Arsenal latest: Arteta labelled ‘unfair’ as Haaland issue emerges | Football | Sport
Arsenal’s season is gathering some proper momentum. The Gunners are now tipped as the frontrunners for the Premier League title, having pulled three points ahead at the top following a solid stretch of results. Their strong form has carried into Europe too, as a dominant 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in midweek maintained a flawless start to their Champions League run and kept them tied at the top of their group. The commanding display was particularly promising considering Mikel Arteta‘s men were yet to produce a truly exceptional performance this season.
Where they have been exceptional, however, is defensively. Conceding only three goals in eight league fixtures, they are currently on track to surpass Chelsea‘s incredible record of just 15 goals conceded during the 2004/05 season. It’s a similar situation in Europe, where they have not let in a single goal after three matches – a clear reflection of the structure and discipline Arteta has brought to his side. However, it isn’t all smooth sailing for the north London outfit. With a home game against Crystal Palace approaching on Sunday, Express Football rounds up the latest developments surrounding the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta called out
The brother of former Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has accused Arteta of mistreating his sibling. Lokonga, 25, left Arsenal permanently this summer after four years at the club, joining German side Hamburg for a fee of £250,000.
Lokonga arrived from Anderlecht in 2021 and early signs suggested a bright future. The Belgian international featured 24 times in his debut campaign but soon fell out of Arteta’s plans and was loaned out to Crystal Palace, Luton Town, and Sevilla.
Lokonga’s brother, Paul-Jose M’Poku – also a professional footballer – claims Albert wasn’t given a fair chance, particularly after performing strongly on loan. “When you look at his performances at Luton Town, Crystal Palace or even Sevilla, he plays like a boss,” M’Poku, 33, told Voo Sport.
“It’s just that he’s scored fewer goals. Here at Hamburg, he’s scored two goals. But his performances haven’t necessarily changed compared to when he was at Arsenal. When you look at his early days at Arsenal, he played some magnificent matches. He plays big games.
“It’s just that at a certain point, Mikel Arteta… That’s where I sometimes get angry with certain coaches. He wasn’t 100 per cent fair to him. Otherwise, when you look at his performances everywhere he’s been, he’s been successful. But when you score, it makes more noise.”
Like his brother, M’Poku also spent time in north London – though on the opposite side of the divide. He joined Tottenham at age 16 but, like Lokonga, never properly established himself. He failed to break into the first team and moved on before making a senior appearance.
M’Poku currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Batin, following a journeyman career that has taken him through Belgium, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the UAE, South Korea, and Romania. He has also represented the Democratic Republic of Congo 22 times at international level.
Haaland roadblock
Jamie Carragher believes that Arsenal will win the Premier League this season – but only if they can find a way to stop Erling Haaland. The Manchester City forward appears back to his unstoppable best, netting 15 goals in 11 outings across all competitions, including 11 in league play.
Since returning to the title picture in recent years, Arsenal have often been undone by City’s dominance, powered largely by Haaland’s incredible scoring consistency. While Pep Guardiola‘s side are still rediscovering their rhythm, Carragher believes that if Haaland maintains his current level, City could once again pip Arsenal to the championship.
“Arsenal came into this season worried about Liverpool being the major obstacle to ending a 21-year title wait. Now their biggest fear might be Erling Haaland,” the Liverpool legend wrote in the Telegraph.
“Where Arsenal have the best squad among the contenders and Liverpool must fix well-documented issues, Manchester City have the most influential player and dynamic attacker,” Carragher added. “The Norwegian is the biggest reason why Pep Guardiola‘s side have a great chance of reclaiming their crown. Without him, City’s most realistic target would be finishing in the top four.
“Haaland is so good he can be the difference every time he plays. He is the most lethal finisher of this generation, which is why he is already worthy of comparison with past legends.”
City currently sit in second place, closely trailing Arsenal as they attempt to recapture the title that has rarely left the Etihad Stadium in the last decade. Back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Brighton in August hinted at some remaining vulnerabilities from last season, but Guardiola’s men have responded strongly, winning seven of their past nine matches in all competitions.
Arsenal will still believe they have the upper hand, but with Haaland in this kind of ruthless form, they know nothing is certain.
