Arsenal are gearing up for what may very well be a defining match-week within the race for the Premier League title as they welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates.
The Gunners know {that a} win in opposition to the Eagles would put them eight factors clear on the prime of the Premier League, with Manchester City not again in league motion till April 1 once they face Liverpool on the Etihad. Nevertheless, there are fears Arsenal may very well be nursing a Europa League hangover following their elimination from the competitors on Thursday night time.
Mikel Arteta’s facet have been overwhelmed on penalties by Portuguese giants Sporting on house soil, with the in-form Gabriel Martinelli the unlucky, but responsible celebration who noticed his spot-kick saved.
With that in thoughts, Mirror Soccer has rounded up the most recent Arsenal headlines amid their title ambitions.
Saka’s title quip
Bukayo Saka has a shock admirer in Kim Kardashian’s son Saint, who was in attendance for Thursday night time’s disappointing defeat.
Whereas the younger Gunner could not meet up with them after the Sporting recreation, in a bid to make up for it the England worldwide reached out through Facetime.
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Instagram/Kim Kardashian)
“Sorry that I missed you yesterday,” Saka defined to seven-year-old Saint. “They stated that you just have been within the participant’s lounge, I had a shirt for you.”
One other baby current cheekily instructed the 21-year-old “We’re gonna come again for those who win the Premier League,” to which Saka chuckled, earlier than replying: “When [not if], when.”
Discover the complete story HERE.
Martinelli’s redemption
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Getty Photographs)
The sight of Gabriel Martinelli crestfallen after lacking his penalty on Thursday was a sorry one, however some could also be shocked he was even within the place to take action.
The Brazilian struggled desperately for minutes within the early levels of Arteta’s reign as boss, attributable to a combination of accidents and simply falling down the pecking order. It led to some followers and pundits alike speculating over whether or not Martinelli had a future on the Emirates whereas the Spaniard was on the helm.
“If something it is my fault,” Arteta admitted in March 2021 when requested about Martinelli’s lack of minutes. “He has performed every thing good, he trains extremely nicely each day, his perspective can’t be any higher.
“He’s disillusioned he isn’t enjoying extra, clearly, and I’ve spoken to him, however he must be a bit bit affected person.
Quick ahead to the current day and Martinelli is now Arsenal’s main Premier League scorer to this point this time period and is without doubt one of the first names on the team-sheet, proving Arteta’s resolution to ease him again into the fold as appropriate.
Discover the complete story HERE.
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Nigel French/Getty Photographs)
Arsenal’s wage-bill enchancment
The sum of money in soccer is already eye-watering and seems to be on the rise, however the Gunners have managed to get a grip on their funds to drive their wage invoice down.
Mesut Ozil’s weekly wage of £350,000 looks like a distant reminiscence these days, with Arsenal critically enhancing the best way they stability the books.
Research shows that Arsenal solely have the sixth highest wage invoice at just below £98m per 12 months.
The Gunners have managed to maneuver on not simply Ozil, however quite a lot of high-earners in recent times and in flip at the moment are reaping the advantages with Arteta’s facet in pole place to elevate the Premier League title this time period.
