#squad-depth

#squad-depth

Finding it hard to get one over on your former boss after a run of eight straight defeats? Devise a gameplan that restricts their most important players and lead Arsenal to five games unbeaten against Manchester City if you include the Community Shield win in 2023, equalling the longest streak of any manager against Pep Guardiola, alongside Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.

We're only in the fourth league match of the 2025/26 campaign, and Arsenal are already without numerous important players. Both Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are out of today's game, while Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are also long-term absentees. Now it seems Odegaard has given Arsenal yet another worry as he had to go off in the first half of today's game against Forest.

In the post-match interview with the BBC, Norther Ireland's manager Michael O'Neill expressed his discontent with the result of the fixture. "We are very proud of the display, but there is a real sense of disappointment in the dressing room, which is understandable," he said. O'Neill lamented the lack of squad depth in NI. Compared to Germany who made 5 changes after the mid-week game against Slovakia, O'Neill's side played the same squad in a span of 3 days.

Leandro Trossard was already considered a backup option at Arsenal last season, though his input became extremely valuable as injuries struck Mikel Arteta's attacking department severely. The Gunners have since added Eberechi Eze to their ranks, and Trossard's future at the club became very uncertain. The transfer window is closed in most European leagues, but in Turkey there's still a few days left (until September 11th), and Besiktas have recently been credited with interest in the Belgian winger.

Former Germany international Helmes delivered a stinging assessment of the transfer: "Brutal figures," Helmes told Sport.de. "€16.5 million is incredible for a loan deal. Add to that the €65 million if he makes certain appearances. In total, we're looking at the [Nick] Woltemade deal. That's completely overpriced. He's no Harry Kane." While acknowledging Jackson's flashes of quality in the Premier League, Helmes was clear: "For me, he's still just a backup for Kane, nothing more, nothing less."

The proposal from Juventus for Randal Kolo Muani includes a €10 million loan extension fee and a €40 million buy option, totaling €55 million after six months.