Arsenal straight into the 2024/25 UCL knockout stages

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The Gunners secured qualification for the next rounds of UCL football after beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium last week. They needed at least a point to be sure of automatic entry into the knockout phase, and they got just that with their 2-1 win over Girona on Wednesday night.

Arsenal made their trip to Spain after Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Wolves. The many changes in Micheal Arteta’s line-up saw Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard start up-front. Jorginho, Martin Odegaard, and Mikel Merino held the midfield as Gabriel Magalhāes and Jakob Kiwior held the center back. Thomas Partey and Ricardo Calafori started at the wings. The player rotations were necessary for a Gunner side who were sure of qualification and will face a tougher opponent – Manchester City on the weekend.

The Spanish outfits struck first before the half-hour mark. Captain Juanpe made a wonderful assist by slipping the ball forward for Danjuma to run onto. The winger had most of the Arsenal half to race into but his task was made considerably easier by the presence of Neto who was stationed 10 yards outside of his box and in no position to beat Danjuma to the ball. The Bournemouth loanee who represents the injured David Raya survived a direct red which would have come if he had stopped the ball outside his box with his hands. Danjuma’s attempt beat Neto and made it to the back of the net to hand the home side the lead.

Girona were already eliminated on their first taste of Champions League football and squandered their early lead when Thomas Partey was fouled in their box. Jorginho stepped up and did what he did best, beating Pau Lopez with an ice-cold penalty in the 38th minute. It was the Italian’s first goal since scoring against Lens in the 2023/24 Champions League season.

Ethan Nwaneri extended Arsenal’s lead just before halftime and became the second-youngest English goalscorer in the competition (17 years, 314 days) after Jude Bellingham (17 years, 289 days vs. Manchester City in April 2021). The wonderkid played with so much maturity that could strongly rival Bukaryo Saka for the right-wing position this season. After receiving the pass from Trossard, he made a short shrift, dashing infield to beat three defenders before sending a lovely, guided finish curling into the corner. His goal will turn out to be the decisive result for the visitors after both sides failed to score throughout the 2nd half.

Arsenal missed many opportunities and chances that could have expanded the goal gap in the second half, but none could beat Raheem Sterling’s penalty miss in stoppage time. Their victory solidified their third-place finish in the Champions League with 19 points. They finished just below leaders Liverpool and Barcelona who beat them with the goal difference. Inter Milan also finished with 19 points but were beaten to the second and third place on goal difference too.

Out of the four participating English teams in the competition, three made it to the Round of 16 (Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa) while Manchester City would be heading to the playoffs for a spot at the knockout stages.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Mikel Arteta’s side continues their incredible season in the Champions League, Premier League, and Carabao Cup. Their third-place finish in the UCL League phase means they will face the winners of a play-off match featuring teams in 13th or 14th and 19th or 20th.  The teams currently in those positions are AC Milan (13th), PSV Eindhoven (14th), Feyenoord (19th) and Juventus (20th).

In the domestic League, they are six points behind League leaders Liverpool who still have a game in hand and just three to five points behind chasers Nottingham Forest and Manchester City (who they play next). In the Carabao Cup, they fell 2-0 to Newcastle at home ground and will now be faced with the possible task of beating Eddie Howe’s side in their backyard in the 2nd Leg. Here are Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures in the domestic League:

Arsenal vs. Manchester City (Sunday 2nd February, English Premier League) [5:30 PM]

Newcastle United vs. Arsenal (Wednesday 5th February, English Carabao Cup – 2nd Leg) [9:00 PM]

Leicester City vs. Arsenal (Saturday 15th February, English Premier League) [1:30 PM]

Arsenal vs. West Ham United (Saturday 22nd February, English Premier League) [4:00 PM]

Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal (Wednesday 26th February, English Premier League) [8:30 PM]

ARSENAL’S BID FOR WATKINS REJECTED

The transfer deadline is fast approaching and every team is on their heels to make the opportunity worth it. Arsenal continue to be in the market for a striker and are believed to have had a shock £60 million bid for Ollie Watkins rejected. 

This follows Jhon Duran’s increasing push to leave the club after remaining on the sidelines for most of the season. Saudi outfit Al Nassr has reportedly struck a deal with the Columbia striker to feature in the Saudi Pro League. This will leave the club more retentive to their current squad to avoid several changes at such a critical time in the season.

Ollie Watkins has been a consistent performer for Aston Villa even before Unai Emery took charge of the club. The English striker has scored 10 goals in 23 games for Villa in the Premier League this season and remains a huge part of their campaign in Europe. Ollie Watkins scored in Aston Villa’s 4-2 win on Matchday 8 in the UCL to give the English side the last spot in the Round of 16 where they would likely face Sporting CP, Club Brugge, Atlanta, or Borussia Dortmund. Watkins’ position on the transfer saga is yet unclear as the striker was seen kissing the club’s emblem after his goal on Wednesday night.

Aston Villa boss – Unai Emery confirmed after the Champions League game that he wanted to keep Watkins at Villa Park and appeared to lay down a warning to his former side – Arsenal over their pursuit of the striker ahead of Monday’s deadline. In the statement, he said:

“I don’t want [him to leave],” It is good news to have an offer from other clubs or interest. It is good.”

The Gunners have ongoing links with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Nico Williams, and it also appears Mathys Tel is now of interest too after the young forward decided to leave Bayern Munich. Sverre Nypan could be their first signing this transfer window as confidence grows over an agreed deal.

MYLES LEWIS RED CARD AND BAN OVERTURNED

Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly has had his three-match suspension overturned following a successful appeal. The ban was initially given after he received a red card during Arsenal’s match against Wolves on Saturday. However, an independent regulatory commission upheld Arsenal’s claim of wrongful dismissal, as confirmed by the Football Association.

The 18-year-old was sent off by referee Micheal Oliver for a challenge on Matt Doherty. The incident occurred in the 43rd minute when Doherty was leading a counter-attack just outside the Wolves penalty area leaving the Gunners to play the remainder of the game with 10-men. Notably, the decision was initially upheld by VAR official Darren England.

Later in the match, Wolves were also reduced to 10 men after Joao Gomes received a second yellow card in the 70th minute. Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s goal in the 74th minute.

GET AVAILABLE ARSENAL TICKETS!

Get Arsenal tickets which are rapidly selling out and be part of the Live action across Europe. The Gunner’s performances are giving us a glimpse of silverware and you wouldn’t want to miss this for anything.

Mark your calendar and reserve seats for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Official sites are screaming “Sold Out” due to high demand for these tickets, and alternative marketplaces remain your Go-to spot for securing a place for you and your loved ones in the games you love.

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