Saka news ends title hopes?

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A roundup of this weeks top stories

• Bukayo Saka undergoes hamstring surgery, expected to be out for "more than two months"
• Fabio Viera not being recalled...apparently
• Kai Havertz nets winner in new advanced midfield role
• Arsenal interested in Wolves Cunha
• Raheem Sterling expected to return sooner than initially feared
• Arsenal lead Premier League with most six-yard box goals (13)
• Lewis Skelly continues impressive form, earning praise from Arteta

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Latest News

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Saka Out For Months

Eduardo Hagn @EduardoHagn 🚨 JUST IN… 😢 Bukayo Saka on Instagram. 🫡 “The majority see obstacles, but few see the opportunities. Recovery has begun and I'm coming back stronger!” “Thank you all for your messages.” #GodsPlan 6:28 PM • Dec 28, 2024 963 Retweets 11917 Likes Read 257 replies

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We Need To Make A Move In Jan

Connor Humm @TikiTakaConnor Arteta on being active in the January market: “We don’t know. We will see. Hopefully we won’t have anymore injuries. We’ll have Raheem [Sterling] probably less time than we expected so that’s good news.” https://twitter.com/tikitakaconnor/status/1872773210057654343 Connor Humm @TikiTakaConnor Arteta says he expects Raheem Sterling back sooner than expected from his injury. 10:37 PM • Dec 27, 2024 33 Retweets 427 Likes Read 32 replies

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Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano 🚨🔴⚪️ Mikel Arteta on January signings: “If something unbelievable is there and the club are willing to do it… we will have to consider it”. 2:23 PM • Dec 27, 2024 903 Retweets 16796 Likes Read 351 replies

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Fabio Not Being Recalled, For Now

Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano 🚨🐉 Porto manager confirms reports of Fábio Vieira being recalled by Arsenal are wide of mark. “Fabio knows me well and we are counting on him. He will be available to play again next week”. 9:1 AM • Dec 29, 2024 619 Retweets 9715 Likes Read 249 replies

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The Rumours

DailyAFC @DailyAFC 🚨UPDATE: It seems very likely that Fabio Vieira has been recalled by Arsenal, during his loan spell at Porto. 👀🔙 A private jet departed from Porto this morning, and headed to London. 🛬🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 [@PortoReport] https://twitter.com/dailyafc/status/1873099078122520772 DailyAFC @DailyAFC 🚨BREAKING: Fabio Vieira has been EXCLUDED from the matchday squad as Porto face Boavista tonight, for technical reasons. ❌😬 [@ojogo] 9:40 PM • Dec 28, 2024 490 Retweets 6204 Likes Read 119 replies

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Arsenal Want Cunha?

AFTV @AFTVMedia Would you like to see Arsenal make a move for the Brazilian? 🇧🇷 2:0 PM • Dec 27, 2024 95 Retweets 2459 Likes Read 104 replies

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Trophies > Stats

OptaJoe @OptaJoe 7 - No side has kept more clean sheets (7) or conceded fewer goals (16) in the Premier League this season than Arsenal, while the Gunners have kept a shutout in four successive home matches in the competition for the first time since December 2021. Mentality. 10:14 PM • Dec 27, 2024 498 Retweets 2686 Likes Read 29 replies

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Thoughts?

Sam Dean @SamJDean Kai Havertz is now up to 12 goals in 25 club appearances this campaign. For all those people who say Arsenal need to sign a 20-goal striker... well, Havertz is set to go beyond that mark this season. #AFC 8:41 PM • Dec 27, 2024 300 Retweets 4069 Likes Read 146 replies

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Myles Lewis-Skelly Analysis

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Press-Baiting and Control

• Uses body positioning to lure opponents in before spinning away
• Shields the ball effectively, drawing fouls and bypassing multiple defenders
• Maintains composure in crowded areas, offering valuable press resistance

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Multifaceted Role

• Comfortable operating as an inverted left-back or as a left-sided midfielder
• Excels in both deeper and more advanced positions, adapting to match requirements
• Balances ambition in forward play with reliable circulation when deeper in the pivot

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Brave Ball Progression

• Continuously looks to penetrate through dribbles and incisive passing
• Links defence to midfield or midfield to attack with line-breaking carries
• Displays the willingness to receive under pressure and pick out creative options

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Ideal for Arteta’s Diamond

• Retains possession amid pressure while still taking risks at the right moments
• Suits a fluid system, dropping to help build play or pushing higher to link with forwards
• Offers a blend of energy, technique and positional versatility in the left centre-mid role

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Physical and Mental Maturity

• Shows a level of calmness and awareness beyond his age
• Combines athleticism with a determined mindset, enabling him to cope in tough duels
• Earns trust from staff, teammates and supporters through reliability in possession

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Squawka Live @Squawka_Live Myles Lewis-Skelly's first half by numbers: 48/49 passes completed 6/8 duels won 2/2 take-ons completed 2 fouls won 1 chance created 1 tackle He's been superb. 👏 #ARSIPS 9:8 PM • Dec 27, 2024 638 Retweets 6415 Likes Read 28 replies

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Brentford vs Arsenal Preview

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Where to watch & time

Date: 01 January 2025

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UK

17:30

TNT Sport​

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US

12:30 PM ET

fubo TV, NBC sports, USA Network, Universo

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Scout Report

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Brentford Team News:

• Flekken and Mee doubtful
• Seven players confirmed out through injury
• Predicted XI: Valdimarsson; Roerslev, Collins, Kim, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa

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Arsenal Team News:

• Saka, White, Tomiyasu, Sterling confirmed out
• Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard

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My View

“ I hope you all had a Merry Christmas & thank you for your support. Saka news looks really bad and for me makes our title chances out of sight unless we do something in January. Our over-reliance on Saka is a big problem and we seem to get the biggest injuries one after another. I still have a glimmer of hope but will need your optimism to stay afloat!!! ​ Let me know if you think im going crazy but this year looks like Liverpool will coast to a title which burns - we need to win 10 more points then them from now to end of season, without Saka.... — Cordell Hayes

Arsenal Vs Ipswitch Review

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3 Things We Learned From The Game

1. Arsenal's control without creativity: Dominated possession (68%) but struggled to create clear chances against low block
2. Skelly entices defenders, using spins, body positioning and incisive passes to break lines.
3. Defensive solidity continues: Fourth consecutive home clean sheet, best defensive record in the league with only 16 goals conceded

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Cordell Hayes Editor/Owner