Arsenal

**Midfield Stars Caicedo and Lavia Push Fernández to Chelsea Bench** Enzo Fernández, the £106.8 million standout from Chelsea's recent 8-0 victory over FC Noah, is set to start on the bench when the team faces Arsenal this Sunday. During the Europa Conference League match, Fernández showcased his talent with a remarkable first-half performance, providing three assists that helped secure the win. His contributions included delivering corners that led to goals from Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi, as well as setting up João Félix for one of his goals. Given Fernández's status as a World Cup winner and his previous record as the most expensive player in England, his dominance in a third-tier European competition was hardly surprising. However, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca's decision to keep Fernández on the sidelines for the second half against Noah raises questions about his management of the player's workload. More likely, the decision reflects the improved balance in the team since Roméo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo have been paired in central midfield, leading to Fernández not starting in the last three league matches. As Chelsea prepares for their clash with Arsenal, it appears that Fernández will continue to play a supporting role from the bench.

**Saliba: Arsenal's Scouting Triumph That Prompted Chelsea's Big Investment** Arsenal made a savvy move in 2019 when they secured William Saliba for £25 million, a decision that would later be contrasted by Chelsea's hefty £70 million acquisition of his teammate, Wesley Fofana. On a chilly, rainy day in Montpellier, Arsenal's interest in Saliba began to take shape. At the time, he was an 18-year-old playing for Saint-Étienne’s under-19 team, and Ty Gooden, Arsenal’s scout in France, had recognized his potential. Gooden's enthusiasm led Francis Cagigao, the club's head of scouting, to travel to the south of France to observe the young talent. Initially, Cagigao and Gooden were focused on another centre-back at Saint-Étienne, who was a year older and already making waves in the first team. This player would eventually be signed by Chelsea for a staggering £70 million. However, it was Saliba's remarkable speed and commanding presence on the pitch that ultimately swayed the Arsenal scouts in his favor over Fofana.

Mikel Arteta is in urgent need of the "Chelsea effect" as he prepares to lead Arsenal into a crucial match against their London rivals at Stamford Bridge this Sunday. The stakes are high for the manager, who is looking to secure a significant result to boost his struggling team. Reflecting on his journey, Arteta recalls a painful lesson from his early days in charge. In December 2019, during his first home game, Arsenal faced Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. The match epitomized the challenges he was up against, as Arsenal found themselves in the lower half of the Premier League table, with confidence at a low ebb. In that match, a costly mistake by goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the 83rd minute allowed Jorginho to equalize, leading to a dramatic collapse. Chelsea capitalized on the momentum, with Tammy Abraham scoring the decisive late goal, sealing a disappointing defeat for Arsenal. As Arteta prepares for the upcoming clash, he is acutely aware of the need to turn the tide and restore belief within his squad. A positive result against Chelsea could be just what Arsenal needs to regain their footing in the league.

**Forcing Arsenal Women Out of the Emirates: A Missed Opportunity** The recent Carabao Cup quarter-final draw on October 30 triggered a chain of unfortunate events for Arsenal's women’s team. Both Arsenal and Tottenham's men’s teams were drawn to play at home, with Arsenal facing Crystal Palace and Tottenham up against Manchester United. The fixtures were set for December 18 and 19, respectively, but due to policing regulations, the two north London clubs cannot host matches on the same night. This scheduling conflict has significant implications for Arsenal's women, who were set to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium on December 18. The clash has forced the women’s team to seek an alternative venue for this crucial match, raising questions about the decision-making process and the prioritization of the men’s teams over the women’s. The situation highlights a missed opportunity to showcase women's football at a prestigious venue like the Emirates, especially during a high-stakes Champions League match. It’s a disappointing turn of events that underscores the ongoing challenges faced by women’s sports in gaining equal footing and visibility within the broader football landscape.

Arsenal is prepared to take up to six months to find a replacement for Edu as sporting director, with his deputy, Jason Ayto, stepping in during the transition period. Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Edu's departure came as a surprise to the club, noting that "everything happened very quickly." Edu is expected to join the multi-club network owned by Nottingham Forest's Evangelos Marinakis, reportedly earning £5 million a year. He is currently entering a six-month notice period with diminished responsibilities as Arsenal begins the search for his successor. Arteta is anticipated to play a significant role in the appointment process.

In the latest episode of the Football Weekly Extra podcast, host Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, and Mark Langdon to discuss the recent Champions League matches and preview the upcoming Premier League fixtures. The panel reflects on Arsenal's disappointing 1-0 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro, analyzing the team's current struggles and the impact of a controversial handball decision that led to a penalty for Inter. They delve into whether the penalty was justified and what it means for Arsenal's form moving forward. Additionally, the discussion turns to Aston Villa, where Tyrone Mings had a challenging Champions League debut, conceding a penalty after handling the ball in the box during their match against Club Brugge. The panel considers whether they have underestimated the Belgian side in this competition. Listeners are encouraged to rate, review, and share the podcast on various platforms, and to engage with the conversation on social media or via email.

Arsenal's recent struggles have raised concerns about their attacking prowess, particularly in away matches. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro, where they faced some contentious refereeing decisions, the team seems to have lost its scoring touch on the road. To paraphrase a sentiment from "Catch-22," just because there’s a swirl of online conspiracy theories regarding dubious officiating doesn’t mean that the game itself isn’t presenting its own challenges. While Arsenal may have been somewhat unfortunate with the distribution of penalty calls in the first half against Inter, it’s important to recognize that bad luck often finds a way to linger around teams that are struggling. The narrative of a widespread refereeing conspiracy may be tempting, but it’s crucial for Arsenal to focus on their own performance. They need to create opportunities and convert chances if they want to turn their fortunes around. The return of captain Martin Ødegaard may provide a boost, but it won’t be a panacea for the issues plaguing the team. Arsenal must work to regain their attacking fluency and find ways to score consistently, especially in challenging away fixtures.

Hakan Calhanoglu's controversial penalty secured a narrow victory for Inter Milan against Arsenal, leaving Mikel Arteta facing mounting challenges. The match marked a disappointing turn for Arsenal, who had just experienced the unexpected resignation of their sporting director, Edu. With this defeat, they relinquished their unbeaten record in the Champions League, as Calhanoglu maintained his perfect penalty record for Inter, scoring the only goal in a tightly contested encounter. Arteta's frustration was palpable throughout the match, especially after he received a peculiar booking in the second half, putting him on the brink of being sent off as his team sought an equalizer. Despite a much-improved performance in the second half, where Arsenal earned 14 corners compared to Inter's none, they fell to their second consecutive 1-0 defeat on the road.

**Inter vs Arsenal: Champions League – Live Updates** - Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates on the 8pm GMT kick-off. - Share your thoughts with Scott via email. Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sports regarding the availability of captain Martin Ødegaard for tonight's match. He mentioned, “Let’s see … he’s only done one session … he brings another kind of energy … we need to use him if he wants to play, so let’s see how the game develops … his character and personality are very important … it’s crucial to start integrating him back into the team. We’ve already utilized Declan Rice in various roles this season, so we will adapt as needed. Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino are both talented and physical players … Mikel is a genuine threat in the box, while Thomas excels at breaking down the game and progressing the ball effectively. They are both vital for us … we need a strong performance … it’s an iconic venue against a formidable opponent … we must deliver a significant match … we are prepared for it … winning on such grand stages is always a tremendous boost.” **Kit Watch:** Both teams opted for a straightforward approach with their kits, avoiding any extravagant designs. Arsenal deserves credit for their metallic rail, which adds a touch of flair compared to Inter’s basic cord suspension. However, the two-tone background of Arsenal's kit outshines the plain white of Inter's, giving the hosts a slight edge in this classic contest. Stay tuned for more updates as the match unfolds!

Mikel Arteta has stated that Edu's recent departure as sporting director will not hinder Arsenal's progress, despite acknowledging that the news came as a surprise. The Brazilian's resignation was announced on Monday, and he is set to join the multi-club network owned by Nottingham Forest's Evangelos Marinakis. Arsenal reportedly made an effort to convince Edu to remain at the club by offering to match the enhanced salary he is expected to receive from Marinakis, but their attempts were unsuccessful. Arteta emphasized that while losing a key ally is unexpected, it will not derail the team's upward trajectory. In other news, Martin Ødegaard has traveled with the squad for their upcoming match against Inter.