Arsenal’s Premier League title charge lays in the balance as Mikel Arteta’s side encounter both positive and negative news ahead of facing Newcastle
Arsenal will be aiming to reclaim top spot in the Premier League on Saturday following their midweek dethronement. Manchester City’s victory at Burnley on Wednesday not only confirmed the Clarets’ relegation from England’s elite but propelled them to top spot in the table.
Nevertheless, the title battle remains firmly open between the leading duo with five fixtures remaining. The Gunners can at least temporarily regain pole position with a home victory over Newcastle while City turn their attention to an FA Cup semi-final clash against Southampton.
There’s reason for optimism despite recent struggles, even though Mikel Arteta’s squad are clearly short of momentum. There are contrasting developments to consider both on and off the pitch as football.london analyses the latest news emerging from the Emirates Stadium.
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Neville and Keane disagree with Rice refusal
Following the setback against City last Sunday, one player on the Etihad pitch refused to concede the title race has been settled. Declan Rice was spotted telling team-mates the title conversation is “not done” in a defiant refusal to simply roll over and accept fate.
City manager Pep Guardiola interpreted Rice’s remarks as evidence of Arsenal’s robust mentality and proof the title race remains alive. Manchester United icons Roy Keane and Gary Neville hold contrasting views, though, regardless of how embattled Rice may have looked.
Neither believes the Gunners squad possesses the capability to unsettle City at this crucial juncture. Discussing the incident on Stick to Football, Neville said: “No, if I was watching Declan Rice nearly in tears, and saying it’s not done, I’d be thinking you’re done. ‘It’s not done, It’s not done.’ I look at him and think he’s done…
“It’s a good response, I’m just saying I didn’t feel confident. I’m a big fan of his and I said potentially last week that he would grip that game.”
To that, Keane abruptly responded: “And did he? Did he?” Neville acknowledged it was actually the City duo of Rodri and Bernardo Silva who dominated proceedings.
Piling on further, Keane continued: “Exactly, exactly. You have to win that middle-of-the-park battle.”
Guardiola admired Rice’s mindset and suggested it exemplified precisely why Arsenal are competing for the title in the first place. That said, it’s difficult to dispute the perception that the Premier League now looks like City’s to surrender in the forthcoming weeks.
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Mingueza likely to leave on free
On the transfer front, Arteta has received an encouraging boost in his reported pursuit of Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza. His fellow Barcelona academy product is out of contract at the end of the campaign and is said to be attracting interest from several clubs, Arsenal being one of them.
Mingueza, who’s capable of operating across the defensive line, is understood to have caught the eye of Aston Villa and Fulham. However, The Telegraph recently reported the Gunners consider him an ideal successor to Ben White should he move on this summer.
While Celta may harbour hopes of persuading the player to extend his stay at Balaidos, manager Claudio Giraldez appears far from confident of retaining his services.
“He’s a fantastic player. He has a tremendous personality,” he told Sport during a discussion about the player and his future in Vigo beyond this summer. “I hope he can stay. But we know it will be difficult to keep him.
“I hope he can have a great career because he still has a lot of room for improvement. I like him a lot.”
Mingueza, 26, departed Barcelona in 2022, joining Celta for approximately £2.5million. His market value has climbed sharply since, with Transfermarkt now valuing the defender at closer to £15m.
A versatile former Barca prospect with a favourable age profile available on a free transfer looks a straightforward piece of business on paper. And Giraldez’s candid remarks should only strengthen Arsenal’s belief that a deal is very much achievable.
