The ‘B’ Word

Loads to get through today, obviously And there’s no other place to start than with the Wolves game. On which I’m not alone in having a lot to say!

After that, I'll give you my thoughts on two extremely controversial talking points from the week that has just passed; namely 1) the FA Cup officiating fiasco, and 2) the Vinicius Junior racism scandal. The latter is a really serious issue, and everybody needs to be united on it. 

Anyway, here we go. And, unsurprisingly, it makes for grim reading. Especially because I’m not generally the sort of supporter who veers from ‘Everything is wonderful’ to ‘Everything is shit’ and back on the back of a single positive or negative performance and result. But this decline is beginning to feel terminal, and serious questions need to be asked. 

Those who have read my words over the season know that I have remained amongst the most optimistic of Arsenal fans these past few weeks; even while points have been dropped and the team has failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities to place large swathes of daylight between themselves and those chasing them. 

I’ve kept the faith. I’ve believed. I’ve convinced myself that the past couple of months was a blip and nothing more - all whilst the team have gathered just 10 points out of a possible 21 in the calendar year.

But, after this latest capitulation against bottom of the table Wolves, I have to hold up my hands and join the tide of Arsenal supporters who have been watching history repeating itself becoming less of a possibility and more of a probability as each game passes.

Others have seen the writing on the wall long before me. The struggle to lay a glove on Liverpool. The sterility of the performance at Forest. Losing to Manchester United. Failing to get to grips with Brentford. Even conceding two goals at home to Kairat Almaty. And now this.

Because - and make no mistake about this - this is utter ignominy. To fail to beat what is statistically one of the worst ever Premier League teams - from two goals up! - is a sign of both physical and mental fragility. It is not the behaviour or performance of future champions. And it is a sign that even this group - possibly the deepest squad ever assembled in Premier League history - is finding itself unable to cope with the pressure. Yes - and I’m going to say a word I thought I’d never need to use - they are indeed ‘bottling’ it.

Whether you put the blame on the players, the manager and his staff, or a combination of both, a switch needs to be flicked immediately. 

Not on Sunday - when suddenly even the thought of a weak and depleted Tottenham side doesn’t feel like the simple task it ought to be - but right now.

Today.

This morning. 

If I can use the recent words of notorious Tottenham vodcaster Expressions Oozing… ‘To-now!’

I’m not going to go into too much detail on the game. You’ve all seen it or read enough about it. But I’ll summarise it by saying that the warning signs became more and more apparent as the game wore on. Despite taking a really early lead, the team failed to put the opposition to bed, choosing apparent ‘control’ over going for the jugular. Why they would choose to do this instead of looking to put the game out of the opponent’s sight, I cannot understand. And if anything, this played into Wolves’ hands and gave them hope, despite them creating nothing themselves. And this is a pattern that we have seen all season. 

In the second half, when one would have expected Arsenal to come out on the back of a team talk and up the tempo, the opposite occurred, and it was almost against the run of play that Arsenal went two goals up. And frankly, despite the flow of the game still feeling wrong, at 2-0 that ought to have been that. 

Yet the players looked tired, leaderless, rudderless as a unit. Not even Declan Rice - for all his effort - was able to drive them on. There was no discernible plan or pattern of play apart from merely hanging on to the ball for as many passes as possible to use up time. Or hoofing it up the field as far as possible. The game was flat, boring even, and from early in the second half I was getting nervous. I couldn’t wait for it to end. All this against a really poor side who are tailed off at the bottom of the table.

Players were looking unfit and/or fatigued all over the pitch. And physical frailty leads to mental errors. We saw tired players physically unable to make runs and find space when opportunity presented. We saw simple passes and simple triangles regularly go wrong. And - yes - of course the first goal was Wolves’ first shot on target - totally unsavable and yet another ‘worldie’ - but Arsenal had been giving them the hope to have a go. After all, what did a side already doomed to relegation - and fully knowing it - have to lose?

And then… and then… as time ticked on and I was glancing at the clock in the corner of the television screen literally - and I literally use that word literally! - every 5 seconds the mistake came. Raya ought to have left Gabriel to clear a cross, but got tangled up with his defender on the edge of the area and left the goal almost completely unguarded. That a raw 18 year old - in his first ever appearance for the home team - took advantage - and for the defender who had managed to get back onto the goal line to fail to clear the shot - said it all. Mental fragility and the scars of yesteryear were laid bare in those three seconds. The sounds of chickens coming home to roost went through my head. Just like you, I was deflated and livid in equal measure. 

Make no mistake; this was an embarrassment. Blame the players. Blame the manager. Blame both. It doesn’t matter. But they MUST respond.

As well as finding the game a hard watch - and when they play like this there is nothing to like or enjoy about this side - I wasn’t impressed with Arteta’s response either. I didn’t like the substitutions. They didn’t help in any shape or form. Yes, Madueke never looks capable of playing a full game, but Saka is clearly not fully match fit, and should have been the first to come off. Gyokeres certainly needed to be hooked after contributing virtually nothing (11 touches in 60+ minutes!). Martinelli looked knackered. Trossard should have been on far earlier - and should have started, frankly. Why did we not see Norgaard? And why, with a fully fit MLS on the bench, did Arteta send on an obviously struggling Calafiori late on?

The television was switched off as the final whistle went, by the way… I couldn’t bear to see or hear any more.

Arsenal got exactly what they deserved from this game. And - make no mistake - this is a full-blown crisis. The final piece in any elite sportsman’s DNA is his mental strength, and this needs to be harnessed immediately. Don’t think that this performance and result won’t give even a weak and depleted Tottenham side cause for optimism. Because it will. Because anyone can see that if you put any sort of pressure on this group of players they may crack. No, they WILL crack.

Blame the players if you want to. And for individual errors you certainly can. But the manager has to shoulder more than his fair share of blame. It is he who sends them out to play in the style we have to suffer week after week - all of which is fine if you're winning, but certainly is not if you're not. A style based on his own image. A style too deeply rooted in pragmatism, and one that sucks the enjoyment out of watching football. The 'umbrella football'. The 'arc of disillusion'. Whatever you want to call it. And he has overplayed key players, so they look tired - both physically and mentally. Enough now - change direction, before it's too late!

Changes have to be made. Immediately. Firstly, a psychologist needs to be brought in. With a single brief. To change the individual and collective mindset of the group. Nor should the manager think that he is above being forced to take a good look at himself.

Secondly, I believe that the time is ripe for a change of tactics, of shape, and of personnel. Whatever Arteta has been looking for has stopped working, and he needs to free the players up to express themselves; to impose their undoubted abilities on the opposition. Start Odegaard if he is fit. Or start Eze. Put Saka back on the right, and Trossard on the left. Give Norgaard a start. And - if he’s fit enough - start Kai up top. Play in a less predictable style. Get the ball into the space in and around the 'd' of the penalty box instead of going round the outside, and back again. Rip it up and start again. Because the team needs a complete reset.

‘Control’ is not the be all and end all. Arsenal do not need 65% possession. They need decisiveness and speed of mind and body - especially in transition phases. The manager must be able to put his trust in the exceptional defensive group he has assembled to deal with turnovers. 

Set them free, Mikel. Before the club set further unwanted records and go down in history for all the wrong reasons. The season can be retrieved. But - as the saying goes - the biggest sign of madness is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result. Yes, it’s still in our hands. But it’s slipping away. All of it.

That’s it. I’m done on Arsenal for now. I just can’t…

On to the other two matters at hand. And we'll start with the performance (or lack of) from Chris Kavanagh and his assistant last Saturday at Villa Park.

No need to go over the errors. You’ve seen them or read about them. The offside goal. The second yellow (at best) card offence by Digne. And the Frenchman’s handball offence. All of which received incorrect responses from the officials.

The ‘goal’ was clearly offside. Digne should have walked. Yet that all pales into insignificance compared to the failure to give a penalty for the handball. An offence two yards inside the area given as a free kick two yards outside it? 

Kavanagh is clearly at fault. His ‘assistant’ let him down. This wasn’t even Sunday League level officiating - indeed I personally know Sunday League referees who’d be ashamed of making such decisions. But - and this is what’s laughable about it - Chris Kavanagh has just been promoted to UEFA’s Elite list!!!

For me, the reasons for the poor (or lack of) decision-making is obvious. It’s VAR. Officials don’t feel the need to make key decisions any more, because of the safety net of Stockley Park. So they defer to their colleagues in the booth. And - worse than that - they are becoming incapable of making decisions because they’ve forgotten how to! And don’t get me started on slowing down the action replays instead of showing them at full speed - which can paint an entirely different picture.

But when you see how much better VAR works in UEFA competitions, you have to be asking questions of PGMOL. We thought that Mike Riley was bad at his job, but Howard Webb turns out to be worse! The justification of poor decisions - and contradictory arguments - paints him and his organisation in a very poor light. As for his weekly televison appearances alongside Michael Owen; nothing more than PR spin. 

Personally, I’d prefer to scrap the whole bloody thing. I’d rather deal with human error than the inconsistency that still comes with the technology. Grrrrr…

Now to the appalling scenes - and aftermath thereof - at the Estadio De Luz earlier this week.

Firstly, what a fabulous goal from Vinicius Junior! But secondly, even whilst he was doing it I was saying to myself ‘enough with the celebration now’. Because it was unnecessarily provocative to both the home supporters and players. However…

There is no excuse for the use of racist language on a football field. Or anywhere. Whatever Pestrianni said - and he can deny all he likes - was designed to hurt VJ. White man to black man. Argentinian to Brazilian. Inexcusable. He should be suspended by UEFA, and an investigation needs to take place immediately! For all the protestations of innocence, and the backing of his club, there’s no smoke without fire; after all, why cover your mouth?…

There are those who point out that this is anything up to the 20th time that VJ has ‘played the race card’ in football stadiums. But he has every right to. Spain is a hotbed of racism against black footballers, and whilst the authorities there fail to clamp down properly on it, then it isn’t going to stop. And yes, I know that this was in Portugal… I’m certainly not going to disbelieve what he claims to have heard directed at him.

As for the response of Jose Mourinho... well, I'm sorry, but there is zero justification in playing that card. Benfica cannot be racist because their greatest player was Eusebio. What nonsense! Eusebio was playing 60 years ago, in a different world to today's. Own it, Jose. If it were possible - and I didn't actually think it was - he has gone further down in my estimation as a human being. This is typical Mourinho gaslighting, and if he had any hope of going back to manage Real Madrid next season then he's blown that out of the window.

Please, UEFA, respond immediately. Before the second leg is played. Be decisive for once. This cancer must be eliminated from football. Not just from football, but from society. But UEFA only have jurisdiction over football, so they can start there.

Before I go, here's a quick preview of Sunday's game; the return NLD. By any measure, here are two football teams going in completely the opposite direction. Despite recent events... 

Arsenal have a large and virtually fully fit squad, have a far higher ceiling than their opponents (for all that there remain psychological issues still to overcome) and are still clear at the top of the table. Whereas their opponent are in freefall, have just sacked their manager (and made a completely out-of-the-blue choice of interim), have a small, weak and additionally hyper-injured squad with barely 11 fit outfield players from which to choose, a diabolical home record - and an outspoken captain who is perma-banned. Indeed, they appear in real danger from relegation! So this can only go one way - right?

To be honest, irrespective of the form of the two sides I always have a sense of trepidation when it comes to this particular fixture. But this year I had none of that when they came to our place in November, and had Arsenal have beaten Wolves I would have even less now. By any normal measurement, this can only go one way, irrespective of any so-called NMB ('new manager bounce' for the uninitiated). 

However, Arsenal's result and performance at Molineux will have given Spurs a shot in the arm. They will be able to see a way to get at Arsenal. Which is precisely why Arsenal need to respond quickly, be sharp off the blocks, and to put them back in their place as quickly as possible. Which they are capable of doing... depending on the work that is going on whilst you're reaading this piece. I'm not sure that Mikel Arteta would have got a wink of sleep after that, by the way.

Here's something for afficionados of early1980s punk music; specifically Eddie Tenpole and his band Tenpole Tudor. Should Spurs get well and truly thrashed on Sunday, will Igor Tudor be given the monicker TenGoal Tudor, having been slashed to pieces by The Swords of a Thousand Arsenal Men?  "Hear our roar. Hear our sound. We're gonna fight until we have won this town. Hoorah hoorah hoorah yeah. Over the hills with the swords of a thousand men!"

We can only hope so. Difficult as it must feel at the moment, there is another game soon - a chance to kick back on. For all it feels like shit today, the Quadruple remains a possibility (saying that, playing like they are now, I wouldn't fancy Arsenal to beat eggs...). Which is why we need Arteta to produce some magic this week.

So... try to keep the faith. They're still our team. COYG.

A Difficult Evening

Arsenal endured one of the most difficult matches of their season to date at the GTech Stadium on Thursday evening. A 1-1 draw was probably a fair result, with both sides possibly coming away disappointed at not having secured all three points. But - and make no mistake about this - Brentford are very difficult opposition. Especially at home.

They're actually a remarkable club. They have risen from the depths of League One very rapidly in recent years; on a safe and solid financial footing and a very specific way of going about their business. Their modus operandi is very similar to that of Brighton, who have achieved similar success. Actually, I understand that Brentford owner Matthew Benham is not very popular with Brighton owner Tony Bloom, with whom he used to work. I'll leave the reasons for that to your imagination...

It was interesting to hear Brentford manager Keith Andrews, when interviewed after the game, implying that the way that Brentford work in selecting their playing staff would lead him to not fancy trying to implement what works at Brentford with 'other groups of players'. Suggesting that character is very important when putting together successful groups, and probably implying that disparate groups of individuals - the likes of those put together by clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea - are far more difficult to keep pulling in the right/same direction. Fascinating... As Arsenal fans, we know that character is a key trait that Mikel Arteta and his team take into consideration when looking to bolster the Arsenal squad. So the clubs appear to share that viewpoint.

To the game itself:

The news a few days prior of the loss of Havertz for several weeks was - frankly - not unexpected; if nonetheless disappointing. One doesn't come back from a year out and expect smooth sailing. If he can be back for Chelsea, that would be handy. 

The loss of William Saliba through illness was another blow; for all that his deputy Cristhian Mosquera did well enough.  And whilst Saka and Odegaard were back on the bench, this all meant that Arsenal were perhaps a little light on 'first choice' players for a test of this magnitude. The key selection was that of Eze in an attacking midfield role - how he performed was likely to be critical to the way the game went. With Manchester City having literally strolled to victory the previous evening (Fulham having rolled over for them) to cut the gap to three points, the pressure was certainly ramped up a little for the league leaders.

The atmosphere felt electric - at least from my armchair. I am sure that stadia such as the GTech under the lights, with big visitors such as Arsenal rocking up and the opportunity presented to try to make a statement, must feel different to any relatively mundane fixture on a Saturday afternoon. And Brentford were clearly up for the fight. Andrews had mentioned looking to 'create chaos', and this is something that the home side certainly did manage to do. Early on, Arsenal's play was jittery and error-strewn, as the ferocity (and I don't mean this as suggesting violence, by the way) of Brentford's press put Arsenal players under pressure all over the pitch. 

Nonetheless, there was little to report as regards penalty area action. A fairly tame header from Gabriel from a corner was all that Arsenal had to show for the first 10 minutes of play, whilst Brentford created nothing, and looked most likely to cause damage through the gargantuan long throws of Kayode. As it happens, the first one of those went out directly for a goal kick, but the aftermath of the second led to the game's first big chance. Raya - over-ambitious - gathered the loose ball and looked to set Rice away, but his roll-out was easily intercepted by Jensen. and the midfielder's subsequent cross was met with the full power of the forehead of Igor Thiago. Raya redeemed himself with a brilliant point-blank stop.

And for the next 10 minutes or so it was almost all Brentford, with alarm bells ringing amongst the Arsenal ranks. This was not how this was supposed to go. Thankfully, the home side created little, but Arsenal are simply not used to this. It took them a fair while to regain possessional and territorial dominance. But half time arrived with very little more to report - apart from a booking for Gabriel - and with plenty of room for improvement from a nervy away side. Arsenal were offering little going forward, despite regaining control, and Brentford continued to look dangerous from set pieces; and especially on the break.

The almost completely ineffective (and fast becoming something of a disappointment) Eze was replaced at half time by Martin Odegaard, in the hope that he could inject some urgency into Arsenal's attacking play. Which he initially did; looking busier and helping Arsenal to move the ball quicker in the opponents' final third. There were early half-chances for Gyokeres and Trossard, as Arsenal started to look a little more like... er... Arsenal.

Just a word at this point on Eze. And Odegaard. And even David Raya. The former Crystal Palace player is still struggling to adapt to life at Arsenal. There have been flashes of brilliance - the assist for Martinelli against Manchester City, and of course the hat-trick against Spurs. But his languid style of play is often unsuited to the frantic nature of some games, and he needs to adapt to that. Odegaard, on the other hand, sometimes seems almost TOO eager to impose himself on matches. As I have said before; when he drops deep, there is no central link to the forward line He needs to learn the discipline of his role.

As for Raya. Well, I must say that I was disappointed at his distribution in this match. He seemed either flustered, or simply too eager to go long. Which made life difficult for Gyokeres, who was up against two gigantic central defenders.

On the hour, Arsenal finally got their noses in front. Hincapie, who had managed to work himself into several good positions at various points, intercepted a clearance and looped a cross to the far post where Madueke leapt higher than the diminutive Henry and diverted the ball back from whence it came and into the corner of the net, with the wrong-footed Kelleher flailing at thin air. The winger's second goal in successive away games, and a vital contribution.

Brentford upped the pace immediately, and the pattern was set for the rest of the game. It's funny how a goal can change players' mindsets, and the pattern of a game. A side can be on top and take the lead, but then a switch goes off and they change modes. In this instance, there was very much an element of looking to hold on to the lead - and this was evident almost immediately. All of which fed into Brentford piling on the pressure - especially from set-pieces.

That's not to say that Arsenal didn't have the odd chance on the break. From one, Odegaard robbed his man and found Rice inside the penalty area. He probably ought to have shot, but passed to Gyokeres - and the ball was taken off his toe by Kayode. But for that intervention, Arsenal would have put the game to bed. But Brentford broke directly from that, and Thiago worked Gabriel and Raya hard as he bore down on goal.

For the rest of the game the heart was in the mouth. Gabriel and Mosquera were both working overtime to keep Brentford at bay, and at every dead ball situation the home side were giving Arsenal a taste of their own medicine, with space in the 6-yard box at an absolute premium. 

I hate watching all that jostling at corners and suchlike, as I've mentioned before. Players get away with stuff in there that they cannot get away with elsewhere on the field. For all that Arsenal have profited over the years - and especially recently - from their prowess in these situations, I do wish that FIFA would change the Laws of the game here. It's unseemly and unsightly, and simply not football.

From another Kayode long throw, Brentford equalised. The ball was headed on at the near post to an unmarked Lewis-Potter, who got the wrong side of Odegaard and directed a powerful header back past Raya. Which was what the home side deserved, frankly. But was there a foul on Gabriel as the ball came over?

Odegaard hurt his knee in trying to prevent the goal, and whilst he was able to carry on and finish the game he was limping badly afterwards. I hope that he's ok.

The rest of the game was frantic, with my pulse rate through the roof. Gabriel brought down Outtara out on the left hand side. Could easily have received a second booking, but got away with it. Mosquera made up for an error in a chase with Thiago by getting back to prevent a shot on goal from the prolific Brazilian (who must surely have a chance of making his country's World Cup squad; such is his excellent form). Rice nipped in superbly to take the ball off of the toe of Damsgaard. Not long after, Thiago fired a cross-shot wide of Raya's goal. Arsenal were hanging on to a precious point by their fingertips. Brentford piled forward, and Arsenal certainly weren't looking like Champions-elect.

But there was more drama to follow as the game entered 5 minutes of stoppage time. Timber, set free following some proper centre forward play from Gyokeres, headed directly for goal with Henry trailing in his wake. He set up Martinelli who, by cutting back onto his right foot  instead of hitting the ball first time with his left foot, gave Kelleher the chance to get a block in. What an opportunity!

And so it ended 1-1 with, for a change Arsenal's xG (0.6) dwarfed by Brentford's 1.34. But this could be an absolutely vital point. From Brentford's point of view, this could also be vital as they hit 40 points, and go in search of their first ever European spot. A spot that they richly deserve.

And as the WhatsApp group I mentioned last week went into another meltdown, I pointed out that we are in fact allowed to feel differently from each other about the current state of the run in. Arsenal are 4 points clear, and that's either a lot or not much at all depending on one's state of mind. As in every season, there ar sure to be twists and turns aplenty. 

I suppose that this is as good a time as any to look at the remaining fixtures of the main protagonists. That was one of Arsenal's most difficult remaining games, with only Chelsea and Manchester City themselves likely to cause Arsenal trouble on the run in. It is, of course, dangerous to predict, but I seriously expect Arsenal to gain 33 points out of their remaining 36 available, and that - irrespective of what Manchester City do - will be enough. I remain confident; if not quite as confident as a win against Brentford would have made me. Provided the squad stays relatively fit, they'll be ok.

So what’s next? Wigan at home in the FA Cup should be a formality. And then it's Wolves away in midweek - which should stretch the lead to 7 points. Next weekend, City host Newcastle and Arsenal go to crisis club Tottenham Hotspur. And the week after that is Arsenal's second most difficult remaining game - at home to Chelsea. Win that, and I seriously think that we'll be over the line. 

The fact is that Arsenal struggled to cope with Brentford's style. But not too many of their remaining opponents are capable of playing like that. Thank goodness! And, of course, the possibility of 4 games against City before the season ends is daunting... but I cannot get out of my head that they lost to Bodo/Glimt and made Spurs look good only a few days ago.

Let's keep the faith. COYG!

Media Madness

Lots to pack in following a fascinating week. Let's get straight in to it.

I'll be covering the 'routine' home win over Sunderland, the highly satisfying win over Chelsea on Tuesday; and the madness of Liverpool vs Manchester City, which according to Sky Sports has 'blown the title race wide open'. Here we go then:

A second successive Saturday afternoon 3pm league kick off? What on earth is going on, television companies? Actually, I suspect that they are obligated to cover every team a minimum number of times per season, and want to save Arsenal matches up for the business end. 

Sunderland, without Granit Xhaka, were nonetheless a pretty tough nut to crack They have bought well, and are not flattered by their inflated position in the league table. Like pretty much every team that visits Emirates Stadium, they sat in deep and looked to hit Arsenal on the break. Their main variation on what other opposition has done this season was to make sure that they got the ball into the Arsenal box with long diagonals at every dead ball opportunity; early on causing a deal of panic as Raya dropped a high ball. They bought a number of very decent players - including Xhaka - in the summer, and will hope that they can hold on to them going into next season; I suspect that 'bigger' clubs are going to be sniffing around the likes of Mukiele, Diarra, Sadiki and the massive unit that is Brian Brobbey over the summer.

It was interesting to note a variation in Arsenal's tactics in this game. Another string to the bow. Having scored one of their two goals in the away game against them from distance (Trossard the scorer), Arteta looked to repeat that tactic, and the number of shots from outside the box was notable. Arsenal sucked defending Sunderland midfielders into places they didn't want to go, and made use of the ensuing space around the corners of the penalty area. There were close calls for Declan Rice (from the left) and Kai Havertz (from the right), before Martin Zubimendi's sublime daisy-cutter with the outside of his boot cut across the ball, beat Roefs at his near post, and went in via the inside of that upright. A glorious finish. Lovely to see the goalscorer's 'homage' to the injured Mikel Merino, as he mimicked his team-mate's 'around the corner flag' celebration.

I'm absolutely obsessed with Zubimendi. Yes, he has the odd mistake in him; and in the position he plays those can be fatal (and have been at least twice this season). But the difference he makes to the way that Arsenal operate compared to what Partey contributed last season is noticeable. He is metronomic in the pace of his play and the quality of his passing; and he dovetails superbly with Declan Rice. On top of that, he is now scoring goals - and different types of goals at that. Which is a string to his bow that I'm not sure even he knew existed. Last week, a late run into the penalty area to head Arsenal into the lead at Leeds. This week the finish I described above. And who can forget his Goal of the Month volley against Nottingham Forest in September?

Sunderland, for all their huffing and puffing, created very little. Just 0.17xG; another side who found it almost impossible to penetrate this amazing Arsenal defensive line. But they didn't feel out of the game until Big Vik, from off the bench, put Arsenal two up on the back of a clever and clinical assist from Kai Havertz. 

Jesus, who had been given the start ahead of the Swede, did typically Jesus things, and was perhaps unfortunate not to have scored - or at the very least won a penalty - just before he came off (he was adjudged offside despite having both feet inside the Arsenal half as he began a defence-splitting run).

Gyokeres applied the coup de grace in the 93rd minute following a fast break, during which he kept pace with Gabi Martinelli before the Brazilian unselfishly set him up for a tap in. That's now 6 goals in 7 matches for Gyokeres, by the way. As I said several weeks ago, the goals were going to come. He needed time to settle, and get up to speed having not had a pre-season. 

Plus - and I cannot emphasise this enough - the key to the lock that is Kai Havertz is making a massive difference to the capability of the whole side - but particularly Gyokeres. The German's ability to generate space that Odegaard, Eze and Merino (although the latter is a very clever player himself) cannot locate is really helping change Arsenal's normal patterns of play. His fitness is key to this becoming the landmark season that 2025/26 could easily become.

If there was a single downside to report on the Arsenal performance, it was the showing that Riccardo Calafiori - replacing Hincapie at left back - put in. He looked off the pace; caught out of position and flapping at the ball at times. He is only just back from injury, and we know what he is capable of doing, but at this stage the Ecuadorian looks a far more solid option at left back. At his best, the Italian is a quite unique player, but he looks to have a fair bit to do to get back to that level. On the right wing, Madueke wasn't at his best either. But he's the type of player from whom one expects the odd below average showing. But a 3-0 win is pretty comprehensive; three more points in the bag, and one fewer game left to play.

Now to events at Anfield, and the mood swings that the changing fortunes generated. Firstly, what a hit that was from Szoboszlai! A rare and unique thing of absolute beauty. And one that had us Arsenal fans dreaming of ending the weekend fully 9 points clear at the top. Alas, it was not to be, as firstly the thoroughly irritating Bernardo Silva pulled a goal back and then Allison - now no longer the world's best goalkeeper in my humble opinion - having a crazy rush of blood to gift Manchester City a penalty. As the ball was running harmlessly off the field, I hasten to add. 

There was no way that Haaland was going to miss, was there? And, if I can bring this back to Arsenal, how that's a penalty and Nick Pope's foul on Viktor Gyokeres at St James Park earlier this season was not I simply cannot fathom.

There was then the farce of the goal that wasn't a goal, and the mutual shirt-grabbing between Szoboszlai and Haaland that led to Cherki's 50 yard shot being disallowed (thus costing me 5 vital FPL points, I should mention), and to the Liverpool player being given his marching orders. Yes, I understand that the officials reached the correct conclusion by the letter of the Law; but why not just let the goal stand - last kick of the game and all that - and just move on? As a result, the Hungarian has a ban, and City are deprived of a goal that would have been a fitting end to the match.  

And so to the fallout. Firstly on Sky Sports, and then in one particular WhatsApp group that I inhabit; in which I received absolute pelters after the Liverpool/City game ended. And we'll start with Gary Neville, whose punditry and agenda-setting - with its innate anti-Arsenal bias - I am getting more and more aggravated about. 

Suddenly, the 'Title Race' is 'back on', apparently. This despite the gap between Arsenal and Manchester City remaining exactly the same as it was before the weekend, and there being just 13 matches left to play. Look, I know that Sky feel that it's their duty to try to make things interesting, but the gap is fully 6 points. And I'll take Arsenal's remaining fixtures over City's every day of the week.

Yes, City play before Arsenal in midweek, and the gap may be down to three points by the time Arsenal kick off their next game. But with a goal difference 5 better than City's, a deeper and fitter squad than their rivals', and far fewer weaknesses I know who I'd rather be.

In the WhatsApp group, however, my pronouncement that it's not really a race was greeted with both derision and anger. Like it's my fault that they feel that way. Yes, City have been there and done that - although not too many of this particular group of players, I must add - and Arsenal have not. But whilst the manager and players appeared steel-focussed on their targets, many elements of the fanbase - if fairly represented (as I would say they are) by this WhatsApp group - are collectively losing their minds. Yes, we all bear the scars of recent history and those three successive second places. But this Arsenal team/squad is an entirely different animal to that of the past three years. 

Anyway, I reined back from describing it as 'not really a race at all' to saying that I remain confident. And whilst I can expect to take the blame personally if Arsenal implode on the run-in, I promise not to tell my peers that 'I told them so' back in February if the season ends as we all hope. Meanwhile, it's one game at a time. That's how the players have to approach it.

It does appear, however, that Arsenal and City are on a massive collision course as we approach the end of the season. The Carabao Cup Final. A league game at The Etihad on April 18th or 19th. And - if we examine the Champions League draw closely - the likelihood of a quarter final showdown in that competition too. But should we be afraid? No we should not. Cautious; yes. Afraid; no - why should we? They ought to be more worried about playing Arsenal than Arsenal ought to be about playing them. How Liverpool failed to score at least two more goals against them I'm really not sure - although our nemesis Donnarumma does have something to do with that - and this is a side who were recently defeated by Bode/Glimt, and who managed to make even Tottenham look good a week or so ago. So, guys... let's keep calm.

I cannot end without going quickly back over the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg victory over Chelsea, which remarkably propels Arsenal to their first final since the FA Cup Final of 2020. And firstly, I should mention that thanks to the antics of their match-going away supporters, Chelsea have finally made their way above Tottenham and Manchester United to the top of my particular chart of teams I love to hate! It's something about the arrogance and lack of self-awareness of these oiks that makes my blood boil! I am sick of their 'We won it all!' chant; a chant which we, quite rightly, counter with 'You bought it all!' - which goes over their heads, no doubt... Can't stand 'em.

But to the match itself. And for all that outsiders and neutrals could sit in front of their televisions commenting about Chelsea's negative tactics and general lack of threat, that didn't stop me from 90 plus minutes of nerves. Indeed, when the away side won a free kick around 25 yards out with 10 or so minutes to go I checked my pulse on my Fitbit; and it was 111bpm... 

All's well that ends well. How pleasurable it was to watch Kai Havertz going through on goal against his former club, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home, and then kissing the cannon on his chest. For all that his goal won Chelsea a Champions League, I don't think that he has much affection for that club. He's found somewhere where he's appreciated at Arsenal, and I don't think that he ever felt that at Chelsea. Waka Waka.

Some might find it difficult to reconcile my nerves throughout the semi-final to my relative calm as I contemplate Arsenal's title challenge. I can't quite understand it myself, to be honest. I guess that it's the jeopardy of a one-off game, and I have to assume that as the season goes on my match-going nerves are going to increase exponentially. As the games are ticked off, all I can hope is that Arsenal continue to ease themselves clear of their Premier League opposition. Meantime, there's a Cup Final to contemplate, and I know that I'll be a nervous wreck for that one.

I'm holding my nerve in the belief that Arsenal have been through their 'blip'; those two successive 0-0 draws, and the defeat the Manchester United which resulted from one errant back pass and two absolute 'worldies'. It's been plain sailing since then, and whilst I'm sure that it won't be that until May, hopefully we've got enough in the tank to hold the opposition at bay. Meantime, for all that I'm starting to hear certain rumblings in some quarters, I am banning the 'Q' word from this page.

Meantime, it's Brentford away on Thursday. Back to the grindstone, and COYG!

 

Now That’s More Like It!

What a difference a week makes! The pleasure of seeing/listening to pundits re-writing their agendas actually gives me as much pleasure as Saturday's result did (and as did Sunday's results too, of course)! Paul Scholes being the latest to need a slap, with his 'Arsenal would be the worst Premier League winners ever' drivel.

For goodness' sake, media buffoons. How can this be the worst Premier League ever when the Premier League is absolutely dominating the Champions League standings? It's impossible to reconcile those two facts. So button it, and give Arsenal the credit they deserve!

This is not going to be one of those 'as it happened' posts. There's enough to discuss without going through a minute-by-minute review. I'll just crack on.

It's worth reviewing the team selection, however; with Havertz preferred to club captain Odegaard in midfield. This might easily have been a 'horses for courses' selection, with Leeds' well-known aggressive outlook - especially at Elland Road - taken into account. Kai is obviously a much bigger unit that Martin. But it may just as easily have been a message to the skipper that nobody's place in the side is guaranteed - and we have all seen that he has not been at his best these past couple of weeks. 

Havertz dovetailed well with Gyokeres on Wednesday evening, and is clearly going to be looking to play higher up the pitch than Odegaard. I, amongst others, get annoyed at the latter often dropping very deep to receive the ball when - with Zubimendi and Rice in the side - he really doesn't need to. So perhaps this is a subliminal message to the skipper to stay high when he does get the nod. Fascinating, anyway.

The squad is currently almost fully fit. Quite a remarkable situation for Arsenal in late January. But it does appear that we have lost Mikel Merino with a foot injury for several months now. The Spaniard is a key squad member - whether starting or off the bench - so he will be missed. But it's probably too late to draft somebody in to replace him before the current Transfer Window 'slams shut' (Sky Sports News style...).

The only other point of note was the late injury to Starboy, which necessitated the drafting of Madueke into the side in his place. At this stage we cannot be sure how serious it is; but at the time of writing there must be serious doubts as to Saka's participation in the semi-final second leg against Chelsea.

And it's to Madueke that I turn first for an analytic point. Here, he had easily his best game in an Arsenal shirt; tormenting his full back and ensuring that Saka wasn't missed one iota. The player who I had christened Noni Noendproduct on Wednesday evening had metamorphosed in a matter of days into Cristiano Nonaldo! 

Madueke set up Zubimendi for the crucial first goal (yet another headed goal for the Spaniard, by the way), and his superb delivery from a corner caused sufficient mayhem for keeper Darlow to get tangled with two of his own men and punch the goal bound ball into his own net. Well deserved, Noni. Keep this up.

Of course, the old agenda gets recycled again and again. Set Piece FC. Own Goal FC. I wish those people would just SHUT UP! What gets conveniently ignored by all these simpletons is that Arsenal time and again face deep blocks, and have little or no space in which to operate. Penalty areas tend to be packed with 7-10 defenders at any stage, and the only room is often around the outside and towards the byeline. It's not rocket science to realise that when Arsenal's wingers and full backs attack those spaces, that there is a pretty good chance of them winning corners.

And after that... well, Arsenal happen to be very good at corners. Stop conceding them, oppositions, and defend them better if you don't want to concede. I have no sympathy with anybody over this. And I have no truck with anybody who regards it as boring/negative/predictable etc etc. They just want to find a stick - any stick! - with which to beat Arsenal. 

I think I've made my point!?!

Two goals ahead at half time. The much vaunted Elland Road crowd pretty much silenced. An xG of just 0.02 given up. Total control. And this against a side with a formidable home record and reputation. Arsenal were clearly back. And whilst Leeds were a little better for maybe 10 minutes at the start of the second half, they hardly had a sniff at goal; Raya making a routine save from a header that was their only attempt on target. But there's plenty more to discuss.

Havertz did a great job. I am delighted to see him back, and whilst his minutes need to be carefully managed as he looks to regain match fitness, I sense that he is the missing link that who could take this group to glory this season. Whether playing in midfield or up top, he has a new-found aura of control and self-belief that is going to really benefit his team-mates. It's going to be so exciting to watch this develop. It is clear that Big Vik is enjoying the presence of Havertz playing so much closer to him than alternative players have been doing.

Gyokeres himself had a typical game. Not winning as many duels as one may hope. Missing a decent chance having almost burst past the last line of defence, only to allow his defender to get back at him. But scoring exactly the type of goal that we want to see him score, as he held off his defender - surely it would have been a penalty otherwise - to bundle home Martinelli's cross. That's two goals in two games, and 4 in 6. Perfectly respectable in my book.

A word at this point for Gabriel Martinelli, who took his chance as the 'finisher' on the right hand side as he replaced Madueke. He showed tenacity and tactical awareness, plus the delivery for Gyokeres - with his wrong foot no less - was sumptuous. Superb stuff, and adding to the perfect day.

Which was completed by a typical Jesus finish. Having already missed two decent opportunities after replacing Gyokeres, Jesus wrong-footed two defenders before curling the ball into the far corner of the net. Trademark.

So there you go. Nobody beats Leeds 4-0 at home, but Arsenal did just that. Their manager Farke duly gave Arsenal the credit they deserved, and all feels right in the Arsenal world - Merino and Saka's fitness notwithstanding.

And especially following the setbacks suffered by Aston Villa - losing at home ot 10-man Brentford - and Manchester City, who looked in total control in the face of a pathetic first half performance from the home side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but who capitulated in the second half to share the spoils against a club who are inexplicably Guardiola's kryptonite. Thus leaving Arsenal 6 points clear.

Here's Arteta thanking his favourite chicken; which he's just lifted off of a basketball...

Let's take stock at this point:

• 6 points clear. City at Liverpool next. An easier run in than either of our closest challengers
• Irrespective of all the nonsense, Arsenal are scoring goals from open play. With both Gyokeres and Jesus getting on the score sheet regularly
• Kai Havertz is back
• Needing to avoid defeat on Tuesday against Chelsea in order to reach a first cup final of the season
• A home tie against League One opposition in the FA Cup to follow
• A 100% record secured in the group stages of the Champions League
• An incredibly deep squad from which to choose. Just look at the bench for this game!
• 14 league games to go. Only three of them outside London, so little travelling to do

Ignore the negativity. And the agenda-driven media nonsense. It's all in Arsenal's hands. And whilst it would be ludicrous to expect them to win the lot, they are superbly placed in every competition. One game at a time - and that's Chelsea in the league cup next. Followed by a Saturday afternoon home game with Sunderland. The manager can start to plan how to rotate for the next few games. Stay grounded, but you are allowed to dream.

Just a word before I go for Arsenal Women, who won the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup on Sunday. "FIFA Women's Champions Cup winners - you'll never sing that"... Well done, ladies; well deserved, and hopefully a confidence boost for the rest of the season.

Meantime, it doesn't stop for the men. A game every three and a half days on average. That's what the squad is for. We go again. COYG!

Rejuvenated United Punish Lacklustre Gunners

I'm not quite sure what Michael Carrick has done to his new charges at Manchester United in his two weeks as Interim Manager, but the transformation has been quite remarkable. There's been a massive emphasis on going back to basics; to a simpler and more familiar way of playing. And the change has been quite extraordinary. Quite what this says about the methods of the previous manager, Ruben Amorim, I'm not entirely sure. But I think that it's safe to say that the guy was completely out of his depth. If I was Sir Jim Ratcliffe I'd be giving Carrick the job on a permanent basis right now.

United swept Manchester City aside last weekend, and had a full week to prepare for their visit to Emirates Stadium; whereas Arsenal, still very much involved in a four-pronged trophy attack, were in Champions League action in Milan in midweek. Not that I - or anybody - should be using that as an excuse for what transpired on Sunday. Let's get into it:

Four changes from the previous weekend for Arteta. Hincapie fit and straight back into the side, with Ben White dropping to the bench. At the other end of the pitch, Gabriel Jesus's double at the San Siro saw him favoured to start over Gyokeres. Personally, I disagreed with the latter decision; and we'll get on to that. Saka and Trossard unsurprisingly back in for Madueke and Martinelli. 

No Calafiori yet. Nwaneri off on loan to Marseille; and already making his mark by the way - I'll discuss that later on. And of more concern no sign of Kai Havertz - the rumours of a setback in his recovery are clearly correct. And that is of great concern.

The game started as we expected, with Arsenal dominating possession; but creating virtually nothing. It was noticeable how far up the pitch Saliba was getting, as he seemed to be designated as the tracker for Bruno Fernandes (he of the most punchable face in the Premier League; although he is closely matched in that by Richarlison and Cuccurella). Arteta had clearly taken note of the damage the Portuguese had wrought in the number 10 role last week, and was looking to deny him the space to repeat the feat. What was also notable to me was that a) Trossard didn't appear to be trusting Hincapie too much - he was constantly overlapping yet being ignored, and b) how difficult it was proving to find Gabriel Jesus unless he came short for the ball. In truth Jesus did very little the whole game - possibly, ironically, until the last 60 seconds before he was replaced by Gyokeres very early in the second half.

The Arsenal players' reluctance to pull the trigger from distance has been infuriating me for years now. Once or twice, players had that opportunity but chose to pass, pass, pass. These intricate moves look great when they pay off, but with opponents sitting so deep surely other variations are called for?

It took until the 18th minute for Arsenal to finally get an effort on target. Perhaps inevitably, from a dead ball situation; Rice's free kick headed straight at Lammens by Zubimendi from 6 yards out. Anywhere but there, Zubi. 

More pointless possession followed. The Arc of Doom, as the ball went from side to side, with little movement up front and Arsenal choosing to recycle to the wingers again and again. Look, it's hard work to find a creative spark when there's little or no space to work in. But surely they should be able to come up with something different? Until - finally - a breakthrough on 29 minutes. And Arsenal's leading striker Own Goal struck again; Saka's scoop found Odegaard, his sliced effort found its way through to Timber - marked by Martinez just a few yards out. Timber missed the ball, as did the defender; but it hit the latter's heel and trickled into the net. Probably deserved; but it had been hard work, and a pretty terrible watch, frankly, up to that point. Saka - giving Luke Shaw a real workout on the right - was as is often the case the brightest spark and the most likely source of excitement.

Now, you'd think that from that point Arsenal would have killed the game. They never lose when they score first, do they? They don't lose at home either. And United had offered nothing up to that point. But the atmosphere was very strange. The team were failing to rouse the crowd, and the latter were exhibiting their nerves. After two successive goalless draws, and very little excitement being served up, it all felt like a bit of a chore to support the team. The players looked as nervous, frankly, as we felt. 

United were finally galvanised by the concession of the goal. As we saw last week, they are a massive threat on the break, with a very pacy forward line and in Fernandes one of the top players in the league. The latter's presence caused Saliba some panic, and a desperate lunge from the Frenchman prevented a clear shooting opportunity for the United captain. Not long after, Arsenal didn't so much shoot themselves in the foot as stab themselves in the heart.

When you choose to play out from the back time after time after time, it is inevitable that you are going to occasionally get caught out. United's press is pretty good, and this wasn't the game to continually try to be cute. Especially with people not showing for the ball in crucial moments. 

A huge mix-up between Saliba and Zubimendi - the latter caught off balance as he received the ball  and looked to pass back to Raya - let Mbuemo in. Not the type of player to leave one on one with one's goalkeeper, as he is as cool as a cucumber in front of goal. He is left-footed, so Raya anticipated him taking the ball that way. But he feinted, went to his right, and passed the ball into the empty net ;despite a desperate lunge from Gabriel. A body blow - to have had to work so hard to break United down, and then concede just 10 minutes later... both players and crowd were utterly deflated.

A disastrous error, for sure, but Arsenal had been showing their nerves from the moment they took the lead. It all felt very strange. And here's the thing - we're only in January, and there's a long, long way to go. If the players are feeling the nerves now  and transmitting that to the crowd - then we're in for an agonising few months of incessant grind. It feels to me that the Manager needs to find some other ways of taking the game to the opposition, as so much if it is telegraphed and everyone is wise to it. 

So 1-1 at half-time; and I half-expected a change in personnel at the break. Gyokeres for Jesus looked obvious, and Odegaard had been extremely subdued. Perhaps it was time for Eze to make his mark. 

Talking of which, it didn't take long for Ethan Nwaneri to make his in Marseille. A trademark goal as early as the 13th minute as the home side crushed leaders Lens. As I mentioned as soon as the Eze signing went through, Nwaneri was likely to suffer most for lack of game time as a result; so it's probably right for him to have been allowed to develop elsewhere for a few months. But I can't help but feel that Arteta has abandoned him - not given him game time even when he had the chance to do so. He offers something different - a certain 'je ne sais quoi' that others don't have. He is something of a Saka/Odegaard hybrid, and there have been times when we could have done with him. Forget age and seniority. If you're good enough, then you're old enough.

I know that it would have been difficult to turn the opportunity to sign Eze down, but the latter hasn't exactly set the world on fire yet (apart from against a puny Tottenham). And so - with no Nwaneri to call upon now - it is surely time to unleash Eze and see what he's got. Odegaard's purple patch was quite short-lived, was it not; and he was virtually anonymous (one exquisite pass notwithstanding) in this game. Time for change? I think so.

No half-time changes. Much to my disappointment. Nonetheless, Arsenal have been very good at the start of second halfs all season. Arteta's tactical tweaks have often paid dividends. But this time United started the second period the better. 5 minutes into the second period, the away side moved the ball at a speed at which I'm sure we'd love to see Arsenal do, as an exchange of short passes from Dorgu and Fernandes cut through the Arsenal midfield like a hot knife through butter. Loads for Dorgu to do, nonetheless, as he had an opportunity to have a hit from 25 yards. And... crash! Caught perfectly on the half volley, and past Raya and off the underside of the bar - all in a flash. No keeper would be saving that; and all anyone could say was Wow. 

There was a VAR check for a possible handball by the goalscorer but it would have been harsh to deny him to tiniest of contacts with his hand. You shouldn't be ruling strikes like that out on a technicality.

Arteta had obviously seen enough to make changes. To be honest, he could have chosen almost anybody to haul off; so much were United in the ascendancy. A quadruple change was nevertheless something of a shock. And a message; possibly of things to come. Off came Hincapie (just back from injury to be fair), the disappointing Odegaard, a somewhat flat Zubimendi and - inevitably  - Gabriel Jesus. White, Merino, Eze and Gyokeres on in their places. But things didn't really improve. Gyokeres at least put himself about a bit, but there was little urgency in Eze's performance, and of the 4 new men Merino looked to have the most impact to me. But Arsenal were, at least, starting to apply some pressure.

Carrick wasn't sitting on his laurels, however, and Mbuemo made way for Cunha. Hardly a defensive move. The threat on the break remained very much there. But Arsenal did start to pin United back; all the while looking laboured and short of ideas. There was one moment of slight controversy when Maguire - who had a really solid game, and is much-maligned in my opinion - handled a shot from Merino from the edge of the penalty area. However, he was falling over at the time, and those don't get given. Arsenal could hardly claim being hard done by when you consider the penalty Liverpool didn't get when Martin Odegaard did something similar at Anfield a couple of years ago. No complaints from me.

As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, Arsenal became more frantic, but there was little method to their play. Madueke on for Trossard, with Saka switching to the left. Bukayo Saka looked the most likely to make something happen, and he did force a good low save from Lammens from a cleverly disguised low shot. Pretty much the only difficult thing the goalkeeper had had to do all game. Madueke’s performance was summed up in one moment, as he beat his man with ease; only for a heavy touch to knock the ball over the bye-line when it would have been considerably easier to get a cross in.

If the home side were ever to equalise, a dead ball situation looked the most likely route. And Merino managed to level things up following a Saka corner and a melee in which Lammens found himself stranded in no man's land in the 6-yard box. Finally, the crowd had something to shout about, and actually smelt Mancunian blood! 

But not for long. If Dorgu's goal was spectacular, Cunha's winner was more calculated and frankly brilliant, as he cut in from the left of midfield and hammered the ball into the far corner of Raya's net. Another shot that the goalkeeper could do nothing about. Magnificent, and frankly no more than United deserved. Nobody got near him. Rice was bypassed in the run, and Merino and Eze were ahead of the ball. Another excellent finish.

So... defeat. And an ugly one at that. It's hard to imagine that a team clear at the top of the table, at the top of the Champions League table, into the 4th round of the FA Cup and with one foot into the Carabao Cup Final could look so short of confidence and ideas. Kudos to United, who have had two incredible results in the space of a week, but simply not good enough from Arsenal. It does feel to me that things are a little too predictable, and that the manager needs to shake things up a bit. There's no reason why he shouldn't try this, as Arsenal remain 4 points ahead of City and Villa and have a reasonably favourable run of fixtures now. 

For me, Arteta's obsession with 'control' makes Arsenal extremely predictable at times. One way of playing; get it out wide and see the full back 'underlap'. Not enough pace to their game, and they are yet to adapt to Gyokeres (some would say and vice versa). I remember watching Liverpool last season and noting how Slot was prepared to cede the ball at times in order to force turnovers and hit the opposition on the break. For me, there's no harm in this, as the defence are the best around (normally; one may agree to disagree after this match) and they need to pose a different threat to Premier League opposition. They have been winning matches through simply having better players; and also though the effectiveness of their dead ball planning. Is that sustainable? I doubt it; everything gets found out eventually in this league.

In Europe, it's a little different. Teams do get more space in which to play, and Arsenal have taken advantage of that with statement wins this year over Athletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and - just this week - Inter Milan. There remains the formality of a win over the worst team in the competition on Wednesday to secure a crucial Top 2 spot. But nothing can be more certain than if Arsenal want to go far in that competition they are going to have to play at least one - and possibly two - Premier League teams on the way to Budapest.

Elland Road on Saturday is a tricky enough fixture to follow. But Arsenal should go there with little fear. Especially if the home side, roared on by their crowd, come out to play. I remain confident enough that Arsenal have enough to win the title, but they need to banish their demons, start playing with more pace and confidence, and put this result firmly behind them.

Additionally, we could do with Calafiori returning to fitness. And some clarity on Kai Havertz would be helpful.

Let's see what magic the manager can conjure up this week. COYG!