Popular TV presenter Laura Woods has hit back at former Premier League manager Alan Pardew following his sensational claim that Arsenal deserve an "asterisk" next to their name should they win the title. The Gunners moved seven points clear at the top of the table after a gritty 1-0 win over Brighton, while rivals Manchester City dropped points against Nottingham Forest. Despite the north London side's commanding position, Pardew was left unimpressed by the pragmatic nature of Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach at the Amex Stadium.
Arsenal have taken a massive step toward their first Premier League title in over two decades, but their ascent is drawing heavy criticism for its lack of aesthetic appeal. Following a gritty 1-0 victory over Brighton on Wednesday, former Newcastle and West Ham manager Alan Pardew delivered a scathing assessment of Mikel Arteta’s side.
Mikel Arteta was caught in a tense exchange after being confronted with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler’s scathing assessment of Arsenal’s tactical conduct. The Gunners' narrow victory at the Amex Stadium was overshadowed by accusations of cynical gamesmanship and "making their own rules," leaving the Premier League leaders facing a barrage of criticism despite moving seven points clear at the summit.
Tempers flared at the Amex Stadium as Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler was caught on camera launching a foul-mouthed tirade at Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie. The heated exchange occurred during a tense 1-0 victory for the Gunners, which saw the north London side extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table amidst accusations of dark arts and time-wasting.
Tensions between Brighton and Arsenal exploded after the Gunners secured a gritty victory at the Amex Stadium to bolster their title charge on Wednesday evening. Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler launched a scathing attack on Mikel Arteta's side, accusing them of cynically manipulating the rules and using extreme time-wasting tactics in a match where he suggested only the hosts genuinely attempted to play football.
Bukayo Saka's first-half strike earned Arsenal a crucial 1-0 win at Brighton as they took full advantage of Manchester City's shock 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side were far from their best at the Amex Stadium, but Saka's ninth-minute effort gave them something to hang onto, and with Gabriel Magalhaes colossal at the back they ground out a huge win on what could prove to be a pivotal night in the title race.
Arsenal are being advised to keep faith with Mikel Arteta regardless of what happens in their 2025-26 trophy bids, with former Invincibles squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why nobody could do a better job at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are back in the hunt for the Premier League, as part of a quadruple quest, with their manager determined to turn potential into something more tangible.
Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been blamed for 'ruining football' by a Swiss newspaper following a rise in goals from dead-ball situations this season. The Gunners sit top of the Premier League table and are on course to win their first title since 2004 so long as they hold off the advances of Manchester City, though their style of play under manager Mikel Arteta has been criticised.
Michael Carrick is refusing to wave the white flag in the Premier League title race, insisting that Manchester United could still mount a sensational late charge to catch leaders Arsenal. Since taking the reins as interim head coach in mid-January, the former Red Devils midfielder has overseen a remarkable transformation at Old Trafford, steering the club from seventh place into a commanding position within the top three. The momentum gathered under his leadership has turned a season of damage limitation into one filled with unexpected ambition.
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has issued a firm hands-off warning to Arsenal regarding the future of rising star Pio Esposito. The Nerazzurri chief moved quickly to dismiss growing speculation that the Premier League leaders had made an approach for the highly-rated forward. The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the most talked-about talents in Italian football, inevitably drawing glances from the recruitment departments of Europe’s elite clubs.
As Leon Goretzka prepares to leave Bayern Munich on a free transfer this summer, European giants Arsenal and Inter have emerged as the leading candidates for his signature. The 31-year-old German international has set clear financial demands for his next move, seeking a lucrative three-year contract as he looks to embark on a new chapter in his highly decorated career.
The race for the Premier League crown is reaching its traditional fever pitch, with Arsenal and Manchester City locked in a psychological and tactical battle for supremacy. However, Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has delivered a scathing assessment of the current title contenders, suggesting that the quality of football has plummeted to such a level that neither side deserves to be crowned champions. Despite the narrow gap at the top of the table, the legendary midfielder remains entirely unimpressed by what he has witnessed from the two frontrunners during the current campaign.
Michael Carrick has taken a thinly-veiled pop at Premier League leaders Arsenal by saying there is now too much contact in the penalty area from set pieces. Mikel Arteta's side have scored a league-high 22 goals from set pieces this season, with their strategy to prioritise dead-ball situations fuelling their bid to win a first league title since 2004.
Viktor Gyokeres' first season at Arsenal has been mixed, to put it kindly. Indeed, he only scored seven goals in his first 22 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, which represented a poor return on the club's £63.5 million ($85m) investment in his services. Some felt the Swede was an awkward fit for Mikel Arteta's side, while others went as far as to label Gyokeres one of the worst signings in Premier League history.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has sparked a pre-match row with Arsenal by demanding radical rule changes to combat their perceived time-wasting. Despite leading the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side have faced criticism for their game management and set-piece antics. Hurzeler has now called for more stringent officiating to protect the flow of the game, putting the Gunners’ controversial tactics under the spotlight before the teams face off at the Amex Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been left "deeply unimpressed" by the actions of their new academy scout, Neros Coachman, following a series of controversial social media posts. Coachman, a staunch Arsenal supporter, sparked outrage after joking about his loyalty shortly after officially joining the Lilywhites' backroom staff, with the club now considering action.
Arsenal may have restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, but the performance has raised serious alarm bells. Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has warned Mikel Arteta that he cannot rely on £64 million ($85m) striker Viktor Gyokeres as the title race reaches its boiling point. Despite a recent upturn in form, the Sweden international's consistency remains a major point of contention.
Arsenal fan favourite Riccardo Calafiori has opened up about his transition to life in the Premier League, identifying one particular aspect of London that he finds hard to stomach. The Italian defender, who has become a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s defensive unit, admits that the capital's notorious congestion and the local driving culture have fundamentally altered his daily routine since moving from Serie A.
Arsenal remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple, with former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why the Gunners would not “swap” three of those trophies for a guaranteed Premier League title triumph. The Frenchman is of the opinion that domestic dominance can be restored at Emirates Stadium while collecting multiple pieces of major silverware.
Gary Lineker has sparked a heated debate by naming Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as his pick for PFA Player of the Year, despite Arsenal's Declan Rice being the odds-on favourite. The legendary England striker turned pundit believes the Portuguese international's individual brilliance and tactical intelligence outshine the contributions of those currently fighting for the Premier League title.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has opened up about his deep desire to return to his boyhood club Roma. The 23-year-old Italy international reflected on his sudden departure during Jose Mourinho's tenure following a heavy defeat. Despite his current focus on the Premier League, Calafiori admits he has unfinished business and dreams of celebrating a goal in front of the Curva Sud fans.
Bukayo Saka has been tipped as a surprise candidate to win the Ballon d'Or this year, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink naming the Arsenal star as a potential threat to Harry Kane and Declan Rice for the accolade. The former Chelsea striker believes the winger international is "very close" to his compatriots when it comes to succeeding Michael Owen as the next Englishman to take the crown.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has leapt to the defence of Robert Sanchez despite a shaky performance from the goalkeeper in Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. The Spaniard found himself under intense scrutiny at the Emirates Stadium after misjudging a cross for the Gunners' winning goal, but his manager insists the blame should not rest on one man's shoulders.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, insisting the Gunners must "address and talk about" the growing anxiety that appears to be creeping into their game during the final stages of matches. Despite securing a vital 2-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea on Sunday to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League, the north London side were once again forced to sweat as they survived a frantic period of late pressure at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal icon Martin Keown has hailed the impact of William Saliba this season as the Gunners go in search of their first Premier League title since 2004. Saliba broke into the Arsenal first-team squad in 2022 following a series of loans back in his native France, and has since announced himself as one of the world's best centre-backs.
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Arsenal
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