Arsenal

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We asked for you what one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Arsenal but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Guy: I feel Ben White's injury isn't being talked about enough. The past two seasons our defence has been rock solid. Last season we conceded 29 goals in the whole of the Premier League season. We are already at 21 this season. His absence has made a big difference, he also offered assists and worked well going forward.

Dan: Forget Bukayo Saka's and Gabriel Jesus' injuries. I think White's injury has caused us more problems. Since he got injured, our defensive record has been quite poor compared to this time last season. Not only that, but he added so much more to our attack that I haven't seen from Jurrien Timber.

Rachel: Do the Arsenal coaching team need to take a serious look at training methods and investigate reasons why so many players are out with injuries? Very disappointing to see new players like RIccardo Calafiori have already suffered several muscular problems. Is this usual for this player or only an issue since he came to Arsenal? Or are certain players injury prone?

Will: Kai Havertz wins every aerial duel - we would and have been, far worse without him. The number nine isn't the problem. Liverpool score their goals from their right wing while our best player (who is also our right-winger) is injured and we have no-one close to that level to replace him. Injuries kill a team. We just have to accept that and go again.

Bob: Arsenal desperately needed goals from midfield and made the naive mistake of letting Emile Smith Rowe go to Fulham so they could bankroll the purchase of an incredibly injury-prone defender in Calafiori. He can be a joy to watch when he's fit and sharp - but with the history of the surgery he's needed, the warning signs were there that he was better suited to a slower league than the Premier League. Spending on him was a gamble that so far looks like it didn't pay off.

Will: Arsenal's lack of attacking recruitment under Mikel Arteta isn't for a lack of trying. Big money has been put on the table for Dusan Vlahovic, Mykhailo Mudryk and Benjamin Sesko in recent years, and deals haven't materialised due to players' preferences (and a huge bid from Chelsea). Whether any of those deals would have worked out is of course another question, but the narrative that Arteta and Edu have been neglectful in their lack of attacking signings is perhaps harsh. I think they've been a bit unlucky.

Arsenal have also shown firm interest in signing Wolves and Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, 25, in the January transfer window. (Fichajes, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal go into the game with Dinamo Zagreb in a strong position in the Champions League group stage table.

The Gunners are third on 13 points and look set to finish inside the top eight places.

Clubs that finish above eighth after completing the group stage fixtures avoid the two extra play-off matches.

Arsenal have suffered with injuries this season and Mikel Arteta said in the build up to the game that he is looking to "capitalise" on the work his side have done so far.

"We're in a really strong position, and now we try to capitalise at home, the way that we've done for many months," he said.

"So we need a strong performance tomorrow against a really good side and we'll try to get it."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta said "it's very positive news" that Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri have returned to training and will be available.

• Centre-back William Saliba is "evolving really well" but Wednesday's game comes too soon.

• On the Champions League: "So far, we have done really well. We are in a strong position and now it's time to capitalise at home. After the work that we have done for many months, we need a strong performance against a really good side and we'll try to do that."

• He said they have used music in training "to help bring energy and to change some purposes we want in the training session" and also because "the players enjoy it".

• On the possibility of fewer games if they finish in the top eight: "Let's do what we have to do first. We're talking about the Champions League. If we manage to do that then we will have the ideas to make that decision."

• On the Dinamo players, some of whom have been linked with the Gunners before: "They have a lot of talent. They have some individuals who catch your eye. You have in your head the players who played for that club."

• He said Bukayo Saka being off crutches "is not going to change" the timeline for his return and added: "He is getting better day by day but we have to respect the process."

• Max Dowman, who is 15 years old and trained with the squad on Tuesday, is "taking very fast steps" and "every time we put him in a new challenge he meets it".

• He said he "doesn't get too distracted" by for follow transfer speculation.

Follow all of the rest of the day's football news

Arsenal failed to hold on to a two-goal lead against Aston Villa on Saturday, leaving the gap to Liverpool at six points, having also played an extra game.

A lot is being made of how badly the Gunners are in need of a clinical number nine.

But you know your team best... so what's the one thing - good or bad - nobody seems to be talking about but really should be?

Tell us here

New York Times chief football correspondent Rory Smith believes Arsenal's injury issues are affecting the club's form, and if Liverpool would have seen their own results impacted with a similar injury situation.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Smith said: "Liverpool have had injuries, obviously [Diogo] Jota again, Alisson missed a substantial part of the season, they've struggled a bit with [Ibrahima] Konate and [Joe] Gomez.

"If they were to have the same injury situation as Arsenal I think you would see an impact on their performances and then their results.

"This season might be about who perseveres the most in terms of fitness as well as ultimate ability. Arsenal did look light on the bench but they've got so many players out - seven or eight players missing?"

He added: "Arsenal's longest winning run is three games - I think if your team is changing consistently it makes it much harder to put a run of form together."

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

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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Many Arsenal fans are grappling with a pressing question: have the Gunners regressed this season? And if so, why?

After 22 Premier League games, Arsenal have won 12 matches - only two fewer than at the same stage last year.

They have also lost fewer games - so far so good.

However, they have drawn eight times, three more than any other top-five side.

Alarmingly, in six of those draws, Arsenal have surrendered winning positions. Only against Fulham, when they went behind in the 12th minute to a stunning Raul Jimenez strike, and the 0-0 stalemate with Everton at the Emirates, did this trend differ.

Much has been made of Arsenal's lack of cutting edge in attack, with many continuing to point to a lack of available forwards, especially now Gabriel Jesus faces an extended time out of the game to add to Bukayo Saka still being months from returning.

But Arsenal now take fewer shots per game (14 compared to 17 last season, according to stats on the Premier League's website), though their accuracy has improved. Leandro Trossard's winner on Wednesday in the north London derby showcased exactly why Arsenal need to test out goalkeepers more. In the words of James Bond's M: "Take the damn shot!"

The issues in attack are causing problems defensively, putting an often makeshift back four under unnecessary pressure.

Arsenal have kept clean sheets in just a third of their games this season, down from nearly 50% last year. David Raya, despite his quality, faces significantly more action, making 2.36 saves per game compared to 1.45 last season.

The Gunners are second in the league - technically an improvement on last season's third-place standing at this stage.

But the stats tell a gloomier story, which is definitely reflected in the mood of the fanbase at the moment.

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

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

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans:

Pauline: Arsenal are not been led by the right manager - Arteta needs to be gone at the end of the season. Unfortunately Arsenal will win nothing under him this season. Extremely disappointing. Liverpool would never give up a two goal lead, they fight right to the end. Arsenal don't do this.

Matteo: Same story... Not enough movement up front, combined with not enough determination to run forward and a reluctance to take shooting opportunities! Defence almost perfect, but not quite. Outstanding Martinelli, Trossard and Lewis -Skelly. It not over yet, but worrying!

Martin: William Saliba was definitely missed. Such poor character to lose a 2-0 lead, and we need to cut Thomas Partey loose. I didn't think Havertz handballed, looked like it hit his stomach, but still we shouldn't have been in that position, and it makes the league more difficult now.

Dan: Sadly, like last season, I think that was the game to lose us the title, given how good Liverpool are right now. I, like many others, am really losing patience with Arteta. In just over five years, he's only won one FA Cup, which was with a squad mainly built by Emery and Wenger! It's simply not good enough. I think we'll only keep him if we somehow win the Champions League.

Aston Villa fans:

Samuel: The greatest improvement that Emery has made in his time at Villa is the unbelievable mentality this team has. Even when we're 2-0 down at the Emirates, and not playing particularly well, we don't give up and get things done!

Ian: Good all round performance and I think if we were a bit more positive we could have sneaked it. Showed great character to come back from two down but I think it was a fair result against a good side in Arsenal. Hopefully we get the right result in Monaco and when we get some of the injured players back and perhaps one or two additions in transfer window we can look forward to good second half of the season. Keep the faith!

Paul: Battling performance against the tide of Arsenal pressure. At 2-0 we were dead and buried but Unai changed tactics, went on the attack and in the end we could have won it when Bogarde should have put his foot through it. Immense team performance and Monaco here we come!

Steve: Backs to the wall for the larger parts of the opening 60 minutes before Tielemans got us back in the game. Watkins loves scoring against Arsenal and all Villains are delighted he extended that record with the equaliser. Cash exposed for both opening goals and it remains an area of defensive concern for Unai Emery.

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Arsenal have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.

That is already three more than the whole of last season combined.

"You can't be doing that if you want to be crowned champions at the end of the season," said former top-flight striker Glenn Murray on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "That is a real concern for Mikel Arteta.

"They were a team that people thought were game management masters and now all of a sudden they don't look that way.

"When behind or a game is in the balance they seem to lose their way. They don't have the balls going into the box because they don't have a physical number nine that will win aerial duals.

"They have a few injury concerns but it just doesn't seem to be clicking at Arsenal at the moment. Something is not right."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 0-2 Liverpool

• Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports his feelings after today's game: "Pride [at] the way the boys played and competed, the third time in six days. To deliver that dominance, that performance, they were outstanding. We deserved much more, that's clear.

"The way we defended, especially the second goal, can't be part of our game.

"Overall the word is pride because they were exceptional. The way they tried [was impressive]. There were players that were dead and performed like this for 97 minutes. They don't look for excuses or to the bench looking what to do.

"It was the best game we've played against Villa since I've been here. They're a good side. In attack and defending, the level we're playing is so high. Something was missing. The line is so thin and we have to find it.

"Today we cannot concede the two goals we did after everything we did. That line is so thin. Credit to them as well."

On the disallowed goal: "The decision is made. It's difficult because we have so much emotion, the celebration and it's taken away from you. Not easy."

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Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, has been speaking to BBC Sport after today's draw: "We wanted to win the game. That was our goal. We tried our best. We didn't win. We have to keep going and trust in ourselves.

"We have to rewatch the game and see what we did wrong and where to improve.

"I have to play wherever Mikel tells me to play. I prefer to play on the left, it's more natural for me but I play anywhere to help the team."

On Myles Lewis-Skelly: "We love him. He's brilliant, a star boy. We trust him. I think he's going to be one of the best players in the world in the future."

On dropping two points: "That's football - that's the Premier League. We have to rewatch the game and see what we did wrong and stop making the same mistakes in the next months."

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Arsenal have failed to win a Premier League home game in which they led by 2+ goals for the first time since October 2019 (2-2 vs Crystal Palace), having won each of their past 46 before tonight.

Aston Villa avoided defeat in a Premier League away game in which they trailed by 2+ goals for the first time since November 2013 (2-2 vs West Bromwich Albion), ending a run of 52 straight defeats.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

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

There are five Premier League fixtures on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action.

• Newcastle v Bournemouth (12:30)

• Brentford v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester v Fulham

• West Ham v Crystal Palace

• Arsenal v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

This was the game that did it for Arsenal last season. They won 16 of their last 18 league games, but had one bad half against Aston Villa and the defeat cost them the title.

That memory must still hurt but it might actually help Mikel Arteta's side focus on getting the job done this time.

Villa come into this game after a good win at Everton but they allowed David Moyes' side to have a few opportunities.

The Gunners deserved their win over Tottenham on Wednesday and I can see them building on that performance, by finding their ruthless touch.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has urged star forward Bukayo Saka to go on holiday while he is suffering from a hamstring injury sustained against Crystal Palace last month.

The England international had scored nine goals and 13 assists before injury interrupted his season and ruled him out until March at the earliest.

The 23-year-old returned to the Emirates, on crutches, for the first time as Arsenal beat Tottenham in the north London derby on Wednesday.

Arteta was asked if said should go on holiday, he said: "Yes, he needs to. He is obligated to go, with his girlfriend, or his family, or on his own. He can choose.

"He needs to get away for a few days and refresh. He can still do a lot of things with his rehabilitation because it is the perfect stage. It will make him better."

There is a possibility that Saka's getaway will coincide with Arsenal's warm-weather training camp following the club's semi-final second-leg fixture against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on 5 February.

The Gunners will have a 10-day break between matches following their FA Cup exit to Manchester United.