Arsenal

In the latest episode of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, hosts Faye Carruthers, Tom Garry, Marva Kreel, and Chris Slegg delve into the recent Women’s Super League (WSL) matches and look ahead to the Women’s Nations League. The discussion kicks off with Arsenal's impressive performance against Brighton and Hove Albion, raising the question of whether the team is back to its best. The panel reflects on how crucial this display was for Arsenal's confidence and momentum. They also address the mixed reactions towards Manchester United's manager, Mark Skinner, who faced boos despite his team maintaining an unbeaten streak in the WSL after a goalless draw with Aston Villa. In another highlight, Manchester City celebrated a commanding victory, with Bunny Shaw making headlines once again by breaking records. The conversation shifts to the relegation battle, as West Ham secured their first win of the season, leaving Everton in a precarious position at the bottom of the table. The panel evaluates which teams are most at risk as the season progresses.

Martin Ødegaard has returned to Arsenal after being ruled out of international duty with Norway, prioritizing his health by "listening to my body." The Arsenal captain made his first start since August in a 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea on Sunday, following a recovery from an ankle injury. Despite traveling to Oslo for Nations League matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan, the 25-year-old midfielder will now continue his rehabilitation in London. Norway's manager emphasized the importance of Ødegaard's well-being, stating, "We cannot risk his health."

Mikel Merino believes that Arsenal will excel under the pressure of their Premier League title challenge, despite currently trailing league leaders Liverpool by nine points. He pointed to the team's resilience demonstrated during their recent 1-1 draw against Chelsea as a testament to their character. In that match, Arsenal conceded an equalizer from Pedro Neto in the 70th minute, which could have been a turning point given their struggles since mid-October. The team had managed to secure only one point from their last three league matches and faced a defeat against Inter in the Champions League just days prior. Merino expressed confidence in the squad's mentality, stating, "The mentality of these guys is unbelievable," highlighting their ability to cope with the pressures of the title race.

**Women’s Super League: Key Highlights from the Weekend’s Matches** Arsenal finally showcased their potential with a commanding performance, while Lauren Hemp's impressive treble has propelled her to the top of the WSL assist leaderboard. Chelsea, on the other hand, are making headlines with their unique goalkeeping situation, boasting "two No 1s." In a match against Brighton, Arsenal delivered a stellar display, scoring five goals with contributions from five different players and securing a clean sheet. This performance was a welcome change, as the team had struggled with finishing chances in previous outings. From the outset, Arsenal played with high intensity, leaving Brighton reeling. The combination play between Beth Mead and Emily Fox on the right flank, along with Katie McCabe and Caitlin Foord on the left, effectively exploited Brighton's defensive vulnerabilities. Mead's trademark goal reminded fans of Arsenal's more prolific days, while Frida Maanum added a spectacular finish to the tally. The highlight of the evening, however, was Lina Hurtig's 76th-minute header, marking her first goal in 362 days. This moment was particularly special as it came after a long injury layoff for the Swedish winger. Overall, it was a weekend filled with exciting performances and significant milestones in the Women’s Super League.

**Premier League: Key Takeaways from the Weekend's Matches** This weekend in the Premier League saw some intriguing storylines unfold, including standout performances from Ipswich's young English talents, Liverpool's continued success, and the impressive display by Brighton's Carlos Baleba. Arsenal managed to break a frustrating streak at Stamford Bridge, scoring their first away goal in the league since September. After struggling to find the net in recent matches against Newcastle and Inter, as well as last month at Bournemouth, Gabriel Martinelli's clever finish brought a sigh of relief. However, manager Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment that his team couldn't secure a victory. Despite controlling much of the game, Arsenal's expected goals (1.27) fell short of Chelsea's (1.69). Key moments, such as Leandro Trossard's late miskick and Kai Havertz's disallowed goal, highlighted their ongoing struggle to be clinical in front of goal. With Martin Ødegaard back in form, the Gunners are still searching for that elusive penalty box finisher. In other matches, Liverpool continued their strong form with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, while Brighton pulled off a notable 2-1 win against Manchester City, showcasing the talent of Carlos Baleba. Manchester United secured a convincing 3-0 win against Leicester, and Newcastle triumphed 3-1 over Nottingham Forest. Ipswich made headlines with a surprising 2-1 victory against Tottenham, further emphasizing the emergence of their young English duo. Brentford edged out Bournemouth in a thrilling 3-2 encounter. As the season progresses, these matches have set the stage for an exciting battle for supremacy in the Premier League.

Martin Ødegaard’s return has brought both clarity and a sense of regret for Arsenal amidst the chaos of their recent match against Chelsea. As the final whistle approached at Stamford Bridge, Mikel Arteta was seen rolling on the touchline, visibly animated by the tension of the moment. Dressed impeccably in his black anorak, he seemed to embody the emotional rollercoaster of a match that ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. The standout highlight for Arsenal was Ødegaard’s return to the starting lineup. The Norwegian midfielder played the full 90 minutes and made a significant impact on the team's performance. His presence added a layer of creativity and control that had been sorely missed. However, this positive is tempered by a stark reality: there is only one Martin Ødegaard. The absence of a similar player to share the load raises concerns, especially given the noticeable difference he made even while not at full fitness. His return not only showcased his individual talent but also highlighted the limitations of the squad. The contrast between Ødegaard’s influence and the rest of the team serves as a reminder of what Arsenal lacks, leaving fans to ponder the potential that could have been if they had more players of his caliber.

Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment following Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Chelsea, urging his players to "show their teeth" and demonstrate their determination as they face a challenging title race. The result left Arsenal nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, marking a missed opportunity to regain momentum in their campaign. In a tense match at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal initially took the lead with a goal from Gabriel Martinelli. However, Chelsea equalized through Pedro Neto, which allowed them to climb to third place in the standings. Arteta's team, currently sitting in fourth, has struggled this season, having dropped eight points from winning positions. The coach emphasized the importance of resilience and commitment as they head into the international break, hoping for a clean bill of health for his squad.

Neto's equalizer cancels out Martinelli's opener as Chelsea and Arsenal settle for a draw The atmosphere was electric as Chelsea substitutes celebrated on the pitch, their joy palpable after Pedro Neto struck a powerful low shot from distance to level the score. While the result may not have been the decisive victory that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and his team were hoping for against a traditional Big Six rival, they found value in a hard-fought draw. For Arsenal, the performance was an improvement compared to recent outings, but it still fell short of the result Mikel Arteta desired to quell the mounting criticism surrounding the club. This match marked yet another instance of Arsenal relinquishing a lead in a crucial game, following similar draws against Manchester City and Liverpool. The Gunners have now gone four Premier League matches without a win, accumulating just two points during this stretch, and they find themselves nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. The question now looms: can they turn their fortunes around?

**Chelsea vs Arsenal: Premier League Live Updates** Join us for live updates from the highly anticipated Premier League clash between Chelsea and Arsenal, kicking off at 4:30 PM GMT. As we approach the final half hour of the earlier matches, excitement builds for this showdown. In team news, Chelsea's Cole Palmer is set to start, which comes as no surprise given the recent speculation about his fitness. Manager Enzo Maresca has kept his cards close to his chest regarding Palmer's condition, but his absence from Chelsea's Conference League squad suggests he is ready to make an impact today. Reece James will start on the bench, with Marc Cucurella taking his place in the lineup and Malo Gusto positioned at right-back. Stay tuned for more updates as the match unfolds!

Leandro Trossard has acknowledged that Arsenal need to be more clinical in front of goal if they hope to improve their performance against Chelsea. Mikel Arteta's team has not secured a Premier League victory since October 5 and recently suffered a defeat to Inter in the Champions League, where they managed 21 shots but only hit the target four times, failing to score for the second consecutive match. With captain Martin Ødegaard sidelined due to injury, Trossard has taken on additional creative duties. Ødegaard is anticipated to make a return at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, which could provide a much-needed boost for the team as they prepare for the London derby.