Arsenal

ARSENAL strengthened their grip on fourth spot with a 3-2 win over Watford on Sunday.

And again, they're likely to be judged on whether or not Arsenal can snap up the elite No.9 that Arteta craves. But the onus will still be on Arteta and Arsenal to source an elite No.9 in the summer; and the pressure to do so will arguably be even greater than it was in January. When the curtain came down on an uninspiring month in the transfer market back in January, Arteta and Edu were pelted with criticism from all angles from fans who feared that the failure to sign a striker could hamper their Champions League hopes. It's a scenaro didn't exactly seem to be on the cards after Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy failed to bolster the squad in January. On paper, it's a relatively simple task for Arteta and the Gunners recruitment team in the summer. The Gunners are now firmly in the driving seat in the race to clinch the final Champions League berth with their three games in hand on Manchester United, who are currently a point and a place below them.

A dynamic forward line fired on all cylinders once again to ensure that Arsenal continue to control their Champions League qualification destiny.

He needs to continue to behave and live the way he is doing, nothing else." "They understand when to do what in relation to what the opponent is doing so this is good. The time Arsenal have had to work without European football -- and in their midseason break to Dubai -- is paying off. There was a joy to their play from the outset and a superb opening goal came in just the fifth minute. Cucho Hernandez's brilliant 11th-minute bicycle kick drew the hosts level and briefly threatened an upset, only for Saka to underline that his palpable talent is augmented by a fine work ethic. Bukayo Saka scored one and made another as Arsenal claimed a 3-2 win at Watford on Sunday to take another vital step forward in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

Five years after hanging up his boots, Mikel Arteta arguably claimed another Arsenal assist as we beat Watford on Sunday. With his side 2-1 up, the ball ...

"Once we scored the third one I think we should have played a completely different game. Copyright 2022 The Arsenal Football Club plc. As well, the uncertainty that if they scored a goal then the game was on.

The Norwegian has been in fine form for the Gunners recently since his permanent move from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

Aside from just being one of the best attackers at the Emirates, Odegaard is quickly showing himself to be one of the best out there in the Premier League. After being shunted around from position to position and spending an unexpected amount of time on the bench, things appeared to be taking a familiar path for Odegaard in his career. Eventually though, he managed to reclaim his spot in the team, starting the 2-0 win over Newcastle right at the end of November and he hasn't looked back since. When Xhaka returned for the North London Derby, Odegaard was back in his preferred more advanced position, but a serious knee injury for the 28-year-old that game meant that the Norwegian was forced to adapt his game once again matches against Brighton and Crystal Palace. Odegaard's best games during his loan spell in the back end of last season had come as a number 10 drifting to the right, and after being thrown straight into the starting XI in this position for the 6-0 Carabao Cup win over West Brom just 24 hours after his move to Emirates had been made permanent, it seemed this was where he would return. Fast forward to now though and Odegaard is arguably the most important player in the Gunners side, emphasising his tremendous run of form with a beautifully worked goal and two pre-assists in Sunday's 3-2 win over Watford.

Jonathan David and Renato Sanches have given Arsenal a reason to pursue both players after their celebration for Lille.

However, the 24-year-old put talks on hold because he is ready for a new adventure. Arsenal needs to sign a striker in the summer due to the likely departure of Alexandre Lacazette , as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Both players have been linked with a potential move to north London in the summer, as Mikel Arteta will look to strengthen in both the forward and midfield positions.

Mikel Arteta's side are now in pole position to finish fourth in the Premier League; Champions League qualification worth at least £50m in prize money to ...

A one-off bonus would be due to the squad for finishing in one of the top-four spots which is then divided among Arteta's squad. Some players are also understood to have clauses separately written into their deals which will see their weekly wages automatically increase for the campaign during which the club are playing in the Champions League group stages. Arsenal are one point ahead of United but crucially have three games in hand.