Arsenal
[Player Ratings] Arsenal vs Sunderland + Highlights
An emphatic first half display from Arsenal ensured there would be no hiccups from the Gunners in their aspirations for the Premier League title, meaning Arsene Wenger can have a good night’s sleep as his boys ruthlessly brushed aside Sunderland by 4-1 at the Emirates.
A first-half brace from returning striker Olivier Giroud gave the Gunners a well deserved advantage before Thomas Rosicky’s Arsenalesque goal made it 3-0 before the interval. Laurent koscielny then made it four in the second and and Italian Emanuele Giaccherini grabbed a late consolation for the visitors. Arsenal closed the gap at the top to just a point behind Chelsea while Gus Poyet’s team dropped further in their relegation battle. Here are Arsenal’s player ratings from London.
Wojciech Sczezeny: Was a shame that arsenal couldn’t get the clean sheet as Szczesny was helpless against Giaccherini’s well struck shot. Otherwise had a wonderful game, making couple of important stops.
Rating: 3/5
Bacary Sagna: Fantastic throughout the game, was exceptional with his all round play and his dedication was a testament to the fact, that he might have covered every blade of grass on the pitch. Started as a right back, played down the left for a while and was shifted as a CB in the final minutes of the game. Simply outstanding!
Rating: 4/5
Laurent Koscielny: Yet another strong performance from the French defender. Solid at the back and always quick to clear any danger. Has performed exceptionally this season and stepped up his game whenever required. The goal was the icing on the cake before he was subbed off to avoid aggravating the injury he suffered.
Rating: 3.5/5
Per Mertesacker: The big German like Koscielny had a great game, the partnership looking solid with each passing day. Wasn’t at fault and couldn’t do anything for Sunderland’s late goal in the game.
Rating: 3/5
Nacho Monreal: Solid performance from the Spaniard, However, Wenger would have frowns on his forehead thanks to the ankle injury sustained. Arsenal’s wafer thin squad will be tested to the limit in the coming weeks.
Rating: 2.5/5
Mikel Arteta: If I were to go by stats, then Arteta completed over 90% of his 120 passes in the game. Visibly everywhere on the ground and looked rejuvenated with each passing minute.
Rating: 3/5
Thomas Rosicky: Pick of Arsenal’s goals was the one scored by the Czech, who slotted past the goalkeeper after picking up a delightful ball from team mate Jack Wilshere and then exchanging a neat one two with Oliver Giroud. Al round was terrific too.
Rating: 3.5/5
Jack Wilshere: Created more than a couple of chances for his team, had over a hundred passes with an extremely high successful rate. Gunners’ fans however will be sweating over his hamstring in the days off in the build up to the next encounter.
Rating: 3/5
Santi Cazorla: The Spaniard was his usual self, brilliant on the ball, making those forays in the opposition third and shone throughout the entire course of ninety minutes.
Rating: 2.5/5
Lukas Podolski: The German made a rare start and perhaps looked out of sorts throughout failing to make an impact and not causing the Sunderland defence any sort of harm. However, his thunderbolt drive, if not for Mannone’s save would have been a peach of a goal.
Rating: 2.5/5
Olivier Giroud: Opened the floodgates for the demolition, scoring a brace after returning to the starting lineup, certainly puts his off field controversies on the back of him. The Frenchman’s performance was a reminiscence of the energy and dynamism he offers when fully focussed and raring to go at full steam. Man of the match for me.
Rating: 4/5
Watch the highlights here
Arsenal Dragon
Double Injury Blow: Arsenal Attacker Suffers Setback as Gabriel Magalhaes Faces Potential Two-Month Absence
Arsenal have been dealt a devastating double injury blow during the international break, with Kai Havertz suffering a minor relapse and Gabriel Magalhaes potentially sidelined for two months with a thigh injury sustained representing Brazil.
Havertz’s Return Delayed Until Year’s End
Julian Nagelsmann confirmed Havertz has experienced complications in his recovery from August’s knee surgery. “Kai had a minor relapse on his injury, but overall, he’s doing well. He is expected to return towards the end of the year,” the Germany manager stated after his side’s 6-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Slovakia.
The setback eliminates any possibility of Havertz featuring in Sunday’s North London derby against Tottenham. The 26-year-old has been restricted to just one appearance this season, playing 30 minutes in Arsenal’s opening-day victory over Manchester United before undergoing a “minor surgical procedure” on his knee.
Havertz initially targeted mid-November for his comeback after spending three months on the treatment table. This latest relapse extends his absence through December, forcing Arsenal to continue relying on Mikel Merino as an auxiliary striker option.
Gabriel’s Thigh Injury Compounds Crisis
Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a thigh injury during Brazil’s friendly against Senegal, with early indications suggesting a one-to-two month absence. The Brazilian defender has arguably been Arsenal’s most important performer this season, making his potential absence devastating for Mikel Arteta’s title ambitions.
Arsenal face a congested fixture schedule through the festive period without two crucial first-team players. Viktor Gyokeres remains doubtful for the derby with his own hamstring problem, while Riccardo Calafiori has been ruled out of Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Norway with a thigh issue.
The injury crisis leaves Arsenal dangerously thin across multiple positions heading into the busiest period of the season. Arteta must navigate crucial matches against Tottenham, Manchester City, and Liverpool while managing an increasingly depleted squad.
Read More: (Video and Photos) Watch Mikel Merino’s Impressive Choices as he Goes Jersey Shopping
Arsenal Women will be looking to end a three-game winless run when they welcome Real Madrid Women to Meadow Park for Wednesday’s Women’s Champions League contest. As for Las Blancas, they will be desperate to bounce back from Saturday’s heavy defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.
Arsenal Women vs. Real Madrid Women: Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Women (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Hinds; Pelova, Cooney-Cross; Mead, Caldentey, Foord; Russo
Real Madrid Femenino (4-2-3-1): Misa; Navarro, Mendez, Lakrar, Holmgaard; Angeldal, Dabritz; Feller, Weir, Caicedo; Redondo
Also read: Ailing Katie Reid Receives Words of Consolation From Arsenal Loanee Suffering From Same Injury
Match Preview
Arsenal have struggled for consistency this season, recording five wins, four draws and three defeats in 12 competitive matches. The Gunners have gone three games without a win since their 4-1 victory over Leicester City at the start of the month.
They played out draws against Chelsea and Tottenham, either side of a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Bayern Munich on matchday three. Renee Slegers’s side gave up a two-goal lead in Germany, representing their second European defeat after losing 2-1 to Lyon in their first outing.
The reigning European champions sit in 11th place and just a point ahead of teams outside the top 12. Arsenal can take confidence from already beating Real Madrid on home soil this year, claiming a 3-0 victory to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit in March’s quarter-final clash.
Fifth-placed Real Madrid are comfortably inside the top 12 and eyeing a top-four spot. Las Blancas started with a 6-2 victory over Roma, before edging out PSG 2-1 in France. Pau Quesada’s side looked set to fall to their first European defeat against Paris FC, before Caroline Weir rescued her side with a 98th-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw.
Weir saw her penalty saved in Saturday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. The Blaugrana went on to score two late goals to wrap up a 4-0 victory, dropping Real Madrid to fourth position in the Liga F table.
Team News
Arsenal remain without Manuela Zinsberger, Katie Reid, Leah Williamson and Kim Little. Victoria Pelova could earn a recall after dropping to the bench against Tottenham.
Real Madrid travel without Merle Frohms, Antonia, Sandie Toletti and Signe Bruun. Sara Holmgaard could return at left-back, while Alba Redondo is pushing for a recall.
Kick-off: 8:00 PM Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Venue: Meadow Park, Borehamwood
TV: Disney+ (UK) | Paramount+ (USA)
Also read: 3 Things We Learned From Arsenal Women’s Frustrating 0-0 Draw Against Tottenham Women
Arsenal Dragon
Three Years, Eight Months and 10 Days: Arsenal Stalemate Ends ‘This’ Run For Tottenham Which Began Way Back in 2022
Tottenham Women’s extraordinary 81-game streak without a goalless draw in the WSL finally ended on Sunday after a disciplined 0-0 stalemate against Arsenal at Brisbane Road.
The remarkable run spanning three years, eight months and 10 days represented one of the most unusual statistical quirks in women’s football, stretching all the way back to March 2022.
Tottenham’s Remarkable 81-Game Run Without Goalless Draw Finally Ends in Arsenal Stalemate After 1,346 Days
Tottenham’s last goalless draw before Sunday came against Reading on March 13, 2022. The statistics are staggering. Across 69 complete league matches spanning the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, Tottenham never failed to find the net or concede.
Sunday’s result at Brisbane Road broke that pattern in front of a record-breaking 6,778 fans who witnessed a tactical battle where neither attack could break through. Arsenal dominated possession and registered 13 shots but found Tottenham’s defensive organization impenetrable.
Defensive Foundation for Impressive Campaign
The clean sheet showcased the defensive progress under manager Robert Vilahamn. Goalkeeper Lize Kop and her backline recorded their fourth WSL clean sheet of the campaign—six across all competitions, matching Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton for the joint-highest tally in the division at this stage.
Tottenham’s start to the 2025/26 season has exceeded expectations. They sit fifth in the table with 16 points from nine matches, just four points shy of last season’s entire total achieved across 22 games.
The point gained in the north London derby felt like a significant statement. Tottenham frustrated their fierce rivals whilst ending a statistical anomaly that had defined their recent WSL existence.
Whether this signals a tactical evolution towards greater defensive discipline or simply represents a one-off remains to be seen, but the 1,346-day wait for another goalless draw has finally concluded.
Read More: 3 Things We Learned From Arsenal Women’s Frustrating 0-0 Draw Against Tottenham Women
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