North London is formally pink. Arsenal defeated Spurs 4-1, placing their title problem again on monitor.
Fact be informed, the Gunners aren’t actually within the race for 2026. They could have reached the cup ultimate and are above the Premier League desk, however there’s one thing about the way in which they’ve performed thus far that does not fairly really feel proper.
In actual fact, they’ve dropped factors in 4 of their final seven top-flight video games, most notably the defeat to Manchester United, whereas they’ve dropped additional factors in video games towards Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Wolves.
That 2-2 draw with Wolves was the low level of their marketing campaign thus far. Mikel Arteta questioned why his staff had did not win video games, however the win towards Tottenham eased the strain that had been mounting on the Spaniard and his males.
Having stated that, the supervisor must make some changes forward of subsequent weekend’s recreation towards Chelsea.
How Arteta can enhance Arsenal’s assault
Arteta deserves criticism for his match administration towards Molineux final week, however he deserves reward for the way in which he orchestrated a fast comeback towards Spurs.
Through the draw within the Midlands, Bukayo Saka began and scored as an attacking midfielder, however was again on the proper wing on the weekend in north London.
Regardless of how properly Saka carried out in central areas towards Wigan and Wolves, the win at Tottenham was a reminder that he, and certainly Arsenal, is at his finest when enjoying on the proper.
The winger hasn’t actually been within the race for many of this season, however has steadily improved during the last week, struggling towards Rob Edwards’ aspect and scoring the opening objective for Eberechi Eze on Sunday evening.
However regardless of scoring 4 objectives, there is a feeling this entrance line will be even higher. How might that occur? Properly, in additional methods than one.
Eze, Saka and Victor Gökeres additionally scored twice on the weekend however should stay within the squad. One other change ought to see a change on the left flank, the place Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard proceed to dominate.
Martinelli’s cameo towards Wolves was nothing wanting a catastrophe, however the Belgian has but to attain in any of his 13 appearances all through 2026.
Because of this, Eze could possibly be a participant who performs centrally on the left alongside Martin Odegaard or Kai Havertz. Odegaard supplied the help for Gokeres’ second objective on Sunday, whereas Havertz charmed his means again into the staff earlier than being injured once more.
The German made a profitable return to the staff, scoring, aiding and discovering the online towards Kairat Almaty. that He scored the winner towards Chelsea and supplied the help for Gokeres towards Sunderland.
That stated, Arteta also needs to be open to adjustments and rotations additional again.
How Arteta can enhance Arsenal’s protection
The Spaniard is unlikely to make too many adjustments forward of subsequent weekend’s large recreation towards Chelsea, however he might have to think about handing over the staff’s objectives to 1 or two gamers aside from Eze and Gokeres.
In actual fact, there are two gamers who’ve performed extra minutes in Arsenal’s squad this season than every other outfield participant: Martin Zvimendi and Julian Timber. That is fairly apparent too.
Most minutes performed by an Arsenal participant (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
participant | play time |
1) David Raya | 3,150 |
2) Martin Zvimendi | 3,083 |
3) Julian Timber | 2,973 |
4) Declan Rice | 2,936 |
5) William Saliba | 2,766 |
6) Gabriel Magalhães | 2,533 |
7) Bukayo Saka | 2,346 |
8) Victor Gokeres | 2,344 |
9) King’s Mercy | 2,072 |
10) Leandro Trossard | 2,051 |
Each gamers confirmed enchancment towards Spurs, however there was nonetheless room for enchancment towards Wolves. It is fairly outstanding that Christian Norgaard has solely performed 32 minutes within the high flight this season, as Zvimendi was his toes on the finish of the sport towards Molineux.
The identical goes for the Timbers, who struggled to finish passes within the embers of the tie. He received the ball too typically, making it tough for Arsenal to progress play down the proper flank.
Fact be informed, the Dutchman has been out of shape for many of 2026, clearly struggling along with his health because of enjoying so typically.
Statistics show that. He’s normally very neat and good in possession, however six of the eight video games through which he had the worst move completion proportion occurred this 12 months. His season common batting common within the league this season is about 85%, but it surely has dropped to 81% within the final 9 video games.
It has confirmed to be having a destructive influence on Arsenal’s build-up play, and adjustments could also be obligatory, even when it is simply to clean up the proper aspect of the pitch for a number of video games.
Ben White missed the sport towards Spurs by way of damage and could be first selection to interchange Timber, however summer time signing Cristian Mosquera proved on Sunday that he can even carry out at right-back.
Having signed Andrea Berta for £13m over the summer time, he seems like one of many bargains of the season, or even perhaps one of many signings of the season. The Spaniard was traded as a centre-back and crammed in admirably for William Saliba and Gabriel after they had been injured, however his performances at full-back have been astonishing.
He changed a tired-looking Timber for the ultimate 33 minutes on Sunday and was phenomenal, successful all 5 duels and dropping possession on simply three of his 18 touches.
Timber is, within the phrases of Como scout Ben Mattinson, “among the best signings of our time on the Emirates” however doesn’t require a particular exemption. The Dutch worldwide has seemed exhausted in current weeks.
Arsenal might have a full week to arrange for the sport towards Chelsea, however he’ll should be sidelined. This appears like an ideal alternative for both White or Mosquera to play proper wing.
Similar to Eze and Gokeres: £45m star had his finest recreation at Arsenal vs Spurs
Arsenal received 4-1 towards Spurs on Sunday evening.

