Arsenal
The German – English Pair Arsenal And Wenger Should Deploy Week In Week Out
After Arsenal’s victory over Everton in the FA Cup last weekend, ITV’s Adrian Chiles seemed shocked that the Gunners didn’t fall flat on their face as, according to him, they always do come springtime.
To be fair, he’s not totally wrong. Between the years of 2008 and 2011 in particular, Arsenal had something of a knack for falling out of all competitions in the space of a few weeks, and thus seeing their season completely unravel. Therefore it was not unreasonable for Chiles and the like to expect something similar in that particular game with the Gunners down in their European tie with Bayern Munich, and falling away from Chelsea in the title race.
Although I think this is another cheap, lazy narrative that the media feel obliged to follow, there is of course an element of truth in it. But why do Arsenal seem to collapse in this manner? It has long been suggested that they don’t have the mental fortitude to cope, but I’d argue that in the last few campaigns they’ve developed a far stronger resolve. Certainly this season they’ve quickly bounced back from disappointing results at Manchester City and Liverpool in particular.
With Mesut Özil becoming the latest in a long line of casualties, perhaps it’s simply injuries that are the biggest problem. Whilst I have no information as to Arsenal’s training methods or medical techniques, their record over the last decade or so in the injury department has been appalling and surely something has to change. Indeed new staff have come in, but the issue has never really gone away. To my amateur eye, it simply seems like the Arsenal squad is too reliant on the same individuals, therefore they get overplayed and pick up niggling injuries.
Özil is joined on the treatment table by Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere as well as forgotten man Abou Diaby, who I dare suggest we may never see play for Arsenal again. Bizarre deadline day signing Kim Källström is now available but unlikely to play a big part in the remainder of Arsenal’s season. As a result, the players that are fit are having to step up.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has emerged as quite the player in recent weeks. Cruelly injured on the opening day of the season, ‘the Ox’ was ruled out for almost five months but has been nothing short of spectacular since returning from his lay-off. Oxlade-Chamberlain has long been compared with teammate fellow Southampton academy graduate Walcott but is very much a different player.
He picks the ball up deeper and drives at defenders, whereas Walcott likes to receive passes from the midfield and run in behind. Oxlade-Chamberlain has been earmarked as a future central midfielder, and has performed well in that role, but is filling the badly-missed shoes of Walcott quite efficiently.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was by far the most threatening Arsenal player on a tricky evening at the Allianz Arena, and you could conceivably argue that he has been the stand-out individual in each game he’s appeared in since returning. Against Everton he was terrific; even on a couple of occasions where he lost the ball, he hounded his opponent to cleanly win the ball back, much to the fans’ appreciation.
The likes of Raheem Sterling have impressed this season, but Oxlade-Chamberlain appears to be England’s most promising talent by some distance. He’s freakishly balanced and composed on the ball, confident yet down-to-earth and is slowly becoming more and more effective in the final third. This has certainly been something of a breakthrough season for him and he can now easily consider himself one of the first names on the Arsenal teamsheet.
Lukas Podolski is another that will be thrust into the limelight in the remaining months of the season. The German has endured a mixed time at Arsenal. His first season was generally positive, as he scored a respectable 16 goals in all competitions and seemed to adapt to the notoriously physical nature of the Premier League. He has struggled for game time in his second campaign, however, usually being limited to substitute appearances; only ever seeming to start in the FA Cup.
He did, however, play from the beginning in Munich where he turned in arguably his best performance since joining in 2012. Podolski rattled home a trademark strike to give the Gunners hope against his former team and linked with his fellow forward players with far more intensity than he has in previous months. With better support from his teammates, there could have been more goals in the game for him.
Many feel that Podolski is something of a square peg in a team full of round holes. His tendency to go missing for large periods of the game make him a frustrating figure, one whose movement is not as sophisticated as Walcott’s, for example, and consequently a lot of people expect him to be sold in the summer.
However, I’d be inclined to argue that Podolski’s inconsistency was partly down to his own injury which kept him out for the best part of three months at the start of the season. The 28-year-old has started three of the last four games which suggests Arsène Wenger feels Podolski is finally back to full fitness or – to play devil’s advocate – has little choice but to play him.
Yet for his flaws, Podolski is an invaluable asset to the team because of his finishing. Plenty of Arsenal players are capable of putting the ball in the net, but none do it with the authority of Podolski, who is as clinical in front of goal as they come. His left foot is an absolute hammer, making him capable of scoring from anywhere.
He’s far from tactically perfect but adds a lot to the team on his day and, especially with the dwindling number of options, simply has to play as much as possible. As we enter the so-called business end of the season, the form of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski could prove crucial in Arsenal’s bid to end their well-documented trophy drought.
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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