Arsenal

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Arsenal faced Peter Bosz's PSV Eindhoven side in the 2023-24 Champions League group stage, beating them 4-0 at Emirates Stadium and drawing 1-1 away.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham have expressed an interest in signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, and the 21-year-old Slovenia striker has a release clause worth 80m euros (£66m) that can be activated this summer. (Sky Sport Germany, external)

Meanwhile, former Atletico Madrid transfer guru Andrea Berta is believed to be among the potential candidates to replace Edu as sporting director at Emirates Stadium. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

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Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at PSV Eindhoven.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Arsenal's chance to 'change the narrative': "It's a game that brings a different energy. It's a competition that puts everybody on their toes. Now is the moment to start to make some strong steps in the direction we want. The level of consistency that we have had for many months does not happen for a random reason. It is because we have it within us. We are a top team."

• On lifting players after recent dropped points in the Premier League: "It's part of our job. In the moment you have a bad result, it hurts but it can only last 24 hours. We can't change it. We just have to learn from it and take it into the next game."

• On things Arsenal have learned in the Champions League this season: "In Europe this season, we have been much more like us. We have been much more consistent and scored a lot of goals. "

• He also emphasised how strong the Gunners have been in defence: "We haven't conceded almost anything, three goals, and we have the lowest expected goals conceded in the group phase. Now we have to continue to do it."

• On whether Arsenal's style makes teams sit in low blocks against them: "Sometimes, it is not a choice. Sometimes, we have lost a lot of opportunities to run and we did not execute well enough. When we have been organised, we have won a lot of those games. We are so used to it. It is about execution."

• He dismissed questions about whether Arsenal could win the competition, saying he was only focused on PSV: "The reality is that as a coach I just look at what is ahead. They eliminated Juventus, a team with a lot of history. I know the difficulty of the game - we have played them a lot in recent years."

Listen to full commentary of PSV v Arsenal from 20:00 GMT on Tuesday on BBC Radio 5 Live

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DefenderJurrien Timber has urged Arsenal to "change the narrative" when they play PSV in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday evening.

The Dutchman spoke to the media on Monday afternoon and said: "I think tomorrow we can change the narrative. We have a lot of quality in our group. We have a lot of injuries, especially upfront. We know that but it is a beautiful challenge.

"We have been through a lot, especially the last couple of weeks. It is a challenge for us and we just have to take it. "

Having failed to score against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, Arsenal have slipped further behind Liverpool in the title race and Timber was asked how to bring positivity back to Emirates Stadium.

"Change the narrative by winning games - it's as easy as that," he said. "We have to score tomorrow. In the Champions League you only have two games so you don't get second chances.

"I feel like I'm part of something big with this team and we can win a lot. We can do everything we can to win prizes and tomorrow is another step towards that."

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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With Arsenal currently on course to finish second for the third season in a row, fans are divided on what this will mean for Mikel Arteta's legacy at the club.

There is no doubt that the club's trajectory has been firmly upwards since Arteta took over in 2019. A graphic showing Arsenal's record during the 2020-2021 season of one win in 10 games has been widely shared on social media, serving as proof of the improvement under the Spaniard.

Last season, Arsenal amassed an enormous 89 points, scoring 91 goals. With stats like that, it seems absurd to be questioning a manager who also persuaded Declan Rice to choose Arsenal over Manchester City, and restored Arsenal to the Champions League after a six-year absence.

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Moreover, rival fans' glee at Arsenal's failure often ignores the trajectory of their own clubs. Tottenham Hotspur are in 13th, with Manchester United behind them in 14th. By comparison, Arsenal's navigation of the post-Wenger years may have been rocky to start, but within three seasons of his arrival, Arteta had Arsenal challenging for a title. His ability to raise Arsenal's standards and hold them consistently, is to be commended.

But there is no trophy for consistency.

There is no trophy for not sinking to the bottom half of the table like your rivals. There is certainly no trophy for coming second. Therefore, fans are right to start questioning whether this squad, this team, and this manager have reached their potential and can go no further.

Arsenal may need to consider a rebuild, which would mean taking a step backwards first, to ultimately go one step further.

For those who still believe in this squad though, history is on Arsenal's side. Three times the Gunners finished runners-up between 1998 and 2001, before finally winning the title in 2002.

Fans will be praying history can repeat itself next season.

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

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal's 15-year-old talent Max Dowman showed exactly why there is so much excitement about his potential during the Gunners' 3-2 defeat by Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final.

Dowman has been a name on the lips of Arsenal fans throughout the season and he has been pictured training with the first team regularly.

The attacking midfielder was also part of the first-team squad that travelled to Dubai for the winter training camp earlier this month.

And the clamour for him to be included in a first-team squad this season has got louder in recent weeks due to Arsenal's attacking injury crisis, with key forwards Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus out through injury.

The match against United was Dowman's first competitive game at Emirates Stadium and his performance against United's Under-18s makes it hard to imagine that this will be the only match he plays in the stadium.

The England youth international, who is playing three age groups up with the under-18s, caught the eye early on.

Surrounded by three United players in his own half, he took control of possession and flicked the ball cleverly to start a counter-attack.

Playing in an advanced central midfield role, Dowman showed passing range, a burst of pace and plus the high level of decision-making that has led to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta calling him a "huge talent".

The real standout moment came when Dowman picked up the ball on the right side of the pitch, dribbled into the area while having his shirt pulled and beat his marker twice before winning a penalty.

Dowman stepped up and slotted home the spot-kick himself to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead in the second half.

"Some of the things he does in training are unbelievable," Arteta said speaking ahead of Arsenal's Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb last month.

"He is a player with a huge talent. We have a lot of belief we can develop him to become one of our own.

"At the moment, there are a lot of restrictions with his age. He is taking very fast steps. Every time we put him in another challenge, he takes great steps."

The restrictions Arteta references are the age rules in place for the Premier League.

The rules state players included in matchday squads cannot be from a lower age group than the under-16s and Dowman was named in Arsenal's Under-15s at the start of the season.

That means that Arsenal supporters will have to wait a little while yet to see the exciting young talent in action.

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As we approach the crunch stage of the 2024-25 Premier League season, it only feels right to address what would be a good outcome for Arsenal from here onwards and what my biggest fear for Mikel Arteta's side is too.

Even the most hardcore of Arsenal fans will admit it feels like the Premier League title has gone. So now it is just about finishing strong and recovering some familiar faces.

Hopefully, in the coming weeks we will see Bukayo Saka and, as a consequence, a return of the exciting football we have seen from this side in recent seasons.

If they can do that, then there could be a Champions League run to be made and reaching the final would give them something to play for.

Liverpool look like they are going to win the league, but Arsenal still look like the second-most consistent team.

Finishing strongly domestically has to be an aim because belief among the fans and the players can make a big difference going into next season.

Where you finish is one thing - but the way you finish is another.

A win at Anfield in the closing stages of the season would also be a big statement and a boost of belief going into pre-season and the next campaign. Finishing strong breeds hope.

That leads me on to my biggest fear.

My main concern is what would happen if Arteta's men are knocked out of the Champions League in the coming weeks as that would then mean they finish the season just going through the motions.

That is against what Arteta stands for and it will be a huge sense of disappointment for all involved if it all fizzes out. That feeling leads to the question of what next? Because this season has been another opportunity missed in the sense that people - including me - expected Arsenal to be right in the mix.

Having nothing to play for in the final two or three months of the season would be more of a cause of concern and lead to questions about the future rather than just the present.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Liverpool have a growing interest in Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, while Arsenal also remain keen on a move for the 25-year-old. (Times - subscription required), external

Arsenal might have to sell 30-year-old forward Leandro Trossard or 23-year-old winger Gabriel Martinelli to fund a summer rebuild, with both players targets for Saudi Pro League clubs. (Mirror), external

The Premier League could be forced to have two separate transfer windows this summer because of disruption caused by the Club World Cup. (Guardian), external

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

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Injuries have decimated Arsenal's front line and all the talk is about who should be on Mikel Arteta's shopping list in the summer.

But there are still 11 Premier League games and a Champions League campaign to navigate first.

Arteta has tried Leandro Trossard up front, experimented with Mikel Merino and seen Raheem Sterling struggle in his cameo roles. So who else is left?

Probably the most likely is Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, the 22-year-old who made his debut in the dying ebbs of January's Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb.

Deployed mainly on the left but also at centre-forward, Butler-Oyedeji has 20 goals in 60 games for Arsenal Under-21s and has been on the bench for seven of the past eight Premier League games.

Arteta has yet to turn to him however, despite the Gunners' desperate need for goals in recent matches - but he may have to.

Accompanying Butler-Oyedeji in the dugout at the City Ground on Wednesday night was 19-year-old Ismeal Kabia, a Dutch winger who only has eight starts in Premier League 2.

He made his first-team bow against Bolton in the Carabao Cup earlier this season and did score at Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy too. However, he certainly would not fit the profile of a central striker.

Perhaps Jamaica striker Khayon Edwards is worth a go. Top scorer in Premier League 2, he has nine goals in 12 games this season including six in his past seven.

At least the 21-year-old knows where the back of the net is, although his loan spell at Leyton Orient last season where he only started four games yielded no goals and no assists.

Fans could be forgiven for wistfully looking at Chido Obi-Martin who swapped Arsenal Under-18s for Manchester United earlier this season after smashing 32 goals in 21 games for the academy side and has already made two senior appearances for the Red Devils.

No solution is perfect but successive blanks against West Ham and Nottingham Forest prove something has to be done.

And, after all, the success of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri this season has showcased the talent in Arsenal's academy. Can Arteta find another one?

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Pundits on TNT Sport discussed the impact of Arsenal dropping another two points in Wednesday's goalless draw at the City Ground.

Martin Keown, former Arsenal and England defender on TNT Sports:

"It didn't happen for Arsenal because they had Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino and a teenager in Ethan Nwaneri playing as the front three. That has crippled the team.

"Throughout the team they looked solid, defended really well and it was a solid contest.

"They took the game to Nottingham Forest with 65% possession but they could not find the solutions at the top of the team. With the options that they have been left to pick from, that is no surprise.

"Just because you can't be champions doesn't mean that you throw it all away. If they don't score goals, there is a danger that they might slip out of the top four.

"When you come away with a point you think that is important because it means Forest don't get any closer to catching them.

"Rest, recover and then they are away to Manchester United. They must win."

Martin O'Neill, former Celtic manager on TNT Sports:

"I cannot see Arsenal catching Liverpool, not at all. First of all Arsenal have to win their games, and that is not a given by any stretch of the imagination.

"Also then you are talking about Liverpool dropping points, which they will do because they are involved in a few other competitions.

"I think this is the result that finished [the title race]."

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Arsenal have "regressed" and "questions have to be asked" if Mikel Arteta does not delivery a trophy this season, says fan Rakeem Noble.

After a disappointing defeat by West Ham at the weekend, the Gunners stumbled again in their pursuit of Premier League leaders Liverpool after coming away with a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

Having run Manchester City close in the past two campaigns, they now have an almighty task to claw back the 13 points they currently sit behind Liverpool.

With just the one FA Cup trophy in his five years in charge, some fans are starting to question boss Arteta's position.

"I do like Arteta and what he has done at the club and I would like him to continue as the manager but, I said at the start of the season, if he doesn't deliver this season then, it's not that he has to go, but questions have to be asked," Noble told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Two years ago we had a good run in with City, we did fumble it but players were inexperienced, didn't know what to do in that position and we fell short. Last season we came a couple of points short and I couldn't be angry at that. I was disappointed but there was massive progression.

"This season, we have fallen off by February. We have regressed, we have gone backwards. We are at the point now where conversations need to be had. I am not saying get rid of him in the summer, but a conversation definitely needs to be had about the direction, what we do next at the club, how we take the club to the next level, because we are coming up short of the line.

"We have gone backwards and we do not want to start going anymore further backwards and start to have to fight for top four. We want the title next season if we can get to that."

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We asked for your views on Arsenal's Premier League draw at Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

James: Great performance from Arsenal with loads of energy. Dominated possession, shots, corners etc. If just one forward was available, then they'd have won this game.

David: Pathetic. A must-win game and Arsenal players barely get out of a walk. Turgid. No tempo. No chances created. Does Mikel Arteta think this is good enough? Top four at best now. Something is clearly wrong with recruitment at the club when everyone who follows football knows what is missing.

Gary: Awful. The manager has to go now as he is not good enough to take this team forward. He has no idea how to change things up.

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Mike: Our issue isn't the lack of an out-and-out striker. Kai Havertz is not that. It's the threat in the box. Sterling had two opportunities late on to run at the defenders to get into the box where he could have been fouled, or get a shot away. He pulled up on both. We need to be more aggressive running into the box, cause tackles to be made and make defenders slip up. But can someone please give the team credit for one defeat in 17 games, with injuries to big players for the latest lot. Manchester City or Liverpool in this situation would be patted on the head and told not to give up, "the leaders are just that good right now", but not Arsenal. Always the media's scapegoat, even with United and Chelsea as they are. Come on, give credit where credit is due.

Matt: A point away at Forest, where Arsenal have lost before, to remain above Forest, would usually be seen as good.

Matthew: Congrats to Liverpool for their 20th title. They played brilliant football and outclassed most of the teams they faced. Arsenal did not play the exciting football of 22-23 or show their dominance from 23-24, but it could have gone much worse. It was not helped by so many injuries. Out of five red cards, four were very controversial. This season cannot be written as a success, but these players haven't failed. All focus turns to the Champions League, and maybe, just maybe.

Match of the Day's Stephen Warnock described Arsenal as "vulnerable" after failing to score for a second consecutive game.

Reflecting on the Gunners injury-hit frontline, Warnock said: "If Liverpool lost Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Coady Gakpo, then they wouldn't be in the position they are in.

"It is tough for Arsenal because they have lost these players but there has got to be a desire to get in the box and run forward.

"They are vulnerable to the counter attack so it is understandable that they have gone back-to-back games without scoring."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Arsenal's season is still alive and their draw at Nottingham Forest changes nothing, says boss Mikel Arteta.

The second-placed Gunners fell 13 points behind leaders Liverpool after Wednesday's 0-0 draw, as they failed to score for a second successive game.

They face PSV in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday but their Premier League titles hopes appear over, especially after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Newcastle.

Arteta said: "It's about what we can do. It was like this a week before, two weeks before, three months before. Today we dropped two points which is very painful, we have the Champions League, a beautiful competition in front of us.

"I'm very disappointed not to win, the standard was different to the previous game [a 1-0 defeat to West Ham] with the energy and the willingness to make things happen.

"We dominated the game, apart from one experience in the second half and one or two giveaways which allowed them to run. Apart from that nothing. When we opened them up we lacked the quality in the final pass and delivery and be more efficient."

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Sport: "[We showed] unquestionable character, how much wanted it and tried.

"We dominated the game. We tried in many different ways. We insisted but lacked that spark, that final pass to unlock a well organised team. We have to generate more shots on target.

"Very different standard [to the West Ham defeat]. We defended with energy, purpose, fight, willingness to make things happen. It wasn't because we lacked that. We tried until the end but weren't able to do it."

On their lack of strikers: "Same as before. It's what we have. We look forward to working with what we have."

On the title: "It was same a week ago, two weeks ago, three months ago. The only thing we can do is win our matches and see how many points we get."

On the result: "It doesn't feel good. We're here to win."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

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Five matches make up Wednesday's Premier League action

• Brentford v Everton

• Man Utd v Ipswich

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

• Tottenham v Man City

• Liverpool v Newcastle (20:15)

All kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

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Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman is refusing to give up hope on the Gunners' chance this season but accepts that getting a striker would be the "final piece of the jigsaw".

"We always needed a striker. We tried in the transfer window and now hopefully there is one lined up in the summer, but that will be a bit too late," Seaman told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"We have been playing this type of football for a long time and [getting a striker] will be the final piece of the jigsaw. That will hopefully be what makes it [winning the Premier League title] happen next season.

"I am privileged that I go into Arsenal once a week and I see the players training. The way Mikel works, he is getting the best out of his players. The whole training ground is all together.

"I would definitely not go down that route [of changing manager] because we are getting better and better. We are now serious contenders for the league, we have a good chance in the Champions League and it is a progression.

"The next step to that is getting a striker."

Arsenal fan and YouTuber Charlene Smith believes the club's owners need to take responsibility for the title challenge fading.

"I feel like injuries are out of our control, but I do feel like we needed to do business in the January transfer window," she said. "We have needed a striker for so long and we have released a lot of players but have not replaced those we let go.

"They need to take ownership of that and accept we should have got more players in. If we had, the season could have been looking a lot different."