Practically two weeks in the past it seemed like Arsenal‘s hopes of successful the Premier League title have been throwing in the towel.
The Gunners have been the staff to beat in England’s high flight this time period and certainly they nonetheless are. But, after drawing 1-1 with Brentford after which surrendering a two-goal benefit over Wolves to drop factors at Molineux, issues seemed quite grim for Mikel Arteta‘s males.
Nonetheless, they’ve bounced again brilliantly, destroying Spurs eight days in the past after which beating Chelsea in quite extra ugly vogue on Sunday.
Their title cost might be again on monitor however they want extra from a few of their senior gamers who’re beginning to make a couple of errors because the season reaches crunch time.
Is Declan Rice operating out of fuel?
One of many greatest strengths of this Arsenal staff is simply how constant they’re. It is one of many principal the explanation why they have been in a position to problem Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool so effectively during the last three seasons, albeit with out successful the most important prizes.
They now have arguably the very best defence in Europe however chinks within the armour are starting to emerge. They’ve saved simply two clear sheets of their final six matches in all competitions.
The nadir of the marketing campaign was that 2-2 draw with Wolves the place two of their most constant figures, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya, mixed to make a deadly mistake. Each gamers challenged for the ball, resulting in possession falling to Wolves.
The membership’s file signing Declan Rice has additionally been a little bit off the boil of late too. Whereas the midfielder has been in pole place to win the PFA Participant of the Season for a lot of the marketing campaign, his performances within the final week have left one thing to be desired.
Certainly, it was the midfielder’s error that led to Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser towards Spurs. He was maybe lucky to not give away a penalty towards Chelsea both because the ball struck his arm from a nook. Fortunately for the Gunners, it was not given.
These aren’t the one furry moments for Rice of late. Whereas he did register the help for Jurrien Timber’s winner on Sunday, his passing was extra errant than regular towards the Blues with one notable second seeing him go the ball straight out of play for a nook when he was looking for Raya.
Rice was not horrible towards Chelsea, let’s set the file straight on that. He wasn’t poor within the slightest. But, the England star is normally so spectacular that it is actually fairly apparent when he is not at his finest.
Arsenal star is outshining Rice
If Arsenal are victorious of their pursuit of Premier League glory, then the midfielder should still win the Participant of the Yr award. Nonetheless, for now, he’s barely being outshone by a few of his teammates.
Certainly, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres have been the heroes towards Spurs simply over per week in the past, combining effortlessly to attain two targets apiece throughout that immense 4-1 victory.
In the meantime, towards Chelsea final weekend, it was Timber and William Saliba who got here to the rescue. Saliba, specifically, has been rock strong in latest weeks, firmly reminding everybody why he is among the finest defenders in world soccer.
When Saliba first got here into the Arsenal staff, he seemed like a Rolls-Royce. The Frenchman is calmness personified however he has arguably been within the shadow of Gabriel throughout latest seasons.
Collectively, they kind the very best defensive partnership within the nation, maybe even in Europe, nevertheless it’s the louder and extra barnstorming Gabriel who has earned a lot of the plaudits.
The Brazilian is a monster, scoring three targets and supplying 4 assists in all competitions this time period. Nonetheless, Saliba deserves his flowers too, as he confirmed towards Chelsea.
The France worldwide, who signed for £27m, had not scored this season however popped up with an important second towards Liam Rosenior’s males. Sometimes, Gabriel was nonetheless concerned. The massive centre-back rose highest on the again submit to go the ball into the trail of his defensive colleague who discovered the online from shut vary by way of a deflection.
|
Saliba vs Gabriel in 2025/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90 minutes) |
Saliba |
Gabriel |
|
Objectives |
0.1 |
0.2 |
|
Go accuracy |
92.57% |
89.33% |
|
Ahead passes |
20.3 |
18.6 |
|
Tackles |
1.2 |
1.4 |
|
Aerial duel success |
52.94% |
64.71% |
|
Floor duel success |
59.46% |
74.65% |
|
Duels gained |
4.5 |
5.9 |
|
Interceptions |
0.6 |
0.9 |
It isn’t simply the defender’s efforts within the closing third that must be heralded. He did an exceptional job on the again, tasked with marshalling Cole Palmer.
Throughout the opening exchanges Arsenal seemed quite confused with Chelsea’s tactical plan. Whereas Palmer was fielded as the fitting winger on the staff sheet, he was primarily given a free position to function wherever he appreciated.
Nonetheless, what nullified that menace was Saliba who usually stepped into midfield to trace the guests’ key man. It labored a deal with with the 24-year-old stopping Palmer from registering a single key go or profitable dribble.
Valued at £100m amid prior curiosity from Actual Madrid, his significance to the staff can’t be understated. That price ticket means he is essentially the most priceless participant within the staff now. Sure, he is value much more than the Gabriel, much more than Rice, much more than starboy Bukayo Saka.
Certainly, in accordance with Soccer Transfers anticipated switch worth mannequin, Rice is valued at £94m whereas Saka is now a £90m-rated expertise.
The very fact Saliba is value much more speaks volumes about simply how good he has been since first arriving underneath Edu’s stewardship again in July 2019.
Higher than Gabriel & Rice: £27m Arsenal star is now the very best on this planet
Arsenal overcame Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday and so they had their £27m signing to thank.