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Arsenal FC | 2025/26 Season

Arsenal do enjoy hammering promoted teams, i think they broken Chelsea record for longest unbeaten run vs promoted sides.
 
I was at the game earlier. I was sat at the clock end so I had a good view of the goals scored by Timber and Saka during the first half.

Great to see Gyokeres get off the mark. There’s no reason why he can’t score 20+ goals.

Cali produced 2 assists so credit to Arteta for opting for him over MLS at LB. Timber was on fire in front of goal as well.

The downside and it’s a big one! We might end up going to Anfield without Saka, Odegaard and Havertz. Squad depth will be tested.
 

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Viktor Gyokeres scored his first Arsenal goals as the Gunners put five past Leeds after unveiling new £60m signing Eberechi Eze before kick-off.

It was a jubilant atmosphere in north London as Eze was introduced to the crowd before the game and the energetic crowd seemed to give the team a lift.

Jurrien Timber scored the opening goal, heading in a trademark set piece before providing an assist for Bukayo Saka for Arsenal's second.

Saka smashed a shot past Lucas Perri just before half-time but then the England winger was forced to limp off injured in the second half.

Striker Gyokeres, a £64m signing, jinked into the box to score Arsenal's third with a low strike before Timber scored his second from another corner.

Mikel Arteta also handed a Premier League debut to 15-year-old Max Dowman, who replaced Noni Madueke, who had been making his first start for the Gunners.

Dowman had an immediate impact, winning a penalty after being brought down by Anton Stach and Gyokeres slammed the ball into the bottom corner with almost the last kick of the game.

Dowman became the second youngest player to play for the club at 15 years and 234 days old, only behind his team-mate Ethan Nwaneri who made his debut at 15 years 181 days in September 2022 against Brentford.

Arteta will be concerned though by the injury to Saka, while he was also forced to replace Martin Odegaard in the first half after his captain limped off with an injury on his 200th appearance for the Gunners.

Leeds were outclassed for most of the match and only really threatened the Arsenal goal once when Pascal Struijk had a header saved by Raya.

Source: BBC
 
topspin said:
I was at the game earlier. I was sat at the clock end so I had a good view of the goals scored by Timber and Saka during the first half.

Great to see Gyokeres get off the mark. There’s no reason why he can’t score 20+ goals.

Cali produced 2 assists so credit to Arteta for opting for him over MLS at LB. Timber was on fire in front of goal as well.

The downside and it’s a big one! We might end up going to Anfield without Saka, Odegaard and Havertz. Squad depth will be tested.
Click to expand...
Next few weeks will show how good squad depth is with us having few injuries.

Saka would be huge blow, but I guess Madueke or Nwaneri can be used there. I don't want to see trossard or Martinelli starting

Eze can then either be used in the 10 or wide left.

Last 3 games at Anfield in league we have played well in 1 half and then been poor in 1 half. No shock all 3 games were drawn. Whilst very few teams go to Anfield and dominate for a whole game. The midfield and moving ball around quickly will be needed as Liverpool can be got at on transition.

Odegaard and havertz won't be missed, they don't turn up in big PL games. We have others in squad who can step in and do a job

We need to be going to Anfield under the belief we can win. Sadly you have some fans celebrating the fact we have drawn last 3 games there like that's an achievement.

Next weekend is go make a statement and win at your rivals.
 
Gyokeres’ first goal was so good. The kind of positive goal I wanted him to score and that penalty was ruthless.

The miss was horrendous though.
 
Amjid Javed said:
Next few weeks will show how good squad depth is with us having few injuries.

Saka would be huge blow, but I guess Madueke or Nwaneri can be used there. I don't want to see trossard or Martinelli starting

Eze can then either be used in the 10 or wide left.

Last 3 games at Anfield in league we have played well in 1 half and then been poor in 1 half. No shock all 3 games were drawn. Whilst very few teams go to Anfield and dominate for a whole game. The midfield and moving ball around quickly will be needed as Liverpool can be got at on transition.

Odegaard and havertz won't be missed, they don't turn up in big PL games. We have others in squad who can step in and do a job

We need to be going to Anfield under the belief we can win. Sadly you have some fans celebrating the fact we have drawn last 3 games there like that's an achievement.

Next weekend is go make a statement and win at your rivals.
Click to expand...

Plz tell us more.
 
Obaidd said:
Gyokeres’ first goal was so good. The kind of positive goal I wanted him to score and that penalty was ruthless.

The miss was horrendous though.
Click to expand...

It looks horrendous but in all fairness he was on the back foot so to steer into the net wasn’t as easy as it looked.
 
How is Zubimendi. One of the best midfielders in the world without any doubt.

A nice shut up call to the delusional clowns who claimed that he will need time to adjust to the PL. When you are good, you are good. You don’t need time to adjust. It is a myth.

He has slotted in perfectly. What a complete midfielder.
 
aboveandbeyond said:
Wirtz no doubt one of the best in Europe. That just shows your lack of footballing IQ.

Youve Jumped to a conclusion after just one Game.
Click to expand...
I have forgotten more about football than you will ever learn. I don’t need lectures on football from people like you.

Wirtz is not a value for money signing, he is also going to disrupt Liverpool’s balance especially if they sign Isak.

Liverpool didn’t need Wirtz, he is not worth the price they have paid for him, and he shines only in very specific setups which Liverpool is unlikely to provide him.

I am ready to stick my neck on the line here and state that he will be the most expensive flop of the summer.

Feel free to call me out in May if this statement fails to stand the test of time.

Eze, Cherki and Reijnders are all superior signings than Wirtz.
 
Mamoon said:
How is Zubimendi. One of the best midfielders in the world without any doubt.

A nice shut up call to the delusional clowns who claimed that he will need time to adjust to the PL. When you are good, you are good. You don’t need time to adjust. It is a myth.

He has slotted in perfectly. What a complete midfielder.
Click to expand...

There was never any doubt. I knew he’d be an upgrade on Partey in defensive midfield.

Only some of the African fans on social media were crying about the loss of Partey. I’m glad he’s gone. Whilst he was great off the ball, Zubimendi is far superior on it.
 
.

Whilst it was a good performance and was good to see Gyokeres, Nwaneri and dowman do well.

it seems usually suspects are shooting their loads early, like they did last season. Proclaiming players have settled in after 1 game is hilarious.

Also comparing price of players at Liverpool and Arsenal 🤦‍♂️

Why not compare the cost of Liverpools title winning midfield vs Arsenal which didn't last season. Usual retarded attention seeking.

Arteta has spent over a 1BN now, so point finger at what other clubs have spent is plain retarded as well.

Enjoy yesterday for what it was a victory over a promoted side. Let's see if we can go to Anfield and win.

Because certain are happy with drawing games at Anfield
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mamoon said:
I have forgotten more about football than you will ever learn. I don’t need lectures on football from people like you.

Wirtz is not a value for money signing, he is also going to disrupt Liverpool’s balance especially if they sign Isak.

Liverpool didn’t need Wirtz, he is not worth the price they have paid for him, and he shines only in very specific setups which Liverpool is unlikely to provide him.

I am ready to stick my neck on the line here and state that he will be the most expensive flop of the summer.

Feel free to call me out in May if this statement fails to stand the test of time.

Eze, Cherki and Reijnders are all superior signings than Wirtz.
Click to expand...

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Once wirtz fully calamities to the League, he will no doubt stand out. Class is permanent.
 
Amjid Javed said:
it seems usually suspects are shooting their loads early, like they did last season. Proclaiming players have settled in after 1 game is hilarious.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you're referring to me but if you are, Zubimendi is a proven player. Arsenal have done well to sign him for £60m. The difference between him and Partey in possession is literally night and day.
 
topspin said:
I'm not sure if you're referring to me but if you are, Zubimendi is a proven player. Arsenal have done well to sign him for £60m. The difference between him and Partey in possession is literally night and day.
Click to expand...

Zubimendi is a very good player, no has doubts on that. No one has said he's a bad player.

But passing judgement on 1 PL game vs Leeds and people saying he's better then Partey is a huge over reaction.

Partey poor fitness at the club was his downfall. This is a guy that rarely got Athletico, it's only when he joined Arsenal he started to get injured regularly.

Both title races that Arsenal were in, Partey was a pivotal part of both. When partey was missing in both season Arsenal midfield looked mediocre to say the least.

Fair enough you don't like Partey for his off field behaviour. But let's not act like this guy was some sort of mediocre player like lakonga, elneny etc.

Zubimendi was good in LA liga, but so was Partey. If Zubimendi is as good as you say he is "levels above" then Arsenal should be winning the league.

Because if your upgrading on Partey, then essentially your talking about someone on the level of a prime Rodri.

Simply saying Zubimendi is better then Partey based on a single PL game is very disingenuous to say the least.

Just enjoy Zubimendi for who he is, hopefully he can take Arsenal over the line
 
Amjid Javed said:
Simply saying Zubimendi is better then Partey based on a single PL game is very disingenuous to say the least.
Click to expand...

Zubimendi was highly regarded as one of the best DMs in the world before he joined Arsenal, so to suggest that anyone who rates him more highly than Partey based on “one PL game” is the disingenuous statement being made here.

Partey has never been regarded as a top tier DM, so this comparison is not even worthy of discussion. Zubimendi is a far more complete player as a DM. His technical superiority and mobility allows Rice to play with more freedom as a number 8.

The only reason why Zubimendi doesn’t start for Spain is because he’s up against Rodri, who’s the best DM in the world and a Ballon d’or winner.
 
Zubi and Partey are very different profiles in the same position. The drop in our performance when Partey was missing last year was significant and ended up costing us the SF vs PSG.

AJ is right in a way that if Zubi is leagues above Partey then we should be winning the pl this year easy as that should put Zubi at Rodri level lol.

Excited for the Zubimendi era!
 
topspin said:
It looks horrendous but in all fairness he was on the back foot so to steer into the net wasn’t as easy as it looked.
Click to expand...

He had time to take another touch and there wasn’t the need to steer it in but his goal no 1 cleared doubts in my mind. That was the kind of instinct we’d been missing too long.
His direct style is refreshing.
 
topspin said:
Zubimendi was highly regarded as one of the best DMs in the world before he joined Arsenal, so to suggest that anyone who rates him more highly than Partey based on “one PL game” is the disingenuous statement being made here.

Partey has never been regarded as a top tier DM, so this comparison is not even worthy of discussion. Zubimendi is a far more complete player as a DM. His technical superiority and mobility allows Rice to play with more freedom as a number 8.

The only reason why Zubimendi doesn’t start for Spain is because he’s up against Rodri, who’s the best DM in the world and a Ballon d’or winner.
Click to expand...

Partey had never been regarded as a top Tier DM? Really and by who? Most people in the PL saw Partey as 2nd best player in the PL in that position behind Rodri

Sorry but your clear hatred for Partey is showing here, your acting like he's some sort of 2nd rate player. At same time you made a huge fuss of xhaka at Arsenal who essentially was a failure and had 1 good season at the club.

Zubimendi is technically a better footballer il agree on that and he's a better passer of the ball. From a defensive point of view we will see how good Zubimendi is when we play better sides, who don't just come and park the bus. Zubimendi got absolute bullied physically in midfield in the europa league ties vs man united last season. Even the game last week, he was caught out positionally a couple of times.

Will see the full extent of Zubimendi as a player when we play better sides. I dont doubt he's a good player, but will see the difference in step up from playing for a team who was pushing for Europa / CL to a side which has to win a PL title.

To say that their isn't even a dicussion is again disingenuous. Zubimendi performances in La liga were not a level above parteys performances at Athletico.

From a PL point of view, will see how good Zubimendi is in PL.

I'm happy enjoying partey for what he was on the pitch, what Zubimendi will be for Arsenal.

If Zubimendi is that elite, then he should be running circles are liverpools midfield next week
 
Obaidd said:
Zubi and Partey are very different profiles in the same position. The drop in our performance when Partey was missing last year was significant and ended up costing us the SF vs PSG.

AJ is right in a way that if Zubi is leagues above Partey then we should be winning the pl this year easy as that should put Zubi at Rodri level lol.

Excited for the Zubimendi era!
Click to expand...
Exactly My point.

Their is no hate for either player, just an appreciation. If Zubimendi I'd essentially at the level of Rodri, then Arsenal should be winning the league

The guys played 2 PL games and supposedly in those 2 games, he's produced better than what Partey did while at Arsenal

Go watch Zubimendi last season vs United in Europa when his bum hole was getting ripped at old Trafford.

This is why I always say don't get carried away good of bad after a few games
 
Thomas Partey's Strengths
    • Physicality and Ball Carrying:
      Known for his strength, he is adept at driving forward with the ball and can operate more as a box-to-box midfielder, completing more carries and progressive passes per 90 minutes.
    • Aggressive Defense:
      Partey exhibits a more front-foot defensive approach, with higher numbers in successful tackles and winning possession in the final third.
    • Attacking Contributions:
      He has a higher output in key passes and goal-creating actions, indicating a stronger contribution to the team's attack.
Martín Zubimendi's Strengths
    • Composure and Passing:
      A technically gifted player with excellent passing ability, he is seen as a highly reliable and calm presence in possession.
    • Tactical Intelligence:
      Zubimendi demonstrates superior game reading and tactical intelligence, leading to higher numbers in clearances, interceptions, and blocks.
    • Deep-Lying Role:
      He specializes as a deep-lying defensive midfielder, focusing on protecting the backline, distributing the ball, and controlling the game's tempo.
    • Consistency:
      Zubimendi offers significant consistency and can improve the players around him, adapting quickly to new environments.
Key Differences
    • Playing Style:
      Partey is an all-around midfielder with physical power and forward drive, while Zubimendi is a more technical, positional, and defense-focused player.
    • Defensive Approach:
      Partey's defense is aggressive and focused on winning the ball high up the pitch, whereas Zubimendi's is more about positional play, reading the game, and clearing danger.
    • Offensive Role:
      Partey has more attacking freedom and involvement in creating chances, while Zubimendi's primary role is in retaining possession and building from the back.

 
Amjid Javed said:
Partey had never been regarded as a top Tier DM? Really and by who? Most people in the PL saw Partey as 2nd best player in the PL in that position behind Rodri

Sorry but your clear hatred for Partey is showing here, your acting like he's some sort of 2nd rate player. At same time you made a huge fuss of xhaka at Arsenal who essentially was a failure and had 1 good season at the club.

Zubimendi is technically a better footballer il agree on that and he's a better passer of the ball. From a defensive point of view we will see how good Zubimendi is when we play better sides, who don't just come and park the bus. Zubimendi got absolute bullied physically in midfield in the europa league ties vs man united last season. Even the game last week, he was caught out positionally a couple of times.

Will see the full extent of Zubimendi as a player when we play better sides. I dont doubt he's a good player, but will see the difference in step up from playing for a team who was pushing for Europa / CL to a side which has to win a PL title.

To say that their isn't even a dicussion is again disingenuous. Zubimendi performances in La liga were not a level above parteys performances at Athletico.

From a PL point of view, will see how good Zubimendi is in PL.

I'm happy enjoying partey for what he was on the pitch, what Zubimendi will be for Arsenal.

If Zubimendi is that elite, then he should be running circles are liverpools midfield next week
Click to expand...

Let's agree to disagree. I don't have "clear hatred" for Partey. I just think Zubimendi is much better.

In my eyes, Zubimendi is a 9 out of 10 and Partey is a 7 out of 10, so I do rate the Ghanian but I guess I prefer the profile of Zubimendi. He reminds me of peak Jorginho (at Chelsea) but a more calm and mobile version of him.
 
topspin said:
Let's agree to disagree. I don't have "clear hatred" for Partey. I just think Zubimendi is much better.

In my eyes, Zubimendi is a 9 out of 10 and Partey is a 7 out of 10, so I do rate the Ghanian but I guess I prefer the profile of Zubimendi. He reminds me of peak Jorginho (at Chelsea) but a more calm and mobile version of him.
Click to expand...

I also think the Spaniard is a better fit for Arsenal because we need to free Rice up so he has more freedom to go forward.

I do agree that he doesn't have the same physicality like Partey does, so he'll be tested physically but I back his footballing IQ and reading of the game to outweigh this.
 
topspin said:
Let's agree to disagree. I don't have "clear hatred" for Partey. I just think Zubimendi is much better.

In my eyes, Zubimendi is a 9 out of 10 and Partey is a 7 out of 10, so I do rate the Ghanian but I guess I prefer the profile of Zubimendi. He reminds me of peak Jorginho (at Chelsea) but a more calm and mobile version of him.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's fine, I just think the was no need to dismiss Partey like he was an average player. Like I said if Zubimendi turns out at a higher level in PL, then Arsenal should be winning the league.

If Zubimendi can be a better version of jorghino (Chelsea version) then it's benefit to the club.
 
topspin said:
I also think the Spaniard is a better fit for Arsenal because we need to free Rice up so he has more freedom to go forward.

I do agree that he doesn't have the same physicality like Partey does, so he'll be tested physically but I back his footballing IQ and reading of the game to outweigh this.
Click to expand...
Arsenal only get the best out of Zubimendi if whats infront of him use the ball more effectively. When Zubimendi plays for Spain, he has good technical ball progresses infront of him. Yes Rice will get more freedom, but for Zubimendi to dictate pace in midfield others have to be able to play one touch football..

Yesterday there were numerous occasions in 1st 30 mins where ball went into Odegaard and Zubimendi and moved into space wait for ball to be returned and took ages for him to get it back. No coincidence that when Nwaneri and dowman were on, you so Zubimendi look even better.

Next week at Anfield Arsenal are going to have to move the ball quickly to try and get space in-between liverpools full backs bombing forward. Arsenal need rice and eze occupying position in front of him.

Liverpool will look to press Zubimendi to stop him starting of play, so this will be a test for him on physicality and pressing in a high paced PL game vs a top side.
 
Amjid Javed said:
Arsenal only get the best out of Zubimendi if whats infront of him use the ball more effectively. When Zubimendi plays for Spain, he has good technical ball progresses infront of him. Yes Rice will get more freedom, but for Zubimendi to dictate pace in midfield others have to be able to play one touch football..

Yesterday there were numerous occasions in 1st 30 mins where ball went into Odegaard and Zubimendi and moved into space wait for ball to be returned and took ages for him to get it back. No coincidence that when Nwaneri and dowman were on, you so Zubimendi look even better.

Next week at Anfield Arsenal are going to have to move the ball quickly to try and get space in-between liverpools full backs bombing forward. Arsenal need rice and eze occupying position in front of him.

Liverpool will look to press Zubimendi to stop him starting of play, so this will be a test for him on physicality and pressing in a high paced PL game vs a top side.
Click to expand...

I noticed this as well and I was left a bit frustrated with what I saw. The crowd around me were also exasperated with Odegaard's end product, decision making and slowness in releasing the ball. I was concerned at that point because I thought if we're struggling to a newly promoted team at home, what are we going to achieve with tough away fixtures coming up at Liverpool, City and Newcastle?

When Odegaard came off, Arsenal were playing a lot more freely.
 
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