Arsenal will look to build on their win over Nottingham Forest when they return to Champions League action on Tuesday against Sporting CP with three points well-needed from the tie
The week always begins better after a Premier League victory but Arsenal have little time to reflect on their healthy win over Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners put three points on the table away at the City Ground and find themselves in the top four, nine points behind league-leaders Liverpool but just one behind Manchester City. The relentless pace of the winter period begins in earnest however and preparations must already begin for Champions League action.
Mikel Arteta’s side must ready themselves for a trip to Portugal where they will be entertained by Sporting CP. The Primeira Liga side are without new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, but have shown their calibre when they thrashed Manchester earlier this month.
Arsenal will hope to build some momentum with just seven points from 12 on the table so far in Europe as they look to avoid additional qualification matches for the knockout stages. With that said, Mirror Football looks at the latest news surrounding the club.
Odegaard makes the difference
Riccardo Calafiori has not been at Arsenal long but already he can tell the difference between when Martin Odegaard is involved. The Gunners captain has missed much of the season with injury and his return has already sparked hope that Arsenal’s attacking play is once again unlocked.
The Italian defender named Odegaard, alongside Bukayo Saka as offering something intangible in addition to their production that has made them irreplaceable.
“I can’t tell you one thing but you can feel it whether he is on or off the pitch. You can feel it when he’s missing. He gives us a lot of energy and quality. Him and Bukayo, what they did was unbelievable. It’s good to have them back.”
Pressure on Arsenal
Gary Neville has piled the pressure on Arsenal and declared the Gunners must take advantage of the opportunity handed to them by Manchester City’s recent form. Arsenal sit a point behind City in the Premier League but the title-holders have lost four games in a row in all competitions after defeat to Tottenham.
Former Manchester United defender Neville suggests that City are suffering from more than a simple loss of form and noted that Arsenal have no excuses moving forwards.
“This feels like if you’re Arsenal, if you’re Liverpool – who I think are the two genuine teams that can win the title other than Manchester City – you must not get carried away but feel ‘hang on a minute, there’s no excuses here now’,” said Neville.
“I’m looking more at Arsenal with that statement, really. I think anyone at the start of the season who would have said Arne Slot would come in and do what he’s done, I would have thought ‘No, that’s not quite going to happen.’
“This was Arsenal’s season if it wasn’t going to be City’s. So I think the pressure is really on Arsenal now to step up and go for it. They’ve had a good start with the 3-0 [win over Forest].”
Arsenal open contract talks
Arsenal have opened contract talks with Ethan Nwaneri according to reports. The teenage talent scored his first Premier League goal against Nottingham Forest at the weekend amid is growing rise.
Nwaneri signed his first professional deal with the club earlier this year and will be unable to renew his contract until he turns 18. However, Fabrizio Romano claims talks are underway so that the talented midfielder can be rewarded for his progress.
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