Arsenal are heading into a crucial period of the season in the Premier League title race with Mikel Arteta battling an injury crisis but receiving positive news amid a warning
Arsenal find themselves at a crucial juncture in the season, which could ultimately determine its success.
Mikel Arteta’s squad have the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points when they face Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday night, with rivals Manchester City not playing Newcastle until Saturday. Arteta has confirmed four Gunners stars will be absent for the journey.
But there was positive news from N5 on Tuesday with reports that star man Bukayo Saka has penned a new contract with the club. The 24-year-old winger is said to have extended his deal until 2031, becoming the club’s highest earner on more than £300,000 per week. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates.
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Carragher takes dig at Bukayo Saka
Jamie Carragher has indirectly criticised Saka by claiming Arsenal lack attacking superstars, reports the Mirror.
The former Liverpool defender, unlike numerous media figures who have questioned the Gunners’ mental strength, maintains the biggest obstacle to them securing the league title is their shortage of quality in the final third.
He also implied Gunners talisman Saka isn’t a world class performer in the vein of a Mohamed Salah or Erling Haaland, who can finally guide them to triumph this season.
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: “I made a comment about Arsenal about a month ago on the back of picking my Premier League team of the season so far. People talk about their mentality, I actually think Arsenal have a great mentality.
“But their problem could be a lack of quality in the final third. When I watch Arsenal, I don’t think they’ve got an absolute superstar in the front four or five players. I thought Saka and Odegaard were going to get there a couple of years ago.
“I thought they were ready to almost become the best players in the Premier League. I still don’t think Arsenal have got one of them.
“So people talk about mentality with Arsenal but what I think could stop them [in the title race] is actually quality. I think we would all agree that Arsenal are the best team this season but Man City have been there before, even if it’s not a vintage City.”
Keown faces ‘pressure’ blame
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Wayne Rooney has accused Martin Keown and other former Gunners players-turned-pundits of heightening the team’s anxiety.
Arsenal’s squad have consistently had their mindset questioned in recent seasons, having struggled to cross the finish line and claim that coveted Premier League title three campaigns running.
As the tension escalates in this season’s championship battle, many are wondering whether they will yet again come up short despite topping the table for most of the campaign.
Manchester United icon Rooney reckons Arteta’s squad are managing the pressure admirably but believes former stars like Keown and their supporters are creating needless talk that could scupper their title challenge.
Advising Arteta to block out the noise, Rooney said on The Overlap: “For me, what’s happening is the Arsenal fans and the ex-players coming out are actually killing them. They should stay silent and let everyone else talk.
“I heard Martin Keown on talkSPORT saying having a six-point lead is better than nine [after Manchester City’s comeback against Liverpool]. What are you talking about?!
“That’s an experienced [former] player who’s getting nervous. I actually think Mikel Arteta is handling it brilliantly with the way he’s speaking with the media. It’s other people connected to the club who are actually having more of an effect.”