Arsenal

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The North London Derby is the first date I look for when the fixtures are released ahead of the new season. It is a day of terror, where the stakes are so high that it makes for genuinely unpleasant viewing. The April 2024 edition proved no different.

Arsenal were in the middle of a difficult run of fixtures, of which the away trip to Tottenham was perhaps the hardest. With the right result, Spurs had a genuine chance of stopping Mikel Arteta's side from winning the league, a scenario which was simply unthinkable for Arsenal fans.

But after 38 minutes, with Kai Havertz heading home to complete another set piece masterclass, Arsenal were 3-0 up. Three, at their biggest rivals, before half time. This was one of the moments I thought the title was headed to North London. Spurs had been so keen to spoil Arsenal's party, and yet when the half time whistle was blown, boos could be heard from the home fans. They had been embarrassed. We were giddy with happiness.

Fast forward to the 88th minute, and as Son Heung-Min stepped up to take the penalty that would bring the scoreline to 3-2, I turned the TV off, and walked down to the end of my garden. I sat on an upturned plant pot, and genuinely wondered what life was about to be like if Arsenal squandered their three goal lead. I couldn't bear it.

Five minutes after the game my mum came to get me, gently informing me of the result, and slightly concerned for my welfare.

That game encompasses so well what it's been like watching Arsenal in 2024. Utterly ruthless, totally frustrating, but brilliantly entertaining all at the same time. Long may it continue into 2025.

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

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The obvious question now being asked about Arsenal is, have they found the answer to their striking problem by simply rummaging about on the bench and discovering Gabriel Jesus sitting there?

Jesus turning up at Christmas time was the perfect present for Mikel Arteta, but the manager must also be wondering if it is a gift that will keep on giving. Five goals in two games is a phenomenal return, but the run before that was far less impressive.

Maybe the real gift is a financial one to Arsenal. There are many other teams out there desperate for a striker, the transfer window will soon be opening and Jesus has suddenly become much more valuable than he was this time last week.

So even though his form is stunning just now, don't be surprised if he is traded to make way for a player the club thinks will be a better longer-term bet.

Sign up to Pat Nevin's newsletter here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you how Mikel Arteta can replace Bukayo Saka in Arsenal's starting side after the winger was ruled out "for many weeks" with a hamstring tear.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: I thought Gabriel Martinelli was far more effective operating on the right after Saka had to go off. Keep him there and play Leonardo Trossard on the left.

John: With Saka out injured, it is time to call on Ethan Nwaneri. Play him wide or up front. Martinelli and Trossard will also have up their game.

Robin: Martinelli on the right, Jesus on the left with Havertz in the middle. As alternatives, use Trossard on the left and Nwaneri on the right, with either Jesus, Havertz or Martinelli through the middle. Effectively rotate those five up front and hope nobody else gets injured.

Okumu: Pay enough money to buy Nico Williams or Ademola Lookman, otherwise Arsenal will finish behind Chelsea and no silverware again this season.

Innes: This is a good opportunity for a young star like Nwaneri to get a chance or, alternatively, it means we can fit the in-form Gabriel Jesus into the frontline with Kai Havertz.

JC: Bring in Nwaneri - he is another fearless young lad, just like Saka when he burst into the league.

John: By signing a new winger and a striker in January 2025.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Ipswich (kick-off 20:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Bukayo Saka is out for "many weeks" with a hamstring injury suffered against Crystal Palace.

• Arteta said Saka "was really emotional and really down" after the conformation of the tear but, having not had a setback of this length before, "it is a great learning process for him as well".

• Raheem Sterling is also sidelined "for weeks" with a knee injury and will undergo further tests on Tuesday.

• Arteta said he is "putting some ideas together" as to how he can replace Saka, with Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard all having experience on that right-hand-side.

• On Gabriel Martinelli potentially playing on the right: "He has played there before and he did really well. He scored a goal and created an assist [at the weekend]. It is a good option to have. We are on it."

• Arteta said the challenge of replacing Saka will be a good test for him as a coach and they are "looking at it with positive energy".

• On potential incomings in January: "The preparation is done. We are ready if something happens. The main focus is on how to unlock the big potential in this squad."

• He said the ongoing injury crisis across all teams in the Premier League "is a combination of seasons'" schedules and "it is unsustainable unless we find ways to turn them into physical monsters".

• On opponents Ipswich: "I have been very impressed. You can tell what they are trying to do and they have been very unfortunate in many games."

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

How can Arsenal fill the void left by Saka's injury? Tell us here

Image source, Getty Images

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

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Mark: Inevitable. We are carrying too many players who give the ball away cheaply. Plus Arsenal finished their chances and we didn't, unfortunately! We move on with bigger games coming up. We must beat Southampton.

Gary: On a tactical level, we simply didn't learn from Wednesday's defeat. Our midfield was totally dominated and, without Munoz, it was pointless playing a back five.

Gyika: We looked tired and we ended up getting schooled. Individual mistakes cost us dearly. A great finish by Sarr, though - I'm liking him a lot. Hurry back, Munoz, Chalobah and Wharton!

Pedro: I know it is Arsenal, but we just rolled over. We will stay up this season, but it is another season of treading water rather than swimming forward. A massive rethink from the board is needed.

Arsenal fans

Guy: A good win for Arsenal, with confident attacking play and a good range of scorers. We are still too far behind to be challenging for the title, though, and we are still lacking a quality striker. Just because Gabriel Jesus has scored a few against Palace doesn't mean he is clinical enough to lead our line.

Martin: The 5-1 scoreline flattered Arsenal. Palace looked threatening right up until Rice came on and shored the game up. It's going to be a tough run without Saka for a couple of weeks, but Martinelli did well in his position so we should be OK against the opponents we have after Christmas. I hope Jesus scores against teams other than Palace.

Raouf: Arteta's ability to shut games down doesn't get enough attention. At West Ham, we were 5-2 up at half-time and in the second half they were much more solid and didn't give up much. The team were struggling with certain things in this game and he fixed it in the second-half. The formation, with Odegaard and Havertz in midfield, worked well in the first half.

Colin: Arsenal are playing some nice football but I just wish we didn't keep passing back to the goalkeeper so much. I'm sorry, but I'm not very keen on playing out from the back - there are too many mistakes happening.

Image source, Getty Images

Do Arsenal still need another striker in the January transfer window or is Gabriel Jesus finding his form just at the right time?

Jesus' five goals against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and Premier League came from only 10 attempts - an impressive return by any standards.

"He is looking great," said former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "It is a confidence thing because once you find the back of the net that's it and everything he is hitting is now ending up in there.

"This is the Jesus they wanted from the start when they bought him.

"You could never question his attitude - he just wasn't doing his job and soring goals.

"Now he is and it might have come at the best time for Arsenal. I've always thought that January will show how much intent Arsenal are showing in the title race.

"If they try and re-energise the attacking end of the pitch and get another striker in during the transfer window then they will show us how serious they are.

"They still need to do that, regardless of Jesus."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, including Manchester City's visit to Aston Villa and the London derby between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 1-1 Brighton

• Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to Match Of The Day following the win: "A very good week. It is always weird to play the same opponent twice in three days. We started well, then conceded and the team reacted so well. To score five goals away from home in this league is never easy.

On goalscorer Gabriel Jesus: "You could see in the days before and after [the last game] that he was ready for it. I had no doubts. When a player is in that momentum, he has to play.

On Declan Rice's goal: "Some of the goals were really good from different faces and players, sharing the goals. It was really positive. When he came on, he gave us something else in the game. He grabbed the game and gave us control.

"We are in a really good moment. We have not lost in 10 matches. We have won five out of seven and we deserved to win all of them. We are coping with a lot of things. The team is adapting and fighting every game."

On Bukayo Saka's substitution: "He felt something. It is too early to assess him. It is a precaution with him right now."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has been speaking to Sky Sports after scoring his brace: "Obviously, the first goal was very important early on. The way we started, the full team was really ready to play well and fight.

"They have a strong team and quality players, and we know it is always difficult to come here. We did the job and I'm very happy with the goals. As a number nine, I know the pressure is always on to score.

"I am happy but the win - the three points - was massive today.

"I'm the type of guy that wants to work hard. I know my qualities. I know I can score. In my mind, I know I can score. I just have to put myself in a good position to finish the action, like today.

"I put two in the net and missed one I will be dreaming of. When I play with a smile on my face, everything is different so I'm trying to keep my mind strong and just help the team. I understand I have to be more in the box to finish the action.

"It is great to be back in the team playing more. I'm experienced enough to know when a player is playing constantly, it is different. I'm happy to get more chances but it is up to me to put myself in the right places to score.

"It is Arsenal, it is a huge club, and I know the pressure for the number nine to score is there."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal (W8 D2) are the first team to remain unbeaten in London derbies in the Premier League across a full calendar year since Chelsea in 2005. It is also the first time the Gunners have achieved this record since 2004.

Mikel Arteta's side have scored five or more goals in six different away games in all competitions in 2024, the most ever by an English top-flight club in a single calendar year.

Gabriel Jesus has scored five goals in his last two games for Arsenal in all competitions, as many as he had in his previous 45 appearances for the Gunners, with all of them coming against Crystal Palace this week.

The forward also extended his competition record of never losing when scoring in a Premier League game to 61 games (W56 D5).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

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

There are 10 Premier League teams in action on Saturday:

• Aston Villa v Manchester City (12:30)

• Brentford v Nottingham Forest

• Ipswich v Newcastle

• West Ham v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here