How Arsenal’s tactics destroyed Slavia Prague

It was a great evening for Arsenal Football Club, as they beat Slavia Prague 4-0 in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, but it wasn't just the football that made it memorable.
Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (L) celebrates with Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe before his goal is disallowed during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. - 14 (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)

Double boost for Arsenal ahead of Slavia Prague game

Arsenal have confirmed that both Bukayo Saka and Emile smith Rowe have returned to training ahead of Arsenal's crunch tie with Slavia Prague on Thursday night.
Rangers' Glen Kamara (left) argues with Slavia Prague's Ondrej Kudela during the UEFA Europa League Round of Sixteen match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Issue date: Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Copyright: Andrew Milligan

10-match ban for Slavia Prague man who racially abused Rangers’ player

Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela has been handed a 10-match ban by UEFA for his racist abuse of former Arsenal youngster and Rangers' man, Glen Kamara
Ondřej Kolář with a protective mask during the match with Arsenal (Photo via Alastair Grant, CTK / AP)

2 Arsenal players told injured Slavia keeper ‘You’re safe from us’

Hector Bellerin and Bernd Leno both reassured the Slavia Prague goalkeeper him he was 'safe from us' before the first leg at the Emirates
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal reacts after being substituted Arsenal v Liverpool, Premier League, Football, The Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 3 Apr 2021 Credit: Photo by Javier Garcia/BPI/Shutterstock

Aubameyang to start: How Arsenal could line up vs Slavia Prague

Arsenal have a vital Europa League quarter-final second leg coming up on Thursday, so let's look at our predicted lineup to face Slavia Prague.
Burnley v Arsenal - Premier League - Turf Moor Arsenal s Martin Odegaard during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Picture date: Saturday March 6, 2021.Copyright: Jon Super

Martin Odegaard injury concern

Martin Odegaard is an injury doubt for the second leg of Arsenal's Europa League quarter-final against Slavia Prague, according to Mikel Arteta.
Miguel Azeez in first-team training with Arsenal (Photo via Azeez on Instagram)

4 Arsenal u23s in first-team training pre-Slavia Prague

Four of Arsenal's u23 squad joined up with the first team for training this week, ahead of the Europa League quarter-final against Slavia Prague.
Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League - Emirates Stadium Arsenal s Kieran Tierney walks off the pitch with an injury during the Premier League match at The Emirates Stadium, London. Saturday April 3, 2021. Copyright: Catherine Ivill

3 back, 1 doubt, 2 out: Arsenal teams news vs Slavia Prague

Arsenal will welcome back three players who missed the defeat against Liverpool at the weekend but could be without three others.
Rangers' Glen Kamara (left) argues with Slavia Prague's Ondrej Kudela during the UEFA Europa League Round of Sixteen match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Issue date: Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Copyright: Andrew Milligan

Slavia Prague starter suspended for Arsenal clash

Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela has been suspended for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Arsenal.

Tactics Board: Fortune favours the brave as Arsenal progress

Stephen Bradley gets out of his sick bed to analyse Arsenal's 0-1 loss to Olympiacos in the Europa League.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Willian of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Adam Davy - Pool/Getty Images)

Pepe and Willian start: How Arsenal could line up vs Olympiacos

After a frustrating draw away to Burnley at the weekend, let's take a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup to face Olympiacos in the Europa League.

Premier League plans could disrupt Europa League preparations

Premier League plans for the final two games of the season could prove disruptive for any potential Europa League final preparations.
Olympiacos F.C. v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side s third goal during the UEFA Europa League match at Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus Copyright: Focus Imagesx FIL

Arsenal’s Jekyll and Hyde broken down: Analysing their weirdness

Why are Arsenal such a weird team? That's a question we try to answer as we look back over the tactics of Arsenal's 3-1 win vs Olympiacos
Olympiacos F.C. v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Martin odegaard of Arsenal celebrates with team mates after scoring their side s first goal during the UEFA Europa League match at Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus Copyright: Focus Images

Mikel Arteta names the Arsenal player that makes the whole team better

Mikel Arteta says Martin Odegaard helps to knit the whole team together with intelligent movement, after the loanee's goal on Thursday.
Olympiacos F.C. v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side s third goal during the UEFA Europa League match at Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus Copyright: Focus Imagesx FIL

Why Mohamed Elneny’s Olympiacos goal was no accident

Mohamed Elneny's vital goal against Olympiacos on Thursday night was no accident, as the midfielder has specifically been working on his shooting.
Burnley v Arsenal - Premier League - Turf Moor Arsenal s Martin Odegaard during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Picture date: Saturday March 6, 2021.Copyright: Jon Super

8.7: Arsenal’s highest-rated player against Olympiacos

Martin Odegaard was Arsenal's highest-rated player against Olympiacos on Thursday night as almost every outfield player racked up a decent score for a change.
17-10-2020, Arsenal's Thomas Partey. Copyright: Alex Livesey

2 new Arsenal contracts, injury returns and new problems: Arsenal news

Arsenal face Olympiacos in their Europa League last 16 second leg on Thursday night so what's in the media ahead of that game?
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Olympiacos, Ruben Semedo of Olympiacos during the UEFA Europa League match between PSV and Olympiacos at PSV Stadion on February 25, 2021. (Photo by Perry van de Leuvert/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Sokratis: Arsenal players are excited to play me

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is excited to be playing against his old friends and teammates on Thursday, wanting to win despite feeling he has nothing to prove.
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS: Ruben Semedo of Olympiacos during the UEFA Europa League match between PSV and Olympiacos at PSV Stadion on February 25, 2021. (Photo by Perry van de Leuvert/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Olympiacos starter ruled out of Arsenal clash: Sokratis to take his place

Olympiacos defender Ruben Semedo will miss their Europa League tie against Arsenal through injury, opening a path for Sokratis Papastathopoulos to start.
WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal FC looks on during the Papa John's Trophy Second Round match between AFC Wimbledon and Arsenal U21 at Plough Lane on December 08, 2020. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

Sokratis admits it will be special to face Arsenal

Sokratis Papastathopoulos says it will be a special game for him facing up against Arsenal with Olympiacos, after the Europa League Round-of-16 draw.
Benfica v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Willian of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League match at Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus. Copyright: Yannis Halas

‘Special qualities’: Mikel Arteta on picking Willian over Martinelli or Pepe

Looking back on Arsenal's win over Benfica, Mikel Arteta has explained why he brought on Willian over Nicolas Pepe or Gabriel Martinelli.

How Arsenal saved their season in 20 minutes

It was nervy at times, but Arsenal managed to find a way to win their Europa League Round-of-32 tie against Benfica on Thursday evening but at what cost?
Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League 32 Second Leg football match between Arsenal and Benfica at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, on February 25, 2021. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacts after scoring 2 vs Benfica [with goals + Arteta comments]

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a brace against Benfica as Arsenal did their best to crash out of the Europa League.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Rob Holding of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Arsenal 25-year-old ruled out of Benfica clash: Return date set

Rob Holding is unavailable for Arsenal's trip to face Benfica in Athens, but he'll return in time for Leicester City at the weekend.
Thomas Partey watching on at Arsenal training

Mikel Arteta gives encouraging Thomas Partey injury update

Thomas Partey will have one final test to determine whether or not he's available to play for Arsenal in their second leg against Benfica.
Arsenal deals: Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) gets instructions from Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) as he comes on as a substitute during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 30, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

Tierney to start: How Arsenal could line up vs Benfica

Arsenal face Benfica in Rome in the first leg of their Europa League Round-of-32 clash on Thursday, so how could Arsenal could lineup vs Benfica?
Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka (C) celebrates with Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg football match between SL Benfica and Arsenal at the Olimpico stadium in Rome on February 18, 2021. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

What could have been: Why Arsenal could only draw with Benfica

It was a case of 'What could have been' for Arsenal as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Benfica in the first...
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between SL Benfica and Arsenal FC at Stadio Olimpico on February 18, 2021 in Rome, Italy. SL Benfica face Arsenal FC at a neutral venue in Rome behind closed doors after Portugal imposed a ban on travellers arriving from the UK in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka vs Benfica: Mikel Arteta delivers his opinion

Mikel Arteta has given his opinion on Bukayo Saka vs Benfica as the youngster once again saved Arsenal from embarrassment.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal reacts during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 09, 2021 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

1 in, 1 out: Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney injury updates

Mikel Arteta spoke to the media ahead of Benfica vs Arsenal and gave good news on one player and bad for another. Find out who here.

Kieran Tierney returns to training for Arsenal

Kieran Tierney has returned to training with Arsenal giving the Gunners a major lift before their games against Benfica and Manchester City.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy with the Arsenal academy (Photo via Norton-Cuffy on Instagram)

7 added to Arsenal squad for Europa League

The Arsenal squad has been updated ahead of their clash with Benfica on Thursday in the Europa League, adding 7 players to the squad.
Arsenal's Spanish defender Pablo Mari celebrates scoring their second goal during the UEFA Europa League 1st Round Group B football match between Arsenal and Rapid Vienna at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 3, 2020. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal vs Benfica and our Europa League chances

Arsenal take their show on the road Thursday night when we’re in the Portuguese capital to face Benfica in the first leg of our UEFA Europa League Round of 32 tie.

Arsenal and Benfica finally confirm bizarre plans for Europa League tie

Arsenal and Benfica have finally confirmed their plans for their Europa League tie over the next fortnight.
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Nick Potts / POOL / AFP)

Arsenal 2nd-leg plans thrown into doubt by lockdown reports

Arsenal's plan to play the 'home' leg of their Europa League tie against Benfica in Athens could face a major obstacle amid lockdown reports.
A photo taken on March 17, 2020 shows the Olympic stadium in Rome, with a statue from the Marbles stadium (Stadio dei Marmi) in foreground. - The European EURO 2020 football championship, due to be played in June and July this year with its opening game and three others at the Olympic stadium in Rome, has been postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, European football's governing body UEFA said on March 17. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal strike agreement to play Benfica in Rome

Arsenal and Benfica have reportedly agreed to play the first leg of their Europa League fixture in Rome.

Arsenal star named Europa League Player of the Group Stage

Nicolas Pepe is WhoScored's Europa League player of the group stage, finishing with a significantly higher rating than anyone else.
Emile Smith Rowe scores for the Arsenal u23s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

Smith Rowe to start: Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Rapid Vienna

Aiming to top the group with a draw or a win on Thursday, let's take a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup vs Rapid Vienna.
Emile Smith Rowe scores for the Arsenal u23s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

Smith Rowe to start: Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Rapid Vienna

Aiming to top the group with a draw or a win on Thursday, let's take a look at our Arsenal predicted lineup vs Rapid Vienna.
Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz (L) and Molde's Nigerian forward Leke James vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League group B football match Molde v Arsenal in Molde, Norway on November 26, 2020. (Photo by Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB / AFP)

Not injured: Mikel Arteta explains why he took David Luiz off

Mikel Arteta took David Luiz off at half-time against Molde FK as Arsenal beat the Norwegian side 3-0 to secure passage to the knock-out stages with 12 points from four games.
Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (4th L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the 0-1 during the UEFA Europa League group B football match Molde v Arsenal in Molde, Norway on November 26, 2020. (Photo by Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB / AFP)

Did Nicolas Pepe answer his critics against Molde?

Arsenal beat Molde 3-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League. With all eyes upon him, Nicolas Pepe stepped up.