Arsenal

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In the past week it feels as though Mikel Arteta's side have shaken off their tough start and started to build momentum.

The Gunners comfortably beat Nottingham Forest last weekend before demolishing Sporting away from home in the Champions League in midweek.

They have a match against West Ham this weekend first, but their attention has turned to the busy December fixture period.

If some managers may be sweating looking at a schedule that sees them play eight times before the end of the year, Arteta can take positives from their run.

Arsenal play just once outside of London in their next 13 matches and, with games coming every three days, that extra bit of recovery and shorter journey home could make the difference.

Arteta called the fixture list that means the Gunners leave the capital just once before late January "crazy" - especially as that one match outside of London is a relatively short journey to Brighton.

The Gunners have had a tricky start to the season and are nine points off the top.

However, they have already played the other teams who finished in the top seven last season in the Premier League and played Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea away.

It puts a lot of pressure on Arsenal's home form but if Arteta's side can continue their recent results, they could be a lot closer to the top of the table at the end of the festive period.

Image source, Getty Images

The question of who is in the title race right now is a good one, but I still think it is Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.

At the beginning of the season, I said Liverpool would be up there because I feel people forgot how well they actually did last season. They are favourites at the moment because of the consistency they have shown this year, but we all know that the likes of City and the Gunners are capable of going on long winning runs.

City are in unknown territory at the moment with the form they are in, but they are still a group of Premier League and Champions League winners who know how to win and bounce back. However, if Liverpool get the win at Anfield this weekend, that would make them clearer favourites.

The reason I have not put Chelsea and Brighton alongside the other three teams as title contenders is because of the consistency of these teams over the past few years.

Those three have been up there challenging the past two or three seasons and I think that puts them ahead.

We have seen Chelsea are developing in terms of their age and have not been as consistent with their results. The same with Brighton. They put in some really good performances - but then some not so good.

With the heavy December schedule and into January, that is when we will start to see a split and those teams with a better squad depth start to break away a bit.

And yet, although that is what we are used to seeing, when you look at the league this year it has been one of the most up and down starts ever to a campaign in terms of consistency.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at West Ham (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta said he will "wait and see" on the fitness of some of his players, including defender Gabriel.

• On two impressive wins since returning from the international break: "I don't link character to winning. This team showed unbelievable character against Inter and lost, they showed it against Chelsea and didn't manage to win. The same players, the same intentions, being more efficient and winning matches - that's the difference."

• He continued: "Winning lifts the energy and confidence. They were two big wins and now it's about consistency, getting that momentum, taking it even further against a good opponent on Saturday and trying to replicate the performances to win the game."

• Asked if there is a feeling that Arsenal need to be "near perfect" from now on, because of Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League, Arteta said: "If they continue that way, that's for sure, with the numbers they're producing and the amount of games they're winning. But the focus is on us, maintaining the consistency of performances that will give us the right to win a lot of games. This is a long run."

• William Saliba made his 100th appearance for Arsenal on Tuesday. "At his age, the consistency and quality of performances is incredible. It's not easy, it's a tricky position to play in this league, but he has a magnificent partnership and credit to Gabriel as well for that."

• Arteta commented on 12 of Arsenal's next 13 scheduled fixtures, barring any additional cup games, will be played in London: "Less travelling is always better. It is crazy that we have that many games so close to us and I think it helps because the amount of games we have to play in that period is very high."

• On West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui: "I have huge admiration for what he's done in the game. He's from the same area as I am in the north of Spain. His team is on a high after beating Newcastle and [are] always a really tough opponent."

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

Who scored Arsenal's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Arsenal's pursuit of a new striker has taken a hit, with 26-year-old Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres keen on following former Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim to Manchester United. (Football.London), external

The Gunners have as many as six forwards on their list of transfer targets, including 25-year-old Newcastle United and Sweden forward Alexander Isak. (Caught Offside), external

Meanwhile, Napoli have asked Arsenal about the availability of 24-year-old defender Jakub Kiwior on loan in January. (Gianluca di Marzio, via Metro), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have lost just one of their past 16 Premier League away games against West Ham (winning 10 and drawing five), winning this fixture 6-0 last season.

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Champions League with an emphatic away victory, ending Sporting's 30-match unbeaten run at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Captain Martin Odegaard showed once again how key he is to the side after his return from injury.

Arsenal have held talks over the potential signing of England midfielder Adam Wharton, with Crystal Palace valuing the 20-year-old at around £54.1m. (Caught Offside), external

Meanwhile, Fiorentina and Napoli are eyeing a loan deal for Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior, but it is unlikely manager Mikel Arteta will let the 24-year-old Poland international leave the Gunners in January. (Tuttomercato - in Italian), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Champions League game between Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Henry: Arsenal played with a swagger that we have not seen for quite a while now. We absolutely dominated Sporting and the team was switched on from defence to attack and our goals coming from different players is a signal that a title fight is now on! COYG.

Vince: Partey had a giant game - without him and the back four forming one heck of a defensive shield, the attackers wouldn’t have had the confidence to press hard and high. And how it paid dividends. Long may it last!

• Not an Arsenal fan? Find your club's page here

Jeff: Very good performance, kept a top striker in Gyokeres to handful of chances from distance and did the business at the other end which we’ve been guilty of not doing in Europe. A very important win.

Gumbo: That performance shows the potential of Arsenal. Key players all fit, creative going forward and solid in defence. We've just completely destroyed one of Europe's form teams in their own stadium. Joyous!

Tim: Best performance of the season; controlled and mature. If they can keep the squad fit I think they have every chance to lift the Champions League. Now we need to start chasing down Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says that being "so effective and so efficient" was the "big difference" against Sporting on Tuesday night.

The Gunners were ruthless in their trip to the Portuguese champions, coming out 5-1 winners against the side who had beat Manchester City 4-1 in their last Champions League outing.

Arsenal only had one win in seven Champions League away games since returning to the competition in 2023 and came into the fixture without scoring in four successive away trips.

But they put those concerns about their European away form to bed and, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Arteta said: "We played a team at home I don't think have lost in nearly 18 months.

"They have been in top form, they have been better than anybody they play here, so to play to the level, with determination and purpose, we have done today - I am very pleased.

"The team played with so much courage, and watching them live I realised how good they are. A big performance, a big win and I am really happy."

Asked if the win was a statement, Arteta said: "For sure, because the players have to make it happen, then that creates belief that the next one they play they will be better prepared.

"That is when you see the consistency because the ability to do it, we were so effective and so efficient when we started to attack the opposition goal and today that was a big difference."

Listen to the full discussion on the Gunners' victory on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal matched the club's Champions League record for most goals in an away game with their 5-1 win over Sporting on Tuesday.

The Gunners also netted five goals at Inter Milan (5-1, November 2003) and Fenerbahce (5-2, October 2008).

Arsenal are monitoring Atalanta's 25-year-old striker Mateo Retegui, who is valued at £38m. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Arsenal are in talks with 17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri over a new long-term contract. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to TNT Sports: "I'm very happy. It's a big result against a big opponent. We wanted to make that statement.

"I felt really good energy and belief before the match. The first half was exceptional, you have to put it into practice.

"We were really clever, really intelligent and really efficient in the way we attacked them.

"After we conceded we showed a lot of personality to bring the game back and then we scored the fourth goal and that's when the game changed again.

"You have to enjoy [it]. When you play in this competition against these teams you have to enjoy it. What I loved about this team is the way that they flowed. They played with purpose.

"If you want to be challenging for big trophies you have to be consistent."

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal scored five goals in an away match in the Champions League for just the third time against Sporting and the first time since October 2008, a 5-2 win against Fenerbahce.

The north London side were on a five-game winless run away from home in the Champions League (drawing two, losing three) while failing to score in each of the last four but they ended that in emphatic fashion at Sporting.

Five different players scored for Arsenal in a brilliant performance as Mikel Arteta's side made light work of Sporting who had beaten Manchester City 4-1 in their previous Champions League match.

The Gunners were 3-0 up at half-time and despite Goncalo Inacio scoring two minutes after the break, they kept their composure and continued to control the match.

Gabriel scored his first goal in the competition while Bukayo Saka scored and provided an assist and Kai Havertz netted his 100th goal in his club career across all competitions.

Arsenal accumulated an xG of 3.89, their most on record for a match in the competition (since 2013-14), as they moved up to seventh in the Champions League table.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League midfielder Leon Osman, on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I was asked at the start of the season whether I thought Arsenal were capable of winning the Champions League. I said yes, I do think so.

"They need to have performances like this. They need to be more positive away from home. We know they can be defensively sound, but the question was whether they can really go and take the game to somebody, like Manchester City and Real Madrid do at times.

"They've now done that against a Sporting side that has been undefeated here for 13 months and started the season wonderfully well. They've absolutely dominated them in every aspect."

Image source, Getty Images

Kai Havertz’s goal against Sporting Lisbon was his 100th in his club career across all competitions, with the forward netting 46 goals for Bayer Leverkusen, 32 for Chelsea and 22 for Arsenal.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka to TNT Sports: "We know they haven't lost here this season but we believed in ourselves. Everyone was top, I'm really proud of all the boys today.

"It was an important penalty but I didn't feel the pressure. I was confident."

On team-mate Martin Odegaard: "He's an unbelievable player. The day he returned, there was a big smile on my face. You can see the chemistry we have. I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.

"This is where we belong. We've shown the level we can play at."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal’s performance, external

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

Nine matches make up Tuesday's Champions League schedule, with Manchester City and Arsenal both in action.

• Slovan Bratislava v AC Milan (17:45)

• Sparta Prague v Atletico Madrid (17:45)

• Barcelona v Brest

• Bayer Leverkusen v Red Bull Salzburg

• Bayern Munich v PSG

• Inter Milan v RB Leipzig

• Manchester City v Feyenoord

• Sporting v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Young Boys v Atalanta

All kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here