A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Cesc Fabregas reveals what Mikel Arteta’s side ‘cannot afford’ to do in the Premier League title race ahead of facing Liverpool.
Jack Wilshere looks to quit Arsenal U18 role after applying for Aberdeen vacancy
Hale End hero Jack Wilshere is looking to leave his position as the head coach of the Arsenal Under-18 side and move into first-team management at Aberdeen. The Daily Record reports that the 32-year-old is one of several gaffers to apply for the Dons’ recently opened position.
Aberdeen are on the hunt for a new manager after firing Barry Robson this Wednesday. The Scottish Premiership side have given Peter Leven the reigns on a caretaker basis and sealed a 1-1 draw with Celtic on Saturday. But many coaches have applied to take over at Pittodrie.
Neil Lennon, Neil Warnock and Leven are among the potential candidates to replace Robson at Pittodrie. But Wilshere has also applied for Aberdeen’s vacant manager’s post as he looks to move into first-team coaching following 18 months in charge of Arsenal’s academy squad.
Read more about Wilshere’s interest in leaving Arsenal’s academy for Aberdeen, here.
Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal are ‘a bit short’ of quality academy players
Arsenal coach Arteta admits the Gunners are ‘a bit short’ of academy players who are at the ‘level required’ for his first-team. The Spaniard has batted off criticism that he does not trust young players. He believes those in Hale End and their U21s are not ready for the first-team.
Arteta has fielded 26 players in the Emirates Stadium natives’ 32 fixtures in all competitions so far this term. But six of those – including the injury-hit Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber – have made five or fewer appearances. Only Charles Sagoe Jr is also a current youth talent.
Sagoe Jr made his first-team debut when Arsenal beat Brentford in the Carabao Cup back in September. He has since only featured on the bench in a further two fixtures. Another eight youngsters have also made Arteta’s bench at least once but are yet to feature this season.
Yet Arteta is adamant that he and Arsenal want to continue their tradition of creating rather than buying first-team stars. But, first, the Spaniard needs those keen to rise from the youth squads to prove they are able to make a difference when – or if – they are given the chance.
“We certainly want to do that,” Arteta noted in his press conference. “First of all, we need to produce those talents and they have to earn it. Secondly, they have to be in the positions that we need fulfilling.
“Everything has to come together and we are working on that. We have a few prospects which are not far away but the reality is we want more. Today, to give the opportunities to play in the first-team at the level required, we are a bit short.”
Read more about what Arteta has had to say about giving youth players a chance, here.
Cesc Fabregas admits what Arsenal ‘cannot afford’ to do in the title race
Former Arsenal captain Fabregas has warned Arteta that the Gunners ‘cannot afford’ to drop any more points in the Premier League title race ahead of hosting Liverpool. The Reds return to Emirates Stadium this Sunday, having won 2-0 in north London in the FA Cup this January.
Liverpool visit Arsenal leading the Gunners by five points, with Jurgen Klopp’s side also atop the table. Arteta’s squad are even behind Manchester City on goal difference, having played an extra game. So, Fabregas feels it is now do-or-die time for Arsenal with 16 matches to go.
Fabregas said on the BBC’s Planet Premier League: “I think, knowing Mikel a little bit, that he will want to win. It’s a big opportunity for them to just close the gap.
“From my opinion, I would say that they will really go for it and they will try to close the gap as soon as possible. Because now, it’s starting to be the time where the Premier League gets decided. Who will be the last two or three teams at the top until the end?
“Arsenal cannot afford to drop any more points. It is early in the season but it’s where you’re starting to see or feel who the real champions are. Who are the ones who will be able to hold on until the end or not?”
Read more about what Fabregas has had to say about Arsenal and the title race, here.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
