Arsenal
Arsenal securing the future of their two most important stars would is a no-brainer and a step in the right direction
Why Arsenal should prioritise new deals for Aubameyang and Lacazette
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are set to open contract negotiations with star attacking duo Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the Gunners keen to secure the long-term future of the influential strike pair.
The same report claims that the Gunners are set to prioritise a new deal for Aubameyang, who currently earns around £200,000-a-week at the Emirates, with the 30-year-old Gabonese international’s current contract set to expire in the summer of 2021.
Lacazette, on the other hand, is also viewed as central to the club’s plans moving forward but the Gunners find themselves under pressure to offload Mesut Ozil, who is the club’s highest earner at £350,000-a-week, in a bid to free up some valuable finds to facilitate a contract renewal drive. (h/t Daily Mail)
The 28-year-old Frenchman, though, is not out of contract in North London until the summer of 2022 and the Gunners’ decision to prioritise a new deal for Aubameyang definitely makes a lot of sense.
Academy graduate Joe Willock put pen to paper on fresh terms in September and Arsenal are striving further to tie down some of the key players at the club to new deals in order to avoid speculation over the futures.
To that end, both Aubameyang and Lacazette have been amongst the standout performers at the club since the arrival of Unai Emery and it is a no-brainer that Arsenal secure their long-term futures.
It would be a massive statement of intent and a step that could make them strong top-four contenders should they manage to sort out the problems in other areas of their squad.
Aubameyang, who came through the door at Arsenal as a bonafide goalscorer from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 for a then club-record fee of £56million, has done his reputation no harm.
The 30-year-old has bagged a staggering 49 goals and 12 assists in 73 appearances for the Gunners, a strike rate which is terrific.
The former Dortmund man scored 22 goals in the Premier League last term to share the Golden Boot with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, and his strong start to the ongoing campaign suggests that he is still hungry for more.
Aubameyang has already racked up 8 goals in 8 appearances in all competitions this season and it is imperative to say that holding on to him could be the difference between a much-awaited return to the Champions League and Europa League mediocrity for the Gunners.
Lacazette, who was also a club-record signing from Lyon for a fee of £46.5million in the summer of 2017, has been a regular source of goals and assists for the Gunners on all fronts.
Despite his recurrent struggles with injuries, the 28-year-old has managed a respectable tally of 38 goals and 18 assists in 91 appearances, including 19 in all competitions in the previous campaign.
Aubameyang has consistently lit up the Emirates with sheer moments of brilliance and his clinical finishing in front of goal with both head and feet mean that he is an indispensable component of Arsenal’s attack, not to mention his lightning pace and all-round game, which make him one of the most devastating strikers in Europe.
Lacazette, on the contrary, offers a lot in terms of holding up the ball with his back to goal, bringing others into play and providing a much-needed focal point to the attack.
Besides his obvious pedigree as an out-and-out centre-forward, the Frenchman has illustrated a great level of proficiency in assisting his teammates with his clever link-up play and a like-to-like replacement in the market would cost the Gunners millions of pounds.
With both the strikers offering something different on the pitch, Arsenal have been at their sparkling best whenever Emery has opted to pair them up top and that should be the way forward, with Nicolas Pepe failing to live up to the expectations and Ozil very much a marginalised figure nowadays.
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Verdict
Suffice to say, Arsenal offering new deals to their key strike duo would be a step in the right direction and one that could possibly propel them to greater heights in the years to come.
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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