Arsenal
Arteta’s cautious Anfield game plan surrendered initiative to Liverpool
Arteta’s cautious Anfield selection left Arsenal short of invention, costing them control. and risk.
Mikel Arteta’s decision-making at Anfield on Sunday was interpreted by many as conservative and cost Arsenal the initiative. The side produced a single shot on target and started with three defensive midfielders, including Mikel Merino. Gabriel Martinelli was picked on the left, praised for his defensive contribution but described in the match as reluctant to shoot.
The selection also included a packed backline and the late introduction of Eberechi Eze. Arteta explained Eze was still familiarising himself with teammates, but Eze only arrived with Ødegaard with 20 minutes remaining as Liverpool grew into the game. Arsenal lost their most mobile centre back, William Saliba, after five minutes and were missing Bukayo Saka. Those absences, and Anfield’s recent strength where Liverpool had suffered only three league defeats in the previous four seasons, were offered as mitigating factors.
Opposing coaches were flagged as contrasting examples. Oliver Glasner’s Palace beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth forced late goals from Liverpool to prevail, and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle produced a 3–2 epic while playing a man down. The argument made was that others had attacked Liverpool’s early-season vulnerability; Arsenal did not.
One bright spot was Noni Madueke, the direct right-winger acquired from Chelsea for £48.5 million, who showed purpose. The club’s recruitment and squad improvement over six years under Arteta were acknowledged, though questions were raised about whether his approach has limits. A supporter poll cited in the original piece was roughly split 50-50 on whether he should remain.
Arteta’s coaching strengths were also emphasised. Sterling recalled how Arteta changed his body position and reception of the ball, with Sterling saying he would occasionally take an extra touch, even roll his foot over the ball, “chewing” it to use his word. The manager’s motivational and man-management methods were noted, including the 2021 request for Stuart MacFarlane to give an emotional team-talk before the north London derby that Arsenal won 3–1, and the quirky touches such as bringing a Labrador called Win to Colney.
Arteta remains backed by the board, but the Anfield performance prompted debate about risk, tactics and what is required to secure silverware this season.
“[Thomas] Edison invented the light bulb,” Arteta told his players before a game against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. He was holding a lightbulb. “Today, I want to see a team that is connected because a bulb by itself is nothing. Go out there, f—ing turn the light on, and play football. Let’s go!”
Arsenal
Mbappé Says Arsenal’s Core Could Be the Difference in Title Race
Mbappé lists Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City as title contenders and backs Arsenal’s core…
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has publicly placed Arsenal among his principal picks to challenge for the Premier League title, citing the established relationships at the heart of the team. Asked for his title predictions by BILD, Mbappé highlighted Arsenal’s core of players — William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka among others — as a reason for optimism that the club could finally end its long wait.
“Of course, Liverpool has to be mentioned first and foremost, as they’re determined to win one title after another,” he explained. “But I also have high hopes for Arsenal, because the core of the team has known each other for a long time, and that’s a crucial factor in football.
“And Manchester City is always at the forefront anyway, with Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.”
Pressed for a clearer prediction, Mbappé conceded the choice was difficult and offered Arsenal as a possible winner. “That’s tough,” the Real Madrid forward said. “Maybe Arsenal, maybe it will be their year. It would certainly be easier to say City or Liverpool.”
Those remarks arrive with the Premier League table still taking shape after the opening fixtures. Liverpool have opened up a two-point lead after the first three games of the season, a position helped by a 1–0 victory over Arteta’s Arsenal before the international break. Arsenal sit third, with two wins from three games.
Manchester City, meanwhile, have started poorly by their standards and find themselves 13th after two straight defeats, a run that has piled the pressure back on Guardiola. Mbappé’s assessment underlines the tightness of the race and the belief that squad cohesion can be as important as high-profile signings when the title is decided.
Arsenal
Which Arsenal Fixtures William Saliba Could Miss After Ankle Problem
Saliba could miss up to a month after withdrawing from France, risking a packed Arsenal September…
Arsenal began the 2025–26 campaign facing immediate selection headaches as Mikel Arteta manages another run of early injuries. The club travelled to Anfield before the international break without Bukayo Saka and with Martin Ødegaard only fit enough for a bench place. Minutes into that fixture, William Saliba was forced off with an ankle issue.
Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera stepped in and delivered a composed performance in a low-key game, ensuring Hugo Ekitiké didn’t continue his impressive start to life on Merseyside. Mosquera’s display will ease concerns about a defensive collapse in Saliba’s absence, as happened at the backend of 2022–23, and the 21-year-old is expected to see significant minutes while Saliba recovers.
Latest reports suggest Arsenal could be without Saliba for up to a month after he withdrew from the France squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. If that timeframe proves accurate, Arteta’s side face a congested September without one of their defensive pillars, with five matches scheduled before the month ends.
Those matches include the home Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, and a Champions League opener away at Athletic Club next Tuesday as the competition begins. Saliba has typically gotten the better of Erling Haaland in their head-to-heads, but he is set to miss Manchester City’s visit to the Emirates on September 21.
He likely would not have featured in the Carabao Cup third-round tie at Port Vale, although Arteta has previously relied on some of his key players in similar cup fixtures. The Gunners have lost their previous three visits to St James’ Park and are poised to be without their No. 2 for the long trip up to Tyneside on the final Sunday of September. Newcastle United may no longer have Alexander Isak in their ranks, but two new additions, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, are aiming to make quick early impressions.
Arteta will need to balance rotation and protection of Saliba while navigating a busy schedule if the month-long absence materialises.
Arsenal
Saliba Could Miss Up to a Month After Ankle Injury
Saliba could miss up to four weeks after withdrawing from France with a sprained left ankle. at club
William Saliba faces a potentially significant absence after withdrawing from the France squad because of an ankle problem. He had been named in the international group for this month’s fixtures but pulled out soon after discussions with the national team doctor. A statement diagnosed Saliba with a “sprained left ankle”.
According to L’Équipe, the view inside the France camp is that Saliba will not be available until after the October international break, a layoff that could last as much as four weeks for Arsenal. Such a period on the sidelines would come at a difficult time for Arteta’s side, who have a demanding run of fixtures ahead.
In the Premier League the club host Nottingham Forest next weekend and then Manchester City the following week. There is also a trip to Newcastle United and a home match against West Ham United before club football pauses again. Arsenal also appear set to begin their Champions League group phase without Saliba, with Athletic Club and Olympiacos listed among early opponents.
A Carabao Cup third-round tie with Port Vale is also scheduled but Saliba was always likely to be rested for that match. At centre back the short-term options are clear. Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba against Liverpool and is a contender to do so again while Deadline Day signing Piero Hincapié may have moved up the pecking order after his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.
Riccardo Calafiori, who has started the season at left back but can operate centrally, offers further cover, and Myles Lewis-Skelly is ready to return on the left if needed. The club will manage the situation with those options available while monitoring Saliba’s recovery and the timeline set out by medical staff.
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