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[Image] Predicted 4-3-1-2 Arsenal XI to face Man City – can the Gunners strengthen their top-4 chances?

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Predicted Arsenal line-up to face Manchester City in the Premier League

Arsenal will be aiming to keep their fourth place in the league with a positive result when they face defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad this Sunday.

The Gunners weren’t at their best but got the job done against Cardiff City in the midweek. And with Chelsea losing heavily to Bournemouth, Unai Emery’s men are now fourth in the standings.

However, this weekend, they are up against one of the best teams in the land. City were under-par against Newcastle United and eventually lost that game.

Hence, they will be coming into this match with a mission to recover from that and get the three points to close the gap at the top. Thus, it won’t be easy for Arsenal, especially given the fact that this is an away game for them.

Team News

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is injured and might return by the third week of February. Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck are long-term absentees.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has a knee issue and may miss this game. Laurent Koscielny has that jaw problem and could be out for this game as well.

Probable Arsenal XI

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Manager: Unai Emery

Bernd Leno (GK)

The German has been the team’s first-choice keeper and that will remain the case this weekend.

Carl Jenkinson (RB)

The forgotten man did well when subbed on against Cardiff. He may get the nod at right-back this Sunday.

Shkodran Mustafi (CB)

The German is the only fit senior centre-back in the squad and he will start this game without a doubt.

Nacho Monreal (CB)

With Arsenal short on options in central defence, we could see Monreal deputising alongside Mustafi, just like he did against Cardiff.

Sead Kolasinac (LB)

The Bosnian needs to be defensively solid against Raheem Sterling, before marauding forward.

Lucas Torreira

Mohamed Elneny (CDM)

The Egyptian should be picked in the side as one of the defensive-minded midfielders, chiefly to stop the City midfielders from having space in between the lines.

Lucas Torreira (RCM)

He has been one of the signings of the summer and could be a key player for the Gunners in such a big game.

Granit Xhaka (LCM)

The Swiss has had a decent season other than his few mistakes. He would need to be very disciplined without possession and cover the right spaces on Sunday.

Aaron Ramsey (CAM)

The Welshman has been professional to give his all for the club despite knowing that this is his final season with them. Ramsey starting as a number 10 would help in pressing Fernandinho.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Alexandre Lacazette (ST)

The goal he scored against Cardiff was another example of how good the Frenchman is in front of the goal.

Read More: Signing this versatile World Cup runner-up would be a terrific January move for Arsenal – agreed?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST)

He is one of the top-scorers in the league and could do with a goal at the home of the champions. If given a chance, the Gabonese international is lethal in front of the goal.

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Arsenal

Martin Zubimendi Girlfriend: Personal Life, Family Background and Relationship Status

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Martin Zubimendi Girlfriend, Personal Life, Family, Relationship Status
CategoryDetails
BornSan Sebastián, Spain
Age26 years old
PositionDefensive Midfielder
International Caps19 appearances for Spain
Major HonoursEuro 2024 Winner, UEFA Nations League 2023
Net WorthEstimated $10 million (2025)

Arsenal‘s newest signing Martin Zubimendi has captured headlines for his tactical brilliance and Euro 2024 heroics, but the Spanish midfielder’s personal story reveals a grounded individual whose values and family ties have shaped his remarkable career trajectory.

Personal Life and Relationships

The 26-year-old remains notably private about his romantic life, with no confirmed information about a girlfriend or spouse as of 2025. He is currently single and has not publicly disclosed any details about personal relationships, preferring to maintain focus on his football career rather than court media attention outside the sport.

Family Background and Support System

His close relationship with his parents and siblings has always been a source of strength, providing him with a solid support system as he navigates the pressures of professional football. The midfielder’s family has been instrumental in his development, offering stability during his rise through Real Sociedad‘s youth ranks to international stardom.

Martin Zubimendi Arsenal
Martin Zubimendi (via RTE)

Zubimendi’s decision to turn down Liverpool’s advances in summer 2024 was influenced by family considerations, demonstrating how his personal values and family bonds continue to influence major career decisions. This commitment to family has been a defining characteristic throughout his journey.

His parents, while maintaining privacy themselves, have been supportive of his career progression from his early days at Real Sociedad’s academy. The family’s Basque heritage has clearly influenced Zubimendi’s strong connection to his regional identity and club loyalty.

Career Highlights and Personal Milestones

The Making of a Professional

Zubimendi made his La Liga debut on 28 April 2019, coming on as a late substitute for Rubén Pardo in a 2–1 home win over Getafe. He has made 180 appearances for Real Sociedad in La Liga, scoring 5 goals, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most consistent defensive midfielders.

A Spanish international, Zubimendi started all five games in the 2020 Olympic Games as Spain claimed silver in Tokyo and has gone on to make 19 senior appearances for La Roja, winning the 2023 UEFA Nations League as well as helping his country defeat England 2-1 to win Euro 2024.

Read More: The Stunning Goal-Scoring Progression of Viktor Gyokeres: From Championship Striker to Elite European Goalscorer

The Arsenal Chapter

Zubimendi joined Arsenal for a fee of €65m (£56.1m) after they negotiated a fee higher than his release clause to be able to pay in instalments. The midfielder has signed a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium, explaining it was “the move I was looking for”.

Zubimendi also snubbed Liverpool in the summer of 2024, showing his selective approach to career moves. His decision to join Arsenal reflects both sporting ambition and personal readiness for a new challenge after years of loyalty to his hometown club.

The midfielder’s journey from a quiet San Sebastián youth to Arsenal’s marquee signing demonstrates how personal values, family support, and professional dedication can coexist. His story resonates beyond football, showing how maintaining authenticity and strong personal relationships can complement rather than hinder professional success.

As Zubimendi begins his Premier League journey, his grounded personality and strong family foundation suggest he’s well-equipped to handle the pressures of English football while remaining true to the values that shaped his remarkable rise.

Read More: How Arsenal’s £150m Alexander Isak Bombshell Would Obliterate Premier League Defenses

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Arsenal’s Christian Norgaard Signing: A Practical 7/10 Addition

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Christian Norgaard to Arsenal rating the transfer

Arsenal‘s completion of the Christian Norgaard transfer (announcement imminent) represents a shrewd, if unspectacular, piece of business. The £10 million deal, with up to £2 million in add-ons, brings experience and reliability to Mikel Arteta’s midfield rebuild. While it may not excite supporters craving marquee signings, this move deserves a solid 7/10 rating for its tactical logic and financial prudence.

The Case for Christian Norgaard

The Danish captain’s Premier League pedigree cannot be questioned. With 122 appearances for Brentford since 2021, Norgaard has consistently performed at the highest level, culminating in his career-best 2024-25 season where he scored 5 goals in 34 appearances. His defensive statistics are particularly impressive – ranking third in the Premier League for tackles won (189) since his top-flight debut, averaging 2.8 per game compared to departing Thomas Partey’s 2.4.

Christian Norgaard (via Brentford)
Christian Norgaard (via Brentford)

Norgaard’s set-piece prowess adds another dimension to Arsenal’s attacking arsenal. His aerial ability and positioning at corners could prove crucial in tight games, addressing a long-standing weakness in the Gunners’ play. The 31-year-old’s leadership qualities, demonstrated through his Brentford captaincy, will be invaluable in a squad that has sometimes lacked vocal leaders in key moments.

From a tactical perspective, Norgaard fits perfectly into Arteta’s system. His ability to shield the defense while contributing in possession also makes him an ideal replacement for Jorginho’s experience. The Dane’s Premier League adaptation is already complete, eliminating the usual settling-in period that accompanies foreign imports.

The Pragmatic Concerns

However, several factors prevent this from being a higher-rated signing. At 31, Norgaard offers minimal resale value, representing a short-term solution rather than a long-term investment. His age profile contradicts Arsenal’s recent strategy of targeting younger, developing talents who can appreciate in value.

Christian Norgaard (via BBC)
Christian Norgaard (via BBC)

The fee structure, while reasonable, still represents significant expenditure for a player who may only contribute for 2-3 seasons. Former Arsenal defender William Gallas publicly questioned the logic of spending £10 million on a player “a year younger” than the departing Partey, highlighting concerns about the club’s transfer strategy.

Read More: Who is Josefine Barsoe? All About the Wife of Christian Norgaard

Norgaard’s goal return, while improved this season, remains modest for a player who will occupy a crucial midfield position. His discipline record – nine yellow cards and one red in 34 Premier League appearances last season – suggests he may struggle with the intensity of Arsenal’s high-pressing system.

The Verdict: Sensible but Uninspiring

This signing epitomizes Arsenal’s pragmatic approach to squad building. Norgaard provides immediate Premier League quality at a reasonable price, filling a specific tactical need without breaking the bank. His experience and leadership will prove valuable during the crucial adaptation period following Jorginho’s departure.

Read More: Arsenal Striker Targets: Viktor Gyokeres Compared with Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak as the Swede Still a Strong Possibility

The 7/10 rating reflects solid, sensible recruitment rather than transformative business. While supporters may have hoped for a more exciting addition, Norgaard’s signing demonstrates Arsenal’s commitment to building a balanced squad rather than pursuing glamorous names.

In the context of Arsenal’s broader transfer strategy – which includes the £51 million signing of Martin Zubimendi – Norgaard represents the type of intelligent, low-risk addition that complements bigger investments. His role as a reliable squad player who can step up when needed makes this a thoroughly reasonable piece of business.

The real test will be whether Norgaard can maintain his Brentford form in Arsenal’s more demanding tactical system. If he adapts successfully, this signing could prove to be one of the summer’s shrewdest moves. If not, it risks becoming another expensive short-term fix in Arsenal’s ongoing midfield evolution.

Read More: Alexander Isak to Arsenal: Scout Report + SWOT Analysis

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Arsenal’s £55M Nightmare: Why Losing Ethan Nwaneri Would Be Catastrophic

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Ethan Nwaneri might leave Arsenal

Arsenal face a contract standoff that could define their next decade. With Ethan Nwaneri’s current deal expiring in summer 2026 and negotiations stalling, the Gunners risk losing their most promising academy graduate since Bukayo Saka. The 18-year-old’s reluctance to commit amid concerns over guaranteed playing time has placed several elite clubs on red alert.

1. Losing a Generational Talent at His Peak Development Stage

Nwaneri represents the type of once-in-a-generation academy product that clubs build their future around. His breakthrough 2024-25 season demonstrated exceptional maturity beyond his years, including his first Premier League goal against Nottingham Forest in November and a memorable brace against Bolton in the Carabao Cup. The England Under-21 international’s ability to seamlessly transition between central midfield and right wing positions makes him invaluable in Mikel Arteta’s tactical system.

Arsenal's Myles Lewis Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri (Via ESPN)

At 18, Nwaneri is entering the crucial phase where raw talent transforms into elite performance. His current market valuation of €55 million reflects his immense potential, but more importantly, his understanding of Arsenal’s tactical nuances and pressing systems cannot be replicated by any external signing. The young attacker’s technical ability, combined with his physical development and tactical intelligence, suggests he could become Arsenal’s next superstar.

Read More: 5 times Arsenal players were harshly treated by English referees and VAR officials

2. Strategic Implications for Arsenal’s Long-Term Planning

Arsenal’s entire academy philosophy centers on developing players who understand the club’s DNA from youth level. Nwaneri embodies this perfectly, having progressed through every level of the system. His departure would signal a fundamental failure in the club’s talent retention strategy and could encourage other promising youngsters to question their long-term prospects at the Emirates.

The timing is particularly damaging given Arsenal’s recent investment in youth development infrastructure. Losing Nwaneri would undermine the credibility of the pathway from academy to first team that Arteta has worked to establish. His contract situation has already created uncertainty, with reports suggesting his camp has expressed reservations about Arsenal’s plans to sign two new forwards, potentially limiting his opportunities.

3. Financial and Competitive Ramifications

From a financial perspective, allowing Nwaneri to leave would represent a catastrophic loss of asset value. The club invested significant resources in his development, and losing him for minimal compensation would be economically devastating. More critically, strengthening a direct competitor – with Chelsea reportedly circling – would compound the disaster.

Arsenal’s title ambitions depend on squad depth and tactical flexibility. Nwaneri’s versatility across multiple positions provides Arteta with crucial options during fixture congestion. His pace, creativity, and ability to press from advanced positions make him ideally suited to Arsenal’s high-intensity style. Replacing these specific attributes in the transfer market would cost significantly more than retaining him.

The Road Ahead

The club’s reluctance to sell, as confirmed by recent reports, demonstrates their recognition of Nwaneri’s importance. However, with his current deal entering its final year, time is running out to secure his long-term future.

The resolution of Nwaneri’s contract situation will serve as a litmus test for Arsenal’s ambitions. Failing to retain their brightest prospect would represent more than just losing a talented player – it would signal a failure to capitalize on years of academy investment and potentially derail the club’s long-term strategic vision. For Arsenal, keeping Nwaneri isn’t just important – it’s essential for their continued evolution as a title-contending force.

Read More: 5 players Arsenal can have as backup for skipper Martin Odegaard

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