AFTV News

Time for Auba down the middle? Talking points from Arsenal 0-1 Leicester By Paul Martin Arsenal could have ended the day in the top four had they beaten Leicester at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Leicester and Jamie Vardy had other ideas, consigning Mikel Arteta's side to a second straight 1-0 league defeat which left the Gunners in tenth. If Spurs beat Burnley tonight, Arsenal will slip into the bottom half. Check out the talking points from a flat performance in N7… Auba down the middle? Arsenal drew a blank for the second weekend in a row – is it time for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to play a more central role? That may seem harsh on Alexandre Lacazette, who has scored three goals in five Premier League games this season, but the Frenchman missed a gilt-edged chance on Sunday and looked below his best. Ultimately, Aubameyang is Arsenal’s most potent attacking threat and it may be time to see how effective he can be down the middle. His winner at Rapid Wien in midweek was an exam...

Arteta blasts referee Craig Pawson after 1-0 defeat against Leicester By Will Jennings MIKEL ARTETA fumed at referee Craig Pawson for disallowing Alexandre Lacazette’s early goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat against Leicester. The Gunners were floored by a late Foxes smash and grab as Jamie Vardy netted the decisive goal in the 80th minute at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal looked to have taken the lead after just three minutes but Lacazette’s header was ruled out for offside after it was adjudged Granit Xhaka had interfered with play in front of Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Arteta blasted Pawson for chalking off the Frenchman’s strike as the Gunners, who dominated possession throughout, went down to their third defeat of the Premier League season. Asked if he’d received an explanation from Pawson about the disallowed goal, the 38-year-old moaned: “No. I asked them and they didn't say anything. “I’m really disappointed. We had it in our hands in the first half and I don't k...

What to look out for when Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leicester City on Sunday By Adam Le Roux With a successful start to the Europa League campaign under their belts, Arsenal return to Premier League action this Sunday as they welcome Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City to the Emirates.  The games are coming thick and fast at the moment, meaning Mikel Arteta and his side can’t rest on their laurels after a come-from-behind victory in Vienna on Thursday, with the Foxes ready to pounce if the Gunners aren’t on their game.  This will be the second time in just over a month that the two sides have met, with Arsenal taking the bragging rights in September’s 2-0 Carabao Cup victory, albeit with two much-changed teams taking to the field that night.  In the league it has been a different story when these two have clashed in recent times, with the Foxes unbeaten in the last three meetings.  In fact, you’d have to go back to 2018 for the last Premier League v...