Arsenal
Arsenal supporter sets out concerns on depth, transfers and title prospects
Arsenal fan reflects on depth, transfers, key signings and why second place feels inevitable. 2025/26.
As the 2025/26 Premier League season approaches, AFC Flair spoke plainly about Arsenal’s readiness and where improvement is still required. The supporter highlighted a clear priority from last season and welcomed recent additions while remaining sceptical over other moves.
On the central lesson from 2024/25, AFC Flair was blunt. “One lesson that has to be learnt from last season, is that we need more depth. We had too many injuries and now we have brought in the depth we needed we should be able to compete.” That need for reinforcement frames much of the rest of their assessment.
The manager’s mandate was described in uncompromising terms. “It’s do or die now Arteta, he has to deliver Arsenal trophies. He has spent the last five years building this squad and we have finished second in the last three seasons. It’s time to start delivering especially with the squad we now have.” The expectation is clear: years of progress demand tangible silverware.
On recruitment the verdict was mixed. “I think that this transfer window has been underwhelming for Arsenal , the signings of Mosquera and Zubimendi have been good. But the rest of the signings don’t make me scream Premier League champions come the end of the campaign.
There has been a lot of talk about Eze, however his preferred position is as a no.10. If we are buying him for the left-wing, it’s a bad signing. And the fact that we splashed £50M on Noni Madueke infuriated me ever more. Yes, he’s a good player and i’m happy that he’s here as he is good depth, but £50M for a bench player?
However, Viktor Gyokeres was a good signing, let’s just see if he lives up to the hype and expectations in the Premier League .” The supporter singled out two midfield additions as players to monitor. “I think Martin Zubimendi and Max Dowman will be great additions to the squad. They’re the ones to watch for me.”
On squad depth and recognition, AFC Flair named a player they feel deserves more minutes. “The most underrated player at Arsenal is, by far, Jakub Kiwior. The way he stepped up for Gabriel at the end of last season was extraordinary. He deserves more game time.”
Looking ahead, the fan is eager for big fixtures and cautious about the title race. “I’m most looking forward to playing Liverpool. These last few years we have put a fight up against them. Now that we have strengthened and they have strengthened it should be a good watch, also in terms of the title race.” Admiration for an opponent was also admitted. “I do secretly admire Jeremie Frimpong. I think he’s a fantastic player, his speed and the way he helps that right-hand side. Liverpool did really well getting him for the price they did.”
The season prediction remained conservative. “Arsenal will finish second again this season. Simply, we haven’t got a good enough squad yet to win the league. A statement signing on that left-hand side is needed then maybe I will say first, but it would need to be either a Rodrygo or Rafael Leao for me to start saying that.”
Arsenal
Guardiola: Arsenal and Liverpool Look Set, City Must Stay Close
Guardiola expects Arsenal and Liverpool to drop few points and warned City must remain close. Still.
Pep Guardiola has laid out a clear read of the Premier League landscape, saying he expects Arsenal and Liverpool to concede very few points this season and urging Manchester City to remain within striking distance.
Arsenal sit top after dropping points in just two of their opening eight games, those setbacks being a 1–0 defeat to Liverpool and a 1–1 draw with City. Guardiola suggested the title race may return to the high standards of recent seasons after a summer of heavy investment across the division.
“In the Premier League, I have the feeling now that Arsenal is not going to drop much points. So that is the reality. I have that feeling with Arsenal, with Liverpool as well,” the City manager told assembled media ahead of his side’s trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Guardiola defended Liverpool despite recent results. “Now Liverpool lost their last games—not in the Champions League in Frankfurt—but I saw the game against [Manchester] United, they had incredible chances to win the game,” he said.
“So I think Liverpool remain one of the main favourites to do that. And the distance, three, four points at this stage is nothing.
“I always had the feeling that both teams and maybe another one, they will lose few, few points. That’s why we have to be there.”
The “another one” he referenced appears to have been Chelsea, who lost 2–1 to newly promoted Sunderland.
Guardiola mixed sarcasm with resolve when asked about City’s own title hopes, reflecting on the early results. “Well, in the first two games, three games, yeah for sure we [City] are out,” he sniffed. “And Liverpool is already done, and now it looks like Liverpool is done.”
He added a firmer note of intent shortly after. “And I’ll tell you that they will be back.”
The six-time Premier League champion also addressed his critics directly. “I’ve said many times, I know all the pundits, all the specialists or former players, they know everything that is going to happen after five games, I’m not able to do that. So, always I wait for 10, 15 games to know exactly what is going on. ]
Arsenal
Arsenal v Crystal Palace: Match Preview, Team News and Likely XIs
Arsenal host Crystal Palace at the Emirates: team news, injury updates and predicted lineups. Sunday
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday when Crystal Palace visit the Emirates. The Gunners arrive off a 4–0 victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, their sixth successive win and a continuation of a perfect start in the Champions League. Arsenal sit top of the table and boast the league’s stoutest defence, but Manchester City could move to within a point before the weekend fixtures kick off.
Crystal Palace come into the game on the back of cup success and a long unbeaten run that peaked at 18 matches. Palace have since lifted the FA Cup and the Community Shield, but they are now winless in three across all competitions after a home defeat to AEK Larnaca in the Conference League on Thursday.
Team news is significant for the hosts. Arteta confirmed on Friday that the defender hasn’t been able to train since picking up an injury against Atléti. If Gabriel is not risked, Cristhian Mosquera is ready to step in and partner William Saliba. Piero Hincapié may also be considered, though he has appeared just once since joining on deadline day. Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are likely to be recalled, while Eberechi Eze should retain his place. Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Ødegaard remain out.
Palace face a quick turnaround after Thursday and will rotate accordingly. Chris Richards and Adam Wharton are certainties to return, with Wharton having only come off the bench on Thursday. Eddie Nketiah could start against his former club, potentially alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Yeremy Pino the most likely to make way. Injured pair Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad have yet to feature this season.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Nketiah; Mateta.
Broadcast details: United States (Peacock, Amazon Prime Video); United Kingdom (Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Premier League); Canada (DAZN Canada, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video); Mexico (Caliente TV, Amazon Prime Video).
Arsenal
Jesus commits to Arsenal until 2027 while admitting future interest in La Liga and Serie A
Jesus says he is staying at Arsenal until at least 2027 and is open to trying La Liga or Serie A…
Gabriel Jesus has moved to silence immediate transfer talk while acknowledging a long-term curiosity about other leagues. The striker rejected the idea of an imminent exit but accepted that a future move could be possible because he enjoys watching and learning from different styles of football.
Competition for minutes at Arsenal is intense. Viktor Gyökeres is all but guaranteed a starting berth upfront, while the wide positions are crowded under Arteta. Bukayo Saka must fend off Noni Madueke plus the promising Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. Eberechi Eze is not guaranteed a starting spot on the left wing even after his £67.5 million move this summer, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard also in form. The return of Kai Havertz adds another layer of uncertainty about where Jesus will fit into the side.
That uncertainty has generated speculation about a January switch to aid his hopes of securing a place in the squad for this summer’s World Cup, and there have been reports linking him to Palmeiras as well as to Everton and West Ham United. Jesus pushed back on those reports.
“There’s never been any contact with anyone at the club or my staff,” Jesus declared to PLACAR . “Every day, the coach and the board say they’re eager for my return. I don’t see myself outside the club’s plans. I have a contract until 2027, and if there’s no renewal by then, I’ll be at the club at least until 2027.”
He also addressed his mindset after injury and the arrival of reinforcements. “I was in a great moment when I got injured,” he sighed. “Obviously, the club couldn’t be at the mercy of a single player and would go after someone in my position, but that doesn’t affect my desire to win and win titles with Arsenal. On the contrary, my main focus is to return and return well.”
On future destinations, Jesus was candid about his attraction to other competitions. “I watch a lot of La Liga and Serie A matches, and I think they’re championships with beautiful football,” Jesus mused. “It certainly makes me want to try things out, but my goal is to win titles with Arsenal.” A return to Brazil remains part of his planning, but for now his focus is on recovery and regaining his place at Arsenal.
