Premier League leaders Arsenal have a big few weeks up ahead after a victory at Aston Villa on Saturday helped Mikel Arteta’s team return to the top of the league table
Arsenal fans may well have been allowing themselves a weekend of celebration after watching their team return to the summit of the Premier League.
The Gunners left it late to claim their first win in four, with two stoppage time goals giving them a 4-2 victory away to Aston Villa. Title rivals Manchester City had a chance to retake top spot, only to flounder away at Nottingham Forest.
There is plenty to discuss in the aftermath of a dramatic weekend, in which the treatment of star man Bukayo Saka was the subject of some debate. Here are the latest lines from north London.
Arteta sent transfer message
It would take a huge offer for Arsenal-linked midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, the player’s father has admitted. World Cup winner Mac Allister is likely to have a number of suitors, though Brighton were able to fend off January interest in the Argentina star.
“We all know that in July there will be possibilities to be able to leave,” Carlos Mac Allister told TyC Sports. “But prior to the World Cup, Alexis renewed his contract so that the club also has the opportunity of an important transfer, so that a lot can reach Brighton. It is the idea.”
Mac Allister, 24, is under contract with Brighton until 2025 with the club holding an option to extend the deal by an extra year. Chelsea and Liverpool have also been linked with a move, though the former Argentinos man said in January he was in no rush to leave Brighton.
Jorginho influence felt
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has spoken about the Gunners’ ability to tap into the winning mentality of January signing Jorginho. The Italy international, who had a part to play in the crucial third goal against Aston Villa, was part of his country’s Euro 2020 winning squad and lifted the Champions League with former club Chelsea.
Jorginho’s shot hit the woodwork and bounced in off Emi Martinez to help give Arsenal victory at Villa Park ( Image: Jon Super/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
“These are people which us young boys can tap into their minds,” Ramsdale said, after Jorginho joined former Premier League winner Oleksandr Zinchenko in the starting XI on Saturday. “They have won major things and, when we have had a tough week where we lost, it could be quite easy for some of us young boys to feel nervous.
“That’s probably what it was in the first 45 minutes maybe. We just got told to go back to basics, play our game, and that’s what happened.
“It’s good for them to get on the scoresheet, Alex needed to after the first goal. You see the passion which those two show and with only being at the club for a month and six months. It shows what group we’ve got.”
Saka celebration explained
Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal’s first goal at Villa Park on Saturday
Bukayo Saka has explained his celebration on Saturday was a nod to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Saka scored the first of the Gunners’ four goals at Villa Park, lashing home a first-half effort, and responded by resting on the corner flag.
The day after the game, the England international shared a photo of his celebration along with a similar one for Henry during his time with the French national side. “Honouring the King” was the accompanying caption, along with a crown emoji.
After the game, Arteta made a point to play down any injury worries surrounding Saka. “He’s fine, he got kicked quite a lot today again, but he’s going to have to deal with that, not every week, but every three days and sometimes in training as well because it’s his game and teams are not stupid and they want to stop him,” the manager said.
