Champions League's Preview : Arsenal and PSV Make a Comeback

 

The return of Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven to the UEFA Champions League after extended absences is significant

Arsenal last entered the Champions League in 2016-17, facing a humbling defeat by Bayern Munich. Since then, they've seen managerial changes, with Mikel Arteta striving for success.

PSV returns after a four-season absence, marked by multiple head coaches and Eredivisie performances. They overcame eliminations to reach the group stage, their 17th appearance.

While Arsenal had a lengthy Champions League history, they've yet to win it. This marks their 20th qualification, tying with Olympiakos.

Arsenal's lineup has evolved, with no survivors from their last Champions League outing. PSV's Luuk de Jong is the sole player who featured in their 2018-19 campaign.

Arsenal looks to Gabriel Jesus, with 20 UCL goals, and Kai Havertz, a 2021 winner with Chelsea. PSV counts on De Jong, who excelled against Tottenham.

Arsenal and PSV met last season in the Europa League group stage, with one win each. Both advanced to the knockouts, but PSV was ousted by Sevilla, who shares Group B with them this season. Arsenal was eliminated by Sporting CP.

The upcoming match promises to be closely contested, with just nine goals in the last seven meetings.

PSV starts impressively, winning eight of their first nine season matches. Arsenal, though unconvincing, secured 13 points in five Premier League games.

In a challenging group with Sevilla and Lens, a strong start is crucial. Arsenal faces Spurs after the Champions League match needing focus. PSV sees this as a tough match, with Arsenal's home susceptibility a potential advantage.

Regarding head-to-head history, Arsenal's home games against PSV have been low-scoring, with only four goals in four matches in north London.

They've been drawn against each other thrice in the Champions League before, with Arsenal winning one and drawing one in both the 2002-03 and 2004-05 group stages. PSV eliminated Arsenal in the last 16 in 2006-07.

They also clashed in the UEFA Europa League last season, with PSV winning 2-0 in the reverse fixture, avenging their 1-0 loss at the Emirates. PSV was the only team to beat Arsenal in that Europa League.

However, Arsenal scored just three goals in four home matches against PSV in European competition, with two being own goals by Alex, playing for PSV.

Recent Form shows Arsenal's struggle with clean sheets at the Emirates but solid European home defense. PSV hasn't kept a clean sheet in eight European away matches but did against Leicester City in England in the 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Both teams have showcased goal-scoring abilities, with PSV scoring 14 goals in their Champions League qualifying matches this season, while Arsenal has only failed to score in one of their last 15 Emirates matches, tallying 61 goals.

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Win Big with our Everton vs. Arsenal Scoreline and Goal Scorer Prediction Challenge!

 It's that exciting time again, offering you another golden opportunity to win big! All you need to do is predict the correct scoreline and goal scorer for today's Everton vs. Arsenal match, and you could be taking home $25.00 for each accurate prediction.

To be eligible for this thrilling chance, make sure you're following our official Twitter account, @GuuneeD3n, and subscribed to our blog.

Participating in today's prediction challenge is a breeze: Simply guess the final score of the Everton vs. Arsenal game and take a shot at naming the goal scorers. If your predictions hit the bullseye, you'll earn $25.00 for the correct scoreline and an additional $25.00 for correctly guessing the goal scorers.

Please NOTE: You are allowed to make only one prediction, and winners will be selected from predictions made in the comment section on the blog. Make sure to submit your predictions no later than the start of the match.

Best of luck to all our participants! Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to win big.

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Premier League: Arsenal's Visit to Goodison Park for Everton Showdown. Predicted Line-up

Arsenal is gearing up for their return to Premier League action this Sunday, traveling to Merseyside to face Everton after the first international break of the new season. As they prepare to resume Premier League action, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces some challenging decisions, aiming to break his team's less-than-stellar record at Goodison Park in recent years.

The Gunners have faced a challenging stretch, having not secured a victory in their last five visits to the blue half of Stanley Park. To put the duration of this winless streak into perspective, it's worth noting that Wayne Rooney managed to find the back of the net for Everton during Arsenal's most recent triumph at Goodison Park, a match that took place back in October 2017.

However, when looking at the overall history of the rivalry between Arsenal and Everton, it becomes apparent that it has been somewhat one-sided. In the annals of English league football, no team can match Arsenal's impressive record of a century of victories against Everton, with only 43 draws and 61 losses to mar their dominance.

Here is the XI that Mikel Arteta might deploy on Sunday, with the aim of securing victory number 101:

GK: Aaron Ramsdale - The question of when David Raya will have his chance to stand guard at Arsenal's goal in the Premier League remains unanswered.

RB: Ben White - Among the trio of players lined up for new contracts, White could be the next young talent to pledge his future to Arsenal.

CB: William Saliba - Despite representing back-to-back World Cup finalists France, Saliba returns to Arsenal after experiencing his fourth loss in ten international caps.

CB: Gabriel - Riding high on the confidence of his first senior international caps, Brazil's latest center-back is expected to maintain his place at the club level.

LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko - While much attention was paid to Harry Maguire's embrace of Marc Guehi instead of marking a Ukrainian player, Zinchenko managed to slip past his clubmate Declan Rice to put his nation 1-0 ahead against England last weekend.

CM: Martin Odegaard - Reflecting on his Real Madrid presentation, where he wore a hastily chosen striped top, Odegaard humorously noted that he looked like "a random school kid they just pulled from the stadium tour."

CM: Declan Rice - After a growth spurt during his teenage years, Rice candidly admits that he lost some of the coordination and control that define his game today, likening himself to "Bambi on ice."

CM: Kai Havertz - In the previous season, Havertz was caught offside more than any other player. However, this season, he has only triggered the assistant's flag twice.

RW: Bukayo Saka - Despite dealing with a sore Achilles tendon since at least last June, Saka has managed to remain a constant presence on the pitch for Arsenal over the past two years.

ST: Gabriel Jesus - With an impressive average of a goal every 71 minutes, Jesus has found the net eight times in nine top-flight appearances against Everton.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli - A dynamic duo alongside Saka, the Brazilian and Saka have collectively made 352 touches in the attacking third this season. Remarkably, this surpasses the entire Nottingham Forest team, which has registered only 361 such touches.

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Join Our Exciting Arsenal Game Prediction Contest: Win $25 for Scorelines and More

 

Introducing our exciting new competition for the season! Predict the outcome of every Arsenal game and you could win big. Get $25.00 for every correct scoreline prediction and an additional $25.00 for guessing the goal scorer.

To be eligible, make sure you're following our official Twitter handle @GuuneeD3n and subscribed to our blog.

Today's prediction challenge is straightforward: Guess the scoreline for the Arsenal vs. Manchester United match and stand a chance to win $25.00 for the correct scoreline and an extra $25.00 for naming the goal scorers. Best of luck to all participants!

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Analyzing Arsenal's Summer 2023/24 Transfer Market Performance: A Closer Look at Player Departures and Revenue Generation

As the summer transfer window for the 2023/24 season draws to a close, it's an opportune moment to reflect on Arsenal's performance in the transfer market, particularly concerning player departures and the returns generated from those sales. When the window initially opened, we made projections about potential departures and the anticipated revenue from these player sales. Now, as Arsenal's summer transfer business has concluded, we can analyze how these expectations align with the actual outcomes.

Arsenal was particularly focused on streamlining Mikel Arteta's squad in the waning days of the transfer window. This strategic move followed substantial spending, with the club investing over £200 million in acquiring four new players. Notable arrivals included Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber, who joined on permanent deals. Additionally, David Raya was brought in on loan with an option to make the move permanent.

One significant outgoing transfer was the finalization of Folarin Balogun's £34 million (€40 million) transfer to Monaco, which took place on Wednesday. Importantly, Arsenal negotiated a favorable clause in the deal, entitling them to 17.5% of any future sale of Balogun. This astute piece of business demonstrates Arsenal's shrewdness in securing additional revenue from player sales.

Now, let's delve into the full list of Arsenal's summer transfers and compare them to our initial projections at the start of the window. This analysis will provide insights into how the club performed in the transfer market throughout this summer.

Kieran Tierney: Projected Sale Amount £45m

Transfer Status: Loan Fee £1.40m

While it became evident that the time had come to part ways with Kieran Tierney, despite his standing as one of the league's finest traditional left-backs, he no longer aligned with Mikel Arteta's preferred playing style. Despite considerable interest from both Premier League and foreign clubs, a deal failed to materialize. Ultimately, he joined Real Sociedad for a meager transfer fee of £1.40m. This departure was a significant blow to our earlier projections, where we had hoped to recoup a substantial sum to invest in the transfer market.

Nicolas Pepe: Projected Sale £7m

Transfer Status: Unsold

Nicolas Pepe remains an Arsenal player, as no agreement could be reached during the transfer window. It appears increasingly likely that his contract might be terminated, as no club displayed substantial interest in acquiring him. This represents another dashed source of potential revenue, as the player remained unsold.

Nuno Tavares: Projected Sale £20m

Transfer Status: Loan Fee £1.15m

Nuno Tavares had been projected earlier in the window to command a sale of around £20m. However, despite significant interest, he ended up being loaned to Nottingham Forest for the season, with an option to buy for £12m at the conclusion of the loan period.

Albert Sambi Lokonga: Projected Sale £15m

Transfer Status: Loan Fee Undisclosed

Another player we had hoped would bring in substantial income through a transfer, but no deal materialized. He made a loan move to Luton on the very last day of the transfer window.

Folarin Balogun: Projected Sale £25m

Transfer Status: Sold £34.3m

One significant outgoing transfer saw Folarin Balogun complete a £34.3 million transfer to Monaco, exceeding our initial projection and providing much-needed funds to the football club. Arsenal also secured a 17.5% sell-on clause in the deal, further enhancing the financial prospects.

Rob Holding: Projected Sale £10m

Transfer Status: Sold £3m

Rob Holding had a commendable tenure at Arsenal and was popular among the squad. However, it became evident that he did not fit into Arsenal's defensive setup and Arteta's desired style of play. He was sold to Crystal Palace on deadline day for £3m, falling short of our expectations due to limited interest in the player.

Charlie Patino: Projected Sale £7m

Transfer Status: Loan (Undisclosed)

Despite expressing a desire to leave at the end of the previous season, Charlie Patino was sent on another loan spell to gain additional experience.

Auston Trusty: Projected Sale/Loan £3m

Transfer Status: Sold £5m

Auston Trusty enjoyed a successful debut season in England, earning recognition as Birmingham City's Player of the Year. Arsenal secured a £5m transfer fee for the player, surpassing our initial projection and demonstrating shrewd business acumen.

Pablo Mari: Projected Sale £3m

Transfer Status: Sold £5m

Pablo Mari's transfer to Monza has been finalized, with the Serie A club successfully avoiding relegation this season. This deal benefits both Mari and Arsenal.

Cedric Soares: Projected Sale £2m

Transfer Status: Unsold

Cedric Soares was unable to secure a transfer deal during this window, leaving the club to decide on the next course of action concerning the player.

In conclusion, we can be reasonably satisfied with our transfer window and the sales we managed to make. While a couple of players failed to secure moves, the majority of the out-of-favor players were successfully moved on, resulting in substantial financial returns. The breakdown of our outgoing transfers is illustrated below:

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João Palhinha's Stunning Strike Rescues 10-Man Fulham, Foils Arsenal's Win

 

A dramatic and tumultuous encounter between Arsenal and Fulham unfolded on a stormy afternoon, culminating in a draw that felt like a trio of matches woven into one. The tactical narratives of this Arsenal team seemed to shift and diverge, creating a multifaceted spectacle for the spectators.

Fulham exhibited a tidy, dynamic midfield formation that proved effective in central areas. They seized an early lead through the first offensive foray, later pulling off a last-minute equalizer despite playing with 10 men following Calvin Bassey's late dismissal due to a second yellow card.

Amidst these contrasting phases, Mikel Arteta's efforts to reshape his squad's dynamics in the early stages of the league season were at times exposed by Fulham's prowess. Whether Thomas Partey could seamlessly embrace a fluid right-back-midfield role remained questionable. His presence on the field for 55 minutes appeared more akin to investing time in an untested hypothesis.

For Arteta, the match bore the imprint of disorder, inviting accusations of tactical stubbornness, emulation of Pep Guardiola, and a lapse in recognizing that early-season reassurance of last year's progress and the acquisition of precious Premier League points should remain the priority over intricate tactical maneuvers.

Defending his approach, Arteta attributed the outcome to a misstep leading to Fulham's initial goal. "We were 10 times better than last season [against Fulham], at least 10 times better. Last season, we won 2-1 in the last minute, this time we drew 2-2. This is football," he asserted.

The stadium buzzed with energy and optimism under the chilly August sky before kickoff. However, that enthusiasm was silenced within 57 seconds as Fulham capitalized on a comical yet impeccably executed goal. Bukayo Saka's intended defensive pass turned into a precise through ball for the unmarked Andreas Pereira. The finish showcased Pereira's vision, as he curled the ball past Aaron Ramsdale into the near post.

Arsenal responded with urgency, deploying high crosses towards Leandro Trossard and urgent crossfield passes. Amidst these efforts, a sense of self-imposed challenge pervaded, and Kai Havertz appeared disoriented both by his position on the left of midfield and the magnitude of participating in a Premier League match.

Partey's role was further questioned as he started at right-back, morphing into a central midfield role alongside Declan Rice during Fulham's ball possession. Yet, even in this role, he seemed wary of Pereira's forays into the left flank, exhibiting hesitance that hinted at consulting a manual on the position's intricacies.

Partey's predicament isn't uncommon; mastering such a multifaceted role is no small feat. Gradually, Arsenal gained control, but their dominance failed to translate into clinical finishes. Although they enjoyed 72% possession and eight goal attempts in the first half, a lack of cohesion was evident.

The second half witnessed changes, with Eddie Nketiah replacing Trossard and Saka unleashing a fiery attack on the right. Partey made way for Oleksandr Zinchenko, subsequently adjusting the team's balance. Fábio Vieira, who came in for Havertz, orchestrated the equalizer, inducing a foul from Kenny Tete in the box.

Saka's penalty conversion, though surprising given Martin Ødegaard's precision, mirrored destiny and redemption. The equalizer paved the way for Arsenal's pursuit of victory, necessitating two goals to surpass Fulham. Vieira's precision cross paved the path for Nketiah, who stood as a potent threat.

While Arsenal's momentum was evident, Fulham's tenacity shone through. João Palhinha's magnificent finish from Harrison Reed's corner defied Ramsdale's reach, leveling the score.

In the closing moments, Adama Traoré's explosive run didn't match his finishing, reinforcing a recurring narrative. A draw felt fitting and instructive on a day where Arsenal grappled with the intricacies of their evolving system

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Arsenal vs Fulham: Preview

The early weeks of the Premier League season have been anything but smooth for Arsenal, but true contenders must secure victories even when not at their best.

Mikel Arteta's team has exemplified this principle in their matches against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, emerging victorious and joining Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City with a perfect record. The upcoming challenge for Arteta's side is a London derby against Fulham.

The recent 1-0 win against Crystal Palace demonstrated Arsenal's resilience, where even after Takehiro Tomiyasu's red card, they held their ground with Martin Ødegaard's penalty making the difference. Arsenal's unique ability to win more games (36) than they have lost (34) with a player sent off sets them apart in Premier League history, highlighting their tenacity that could prove pivotal in challenging Manchester City this season.

As they face Fulham this Saturday, fans anticipate a more fluid rendition of Arteta's squad. The Emirates Stadium has been a stage for 81 Premier League goals since the last season's commencement (55 for Arsenal, 26 against), boasting the highest goals-per-game ratio across all top-flight venues in that period (4.05).

The recovery of  Gabriel Jesus from his recent injury will add to Arsenal other sources of attacking creativity. Leandro Trossard, with three assists in Arsenal's previous encounter with Fulham, might be called upon. His remarkable average of an assist every 95 minutes in the 2023 Premier League season represents a record-breaking ratio for a single calendar year among players with at least 500 minutes of playtime. In defense, Arsenal faces the absence of the suspended Tomiyasu and the injured Jurriën Timber, yet Gabriel Magalhães' potential inclusion holds promise. He has netted in three of his four Premier League matches against Fulham, including a late winner in last August's fixture.

Historically, Fulham has struggled in London derbies, losing five of their last seven top-flight meetings with capital clubs. A recent 3-0 defeat to Brentford has left Marco Silva's side with three points from two games.

Fulham faces challenges as they approach kick-off, with Tim Ream suspended due to bookings against Brentford and their leading goalscorer, Aleksandar Mitrovic, departing for Al Hilal. Former Arsenal player Willian aims to fill the void, potentially becoming the oldest ex-Arsenal player to score against his former club in the Premier League at the age of 35 years and 17 days.

Interestingly, Arsenal has never lost a home league match to Fulham, boasting an unbeaten record of 24 wins and six draws in 30 encounters. This achievement stands as the best unbeaten home record against a specific opponent in English league history.

Fulham's struggles against Arsenal extend beyond home turf, failing to win any of their last 10 Premier League meetings and lacking a clean sheet in their last 16 encounters.

The last showdown in March showcased Arsenal's attacking prowess, with Trossard contributing to goals for Gabriel, Ødegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli in a decisive 3-0 win. Fulham's most recent Premier League victory over Arsenal dates back to 2012, underscoring the challenge they face.

In addition to staying on par with Brighton and Manchester City at the league's early stages, Arsenal's triumph over Palace extended their unbeaten streak in Premier League London derbies to 13 games, boasting 11 wins and two draws.

Anticipation grows as Arsenal faces a 3 pm Saturday kick-off, a time when they've lost just one of their last 34 home Premier League games, winning 27 and drawing six. Last season saw them win three of their four such fixtures and draw the other against Brentford.

Fulham's struggles in London away matches continue, with only one victory in their last 19 top-flight games against fellow capital clubs, featuring four draws and 14 defeats. A standout victory was a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Boxing Day of the previous year.

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Arsenal Transfer Updates: Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney, Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Sambi-Lokonga in Focus

 Folarin Balogun

Arsenal Agrees to £34 Million Transfer of Folarin Balogun to Monaco

In a significant development, Arsenal Football Club has reached an agreement with AS Monaco for the transfer of striker Folarin Balogun. The deal, valued at €40 million (£34.3 million), will see the young talent make his move to the principality club.

Sources have revealed that Arsenal has successfully negotiated a substantial sell-on clause as part of Balogun's transfer arrangement. The 22-year-old is anticipated to undergo a medical examination over the upcoming weekend, paving the way for the completion of his long-term transfer.

Balogun, a USA international, showcased his abilities in France during the previous season with an impressive loan spell at Ligue 1 side Reims, amassing 21 goals in 37 appearances. Furthermore, he has found the back of the net seven times in 13 appearances for England's Under-21 squad. It's noteworthy that he has made the decision to switch his international allegiance to the United States and has also earned two caps with the senior national team.

Nicolas Pepe's Potential Departure

The Emirates Stadium might witness the departure of Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal's former record signing. The Ivorian winger's tenure at the club has been marked by high wages and performances that fell short of expectations, leading Arsenal to seek avenues to move on from what has been regarded as a suboptimal transfer decision.

While Pepe's departure from Arsenal seems certain, his next destination remains uncertain. According to reports from The Evening Standard, Besiktas has shown interest in the Ivorian player. Nevertheless, like several players this summer, Pepe might explore opportunities beyond Europe, with a prospective move to the Saudi Pro-League being a possibility.

Kieran Tierney's Situation

Kieran Tierney, the Scottish left-back, has not been included in the starting lineup for Arsenal's initial two matches of the season, against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Despite having three years remaining on his contract, Tierney appears to be surplus to the club's requirements.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Tierney is on the verge of embarking on a season-long loan to Real Sociedad. While Newcastle had previously expressed interest in the defender, recent developments suggest they might have shifted their focus to bolstering their defense with Chelsea's young talent, Lewis Hall.

Brighton's Pursuit of Albert Sambi-Lokonga

Brighton & Hove Albion's pursuit of Carlos Baleba has encountered difficulties, leading the club to explore alternatives. Among these alternatives, Arsenal's Albert Sambi-Lokonga has emerged as a prime candidate for the Seagulls. While their primary target remains Lille's midfielder, discussions with Carlos Baleba have proven challenging. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Brighton would only approach Sambi-Lokonga if their bid for Baleba falls through. The club is reportedly preparing a renewed offer of approximately €25 million. Notably, there have been indications of Burnley's interest in the Arsenal midfielder as well, with ongoing negotiations.

Aston Villa's Interest in Nuno Tavares

Following the collapse of a deal with Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa is actively exploring the possibility of signing Nuno Tavares from Arsenal. While the specifics of the transfer are yet to be discussed, the Villa side is keen on securing the young talent. Nuno Tavares is being considered as an alternative option to the deal with Sevilla for Marcos Acuna.

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