Arsenal currently lead the Premier League and are also in good form in the Champions League. As an added plus, one of their expensive summer signings has found a scoring source again.
Victor Goqueres broke a seven-game goal drought with a fast-break double as Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League. Gabriel took the lead with a header, sparking a run of goals 14 minutes after half-time. Gabriel Martinelli added a second goal in the 64th minute before Gokeres scored the third and fourth goals, leaving Diego Simeone’s side stunned. Next up for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are three points clear at the top of the Premier League, is an away game against Crystal Palace. Express Sports brings you the latest news and views from the red side of north London…
Arteta has said what he has to do
Former Gunners forward Jeremy Aliadier has declared that Arteta knows he needs to bring a trophy to the Emirates this season. Despite the Spaniard re-establishing Arsenal as a domestic and European powerhouse, there is only one trophy to his name so far – the FA Cup in 2020.
After a summer of heavy investment to address the club’s previous lack of depth, there is no excuse for Arteta not to win something, ideally the Premier League or Champions League or both.
Aliadier, who played under Arsene Wenger from 2001 to 2007, told WhichBookie: “It’s natural for Mikel Arteta to say we need to win trophies this season and I think he knows it himself. He has had the support of everyone at the club over the years and they have given him all the tools and players he needs.”
“They fulfilled their promise and now he has to fulfill his promise. If you look at the current Arsenal team, it’s probably the best in the Premier League.
“In the last few years, he’s been a close second, but now he understands what he has to do to win. “From what I’ve seen this season, he’s starting to do things differently in terms of rotating the team and making changes to change the game.
“I don’t see any negatives at the moment. I think this will be the season when Arsenal finally win the Premier League.”
Rivals compete for a 10-word verdict
The prospect of Arsenal finally breaking this season’s trophy drought looks encouraging, especially considering Simeone’s valuation. Atletico Madrid’s manager gave Arsenal 10 words after his team’s defeat.
Atlético have recently played against Liverpool and Real Madrid, and Simeone said of the Gunners: “They are the best team we have played against this season.”
He added: “They are very competitive, the players keep running and they have quality all over the pitch. They deserved to win today and I would like to congratulate them.”
“It’s a learning curve. We need to keep improving. I thought from the beginning we played really well. From the 60th minute they were the better team and deserved the win.”
