Arsenal
Explained: The reason why Arsenal will regret missing out on this £43.7m star before he joined PL rivals
Why Arsenal will regret missing out on Fabinho last summer
According to Metro, Arsenal manager Unai Emery has revealed that Fabinho was one of Arsenal’s top targets last summer after his arrival from PSG.
The Metro understands that Fabinho, who had been plying his trade with Monaco at that time, was rated very highly by Emery during his managerial stint at the French capital and the Spaniard was open to the idea of bringing him to Arsenal last summer.
However, the Gunners eventually lost out to Liverpool in the race to bring the Brazilian enforcer to the Premier League, with Fabinho completing a £43.7 million switch to Anfield instead.
Emery was then persuaded by the board to complete a £26 million move for combative Uruguayan ace Lucas Torreira, who came through the door in North London from Sampdoria, while Matteo Guendouzi was also brought in as a completely unknown entity from French second-tier outfit FC Lorient.
To be honest, Arsenal recovered pretty well from that setback in the transfer window and went on to have a successful campaign the last term, making it to the finals of the Europa League and securing a 5th-place finish in the Premier League.
Torreira earned plenty of plaudits for his industrious and tough-tackling displays in the middle of the park while Gundouzi, who showed tremendous potential in his first season in English football, was hailed as the best bargain in the 2018 summer window.
However, things have changed this season and the club hierarchy has been left to rue the failure of landing the signature of Fabinho last summer, with Torreira suffering a drastic fall in grace.
The Uruguayan drew comparisons with N’Golo Kante during his first season in North London but those who deemed him to be at par with the Frenchman have been left embarrassed.
Torreira has slipped down the pecking order at Arsenal following a significant dip in his performances and has hardly played a significant role in the playing eleven this term.
Guendouzi has kicked on from where he had left lat season, making a wonderful start to the ongoing campaign and saving Arsenal’s blushes on a number of occasions with his consistent run of form.
However, the same cannot be said of Granit Xhaka, who has come under scrutiny repeatedly for his lacklustre displays at the base of the midfield, and that is one of the main reasons why Arsenal’s failed pursuit of Fabinho last summer looks all the more galling.
The Swiss international has done a good job when it comes to moving the ball around in the middle of the park, as evident from his pass success rate of 87 this season, but the 27-year-old has failed miserably in terms of putting the team on the front foot with his distribution, whilst also leaving a lot to desire with his ineptness in shielding the backline effectively.
It is largely down to Xhaka’s failures that Arsenal have been able to control possession without any sort of progressive influence and it is imperative to say that the former Bundesliga star has played a negative role by slowing things down with his knack for playing passes backwards and sideways.
Those deficiencies were masked to a large extent by the presence of an influential all-round midfielder like Aaron Ramsey last season but with the Welshman now out of the picture, the Gunners made been made to pay a heavy price for Xhaka’s uninspired and one-dimensional performances in deep midfield.
Besides faling to provide any kind of a goal threat from the midfield, Xhaka has hardly done anything, either offensively or defensively, to justify his selection week in, week out, although it has to be said that Emery doesn’t really have the luxury of quality alternatives.
On the contrary, Fabinho has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League after a slow start to life at Anfield, leaving Arsenal red-faced with their failed bid for him last summer.
The Brazilian international was tipped for failure on English soil when he struggled to make much of an impact in the first few months but he has progressed by leaps and bounds over the last one year, largely benefitting from Jurgen Klopp’s proficiency in handling new recruits and gradually easing them into the first-team fold.
Fabinho has gone on to establish himself as one of the first names on Klopp’s teamsheet and after playing a key role in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in the previous campaign, the 25-year-old has continued his impressive run of form this term as well.
He hasn’t scored too many goals, which is largely a result of Liverpool’s heavy reliance on the likes of Salah, Mane and Firmino up top, but Fabinho has definitely caught the eye with his robustness, tactical nous, proficiency in shielding the backline, as well as his intelligent progressive distribution to act as that vital link between the midfield and the forward line.
Suffice to say, Fabinho is currently an indispensable component of Liverpool’s midfield and the unheralded genius to the flawless functioning of Klopp’s 4-3-3 system that has constantly destroyed the opposition in the Premier League over the past twelve months.
Verdict
Hence, it doesn’t take a professional analyst to figure out that his superior all-round game puts him head and shoulders above someone like Xhaka, who has badly struggled to make any kind of a positive impact for the Gunners.
Arsenal’s latest 1-0 defeat against Sheffield United further epitomized the need to bring in an upgrade on Xhaka at the base of the midfield, as the Gunners were completely taken aback by a well-oiled, resilient and industrious opposition.
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To that end, having someone like Fabinho in the ranks would definitely have made a massive difference and it is a no-brainer that the Gunners missed a trick in the market by failing to acquire the services of the Brazilian last summer.
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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