Last season the Gunners had a record low of finishing in ninth place, outside of the European places and without any cup silverware. It was their worst year in the entire history of the Premier League and this season has started off badly.

Yesterday Arsenal travelled to Brentford for the opening game of the season. Before kick-off, they were already on the back foot as captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and striker Alexandre Lacazette were ruled out with illness.

With Eddie Nketiah already injured, Arteta was forced to start young forward Folarin Balogun. Arsenal’s starting team had an average age of 24.

The highlight of the match from Arsenal’s point of view was the return of young English winger Bukayo Saka who was given a standing ovation when he was substituted on.

Brentford was comfortably the better side as they won 2-0. First, there was a smart finish Sergi Canos and then a Christian Norgaard header to seal the tie.

Although the Gunners finished the game with 65 per cent possession and 22 shot, only four needed to be saved. Nicolas Pepe nearly scored in the final few minutes but every other shot landed easily in the keeper’s gloves.

"It's just Arsenal."

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 13, 2021

Naturally, former players and fans have shown their frustration towards the side. Arsenal legend Ian Wright released a tweet about the disgust he felt towards the performance.

But for real though. It's the opening game of the season and you can't match the intensity?!!! You know for months what we gonna be up against! Pre-match I said we'd be happy with a draw! A draw!! That's where we are! But to not even match them? Just passing sideways. Kmt.

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) August 13, 2021

Many fans have already begun the shouts for manager Mikel Arteta to lose his job. He will have questions to answer in the coming days, and if he cannot improve then he might be given as warm of an exit as his predecessor Unai Emery.

Things do not get much easier for the Gunners as their next two games are against the Premier League winners and the Champions League winners.

Arsenal will next face Chelsea at home at 16:30 on Sunday the 22nd of August.

A Brentford fan is in tears at full-time after winning their first top-flight game for 74 years pic.twitter.com/rd9QcdVqnj

— PF | Transfer News (@PurelyFootball) August 13, 2021

The post Furious fans react to embarrassing Brentford defeat appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Gabonese striker, now 32, was made famous in Borussia Dortmund and in early seasons at the Emirates for his speed and finishing. Last season he began to show signs of decline with his age.

Over a year ago, Aubameyang signed a huge £250,000 per week contract at Arsenal and his goalscoring prowess seemed to disappear. It does not help that this dip in form coincided with the Gunners’ worst league finish in 25 years.

In the entire season, playing mainly on the wing but also as a striker, he scored 10 goals and got three assists. This tally is even worse than his first season at the club where he joined them in the January transfer window, that year he scored 10 and assisted four.

Speaking at a press conference, Arteta was asked about his captain’s current slump in form:
“I don’t know – last season and everything that happened individually, collectively around the club for everybody, it was difficult to measure if that’s a trend or a one-off.”

All behind you @auba !!

Lets get the season going with a bang! pic.twitter.com/jbR9FbVmnU

— DA EDITS (@DannyAllen86) August 13, 2021

The main problems for the talismanic player were that he was not getting himself in goalscoring positions, only taking two shots every 90 minutes and his finishing was below par with a less than 20 percent conversion rate.

The manager still has confidence in his captain and will most likely be giving him a major role in their opening game of the season.

“Our job is to help the players get the best that they have, and we know that with [Aubameyang] we are stronger. He scores goals and that’s one of the most important things in this game,” added Arteta.

Arsenal will begin their Premier League resurgence tonight away to Brentford at 20:00.

I'd love the Aubameyang that did this to show up today. pic.twitter.com/pOU7qiV2JQ

— evan 》 (@afcevan) August 13, 2021

The post Arteta believes Aubameyang will be back in the goals this year appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Arsenal travelled to Elland Road for this evening’s Premier League fixture. The two sides met in the FA cup at the beginning of the year, Arsenal got the better of Leeds back then as crowds watched the Gunners collect a 1-0 win. Today was a different story as a hard-working Leeds side were unfortunate not to claim 3 points.

Both managers have their connection to Pep Guardiola, Marcelo Bielsa having mentored the Manchester City manager. Adversely, Mikel Arteta benefitted from his time as Pep’s assistant manager from 2016 to 2019. Experience nearly paid dividend as Bielsa outclassed the Arsenal manager, but his men were unable to break the deadlock.

As is the case with most Leeds’ matches, an exciting affair was promised. Although there was no goals scored, that proved to be the case.

Leeds controlled much of the game. Arsenal consistently failed to get out of their own half due to the high pressing of Leeds. When they did get into the final third, they failed to break down the Leeds’ defence – other than a few occasions – and were hit on the counter with regularity.

Patrick Bamford had the first big chance of the game in the 12^th minute. Ezgjan Alioski’s great run and cross played Bamford in, but his touch was comfortably saved by Bernd Leno.

Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe very nearly opened the scoring in bizarre circumstances in the 20^th minute. After beating his opposite number a handful of times, the Ivorian swung in a cross turned shot which rattled off the crossbar.

Bamford had another good chance come the 30^th minute. After some good combination play from Mateusz Klich and Luke Ayling, the ball found its way into the box. After less than impressive defending from Gabriel, Bamford connected with ball on the half volley, but Bernd Leno produced a good save to keep the in-form striker out.

Stuart Dallas has played a lot of football this season already. The Northern Ireland international played 3 full 90 minutes during the international break as well as having played in every Premier League game thus far. He appears to be showing no signs of slowing down so far as he worked as hard as ever in this evening’s fixture. His persistence nearly paid off in the 33^rd minute after a fortunate touch into his path gave him a chance while in space. Unfortunately for him, he shot wide of the mark.

The first half finished scoreless as Leeds controlled the majority of the play and shut out Arsenal at nearly every occasion.

Arsenal’s task became even more difficult in the 50^th minute. £80 million man Nicolas Pepe was sent off for an off the ball incident involving Ezgjan Alioski. He walked down the tunnel in what was the first sending off of his professional career.

Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe is sent off for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski pic.twitter.com/5GrWsv9oEP

— B/R Football (@brfootball) NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Bernd Leno produced a stunning save in the 63^rd minute to deny Stuart Dallas. The Northern Irishman connected sweetly from just outside the box with his shot going into the top corner, but the German denied him with his agility and reflexes.

After a succession of missed half chances from Leeds, Rodrigo chance close in the 75^th minute. The former Valencia forward unleashed a piledriver from distance which just whistled wide of the post. A few more inches to the right and it would have been a certain goal for the Spaniard.

Just minutes later, Rodrigo had another effort from range. This time, his shot from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar before going out to safety.

Off the bar!

Rodrigo leaves Leno stranded but can only find the crossbar

Watch on Sky Sports PL
Follow #LEEARS here: https://t.co/ikn2qWt06u
Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/8aUBGP8Qez

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) NOVEMBER 22, 2020

In an unlikely turn of events, substitute Bukayo Saka had a chance to give Arsenal the lead in the 84^th minute. He was played through after a brilliant run and pass by Hector Bellerin but the new England star was unable to slot past the keeper despite being in space.

Leeds went close to a goal of their own in the 86^th minute, a cross from Ian Carlo Poveda met the head of Patrick Bamford. Again, though, he squandered the chance as his effort hit the post.

To add to the misfortune of Leeds, Rodrigo hit the woodwork again in the 94^th minute as the game ticked on.

That chance would prove to be the last as the match finished scoreless. Leeds can feel hard done by having controlled the majority of the game and creating most of the chances.

Arsenal play Wolves next weekend while Leeds play Everton as both teams will hope to collect 3 points.

The post Nicolas Pepe sees red as Arsenal draw with Leeds appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Arsenal head into Thursday night’s Europa League tie against Dundalk without defender David Luiz. The Brazilian will miss the match through injury leaving Mikel Arteta with only two senior centre-backs available for selection. One of those is Shkodran Mustafi who has recently returned from a spell on the sidelines. Young winger Reiss Nelson may also potentially start as Arteta stated that he “will get the opportunities” after the club backtracked on sending him out on loan. The Gunners travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, therefore the starting eleven will likely feature some fringe players.

It is not anticipated that Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli will drift too far away from the starting line-up he picked for the Molde defeat. Veteran goalkeeper Gary Rodgers is set to return after being rested during Sunday’s defeat to Waterford. Like their opponents, Dundalk also have a decisive game on the horizon. They currently sit in third place, just one point ahead of Waterford. Their next league game is against St. Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday as the season draws to a close.

Mikel Arteta on Dundalk and Filippo Giovagnoli

In his pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Arteta highlighted Dundalk’s strengths: “They’re really well organised, they make it really hard and they will be coming here with incredible passion”. Whilst acknowledging the difference in quality between both sides, Arteta vowed that his team won’t take the game for granted.

Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli’s story has also triggered a degree of fascination from the Arsenal boss. He admitted to watching a long interview with Giovagnoli, because he wanted to learn more about the Italian and his methods. Both managers will soon go head to head, but unfortunately not on the Emirates Stadium touchline. Giovagnoli is yet to attain his UEFA Pro Licence and as a result will have to coach his side from the stands.

Dundalk will want to prove a point on Thursday evening. There is more to their play than ‘passion’. They’re not arriving in London to marvel at Arsenal’s current crop of Premier League players. They need points on the board. As young Dundalk fan Sophie Neary simply put it, “If Jamie Vardy can score against Arsenal then why can’t Pat Hoban score against Arsenal?”. 

Arsenal vs Dundalk kicks off at 8pm this evening and will be available to watch on Virgin Media Two.

The post Arsenal vs Dundalk Match Preview appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.