‘Anxiety’ – Declan Rice makes honest Arsenal Premier League title admission amid fixture chaos

Arsenal endured yet another tense injury-time this weekend as they scored twice in the additional seven minutes to claim a 4-2 win over Leicester City. The Foxes had come from two goals down to force the Gunners into peppering their goal with a total of 36 shots eventually breaking through the stubborn Mads Hermansen.

Any hope of some nearby rest, however, is not going to materialise for Arsenal as in less than 48 hours they will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The schedule remains relentless and this is not lost on the players.
Ethan Nwaneri decision, Raya risk and Sterling chance – Arsenal line ups vs Leicester
Declan Rice has been a prevalent figure and only missed one Premier League game in this and last season because of a red card suspension. He is a key part of Mikel Arteta’s side and is rarely substituted or rotated.
football.london heard from the former West Ham man following the win over Leicester. Asked about the toll on the mental side of the game, the Arsenal talisman gave a very honest answer.
“Mentally it is tough,” he said. “The anxiety is through the roof!
“You know the pressure of playing for Arsenal, you have to win every game. And if you want to win Premier Leagues and cups, compete at the top, you need to be at your best and you need to win – otherwise the pressure mounts.
“So when that second goal went in for them today, one thought is – we can’t lose this game, we have to keep going. At the end it is kind of like a sigh of relief, because we won the game, we deserved to win the game.
“That was probably the most comfortable we have been in the first half all season, in terms of passing the ball, dominating the ball. There are lots of positives to take, but still so much to improve on. As the season goes on, I am sure you are going to keep seeing the best of us.”
Yet a goal and a result can make all the difference to how teams and individual players behave and perform. This was perhaps evident from Rice’s teammate’s goal on the weekend which gave Arsenal a first-half lead.
Following a drought of goal contributions, Gabriel Martinelli has three in his last two games and the opener on Sunday looked as though it lifted a weight from the Brazilian. Rice spoke after Martinelli had missed a big chance at Atalanta last week and spoke of his tenacity and drive.
In the wake of his goal, football.london put the question to Rice regarding the 23-year-old and for his thoughts on his response since the trip to Italy. “A goal, assist, probably two more chances he had, and he works every day in training on these type of chances, these runs, these finishes,” he replied.
“It was only a matter of time before he got back on the scoresheet, so I am delighted for him today.”
Now both will likely combine against PSG on Tuesday night. Certainly one of the tougher games that the Gunners will face in this new-look version of the competition.
Ethan Nwaneri decision, Raya risk and Sterling chance – Arsenal line ups vs Leicester
“It is a different format now, but we are coming up against probably tougher teams than you normally would in a group-stage format,” Rice said. “We have got more tougher teams now. We have got an exciting night here, which is our second game.
“Usually you would find these games in the quarter-finals or semi-finals, so for it to be our second game is massive. It is a big game because we need to get points on the board in this new format.
“We will be ready and we are excited because we have not played PSG before. They are a top team, so we will be ready for that one.”
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Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of PSG : Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Oleksandr Zinchenko latest…

Arsenal Injury Update and Return Timelines for PSG: Ben White and Martin Odegaard

Current injury news for Arsenal and expected return timelines for players before facing PSG: recent information regarding Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Arsenal aims for a successful second attempt in the 2024-25 Champions League as they prepare to host Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates on Tuesday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s squad managed only a single point from their opening match against Atalanta BC, which ended in a goalless draw.

 

They owe much to David Raya, whose remarkable double save in the second half preserved the team’s unbeaten streak this season. The Gunners enter this match following an exciting 4-2 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League.

 

Below, Sports Mole provides the latest updates on Arsenal’s injury and suspension status ahead of their encounter with PSG, who narrowly defeated Girona 1-0 in their first European match of the season.

 

Ben White

 

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Knee

Expected return: October 1 (vs. PSG)

 

Ben White played through a knee injury during the recent 2-2 draw against Manchester City, but the condition has worsened. After missing matches against Bolton Wanderers and Leicester, his availability for the Champions League clash remains uncertain.

 

Martin Odegaard

 

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Expected return: November 2 (vs. Newcastle United)

 

The absence of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was felt during the draw with Atalanta BC. He will also miss the match against the French champions due to an ankle injury, which is expected to sideline him until November.

 

Mikel Merino

 

Status: Out

Type of injury: Shoulder

Expected return: October 5 (vs. Southampton)

 

Mikel Merino was initially projected to be unavailable until after the October international break due to a shoulder fracture. He will not be fit for the PSG match, but Arteta has not dismissed the possibility of Merino making his debut against Southampton next weekend.

 

Takehiro Tomiyasu

 

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Expected return: October 19 (vs. Bournemouth)

 

Takehiro Tomiyasu has resumed partial training after suffering a knee injury during pre-season. However, he is currently lagging behind Merino in terms of recovery, making a return before the international break unlikely.

 

Kieran Tierney

 

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

 

Kieran Tierney has been sidelined for approximately three months due to a hamstring injury sustained during Euro 2024, and there is still no timeline for when the 27-year-old will be available for selection with the Gunners.

 

Oleksandr Zinchenko

 

Status: Out

Type of injury: Calf

Possible return date: October 27 (vs. Liverpool)

 

Oleksandr Zinchenko sustained a calf injury prior to the derby victory against Tottenham Hotspur on September 15. Arteta has acknowledged that the Ukrainian player will require a few more weeks to regain full fitness.

 

ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST

Arsenal currently has no players suspended for this match.

Remarkable stat shows why Arsenal must be extra wary of one player in Leicester clash despite winless start

Arsenal are set to face Leicester City in their next Premier League game, and they will be confident of a victory.

Mikel Arteta’s side survived a brutal week of fixtures which saw them beat Tottenham Hotspur and draw at Manchester City, and are still unbeaten this season.

It is a different story for Leicester, with Steve Cooper already under pressure as the Foxes are yet to win in the Premier League.

Arsenal will therefore be confident of securing a comfortable victory against Leicester at the Emirates, but they cannot be too complacent.

Former Hale End product Stephy Mavididi is in good form ahead of his Emirates return, and they have another deadly attacking threat.

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Jamie Vardy of Leicester City warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Everton FC at The King Power Stadium on Sept...

Arsenal must be wary of Jamie Vardy’s record in Leicester clash

Although he is now 37, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is still a potent attacking threat. He has scored two goals this season, including one against Tottenham Hotspur in a 1-1 draw.

Arsenal are well aware of the qualities Vardy brings to the Leicester team. The Englishman was the top scorer as Leicester beat Arsenal to the Premier League title in 2015-16, and he rejected a move to the Emirates shortly after.

Vardy has often terrorised Arsenal, as he has scored an astonishing 11 goals in 16 games against the Gunners. Five of these came at the Emirates, and he has recorded four victories over Arsenal in his career.

Centre-back sensations William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will have to be wary of the threat he will bring, even if he does not have the deadly pace he once possessed.

Arsenal’s chaotic encounters with Leicester City

Arsenal’s clashes with Leicester are almost always eventful. Danny Welbeck scored a 94th minute winner against Leicester in 2016 which gave a faint hope of winning the title, and there have been other dramatic encounters.

The Gunners recorded a 4-3 victory over Leicester on the opening day of the 2017-18 season, with Olivier Giroud scoring a late winner after Arsenal went 3-2 down, and they scored four again on their opening home game in 2022 as Gabriel Jesus dazzled on his Emirates debut.

This time, Arteta will be hoping for a more straightforward game, but Vardy will be hoping to spoil Arsenal’s title challenge and get his side up and running for the season.

One incredible stat shows the impact Riccardo Calafiori has had on struggling Arsenal star

Arsenal struck gold when they signed defender Riccardo Calafiori in the summer, and the Italian has settled in instantly.

Calafiori scored an outstanding goal against Manchester City on his full Arsenal debut, and he has continued to impress as he has landed a starting role in the absence of Ben White, with Jurrien Timber moving to right-back.

The former Bologna defender excels on the ball and has driven forward into attacking areas superbly, whilst also bringing defensive intelligence and supreme physicality.

Calafiori has helped fix Arsenal’s left side within just two games, and it is easy to see why Mikel Arteta brought him in.

Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrate after teammate Leandro Trossard (not pictured) scores his team's second goal during ...

Riccardo Calafiori has helped Gabriel Martinelli revival

Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli found himself struggling for confidence, after he went 18 games without a goal or assist, with his last contribution coming against Sheffield United in March.

Many claimed that Arsenal’s left-side had hindered Martinelli. Granit Xhaka’s departure, as well as the inconsistency at left-back, meant that the winger would struggle to find openings for chances.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu all played at left-back, and none helped get the best out of Martinelli as they all performed different roles with no consistent starts.

However, after just two appearances with Calafiori supporting him at left-back, Martinelli looks back to his best. In two games, Martinelli has scored once and provided two assists, after 18 games without a goal or assist.

Arsenal are about to fix the left-side problem

Arsenal’s lack of consistency and output from the left side was a problem last season, but Arteta has already taken active steps to fix it.

Having a left-back as complete, and as comfortable on the ball as Calafiori has already raised the level at left-back, and getting Martinelli back to his best will be like a new signing.

Mikel Merino has also joined in midfield, and the Spaniard can provide enough physicality and technical excellence to be able to drift towards the left and support Martinelli further, whilst Raheem Sterling is also an option on that side.

It is already clear that Martinelli performs better with Calafiori behind him, and this could be the key to fixing the issue on the left. If Arsenal are to challenge for the title, they will need consistency across all positions on the pitch.

Bukayo Saka breaks nine-year Premier League record as Arsenal beat Leicester, he did three remarkable things

Arsenal endured a frustrating game at times as they beat Leicester 4-2, with their dominance only converted into goals in injury time.

Mikel Arteta’s side were dangerously close to dropping points from a 2-0 lead as a brace from James Justin meant Leicester levelled the score, but Leandro Trossard forced an own goal from Wilfried Ndidi, and Kai Havertz tapped in to make it 4-2 in a chaotic game.

Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was outstanding as he kept Arsenal at bay, with the home side recording an astonishing 36 shots, and Arsenal registered a higher xG total than any other team in any Premier League match this season.

Bukayo Saka was excellent on the right wing despite not scoring or assisting, but his underlying stats are remarkably good, and his overall performance reached a level no one else has for nine years.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal applauds fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2...
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Bukayo Saka breaks records in Arsenal win vs Leicester

Saka was instrumental going forward, and this was reflected in his performance stats as he shone in multiple aspects of his play.

“Bukayo Saka is the first player in the last nine seasons at least to complete 8+ take-ons, create 8+ chances and have 8+ touches in the opp. box in a Premier League game,” statisticians Squakwa posted on X.

 

Bukayo Saka’s stats vs Leicester

Although Saka did not score or provide an assist, the 23-year-old was hugely influential in the victory over Leicester

Theo Walcott applauds what ‘fearless’ Arsenal star did during dramatic 4-2 win over Leicester City

Arsenal sealed a last-gasp win over Leicester City to earn a hard-fought three points in the Premier League.

Coming off the back of away tests against Tottenham and Manchester City, Mikel Arteta’s side returned to N5 in the Premier League to battle Leicester City.

Just as it seemed as though Arsenal were cruising thanks to first half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, the Foxes found a way back into the fixture.

A James Justin brace kept the scoreline level right up until the 94th minute, before a Wilfred Ndidi own goal and a Kai Havertz tap in handed the hosts three points in the dying embers.

  • READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Leicester City, Martinelli 9/10 as Gunners secure dramatic late win
Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal in the centre of the goal celebrations during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirate...

Theo Walcott praises Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri for cameo vs Leicester City

After Manchester City dropped points to Newcastle United in the early kick off on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal’s objective was made even clearer.

It almost looked as though Arteta’s side had disappointingly fluffed their lines at home, with Ndidi’s late own goal and Havertz’s tap in saving the day.

While the two goals in the dying embers will steal the headlines, former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott reserved big praise for one star who made a great impression with his 17-minute cameo.

“The great thing that comes from him is he’s fearless and confident on the ball,” Walcott pinpointed about Nwaneri.

“From his first few touches you see that he’s direct, wants to commit players, gets shots away, the end product is there.”

Late on in the fixture, the 17-year-old brought a tireless energy, with Walcott encapsulating Nwaneri’s cameo perfectly by branding him ‘fearless’.

“This man has got a very good career ahead of him,” the ex-Arsenal star said, rounding off his assessment of the teenager, who had a memorable week in Arteta’s squad.

Nwaneri’s stats against Leicester

It’s unsurprising that Arteta called on Nwaneri to inject some magic into the game late on, given the extent that the Englishman impressed in mid-week.

Nwaneri scored his first senior goals for the Gunners in the EFL Cup third-round win over Bolton on Wednesday night, carrying his form into the weekend ready to threaten the Foxes.

The teen had another near-perfect time on the pitch at the Emirates, completing 100% of his attempted passes, long balls and dribbles against Leicester, via Sofascore.

Despite only having 10 touches on the ball, Nwaneri made them count, echoing Walcott’s praise regarding the 17-year-old’s ability to produce an end product.

Only time will tell how long it will take for the attacking midfielder to earn his full Premier League debut under Arteta, with the youngster doing all he possibly can to impress the boss.

Premier League release statement during Arsenal vs Leicester City after late decision

The Premier League have explained why VAR overturned the decision to rule out Kai Havertz’s late goal for offside as Arsenal made sure of the three points against Leicester City.

In what was a rollercoaster of a match for both teams, Arsenal took a two-goal lead into the half time break thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. They may have been forgiven for thinking it was going to be a comfortable afternoon against winless Leicester.

But the second half proved to be anything but. James Justin halved the deficit after just two minutes of the second half, and the full-back was on the scoresheet again in the 63rd minute, a stunning volley drawing the Foxes level at 2-2.

It looked like Arsenal would be frustrated by Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and his back four. But corners proved to be key again, a 94th minute corner deflected off Wilfred Ndidi to send the Emirates Stadium mad and make the score 3-2.

Every word Mikel Arteta said on Trossard winner, Nwaneri cameo and Pep Guardiola comments

I have to check it, but I don’t think it was on that paper. It got very emotional. More emotional than we wanted certainly. But I’m very pleased, with the amount of situations that we created, how we dominated the game. After 2-0 the result should have been bigger, much bigger.

But this is the Premier League, this is the quality and the quality of Leicester. They scored two goals. But I’m really happy with how we dealt with that situation after. Emotionally super controlled, doing what we had to do, how consistently we attacked the spaces. I think we deserved to win the game.

Arsenal vs Leicester prompts major Premier League title race change after Man City blow

Arsenal’s last-gasp victory against Leicester City has seen them installed as the new favourites to win the 2024/25 Premier League title, with Manchester City’s earlier slip up also factored into the matter.

Mikel Arteta ‘s face lit up on the stroke of half-time this afternoon as Leandro Trossard added a cushion to a lead established minutes prior by Gabriel Martinelli. He had arrived into today’s match against Foxes in the knowledge that Pep Guardiola was unable to see Man City over the line at against Newcastle United, dropping two valuable points at St. James Park.

However he was soon facing the prospect of his own side dropping points from a winning position yet again, as a James Justin brace stunned the Emirates Stadium to set up a nervy closing half-hour or so. In the end, Arsenal’s prowess shone brightest to force a Wilfred Ndidi own goal and net another through Kai Havertz to win 4-2.

Arsenal next five fixtures compared to Man City and Liverpool in Premier League title race

There was more late drama for Arsenal this week, but this time they were on the right end of it.

Arsenal were looking to take advantage of Manchester City dropping points against Newcastle United in the early kick-off. They took on Leicester City, who were searching for their first win of the season under Steve Cooper.

It was no surprise then that the Gunners were heavy favourites to take all three points, but it proved to be harder than may have been expected. Corners again made the difference for Mikel Arteta’s side with a Wilfred Ndidi own goal putting Arsenal 3-2 up after they were pegged back in the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal 1-0 up after 20 minutes, despite protests of a foul in the build-up by Jamie Vardy and Leicester manager Steve Cooper. It got better for the Gunners just before half time with Trossard made it 2-0 in first half stoppage time.