Arsenal
Arteta acknowledges call for mental strength after 3–2 defeat to Manchester United
Arteta accepted calls for mental strength after Vieira and Wenger criticised four Arsenal players. .
Mikel Arteta accepted the need for “mental strength” after public criticism from Patrick Vieira and Arsène Wenger following Arsenal’s 3–2 defeat to Manchester United.
Arsenal were second best against United — as Arteta himself admitted, “we weren’t that good.” The club remain top of the Premier League by four points but the manner of the reverse at the Emirates, where they surrendered control after taking a deserved first-half lead, reignited scrutiny of the team’s collective composure.
When asked about the former players’ assessments, Arteta replied: “That’s fine,” Arteta stiffly shrugged when this criticism was put to him post-game. “I mean, we accept every opinion, where it comes from and they have the right reason to say it. At the end, we have to show the mental strength that we have on the pitch when it comes to a match day,” he acknowledged.
He also reflected on performance levels: “We were absolutely brilliant in Milan and today we weren’t that good. I don’t know if it was mental. But because we were poor, especially technically in certain aspects of the game, against a team that when you make those mistakes, they can punish you big time. That was the difference.”
Observers noted that United’s three goals came from an xG of 0.71, described in the original briefing as two unadulterated screamers and one an uncharacteristic gift, a point that some felt was overlooked amid the focus on mentality.
Vieira was particularly outspoken, labelling the performance “disappointing” and arguing there were questions over the side’s aggression and leadership. “It was a disappointing performance,” the World Cup winner moaned. “When you’re at the top of the table, you expect to win the game at home. Especially against United. They’re still four points clear, but there’s still questions about the mental strength of the team. I think there was a lack of aggression. Too many players failed to deliver.
“It was a must-win game. They needed to send a message to the rest of the teams in the league.”
Vieira singled out individuals by name: “It’s not just that they lost the game, it’s the way they lost the game,” he seethed. “[Bukayo] Saka and [Leandro] Trossard didn’t produce enough to worry United .
“They need a leader to lift the spirit of the team. They need to understand when they are on the pitch, they have to play with more energy and more risks. They have the quality. They didn’t play with the freedom to express themselves. They need to go back to the basics. To express themselves, play with freedom, and go forward. There were too many players that didn’t perform today.
“I think Saka was too quiet. He is one of, if not, the best offensive player. Big games like that you expect him to score and take the team. Trossard is important, but he didn’t perform. [Gabriel] Jesus ran a lot, used a lot of energy, but you want him to be in the box more. In the midfield, the only one [who performed] was Declan Rice. There were too many players who didn’t play at their level.”
Wenger, focusing on other details, commented on Arsenal’s build-up and the centre-back pairing: “I believe that they [Arsenal] wanted to win the game so much that they lacked a bit of patience in the build-up and with the speed of the ball,” the beIN Sports pundit judged. “They used a bit too much force and not enough technique. On the other side I believe that [Michael] Carrick found a good formula and a good balance between defensive stability and good technical level. ]”,
Arteta and his squad must now address those questions as the season continues.
Arsenal
Arteta clarifies Saka absence as Madueke steps into Cup spotlight
Arteta: Saka had a warm-up niggle; Madueke responded when called, with Chelsea tie on Tuesday. Read.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka was withdrawn from the squad for Saturday’s win over Leeds United after picking up “a little niggle” in the warm-up. The injury was the only notable setback on a positive day for Arsenal ahead of the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
“He wasn’t comfortable to start the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in,” Arteta said, explaining the decision to replace Saka before kick-off.
Squad depth on the right flank was a specific objective for the club during the summer transfer window. Arteta has been open about his intention to assemble multiple high-quality options in every position, and securing a reliable deputy for Saka was part of that plan.
Arsenal agreed a package worth as much as £52 million ($71.4 million) to sign Madueke from Chelsea, and circumstances provided an early opportunity when Saka was sidelined earlier in the season. While the headline goal-and-assist figures have not matched expectations, Madueke has “undoubtedly passed the eye test this season,” contributing when called upon.
Arteta praised the new arrival for his attitude and preparation. “The way he prepares, the way he’s waiting for opportunity, I think he paid off today because he really impacted the team,” the manager said, highlighting Madueke’s readiness to fill the role.
On the collective task, Arteta added: “We talked before the game, it’s going to be a long game, we’re going to have to navigate through different moments in the game, and we’re going to need everybody fulfilling the role that they have on the day, and I think the players executed that incredibly well.”
Madueke is the leading candidate to occupy the right wing when Arsenal face his former club on Tuesday, though Arteta’s squad contains several possible options for the position.
Arsenal
Clinical Arsenal Cruise to 4-0 at Leeds as Madueke Seizes Late Call-Up
Arsenal recovered from the United loss with a 4-0 victory at Leeds, Zubimendi opened scoring today.
Arsenal responded to last week’s defeat to Manchester United with a 4-0 win away at Leeds United. The Gunners controlled the match from the outset, Martín Zubimendi opening the scoring with a smart header before a corner from Noni Madueke produced an own goal shortly after. Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus both netted in the final 20 minutes to make the scoreline emphatic.
Noni Madueke, thrown into the starting lineup moments before kick-off, made an immediate impact. His cross created Zubimendi’s opener and his corner caused the own goal by Karl Darlow. That decisive delivery underlined why Mikel Arteta sought to add the former Chelsea man to his squad.
At the back Gabriel led a physical performance, notably handling Dominic Calvert-Lewin with authority and topping the successful duels for Arsenal. Declan Rice kept the midfield ticking with a steady stream of passes and defensive work. Martín Zubimendi shielded the defence and recycled possession efficiently, earning the match’s highest rating.
Bukayo Saka had been set to start but an injury in the warm-up forced him out of contention, leaving Arsenal to await clarity on the severity of his problem. Madueke’s display further complicates selection decisions on the right flank.
Key player notes and ratings from the match: Martín Zubimendi 8.2, Gabriel Jesus 7.6, Gabriel 7.5, Noni Madueke 7.5, Declan Rice 7.6. Substitutions included Gabriel Martinelli (61′ for Madueke), Martin Ødegaard (61′ for Kai Havertz), Riccardo Calafiori (76′ for Piero Hincapié), Gabriel Jesus (76′ for Viktor Gyökeres) and Eberechi Eze (81′ for Leandro Trossard). Unused subs were Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Nørgaard.
Match statistics underlined Arsenal’s control: possession 51% to 49%, expected goals 2.39 to 0.15, total shots 14 to 3 and shots on target 8 to 1. Arsenal created seven big chances to Leeds’s nil and both sides finished with 79% passing accuracy.
Arsenal
Arsenal make late switch as Bukayo Saka withdraws ahead of Leeds tie
Saka withdrew from Arsenal’s starting XI at Elland Road after he “felt something” in the warm-up…
Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, were forced into a last-minute change to their starting line-up on Saturday when Bukayo Saka withdrew before the match at Elland Road.
Saka had travelled to Leeds and was given the nod on the right wing, with plans for him to wear the captain’s armband and resume his usual role on Arteta’s right wing. Those plans changed in the pre-match moments when the winger registered an issue while warming up.
The club confirmed Saka “felt something” while preparing for the game at Elland Road. The team did not disclose any further specifics about the problem, but it was sufficient for the England international to be deemed unavailable for selection.
The absence arrived at short notice and produced a late alteration to the XI, with Saka replaced in the team sheet just minutes before the final whistle. Arsenal made the call after the issue presented itself during the warm-up, and the club determined the player could not take part.
That decision removed an influential figure from the side for a fixture in which Arsenal arrived as league leaders. The club offered no further detail on the nature of the injury, only that the matter prevented Saka from featuring on Saturday afternoon.
The late withdrawal underlines how quickly pre-match circumstances can force tactical and personnel changes. Arsenal moved to adjust their selection immediately after the issue emerged during preparations at Elland Road, leaving supporters and staff to await further updates on the player’s condition.
