Arsenal
Arsenal FC: What If They Sign This Versatile Chelsea Defneder?
With Bacary Sagna heading off to Manchester City and Thomas Vermaelen, although he has denied the speculations linking him with a move to Manchester United, he might still end up joining the Old Trafford club. It leaves Arsenal in a position that they will definitely need a quality reinforcement at the back. Although Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have formed a solid partnership at centre back, they don’t really have a replacement, if Vermaelen does indeed move away from the club. And that is one reason why Arsenal’s reported move for Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic might be a good move for more reasons than one.
On first look, this move looks like a no-brainer. Jose Mourinho isn’t going to sell one of his side’s key defenders to a direct rival. Especially when he has a previous history of blocking players from going to Arsenal (Remember Demba Ba?). But the imminent arrival of Fillipe Luis from Atletico Madrid might mean that the Azplicueta will finally move to his preferred right back slot. The 24-year-old Spaniard has been one of Mourinho’s trusted on-field lieutenants in his second spell at Chelsea. And Although Chelsea have sold David Luiz, they have a readymade replacement in Kurt Zouma coming back from his loan spell.
All of which mean that the 30-year-old Serbian defender might just be let go off. As ridiculous as it may sound, given his age and the replacements available at the club, the Serbian might just be forced to move to pastures new, this summer. If he does decide to leave, Arsenal looks like the perfect destination for the tough-tackling Serbian defender.
Although it isn’t a done deal by any stretch of the imagination, signing him would boost Arsenal’s title hopes exponentially. As unlikely as that move may seem, it would be perfect for Arsenal. Here’s why.
Ivanovic started out as a strong and powerful centre back, but has recently transformed himself into a rampaging full back. His versatility means that not only do Arsenal get one of the League’s best full backs as their first choice, but also have the option of playing him in the centre as a replacement for either Mertesacker or Koscielny should get injured at any point next season.
The Serbian’s strong work-ethic coupled with his ability on the ball, going forward make him a great threat on the flanks. His strength and pace means that no attacker is likely to enjoy playing against him and that in turns adds to his credentials when he rampages forward with the ball. The Serbian created 29 chances for his team mates last season and has a passing percentage of 82%, something that is likely to endear him to Arsene Wenger.
Another reason is that the 30-year-old Serbian is also a goal threat in set pieces and is incredible in the air. Although the Gunners greatly improved on this last season, there is still plenty of room for improvement and the experienced Serbian defender would bring some much needed steel to the Arsenal back line, which, apart from the two centre backs, is largely inexperienced.
Although the Serbian has stated that centre back is his first-choice, he is having to play at right back at Chelsea and might not even get that next season if Chelsea complete the signing of Luis. The lure of first-team football, even if it is at right back might prove to be too hard to miss for the Serbian who is in desperate of first-team football.
Strong, committed, good on the ground and excellent in the air, Ivanovic would represent a coup for the Gunners, especially if they can get him for £7 million, which is the price being quoted for him. Given his experience and ability, both going forward and at the back, Ivanovic looks like the perfect replacement for Sagna.
While Arsenal do have other options, such as the highly impressive 21-year-old Toulouse right back Serge Aurier, Ivanovic presents an immediate solution. Given his relative cheap price, they might even be able to buy Aurier and groom him under the tutelage of Ivanovic, until he is ready to take over in the first-team.
However, one thing to be understood is that all of this is only a dream, it will only become a reality if Mourinho chooses to let him go. Which, given his reluctance to sell to the Gunners is highly unlikely. But, as they say, stranger things have happened. After all, who could have predicted Fabregas moving to Chelsea this summer? Given everything that has happened so far, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Ivanovic moves the other way. If he does, then Arsenal might just go from pretenders to contenders for the Premier League title.
Stats via squawka
Arsenal‘s defensive rock Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off injured during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly victory over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on November 15, casting doubt over his availability for the crucial North London derby against Tottenham next weekend.
Read More: AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women
The Injury Incident
Gabriel went down clutching his right groin area in the 64th minute after either a stretching midfield tackle on Nicolas Jackson or the subsequent sprint back to goal. The 27-year-old received treatment on the pitch before limping off visibly uncomfortable, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro signaling to Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti that his teammate couldn’t continue.
Wesley replaced Gabriel as Brazil secured victory through goals from Chelsea’s Estevao and Casemiro, but the result was overshadowed by concern over Arsenal’s defensive leader. The injury occurred during a meaningless friendly with Brazil already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, adding to Arsenal fans’ frustration expressed on social media.
Ancelotti’s Post-Match Assessment
Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed after the match that Gabriel had suffered an adductor problem, though the severity remains unclear. “Bad? I don’t know, he had a problem on his adductor, the medical staff have to check tomorrow,” Ancelotti stated. “We are really sorry for this, really disappointed when players have an injury. I hope they can recover well and soon.”
Medical experts suggest adductor injuries typically fall into three categories. A grade 1 strain involves minor muscle fiber damage requiring one to two weeks recovery. A grade 2 injury means partial muscle tear with three to six weeks needed. A grade 3 represents complete muscle or tendon rupture requiring surgery and two to three months minimum recovery.
Impact on Arsenal’s Crucial Fixtures
Gabriel has been Arsenal’s defensive cornerstone this season, forming Europe’s most dominant center-back partnership with William Saliba. The Gunners have conceded just five goals in 11 Premier League matches while maintaining a four-point lead at the summit. Gabriel has contributed two goals and two assists from set pieces, making his absence doubly damaging.
Arsenal face Tottenham on November 23, Bayern Munich on November 26, and Chelsea on November 30—a brutal sequence that could define their season. Even a grade 1 injury would likely rule Gabriel out of the North London derby, while anything more serious could sideline him for all three fixtures and potentially beyond.
With Riccardo Calafiori already ruled out of Italy’s qualifier against Norway with a hip issue, Mikel Arteta faces defensive crisis management. His likely options are deploying Jurrien Timber or Piero Hincapie alongside Saliba, neither of whom have Gabriel’s aerial dominance or set-piece threat that’s become crucial to Arsenal’s attacking strategy.
Arsenal Dragon
Ailing Katie Reid Receives Words of Consolation From Arsenal Loanee Suffering From Same Injury
Katie Reid’s devastating ACL injury has drawn emotional support from Arsenal loanee Michelle Agyemang, who suffered the identical injury just weeks earlier.
The 19-year-old Brit announced her season-ending injury on Instagram, writing: “Am devastated to share that i have ruptured my ACL. There’s been lots of tears and i am sure there will be many more to come, but i am extremely grateful for the love and support around me.The road to recovery starts now and I’ll give my all to be back stronger.”
Check out Katie Reid’s post below:
Among the flood of supportive comments, Agyemang’s response carried particular weigh. She wrote: “With you all the way, my girl.”
A Shared Journey Through Adversity
Both teenagers are now facing the same brutal reality. Reid ruptured her ACL during training last week, becoming the seventh WSL player this season to suffer the injury. Agyemang, also 19, was stretchered off during England’s friendly against Australia in late October.
The timing couldn’t be crueler for Reid. After forcing her way into Arsenal’s starting lineup ahead of experienced internationals like Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina, she earned Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for September and received her first senior England call-up. That breakthrough has now been halted for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal confirmed Reid will undergo surgery this week and remain under close supervision at their Sobha Realty Training Centre. She joins teammates Agyemang and goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, who also suffered an ACL injury this season.
Research indicates female players are two to six times more likely than men to suffer these injuries, prompting FIFA-funded studies into potential contributing factors including hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles.
Also read: AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women
Arsenal Dragon
AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women
The Opta supercomputer has delivered its verdict on Sunday’s north London derby at Brisbane Road, giving Arsenal Women a commanding 62.9% chance of victory compared to Tottenham’s 17.4% probability. A draw sits at 19.7%, reflecting Arsenal’s overwhelming dominance in this fixture despite their recent injury crisis.
Arsenal’s Historical Dominance Backs Prediction
Arsenal have lost just once to Tottenham in WSL history, winning nine of 11 meetings while drawing once as well. Their most recent WSL encounter earlier this year, ended 5-0 in favor of Arsenal, a proper one-sided hammering. This statistical superiority underpins the AI’s confidence in Arsenal maintaining their impressive derby record.
Tottenham have hardly kept a clean sheet against Arsenal in their WSL h2h history. This defensive vulnerability against Arsenal specifically suggests the Gunners’ attacking quality consistently overwhelms Spurs’ backline regardless of form or circumstances.
Their potency remains intact despite missing three players to season-ending ACL injuries—Katie Reid, Manuela Zinsberger, and Michelle Agyemang.
Over 3.5 Goals Market Offers Value
Betting markets highlight over 3.5 goals at 2.60 odds as the primary value play. Both sides have demonstrated scoring potential recently, with Tottenham involved in a 4-2 contest at London City Lionesses and Arsenal producing a 3-2 loss against Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Champions League fixture.
The combination of Tottenham’s unpredictable defensive moments and Arsenal’s confident forward play supports a high-scoring encounter. Arsenal’s 4-1 victory at Leicester Women demonstrated their ability to control matches while creating sustained pressure, suggesting they’ll dominate possession and generate numerous chances.
Correct Score Prediction: Arsenal 3-0
The AI predicts a 3-0 Arsenal victory based on historical patterns and current form trajectories.
Arsenal’s defensive record of just eight goals conceded in league play provides confidence they’ll shut out Tottenham while their attacking firepower, led by Alessia Russo and Beth Mead, should overwhelm Spurs’ fragile backline at Brisbane Road.
Read More: Injury Update From International Camp About Key Defender Brings Relief to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta
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