Arsenal
AS Roma: What Can Gervinho, Strootman And Others Bring To The Club? 2013/14 Season Preview
The 2013/14 edition of Serie A begins on August 25th and there’s plenty of excitement heading into the new season.
This summer has sparked tons of discussion amongst calcio fans worldwide. Juventus found bargains in Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Angelo Ogbonna, while Napoli used approximately €120 million to their advantage by purchasing the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol, and Jose Callejon.
They’re not the only two sides that were busy during the transfer window, though. Fiorentina strengthened in midfield and attack, Lazio built a strong squad under the radar, AC Milan are actively pursuing players to add to their team, while crosstown rivals Inter are in a rebuilding phase.
Another club that’s starting fresh is Roma, and much like every season, they’re dissected and heavily scrutinized on every move they make. The Giallorossi’s most recent acquisition is Arsenal forward Gervais “Gervinho” Kouassi, who arrived for a reported €9.3 million
It’s no secret that the Ivorian struggled at Arsenal upon moving from Lille in 2011. He was once touted as a talented youngster, and was set to fulfill his potential when earning a transfer to England at 24 years old, but it never formulated into anything. Gervinho struggled to adapt to the Premier League, and despite his dribbling ability and speed, he couldn’t deliver what mattered; goals and assists. That could come down to his lack of strength, among other issues.
As Gervinho’s stint in North London continued, he earned fewer appearances by the week. He finished his Arsenal career with nine league goals in 45 matches, and it led to the Gunners taking a €2.5 million loss on the winger. Now, he’s playing under a familiar face in Rudi Garcia, Lille’s former coach.
The domestic double winning season in 2010/11, considered as Garcia’s best year as a manager, was also Gervinho’s most impressive as a player. He had 15 goals in 35 league games, and now that the Ivorian international is back together with Garcia, Romanisti are hoping that the forward can rekindle his form when he was at Lille.
It should help in getting Gervinho’s career back on track, plus, at 26, the Ligue Un winner is entering his prime, so if Garcia can find the correct formula, Kouassi could be one of the steals of the summer.
As for Roma’s season, there’s a lot to be optimistic about when glancing at their preseason matches. They confidently defeated the MLS All-Stars 3-1 before dismantling Toronto FC 4-1, which were two of their most impressive results this summer.
Kevin Strootman
One of the key talking points is how Garcia will line up his team in midfield. Newcomer Kevin Strootman had a fantastic showing against the All-Stars in Kansas City, but homegrown talent Alessandro Florenzi was even better, earning the All-Star game MVP with a goal and an assist. Daniele De Rossi will undoubtedly be an integral component in the side, leaving Michael Bradley and Miralem Pjanic on the outside looking in.
Pjanic, however, has been one of the best players for Garcia since he took over. He’s been solid on the wing of a 4-3-3 and in a deeper midfield position, even though the Bosnian plays at his best when deployed behind a forward. He could find himself starting a lot more often than last year, and if he can produce in multiple areas of the pitch, it’ll benefit Pjanic even more.
Florenzi must be in the starting XI every week given his energy and intelligence on and off the ball. Even though he played his first full season as a starter last year, the 22-year-old has improved significantly and should be named on the team sheet every week.
Strootman has showed why so many teams were linked with him while at PSV. He’s the prototypical box-to-box midfielder. His ball distribution is sublime, his work rate is admirable, and is equally responsible on both sides of the pitch. Both he and De Rossi could act as a double pivot while Florenzi operates as an attack minded midfielder, formulating one of the best trios in Serie A.
Up front brings a lot of questions. Francesco Totti will start every match as always, but the centre forward has brought a lot of controversy. Pablo Osvaldo has been linked with a move out of the capital and was supposed to have left by now, but he’s still on Roma’s books, making it even more difficult to move the Argentine-Italian.
His goal scoring ability (27 league goals in 55 matches with the Giallorossi) is as consistent as Totti’s record, but tends to be forgotten about due to his temperament. Mattia Destro, on the other hand, hasn’t been able to rediscover his form while at Siena. Eleven goals in 26 games isn’t poor, especially when the player is 22 years old, but it’s very patchy. However, if Destro starts more consistently and stops wasting so many shots, he could be the star centre-forward everyone expects him to be.
Morgan De Sanctis, despite his errors, will be a crucial leader at the back, something Roma desperately needs. He also comes up with some miraculous saves, so he could be a valuable short term option in the goalkeeper position.
The defence has also improved significantly. Tin Jedvaj, a 17-year-old Croatian signed from Dinamo Zagreb, has already got Romanisti forgetting about Marquinhos. He isn’t as mature as the Brazilian, but he could reach that level within a year or two. Maicon is the other significant signing at the back and even though he’s aging, the former Inter fullback has already settled in, and, like De Sanctis, will be a solid short-term acquisition.
Parts of Roma’s plan are focusing on the short term, but leaders are needed at this club. Mental mistakes have been their biggest downfall. Whether it’s crucial errors at the back or wasteful shooting up front, the added veterans in the side should help solve those issues. Once the team has matured, then slightly younger replacements can be brought in. Until then, Roma should be able to challenge for a Champions League spot and begin the next objective under their American ownership.
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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