A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Brazil omit a Gunners ace from their March squad and Mikel Arteta reveals what the manager has seen from his players ‘lately’.
Arsenal ace White admits he is ‘not the best’ in one key area
Right-back Ben White has admitted the Arsenal man is ‘not the best’ defender in one-v-one scenarios but will do ‘anything’ to win. The 26-year-old has also enhanced his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most canny operators this season with his antics on set-pieces.
Nicolas Jover, the set-piece expert in Arsenal’s coaching staff, often has White stand beside an opponent’s goalkeeper. But the Poole native also regularly trips and nudges opponents to give the Gunners any edge. It all helps Arteta’s squad to be the most lethal dead-ball side.
Through the first 26 games of the 2023/24 Premier League term, no squad had scored more goals from set-pieces than Arsenal with 18. And White relishes his duty in helping the north London club excel, be it by blocking goalkeepers or tripping wingers where White is weakest.
He explained to the Evening Standard: “Maybe others don’t see it, but if I lost the runner or if I don’t do that, they will probably score. It comes back to doing anything to win.
“I know I’m not going to stop everyone and I know I’m not the best one-v-one defender. But I know I can do things to help the team in game situations against their winger.
“Every game, normally the winger is the best player. So, it’s always a challenge and I have to do my homework and try and stop him. There’s all sorts [happening at set-pieces], standing on your feet, elbows. It’s okay. I just have to stand in the way and see what happens.”
Read more about what White has had to say about his role in Arsenal’s team, here.
Arteta reveals what he has only seen from Arsenal ‘lately’
Arsenal boss Arteta admits the Gunners have only been ‘ruthless’ in front of the goal ‘lately’ and must maintain it. The Emirates Stadium side have been ferocious in the final third since their January winter break. They have scored 25 goals in six games to just three conceded.
Thrashing Crystal Palace 5-0, West Ham United 6-0, Burnley 5-0 and Newcastle United 4-1 in that run has also taken Arsenal’s goal difference to another level. The north London club now boast a +39 record, which Arteta admits will be crucial in the Premier League title race.
“Yes for sure,” Arteta said, via quotes by the Mirror. “First of all you have to earn the right to win the games and then we want to be ruthless and efficient in front of goal. Lately, I think we’ve been really good.
“In the last 15 or 20 minutes against Newcastle, we could maybe have done a bit more. And we have to continue to do that, especially when you bring the subs in because they can re-energise the team and continue at a really high level.”
Read more about what Arteta has had to say about Arsenal’s attack ‘lately’, here.
Brazil omit a Gunners star from their March international squad
Brazil have included Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli in Dorival Junior’s first squad but omitted Gabriel Jesus from their March internationals. The Selecao will meet England and Spain on March 23 and 26. But Jesus will watch his compatriots from his home.
It is the first time since Ramon Menezes left Jesus on their sidelines last June that the striker has not made his country’s camp. Brazil have decided to leave the 26-year-old out following his latest spell on the sidelines through injury. Although Jesus has overcome his knee injury.
The 64-cap Sao Paulo native has not played in a Premier League match since he scored and assisted against Nottingham Forest in January. Arteta opted against risking Jesus as Arsenal beat Newcastle and left him on their bench despite overcoming an aggravation of his injury.
Read more about Brazil omitting Arsenal striker Jesus from their latest squad, here.
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