Arsenal, who host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday (20:00 BST), have changed their style this season to be more direct and play through defensive lines quicker, which has meant Rice moving deeper alongside Zubimendi when starting attacks.
A recruitment specialist working in top level football told BBC Sport how the signing of Zubimendi has complemented Rice’s game.
He said: “It hasn’t changed what he can do as he has done it before, but it [Zubimendi’s arrival] has given him more ability to be an all-rounder.
“He already had the ability to contribute in the holding game but now he is able to excel in attacking phases.
“His ability to take the ball on the half-turn allows his first touch to be always forward when he receives it.
“The attacking role hasn’t phased him. He has grasped it really well and you can tell it’s something he’s always had.”
Rice already has three assists and one goal in his 11 games for Arsenal this season.
For his goal against West Ham, Rice arrived late into the box to meet a bouncing ball and finish well to score Arsenal’s opener in their 2-0 win.
And the recruitment specialist believes Rice, though known for his running ability, does not get the plaudits he deserves.
“A lot of people don’t really give him the credit he is due for his athleticism,” he said. “He is extremely athletic and a good mover.
“He has the freedom to create in the attacking area of the pitch, he is excellent in holding, he is such a fluent player and performs with the freedom he has been given.
“A good player, good passing, but can also be gritty and break up play. He is a commanding midfield player.
“I like the fact that he can dictate the tempo of the game. Really good precision in his actions. He has transitioned seamlessly to a box-to-box player.”
Mohamed Salah has anointed Arsenal the “FAVOURITES” to win the Premier League this season.
Speaking to PFA awards presenter Cecil Thomas, who is a Gunners fan, he said: “I think you are the favourite now because you players who have been together for five years.
“I can’t say I’ll wish you luck – hopefully we do it again.”
Arteta reflects on Gyokeres debut
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Viktor Gyokeres following his Premier League debut against Manchester United.
He said of the Swede: “He did a lot of things very good. You can tell, especially in our high pressing, the rhythm that we demand, especially in the first half, we’re giving a bit too much time.
“It’s something that we have to work on, especially there.
“And then in the finalising situation, he didn’t have that many chances to do that because, as I said, on the previous action before we had to play that last ball that the line was standing still with 40 metres behind, we managed to put the ball through to exploit his quality.
“But overall, coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, it’s a good start.
Birmingham City are interested in the signature of Alexander Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to reports from Sky Sports.
The 32-year-old plays his football for Turkish giants Besiktas, who are reportedly willing to allow the former England international to move on a free transfer.
Oxlade-Chamberlain made almost 200 appearances for the Gunners in his six-year spell with the club.
He came through the Southampton academy and also played for Liverpool before moving abroad.
Arsenal’s unlikely star
Arsenal cruised to a 1-0 victory over Man Utd in their opening game of the4 season, but the difference maker proved to be a surprising name.
All eyes were on new forward signing Viktor Gyokeres to open his competitive tally with the club
But it was defender Riccardo Calafiori who would nod in at the back post after Utd keeper Altay Bayindir fluffed his lines attempting to punch a corner away.
Mikel Arteta is determined to deploy Calafiori higher up the pitch than his size and position might usually dictate, and he could be one to watch this season for his attacking contirbutions.
Broadcast change causes Arsenal controversy
Arsenal found themselves at the mercy of a new broadcast rule introduced for the upcoming Premier League season during their season opener against Man Utd.
Captain Martin Odegaard was caught in the Old Trafford tunnel at half-time and interviewed on camera regarding the game’s events so far.
The out of breath Norwegian said: “It has been a bit too hectic at times.
“So much space is too open, we need to control it a bit better.
“When we get the ball, pick the right moments and be a bit more accurate when we counter.”
The Gunners went on to win the game 1-0 and get their title challenge off to a flyer.
The new interview type was introduced for the upcoming campaign to mixed reception from fans and former pros.
But not everyone enjoys the new insight, with fans questioning the quality of interview that broadcasters will get out of players in such high pressure situations.
Read more here:
Xabi Alonso speaks out on Rodrygo
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed his position on Arsenal target Rodrygo.
It was uncertain where the Brazilian would fall into the newly appointed boss’ plans, but the Spaniard appears to have found a place for him.
He said: “There are many rumors in the summer, but I’ve seen him well and I count on everyone.
“I count on Rodrygo for sure, 100 per cent.”
Mikel Arteta defends Gyokeres debut despite fans’ uncertainty
The Gunners boss said: “He did a lot of things very good. You can tell, especially in our high pressing, the rhythm that we demand, especially in the first half, we’re giving a bit too much time.
“It’s something that we have to work on, especially there.
“And then in the finalising situation, he didn’t have that many chances to do that because, as I said, on the previous action before we had to play that last ball that the line was standing still with 40 metres behind, we managed to put the ball through to exploit his quality.
“But overall, coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, it’s a good start.”
Eze battle nears its conclusion
Arsenal are set to lose out on priority target Eberechi Eze, if reports from Fabrizio Romano are to be believed.
North London rivals are offering up to a £60million package including add-ons for the England international.
The 27-year-old has been hugely influential in attack for Crystal Palace since arriving in 2020.
He appeared to have opened the scoring with a free-kick in the Eagles’ season opener against Chelsea, before it was ruled out due to Marc Guehi’s proximity to the wall.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out using Rasmus Hojlund on Sunday against Arsenal, despite the uncertainty over the striker’s future.
He is one more option. We will see and Rasmus is still our player.
Ruben Amorim
Gyokeres plan
Mikel Arteta has outlined how he and his coaching staff plan to get the best out of new striker Viktor Gyokeres this season.
He said in his press conference today: “We want to do everything. First of all, understanding the player and exposing the player to the conditions that he can fulfil his incredible potential.
“Then that’s going to be the key, and the good thing is that many players, many strikers, they have come from different leagues, they have come to the Premier League and been successful.
“And it’s for us, creating the right context for Viktor to do what he does best, which is to score goals.”
Ins and outs
Here’s a quick glance at Arsenal’s business already this summer…
Arsenal have announced that Max Porter will take over as the club’s new U21 head coach.
Porter has been with the Gunners since 2017, where he started life as an U9s coach.
Since then he has worked with the U13s, U17s and U19s.
Academy manager Per Mertesacker said: “Max has got the qualities needed to be a successful leader and coach.
“The environment he creates for staff and young players is always one of high challenge and ultimate care. Max is driving the highest standards and is a brilliant colleague and coach.
“We are all looking forward to supporting Max as he continues to develop in this role, and thank him for all his hard work and commitment so far.”
Will Gyokeres start?
Arsenal fans are clamouring to find out if new striker Viktor Gyokeres will start against Manchester United on Sunday.
Although Arteta didn’t give an explicit yes, the Gunners boss hinted that his new frontman is ready to go.
He said: “He’s getting better and better every day. He’s normally a really fit player. It’s true that he hasn’t trained so much with us.
“He had those two moments in games when he’s participated and the feeling was very good, so let’s see what we do on Sunday.”
Odegaard remaining as captain
Mikel Arteta has revealed that his players overwhelmingly voted in favour of keeping Martin Odegaard as captain this season.
Arsenal legend Tony Adams had said earlier in the week that Odegaard should be replaces by Declan Rice, but Arteta has revealed that is not a sentiment shared by the squad.
He said: “Well, my opinion is clear. It’s not just my opinion, it’s all the staff and especially the players.
“I asked them to vote for the captain and I got the result yesterday.
“By a mile, by a big, big 100 marks, everybody’s choosing the same person, which is Martin Odegaard, which is the most clear sign that you can have, how they feel about who has to be their captain to defend, improve and win the matches that we want to win.
VIKTOR GYOKERES is wearing the No14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry and the Swede is also looking to become an Arsenal legend.
Unfortunately for the club’s big summer signing, he had just 14 touches on his Emirates debut before being replaced in the 62nd minute, so this will not be a night he looks back with fondness.
4
Viktor Gyokeres was upstaged on his Emirates debut as Arsenal crashed to defeatCredit: AFP
4
Forgotten £72m flop Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring against his old clubCredit: Getty
4
But things only got worse as Arnaut Danjuma went on to score the La Liga sides thirdCredit: Reuters
4
Martin Odegaard bagged a late consolation from the penalty spot but it wasn’t enough to win the game in normal timeCredit: AFP
Play Dream Team now!
Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season
Not that it really matters, obviously.
If Viktor Gyokeres fires the goals to end Arsenal’s role as permanent Premier League bridesmaids to clinch the title, and there is no reason why he cannot, the Swede will be forgiven if he takes time to adjust in north London.
On the night all eyes were on the new arrival from Sporting Lisbon, absolutely no-one had taken any notice of Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe.
Villarreal’s Ivory Coast international scored the first goal and Karl Etta Eyong made it 2-0 before new arrival Christian Norgaard scored with a header.
Yet while we have spent the last few weeks talking about the need of a top striker, Mikel Arteta’s team will have to defend better than this, and sub Arnaut Danjuma made it 3-1 before Martin Odegaard pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Villarreal then won a penalty shoot-out 4-3 with another new arrival, Noni Madueke, missing the decisive spot-kick.
Gyokeres, who cost £8.5million less than Pepe, made his club debut as a 77th minute substitute against Spurs in Hong Kong but was given a heroes’ welcome at a packed Emirates.
If Arsenal are to get the best out of their new all-singing, all-dancing goal machine, they will have to give him more ammunition.
Equally, Gyokeres did not have a proper pre-season as he barely trained in Lisbon.
Arsenal’s 2025-26 third kit ‘leaked’ and fans absolutely love it
He will soon be in better shape and has another run-out on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao.
Gyokeres tried to score his first goal in spectacular style but failed to connect with an attempted bicycle kick from Bukayo Saka’s cross and he had few other chances.
In terms of the way he moves and the fact has blonde hair, it was a bit like having Nicklas Bendtner back at the Emirates although it is safe to say Gyokeres will do a bit better than the cocky Dane.
Arteta also gave second half Emirates debuts to Christhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Madueke.
Yet the comedy moment of the night was Pepe opening the scoring from close range and then refusing to celebrate.
Pepe arrived from Lille for that massive amount in 2019 and scored just 27 goals in 112 appearances before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in 2023.
Many Arsenal fans probably did not realise that Pepe was even playing in this fixture although there was a mixture of jeers and applause when his name was read out after scoring.
Etta Eyong scored at the far post for 2-0 before former Brentford captain Norgaard pulled one back with a far post header before the break.
The biggest roar of the night came just after the hour when 15-year-old Max Dowman was unleashed.
Villarreal caught Arsenal on the break with former Bournemouth forward Danjuma making it 3-1 before Dowman won a penalty and Odegaard, who replaced Gyokeres, got Arsenal’s second.
There was still a shoot-out although Madueke saw his shot saved with one fan shouting: “send him back to Chelsea.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal – yet again – have fitness concerns.
Both defender Riccardo Calafiori, who suffered an injury on the tour, along with Kai Havertz, were missing from the squad.
Eberechi is eager to up sticks from Selhurst Park and move to the Emirates, it’s been claimed.
Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel: “I’m told that the negotiation club to club has not started yet. But sources at Crystal Palace expect Arsenal to arrive for Eze.
“Why? Because Arsenal have been in contact for months now with the agents of Eze, because Eze is very appreciated by Arsenal, because Arsenal still want to add the player if they will have the opportunity to.
“They spoke to the player several times and the player is also very keen on a move. So Palace expect Arsenal to arrive.”
Merino talks Spurs loss
Mikel Merino reckons Arsenal’s loss to Spurs can be used as a catalyst for a solid start to the new Premier League season.
The Spain international said: “Obviously, winning is a priority for us, but in pre-season, there are other things that have a lot of value, like getting fit, keeping that connection with the fans here in this amazing city.
“We adapted quickly to the pitch, to the opponent, I think we dominated most of the game.
“The result is obviously the worst part, but we have to take the positives.
“Obviously, this feeling is going to be the gasoline for the season to keep growing, keep learning and hopefully go upwards.”
Arteta praises Dowman
Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Max Dowman for his displays during pre-season.
He said: “I’m not surprised, he’s been really impressive with what he’s done again at his age, the way he has entered the matches and with that determination, that quality, that decisiveness I would say.
“The same with the other kids that played, so it was another exposure to them, which is not easy, especially at that age.
“They certainly have done so, so well and made a lot of people proud.”
It seemed last season like Arsenal were crying out for a goalscoring striker and they will feel they have got just that in the signing of Viktor Gyokeres.
While the Gunners conceded fewer goals than Liverpool in 2024-25, Arne Slot’s side scored 17 more – arguably the key difference in the Premier League title race.
That is a problem Gyokeres has obviously been brought in to address, although it may be a bit more complicated than that.
When we look at the reasons why Arsenal scored just 69 goals to the champions’ 86, it’s clear that their problem wasn’t finishing chances but creating them…
Arsenal won seven fewer penalties
Liverpool (13.3%) had a better shot conversion rate than Arsenal (12.6%) last season, but that’s a misleading stat for one key reason – penalties.
Liverpool won and scored a league-high nine penalties, while Arsenal won and scored a paltry two.
Given that penalties were scored at a rate of 83% and non-penalty shots at just 11% in the Premier League in 2024-25, every spot-kick that a team won significantly distorted their shot conversion rate as a reflection of their finishing ability.
When we look at how ruthless the two teams were away from the penalty spot, it’s actually Arsenal who were the (slightly) better finishers…
While Liverpool winning nine penalties was a lot, 14 teams have been awarded more in a season over the past decade – including Manchester United being awarded a whopping 14 penalties in 38 games in 2019-20.
However, for a team that finished as high in the table as Arsenal to win just two penalties is unusual. In the past 10 campaigns, a side ending up with a points tally in the 70s has won an average of five penalties, while champions have won an average of eight.
In fact, the last team to win so many points and so few penalties was Arsenal themselves back in 2015-16 when they also finished runners-up, winning just two penalties. Champions Leicester were awarded 13.
Those seven extra penalties last season had a significant impact on the title race, too, as Liverpool’s nine spot-kicks won them an extra 11 points over the course of the campaign.
Since Arsenal’s two penalties both came in a 5-2 win at West Ham in November, they earned the Gunners no points whatsoever.
Arsenal took far fewer shots
Putting penalties aside, we come to the major reason why Arsenal scored so few goals compared to Liverpool – they just didn’t create enough chances!
Over the course of 38 games, Liverpool took 95 more non-penalty shots than the Gunners… exactly 2.5 more every game.
If Mikel Arteta’s side had taken the same number of non-penalty shots as the champions and continued scoring at the rate that they did (12.3%) then they would’ve scored an additional 12 goals, showing Arsenal’s main problem last season was that you can’t score the chances you don’t make.
Arsenal took worse-quality shots
Liverpool didn’t just create more shots than Arsenal last season but better ones, too, as only Brentford created higher-quality chances on average in terms of expected goals per shot (excluding penalties).
What that means is Liverpool created chances last season that have historically been scored in the Premier League 12% of the time, while Arsenal’s have been converted at a rate of 11%.
Now, a 1% difference might not sound like much but, given that Arsenal took 544 non-penalty shots over the course of last season, if they had created chances as good as the champions they would have scored an additional five goals (1% of 544).
So… Arsenal were actually pretty ruthless?
Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that the goals Arsenal ‘didn’t score’ thanks to the reasons above add up to 24, while in reality they scored 17 goals fewer than Liverpool.
That’s because when you take shot quality into account, Arsenal weren’t just slightly better finishers than the champions last season but much better finishers, as they overperformed their non-penalty xG by seven goals to Liverpool’s measly 0.5.
In fact, despite the narrative around Arsenal’s finishing last season, only Nottingham Forest and Wolves were more ruthless in front of goal than the Gunners.
The problem for Arteta’s side was that Liverpool created so many more, and higher-quality, chances that they didn’t need to be clinical to win the league.
So, in a nutshell, here are the reasons why Arsenal scored 17 goals fewer than Liverpool last season…
Now the good news: Gyokeres brings more than just finishing
While obviously the more Gyokeres can help Arsenal finish their chances the better, he should also help solve the Gunners’ main problem of creating enough chances in the first place.
Last season he attempted 4.5 shots per 90 minutes on average in the Primeira Liga, far more than Gabriel Jesus (3.0) and Kai Havertz (2.6) averaged for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Although clearly the number of shots a striker takes is in part down to the service he gets from his team-mates, it’s also a result of the options he gives his team-mates with his movement and anticipation in and around the box.
Given that Gyokeres also ranked second for chances created from open play in the league (60) and won the most penalties (4), he should play a major role in providing the ammunition the Gunners need to make a challenge for the Premier League title this season.
STINA BLACKSTENIUS stunned Barcelona by firing Arsenal to Champions League glory wrecking the Catalan giants hopes of a European three-peat.
The Sweden ace, who has a knack for netting tournament-winning goals, bagged one that saw the Gunners win the contest for the first time in 18 years.
11
Arsenal have won the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: AP
11
The Gunners stars posed with their medals after beating Barcelona 1-0Credit: AFP
11
Stina Blackstenius scored the winning goal as Arsenal won the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: AFP
11
Arsenal returned to European glory for the first time in almost 20 yearsCredit: AP
11
The Gunners were massive underdogs heading into the finalCredit: PA
11
Emotional scenes at full-time showed how much it meant to the Arsenal fansCredit: AP
With Arsenal under the cosh the Sweden striker was called into action by boss Renee Slegers, along with Beth Mead in the 69th minute at the home of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
The duo did not disappoint with Blackstenius pouncing on Mead’s classy reverse pass to drill low a shot beyond keeper Cata Coll six minutes later.
The striker, who bagged Arsenal’s winner in the Women’s League Cup, was mobbed by her team-mates with Barca’s players looking stunned to go behind.
The Gunners also had a goal chalked off in a tense encounter which they were jeered by a largely partisan crowd of 38,356 onlookers.
Despite the jeers of Barca’s fans, with just 5,000 Gunners supporters present, Slegers capped Arsenal’s renaissance by guiding the team to football’s top club prize.
Respect and belief were the buzzwords around her camp as time drew near to the team’s biggest European game in 18 years.
It was almost two decades ago (2007) that Arsenal claimed a Champions League trophy for the first time.
Gunners legend Ian Wright, watching from the stands, had urged Slegers side to embrace the moment.
11
Ian Wright watched on from the standsCredit: PA
11
Arsenal chairman Josh Kroenke was seen chatting to Uefa president Aleksander CeferinCredit: PA
11
Arsenal legend Alex Scott watched alongside partner Jess GlynnCredit: PA
For periods of the game they certainly did with some of Arsenal’s top brass watch from the stands including co-owner Josh Kroenke and managing director Richard Garlick.
The queens of Spain’s top-flight have pretty much demolished most of their Champions League rivals, lifting the trophy three times in the last four years.
Ever since their first triumph in 2021, with Chelsea thrashed 4-0, they have been a force to be reckoned with.
From the WSL this season, Manchester City were the only side able to lay a glove on Barcelona in Europe, with their tactically smart 2-0 win in the group stage.
WSL champions Chelsea tried and failed to get past them conceding eight times across their two-leg semis tie.
So the odds were very much against Arsenal at the home of Sporting where a large Barcelona contingent roared the holders on.
After some panicky defending in their box early on, Slegers players appeared to settle into the game restricting the holders to just ONE first half shot on target.
The Gunners thought they had taken the lead after Irene Paredes poked home an own-goal but a VAR check found Frida Maanum was offside.
After Claudia Pina had a 58th minute shot blocked and Barca fired some efforts narrowly over the bar.
Arsenal took the lead much to the Catalan giants dismay. And they held out to capture the trophy for the first time in almost 20 years.
11
Blackstenius found the bottom corner from inside the area to score the only goalCredit: AFP
11
Arsenal put on a defensive masterclass to stop Barcelona from scoringCredit: AFP
