At a Glance:
- Arsenal have been handed a fine by UEFA.
- The Gunners were leapfrogged by Manchester City in the Premier League table on Wednesday night.
- Gabby Agbonlahor has made his title race prediction.
Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title resumes on Saturday evening when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates, in a game that provides Mikel Arteta’s team with an opportunity to boost morale around N5.
Arteta’s squad have had a week off from the intensity of the title race following their defeat at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. However, in this time, the Citizens have leapfrogged the North Londoners in the table on goals scored, by beating Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor on Wednesday night.
The Gunners now have two home games before City play again in the league, with a depleted Newcastle making the trip to Islington on Saturday before Fulham visit next weekend. This gives Arsenal the chance to pile the pressure onto their rivals before Pep Guardiola’s side play away at Everton on Monday, 4th May.
With that said, here is the latest Arsenal news today, including updates on a UEFA fine, the title race and Gabby Agbonlahor.
Arsenal handed UEFA fine
In the midst of the chaos around Arsenal at the moment, the club have been handed a fine by UEFA for breaching a rule during their Champions League tie away at Bayer Leverkusen back in March.
The Gunners drew the game courtesy of a late Kai Havertz penalty, and in the midst of the celebrations for the German’s goal, Arsenal supporters inside the BayArena reportedly let off fireworks in the away end.
UEFA have prohibited the use of fireworks and flares by fans, and the North London club have subsequently been ordered to pay a fine worth €2,250 (£1,945) for their antics. While the punishment seems somewhat harsh, travelling Gunners fans will need to be careful moving forward, given how strict UEFA tend to be regarding things like this.
Man City overtake Arsenal in Premier League
Arsenal have held the lead at the top of the Premier League since September, until Wednesday night. City edged past Burnley in Lancashire, courtesy of an early goal from Erling Haaland.
The Sky Blue outfit missed several chances to extend their lead against the Clarets and add to their goal difference, but were unable to take any of them. Given the title race could come down to goal difference, the narrow margin with which City attained these three points is positive for Arsenal.
Guardiola’s team are only top of the pile on goals scored, having netted three more than the Gunners across 33 matches.
Gabby Agbonlahor makes Arsenal title prediction
Arsenal have been written off by many in the title race following Sunday’s defeat at the Etihad. The general consensus is that City have clicked into gear and have all the momentum, while the Gunners are spiralling towards an end-of-season crisis.
However, to many people’s surprise, former Aston Villa striker and notorious Arsenal sceptic Gabby Agonlahor thinks Arsenal will still get over the line. Speaking after City’s game against Burnley, Agbonlahor explained why he thinks Arteta’s time is now.
“This morning, Ally [McCoist], walking in, I put my first bet on Arsenal winning the Premier League,” he said on talkSPORT.
“You know why, Ally, because last night, Manchester City, yes, very good going forward, but defensively, they’re very open, missed a lot of chances, but now Ally, it’s a shootout. It’s five games, who wants it? Who’s going to score the most goals? Arsenal play twice before Man City play again in the Premier League.
““If I’m Arsenal against Newcastle on the weekend and Newcastle are in a bad place, I’m going for it. If I’m Arteta, no messing around, no quotes, finishing only in training. [Kai] Havertz, crosses and headers. ‘Guys, we can probably get plus six goals before Manchester City play again.’ Pressure’s on them.”
