calls for more from striker Nicolas Pepe after 3-0 victory over Dundalk in Europa League By Adam Le Roux  Mikel Arteta has called on Nicolas Pepe to produce the goods on a more regular basis, after the Ivorian found the net in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Dundalk in the Europa League.  The 25-year-old has been in and out of the Gunners’ starting line-up this season, as he struggles to find some form in front of goal, with Thursday’s strike just his second of the season in all competitions.  It was some finish from the frontman, who swivelled neatly before firing past the visiting goalkeeper with his weaker right foot from outside the penalty area.  It showed us a glimpse of the talent we all know he possesses, and Arteta was keen to emphasise the fact he wants to see more of that sort of quality from the former Lille man. "He's not been first choice in all of the games at the moment but he's played a lot of moments," the Gunners boss said. "Some ...

Is Eddie ready? What to look out for as Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side take on Dundalk in the Europa League. by Adam Le Roux It’s time to forget about the trials and tribulations of the Premier League and turn our attention to European football again this Thursday, as Arsenal welcome Dundalk to the Emirates.  The Irish side are making their return to the Europa League group stage after four years away and will be looking to get back into the thick of it after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Molde last time out. The Gunners came from behind to defeat Rapid Vienna last Thursday night, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang getting the winner late in the game, and they will be looking to lay down a marker to the rest of the group with a home victory here.  It is something of a mystery for Mikel Arteta’s side as they come up against League of Ireland opposition for the first time in their history, but what can we expect from the clash with Filippo Giovagnoli’s outfit?   Goals Goals Goals...