Arsenal received a significant triple fitness advantage in preparation for their upcoming match against PSG…

Arsenal receives significant fitness boost ahead of PSG encounter.

The Gunners gain Champions League fitness advantage as Mikel Merino participates in training prior to the match against PSG.

Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu also took part in the session.

Unfortunately, Ben White is likely to miss the upcoming clash with Paris Saint-Germain, having been absent from training.

The defender has not featured in Arsenal’s last two matches against Bolton and Leicester due to a groin injury.

 

With White missing Monday’s training, it appears he will be sidelined for the showdown at the Emirates Stadium.

 

On a positive note, Riccardo Calafiori returned to training after a concerning injury during the Leicester match. Takehiro Tomiyasu was also present.

 

Calafiori had raised concerns with a late hamstring issue in the 4-2 victory, but he trained on Monday and aims to retain his spot for the PSG fixture.

 

Additionally, summer acquisition Mikel Merino participated in training. Mikel Arteta mentioned last week that the midfielder is making good progress and could potentially debut against Southampton on Saturday.

 

“We are trying to manage his eagerness, as he has been pushing everyone—physios, doctors, and all—to get back,” Arteta stated.

 

“He’s ready to return, and we feel confident in introducing him to contact situations; he looked impressive in training.”

 

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko continue to be unavailable.

 

Odegaard is recovering from an ankle injury sustained while playing for Norway last month, and Zinchenko is dealing with a calf injury incurred while on international duty with Ukraine.

Riccardo Calafiori starts, Ben White out, Mikel Merino decision – Arsenal predicted XI vs PSG

football.london takes a look at how Mikel Arteta could line his Gunners side up for their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium

BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 19: Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal FC react after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Atalanta BC and Arsenal FC at Stadio di Bergamo on September 19, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

It may only be matchday two, but this feels like a huge game for Arsenal. The Gunners dropped points in their Champions League opener and could do with a good result if they are to bolster their chances of finishing in the top eight of the league phase.

“We want to win the game and we know after the draw with Atalanta, with the number of games that we have, it is going to be really important,” Mikel Arteta said ahead of the match. “But nothing will be decided tomorrow.”

His job will be made harder by the fact that Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Tommy Setford are all definitely out, while doubts remain over Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori. With that in mind here’s how football.london are expecting the Gunners to line up for this heavyweight clash.

  1. Goalkeeper – David Raya

    David Raya celebrates during Arsenal's game against Leicester City
    David Raya has been a busy man, but had nothing to do this weekend for Arsenal. He still had to pick the ball out of the net twice though. He’ll be hoping for a fairer return this time around

  2. Right-back – Jurrien Timber

    Jurrien Timber in action for Arsenal
    Jurrien Timber was in fine form during the press conference ahead of this match. He’ll want to continue that on the pitch on Tuesday night

  3. Centre-back – William Saliba

    Arsenal defender William Saliba.
    William Saliba will have the whole French public’s eyes on him when Arsenal play PSG. Expect him not to disappoint

  4. Centre-back – Gabriel

    Arsenal players celebrate Gabriel Magalhaes goal against Manchester City
    Gabriel went a whole Premier League game without a goal at the weekend. He’ll want to change that against Paris Saint-Germain.

  5. Left-back – Riccardo Calafiori

    Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori speaks to Kai Havertz.
    The rumours surrounding Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness seem to have been overblown. The Italian was training on Monday and with Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu injured, he should be starting.

Arsenal could save themselves a huge amount of money by shelving their interest in an expensive target and focusing on one of their own.

 

The Gunners completed three permanent signings in the summer, with Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and David Raya moving to the Emirates Stadium.

Those deals were supplemented by the loan arrivals of Raheem Sterling and Neto from Chelsea and Bournemouth respectively. Arsenal will almost certainly seek further improvements next summer, with Bayer Leverkusen winger Florian Wirtz among their reported targets.

Wirtz is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young stars after helping Xabi Alonso’s side to win their first Bundesliga title last season. He has carried his prolific form into the new campaign, having already scored six goals and provided one assist.

Arsenal are thought to be one of several clubs with an interest in signing Wirtz, with the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid also linked. However, such a move would be hugely expensive with the 21-year-old said to be valued at around £125million.

The Gunners could benefit from saving their pennies and looking elsewhere, with Ethan Nwaneri emerging as one of their brightest sparks. The teenager could be Arsenal’s own version of Wirtz if he continues to kick on and establishes himself as a first-team regular.

Nwaneri made his first start for the north Londoners against Bolton last week and came off the bench during Saturday’s win over Leicester City. He changed the dynamic of the game and was unlucky not to score a brilliant solo goal in the closing minutes.

Mikel Arteta was left delighted by Nwaneri’s joyous cameo, saying after the final whistle: “I brought on Ethan and the guy, at 17-years-old, his first action is to go past two, three people and take a shot. I just love it.

“If you want to be here and play at that level, you need to have that courage. I really value that from the team today.”

Nwaneri certainly appears to have the world at his feet and will be looking to build on his impressive display against Leicester in the coming weeks. A lot can happen in a short space of time in the right environment and he will only continue to improve as he continues to settle in at first-team level.

If he makes the most of his sky-high potential, Nwaneri might just follow in the footsteps of Wirtz by emerging as the next big thing in European football.

 

JACK GREALISH COMPARES BRILLIANT ARSENAL STAR WITH KEVIN DE BRUYNE

IMAGE CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Manchester City forward Jack Grealish believes that Arsenal have a player that reminds him of City’s talisman, Kevin De Bruyne. The comparison comes amidst the growing rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City, a rivalry that has intensified over recent seasons, particularly on the pitch.

While managers Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola maintain a close friendship and mutual respect, there is little affection between the players, as evidenced by the fiery 2-2 draw in their latest clash. Key players were absent from the showdown, with Arsenal missing captain Martin Odegaard and City without De Bruyne. Despite this, the game left many talking points, one of which involved the similarities between Rice and De Bruyne.

De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders to grace the Premier League, is a unique talent. Being compared to him is an honor for any player, especially from a key figure like Grealish, even if they play for a rival team.

During a recent segment for EA FC 25, Grealish, alongside Declan Rice and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, was asked to rank their speed. While Rice rated himself as the slowest of the trio, Grealish disagreed, suggesting Rice’s playing style with the ball resembled that of De Bruyne.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice

“It’s difficult because you cover the ground so well,” Grealish told Rice. “When you drive, bro, you are so quick. You remind me of De Bruyne. Kev isn’t mad fast, but when he’s running with the ball, he’s hard to catch.” Rice, taking the comparison with a smile, responded, “I’ll take that.”

This high praise from Grealish comes as Rice continues to shine at Arsenal following his record-breaking transfer from West Ham United last summer. Despite initial pressure, Rice has quickly become a vital figure under Arteta. Many fans and analysts now believe that Rice could be the key to Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions, especially with Manchester City’s Rodri out for the rest of the season.

With Rice adapting and evolving at Arsenal, the comparison to De Bruyne hints at the Arsenal star’s growing influence, further fueling the rivalry between the two clubs.

Gabriel Martinelli issues promise to Arsenal fans after ‘suffering’ against Leicester

Latest Arsenal news and gossip as Gabriel Martinelli sends a message to Gunners fans after scoring in the 4-2 win over Leicester City

Gabriel Martinelli has outlined his commitment to Arsenal after starring in the victory over Leicester City. The Gunners claimed a 4-2 win over Leicester on Saturday in the Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Martinelli opened the scoring in North London before Leandro Trossard doubled Arsenal’s lead before the half-time interval. Leicester responded with a brace from James Justin in the second half before Arsenal managed to get the win thanks to an own goal from Wilfried Ndidi and a close-range finish from Kai Havertz, both of which came in stoppage time.

The strike from Martinelli was the Brazilian’s first goal for Arsenal this season in what was his eighth appearance in all competitions. Now the forward has sent a message to Arsenal supporters with a message on social media, issuing a promise to the fans.

“Till the very end,” wrote Martinelli on Instagram. “I will always fight for this badge. Thank you for the support Gooners.”

The victory over Leicester means that Mikel Arteta’s side are now third in the Premier League table and level on points with second-placed Manchester City, who were held to a 1-1 draw in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, and one point adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Martinelli went on to admit in an interview that Arsenal “suffered” during the win over Leicester but explained why the three points were deserved.

“Really happy with the performance. I think we deserved the win,” Martinelli told Premier League Productions.

“We suffered a bit. We won the game, that’s the most important thing. It is always nice to score goals. We have to focus on ourselves and be ready for the next game.”

Arsenal will now prepare for a return to Champions League action in midweek when they host Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

The Gunners will then face Southampton in the Premier League next Saturday in their final match before the October international break.

Arsenal and Chelsea get clear Viktor Gyokeres transfer message as Sporting CP chance emerges

The latest Arsenal and Chelsea transfer news with in-demand Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres continuing to attract interest.

  • 14:00, 29 SEP 2024
Viktor Gyokeres in action for Sporting CP.

Sporting CP are standing firm on their Viktor Gyokeres stance amid heavy-handed transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. The 26-year-old enjoyed an excellent debut campaign in Portugal, while the goal contributions have continued flying in with 14 to his name already over nine appearances in all competitions this season.

The Sweden international played 75 minutes for Sporting in their Friday evening 3-0 win against Estoril but, for the first time in seven Liga Portugal games, he failed to find the back of the net. However, it takes nothing away from a staggering record in front of goal since joining Sporting, which stands at 54 goals and 18 assists from 59 matches.

Unsurprisingly with those returns, Premier League clubs have taken a keen interest with both Arsenal and Chelsea interested in acquiring a top-level striker. With Gyokeres certainly an option, the man himself recently spoke about his future and dropped a hint that he would be open to moving on.

“Yes, the release clause into my contract is high, but I’m happy at Sporting,” Gyokeres said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano. “I had no problems when I had to stay here for one more season.

“My value is there and that’s it now. We will see when something happens.”

Given how well Gyokeres has performed, the Portuguese champions won’t want to lose him but, if that’s what it comes to, Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim will ensure the club receive a suitable transfer fee.

“Gyokeres is a great player and I think he’s worth £84million (€100m),” he told CNN earlier this month. “That’s the price he has and we have to go ahead with it. Whoever wants to [sign him] will have to pay that.” And that looks set to continue being his asking price with Sporting yet to budge on their stance.

 

According to The Express, any interested party will have to meet Gyokeres’ release clause in order to be able to sign him next summer. Arsenal opted not to pursue his services after deeming he was too expensive, but it could all change next summer – or when the market reopens.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are thought to have set their sights on the former Coventry man, after failing to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli. Osimhen, 25, is currently on loan with Galatasaray.

‘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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UEFA Champions League

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.

  • READ MORE: The eight worst Arsenal VAR decisions of all time in Premier League games
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.