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      Arsenal fans angry at Aubameyang for smiling and laughing while chatting to Gundogan after Man City defeat

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      ARSENAL fans have been left incensed after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was pictured laughing following the Gunners’ defeat to Manchester City.
      Arsenal lost 1-0 at the Etihad on Saturday and supporters took to social media in droves to criticise Aubameyang.

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      Aubameyang looked in good spirits despite the defeat for Arsenal

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      Aubameyang and Gundogan could be seen sharing a laugh after the final whistle yesterday

      The Arsenal captain appeared to share a joke with Man City’s Ilkay Gundogan after the final whistle.
      The pair exchanged a few words and a chuckle on the pitch before heading down the tunnel.
      One Arsenal fan fumed: “Why the f*** is he so happy. We just lost with an abysmal display with almost no players actually being asked to do anything.”

      Another tweeted: “Surely could have waited till he was down the tunnel at least. I don’t care what he does just a time and a place to be having a laugh.”
      One supporter commented: “Auba standing chatting and having a laugh with a City player after a defeat is simply not acceptable.”
      Another added with tongue in cheek: “Xhaka would never.”
      Several Arsenal fans also commented how Mesut Ozil would have received much harsher treatment from supporters had he been the guilty party.

      Though now on opposite sides of the Arsenal-Man City divide, Aubameyang and Gundogan played together at Borussia Dortmund between 2013 and 2016.

      Raheem Sterling’s 23rd-minute goal was all that separated the two sides in a fascinating Premier League encounter.
      Aubameyang was kept relatively quiet by City and his sole opportunity was saved by Ederson one-on-one before being called back for offside – though replays showed the decision would have been overturned had the Gabonese forward managed to score.
      Arsenal will be hoping to bounce back from defeat to City when they visit Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday night.

      Pep Guardiola says the desire to win against a team like Arsenal was impressive in post-match press conference More

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      Arsenal player ratings: Saka impresses again but Hector Bellerin disappoints as Gunners slip to 1-0 defeat at Man City

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      ARSENAL slipped to a 1-0 loss at the Eithad as Manchester City spoiled the Partey.
      Mikel Arteta tasted defeat back at his old stomping ground as Raheem Sterling’s 23rd minute goal proved to be the winner.

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      Raheem Sterling scored the only goal as Man City beat ArsenalCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Manchester City celebrate Sterling’s openerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      The Gunners grew into the game but lacked the urgency or incisiveness to drag themselves back into the contest despite another promising showing from Bukayo Saka.
      SunSport’s Josh Graham hands out his ratings on the Arsenal performances.

      Bernd Leno – 6/10
      Made a good stop from Phil Foden but could only parry the ball into Raheem Sterling’s path as he lashed home for City’s opening goal.

      Smart stop from Riyad Mahrez, early in the second-half.
      David Luiz – 6
      A late replacement for Rob Holding who broke down in the warm-up – will be disappointed with his free-kick effort which flew over.
      A whole lot better than the shambolic showing he put together last season at the Etihad.
      Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
      Blazed a good opportunity wide after dodging Kyle Walker’s Kung-Fu kick right on the stroke of half-time.

      Mostly looked composed at the back and as he continues to adjust to the Prem – should prove a very handy signing for Mikel Arteta.
      Kieran Tierney – 7
      You can see why Arsenal bust a gut to free him from self-isolation.
      An assured presence at the back, the Scot even offered plenty going forward despite playing in a back three.
      Bukayo Saka – 8

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      Bukayo Saka was brilliantly denied by Brazilian EdersonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The England new boy continues to impress with his dazzling feet.
      Fired a rocket that Ederson palmed over after 25 minutes and worked hard to keep Riyad Mahrez off his dangerous left foot.
      Should really have scored when one on one with the City keeper after a neat one-two with Aubameyang.
      Always the most threatening after the break, the most direct and dangerous of all the Gunners.
      Granit Xhaka – 6
      Showed a nice range of passing and vision threading balls into both Saka and Aubameyang down the left.
      Couldn’t quite replicate the same creativity after the interval.
      Dani Ceballos – 6
      Worked hard, but always looked up against it in the face of City’s fluid formation.

      Hector Bellerin – 5

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      Hector Bellerin let Phil Foden cut inside before Raheem Sterling scoredCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Let Phil Foden cut in far too easily in the build-up for Sterling’s goal.
      Nicolas Pepe – 5
      Should have done better when Willian set him up for a free header in the first-half.
      Almost helped the Gunners to an immediate equaliser after the break, instead taking a clattering for his troubles.
      Lacklustre strike from a late free-kick in a dangerous position – proved to be his last kick.
      Willian – 5
      Not his best delivery from set-pieces, a largely anonymous first 45.
      A rare nice touch or two before he was hauled off after 69 minutes.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6

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      Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the EtihadCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Very quiet opening half until he moved into the middle.
      Missed a great chance which was flagged offside on-field but would have been overturned if he could have nudged the ball past the onrushing Ederson.
      Not at his influential best in the second period.
      SUBS
      Alexandre Lacazette (on for Willian, 69) – 5
      Failed to have the desired impact off the bench.
      Eddie Nketiah (on for Pepe, 83) – 5
      Thomas Partey (on for Xhaka, 83) – 5
      Big anti-climax to only see less than ten minutes of the new man.
      Showed his combative nature by immediately earning his first Premier League yellow card.

      Arteta opens door for Arsene Wenger to return to Arsenal after helping shape club into Premier League giants More

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      Saliba, Cedric and Willock start for Arsenal Under-23s vs Man Utd as fans shocked at first-team snub for new arrival

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      ARSENAL newboy William Saliba started for the club’s under-23s today in a 3-3 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League 2.
      First team players Cedric Soares, Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson were also in the starting XI for Steve Bould’s side.

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      Arsenal originally intended to send new arrival William Saliba out on loan

      Saliba received a first-half yellow card as the young Gunners conceded three goals within the first hour before a thrilling comeback to snatch a point.
      Arsenal fans took to social media to share their reactions to the reserve team’s lineup.
      One responded: “Cedric, Saliba, Nelson, Rowe must prove they deserve PL action by performing here first.”

      Another tweeted: “As long as Saliba is getting some minutes, I’m happy.”
      Others chose to look forward to the first team’s match with Manchester City this evening, and the possible debut of new signing Thomas Partey.
      One tweeted: “No Willock [in squad to face City] meaning Partey will either start or at least be on the bench.”
      Saliba, a £27million signing from Saint-Etienne last summer, spent 2019-20 on loan at the French side and was tipped for another loan spell away from the Emirates during the transfer window.

      However, a return to France failed to materialise and it was decided the 19-year-old would stay with the Gunners until at least January, despite interest from Fulham, Brentford and Watford.

      ESPN claims Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants Saliba to improve his decision-making and defending of set-pieces before incorporating him into the first team.
      Arteta has even publicly suggested the Frenchman would need an additional year of transition to make the jump up to the Premier League after seeing his 2019-20 season disrupted by injury and Ligue 1 ended prematurely.
      First team players like Cedric, Willock and Nelson – who was on the scoresheet against United – were likely included to maintain sharpness ahead of possible rotation for the start of Arsenal’s Europa League campaign on Thursday.
      Academy graduate Emile Smith-Rowe was also in the lineup having failed to secure a loan move but Arteta is known to be a fan which could see the midfielder given an opportunity to impress in midweek.

      Mikel Arteta pairs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal training More

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      Arsenal’s daunting next seven fixtures against likes of Man City, Utd and Tottenham is when Arteta’s real test begins

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      DULL internationals are over and we can all finally get excited about the return of the Premier League.
      And Arsenal fans are eagerly anticipating the impact new boy Thomas Partey will make on a team already sitting handily in fourth.

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      Mikel Arteta will be tested by a torrid run of fixturesCredit: Rex Features

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      Jose Mourinho will test Arteta’s side in the North London derbyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Despite three wins from four, only losing to champions Liverpool, the progress so far has been functional at best – Mikel Arteta and his team have got the job done. 
      The three teams we beat (Fulham, West Ham and Sheffield United) were must-wins IF we are to be serious challengers.
      But the next seven fixtures, coming in quick succession, will give us a clear indication of where this Arsenal side are really at compared to their rivals.
      Starting this Saturday with Man City away, Arsenal have to play Leicester (H), Manchester United (A), Aston Villa (H), Leeds (A), Wolves (H) and Tottenham (A), between now and the first week of December.

      This set of fixtures alone is daunting, but factor in three Europa League ties and the Spanish boss will see the depth of his squad fully tested.
      In one sense we are fortunate to be playing so many of our top four competition away, given there is no home fan advantage with supporters still locked out by Covid-19.

      But Arsenal’s track record away against top six opposition is infamously bad – no actual win in FIVE YEARS.
      The majority of those games came at the end of Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign and our weak core and defence were too easily exploited.

      Under Arteta we are better organised, better without the ball, show far greater discipline and Partey, once integrated, will only improve these traits whilst allowing our more creative side to shine. 
      Without seeing exactly how Arteta wants to play with Partey in his team -and I hope to see him at least on the bench at the Etihad – it is of course tough to predict how Arsenal will navigate the next seven matches but here goes…

      Manchester City away, October 17
      If reports are to be believed Pep Guardiola’s team will be missing key players Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.
      They have had an inauspicious start to the campaign, and I fancy a confident Arsenal to take advantage of their injuries and disorganised defence. High scoring draw, one point.
      Leicester home, October 25
      The Foxes are playing well but are not infallible.
      I suspect our Ghanaian midfielder will be starting and Arteta will have shifted to a back four – boosting our creativity. Arsenal win, three points.
      Manchester United away, November 1
      United have strengthened but in the wrong areas.
      They are frail at the back and did not bring in the left-sided central defensive player they so desperately needed over the summer.
      This is the day Arsenal break the five-year drought with an away win and 3 points.
      Aston Villa home, November 7
      The Villans have started well, with Grealish pulling the strings.
      It is hard to discount them after the staggering 7-2 obliteration of Liverpool, but I still see Arsenal edging a tight affair. Arsenal win, three points.
      Leeds away, November 21
      I cannot see many teams coming away from Elland Road with three points.
      Bielsa has this team functioning superbly at a new level and I feel Arsenal will be content with a draw, one point.
      Wolves home, November 28
      Wolves have performed very well against the Gunners since being promoted but Arteta, unlike predecessor Unai Emery, showed he had their number at the end of 2019-20.
      I feel the home side will edge this. Arsenal win, three points.
      Tottenham away, December 5
      The North London derby all depends on how Jose Mourinho is able to integrate Gareth Bale.
      Spurs could be the first team managed by the legendary Portuguese boss to be better going forward than at the back.
      I would love to predict an away win but I suspect a close-fought draw is more likely. Draw, Arsenal one point.
      With 15 points from a possible 21, Arsenal should be comfortably in the Prem’s top four.
      Arteta will find his team ideally placed to push on into the Christmas period.
      The Gunners will enter the New Year and January window knowing more about their players and what exactly is needed to strengthen the side and continue the charge in 2021.
      Follow Dave on Twitter here.

      Arteta opens door for Arsene Wenger to return to Arsenal after helping shape club into Premier League giants More

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      Arsene Wenger snubbed Robin van Persie’s transfer plea to return from Man Utd as he was too old and ‘at end of career’

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      ARSENE WENGER has described how he REJECTED Robin van Persie after the striker attempted an audacious Arsenal return.
      Gunners fans were irate at the Dutchman leaving for Manchester United in 2012.

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      Arsene Wenger rejected a reunion with Robin van Persie after his exit to Manchester UnitedCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun

      With a year left on his contract, Van Persie forced the switch to Old Trafford but having won the Premier League title in Manchester, he soon sought a return, according to Wenger.
      In his new autobiography, as quoted by the Mail, the Wenger wrote: “In 2012, [Van Persie] announced his intention not to extend his contract.

      “All the big clubs were courting him. I sold him to Manchester United.

      “The supporters were angry with me for this but we could not match the offer. I managed to negotiate his departure for £24million, which was a huge amount at the time for a player with a year left on his contract.
      “I had only the interest of the club in mind.
      “My relationship with Alex Ferguson and Manchester United had improved by then, but every transfer is a polite game of poker where you attempt to not give anything away.
      “Van Persie had a fantastic first six months at Old Trafford: he put the team on track for the Premiership title and made it even more difficult for us.

      He called me because he wanted to come back, but it was impossible.
      Arsene Wenger

      “But after three years of the four that he signed for, he was injured and [Louis van Gaal] sold him to the Turkish club Fenerbahce.
      “He called me because he wanted to come back, but it was impossible: he was at the end of his career and we were investing in young players.”
      That summer, Wenger, now 70, signed youngsters Ismael Bennacer, Mohamed Elneny, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Donyell Malen – although the majority of those players have found success elsewhere.
      And Van Persie, 37, has since given his side of the story and insisted Arsenal were happy for him to leave.

      In eight years at the club, he bagged 132 goals including 37 in the season before his exit.
      He told BT Sport last year: “You have to take a lot on and make a choice based on what your targets are but also deal with the facts.
      “One of the main facts was that Arsenal got tired of me. That was the starting point – they didn’t offer me a new deal.”

      Robin van Persie reveals brutal Man Utd exit after ‘ruthless’ Van Gaal sat striker down and told him ‘you have to go’ More

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      On-loan Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi tests positive for coronavirus and forced to wait for Hertha Berlin debut

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      MATTEO GUENDOUZI has become the latest footballer to test positive for coronavirus, Hertha Berlin have confirmed.
      After returning from international duty with France’s Under-21 side, the Arsenal loanee was diagnosed with the illness.

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      Matteo Guendouzi had spent the last week away with France’s Under-21sCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, the Bundesliga club state that Guendouzi, 21, is asymptomatic and doing well.
      A Hertha statement read: “Matteo Guendouzi has tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from international duty.
      “There has been no contact with any Hertha players or staff.

      “He is symptom-free and feeling well, but will now self-isolate for 10 days. Get well soon, Matteo!”
      After signing from the Gunners earlier in the month, Guendouzi had been hoping to make his Berlin debut against Stuttgart on Saturday.
      But he will now have to wait for his Bundesliga bow, with the following weekend’s game at RB Leipzig also looking doubtful.
      The midfielder featured in both of France U21s’ games during the break, Les Bleus beating Lichtenstein and Slovakia.

      A move away from Emirates Stadium appeared inevitable for the youngster after he fell out with Mikel Arteta.

      ℹ️ @MatteoGuendouzi has tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from international duty. There has been no contact with any Hertha players or staff. He is symptom-free and feeling well, but will now self-isolate for 10 days.Get well soon, Mattéo! pic.twitter.com/O6nRXQL5Jd
      — Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) October 15, 2020

      A potential loan switch to Berlin was formulated earlier in the summer, but it was only in the final days of the window that Guendouzi accepted the offer.
      He had been a regular for Arsenal until the Spaniard’s arrival.
      A tempestuous response to the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat by Brighton in June was among the reasons behind his exile from the side.
      And he was highlighted for a move soon after that incident, with the club bringing in Thomas Partey to bolster their midfield amid his exit.

      Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi seals loan transfers away to Hertha Berlin More

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      Arsenal new boy has better defending stats than Man Utd captain Harry Maguire on Fifa 21… despite playing in midfield

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      ARSENAL fans enjoyed another promising sign for new signing Thomas Partey – after discovering his FIFA 21 stats topped Harry Maguire’s.
      The under-fire Manchester United captain is struggling for form for both club and country.

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      Thomas Partey is one of the most eagerly-awaited Arsenal arrivals in recent yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Harry Maguire has not enjoyed a good start to the seasonCredit: Ian Hodgson – Daily Mail

      A red card against Denmark on Wednesday night compounded a poor start to England’s Nations League tie.
      While Maguire, 27, was part of United’s shambolic defensive display in the recent 6-1 defeat to Tottenham.
      The mood around the defender is completely contrasting to the Gunners’ buzz around Partey.

      And Arsenal fans on social media were able to notch a cheeky point against their rivals when comparing the two players’ FIFA ratings.
      Not only does the Ghanaian beat Maguire in defensive rating, 82 to 81, he also wins out in physicality, 85 to 84.
      That is despite Partey being a midfielder, a factor which helps him secure better stats in dribbling, shooting, passing and pace.
      While the EA Sports ratings are far from a gold standard, it gave optimistic Gooners another reason to love their new £45million signing ahead of his likely debut against Manchester City on Saturday.

      Furthermore, the game’s developers have released a shed load of videos showing players reacting to their ratings – showing their importance in the dressing room.

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      How the stars compare on this year’s FIFACredit: FIFA
      However, United fans largely backed their defender in this latest battleground of The Banter Wars.
      One fan pointed out: “Maguire has higher DEF than ALL Arsenal defenders…”
      Another sighed: “Having better defending than Maguire isn’t really an achievement lol.”
      But Twitter user Kenneth admitted: “I am a Utd fan but this is so true that I can’t argue.”
      England boss Gareth Southgate defended Maguire after Wednesday’s defeat at Wembley.

      He said on talkSPORT: “He’s going through one of those periods where a lot of things are going against him.
      “He’s getting all sorts of comments from people who should know better.
      “But he’s strong and he’s just got to tough this period out. You have these periods as human beings when life doesn’t always go smoothly.
      “He’ll get through it and he’ll be a better player and a stronger for it.”

      Gareth Southgate reacts to Harry Maguire and Reece James red cards More