Arsenal

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Arsenal will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about the start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about Arsenal so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Chris Sutton and Steph Houghton both believe Mikel Arteta has got the best of Kai Havertz, after the German scored his second Premier League goal of the season at the weekend.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton thinks Havertz "is a super intelligent footballer" and suits Arsenal's system.

Former England Women's captain Steph Houghton agreed, saying how impressed she has been with the German and that "he looks full of confidence".

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's newest recruit Raheem Sterling says he has seen "real togetherness" and "hunger" since joining the Gunners on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Speaking in his first club interview, Sterling revealed he was "buzzing" to be at the Emirates: "It is a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this - where you can see that hunger, that desire. Year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That is exactly how I am as a person.

"Each year you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully I can gel really well with the boys and get going. It's time to meet the boys, get settled in, and hopefully see some game time and make my mark."

Sterling also spoke about reuniting with his former Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta: "He is a top guy, a top character. I have been watching his journey because I spent some time with him at Manchester City.

"To see him come here and stamp his mark on this amazing football club, with this amazing history, it says a lot about him and the great job he is doing here.

"You can see the real togetherness, the journey that the boys are on, and the hunger. The togetherness is something I'm looking to be a part of."

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

The last red card shown to an Arsenal player came in November 2023, with Fabio Vieira receiving a straight red for a badly timed tackle on Burnley’s Josh Brownhill. The red card that day had minimal consequences; the same can’t be said for the one shown to Declan Rice this weekend. In losing Rice, the consequences could be dire in the immediacy, with the midfielder missing the trip to Spurs, but it also exposes a more chronic problem for Arsenal with regards to their squad depth.

The compiling effect of no Mikel Merino and no Rice is bad enough, but fans may also worry that other areas of the pitch do not have adequate back-up. Early into Saturday’s draw with Brighton, Martin Odegaard suffered a small knock, and continued hobbling for a short period after. This was worrying. Odegaard’s understudy Ethan Nwaneri clearly has potential, but can’t be expected to do what Odegaard does having only played once in the Premier League.

While Arsenal’s defence may be stacked with quality on the bench, there are still some doubts over if they have a ruthless game-changer who could be brought on.

Leandro Trossard, who has contributed a suite of important goals off the bench, seems less comfortable starting, and Gabriel Martinelli is fighting for form. On the right, Raheem Sterling’s arrival will provide back-up, if not competition, for Bukayo Saka. The likes of Jorginho might be a solid alternative, but they’re not the gamechangers Arsenal will need when chasing a goal.

This weekend has shown that Arsenal are but a few injuries away from looking like a team that will still fight for the top four, but perhaps not the title. Keeping Odegaard healthy, and ensuring Saka and Kai Havertz are more ruthless in front of goal, will be absolutely crucial in the coming months.

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

Former England captain Steph Houghton believes Raheem Sterling will be a "good signing" for Arsenal because the winger has already worked with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Houghton said: "One of Sterling's best seasons at Manchester City was when Arteta was there.

"I know they worked really closely together in terms of his movement and finishing - so I think it is a very clever signing.

"He has got experience and there is going to be a lot of rotation needed, especially with the Champions League. He has won trophies - he has been there and done it."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs closely monitoring Palmeiras' 18-year-old Brazilian centre-back Vitor Reis. (Caughtoffside), external

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

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Jake asked: Rice's red and Arsenal's dropped points - is it just a wobble or is the title suddenly a lot harder to get?

Phil answered: Think you're over-reacting there, Jake. Three games, two wins and a draw is hardly a bad start.

What is a factor in every title race now, though, is the psychological pressure Manchester City apply instantly on those who want to challenge them. Dropping two points in only your third game is suddenly painted as an expensive slip.

It almost has you feeling Arsenal must win at Tottenham in the north London derby with their next game being a visit to City.

This is what City's dominance has done.

Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

James asked: Phil, the Declan Rice incident. I’m a Liverpool fan but I feel that this needs talking about. Veltman surely should have had a red card for kicking Rice? What reform would you make to aid the referring system where inconsistency seems to run the show?

Phil answered: Hi James. It’s hard to know what sort of system you could come up with to cure this because it was down to the referee Chris Kavanagh and there was inconsistency there.

By the letter of the law, and I know this is a phrase that grates, Declan Rice had to go for tapping the ball away from Joel Veltman as he shaped to take a free-kick. He said so himself.

Arsenal, however, will rightly complain that Joao Pedro went unpunished for lashing the ball away half the length of the field in the first half, although what Arteta was doing standing a couple of feet away from him well out of his technical area is a mystery.

Referee Kavanagh has also made a rod for his own back now because you can guarantee fans, especially Arsenal’s, will be watching to ensure he applies the law as strictly and consistently as he did on Saturday.

As for Veltman. I think you are right. It may have looked like an accident but that was a wild kick at Rice and he was very fortunate not be sent off.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have turned down an approach from Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad for Leandro Trossard.

The basis of the deal would have been a loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent.

One source, along with reports, say that the bid was €5m (£4.2m) up front with €25m (£21m) to make the deal permanent.

Arsenal say the forward is not for sale at any price.

The transfer deadline in Saudi Arabia close at 22:00 BST.

When Trossard joined the Gunners in 2023 he signed a four-and-a-half year contract with the option of a further year.

He scored the opening goal in the victory over Aston Villa in Arsenal's second game of the season and started the draw with Brighton on Saturday.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

At the start of last season, the PGMOL made an effort to stamp out 'participant behaviour' and that included things like delaying the restart during games.

Last campaign, yellow cards for delaying the restart nearly doubled as referees enforced that law.

This summer, clubs, players and managers were briefed that situations which were "clear, deliberate and impactful" would be penalised and that is why Declan Rice received a second yellow card on Saturday.

A lot of questions have been asked about why Brighton striker Joao Pedro was not given a yellow card in the match and Declan Rice was, with Mikel Arteta questioning the consistency of the referee's decision making.

On the day, the referee must have felt not all those points were ticked to warrant a caution.

Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler said you "couldn't compare" the two incidents and the referee, unfortunately for Arsenal fans, saw it the same way.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Arsenal's loan signing of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea and how Mikel Arteta can get the best out of him in North London.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: Great bit of business - Sterling will fit neatly into Arsenal's style of play. He will be driven to prove his doubters wrong too.

Owain: Although he wouldn’t have been everyone’s first choice forward to bring in, bringing in a serial winner who knows Arteta cannot be dismissed. Not to mention that Chelsea are paying more of his wages than Arsenal are is a masterstroke by Edu and the board.

Ian: I really can't begin to understand this signing. I have not seen any player in my life miss/blunder so many chances in front of goal. There is a reason he always moves on and why Gareth Southgate binned him.

Mark: Hope Mikel gets the best out of him. Then it will be a great move. Senior player with a winning mentality.

Stephen: Good experienced player coming in as good back-up for Bukayo Saka and a possible striker. A no brainier.

Michael: Disappointing in a word. Have we not learned from the Willian situation. I am sure there were better alternatives and if not, why not keep Reiss Nelson and give him games as back-up to Saka?. I think Sterling will be a disruptor in a very settled side. I hope I am wrong but the late transfers have upset the positive ones.

David: Not entirely sure how I feel about this move. I would rather we had gone for an out-and-out centre forward, but if Sterling can prove his worth and add to our attack then we’ve made a good move. I guess we’ll have to trust in Arteta and let time tell.

An Optimistic Gunner: I'm happy with the deal. While he wasn't great last season, we're getting a former Premier League winner who has worked with Arteta before. We definitely needed cover for Saka, so a loan on deadline day solves the issue quite nicely. We all know how good he can be. Arteta and Edu know what they're doing!

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Matt asked: Was it a mistake for Arsenal not to pursue Ivan Toney? He was sold for so little. Surely Arsenal could've coughed up the amount with all their departures in the summer?

Phil answered: I will hold fire on telling Mikel Arteta he has made a mistake as I initially doubted him for replacing goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya and signing Kai Havertz, who I called a "vanity project" last season. We know now who was right. And it wasn't me.

I was a little bit surprised Arteta did not go all in for a proven goalscorer and Toney looked a live candidate, but clearly the Arsenal manager decided against that.

Time will tell if it is a mistake, but I still feel Arsenal could do with reliable 20-goal-a-season striker.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

The red card for Declan Rice changed the game in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brighton but before that Kai Havertz’s fine form as a striker continues, with his 10th goal in 15 games playing in that position for Arsenal.

In the above table (scoring and creating) – he’s been involved in 17 goals in those 15 games as a striker, averaging a goal or assist every 76 mins.

In the below table (shooting) – he’s scored a healthy 10 goals from 40 shots (none of them pens) and is slightly overperforming his xG and finishing well.

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Rachel: I have felt disgruntled and angry for the rest of the weekend, Yet again, the officials are the stars of the show. I didn't see our best football and am unsure why we aren't firing on all cylinders. Martin Odegaard as the captain needs to be more positive in his attitude as well as his performance. We really need to step up next time. There's a long way to go.

GM: Arsenal are working hard to self-destruct. Declan Rice ought to know the basic rules at this level. They should blame themselves and not the application of the rules.

David: This was a travesty. Declan Rice kicks a ball a few inches and gets a second yellow while Joel Veltman plays the referee by pretending to pass to a Brighton player and instead kicks Rice, which should have been a straight red. What’s more, Joao Pedro kicked the ball 30 yards to slow the game down and got nothing!

Pheonix: Tepid display at the very least...everyone knows we needed a striker. How Mikel Arteta and Edu contrived not to give us one is a mystery. Teams are finding us out because we don't have a striker who takes the chances we create. Thomas Partey is responsible for making Rice get the first yellow card - from them on he was walking on thin ice.

Brighton fans

Mick: A decent performance after a horrible first 15 mins. Jack Hinshelwood is not a left-back and it showed early on. The sending off had a big impact but Brighton were growing into the game at that point. Yankuba Minteh is getting better, Kaoru Mitoma is beginning to get his form back with Joao Pedro and Carlos Baleba superb again and a mention for Yasin Ayari who played well. Could have won it at the end.

Phillip: The performance was hinged around the red card as before, we were struggling but as soon as the sending off happened, we dominated. I cannot understand all the upset around the second booking as any player on a yellow card should remember the rules about deliberate time-wasting and accept the consequences. Good point earned.

Charlie: In the first half we played well defensively but were dominated for most of the half. In the second, however, I think we outplayed Arsenal. We pressured them well and Bart Verbruggen was our saving grace at points. Both teams had their fair share of good chances. A good performance and getting a point was solid against one of the best teams in the world.

Jonty: We looked lost once Arsenal settled into a low block. I can't imagine we spent much time this week working on breaking down a team sitting deep though. Still delighted with a point away at the Emirates.

Watch all the highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures with Gary and the team.

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa

• West Ham 1-3 Man City

Arsenal's fixture list for the new league phase of the revamped Champions League has been confirmed.

The Gunners will play eight games against eight different teams between 19 September and 29 January, four away and four at home.

Teams who finish in the top eight will qualify automatically for the last 16, while those who place ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout play-off for the chance to join them.

See the full list

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta kept his emotions in check in the press conference following Arsenal's draw with Brighton but he could not hide his frustration at Declan Rice's red card.

Rice's red card for time wasting when he nudged the ball away from Joel Veltman saw the Gunners play the majority of the second half with ten men.

Arsenal dropped points for the first time this season and Arteta has previously said that his team would need to be nearly perfect to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

"A very emotional afternoon. We started well, created three or four chances that we didn’t convert." Arteta said.

"After that we had a period of some issues, especially with the ball and regaining the ball.

"We lost it in some difficult areas and lacked some continuity and dominance in that period. We scored a really good goal in a moment where we took advantage of the opponent.

"Then we go to half time, we come back, we are really strong.

"Then the referee makes a decision that changes the course of the game. And still like this with 10 men, the team reacts unbelievably well, the stadium reacts unbelievably well and probably we should have won the game."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to MOTD: "Overall when we played against 11 v 11 we deserved to win the game and 11 v 10 we deserved to win the game. We lost two points."

Thoughts on sending off: "I was amazed. In the first half when the opponents did that they didn't get any booking. He makes the call by law in a non critical area of the pitch when the ball hit the heel when turning around, to make that decision. By law he can do it but be consistent. If that is the case they should have a man sent off and then it is 10 v 10.

"Amazing, the team and the reaction of the crowd [after going a man down]. We created two big chances one v one and we should have won the game."

On Raheem Sterling signing: "Very happy with all the signings we have made. There was an opportunity and I know him very well. He can give us a lot."

Image source, Getty Images

Since Mikel Arteta's first game in charge of Arsenal on Boxing Day 2019, the Gunners have been shown 16 red cards in the Premier League - at least three more than any other side.

In what was his 245th Premier League appearance, Declan Rice was shown his first red card in the competition.