Summary

  1. What was Arteta's two titles claim?published at 12:57 British Summer Time

    Joe Rindl
    BBC Sport

    Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images

    Haha thanks both. With your permission, I want to focus on this for a bit.

    Before the Paris St-Germain second leg, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta joked that his side should have won the past two Premier League titles.

    Judging by today's Get Involveds, those words are coming back to bite Arteta.

    Chomp chomp.

    "Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons. With the points of the past two season we have two Premier League [titles]," Arteta said with a grin.

    However, Liverpool, who have 82 points with three games remaining, could yet surpass the 89 points Arsenal achieved last season, and tally of 84 in 2022-23.

    Arsenal are 15 points adrift in second, and just three points above third-place Manchester City after last weekend's loss to Bournemouth. They face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:56 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.. it’s like being back at school.

    Anon

    Five minutes gone Joe, time to release the handbrake

    Anon

  3. Postpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time

    Cheers Scott. And thanks to Gav in Portugal for texting in to compliment my new haircut.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Welcome back Joe, nothing silly in first 5 lads!

    Scott

  5. Postpublished at 12:50 British Summer Time

    Joe Rindl
    BBC Sport

    What on earth have I walked back in to? The BBC football Get Involveds are divided, Ramsdale's status as a first-teamer is on the ropes.

    Let's focus on the basics for a bit. Get a few good, simple posts under our belt.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Ricky; your point is null and void because you keep stating “four starters” when Havertz and Jesus barely played together at all. And mostly only played together out of necessity through injuries. Got yo back, Ben!

    Harry, Maidstone

  7. Postpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    I reckon I'm going to have to pass back to Rindl here, it's all getting a bit much.

    I'll let him keep possession for a bit and calm everything down while I get a dressing down from the gaffer.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time

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    @Scott I don't care what Rice said, I'm talking about the actual impact of real events not opinions. Any team losing 4 first choice attackers would struggle yet Arsenal made a CL semi, smashed Real and sit 2nd (for now). And you can keep schtum too Ben.

    Ricky

  9. Postpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    Into him, Scott.

    (I'm only joking Ricky)

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:34 British Summer Time

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    @Ricky at 12.19 'at one point' This exactly. If they were out at one point that doesn't sound like 'whole season' as Declan said.

    Scott, NI

  11. 'I'm sure a number nine is part of the recruitment plan'published at 12:29 British Summer Time

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Mikel Arteta's former assistant coach at Arsenal Steve Round speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about if Arsenal need a number nine: "They've been unfortunate with injuries to their two main strikers - Havertz and Jesus. I think the old adage of a striker who only performs in the box has now gone. Not many teams have that particular player that is only good at that thing.

    "Nowadays the centre forwards are good all over the pitch. Arsenal will be looking for a number nine who can help them in the box, in the build up and in the high press and I’m sure it’s part of the recruitment plan."

  12. Postpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    I knew it was too good to be true.

    I'm just here pushing buttons, Ricky!

    You've made your point yourself now though - I'll get you a contributor tag!

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    At Ben Ramsdale did you mention the impact of injuries on the team? No, I don't think so. For instance, at one point the entire first choice front four of Saka, Martinelli, Havertz and Jesus were all out simultaneously. Don't you think that is significant?

    Ricky

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:16 British Summer Time

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    I’m not sure why we keep acting like it’s complicated… how on earth do we expect to win anything without an A-tier striker? Every other top team in Europe would have shelled out 70 million quid years ago. And here we are complaining about injuries? If we would’ve signed Osimhen / Isak / Martinez / Gyokeres, we would’ve had a trophy by now.

    Alex, London

    Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (14) celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  15. 'I don't think Arsenal have that balance'published at 12:11 British Summer Time

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Matthew Upson
    Former Arsenal defender on Football Daily

    Arsenal have to work really hard and play really well to get their rewards all the time. As we know, sometimes you have moments where you don't play well but you still have to win the game.

    I don't think Arsenal have that balance and are able to win those matches. They have to be at their best, but you can't produce that all the time.

  16. Postpublished at 12:08 British Summer Time

    Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    Nervously looking over at the texts coming in following that series of pieces breaking down Arsenal's injury problems.

    Yesterday when we did similar I got accused of being a snide Arsenal hater with a few profanities involved in said message.

    I mean, I guess I've been called worse.

    And it's not quite the "Bebe of live texters" like Joe so a win is a win.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:03 British Summer Time

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    If Tomiyasu, Jesus, Havertz, and Jorginho are included in the '5 or 6' Rice mentions, then there lies Arsenal's problem. Not one of them gets in Europe elites starting 11.

    Anders

  18. How many injuries have Arsenal had this season?published at 11:57 British Summer Time

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Kai Havertz suffers injury during a match against WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    According to Physioroom,, external Arsenal have had more injuries this season than any other Premier League team (27) - five more than Brighton and Tottenham in joint-second.

    Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mikel Merino have all had multiple minor injuries, but the only players who have barely played this season are Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.

    Key forward Bukayo Saka was sidelined for three months from December (hamstring) and midfielder Martin Odegaard was out for two months (ankle) earlier in the season.

    Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes have all been out for extended periods but for no more than half the season.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:51 British Summer Time

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    Can’t stand the narrative that Arsenal have only lost because of injuries. LFC and City have had plenty over the last six years. They’ve picked up two and four league titles respectively, and a CL trophy each. LFC beat Barca 4-0 with a second choice front line in their semi final. Arteta is just full of excuses.

    Chris

    It's getting ever so tiresome listening to everyone involved with Arsenal blame injuries for their failures. Even Declan Rice is saying it now. Every team has had injuries and if you can't cope with players missing then that's the manager and the back room staff's fault. A good team and manager will overcome these problems.

    Chris, Brentwood

  20. How many players do Arsenal have out injured?published at 11:46 British Summer Time

    FT: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (3-1 on agg)

    Arsenal

    Italy full-back Riccardo Calafiori returned from six weeks out with injury as a substitute during Wednesday's game in Paris.

    That leaves Arsenal with five players still out injured, and here is when they have been sidelined since:

    • Gabriel Jesus (cruciate ligament) - January
    • Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee surgery) - February
    • Kai Havertz (hamstring) - February
    • Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring) - April
    • Jorginho (chest) - April

    There's a chance that Havertz and Jorginho could play again before the end of the season.