Arsenal
A Good Business From Arsenal, But Have Barcelona Made A £35m Mistake?
Barcelona didn’t have the greatest of seasons last time around. Not only were they knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, they also lost the League to the same club, on the final day to boot when a victory would have given them the title.
Not only that, there were cracks emerging in their style of play, which the opposition started working out. Although Messi was scoring goals, he wasn’t the Messi of old, it looked as though something was missing. On top of all this, they were also banned from signing players for two consecutive transfer windows.
In the middle of all of this mayhem, there was one bright light, emanating from their season. And that was the form of Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean winger who had initially struggled to settle into the style at Barcelona, finally found his way. And what Barcelona done this summer, they have gone out and sold their best player from last season to Arsenal. On the face of it, it looks like a stupid decision, but the fact was that they needed the money from Sanchez and Fabregas, to buy Suarez. Even then, it doesn’t look like a great move for the club and here are three reasons why.
It sends out the wrong message
With Luis Enrique coming in, there were talks of massive clear out in the summer. So far, the new Barcelona manager has been true to his word. Fabregas had already been moved on last month and Sanchez’s turn this time around. While the sale of Fabregas certainly seems like a good move, considering that he never quite fit into the club, the sale of Sanchez sends out the wrong message to the fans.
It means that the club has to sell their best player from last season to buy a marquee player in Luis Suarez. Although Sanchez struggled initially, he looked to have settled in at Barcelona and proving to be a threat on the wings. He showed that in the World Cup too, when he had a phenomenal tournament and was his country’s best player on the pitch. At a time when his stock is at an all-time high, selling a player who is only 25 to a Champions League rival doesn’t instill the fans with any real confidence.
Leaves them short in attack for the start of the upcoming season
The sale of the Chilean winger was without a doubt to bring in Luis Suarez as the club is a little cash-strapped at the moment. While that might or might not prove to be a good move in the long run, right now it doesn’t look like a good time to sell. His sale now means that Barcelona gone into a new season, with a suspended striker in Suarez, an injured attacker in Neymar and only Messi, who might well be exhausted from his World Cup exploits are the solitary established attacker in the starting lineup.
While the departure of Sanchez means that the club will finally have a mobile Number nine in the form of Luis Suarez, the timing of the move is far from perfect. With Suarez suspended from all football activities for four months, Neymar’s recovery still undecided, Barcelona are left short on numbers in attack. While they might have Pedro and Tello, they are nowhere near in the same league as Suarez and Neymar, which might make their start to the 2014/15 tricky.
Deprives them of variety in attack
If there was one criticism that was always levied at Barcelona, it was their lack of a Plan B. Up until a couple of seasons ago, their Plan A was so good that they never needed a plan B, but the fact is that teams have started to work out how to play against them. As a result, the Catalans have had to find alternate ways of playing apart from their usual style.
In Sanchez, they had a different player in attack. Here was a guy, who maybe doesn’t the pass the ball as much and isn’t as good in the possession-based style as some of the others, but someone who gave them an alternative in attack. For he, was a tricky customer on the wings and, was a more traditional winger, when compared to the others at Barcelona. He was someone who could not only create plenty of chances for himself, but could also be clinical in his finishing. His departure now means that they will again be congested in the middle of the park and won’t have an outlet on the wings.
Arsenal
Eni Aluko Responds to Laura Woods’ Damning Comments With Long Statement as Ian Wright Row Continues
Eni Aluko has responded to a lengthy social media thread from Laura Woods amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her feud with Ian Wright. Aluko caused outrage in 2025 when she accused Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits, and she has reaffirmed her stance this week.
The former England international, who represented the Lionesses 105 times during her career, bemoaned the fact that two men, Wright and Nedum Onuoha, were on the punditry panel for the Women’s Euro 2025 final. This reignited a debate that many thought had been settled months ago.
Woods Pushes Back on Caps Argument
Woods took to social media on Monday morning to post a long thread explaining that caps don’t win automatic work. That comment came after Aluko pointed out she was sitting in the stands of last year’s final next to Fara Williams, who has 172 England caps.
The TNT Sports presenter added, “The women’s game should be by women for women is one of the most damaging phrases I’ve heard. It will not only drag women’s sport backwards, it will drag women’s punditry in all forms of the game backwards.” This is a fair point from Woods, who has built her career on merit rather than relying on playing credentials.
Aluko Stands Firm on Position
Responding to Woods, with whom she has worked previously, the 38 year old stated, “I respect Laura’s opinion as I have always done. I believe that women’s football should prioritise women as the faces of the sport. I think women should be the dominant force in the women’s game in the same way that men are the dominant force in the men’s game.”
Aluko also slammed Wright for declining her attempted apology last year. “When I apologised to Ian Wright publicly and privately, he had an opportunity to show grace. Unfortunately my sincerity, my humility, was met with disrespect.” This ongoing feud shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
Also read: London City Lionesses vs. Everton Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Arsenal‘s 2-1 win over Brighton on December 27 revealed three critical truths about their title challenge and season trajectory heading into the final stretch.
The Gunners showed resilience but exposed defensive vulnerabilities that could prove catastrophic against Manchester City. Martin Odegaard’s clinical finishing and Brighton’s own goal masked deeper problems within Arsenal’s structure. Mikel Arteta’s men survived because Brighton lacked quality, not because Arsenal dominated.
Arsenal’s Defensive Fragility Remains Their Achilles Heel
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s nervous display highlighted Arsenal’s defensive depth concerns. The young left-back was withdrawn after 67 minutes with Arteta forced to shift Piero Hincapie left and introduce Gabriel Magalhaes. Brighton created legitimate chances through Yasin Ayari and Yankuba Minteh, with the latter forcing a world-class David Raya save in the 89th minute.
Manchester City will punish these defensive lapses ruthlessly. William Saliba appeared uncomfortable throughout, and Lewis-Skelly’s inexperience showed repeatedly. Arsenal need Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori back to full fitness immediately. Without consistent defensive solidity, no amount of Odegaard brilliance secures the title.
Fortuitous Circumstances Carried Arsenal Rather Than Merit
Georginio Rutter’s own goal proved the difference in reality. Arsenal should have been 2 to 0 up at half-time with multiple clear chances. Martin Zubimendi had a guilt-edge header saved by Bart Verbruggen. Leandro Trossard fired wide from close range.
The hosts never played at optimum level despite dominating possession. Brighton grew into the game after half-time and genuinely threatened. The narrative of Arsenal’s unstoppable form crumbles when examining performance metrics. They’re winning tightly contested matches through individual moments rather than systematic dominance.
Gyokeres Still Needs Time to Adjust
Viktor Gyokeres had a sloppy opening 45 minutes according to GOAL’s ratings. The Swedish summer signing is struggling to find rhythm in Arsenal’s system. His involvement in link up play remains pedestrian.
Arsenal invested heavily in Gyokeres expecting elite performance immediately. Instead they’re watching a player adapting to new surroundings without consistent output. Against City’s defensive intensity, Gyokeres cannot afford settling in periods. Arsenal need him sharp now, not eventually.
Also read: Opta Supercomputer Predicts Arsenal’s Upcoming Fixture Against Brighton
Arsenal
Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Brighton: Odegaard’s Clinical Finish and Rutter Own Goal Secure Gunners Top Spot
Arsenal secured a 2 to 1 win over Brighton on December 27 to maintain their Premier League summit position. Martin Odegaard’s clinical 15th-minute finish set the tone before Georginio Rutter’s own goal in the 53rd minute appeared to secure a comfortable victory.
Diego Gomez’s 64th-minute rebound sparked a nervy finish, but David Raya’s world-class save from Yankuba Minteh sealed crucial three points as Arsenal held their two-point cushion over Manchester City.
Goalkeepers and Defence
David Raya (8/10): Didn’t really have a great deal to do for the first 60 minutes. He could do little about Brighton’s goal but made a world-class stop to deny Minteh late on with fierce curling strike.
Declan Rice (7/10): Playing in an unfamiliar right-back role, the midfielder played his part in the buildup to Odegaard’s goal. His corner led to Arsenal’s second. Did a solid job once again for his team in an energetic display.
William Saliba (6/10): The Frenchman had no real howlers but didn’t excel in Arsenal’s backline either. Will be glad to have centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes back alongside him soon.
Piero Hincapie (7/10): The summer signing has been a solid addition for Arsenal and didn’t do much wrong, both at centre-back and left back against Brighton.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10): On his first Premier League start of the season, partly due to Riccardo Calafiori’s withdrawal from the warm-up, he did not do a great deal. Arteta chose to take off the left-back, move Hincapie to that position, and bring on Gabriel instead.
Midfield and Attack
Martin Odegaard (7/10): Rifled in a terrific finish when given time and space to do so. Had a bit of swagger early on but that dimmed as Brighton turned on the pressure.
Martin Zubimendi (6/10): Was part of a midfield that looked in control and then that switched after the Brighton goal. May need to offer a bit more going forward.
Mikel Merino (6/10): The Spaniard has been excellent as a makeshift striker but wasn’t nearly as effective in his usual midfield role.
Bukayo Saka (7/10): Calmly assisted Odegaard for Arsenal’s opener and had the beating of left-back Maxim De Cuyper. Didn’t have many moments to shine but still can produce something from nothing.
Viktor Gyokeres (5/10): Had a sloppy and unconvincing start, both with and without the ball. Improved a bit but it’s just not clicking for the summer signing.
Leandro Trossard (6/10): The Belgian, who was getting a bit of stick from the travelling support, had a decent game against his former club but wasn’t as effective as the encounter wore on.
Also read: Arsenal vs. Brighton: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
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