Arsenal
Do Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky still have a future with Arsenal?
Arsene Wenger’s dependence on experienced players gets thinner year in, year out thanks to the aptitude and adequacy of the young players coming through the academy and the transfer window. Evidently, Arsenal have less than a handful of players who have crossed their thirties out of whom, Bacary Sagna and Mikel Arteta are the first team players.
The other players include the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky who have never started a vital match lately thanks to their peculiar setbacks. Andrey Arshavin, after an electrifying start to his Arsenal career, has faced downfall in his form and never looked back. The former Russian captain has now joined the long league of the Russian flops on the English soil as he joins his counterparts in the likes of Pavel Pogrebnyak.
Surprisingly, only three Czech Republicans have made it to the Premier League this season out of which one is abruptly unknown by the footballing world. The familiar faces are Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky while Radek Cerny rots under the banner of Queens Park Rangers.
Andrey Arshavin is tagged as ‘better than Gervinho’ by most of the Arsenal supporters but it solemnly doesn’t mean that they want the Russian attacker to start games for Arsenal. Their claim is similar to the claim which emphasizes the superiority of Fernando Torres to Andy Carroll. No Arsenal supporter could forget the night when the Russian assassin found the back of the net four times against Liverpool early into his career in the red and white strip in 2009 at Anfield. This being said, the fact that Fernando Torres, who is facing a massive dip in his form, scored a brace in the Liverpool shirt couldn’t be ruled out. Andrey Arshavin was tagged as ‘the face of Arsenal’ since then. The 32-years-old midfielder was wanted by Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and most notably, Brian McDermott’s Reading, who almost sealed the Russians switch to the Madejski Stadium in January but he pledged his loyalty to the North London outfit.
Tomas Rosicky, on the other hand, was signed from the German champions, Borussia Dortmund in 2006 as a replacement for the fan’s favourite Robert Pires. The Czech Republic international is known for his forward passes, pace and slide tackles especially. He also tantalizes the defenders of the team on the other end as he once did to the Gunners’ defence during his Sparta Prague days. The Little Mozart was one of the key factors for the Gooners never to forget the afternoon on 26/02/2012 as Arsenal savagely beat by their bitter rivals in Tottenham. The rock-band guy scored the third and the most vital goal after exchanging passes with Bacary Sagna. Since the team is stuffed with players such as Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta, who kill the pace of the game by passing the ball backwards or sidewards, the presence of Tomas Rosicky would surely enhance Arsene Wenger’s attack drastically. A mid-field which essentially comprises of Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere would assure the scoring of goals when needed since the trio always have an eye for the goal. Although Tomas Rosicky was linked with the likes of Hamburg now and then, nothing concrete has ever appeared on the newspapers.
Retaining these old players would surely assure a raise in the esteem for the team while it’s negative effect is the unavoidable senescence although the dip in their form also increases the negativity. The likes of Thomas Eisfeld who was signed from the same club as Tomas Rosicky affirmed that the part-time guitarist has always been his role-model since his days at Borussia Dortmund. They’re sure to instill some good values into the teenagers but their wages are too high t afford just to motivate the youngsters. The obvious conclusion is that Arsenal should revitalize their long lost form by the addition of new blood who’re striving for success.
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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