Arsenal
Arsenal’s porous backline would be in safe hands if Emery signs this 20-year-old beast with £92m release clause
Why Arsenal should go all out for Dayot Upamecano next summer
According to Football London, Arsenal have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, with the report claiming that the youngster’s release clause is likely to be reduced to a considerable extent next summer.
Arsenal were linked with a host of centre-back from different leagues in Europe in earlier in the summer, including Upamecano and Juventus’s Daniele Rugani, when former captain Laurent Koscielny headed for the exit door but the Gunners instead ended up signing William Saliba from St.Etienne and veteran David Luiz from Chelsea.
As revealed by Football London, Arsenal were one of the front runners in the race to sign Dayot Upamecano but the Gunners had a bid of €60 million turned down by the Bundesliga outfit, with Leipzig pointing to the 20-year-old’s mammoth release clause of £92 million.
Despite widespread interest from several of Europe’s elite clubs, Upamecano stayed put at RB Leipzig, as the German giants were unwilling to budge on their massive valuation of the talented centre-back, who has carved out a reputation for himself as one of the hottest defensive prospects on the planet.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have enjoyed a decent start to the campaign on all fronts, with Unai Emery’s side currently placed 4th in the Premier League standings after winning and drawing three of their first seven league fixtures.
Indeed, the Gunners should be happy with their position in the league standings for the time being but, with Leicester City and West Ham also competing on equal terms for a top-six finish this term, Unai Emery will know that he has his work cut out in guiding the team to Champions League football next season, especially with their ailing backline still very much an Achilles Heel.
As well as the failures of club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, David Luiz, too, has been a massive disappointment since his move across the English capital in the summer transfer window.
The Brazilian has made himself look like a defensive liability at times, while Sokratis, though reasonably solid on most occasions, has threatened to let the team down with lapses in concentration.
With error-prone Shkodran Mustafi very much a marginalised figure nowadays and Konstantinos Mavropanos a regular on the treatment table, Arsenal desperately need to bring in another world-class centre-back to push on under Emery and challenge for better things.
Rob Holding, of course, is back from his injury, however, one does get the feeling that a top-notch defender like Dayot Upamecano would be a big upgrade on the Englishman. The 20-year-old seems to have mastered the art of defending at a very young age and he is only going to get better with time.
To that end, the latest news regarding Upamecano’s contract situation at RB Leipzig should certainly please the Gunners faithful, with French outlet L’Equipe reporting that the French U-21 international’s release clause is set to be reduced to €60 million next summer.
Upamecano, who has made a total of 77 appearances for RB Leipzig in all competitions since his move from sister club RB Salzburg a couple of years back, is under contract until the summer of 2021, and should he not put pen to paper on fresh terms, the Gunners would be able to nab him for a much lower fee at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Having completed a club-record £72 million deal for Pepe back in the summer, it was easy to see why Arsenal weren’t ready to trigger Upamecano’s £92 million release clause but with that figure now set to reduce considerably due to the length of his current contract at Leipzig, the Gunners will certainly be fancying their chances of landing one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents.
With William Saliba also set to return to the fold next summer after the end of his loan spell at St. Etienne, someone like Upamecano would be the ideal long-term investment for the Gunners and his arrival would definitely solve a nagging issue in a key area of the pitch for Emery.
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That said, the Arsenal should continue to monitor Upamecano’s situation very closely and they need to make sure that they are the first to pounce on the opportunity to snap up Upamecano next summer, given that his lowered release clause is likely to trigger an intriguing bidding war.
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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