Arsenal

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is urging his team to find more consistency as they prepare to travel to Manchester City on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST).

The Gunners have scored once in their past two matches - a 1-0 victory at Tottenham and a 0-0 draw at Atalanta - with that goal coming through centre-back Gabriel, via a corner.

"Yes, we want to improve in certain areas but in order to do that it’s important that we have to be much, much better," Arteta said.

"We never got distances or the right relationships [against Atalanta], or put the ball in areas where they really suffer. We need to be a lot more consistent if we want the team to flow.

"For sure, we will prepare to try and win. That’s been the message already. In order to do that there are going to be things that we have to do much better than against Atalanta.

"There are some things that we have done exceptionally well and we are going to have to do them again. Because we all know we need a big performance to beat them."

Despite the perceived lack of bite up top, Arteta is pleased with the resilience his side has shown at the start of the 2024-25 season, particularly his centre-back pair of Gabriel and William Saliba.

"They are in a great moment and have been very, very consistent for the past two seasons together," he added.

"There is an unbelievable chemistry there and you can sense it. They gave us a lot against Atalanta - I thought they were both exceptional.

"When you see the stats and the number of goals that [Erling Haaland] scores then you can tell that he is one of the main sources. We need to stop him from scoring."

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

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When Gabriel bullets in a header from a corner to beat fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur, it is perhaps not surprising Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover hits the headlines.

In fact, since the start of last season, that was the 24th goal the Gunners have scored from such situations, comfortably the most in the Premier League.

However, less obvious is the creative ways Mikel Arteta’s side are finding ways to use set-pieces to their advantage.

For instance, according to Opta, Arsenal spend the longest time to get the ball back in play out of the whole division - an average of 31.8 seconds so far this season.

That is in contrast to title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, who take 25.4 and 24.4 respectively.

A defensive effect of that is to slow the momentum of their opponents and allow Arteta's side to get back into shape.

From an attacking point of view, it exerts control and, judging by the jostling at the back post at corners, gives optimum time for unsettling the opposition backline.

It is not just corners, throw-ins and free-kicks either. Against Brighton, goalkeeper David Raya took eight minutes out of the game with his goal-kicks!

Expect every tool in Arteta's - and Jover's - kit to be employed as they seek to win at arguably the hardest place in the Premier League on Sunday.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sees Sunday's trip to Manchester City (kick-off 16:30 BST) as an opportunity for the Gunners to put down a marker to the rest of the league and certify their title credentials.

Speaking on Friday before the match against his former employers, Arteta outlined his expectations.

"We go to the home of the champions, the team that I think in Premier League history has been the most consistent ever, not only in terms of results but in terms of dominance and consistent top performances," he said.

"This is the challenge. We have to go there and prove that again we’ve made another step and we can compete."

Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is a doubt for Sunday's fixture but, given the depth City possess, Arteta is not focusing on potential absentees.

"They have the option if he doesn't play of Gundogan, Bernardo, Phil Foden, Kovacic," he added.

"They're all world-class players.

"We have a few missing as well and we have to adapt, but certainly those kinds of teams don't rely on one individual which is extremely important for them."

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he does not know the timescale of Martin Odegaard's injury.

The midfielder has been out for the Gunners since the international break, missing the north London derby win over Tottenham last weekend and the 0-0 midweek Champions League draw with Atalanta.

"We need to see the development in the next week or so, how the ankle reacts first of all and then the staff will give me an update on the timeframe and how long he’ll be out for," said the Arsenal manager on Friday.

The Gunners travel to Manchester City on Sunday for a 16:30 BST kick-off in the Premier League - the third of three important away games they will have played across a six-day span.

Despite the busy week, Arteta has been happy with the way his side has performed so far.

"We played against two very different teams but both of them are really tricky to play against away from home," he added.

"We had a positive result last night [against Atalanta]. We wanted to win the game, but if you cannot win it, don’t lose it. There are things to improve but as a team we are showing a lot of consistency.

"Obviously, we knew the schedule and we knew that it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days, but it was what it was so we have prepared for that physically, mentally and tactically.

"We want to be in the position we’re in. We dreamed of this years ago and we're in this position right now. Let’s make the most out of it and let’s enjoy it."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

On Thursday, Arsenal began their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with a tense 0-0 draw at Atalanta.

Watch highlights and analysis below...

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman believes Mikel Arteta will be happy with a point from their first Champions League match of the season at Atalanta.

The Gunners drew 0-0 with the 2024 Europa League winners thanks, in part, to David Raya's sublime double save after Mateo Retegui's late penalty in Italy.

"We came here expecting a really good, positive performance from Arsenal, really testing this Atalanta team who have conceded a lot of goals lately and a lot of questions but it was actually the other way around," Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"They were terrific defensively and David Raya capped that off with an outstanding double save. You will not see many better."

Arteta's side was bolstered by the return of Declan Rice, who was suspended for Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win in the north London derby.

Despite Rice's inclusion, Osman believes the Arsenal really felt the absence of their injured captain Martin Odegaard.

"They were poor in possession and gave the ball away far too cheaply," the former England international said. "They lacked creativity throughout the game and the absence of Odegaard showed.

"They never got to grips with the man-to-man marking style of Atalanta and actually I think when Mikel Arteta looks back on this game I think he will be pleased they ended up with a point, despite the performance they put on."

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Following Arsenal's goalless draw with Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday night, we asked you for your thoughts on the game.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: A well earned point with David Raya proving again that even from the penalty spot, he is on it! Great result.

Andy: Solid at the back but lacked serious cutting edge in the final third. Never looked like scoring to be honest.

Michael: A brilliant performance. This Atalanta team unravelled Liverpool last season. Well played.

Peter: The worst display from Arsenal for a couple of seasons. Lethargic, missed passes and terrible finishing, in particular Gabriel Martinelli. They didn’t deserve even a point and the upcoming match with Manchester City is going to be embarrassing if they play like this.

Paul: Riccardo Calafiori's movement off the ball was inspiring. He also did some good runs with the ball. I look forward to him playing for more minutes. I do feel that if Arsenal had a recognised goal scorer as their number nine, they would have won. Martinelli was poor. I hope that not getting a proven goal scorer doesn't come back to bite them during the season.

Nik: Arsenal are definitely missing their creative player in Martin Odegaard. Mikel Arteta will have to come up with something, and the attacking and midfield players will have to step up. So far this season, I haven't seen that fluidity in attack. Raya has been exceptional so far though.

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The issue around the footballing calendar and the demands being placed on players right now is a difficult one.

First, we need to take into consideration the really high demands on the body that go on all-year round with few breaks, especially for international footballers and those in teams competing on multiple fronts.

I know the men's and the women's games are different, but we got exposed to these issues when we went from amateur to professional. There was a lot of loading, a lot of games and the result of that was a higher risk of injury and we have seen a lot of anterior cruciate ligament injuries now in the women's game.

From the fans' side, their point is often that players get paid a lot of money but I think that is irrelevant. That is just the industry players are in and, if you take out the money, they are still human beings.

The governing bodies need to look at who they consult with about changes in the calendar such as World Cups being held in winter and summers where there is just a couple of weeks off before going straight back into it. The changes and fixtures that are put in are there to generate more money, which makes it difficult. As a business, it is about money.

We talk about mental health a lot and you wonder, where is the time to switch off and have that time away from playing? To have that family time which is a deep human need? At some point mentally, if not physically, it will take its toll.

None of us want to see players striking, but players need to be listened to. What do they need to do to make change happen?

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Inter Milan want to sign Arsenal and Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu in January with the Gunners asking for £25m for the 25-year-old defender. (Daily Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter at the Gewiss Stadium

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Arsenal now turn their attentions to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Prior to facing Atalanta, Jorginho played down talk of any disadvantage with City having an extra 24 hours rest, telling a news conference "it is what it is"

There is often talk of a hangover when English sides play in European competition on a Thursday night.

If you look at Arsenal’s form in the top flight in 2019-20 and 2020-21 on the back of Europa League games, they only won 50% of their 22 matches, losing eight. (P22 W11 D3 L8)

However, they are now much more of a resilient side and have lost only one of their past 18 Premier League games following games in Europe in the past two seasons.

Arsenal are yet to trail in an away Premier League fixture in 2024 as they seek to extend their 11-match unbeaten run on their domestic travels this weekend.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports, about David Raya's double save: "It's probably one of the best saves I have seen in my career. He was unbelievable."

On his team's performance: "As we suspected, it was a tough match. Not the nicest to watch. We started really, really well and we were really commanding the game.

"We gave a lot of balls away and couldn't get any rhythm. There are a lot of positives and there are a lot of things for sure to improve."

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Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya spoke to TNT Sports following the Gunners' goalless draw away to Atalanta.

On the penalty save: "It was just a penalty and I was lucky to go the right way.

"I was unlucky that the rebound went straight to him [Retegui] but I was quick enough to get up and save it.

"It is fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet and to help the team to get at least a point."

On the VAR wait: "It was a long wait and time to decide if it was a penalty or not, so I just wanted to speak to the goalkeeper coach to have more of a sense of which way I should go, what to do and what not to do.

"Credit to him because he helps me a lot in every aspect. He does all the work with everything and he also deserves credit for the save."

On the result: "We know this is a tough place to come, they are a magnificent team and put a lot of pressure on us. We made it very difficult for them as well, they did not create many chances, the penalty and that's it.

"A point away from home in the first game of the Champions League, we could have played better, but I thought we managed the game well. We weren't at our best so if we cannot win the game then let's not lose it."

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Including shootouts, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has saved four of the past eight penalties he has faced in all competitions.

He had conceded each of the 19 in a row before that.

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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There was no doubting Arsenal's hero in Bergamo - David Raya with his double save.

It looked as if the game was going to go away from Arsenal when Thomas Partey clipped defensive midfielder Ederson on the left edge of the box.

A penalty was awarded and, after a long video assistant referee check, the decision stood.

During that wait Raya went over to talk to Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach, his fellow Spaniard Inaki Cana, who he also worked with at Brentford.

Whatever they discussed worked.

The Spaniard got down low to his right to keep out Mateo Retegui's spot-kick and somehow got across his goal to scoop the striker's follow-up header off the line.

The Italy striker should really not have given Raya a chance with the rebound. Nobody in the ground expected Raya to have any chance of getting across in time to keep it out but he did, just before the ball fully crossed the line.

It is a save that will be mentioned alongside some of the greats, including Arsenal legend David Seaman’s against Sheffield United striker Paul Peschisolido in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

What did you make of your team's performance, Arsenal fans?

Let us know here, external

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

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There are six matches as the Champions League continues on Thursday with its new league group stage:

• Feyenoord v Bayer Leverkusen - 17:45

• Red Star Belgrade v Benfica - 17:45

• Atalanta v Arsenal - 20:00 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Atletico Madrid v RB Leipzig - 20:00

• Brest v Sturm Graz - 20:00

• Monaco v Barcelona - 20:00

All kick-off times BST

Follow all the action live