Arsenal urged to be bold at Man City amid open-play concerns
Rio Ferdinand urges Arsenal to attack at Man City, warning a cautious plan will see them ‘get pumped’. He cites Bournemouth’s pressing blueprint after Arsenal’s 2-1 loss and City’s 3-0 win at Chelsea.
Analysis flags Arsenal’s open-play xG slump, with 0.18 vs Bournemouth and six games at 0.3 or lower, ranking sixth for open-play chance creation despite set-piece strength ahead of the City test.
Fabrizio Romano says Mikel Arteta’s lawyer is in ‘conversations’ with Arsenal over extending his contract at the end of the season.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court to two new allegations of rape.
Arsenal lead Sporting 1-0 after Kai Havertz’s late goal in Lisbon, with the Emirates return on 15 April.
Arsenal are linked with Werder Bremen’s 18-year-old centre-back Karim Coulibaly. Ekrem Konur reports a £32m-£43m fee is sought after 71.4% dribble success and 86.4% passing, with rivals including Manchester United and Real Madrid.
