Arsenal transfer news

ARSENAL’S title charge last season was based on solid defensive foundations.Between the first-choice back four of the 2023/24 campaign – Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko – they missed just 14 Premier League games.Arsenal managed to keep a consistent and injury-free back four last seasonCredit: GettyRiccardo Calafiori is one that has struggled with injuries this termCredit: AlamyWhite made 37 appearances. Gabriel made 36. Zinchenko had some injury issues but still managed 27, while Saliba played every minute of every game.Yes, their attack was pivotal – scoring 91 goals, a club record across a 38-game season.But they also produced one of their best defensive displays since the Invincibles, conceding 29 – only three more than that historic title-winning side of 2003/04.Ultimately, it brought them mightily close to the Prem crown – taking Manchester City all the way to the final day back in May but falling short by just two points.read more arsenalSeven months on, and Mikel Arteta’s Gunners find themselves on the outskirts of this title race, six points off leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand heading into the festive period.And once again, we can look to the defence for answers, where a lack of consistency is hurting them in the Prem.Due to another bout of injuries in an injury-hampered season so far – missing Gabriel, Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori last weekend – Arteta was forced, not for the first time, to put out a makeshift back line in the 1-1 draw at Fulham.Thomas Partey, Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Jurrien Timber was Arsenal’s NINTH different back four combination already this campaign.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt is understood that Arteta’s first-choice back line this term is Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori, but that quartet has started together just FOUR times so far – winning three and drawing one.The most games on the spin Arsenal have used the same backline is just THREE, between game week two and four with White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber – winning twice and drawing once.In total, Arsenal have had the same backline for back-to-back games on just THREE occasions, unbeaten when they do so (played seven, won five, drawn two).Arsenal vs Fulham: Comprehensive Player Ratings (1)Between game week six and game week 12, Arteta put out SEVEN different combos in a row, winning just three times (drawn two, lost two).All of this has had an impact, even if only slightly. Last season at this stage, Arsenal had conceded 14 goals and produced six clean sheets.That came about through naming the same back four for six successive game weeks, winning four and drawing twice in that time.This time around, they have let in 15 goals and notched five clean sheets. Given the disruption, it is perhaps impressive that the stats are almost identical.But the big difference comes from results. After 15 games in 23/24, Arsenal had won 11, drawn three and lost once, compared to this term where they have won eight, drawn five and lost two.Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s top goalscorerArsenal concede more shots on their own goal per game than they take on the opposition’sFour of those draws have seen Arsenal throw away points from winning positions against Chelsea, Liverpool, Brighton and Man City – spending most of the latter two games down to 10 men.And within those four results, there were three different backlines on show.There have been some positives. The successful pairing of Saliba and Gabriel has started 12 of 15 games, but the constant change around them has taken its toll.It is chalk and cheese when compared to Liverpool – who have used six different back lines.But the Reds’ first-choice option of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konata and Andy Robertson has started eight of their opening 14 games.In their opening 10 outings, that same back four started seven times (winning eight, drawing one and losing one).Trent started the first 11 games on the spin, missing just two. Van Dijk has started every game. Konate has started 11 of the first 14.Their longest run of constant changes to the backline is six, between game week nine and game week 14 (winning four and drawing two).But within that period, Trent, Van Dijk and Robertson were a constant presence.READ MORE SUN STORIESNot for the first time this season, Arteta’s biggest task is clearing the medical room and keeping it that way. Consistency is vital if they are to chase down another title charge.Arsenal ratings vs FulhamARSENAL lost the chance to go four points behind leaders Liverpool after Fulham held Mikel Arteta’s side to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.See how the players rated…David Raya – 6 Couldn’t do much about his one-on-one with Jimenez and was rarely threatened after that.Thomas Partey – 5 Started from right-back but it quickly became clear just how missed the Ghanaian’s presence was in midfield.Often looked disjointed and uncomfortable in carrying out his defensive duties up against the explosive Adama Traore.William Saliba – 6 Brought his side level with a tap in from six yards from another profitable Arsenal corner. It’s two goals in one week for the Frenchman.Jakub Kiwior – 4 Terrible afternoon filling into Gabriel’s big shoes as his performance showed why the Pole is only used in emergency situations.Easily outmanoeuvred by Raul Jimenez’s inside run for the Fulham No.9’s sleek low finish opener inside 11 minutes.Jurrien Timber – 5 Forced to move into left-back but undoubtedly a greater influence on the right side of defence.Dutchman was quiet by his standards and was dragged narrow for Jimenez’s opener.Martin Odegaard – 6 Grew into the game as Fulham sat back and fed Saka with some intricate through balls, but nothing came off.Replaced by 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri with 10 minutes remaining when Arsenal were chasing a winner.Jorginho – 6 Largely did his job in nullifying Emile Smith Rowe before the Arsenal youth academy star was replaced inside 60 minutes.But some wayward long balls saw a frustrated Arteta turn away in the opening half.Declan Rice – 6Tasked with bailing out the makeshift left hand side of Timber and Kiwior out and again lethal from corners. Didn’t stop running and linked up well with Saka and Odegaard.Booked for a professional foul in the dying embers.Bukayo Saka – 7Every time you looked at the TV, Saka was crossing. Great corners from the right hand side.He thought he’d won it for Arsenal in the 87th minute, but his back post header was ruled out for Martinelli’s offside in the build up.Leandro Trossard – 6Handed a shock start ahead of Gabriel Martinelli but it failed to come off.More of a threat in the second-half before he looked disappointed to be subbed off for Martinelli on the hour mark.Kai Havertz – 5 It was his header from Rice’s corner that Saliba prodded home to put Arsenal on level terms. Didn’t have much of a sniff other than that.Out-duelled by Diop for much of the first half and rarely tested former Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno in his 73 minute appearance. More

WILLIAM SALIBA wants to join the pantheon of Arsenal greats with his centre-back partner Gabriel.But the Frenchman knows they cannot get there without laying their hands on the sort of silverware lifted by legendary figures of the club’s past.William Saliba and Gabriel Malaghaes are considered by many to be the best defenders in the Premier LeagueCredit: GETTYThe pair have played a significant role in Arsenal’s recent title challengesCredit: GETTYBut the Frenchman insists neither nor Gabriel will be considered true greats unless they win a titleCredit: GETTYMan mountains Saliba, 23, and 26-year-old Gabriel have been at the heart of Arsenal’s quest for silverware.Without doubt, they have all the hallmarks of some of the best defenders in Arsenal’s rich history.The power and athleticism of Sol Campbell, the leadership and aura of Tony Adams, the tenacity and hunger of Martin Keown.The duo are also huge figures away from the pitch, involved in numerous “Arsenal in the Community” projects, embracing their positions as role models and inspirers.READ MORE ON ARSENALBut when it comes to trophies, that is where the comparisons stop.Former captain Adams is the only man in English football to win league titles in three different decades — in 1989, 1991, 1998 and 2002 — and is immortalised in bronze outside the Emirates.Adams, now 58, won the title alongside the Steve Bould in ’98 then Campbell and Keown in 2002, while the latter two played an integral part in Arsenal’s 2004 Invincibles campaign.This current golden partnership needs to achieve similar feats to make the history books.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSaliba said: “If we want to be all-time great defenders, where everyone remembers us, we have to win some trophies.“We haven’t done it yet but we will give everything to achieve that.”Meet Ayden Heaven: Arsenal’s next William SalibaSaliba made a £27million move from Saint-Etienne as a teenager in 2019 but spent time on loan with Nice and Marseille before forming a strong bond with Brazilian Gabriel — who also cost £27m from Lille in 2020 — once Mikel Arteta paired them together at the start of the 2022-23 season.Saliba added: “Since the day I first played with him, I’ve enjoyed every game.“He’s a massive, massive defender that is so good in every aspect.”After falling short in the last two seasons – twice pipped to the title by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City – this campaign has called for a new type of challenge.Arteta’s men trail leaders Liverpool by seven points after 14 games ahead of today’s trip across London to face Fulham. And Saliba insisted: “Everything is possible.“The season is very long and we’ve experienced that in the past two seasons. We just have to focus on ourselves.“We are still only in December so there are still a lot of things that can happen.“We can improve but Mikel helped give us a lot of confidence.”Raised in the north-eastern Paris suburb of Bondy, Saliba – who started out his football career as a striker -idolised another Gunners great, Thierry Henry, as a youngster.He even had the name of the club’s all-time leading scorer, who netted 228 times for Arsenal, printed on the back of his shirt.Yet, growing up, Saliba admits he never got to meet any of his footballing heroes. And that is something that has inspired him in his work with Arsenal in the Community.Saliba recently gave up his time to join a group of year three children at Ashmount Primary School in Islington, less than two miles from the Emirates.Arsenal are rooted in and fuelled by the local community and Saliba – along with the entire Gunners’ squad – has embraced that.Away from the pressures and intensity of a title race, he spent the day answering questions and joining a reading class with the kids, as well as taking part in a kick-around before being mauled with hugs and high-fives.Saliba said: “When I was younger, I didn’t have that chance so now I am happy to give back and do it now. I know what we can give to the kids.“We’ve all been in their place when we were young. We know that when you love football, we want to see some football players like us.“From day one, I could see that we do a lot of things in the community with the kids.”I like these type of things a lot and it’s really good to give back and be connected with our local community.“We are so happy to be involved in this type of project. Their support is a huge inspiration for us and we take it with us every time we go on to the pitch.”Arsenal’s No 2 keeper Neto – who is yet to make an appearance for the club since signing on loan from Bournemouth in the summer – was alongside Saliba at the community event.The Brazil international, 35, said: “It’s massive as football is about community and passion.”The community is who keeps this sport so passionate and I like that.READ MORE SUN STORIES“When we do these things for the kids it’s so nice, we can remember our own times when we had the opportunity to stay close with players, it’s a dream come true for the kids.“I’m a father as well and when we have those connections to the areas, it’s much better.” More