Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Xavi Simons (Photos: Gualter Slice, Shaun Botterill, Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Tuesday’s victory over Fulham completely encapsulated Arsenal’s season.
There was something positive about Bukayosaka coming back. It supported the entire club. And you had the overwhelming disappointment of seeing Gabriel Magalhais wobble early with a hamstring injury.
That’s how things have been successful at Arsenal since the start of the season. Injuries have just become the theme of the campaign.
And obviously it’s not just Gabriel. They are also Julientimber, Ricardo Calafiori and Ben White. Over the course of a week, Arsenal appears to have managed to lose four defenders with the biggest two games of the season approaching massive scale.
Mikel Arteta tried to put a positive spin on things all season after the game. He never asked to use his injury as an excuse, but he must be wondering what he did to deserve all the misfortunes that came this season.
Saka’s return was a wonderful moment. The excitement that swept the stadium around as he stood up just for a warm-up showed just how much he was overlooked.
And it was incredible that he was coming and ending up scoring the winner. He’s just writing his own script.
It’s a huge deal for Arsenal to bring him back, and he looks very sharp with Gabriel Martinelli.
However, the current problem is now a major concern. We don’t know the extent of Gabriel, lumber and white injuries yet, but I don’t think they are all suitable for playing against Madrid.
In Gabriel’s case, it’s a hamstring issue and given that it’s a big blow, I feel it’s impossible to think he can function very quickly.
However, I have to say that the potential issues with wood are even more worrying. If he and White both miss out, that would mean Thomas Party on the right back with Vinicius junior, which would be a big problem for Arsenal.
The timing is very disappointing.
It would have been great to see Gabriel and William Saliba against Madrid’s attack. It was a challenge they should have enjoyed, so it’s a shame that they’ve now been taken away from seeing it.
I don’t know what Arteta will do, but I think it all depends on what happens with wood and white. But the most likely option is that Jakub Kiwior will come in and partner Saliba will come.
It’s been a tough season for Poland International so far, but his opportunities are limited. But this is a chance to make yourself a hero.
I think anyone at Arsenal would think that the second leg of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey Ray Ray Semi-Final had an interest in seeing its connection with Real Sociedad on Tuesday night.
Yes, as always, they found a way to win the tie, but the fact that they admitted four goals at home shows that there are weaknesses that Arsenal can exploit.
I see that team and think Arsenal can fly down the flank. Gabriel Martinelli was excellent against Fulham. If he can attack with such energy and intentions against Madrid, he will cause a major problem with the right side, which he recently tends to use that right back.
It’s still not known if Bukayosaka fits well enough to start the first leg, but if he is, he can also cause problems for them. Real had Eduardo Camabinga on the left back against Sociedaddo. I don’t think he’ll play there against Arsenal, but if he does, you can bet that Saka will try to target him.
So Arsenal has a chance. Reality is clearly a favorite, especially with the issues Arsenal has on his back.
I think it’s really difficult for Arsenal without Gabriel, especially when the wood is out. Both fit, so I think Arsenal has a chance without both, but I think Madrid’s great firepower is enough to see them.
You never thought of it, this is soccer after all. There is always a chance.
After Andrea Berta’s appointment, it was interesting to see the new link to Viktor Gyokeres this week.
David Ornstein reported on Athletic that Sweden International has further raised its list of potential striker targets for gunners ahead of the summer transfer period.
Interest in Gyoker has always been there, but it has been relatively lukewarm lately. So it’s interesting that he now appears to have been heated up when Berta arrives.
We need to see if that goes beyond that, but I do feel that Mikel Arteta has probably got other targets in mind, so I think that certainly shows the impact of Berta.
I know that his dream signature is Alexander Isaac, but that is completely unrealistic to me, and the last thing Arsenal needs this summer is for them to chase after a highly unlikely target.
Therefore, Arteta may need to be persuasive when it comes to focusing on other targets. Berta clearly plays a big role.
He clearly likes Gyoker, given the previous link he saw between the striker and Atletico Madrid, so it makes sense that he will start taking him to North London.
From a personal point of view, I think I prefer him over Benjamin Sesco.
I like Sesco from what I saw about him and I wouldn’t be disappointed if he became an Arsenal land striker, but I’m more confident that Gyoker hits the ground.
I like how direct he is. It’s all about scoring a goal with him. Yes, I have doubts as to whether he can maintain the shape he produced in Portugal in the Premier League, but I am sure he will score a goal here.
Of course, he won’t earn the same amount as Portugal, but I still see him as having the ability to be extremely capable of with Arsenal.
I’m a huge fan of Xavi Simons. He is again linked to Arsenal. He is the player they’ve seen in the past.
He’s the type of player I really think they need to add to the team. So I hope their offensive reinforcements this summer don’t stop with the strikers.
I think that needs more than that. Whether it’s another out-and-out left winger or a playmaker type like Simons, it can play a wider role behind the forwards.
Given that Arsenal needs to commit at least £120 million or so to a new striker and a new midfielder, perhaps Martin Zubimendi, he will certainly be over £60 million, beyond what you think.
The new backup keeper will also need to be protected, making it a summer when Arsenal will see big spending in the transfer market.
Whether it is possible to push the boat out for Simons or for similar people can depend heavily on whether they can bring some money from the sale.
Like I said, this team is screaming for the unpredictability in the offense, so I think it’s worth it. Someone who can’t do anything in the last third.
Simons shows he can do it, and Ebebeki Eze is another thing I think is good.