Bukayo Saka delivers, fan unrest and a key player dropped – five Arsenal predictions for the rest of 24/25 season

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal will be hoping that their mid-season break to Dubai can banish the memory of their Carabao Cup semi final defeat to Newcastle United.

Mikel Arteta was taunted by the Newcastle crowd during the Carabao Cup defeat and will be hoping the break to Dubai can re-invigorate his players ahead of the next Premier League clash with Leicester City.

Martin Odegaard has not given up on the title but Arsenal will need to ensure they hit the ground running upon return to England with some crucial fixtures coming up.

Ben White has returned to first team training in a timely boost for Arteta but the Gunners manager will know how important the next few months will be for his young side.

READ MORE: How Pep Guardiola has boosted Mikel Arteta’s chances of landing Arsenal the Premier League title

Five Arsenal predictions for the rest of the 2024-25 season

As the club embark on their mid-season break, their fortunes are delicately poised in both the Premier League and Champions League. Here are five predictions for what could unfold in the rest of the campaign.

Bukayo Saka will boost Arsenal’s attack on return from injury

Bukayo Saka is due to return from a hamstring injury at the beginning of March however, the winger’s return could not come soon enough for everyone involved with the club.

His absence has been felt majorly amongst the team with players dipping in form in his absence and Arsenal looking toothless at times in front of goal.

Saka has scored nine goals and created 13 assists already this season and will be eager to return to help his team. It would be of no surprise to anyone if Saka vastly improves those numbers in a burst towards the end of the season.

Martin Odegaard to be dropped from Arsenal’s starting eleven

Martin Odegaard is one of Arsenal’s most important players and the captain’s absence was really felt at the start of the season.

However, Odegaard has shared his frustration at his lack of goals this season and his overall game has been below his usual high standards. The Norwegian has just three goals this season and games have passed the midfielder by far too often as of late.

The emergence of Ethan Nwaneri could provide Arteta with another option in the creative midfield role should Odegaard’s form continue to dip and the Hale End graduate cannot be held back any longer.

A red card will cost Arsenal in a vital match

Red cards have been the story of Arsenal’s season so far. Declan Rice against Brighton, Leandro Trossard at the Etihad and the latest being Myles Lewis-Skelly having his red card overturned against Wolves.

At times. the Gunners have no doubt been hard done by however, the fact cannot be denied that the players are giving referees opportunities to make these controversial decisions.

Arteta’s side need to tread a careful discipline tightrope between now and the end of the season but history may suggest that this will be difficult for the team and it could cost them at a crucial moment in their season.

Missed chances cost Arsenal in a vital Champions League knockout tie

Theo Walcott believes Arsenal are set up to win the Champions League and the Gunners have the second best defensive record in the competition, having conceded only one goal from open play the entire competition.

However, the knockout stages bring new challenges and as the quality of opposition starts to increase, Arsenal will be tested both defensively and whether they can be clinical in attack.

Arsenal fans believe Odegaard’s miss cost them the Carabao Cup against Newcastle but the captain is certainly not the only culprit guilty of missing golden chances in recent weeks.

Such moments are going to become few and far between the deeper Arteta’s men go into the competition and so far this season, they haven’t shown they are capable of grasping those moments.

Fan unrest as Arsenal finish trophyless once again

Arsenal fans were left angry as Arsenal failed to make a January signing despite pleas to the board from the manager and several players to strengthen the squad.

Arteta and the players have done, are doing and will do everything for the club to succeed however, they have been let down by the owners Stan and Josh Kroenke with their lack of ambition and support.

Arsenal will ultimately end this season trophyless once again as they just do not have the firepower required to win the trophies left on offer. Frustrations from the fans are more than warranted however, that anger should be directed at the club’s hierarchy rather than the manager and players.