Arsenal transfer news

ARSENAL fans fumed as Kai Havertz was denied taking a penalty – before Leandro Trossard’s miss. The Gunners were leading Shakhtar Donetsk after Gabriel Martinelli’s strike on the half-hour mark forced an own goal from keeper Dmytro Riznyk.Leandro Trossard missed from the penalty spotCredit: RexFans slammed the spot kick as Trossard was left with his head in his handsCredit: RexBut Arsenal had the chance to wrap the game up with 15 minutes to go after Valeriy Bondar handled in the box. Following a VAR check, referee Benoit Bastien pointed to the spot. Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s chief penalty taker but the England winger was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Havertz has taken a penalty for the Gunners before and has missed only once from 12 yards in his career.READ MORE ON Arsenal But still it was Trossard who was given responsibility – for the first time in an Arsenal shirt. And his effort was saved by the legs of Riznyk to make up for his earlier mistake. It left Gooners fuming as one said: “Havertz has scored 20 of the 21 penalties he’s taken in his career. Why was Trossard taking it?”Another added: “You get a penalty and give it to Trossard yet your best penalty taker (Havertz) is on pitch. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We can really take risks and that’s not acceptable.”One raged: “Havertz is way too nice too. Should have snatched the ball straight away from Trossard.”Arsenal cult hero Podolski being investigated by police for ‘forbidden’ way he said goodbye to fans in last-ever game Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor GunnersARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…DAVID RAYA – 7Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stagesPushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.BEN WHITE – 6Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.Marked improvement in the second half.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.DECLAN RICE – 6Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.GABRIEL JESUS – 8Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. KAI HAVERTZ – 7Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.SUBSMikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/AAnother fumed: “Why didn’t Havertz take the pen? Of the 11 on the field, he is the logical penalty taker for Arsenal. Horrible penalty from Trossard.”Fortunately for Trossard, Arsenal held onto their 1-0 lead to win the game but Arteta said it was not his decision for the Belgian to take the penalty. He said: “I dunno the conversation as he [Havertz] is one of the takers, Leo decided to take it, okay he missed it unfortunately.” More

THE odds are already stacked against Arsenal to lift the Premier League title this season – owing to their disciplinary record.The Gunners crashed to a 2-0 away defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday, with the game-changing moment coming in the 30th minute as William Saliba was shown a straight red via VAR intervention.William Salbia’s first-half dismissal saw Arsenal receive their 107th red card in Prem historyVAR intervened saw Saliba sent marching after the control room thought he’d denied a clear goal scoring opportunity as the last manIt was Arsenal’s third dismissal inside eight games this seasonCredit: RexThat is now three red cards in eight Prem outings this term after Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard’s dismissals against Brighton in August and Manchester City in September respectively.It was the 18th red card Arsenal have been shown in the Prem since Mikel Arteta took over on December 26, 2019 – SIX more than any other side.Should they pick up another this term, it will be Arsenal’s 108th red card in the Prem era – a joint-record alongside Everton.And it may well spell the end for their hopes of knocking Manchester City off their perch and claiming a first English league title crown since the Invincibles of 2004.READ MORE ON ARSENALOn this occasion, the numbers do not lie.It must be said that it is very rare for a Prem team to go through an entire league season without having a player sent off.Only three sides have managed that Manchester United in 1992/93 and Chelsea in 2004/05 and 2016/17.But the correlation between the number of red cards and chances of finishing on top of the pile are clear for all to see, especially in recent times.Most read in FootballLeandro Trossard was booked twice in the first half against title rivals Man CityCredit: RexDeclan Rice was also received a second yellow against Brighton for kicking the ball awayFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOf the 32 campaigns in the Prem era, 17 league winners have managed to avoid picking up three reds or more.Up until the 2011/12 season, of the 20 league winners, 13 of them were shown three or more red cards.Bournemouth vs Arsenal: Player RatingsThe most was six in 2001/02, from Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, who needed a late charge with 13 straight wins to snatch the title away from Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United.In Arsenal’s three Prem titles since 1992/93, they have received three red cards or more, and only once have they won the league with more than three, in 2002.But since 2012/13, only TWO teams have picked up three or more red cards and went on to be victorious: Chelsea’s four dismissals in 2014/15 and Leicester who saw three in 2015/16.Between 2016 and 2024, no winner has picked up more than two.In their six title-winning campaigns over the last seven years, Pep’s City have earned just nine red cards. Their only blip came in 2019/20 when they picked up four reds while losing out to Liverpool, who received just one.In the modern era of Premier League football then, good discipline usually leads to glory – something Arteta needs to defy in the remaining 30 league games this season.Arsenal player ratings vs BournemouthBy Alex CrookTEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.DAVID RAYA – 5Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.BEN WHITE – 4England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.WILLIAM SALIBA – 3Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.GABRIEL – 5Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.THOMAS PARTEY – 5Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.DECLAN RICE – 5Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.RAHEEM STERLING – 4Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.MIKEL MERINO – 5Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.KAI HAVERTZ – 5The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.SUBSTITUTESJakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) – N/AEthan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) – N/A More

IF Arsenal continue to shoot themselves in the foot, they will not have a leg to stand on in this Premier League title race.And the question now stands: do they have the discipline to topple Manchester City?Ryan Christie celebrates his crucial breakthrough goalCredit: ReutersJustin Kluivert tucked home the Cherries’ second goal from the spotCredit: ReutersWilliam Saliba saw red for a professional foul on EvanilsonCredit: PAChristie wheels away after slotting Bournemouth in frontCredit: AFPFor the third time in eight Prem games this season, the Gunners were forced to play the majority of a 90-minute match down to 10 men after a needless red card.It is also the second time this has happened inside a first half. Talk about making things unnecessarily hard for yourselves.On the previous two occasions, Mikel Arteta’s men have salvaged a point – and probably should have earned more – after controversial dismissals for delaying the restart against Brighton and Man City.But this could not be said on the south coast against Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.READ MORE TOP STORIESWilliam Saliba’s 30th-minute sending off – confirmed by VAR after ref Robert Jones was asked to view the monitor having originally given a yellow – was fair, and also comical, as he boldly and foolishly dragged down Evanilson just inside his own half as the last man.Often so good on the road – unbeaten in their previous 12 in 2024 – the visitors were unable to muster a response as they huffed and puffed to a deserved first defeat of the term.Ryan Christie finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute, and nine minutes later another uncharacteristic mistake – this time from David Raya – gave Justin Kluivert a 12-yarder to end the contest.Arteta’s boys are City’s biggest threat to a fifth title on the spin, yet right now seem more intent on throwing it away than ending that run with a first Prem trophy for 20 years.Most read in FootballWilliam Saliba picked up a controversial first-ever red cardCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe big blow before kick-off was Bukayo Saka’s absence – clearly still not over a slight hamstring strain picked up for England on international duty last week.It was just the fourth time the Three Lions star had missed a Prem game since the start of the 2021/22 campaign – and only the third game in all comps since December 17.But there was good news elsewhere. Doubts over Gabriel Martinelli, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and Ben White were put to one side with their inclusions in the squad.For Arteta, this was a return to a stadium where he took charge of his first game for the club back on Boxing Day 2019 – an ugly 1-1 draw to kick off his tenure in uninspiring style?Five years on, and a bit of déjà vu? Arteta would have hoped that days like this were behind him and his squad, one consistently now challenging for major honours.But when you always have an early red card in you, these sorts of miserable contests are always around the corner.Arteta unleashed a team that boasted nine of the 11 standing six feet tall and over, including a gigantic midfield of Partey, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino on his first Prem start.On paper, that trio should steamroller the opposition, but this never materialised in the opening 20 minutes. Arsenal were clunky, loose in possession and lacking an attacking intent to unlock a well-coached Iraola outfit.Sloppiness was creeping in. Raya’s pass out was short and Alex Scott teed up Antoine Semenyo to blaze into the stands.Speaking of sloppy, Leandro Trossard’s 27th minute shanked, deflected back pass had Saliba scrambling and Evanilson pounced, only to have his arm dragged and twisted before hitting the deck.The French defender, the smoothest of players, had a rare brain-dead moment, with the guilt instantly written all over his face.Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta saw his side’s title hopes take a huge dentCredit: RexJustin Kluivert bigs himself up after his spot-kick clincherCredit: GettyAnd even when Jones issued a yellow, that look of a naughty schoolboy remained, surely knowing that VAR would step in to turn his nightmare into an early shower.Yes, it was a foul around 45 yards from goal, but a clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity nonetheless, one that would never have been recovered by Saliba’s fellow defenders.The image of PGMOL chief Howard Webb sat on his phone in the stands, listening in on the Stockley Park dialogue, did little to appease the away end.Instead, they chanted: “F**k Howard Webb” before serenading Saliba with their chant to the tune of Latin pop hit ‘Tequila’.Arteta would not have been blamed had he decided to down a bottle of the stuff there and then in the dug-out. Instead, sensibly, he hauled off Raheem Sterling for Jakub Kiwior.Arsenal player ratings vs BournemouthBy Alex CrookTEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.DAVID RAYA – 5Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.BEN WHITE – 4England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.WILLIAM SALIBA – 3Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.GABRIEL – 5Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.THOMAS PARTEY – 5Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.DECLAN RICE – 5Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.RAHEEM STERLING – 4Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.MIKEL MERINO – 5Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.KAI HAVERTZ – 5The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.SUBSTITUTESJakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) – N/AEthan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) – N/AUnlike the opening stages of the first half, chances cropped up before the break.Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier wasted good openings after Raya’s fumble, while Merino dragged an effort wide from 10 yards out.Arsenal were unchanged at the break, their away form giving them a belief they could see this one out.That confidence drained away almost instantly as Semenyo missed a sitter from six yards from a teasing Dango Ouattara delivery.These title races are often defined by moments.Saliba’s red card will likely be one, as will Gabriel Martinelli fluffing his lines with a one-on-one, failing to convert the gift provided by Kepa’s misplaced pass.READ MORE SUN STORIESTwo minutes later, Bournemouth punished them – Christie smashing in from range from a clever short corner routine, really rubbing it in to their set-piece loving opponents.By the time Raya clobbered Evanilson in the box from a shocking Kiwior back pass, no one was surprised. Arsenal’s heads were gone, and their unbeaten start shattered. More