Summary

Live Reporting

Joe Rindl, Ben Ramsdale, Sean Byrne & Ben Collins. Edited by Murray Burnell.

  1. Get Involved

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    Injuries are definitely unlucky and the heavy schedule doesn't help - but i think its worth pointing out that Slot has managed training excellently to avoid fatigue on key players. Surely some of the responsibility lies with Arsenal's training methods too?

    Rory

    Coming second with a champions league final would be a pretty good return for an injury ravaged season!

    Anon

    RE 13:02 As an Arsenal fan, it's Liverpool in 18/19. They were a John Stones goalline clearance away from winning the title. As for Arsenal, we need a #9 (as well stated), plus reinforcements at wing (particularly a starter for left wing), defensive midfield and cover at centre back. And a long term backup goalkeeper.

    Martin

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    So I guess I have quite a few questions that I'd love you to answer.

    Are 2023-25 Arsenal the best regular runners-up in Premier League history?

    If it's not Arsenal, who are the other brilliant teams that should have won more?

    And finally, how close do you think Arsenal are to a Premier League or Champions League title?

  3. What was Arteta's two titles claim?

    Joe Rindl
    BBC Sport

    Mikel ArtetaGetty 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.

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

    Anon

    Five minutes gone Joe, time to release the handbrake

    Anon

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

  6. Get Involved

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    Welcome back Joe, nothing silly in first 5 lads!

    Scott

  7. 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.

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    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

  9. 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.

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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

  11. Ben Ramsdale
    BBC Sport journalist

    Into him, Scott.

    (I'm only joking Ricky)

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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

  13. 'I'm sure a number nine is part of the recruitment plan'

    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."

  14. 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!

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    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

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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) celebrateGetty Images

  17. 'I don't think Arsenal have that balance'

    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.

  18. 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.

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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

  20. How many injuries have Arsenal had this season?

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

    Kai Havertz suffers injury during a match against WolvesGetty Images

    According to Physioroom, 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.