“I’m a footballer again,” Arsenal star delighted to be back in the team

Jurrien Timber has been making headlines since the North London derby, following his superb performance for Arsenal in that match.

The Gunners have been in fantastic form for some time, but everyone knows that games against Tottenham are always challenging.

Arsenal had to work hard for their victory, and one of their standout performers was undoubtedly Timber.

After suffering a long-term injury last season that sidelined him for much of the campaign, the defender has returned fearlessly.

He made crucial tackles and important runs against Tottenham, demonstrating his commitment to the team and proving he is now fully fit.

Timber has spoken about his return to fitness, expressing his delight at being back and playing regular football again.

Rio Ferdinand warns Arsenal may struggle to keep key figure at the club

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has praised Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, claiming that the Gunners may struggle to retain him as he is destined for a managerial role within the next three years.

Since Jover’s arrival from Manchester City in 2021, Arsenal have transformed into a formidable set-piece threat, and Ferdinand believes Jover’s influence has been crucial to their success.

Arsenal’s prowess from set pieces was evident in their recent North London derby victory, where the winning goal came from a well-executed set piece. Under Jover’s guidance, the Gunners have improved both offensively and defensively. Last season, Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League and conceded only one goal in their first four games of the current season.

Real Madrid planning their next European era, aiming to sign Arsenal defender William Saliba

Real Madrid are already planning their next European era and are aiming to sign Arsenal centre-back William Saliba.

They also have Manchester City midfielder Rodri, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero on their radar alongside the Gunners star.

Madrid want Saliba as the future of their defence, but they know luring him away from Arsenal could prove tricky given the recent successes the Gunners have enjoyed and their upward trajectory.

As a result, Romero has been identified as plan B, but the 23-year-old remains their top target as they look to secure defensive reinforcements going forward.

Saliba has established himself as a key player for the North Londoners since returning from three loan spells ahead of 2022-23 after initially joining in July 2019.

The France international has formed a solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the Arsenal defence, with the duo widely regarded as the best centre-back pairing in the English top-flight.

Arsenal receive triple title boost after North London Derby win to take to Manchester City

Despite the odds and the numbers being against Arsenal they managed to execute the perfect plan at Tottenham to win the North London Derby and continue their fight for the Premier League title. The win was Mikel Arteta’s third straight win at his side’s rivals’ ground, something not seen in the Premier League era.

The win secures the first of three must-win games in seven days. Next to come is the first UEFA Champions League match of the newly revamped league phase as the Gunners travel to Italy to face Atalanta on Thursday before just a two-day break ahead of the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Pundit says underrated Arsenal star is quietly very consistent

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Arsenal defensive players, particularly singling out Ben White for his consistent performances.

Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a tense North London derby, a victory that was even more remarkable given the absence of two key players, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

Despite fielding a depleted squad, the Gunners delivered a resilient performance against their rivals, and Ferdinand took notice of their defensive efforts, especially White’s quiet but impactful presence.

Timber decision, Rice boost, Odegaard replacement – Arsenal dream XI vs Atalanta

It may well have cost Mikel Arteta plenty of sleep, but Arsenal’s international break injury and suspension problems did not get in the way of winning the season’s first North London Derby. In theory, things should get easier from here, at least temporarily.

Arteta will hope that he does not have to contend with missing a first choice midfield all at once again this term. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard’s impressive availability suggests that it shouldn’t be a problem.

Rice himself is yet to miss a game through injury since arriving at the club, whilst Odegaard has hardly been absent himself since making a permanent switch. To have one out through what can be deemed an unfortunate suspension and the other stuck down on duty for their country is unforeseeable.

Add in Mikel Merino’s shoulder fracture before he had even settled, and it was the perfect storm. Getting through that and a trip to Tottenham is basically as hard as it comes.

Interesting detail now spotted in photo Arsenal just posted, fans surely annoyed

Arsenal have put social media on red alert after posting an intriguing picture from London Colney.

Arsenal’s training ground – commercially known as the Sobha Realty Training Centre – played host to a squad photograph for the 2024/25 campaign earlier this week, with fans and national media outlets alike noticing an interesting detail about Martin Odegaard…

Martin Odegaard detail spotted in Arsenal photo

The main talking point for Arsenal fans from the international break was in regards to Odegaard suffering a serious ankle injury.

During a 2-1 win for Norway over Austria in the UEFA Nations League, the Arsenal No.8 needed assistance when leaving the field, after a strong challenge from Christoph Baumgartner.

Many Arsenal fans have since been eager to see an update on Odegaard’s ankle, but the Gunners opted to place a ball in front of the exact ankle the Norwegian hurt, as you can see below.

The likes of ESPN and The Athletic also picked up on this very specific placement.

Seeing Odegaard’s left foot in the photograph would have helped Arsenal fans determine whether the 25-year-old could actually get his boot on, something that would not be possible if significant swelling was still present.

It is also possible that the man born in Drammen was still wearing some form of protective boot behind the ball – ultimately, it has left many Arsenal fans scratching their heads, at a time where they desperately want some clarity on the situation.

Latest on Norway international’s injury

In light of our last paragraph, let’s take a look at the most recent update.

Respected journalist James Benge claimed that Odegaard could be out for at least three weeks, telling Charles Watts on YouTube: “You know we are talking three weeks at a minimum. Speaking to people that know, they were pretty confident there wasn’t a break or anything like that.”

 

Hopefully, it is three weeks and only three weeks for the Arsenal maestro, who is incredibly important for Mikel Arteta.

£20m Arsenal man is first player Mikel Arteta needs to sell in January

After another progressive summer for Arsenal in the transfer market there were still a few stones left unturned at the Emirates.

First of all, Mikel Arteta didn’t sign a new striker, Arsenal decided that Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were equipped for the task, even considering Eddie Nketiah’s departure.

Right now, that seems like a clever decision, there wasn’t any one striker available who would represent value and improve Arteta’s options.

Some Arsenal fans will still be pining for Victor Osimhen, but perhaps his loan move to Galatasaray ultimately says it all.

That being said, along with players who didn’t arrive in N5, there were also a few on the sell-list that didn’t depart either.

Arsenal can’t keep Jakub Kiwior on the sidelines playing no minutes

Heading into the summer, Arsenal were willing to sell Jakub Kiwior if the right offer arrived, a player who had effectively been replaced by Riccardo Calafiori.

Last season Kiwior made a fair few starts, Arteta often leaned on his left-foot in central and wide positions.

But put bluntly, Calafiori is better in all areas, and other than in cup competitions when Arsenal are shuffling their pack, it’s hard to imagine when the Poland international will play.

Therefore, with Jurrien Timber also now fit and ahead of Kiwior, Arsenal need to find a solution for the £20m defender in January, who won’t be enjoying his new role.

Kiwior really struggled for Poland over the break, a player who may have understandably lost confidence.

Kieran Tierney also needs to leave Arsenal as soon as possible

Of course, it’s remarkable to remember that Kieran Tierney also remained at Arsenal over the summer, partly because of a hamstring injury he suffered at the Euros.

Tierney is now back in individual training, and has been named in Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League squads.

It would be a surprise if he played minutes in either competition before he leaves, explaining why he should follow Kiwior out the door.

The Scot was brilliant for Arteta when he first arrived, but the Arsenal manager’s tactical changes effectively rendered the left-back useless.

Of course, that’s not to say that Tierney can’t still star for another top side, where his leadership and defensive qualities will be heralded.

Arsenal already have their next Gabriel in “insane” Hale End teen who’s a total “beast” -opinion

After a disappointing draw prior to the international break and injuries to Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal steadied the ship on Sunday with a statement win in the North London Derby.

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Despite missing their captain and Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta’s side put in a defensive masterclass and limited Tottenham Hotspur to few, if any, genuine chances before Gabriel Magalhães nodded home the winner in the 62nd minute from a Bukayo Saka corner.
It was a goal that we have become accustomed to seeing from the Gunners in recent years and was the perfect way for the Brazilian colossus to top off an exceptional display and brush off some of the mistakes he’s made in his first few games this season.
Gabriel-Romero-Spurs-Tottenham-Arsenal
Alongside his defensive partner, William Saliba, the 26-year-old fan favourite has become an essential part of the North Londoners’ title-challenging side over the last couple of years, and while fans will be hoping he stays at the club for many years to come, they can rest assured that a promising youngster in the academy could be his long-term heir down the line.
Gabriel’s Arsenal career
It’s been just over four years since Arsenal agreed to pay LOSC Lille around £23m for the services of a then 22-year-old Gabriel, and while that was a reasonable sum of money for a player not many were familiar with in England at the time, it would be fair to describe it as a bargain in the years since.
Gabriel-Arsenal
While the São Paulo-born titan’s early years in England went under the radar somewhat due to the club’s position at the time, he has since established himself as one of the very best defenders in the league over the last couple of seasons, as demonstrated by his inclusion in the most recent PFA Team of the Year.
Moreover, not only has the “absolutely unstoppable” monster, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, helped create a brilliant defence that was the most effective in the league last season, but he’s also become a source of goals for the North Londoners.
Gabriel’s Premier League record
Appearances
136
Goals
15
Assists
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.11
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, since joining, the 6 foot 3 ace has made 172 competitive appearances for the club, in which he has scored 16 goals and provided one assist, although 15 of those goals have come in just 136 Premier League games..
Overall, Gabriel has become an undroppable star in Arteta’s title-challenging Arsenal side, and while he’ll likely remain a starter for quite some time, the club already have a youngster on their hands who could eventually step into the team in his place.
Why fans should be excited about Ayden Heaven
Yes, the academy gem in question is 17-year-old Ayden Heaven.
Now, due to his age, it’s unlikely that the young Englishman is going to see much in the way of significant game time this season or the next, for that matter, but he was on the bench alongside several other Hale Enders on Sunday afternoon, which is an indication in and of itself that the club think there is something there.
The good news is that they’re right, and while most fans will be familiar with the 6 foot 2 centre-back thanks to his impressive appearances during preseason, he’s also been putting in brilliant performances for the junior sides.
For example, the young “beast”, as dubbed by podcaster Will Balsam, has already racked up 36 appearances across the Gunners’ various youth teams in which he’s provided an assist, and while the vast majority of said appearances have been at centre-back, he’s also played at left-back and even in midfield.
It’s this flexibility, along with his “insane” passing range, as described by Balsam, that could see the exciting prospect finally push his way into the first team a couple of years from now.
Ultimately, Heaven is not going to replace Gabriel anytime soon, but he has been consistently impressive in the junior sides and seems to be edging closer and closer to a competitive first-team debut, which could signal the start of a remarkable career.

Mikel Arteta warned Arsenal will lose their ‘secret weapon’ with timeline set

Arsenal have become a dab hand at set-pieces since poaching Nicolas Jover from Manchester City in 2021 but Rio Ferdinand has warned them that the Frenchman will soon be targeted by other clubs

Rio Ferdinand is adamant that Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover will be poached for a manager’s job sooner rather than later.

The Gunners have become the Premier League’s set-piece kings since Jover was lured to The Emirates from Manchester City and it was a corner converted by Gabriel that gave them victory in Sunday’s North London derby.

Arsenal have now scored 42 goals in total from set-pieces since Jover arrived in 2021 – and Ferdinand feels the Spaniard, who has been dubbed as Mikel Arteta’s ‘secret weapon’, is destined to land a No.1 role in the coming years.

“I used to hate standing about in the cold doing set-pieces,” Ferdinand quipped during a new episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents

“It’s the worst thing, nobody enjoys it. The difference at Arsenal will be that they’re now seeing the benefits and licking their lips. They will be going bring it on, give us another set-piece drill, give us something new. That guy is going to be walking about like he is the Don.

“If he’s not a manager within three years I’ll be surprised. He’ll be a manager somewhere I bet you.”

Arteta was aware of Jover from his own stint on the Manchester City coaching staff under Pep Guardiola. The Frenchman has gone on to become an integral figure in the backroom team for Arsenal during a period where Arteta has managed to re-establish the club as bonafide Premier League title contenders, though the domestic crown evaded them for a 20th consecutive year last term.

Ferdinand reckons Jover will land a No.1 role sooner rather than later ( 

Image:

@rioferdinandpresents/Youtube)

Arsenal are widely viewed as the team most likely to dethrone Manchester City ahead of their eagerly anticipated showdown on Sunday.

But it was after Arsenal’s North London derby triumph that Arteta gave Jover his flowers. When he was asked if Jover was the best in his field, he replied emphatically: “In his field, in other fields, as a person, the relationship that we have, that’s why I made a decision to bring him to City when I was there and then to Arsenal.

“Him and the staff, they have injected the belief to the players that there are many ways to win football matches and that this is a really powerful one.

“He’s given us a lot, so big compliment to all of them.”