Leigh Graydon
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal appears to be heading in the right direction following their goalless stalemate with Premier League giant Manchester United.
The North London club, who had to make do without three of their best players this season in Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, English starlet Bukayo Saka and Scottish defender Kieran Tierney, had their goal-scoring opportunities United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
France international striker Alexandre Lacazette hit the post in the second forty-five minute, while youngster Emile Smith Rowe saw his shot saved by Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and forward Nicolas Pepe went close in the closing stages, but, at the end of proceedings, the Gunners had to settle for one point, which sees Arteta’s team extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven matches.
Indeed, Arteta has turned around the fortunes of the side following a poor start to the 2020/2021 Premier League season. Fans, Pundits, and Arteta have all been buoyant about Gunner's recent progress.
Arteta said after the United game on Saturday: "It is [a sign of progress]. Considering the circumstances and all the players we don't have, it was a big test for us, and I think the team turned up and showed how much they wanted to win the game”.
While Tierney and Saka missed the encounter as a precaution over a little knock, striker Aubameyang missed his third consecutive Arsenal game after leaving the side’s bubble due to his mother’s health problem.
Only time will tell if the striker will return in time for Tuesday’s clash against Wolves as manager Mikel Arteta disclosed that the club is in discussion with the Government.
The striker is indeed needed at this critical time, to help in the club’s recent resurgence.
At the rate Arsenal is going, their ambition remains to play European football next season.
The fact that they are still in the UEFA Europa is an avenue for Arteta’s team to get a Champions League spot because finishing in the top four on the log seems impossible.
Sneaking into the Europa League is however a possibility as it goes down to the seventh position, and in this www.boylesports.com/
As the winter transfer window draws to a close Mikel Arteta has hinted that the side could still complete some transfer moves before the window is shot.
January window has witnessed the departure of Mesut Ozil and SokratisPapastathopoulos on free transfers and the arrival of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid and Matt Ryan from Brighton on loan respectively.
Also, William Salibahas been sent to Nice for the rest of the season, whileSeadKolasinachas also returned to German side Schalke on loan.
In the next couple of hours, the Emirates stadium could still witness more departures and arrivals, with German defender ShkodranMustafi speculated by the British press, to be a winter transfer target for reigning Premier League champions Liverpool and 23-year-old Ainsley Maitland-Niles possibly leaving on loan.
Another Arsenal youngster, Reiss Nelson, 21, also barely played for the first team this campaign and it has been rumored the side also wants to send him out on loan to a club in the lower division.
As Arsenal fans hope the club finish in a respectable position, further reinforcement is expected at the Emirates Stadium before the window is shut in the next few hours, to set the club in the right direction.
