Arsenal

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Speaking about the criticism surrounding Mikel Arteta's style of play, including how Viktor Gyokeres can still flourish at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal fan Watson Hirschfield said: "I saw a podcast the other day where they described our 3-0 Champions League victory over Lille as 'a very boring watch'.

"It's getting to a point where those comments are just boring. What do people want from us? I'm so confused. We won the Premier League last season, but people said we were the most boring team to ever win it and we cheated because we had set-piece plays.

"Arsenal haven't scored from a set-piece play at all this season. We are scoring very good open-play goals and it still doesn't meet people's standards or needs. You just can't put 'quality' and 'Arsenal' together for some reason in 2026 - and I'll never understand that.

"It gets to a point where Mikel Arteta needs a little bit of credit. It is OK to admit that Arsenal are actually playing good football. Sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due but, as an Arsenal fan of nearly 30 years, this is nothing new.

"I do feel sorry for Viktor Gyokeres, though.

"When he signed for Arsenal last season, I was so excited. He had just bagged the most goals across all European leagues and I thought he was going to be the guy, but we just aren't seeing his goalscoring ability this season because Kai Havertz is starting.

"If Arteta had it his way, I genuinely do believe that he would start Mikel Merino over Gyokeres.

"It's so bizarre because he is like R9 for Sweden, having scored four goals in four games in the Nations League, but he doesn't look like the same player for Arsenal. He is all a bit jittery and his football isn't as free-flowing.

"He isn't like Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Thierry Henry or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but he can hold up play very well and he can strike a ball when needed.

"It's clear to me that he just isn't Arteta's player - and I genuinely don't think he was the man to sign him, I believe it was the hierarchy's decision.

"I really do hope he comes true. I like him, I want to see that mask celebration a bunch more times this season, but it doesn't really look like he fits in.

"In my opinion, it is down to Arteta to give him that belief now."

Listen to more from Watson Hirschfield by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here

Daily Mirror chief football writer John Cross told BBC Radio London about "gentleman of the game" Ken Friar, who died earlier this week aged 92.

Friar was life president of Arsenal, starting his career with the club in 1945 at the age of 11. He became club secretary in 1973 and managing director in 1983, before later playing a leading role in Arsenal's move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium.

Friar remained on the club's board until stepping down as an executive director in 2020.

"No matter what generation, you will know Ken Friar because he was in tune of the club. He was such an integral part of it," said Cross.

"His stories were the stuff of legend. A true gentleman of the game. He absolutely typified and epitomised the club's standards. He represented the class of the club, set the tone of the club just because of the way he was impeccably behaved.

"He would always pick up the phone and he would always be there. He was absolutely classy - he would always be courteous and always be kind.

"He always put football first. He put the interest and ideas of the football club first.

"He had this lovely smile and a real wit behind him as well. He was a serious individual running a serious football club. He had time for absolutely everybody. That's why he is loved."

Listen to more from Cross above or on BBC Sounds here

Arsenal and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Newcastle United's Ivory Coast attacker Bazoumana Toure, despite the 20-year-old only having moved to St James' Park this summer. (CaughtOffside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Arsenal have informed staff that they plan to cut 60 jobs from their workforce just months after winning the Premier League and after announcing record revenues for the 2024-25 season. , external

The cuts, which will come across a number of departments, were announced on a call with CEO Richard Garlick.

The cuts will not affect coaching or performance staff in the men's or women's setups and will come from off the field roles.

Jobs in the Arsenal Foundation, Arsenal in the Community and within the security staff will also be unaffected.

A review carried out by an external company into the workforce was ongoing before the club won the Premier League.

The timing of the announcement will be hard for staff to take with Mikel Arteta's new lucrative contract until 2030 announced just seven days ago, which made him one of the best paid managers in the Premier League.

It is understood that the new contract includes an increase from his previous salary of £10m per year plus an additional £5m in bonuses.

Arsenal announced in February that they had recorded record revenues of £691m for the 2024-25 financial year although they still had an overall loss of £1.4m.

The accounts also showed that the operating costs rose to £200.8m compared to £147.9m in 2024.

Arsenal want to be self-sustainable as they look to comply with the financial rules which are placed on all Premier League clubs.

The cuts that have been proposed are not yet finalised with a consultation process underway.

Mikel Arteta made five changes to the team that started the win over Leeds as the Gunners looked to navigate six matches in all competitions during this month.

Noni Madueke moved to the right wing after putting in a good performance on the left at the weekend, with Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres all coming into the starting XI.

Eze had started just two games in all competitions before the match with Lille and Arteta had said his attitude had been "phenomenal" despite a lack of game time.

The 28-year-old showed flashes of his undoubted quality and his finish for Arsenal's second goal - and his first of the season - will give him confidence going forward.

Madueke had a mixed night as he showed his ability to beat a defender, but questions remain over his end product - even if he provided the assist for Jurrien Timber's classy opening goal.

However, it was not a good night for Gyokeres.

The Sweden striker scored 21 goals in all competitions last season as Arsenal won the title for the first time in 22 years and displayed his willingness to run and work hard.

But Gyokeres had just 12 touches before being replaced and Kai Havertz, as he so often does, looked a much better and more natural fit for the Arsenal frontline, teeing up Bukayo Saka's goal too.

Arteta brought on Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard after going 1-0 up and all three contributed to show why they are still the first names on the teamsheet and why the Arsenal boss will be so reliant on them if they are to achieve more honours.

Find more analysis here

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We asked for your views on Arsenal's 3-0 Champions League win over Lille on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Rachel: For 60 minutes - passive, pedestrian, predictable. The changes opened the door and raised the threat levels. A timely goal from Ebere Eze, I was starting to get worried about his lack of impact in games. Some lovely football in the second half.

Vince: Winning aside, the key point here was giving Jurrien Timber and Eze back their confidence. The goals they scored on their rare starts weren't easy ones. Timber's came from a tight angle and the full-back finished like a striker, shaping first to shoot before chipping it deftly over the keeper. Eze meanwhile had to shrug off the presence of two looming defenders to delicately yet forcefully turn the ball into goal. Seeing how it's no longer a game of first XIs but first XVs or more, I would like more of the same please!

David: A thoroughly professional performance, if not an entirely convincing one for the first hour. Arsenal showed patience, raised the tempo when it mattered, and finished clinically. The impact of the substitutes was crucial, with Bukayo Saka immediately adding quality and purpose. Three goals, a clean sheet and another Champions League win, although against stronger opposition Arsenal will need to be better.

Phillip: The classic game of two halves. The first - steady, calm and a little pedestrian with Lille trying to grind out a goal. The second - a lot more positive with the first three subs making a real difference. True 'finishers'!

Ssegujja: I think Kai Havertz needs to fit in the team. He makes runs and gets in off the crosses.

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Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott said it would be "music" to Mikel Arteta's "ears" that he has "players itching to get on".

Two of Arsenal's three goals in the 3-0 victory against Ligue 1 opponents Lille were created by substitutes Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.

"It shows the strength in depth," Walcott said. "Noni Madueke was very positive tonight. He wore out the defence and Eberechi Eze looked happier when Viktor Gyokeres went off. Eze just seemed a bit different. Havertz was there, and Eze could link a bit differently."

Although Gunners captain Martin Odegaard did not add to his goal involvements for the 2026-27 campaign, the Norwegian's second half introduction was followed by Eze's goal in the 67th minute.

"Martin Odegaard is brilliant. He has been absolutely fantastic," added Walcott.

"He is the orchestrator, he just gets them going. The intensity he shows when he comes on, it just gets everyone's games up."

Although Havertz was awarded the assist for Saka's goal, Odegaard proved his "orchestrator" role by playing a neat pass into the German which helped unpick the Lille defence.

While Lille showcased a stubborn defence in the first half, the French side conceded all three goals within seven minutes and 18 seconds.

Listen to more reaction from the Champions League on the latest Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds here

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Bukayo Saka responded to the challenge set by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as he proved a game-changer in the 3-0 Champions League win over Lille.

The England forward has been told he should aim to score "two or three" goals per game - such was his quality and the expectation from his boss.

Arteta has tweaked Saka's positioning this season and, prior to Lille's visit, said it has been done deliberately to get him closer to the goal.

"That is where we need to get him," said the Gunners boss before the game. "And if he misses the chance, so be it. At the end, the more volume we generate, the bigger the probability of him scoring more goals."

Saka's strike against Lille was a confident one-touch finish and came after he missed a late one-on-one opportunity in Saturday's Premier League victory over Leeds.

"He has been getting in great positions, getting shots, getting one-touch finishes and tap-ins," added Arteta.

Saka has scored 20 goals in a season just once in his career, which came in the 2023-24 campaign and 16 in the Premier League.

But the winger has also been in good goalscoring form for England with five in his past four matches and scored a double in the 7-0 Nations League demolition of Croatia in the recent international break.

Arteta revealed he also spoke to Saka after telling the media about his desire for the player to have a greater impact.

"After the press conference... I said 'Bukayo, I just killed you in the press conference, good luck tomorrow'.

"He was laughing. He knows that we have discussed these kind of things and he takes it because he wants to be the best version of himself."

Read more here

Arsenal and Chelseaare both keeping a close watch on 23-year-old Inter Milan and France midfielder Andy Diouf. (Caught Offside, external)

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Arsenal starting XI:

David Raya: Not tested at all by the Lille attack. 6

Jurrien Timber: Scored a fine opening goal as he looks to be build back to full fitness after early-season injury issues. 7

Ezri Konsa: An assured performance. Looks to be building his partnership with Gabriel nicely. 7

Gabriel Magalhaes: An excellent block in the first half and very comfortable all evening. 7

Myles Lewis-Skelly: Moved to left-back for this game after becoming a regular in midfield. A couple of decent crosses. 6

Declan Rice: Given the captain's armband as he anchored the Arsenal midfield. A solid performance as always. 7

Bruno Guimaraes: Tried to inject energy into the midfield. Should have scored with an early chance and tested the Lille goalkeeper with a speculative effort. 6

Mikel Merino: Tidy in possession but not his best in an Arsenal shirt. 6

Noni Madueke: After putting in one of his better performances on the opposite wing in the Premier League win over Leeds, he was given a chance from the right. Some inconsistent play but got the assist for the opener. 7

Eberechi Eze: The forward's third start of the season and a big chance to impress with supporters expecting more from the England international. Flashes of his quality and scored the second goal. 7

Viktor Gyokeres: An ineffective first half and had just 12 touches of the ball before he was replaced. 5

Arsenal substitutes:

Bukayo Saka (on 65, Madueke): Changed the momentum of the game. Scored a goal and got an assist. 8

Martin Odegaard (on 65, Merino): His energy and drive lifted the team. 7

Kai Havertz (on 65, Gyokeres): Assisted Saka for his goal. 7

Ben White (on 78, Timber): The game was won when White came on. 6

Max Dowman (on 85, Eze): Introduced on the right wing. 6

Subs not used: Arrizabalaga, Meslier, Mosquera, Calafiori, O'Neil, Hashi, Salmon.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports: "We had to increase the technical level, teams are really well organised at this level. We gave simple things away - bad touches, mistimed things, when we sent balls into the box it was into the wrong areas and we get caught. Once we did that better we started to play in the opposition box and with the quality we have, they made a difference."

On quality of substitutions: "The ones that started too, we get into some incredible positions. The ones that finished the game were extraordinary - they increased the intensity and quality.

"The minutes are given because they deserve them. Everyone has to earn it because we can see competition and options and that will only benefit our performances."

On preparing for the next one: "It's difficult in the Champions League - Lille are a brilliant team. But winning helps - the energy will be good when we start to prepare the Sunday game."

Did you know?

• Only Thierry Henry (16) and Cesc Fabregas (14) have more Champions League assists for Arsenal than Bukayo Saka (nine - level with Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott).

• There were just seven minutes and 18 seconds between Jurrien Timber giving Arsenal the lead and Saka making it 3-0.

• Saka has scored 19 goals in major European competitions for Arsenal, the outright second most of any player for the club after Thierry Henry (42).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

There are nine games in the Champions League on Tuesday as the 36-team league phase returns and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Lens v Sporting (17:45)

• Sabah v Slavia Prague (17:45)

• Arsenal v Lille

• Atletico Madrid v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Galatasaray v Barcelona

• Inter Milan v Club Brugge

• RB Leipzig v PSV Eindhoven

• Viking v Bayern Munich

• Villarreal v Napoli

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Champions League commentary on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Atletico Madrid v Man Ut" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Manchester United match".

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One from 22:40 to 00:00 on Wednesdays.

How to follow the Champions League on the BBC

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

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Arsenal have paid tribute to life president Ken Friar, who has died aged 92.

Born in Islington in August 1934, Friar began his career with the Gunners aged 11 in 1945 as a messenger after a chance meeting with manager George Allison.

He became club secretary in 1973 and managing director in 1983, before later playing a leading role in Arsenal's move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium.

Friar remained on the club's board until stepping down as an executive director in 2020 and becoming life president.

He received an OBE for services to football in 2000 and the Freedom of the Borough of Islington in 2004.

"Since our formation in 1886, there have been many inspirational individuals who have driven our club forward, but no-one has had an influence on Arsenal Football Club quite like 'Mr Friar'," the club said in a tribute on their official website, external.

"He will never be forgotten by all those who knew him, be they players who he meticulously talked through a contract, members of the local council who he quietly but persuasively explained the club's value to the borough, staff members who delighted in hearing his treasure trove of stories gleaned over many decades - but, most of all, his family and close friends, who loved him for the kind, generous, wonderful father, grandad or friend that he was.

"Ironically, Ken Friar probably wouldn't want people to dwell on his life's achievements, as he very much embodied Arsenal's 'Always Forward' motto. His maxim of 'tomorrow's match is always the most important' wouldn't allow for too much contemplation of the past when there was an important future to deal with.

"With the 11th league title of his lifetime secured, he still relished every second of seeing Arsenal players conquer all, putting our name in lights across the world – and we couldn't have done it without him."

Arsenal's players will wear black armbands in memory of Friar during Tuesday's Champions League match against Lille at the Emirates, and further tributes will take place when they host Everton in the Premier League on 24 October.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Imagine a world where Manchester City had not used "sham contracts" to build a team capable of winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups.

If City were the winners, then there had to be losers - and not just those teams who finished runners-up or lost cup finals.

The potential impact runs much deeper and includes missed Champions League qualification, relegation and Premier League prize money.

Thirty-five other teams played in the English top flight between 2009 and 2018.

And every one could in some way claim to have been left financially out of pocket.

Learn more about how the numbers were calculated here

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Mikel Arteta has given more clarity about how Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi got injured after Arsenal's win over Leeds United on Saturday.

The Gunners had planned for the players who did not play a full game or had not had minutes in the 2-1 win to train at Emirates Stadium so that all of the squad could have a recovery day on Sunday, to get them ready to train on Monday.

Arteta, who says it was done to get "everybody in the best rhythm" revealed that both players have picked up ankle injuries. Hincapie's is more serious than Zubimendi's but both players have further scans planned.

The Arsenal manager called the incident "far from ideal" and something that has "never happened in the seven years I have been here". He said his Arsenal side trained that way 37 times last season.

Arteta regularly arranges for players who have not played a full match to take part in a small-sided game on the pitch and this is how Hincapie and Zubimendi picked up the injuries.

The Spaniard does this so that all of the players have a similar output when they are navigating their busy fixture schedule.

Substitute goalkeeper Illan Meslier was seen carrying Hincapie off the pitch on his back even though there were staff members present.

And this is something that Arteta does not seem to be happy about, saying: "That's something else, not to discuss here."