Arsenal
Arsenal FC: Do They Need This £10m Rated Defender?
So Arsenal’s pre-season has been up and running this week as the Gunners receive their first injury setback. Centre back Thomas Vermaelen is set to miss the start of the new campaign as he suffered a chronic back problem and will also sit out Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the Far East which starts this Saturday. So don’t be surprised in the coming days if Arsenal were linked with another defender (probably a world class one, for an outrageous sum).
Albeit, there has been one decent defender and probably the only player Arsenal could afford who has been linked with a more to the Emirates this summer. So how about a rumour titled ‘Arsenal are back in for Swansea City skipper Ashley Williams for a hefty £10m as Vermaelen is injured’, in the next few days? Is that a good move, or should Arsenal be content with what they have in the defensive department?
Having Williams in the team means, Wenger will have to either drop Laurent Koscielny or Per Mertesacker from the team (Leaving Vermaelen out of the picture completely). Leaving out Mertesacker will be a disastrous option for Wenger, as the German has proved to be one of the consistent defenders across the Premier League. This leaves Koscielny as the obvious option to cut out to make way for Williams. We will look at some stats here:
In the previous season Koscielny did not play his full quota of matches, appearing only 25 times in the last version of the Premier League. This is mainly due to Vermaelen’s involvement and his mistakes early on in the season. But, Williams appeared 37 times (being the team’s captain) last season, he will definitely not, get to shed his sweat in every occasion for the Gunners.
When it comes to winning duels, Koscielny, with his success rate of 66%, is clearly way ahead of Williams, who is lagging with 53% of average duels won. Although for a defender, it doesn’t matter much, considering average pass accuracy, they are in a neck-and-neck fight. Both defenders have a success rate of mid 80’s, Williams with 86% and Koscielny with 83%. But with a 40% of average shot accuracy, Koscielny is miles ahead than Williams, who is far behind with only 21% of shot accuracy.
The only part where Williams is in an advantageous position is Average Defensive actions. Koscielny is lagging here with only 7, whereas the Welsh defender has scored 15.
So, keeping the comparison in mind, we must conclude that, bidding for a 28-year old defender, who will not feature in every game, is not a deal to be worth off. Adding to that, there is Vermaelen as the third choice defender, who although had a poor season, has every potential in the bag to ward off his poor run and fight for a regular first team slot. The arsenal board should keep in mind that, Williams is 28-years old and thus will hardly have any potential buyer after his contracts runs down in a couple of years. If Arsenal are to take someone to cover up for their centre back pair, they should opt for a player, tender in age and with the potential to serve the club for a long time to come in the future.
So, it will be wise for the Frenchman to abort this £10m deal (if he has any plans to sign him), and spend the money on others.
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could prove decisive for the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. Arsenal sit top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while Chelsea occupy 7th with 45 points after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
This represents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put further distance between themselves and the chasing pack before facing Brighton away on Wednesday. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates in patchy form under Liam Rosenior, who has won just two of his eight league matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January despite an encouraging start to his tenure.
Kick-off: 4:30 GMT, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Kai Havertz Returns to Haunt Former Club
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Kai Havertz will train on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash, giving the German a chance to feature against his former employers. Havertz has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early February, but scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi final victory over Chelsea earlier this month.
The 26 year old has endured a nightmare campaign with injuries limiting him to just 158 Premier League minutes this season, though he has still managed two goals and two assists when available. Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Havertz’s absence, scoring twice in the 4-1 North London Derby demolition of Tottenham last weekend.
Rosenior Yet to Face Top Six Opposition
Liam Rosenior faces his first test against a top six side in the league since taking charge of Chelsea, having only faced teams sitting 7th or lower during his opening eight matches. His winning run needs proper context, given the quality of opposition, with recent dropped points against Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge exposing serious vulnerabilities.
Arteta has beaten Rosenior twice already this season in the two legged Carabao Cup semi final, and the Spanish manager will fancy his chances of completing a treble over the Chelsea boss. Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off late against Spurs, while Ben White remains doubtful with a niggle.
Predicted Lineups: Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Also read: Kai Havertz Injury Update: Real Timeline and Medical Details Revealed!
Arsenal Dragon
Update Given Following Arsenal Injury Scare as Olivia Smith Discharged From Hospital After Being Stretchered Off During FA Cup Win Over Bristol City
Arsenal star Olivia Smith has been discharged from hospital after being stretchered off the field during their Women’s FA Cup game against Bristol City. The forward, who joined the Gunners in the summer, played just under an hour before being forced off with pictures showing a neck brace around the 21 year old at Meadow Park.
This was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters watching on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian international went down, receiving lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as a precaution. Thankfully, the injury appears to be far less serious than initially feared.
Left Hospital Yesterday Evening
According to Arsenal reporter Tim Stillman, Olivia Smith left the hospital yesterday evening after tests were run and will return to be assessed this week ahead of the March international break. This is brilliant news for Arsenal, who cannot afford to lose Smith for any length of time, given her importance to the team.
It is believed that her involvement with Canada is still up in the air, with the Canucks facing a triple header of friendlies against Colombia, Argentina, and the United States over the coming two weeks. Arsenal’s next match sees them face London City Lionesses in mid March.
Big Boost for Champions League Hopes
With no video available for Arsenal’s cup game against Bristol City, there was huge concern surrounding Smith’s condition for those unable to attend the game at Meadow Park. Thankfully, what seemed initially to be a severe injury has turned out to be a fairly minor incident.
While Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo are both more than capable options to lead the line, it has been Smith who has been Renee Slegers’ favoured choice and proven to be a brilliant signing since her arrival from Liverpool. Having Smith likely available for both legs of the Chelsea Champions League quarter final is a massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of retaining their European crown.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
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