Can a winger take the place of a striker? Obviously NOT!! A winger is supposed to be a quick player who can make runs down the flanks and put in good crosses. Whether or not he scores goals or not is a different issue, though the star is expected to be a creative mind as well. In the world of football today, wingers do tend to score a lot of goals. Despite that, no matter how many goals they score, they can never replace a proper striker and the need for a proper front-man or a center forward always remains.
Now, relating this to the problem at Arsenal and the potential solutions. Well, the Gunners are in need of an additional attacker who can give them at least 20-25 goals a season, after Olivier Giroud failed to deliver “goals” when needed the most.
Understand that the key word here is “GOALS”, the key factor that we were short on. The France international had a good season in which he scored clusters of goals when he was in form.
However, when he lost his touch eventually, his goal drought cost Arsene Wenger’s side not just the Premier League title, but a chance to do something in other cup competitions as well.
The solution to this problem was expected to be signing an additional world-class striker up front, though the void has not been filled so far. Further, the Londoners have now eventually turned to Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez to solve their problems.
The Algerian international who won the PFA Player of the Year award last season is surely a talented player and scored 18 goals and claimed 11 assists in 39 appearances for the Foxes. Despite that, will he be able to fit into the Arsenal setup? Will he be enough?
Claudio Ranieri gave the 25-year-old attacker a lot of freedom to showcase his talent and play with very little pressure at all, as the club was not known to many back then. With the situation that Wenger is in and now that the player has built a reputation for himself, things will be totally the opposite at the Emirates and the former Le Havre man will have his work cut out in order to impress the fans and the boss.
There is no doubt that Mahrez is one of the best players in the top flight of English football at the moment and will make the Gunners a much better side adding some much-needed quality, yet we just need more options.
With the quality that we have seen being added to club’s like Manchester City, United, Chelsea or even Liverpool to an extent, there is a need for a proper striker now. Spurs will also be a threat once again and it seems Everton have big plans this time around as well, with Ronald Koeman signing for them.
Also, there is a need to shine in the Champions League as well, not just be a mandatory group stage participant like every season. An injury to Mahrez and we are back at square one. Wenger can not take that risk this time around and with the money that he has, it will be a smart move to sign yet another player to ensure that the club does not finish trophyless once again!!
Forget that, with the quality of managers coming in like Mourinho, Guardiola, Conte and the others, we might not even finish in the top four if we do not start taking our opponents seriously and spending on adding more stars in order to strengthen our bench, as well as our playing eleven.
Once again keeping a little faith in Wenger, it will be interesting to see what happens once the season starts!!
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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