AFTV News

How will Arsenal cope without Thomas Partey for the run-in? By James Reid As the race to finish in the top-four goes down to the wire, Thomas Partey’s potentially season-ending injury could have a big impact on Arsenal’s run-in.  Mikel Arteta’s men face a crucial few weeks if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League with key matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Ham coming up in the next few weeks followed by a potentially decisive North London derby against Tottenham.  Consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton have dented the Gunners and the loss of midfielder Partey is a further blow to Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for European football’s top table for the first time since 2017.    How Partey’s injury has upset the balance Ghana international Partey went off with a thigh injury in the defeat at Palace and leaves Arsenal’s midfield light on options.  Arteta’s conundrum in the centre of the park is further co...

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey: the best midfield duo in the Premier League? By Oliver Gafsen In a season that has swivelled from crisis mode to Champions League return, Arteta’s ‘new Arsenal’ have the midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka to thank. It’s no coincidence the Gunners success since December has been matched by the pair's consistent starts, having won 12, lost three and drawn none when Partey and Xhaka line up. Their reversal of fortunes has been astonishing from a summer when Partey and Xhaka epitomised problems to solve; big signings ill-suited for the Premier League and old guard too expensive for the door. But what has transformed the midfielders into one of the best engine rooms in the Premier League? A Brave New Role In December Arteta adopted a bold system, pushing Xhaka further up the park as a No.8 while Partey dropped in behind at No.6 at the base of a triangle with Martin Ødegaard. The result was stark, as an Arsenal side struggling to find the net w...

Who were Arsenal's best performers during the international break? By Jonny Bray Arsenal stars have been lighting up the international stage this week, with several playing critical roles for their sides.  Some have scored or set up goals in international friendlies, while others qualified for this winter's World Cup.  And with the historic tournament in Qatar fast approaching, what better time to look at Arsenal's best performers from the international break? Martin Ødegaard It is almost impossible not to put Martin Ødegaard on this list after his Norway side beat Armenia 9-0 in a friendly.  Norway look like a team that could become a significant force on the European stage in the future, now that they have world-class talents like Ødegaard and Erling Haaland.  The 9-0 win came after a 2-0 victory against Slovakia, where Ødegaard once again played a central role, scoring the second in the 80th minute. The 23-year-old has been in brilliant form for the Gunners all se...

How are Arsenal's players getting on at the Africa Cup of Nations?  By Jonny Bray Arsenal have had a very strong cohort of players competing at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. The Gunners had five players called up to their respective national squads for the competition, and it's been a roller-coaster for all of them. As the tournament draws to a close, let's take a look at how they are getting on in Cameroon. Mohamed Elneny Mohamed Elneny has had an outstanding tournament in the heart of Egypt's midfielder. He's been a crucial part of their side for many years but has been particularly influential in Cameroon. He was named Man of the Match in the 0-0 against Côte d'Ivoire that ended with his side advancing after a penalty shootout. He was also a big part of Egypt getting out of Group D in second place behind Nigeria. His place at Arsenal may be under constant scrutiny, but he never disappoints on the international stage. He's also the Arsenal player ...

Comparing this Arsenal squad with the squad of a decade ago By Jack Lacey-Hatton Mikel Arteta has already rode out some tough moments as Arsenal manager since his appointment in 2019. He still maintains the support of the vast majority of the fanbase and has already overcome a difficult start to the current season, with his team finding form in recent weeks.   However, despite some good summer signings, it is still difficult to gage just how good this group is and whether they are moving in the right direction. Maybe a comparison of the current players with the squad from exactly ten years ago, will give us a clearer picture.   Goalkeepers & Defence New arrivals Aaron Ramsdale, Nuno Tavares and Ben White have settled well at the Emirates since their arrival and the trio have greatly improved both departments. Without these signings it would be difficult to make a case for Arsenal having a strong backline, but all three have made a difference. A decade ago...

Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa review By Jack Lacey-Hatton After a difficult night to start to the week against Crystal Palace on Monday, Arsenal found top gear under the lights to ease past Aston Villa. In one of the best displays of the season so far, goals from Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the impressive Emile Smith-Rowe sealed a 3-1 win. Here’s the review of the action from Friday night at the Emirates Stadium.   Finding consistency A 3-1 victory over Dean Smith’s Villains meant it is now seven games unbeaten in all competitions for Arsenal. The draws against Brighton and Palace either side of the international break did understandably leave some fans frustrated that precious points were being wasted. But keeping up an unbeaten run when not at your best is an important trait for any Premier League side chasing European football. Yet they roared back to form against Villa with a storming first half, dominating possession and forcing the opposition into m...

Does Matteo Guendouzi have a future at Arsenal FC after all? By Oli Dickson Jefford In a club full of polarising figures in recent years, very few have been quite as polarising as Matteo  Guendouzi . For some,  Guendouzi  was a bright young talent who showed natural leadership qualities and could have become a mainstay in the starting XI. For others he was an erratic, hot-headed and at times reckless footballer who cost Arsenal more than he gave them. Mikel Arteta decisively thought the latter, shutting the Frenchman out, and several fans seemingly switched to that view as he became a maligned figure at the club. Loan spells The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin and is now at Marseille, where all of a sudden his career has seemingly been reborn. Guendouzi  scored twice as Marseille beat Lorient 4-1 on Sunday, and he was the club’s Player of the Month in September. Now, many Arsenal fans believe he may actually have a future at the club af...

Could Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain re-sign for Arsenal in the January transfer window? By Jack Lacey-Hatton  This time ten years ago Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of the brightest prospects in the Arsenal squad. Having signed from Southampton for around £12million, Chamberlain debuted in the infamous 8-2 defeat at Manchester United, maybe the only bright spot on an otherwise grim day. A month later he was opening the scoring in a Champions League tie against Olympiacos. Now, a decade on, he is being linked with a possible return to the Emirates stadium, with current club  Liverpool reportedly ready to cash in on the 28-year-old. The midfielder first moved to Merseyside back in 2017 for £35million. He is currently under contract until 2024, so Arsenal may have to pay a fair price to bring him back to N7. Some reports even suggest Liverpool want to recoup the majority of the original transfer fee they paid for him. So would it be a good move for Arsenal?   Yes - he should be b...

International wrap-up – Gunners on tour By Oscar Maung-Haley We take a look at all the international action involving Arsenal players. Kieran Tierney First up is Scotland’s Kieran Tierney, who helped Scotland to an incredible 3-2 come from behind win over Israel that saw Scott McTominay net a 94 th   minute winner in Group F. The Scots went behind on five minutes to an Eran Zahavi goal, before equalising through Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn just before the half-hour mark. Mu'nas Dabbur restored Israel’s lead before Lyndon Dykes pegged them back in the second half to set up a nervy ending. And Steve Clarke’s men, took the lead in the 94 th   minute through McTominay, who bundled in a late corner to send Hampden Park into rapturous scenes. It was an important win for Scotland, who could guarantee a World Cup play-off place for Qatar 2022 with a win over the Faroes Islands on Tuesday and another against Moldova next month. Bukayo Saka Star boy is up next. Once again, Bukayo...