Arsenal

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Gabriel Martinelli has two months to earn his place at Arsenal next season.

To many fans, this might sound overly dramatic. Martinelli, who has now been at the club for six years, has been a central figure in Arsenal's resurgence. In his first season under Unai Emery, he scored 10 goals, a total he has only bettered once since. In north London, he has always been synonymous with pace, giving Arsenal width in attack, as well as the ability to whip a dangerous ball across the box.

This fanbase is one that loves players who try. It may sound overly simplistic, but fans are forgiving of the output if the input is deemed exceptional. Martinelli has always been a trier, be that tracking back in defence, or doggedly making runs behind the fullback.

However, Arsenal still need more from him in the closing stages of this season. On his return from the 1-1 draw at Manchester United last month, he reminded everyone of his pace and explosiveness. It was a breath of fresh air to have him back in a side who have struggled to move the ball quickly in recent games.

But for a club chasing Premier League and Champions League titles, effort is not enough.

As a last throw of the dice, it could be time for Arsenal to play the Brazil international up front. The Mikel Merino experiment has proved fruitful, but it is hard to see the same setup having any impact against Real Madrid.

If I were manager Mikel Arteta, I would be throwing this as a Hail Mary - go and show us what you can do playing as a striker.

And if Martinelli does not deliver? It may well be time to say thank you for the memories, and move on in the summer.

Effort will not bring Arsenal titles, only execution will.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Do you agree with Laura? Let us know

Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are all preparing summer moves for Ajax and Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato, 19, but will face competition from Real Madrid. (Caught Offside), external

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

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We asked you to tell us three things that Mikel Arteta has improved during his managerial spell at Arsenal.

A handful of you also submitted some weaknesses you have noticed, but we told you it cannot be the lack of a striker.

Here are some of your replies:

Jon: Three things Arteta has improved at Arsenal: 1) Our identity and culture. 2) Our stability. 3) Our squad quality.

The weaknesses: 1) He is a good coach but he is not a manager because of his lack of tactical expertise. 2) Why is Declan Rice not captain? He is a leader, not Odegaard. 3) Sometimes the supporters lack passion and voices when we are chasing scores.

Steve: Three things Arteta has improved: 1) Our defensive stability with a partnership of Saliba and Gabriel at the heart, which has started to rival Adams and Bould or Campbell and Toure. 2) He has given youth a chance with Saka, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri prospering under his guidance. 3) The connection with the fans is back. 'North London forever' aside, we feel we have a team that now competes with the big six.

The weaknesses: 1) Our squad depth, which has been highlighted with injuries. You have to accept that is part of the game but also accept that you need a quality squad to challenge on all four fronts.

David: Arteta hasn't improved anything in my view. He has had a massive investment in time and money, yet we are getting the same results that had many calling for Arsene Wenger's head.

Paul: Three improvements Arteta has made: 1) Our goalkeeper - bringing in Raya for Ramsdale was controversial, but proved a masterstroke. 2) Bringing through some young guns - Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have excellent potential and are definitely ones for the future. 3) The flexibility of players in different positions - converting Rice from a holding midfielder to an enormous attacking threat.

The weakness: 1) There's not been much silverware yet, but hopefully this will come soon.

Arsenal are interested in signing 25-year-old Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who previously had an unsuccessful spell at Everton. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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In the final instalment of our Q&A with BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell, we take a look at the bigger picture and ask what the future holds for the Gunners.

James asked: What are three things Mikel Arteta has improved at Arsenal since he took charge?

Alex: There are lots of things that Arteta has done but to list three:

• regular Champions League football

• a change in belief that Arsenal can compete at the top of the table and win trophies

• connection with the fans.

Peter asked: Apart from a lack of a centre-forward, what are Arsenal's main weaknesses?

Alex: At the moment it is their attacking play and chance creation. It seems harsh given their recent seasons but the injuries to their key attackers have made them a tough watch recently.

If I was the new Arsenal sporting director, along with a striker, I would look to sign a ball-carrier or someone with flair. Arsenal need someone who can make a chance from nothing when a team sits deep against them.

George asked: I think we need to look forward to next season so do you think we will see a complete overhaul of the playing squad given a number of players' contracts have not been sorted (such as Jorginho and Thomas Partey)? With the Premier League doubling down on PSR and financial rules, could Arsenal be forced to sell again?

Alex: I think Arsenal have set themselves up for a busy summer.

They did not sign anyone in January so it did not impact future plans. Martin Zubimendi is a player they are looking to bring in and you would imagine he is going to take the place of one of Jorginho or Thomas Partey.

The striker position is key and Benjamin Sesko is on the radar, while Alexander Isak continues to show why he is so highly rated. Isak is going to be hard to get out of Newcastle if they qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal are highly likely to qualify for the Champions League again so look as though they will be able to spend. If they do not improve their attack specifically, they will not win the Premier League - which is their ultimate aim.

Do you agree with Alex?

Tell us three things Arteta has improved at Arsenal.

And you can tell us one weakness too - but it cannot be the lack of a striker. Everybody knows that one...

Offer your suggestions here

Image source, PA Media

In part two of our Arsenal Q&A with BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell, we consider the Gunners' prospects in the Champions League - with a quarter-final against holders Real Madrid on the horizon.

Vince asked: Arsenal had the lion's share of possession and attacking verve in recent games against West Ham, Manchester United and PSV, yet were then punished on the counter in a frustrating manner. These teams right now are not even anywhere near the top of European football. How are Arsenal going to stop this against Real Madrid and their world-class attack of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo?

Alex: Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League and have only conceded 24 goals this season. As you list there, the players Real Madrid have are some of the world's best but being forced to be more defensive may suit Arsenal.

Their attacking play, particularly after the injuries, has not been great to watch and playing a match where they have to stay defensively solid and may need a set-piece or counter-attack to score could help them.

Bukayo Saka could be back after the international break and, with his and Gabriel Martinelli's pace, that could give them a chance.

A full-strength Arsenal would make this fascinating but, without fully-fit attackers to choose from, it is advantage Real.

• Not an Arsenal fan? Find and follow your club here

Nigel asked: Do Arsenal risk it all on red and go for the Champions League or hedge their bets and try to hope that Liverpool lose ground and a miracle lets them catch up?

Alex: The Premier League title is realistically done. I think you can feel that when speaking to the players.

Even though Mikel Arteta said "over my dead body" would Arsenal give up, he has now changed to taking one game at a time.

The Champions League tie with Real is so tough but beat Madrid and things could get interesting.

Come back to this page later on Wednesday for the final part as Alex analyses the bigger picture at Emirates Stadium

Image source, PA Media

Throughout Wednesday, BBC Sport's football news reporter Alex Howell is answering your questions on Arsenal.

In the first part, he takes a look at the season-defining question of what has happened up front this year.

Adam asked: Could Gabriel Martinelli now be an option as a forward in upcoming fixtures, having played in that position before?

Alex: This is an interesting question, especially now Martinelli is fit again. Realistically, the Premier League is gone but Martinelli up front in the Champions League could be a serious option.

Mikel Arteta has opted for Mikel Merino in that position but Martinelli's pace, away at the Bernabeu where Real Madrid will put Arsenal under a lot of pressure, could be a great fit.

Getting something from that game is key and Martinelli's ability to run in behind could work.

In the Premier League, Arsenal mostly come up against teams that sit in against them in a low block so operating from the sides suits Martinelli better in those situations.

• Not an Arsenal fan? Find and follow your club here

JD asked: Why were Aston Villa capable of making two January signings that have made a huge impact on their goal tally when Arsenal seemed to claim no one was available?

Alex: I don't think Arsenal were not able to get anyone - it was more of a case that they did not want to sign someone that would not improve them immediately and impact their plans for the summer.

The need to sign a striker was made worse by the injury to Gabriel Jesus and it is clear that they should have signed one forward, but finding a player who hit the two criteria above was tricky.

The Ollie Watkins deal was one that was talked about around the time Jhon Duran left Villa, but the amount of money needed would have had an impact on future transfer plans.

I do think, though, that doing it this way puts a lot of pressure on the summer transfer window and fans are going to be expecting exciting signings.

Come back to this page later on Wednesday for more of your questions

Arsenal's prospective new sporting director Andrea Berta is keen on Wolves' 25-year-old Brazil striker Matheus Cunha, who has a release clause of £62.5m. (Teamtalk), external

The Gunners are keeping a close eye on Leroy Sane's contract situation at Bayern Munich as the Germany winger, 29, could be available on a free transfer this summer. (Football Insider), external

Saudi club Al-Nassr are planning a summer bid for Brazil centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, 27. (GiveMeSport), external

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

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After our Arsenal fan writer suggested there has been debate among some Gunners supporters about Martin Odegaard's performances and whether he may benefit from not being captain (see 09:00 GMT), we asked you to have your say.

Here are some of your comments:

Alexandra: I always thought he was too young to be captain in the first place. However, he stepped up to the challenge, but something now needs to give and I agree that he needs to relinquish the captaincy. My preference would be Declan Rice - he has leadership qualities and his position gives him a good overview of what is going on on the pitch.

Guy: I'm not sure a change of captaincy would help Odegaard be more creative. I think he has struggled by not having the best players in front of him, offering runs and options. I can see him flourishing with a proper striker next season. Gabriel would be the only other option, he wears his heart on his sleeve and steps up when needed.

John: I think Odegaard should remain as captain until Bukayo Saka comes back. Because of the understanding between them we will then see an improvement in his game and the team as a whole. If it doesn't work out the captain issue can then be looked at.

Darren: The problem isn't the responsibility of captaincy weighing Odegaard down, it is Mikel Arteta's safety first approach which we've adopted this season.

Pete: Odegaard's reduced contribution is only due to the wider squad injuries forcing Arsenal to play differently. When the squad is fit, with or without a new striker, Odegaard's numbers will be back up.

Kevin: A change of manager is needed first.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It was in the 90th minute that Martin Odegaard was replaced by Kieran Tierney, with the midfielder having put in a solid but not outstanding performance in Arsenal's 1-0 home win against Chelsea. With Arsenal needing to see out the game, Odegaard's day was done. He looked exhausted coming off the pitch.

Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan in 2021, before moving permanently to the club later that year and being made captain in 2022. He has twice won Arsenal's Player of the Season. His impact on the Gunners has been profound, but this season he has struggled to be the puppet master and creative instigator for which fans know and love him.

The numbers don't lie. On average, he is making seven fewer passes each game compared to last season, and taking fewer shots. Having suffered a serious injury that saw him miss two months of the season last winter, the rest of the season has been inconsistent. On his return from this injury, he produced a goal or assist in his first four games back. Since then, his contribution has dried up.

Some fans are considering whether the captaincy should be given to Declan Rice or Gabriel Magalhaes, to whom Odegaard handed the captain's armband on Saturday before his substitution. This might seem harsh, but outside the world of football this can be effective. Joe Root, England cricket's former test captain, has flourished since stepping down from the position in 2022. Removing the captaincy is not necessarily an indication of failure. It is instead a way to allow a player to focus more on their role in the side.

In Arsenal's case however, relieving Odegaard of the captaincy won't change the fact that there are still few outputs for his creativity. Bukayo Saka may be near a return, but the missing Kai Havertz still leaves Odegaard isolated in the build-up. Captaincy or no-captaincy, Arsenal still don't have a 'proper' striker for him to pass to.

Odegaard set the record for the youngest player to make a first-team appearance for Real Madrid in 2015. With the Gunners set to face the Spanish side in the quarter-final of the Champions League, this is the perfect opportunity for Odegaard to remind everyone why he is captain and where he does his talking - on the pitch.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Do you think a change of captain would be beneficial? Tell us here

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been watching River Plate's 17-year-old Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono, who has a release clause of about £35m. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised the "value" makeshift striker Mikel Merino is bringing to the team with his goals.

The 28-year-old, who is naturally a central midfield player, has been deputising up top for the Gunners after injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz left the side without a recognised senior centre-forward.

Merino has been in and out of the team since his arrival from Real Sociedad in August, but has now scored six goals and offered two assists in his 33 appearances across all competitions - with four of those goals coming in the past month.

The Spain international proved the difference maker again on Sunday after heading in the winner against Chelsea.

"The way he's approaching it is incredible," Arteta said.

"He wants to understand everything and to learn from it. He's very critical of himself all the time. The reality is that he's winning matches for us.

"The value of it, it was a big match. In the end we win the game because of that goal. Very happy with his contribution.

"We worked on something similar [from the set-piece], but that. To be fair it was a different kind of finish planned.

"It will generate belief in the team again, in the stadium with the crowd, that we can score. It's something we've been missing when we were so prolific."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Adam: Win is a win. We need to put games to bed when we have the chance but as ever we like to try and control the ball too much. But, a win is a win.

David: Disappointing in attack, passing in and around box poor, not up to usual quality. Finishing was poor and chances must be taken if we are to beat Real Madrid. Need to inject more pace when moving forward, part of the problem being lack of movement from front men. Consolation taken from another fine defensive display.

Ian: Not a classic by far, but a competent performance by Arsenal. I'll say the glaring, and now becoming very boring, obvious point that Arsenal desperately need a striker. Sorry Mr Arteta.

Chelsea fans

Nick: Our football is just so boring and has been for months, worse even than the dark days of 'Sarriball'. All I want right now is for us to play with some pace and passion. Not sure Maresca knows what those are.

Fossie: Didn't really get going until we conceded the goal, and even then, despite all the possession, there was no penetration. Some strange decisions by Maresca, with only one attacking player among the subs, plus Sanchez as our goalkeeper. It just doesn't make sense. If short of strikers, go to the youth team and give them a chance.

Andy: We could still be playing in a week's time and still not score. I have never in my 55 years as a Chelsea fan seen such an impotent attack!

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich Town 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

• Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

• Fulham 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

• Leicester City 0-3 Manchester United

Arsenal and Chelsea have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Inter Milan and France striker Marcus Thuram, 27, who is reported to have a £71m release clause. (Football Insider), external

Arsenal are considering a move for Ajax's Dutch defender Jorrel Hato, 19, despite the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back. (TBR Football), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Since the start of last season, Arsenal have opened the scoring with a goal from a corner 11 times in the Premier League; more than any other side.

Their 27 goals from corners in this period are also a league-high (10 more than any other team).

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We did enough to deserve to win the game. Now we have the international break so let's take a chance to breathe and bring some players back hopefully.

"We weren't able to finish some of the actions. I really liked the attitude of the team."

On beating Chelsea: "It was a big game and we wanted to win against a top team."

On the international break: "We have a few players and I will have a few days off and then prepare for the last sprint of the season."