SETTABLOID – Page 150

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.”

Arsenal FC Team News at Atalanta: Saka, Odegaard, Calafiori, Merino

As Arsenal prepare for the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign, they’ll do so yet another injury concern. This time, it’s their talisman on the wing, Bukayo Saka. The English international limped out of the north London derby victory on Sunday.

“I don’t know. I made two changes with the front players and suddenly he’s down. I don’t know exactly what it is but he could not continue,” is all that manager Mikel Arteta said after the match.

UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 of 8

Arsenal FC at Atalanta

Kickoff: Thurs, Sept 19, 9pm, Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy

Arsenal Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction

Arsenal Team News

Saka was able to exit under his own power, which is good news, and reports indicate that it’s only a cramp. Saka he should be able to feature against Atalanta and Manchester City. Shifting gears to the club captain, Martin Odegaard, the Norway team doctor, Ola Sand, expects the midfield maestro to miss all of September.

“Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks,” said Sand.

“What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.”

So while the situation with Odegaard is suboptimal, it also could have been a whole lot worse. Elsewhere Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori missed out on the North London derby due to an injury to his calf. It is not thought to be serious though, and he could return some time in September.

The other major summer transfer window signing, Mikel Merino (fractured shoulder), remains out of action for the longer-term. The same could be said for Kieran Tierney (hamstring) is to returning to fitness.

Finally, Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) has still not returned to full training, and he won’t be doing so anytime soon.

tomiyasu

“At the moment, it’s difficult to say,” Arteta said. “It’s a bit slow the process of the first phase of that injury. It’s probably for the medical team to say more on that.”

Preview: Atalanta BC vs. Arsenal – prediction, team news, lineups

After making it all the way to the quarter-finals in last term’s comeback campaign, Arsenal return to the Champions League on Thursday, as they meet Atalanta BC in Bergamo.

While the Gunners reached the last eight of Europe’s top club competition, La Dea lifted the Europa League trophy in Dublin, toppling unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

Match preview

Arsenal finally ended a six-season absence from the Champions League last autumn, when they finished first in Group B – ahead of PSV Eindhoven, Lens and Sevilla – with four wins from six games.

They then progressed past Porto on penalties before losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, while proving that, under current boss Mikel Arteta, the Gunners are a force to be reckoned with once more.

In addition to successive second-place finishes in the Premier League, Arteta’s men made it through to the Champions League’s last eight for the first time in 14 years, after previously coming close on several occasions under Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal will therefore try to continue their continental renaissance this year, having negotiated their first four Premier League fixtures without losing – most recently claiming victory in Sunday’s North London derby.

The Gunners have conceded only one goal so far, while Gabriel‘s match-winning header against Tottenham Hotspur was the 23rd time they have scored from a set piece since the start of last season.

Leading into their midweek trip to Lombardy – which is swiftly followed by a high-stakes clash with title rivals Manchester City – Arsenal have won six straight Premier League away games stretching back to last term.

They now aim to post maximum points on their travels once again, ahead of another tough test at home to Paris Saint-Germain next month.

With perfect timing, Atalanta celebrated completion of their newly renovated home stadium earlier this month, ready to welcome Champions League football back to Bergamo.

The Nerazzurri return to UEFA’s elite competition after memorably lifting their first European trophy last season, when they were the only team to defeat ‘invincible’ Bayern Leverkusen, winning 3-0 in the Europa League final.

An Ademola Lookman hat-trick helped La Dea get over losing the Coppa Italia final a few days earlier, as veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini finally picked up some silverware as reward for several years of fine work.

Atalanta now take part in the Champions League for a fourth time, having featured for three successive seasons between 2019 and 2022, twice reaching the knockout phase.

They also played a Premier League team in each of those campaigns, winning only once in six matches; nonetheless, Gasperini’s side did pull off a sensational 3-0 win at Anfield as they eliminated Liverpool in the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Serie A side – who finished fourth in Italy last season – have recorded just one victory in their last seven Champions League games on home soil, and recent form suggests they may find producing another this week to be a particularly tough task.

After a turbulent time in the transfer market, La Dea started the season with a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, before losing two of their first three league matches. On Sunday, though, they twice fought back from behind to beat Fiorentina, with Lookman scoring the winner.

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

Arsenal form (all competitions):

Team News

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta can welcome back midfield fulcrum Declan Rice – who was suspended on Sunday – but he has several significant injury concerns to deal with ahead of his team’s first Champions League fixture.

Most notably, captain Martin Odegaard is sidelined by an ankle injury, while Riccardo Calafiori (calf) also returned injured from international duty earlier this month.

Summer signing Mikel Merino has not played since damaging his shoulder during his first training session, and England winger Bukayo Saka became the Gunners’ latest casualty when he was withdrawn during the North London derby.

Saka was directly involved in eight goals in nine Champions League appearances for Arsenal last season – the most by an Englishman in their debut campaign.

Kieran Tierney (thigh), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) are all out of contention too, but Gabriel Jesus appeared as a late substitute at the weekend, having overcome a thigh problem.

Meanwhile, Atalanta will be without key men Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini due to long-term injuries, and defensive duo Rafael Toloi (muscular) and Ben Godfrey (back) both missed the win over Fiorentina.

In better news for Gian Piero Gasperini, two other defenders are fit again: Sead Kolasinac, who made 80 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, is back from a thigh injury, as is Albania international Berat Djimsiti. Furthermore, absence-prone forward Nicolo Zaniolo returned to the bench on Sunday.

Set to support Italy striker Mateo Retegui up front, Ademola Lookman scored five times from three Europa League starts at the end of last season; however, he has never found the net in four career appearances against Thursday’s opponents.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Jorginho; Saka, Trossard, Sterling; Havertz

Atalanta vs Arsenal early injury news Saka Doubt, Odegaard out, Declan Rice return, and Calafiori update – Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Atalanta…

Injury Update: Atalanta vs Arsenal – Saka Uncertain, Odegaard Out, Declan Rice Set to Return, and Calafiori Status

Arsenal showcased their prowess on Sunday, securing a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Gabriel Magalhaes’ header in the second half proved decisive, allowing Arsenal to maintain their north London supremacy.

Under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, the team displayed strong performances despite missing key players.

Declan Rice was sidelined due to suspension, and Martin Odegaard was unavailable due to injury, yet Arsenal effectively contained their rivals and posed a significant threat in attack.

The Gunners will return to the pitch on Thursday night, following their triumph in the North London derby, as they kick off their Champions League journey against Atalanta in Bergamo.

This season’s Champions League group stage format features each team playing eight matches against eight different opponents, with two from each seeding pot.

September is set to be a busy month for Arsenal, with their UEFA Champions League campaign commencing against the Serie A champions, Atalanta.

The Arsenal captain was absent from the derby victory after sustaining an ankle injury during the international break. Although Arteta did not dismiss the possibility of his participation on Friday, he ultimately did not make the squad.

This upcoming match poses a significant challenge for Arsenal, who must navigate it carefully while also preparing for a crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester City on Sunday. Here’s the latest on the injury status of the Gunners and Atalanta.

Bukayo Saka – Doubt

Saka exited the match against Tottenham late, with Arteta commenting, “I’m not sure what it is, but he couldn’t continue.” Subsequent reports indicate that the winger may have only experienced cramp and is expected to be available.

Martin Odegaard – Out

Odegaard was unavailable for the match against Tottenham, and when questioned about his potential return, Arteta simply stated, “not yet.” Meanwhile, Norway’s team physician, Ola Sand, has indicated that the injury is expected to sideline him for approximately three weeks.

“Ankle injuries of this nature typically require a minimum of three weeks for recovery,” Sand mentioned to the Norwegian publication VG.

“The MRI results we received from London suggest that there is likely no fracture present in the ankle.

Interpreting an MRI can be challenging, especially with a pre-existing injury, but Arsenal is fairly confident there is no significant damage; however, recovery may still take some time.”

Riccardo Calafiori – Doubt

Calafiori underwent evaluation prior to the Tottenham match but was ultimately ruled out. He is expected to be a candidate for selection in the upcoming game, pending an assessment early this week.

‘With him still in the club,it will be very hard for them to win’:Owen Hargreaves now shares why he thinks Arsenal cannot win the UEFA Champions League

Arsenal have surprisingly never won the UEFA Champions League.

Despite boasting a rich history of success in domestic football, including the only unbeaten Premier League campaign ever – led by legends such as Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry – the Gunners have often struggled to match these feats in Europe.

Now, Owen Hargreaves has shared two reasons why Arsenal will not secure a maiden UEFA Champions League title this season…

What Owen Hargreaves said about Arsenal

The 43-year-old has now stated that a lack of experience, and a lack of squad depth, will cost Mikel Arteta in the UEFA Champions League this season.

Hargreaves told the Metro: “I think they’re pretty inexperienced at that level. I can’t think of many who had been there before last season. Jorginho was probably one of the few guys, Gabriel Jesus, but he was a squad player at (Manchester) City, so I think it takes time.

“You saw that in those Bayern games (last season), and Bayern were struggling at that point but were probably worthy winners over the two legs. So I think it takes a bit of time. We’ve seen it’s hard (to win the UEFA Champions League). Look at PSG who have invested billions and haven’t been able to win. I do think that Arsenal are going up. They’ll win trophies, but the competition gets fiercer every year and that lack of depth could cost them.”

Owen Hargreaves of Bayern Munich lifts the trophy after the Uefa Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Valencia played at the San Siro i…

23 May 2001: Owen Hargreaves of Bayern Munich lifts the trophy after the Uefa Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Valencia played at …

Hargreaves is a man who knows what he’s talking about when it comes to this topic, having won two UEFA Champions League titles during his illustrious career.

Anything is possible

While Hargreaves – who was very impressed with Bukayo Saka after last season’s defeat to Bayern Munich – makes a number of good points, Arsenal fans should still carry plenty of belief regardless.

For example, Borussia Dortmund are far from being UEFA Champions League specialists in recent times, and finished fifth in the Bundesliga last season, but nonetheless, the German side still managed to reach the final, where they eventually suffered a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid at Wembley.

Borussia Dortmund also managed to achieve that without many players who had been there and done it before such as Jadon Sancho – who was making his debut in a UEFA Champions League final. The same goes for Ian Maatsen, Niclas Fullkrug, and many others in that side.

Therefore, while Arsenal do admittedly lack seasoned European veterans and a bit of squad depth, there is still no reason why this will hold the Gunners back in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Mikel Arteta drops hint over Raheem Sterling Arsenal plan amid Gabriel Martinelli axe calls

Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League title clash with Manchester City, there are calls for Raheem Sterling to start ahead of Gabriel Martinelli in Mikel Arteta’s attack.

The forward made his debut for the Gunners in Sunday’s North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur when he replaced the Brazilian in the 80th minute. Sterling was signed on deadline day on loan from Chelsea, reuniting with Arteta after working with him previously at Man City.

Martinelli’s form has dipped of late and the Brazilian has struggled to replicate the heights achieved by Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank. The 23-year-old has not scored or assisted yet this season while Saka contributed to five goals – one goal and four assists – already.

Against Tottenham, Martinelli squandered a huge opportunity when one-on-one with Guglielmo Vicario. He struggled to make an impact at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and there is now a possibility that Arteta will look to start Sterling at the Etihad Stadium.

“We need wingers with ability to go one vs one, to attack the spaces, to have the work rate, to increase the goal threat from every position and we have players who can play in various positions in the front line, especially because we have some injuries there,” Arteta said when quizzed on where Martinelli sits in his pecking order.

“In the past we have to be protected and all the players we have here have these qualities.”

Arteta has already hinted at bringing Sterling into the starting XI. Before he signed, Sterling didn’t seem to be on Arsenal’s radar but the Spaniard has revealed how it didn’t take long to develop a keenness to bring him to the club.

“The first call I had with him, I knew in the first 10 seconds we had to bring him because he really wanted it,” he said. “He looks great. He’s got a lot of energy, a smile on his face and he’s at it.

“He wants to prove a point and when someone’s got that in his belly you sense it straight away. Obviously I don’t need to know anything else about his quality and what he can bring to the team.”

He added: “What I see is hunger. He’s a player that wants to play every minute of every game.

“When that’s not the case, he’s not happy. He wants to play every single day and I see that. His commitment and the level of energy that he’s bringing to the team is a big boost. You can feel it walking through the door. We are better with him. He’s gonna make us better.

“He has this ability [to score goals] and the credit to that is him and the players he’s got around him certainly. He has that intuition and that will do that. I’m sure it’s going to help the team.”

Sterling will get better with regular minutes

Kai Havertz says the Arsenal players are thrilled to have Sterling at the club, having also played with the 28-year-old during his spell with Chelsea.

The Englishman was frozen out of the squad by Blues boss Enzo Maresca and has played just ten minutes of football this season, so he is very much a work in progress for Arteta.

With Arsenal set to play once every three or four days between now and the next international break in November, the former Manchester City man will likely get more game time under his belt.

Theo Walcott feels Sterling and Arsenal are a match made in heaven and with the winger eager to make an impression after his deadline-day loan move across the London divide, he’ll only get better in the coming weeks.

Ethan Nwaneri impressed for Arsenal in North London Derby win vs Tottenham

Nwaneri is regarded as the next big thing coming out of Arsenal’s academy having made his professional debut for Arteta’s side two years ago as a 15-year-old, with the youngster expected for a big role in the squad this season.

And with Nwaneri winning praise from Bent for his cameo against Tottenham, the England youth international could now be in line for more minutes with Arsenal this month, especially with the UEFA Champions League and League Cup coming up.

Jorginho hailed as the ‘ultimate professional’ after North London derby display

In his midfield, Arteta chose to deploy experienced-head Jorginho against Spurs, given those who were missing.

As ever, the Italian delivered a stellar performance despite not playing any first team football prior this season.

And there is now a credible shout to start the £12m midfielder instead of Thomas Partey away in Italy, a league which Jorginho knows very well.

Speaking about Jorginho’s performance on Sunday, Alan Shearer included the 32-year-old in his Team of the Week, saying he marshalled the middle of the park.

Mikel Arteta drops Ethan Nwaneri hint as Adrien Rabiot to Arsenal transfer opportunity revealed

Arsenal reportedly turned down the chance to sign Adrien Rabiot over the weekend before Marseille agreed in principle to sign the free agent.

Rabiot, 29, has been available since leaving Juventus in July, and a host of Premier League teams were reputedly reminded of his availability recently. The former Manchester City player reputedly wanted a return to England this summer, but that will seemingly not materialise.

He arrived in southern France on Monday night before completing a move to the Ligue 1 club despite spending almost a decade at their rivals Paris Saint-Germain after being born in the capital’s suburbs. Rabiot made over 200 appearances for PSG across seven seasons, winning Ligue 1 five times before moving to Serie A.