Arsenal get an additional £1.8m per win in the Champions League group stage. Winning 8/8 - that's £14.4m and literally one win could cover the signings of two young players from Scotland today (Evan Mooney and James Wilson).

The fact we even considered Sandro Tonali is probably not good news for the prognosis of Mikel Merino. Douglas Luiz would've definitely been a go-er had he not just gone to Villa. Anyone else?

Merino injury means we must be more careful than ever with Rice and Havertz. Pivotal we keep those two fit. Go with Zubi - Norgaard against Chelsea and let Rice come off the bench.

The main problem with the Merino injury is the loss of legs. Yes we have other players but none replace his energy and it now solely relies on Rice. Norgaard, Myles, Zubimendi are fine, if alongside a Rice profile. We need to try and find someone of that ilk.

Breno Bidon has been linked a lot this month - long term target who can play a couple of roles in midfield. Could we make a deadline day move for the 20 y/o Corinthians man?

So last week everyone was saying we’ve bottled it and a week later the same people are saying it’s done. How about we don’t say such definitive stuff with so many games left. Call us bottlers / winners based on actual outcomes - don’t spend 3/4s of the season flip-flopping.

Dominic Solanke, I have always rated you.

Our most heavily loaded players should get a 10 day break soon between Brentford (a) and Spurs (a) Give Gabriel, Saliba, Saka, Timber, Rice, Zubimendi and Raya a little holiday.

Arteta did a lot of things differently today, most notably the 442 shape with Kai & Gyok in combo & Rice deeper with Zubi more advanced. Didn't all work perfectly but a lot did & crucially it showed Mikel was open to CHANGE. The response, Mikel words and actions, post Man Utd has been great.

Liverpool building some form and Man City go there next week. Good timing.

I think I'm ready to go all in for Eli Junior Kroupi. Sensational potential and already about to hit double figure PL goals as a rotational player for Bournemouth, playing many games at SS. Perfect Gabriel Jesus replacement this summer.

Not sure why I am seeing some hate for Piero Hincapie. I thought he was decent today - nothing past him. People forget he just turned 24, new league; new culture and he’s had to play two very different positions. Important part of this squad that will keep getting better.

Back with the line ups… Chelsea Raya White Saliba Gabriel Calafiori Odegaard Norgaard Rice Madueke Gyokeres Eze 5 changes without really weakening: FBs similar - Ode&Norg for Kai&Zubi gives a good fresh, balanced trio. Eze a chance at LW to transition as Chelsea chase game.

Inter and Leeds games were sooo much better from Gyokeres / Jesus. That’s what we need more often when they share the game.

Thought Kai Havertz struggled with the intensity today, crucial we don't get too excited and we continue to ease him in. He will be vital in March/April/May.

Big chances: Leeds 0-7 Arsenal

0.15 xG for Leeds. We didn't give them a sniff at all, at a very tough place to go. Gave their fans zero encouragement. Much-improved game management and defensively played at the level we know we are capable of.

Really encouraging performance from Viktor Gyokeres. That's 4 goals in his last 5 games now. Should've had another early in the 2H but his runs have improved a lot, and he got his goal. Also looks stronger, better in the duels and combining / holding it up a bit more.

Professional performance, and VERY important result. Defence looked its old self, gave Leeds nothing. Much-needed clean sheet. Felt like a 23/24 away performance, never under pressure: ‘Stadiums are empty’. We need a few of those in the run-in.

4-0. A huge result this.

Scored in 4 of his last 5 games ⚽⚽⚽⚽

Calafiori and Eze for Hincapie and Trossard to refresh the left side feels like suitable subs for the last 15.

HUGE GOAL! Viktor or Timber should've made it 3 early in the second half This time Gyokeres takes his chance! His runs have been brilliant today, very happy for him!

I'd give Havertz 10 minutes and then bring Eze on. Kai struggling to get into the game and it's very physical up there - don't take any risks. Eze can pick the holes in a stretched Leeds defence as they chase the game.

Next 20 minutes is vital. We've had games in the palm of our hands and invited opposition back in in recent games. There's been 3 shots in the whole game, our pressure created 7 corners which led to the goals, but we should take advantage of the spaces now and get a 3rd.

Much better from Noni today. Proper indefensible deliveries.

Why on earth did the ref stop the game for a back injury at the end there? Madueke was in...

I think Havertz as an SS on the right side will really help Saka, expect a good day for him today. Havertz right channel and Gyokeres left channel to go at the back three of Leeds.

Looks like Merino is injured but I’d have had Norgaard on the bench instead of Martinelli or Madueke. No deep midfield cover - and lots of wide options already there.

8/11 of the Arsenal XI did not play a minute in the week, and the other three played 45, 45 & 75 (Gyokeres). Should be just as fresh as Leeds.

Arsenal have two outlets in Gyokeres and Havertz today. Incredibly different tactic to Villa away for example when we had none. Let’s hope it works and we start to find combinations that really thrive.

One of the biggest and strongest Arsenal XIs you’ll have ever seen. Can’t be outfought today, must couple that with the technical calmness and qualities to win the game 💪🏼

Arteta has lent into the chemistry shown in the combination of Gyokeres and Havertz on Wednesday night. No Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard or Merino in the Arsenal squad ❌

The positive is Leeds can’t have any idea of the XI they will face, given none of us do.

Got a feeling Arteta will choose Merino ST and Eze 10 tomorrow.

The Europa League really is terrible quality now that the CL is bigger and no CL teams drop down. No wonder it was a Man U / Spurs final last year - Villa should walk it this year.

Arsenal’s most likely route to the #ChampionsLeague2026 final 🏆 Ro16: 🇩🇪 Dortmund (29.9%) QF: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man City (28.9%) SF: 🇪🇸 Barcelona (22.4%) F: 🇩🇪 Bayern (29.1%)

If we need a goal, rather than scramble subs and do like for likes, I'd love to see us change shape a bit - two strikers, two width holders (Noni & White, not Saka). Havertz and Gyokeres up top with Saka and Eze on the interior, our best ball strikers in best positions.

OK revised post from last night. We aren't selling Noni this summer, but I'd like him to have more minutes on the left. Eze (inside left), Madueke (outside left) + new starting LW as left options. Saka/Dowman/Noni right. Sell: Jesus, Martinelli, Leo Sign: A starting LW & CF who can play as a WF

Max Dowman will hopefully return in time to play against Wigan (15 Feb).

50% chance we meet Man City in the quarters if both win our Ro16 tie... That means we could face Man City four more times this season - and all could be trophy defining (Carabao final (n), League game (a), CL quarter (h&a). ....

Leeds (PL) Raya Timber Saliba Gabriel Hincapie Zubimendi Rice Saka Eze Leo Gyokeres Chelsea (League Cup) Raya White/Mosquera/Saliba (2 of) Gabriel Calafiori Merino Rice Odegaard Saka Havertz Martinelli Something like that

Onto Leeds on Saturday. No excuses - 9 players set to start had complete rest tonight (Saka, Trossard, Rice, Merino, Zubimendi, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Raya) Whilst Calafiori / Hincapie / Gyokeres / Eze gained some sharpness (would add two of these to the 9 above).

If he doesn't sort it out Max Dowman will take his place in the squad very soon.

Newcastle the only English team to play the play off round. Of course they travel to The Etihad between the two legs.

Lewis-Skelly seems to have lost all his timing and intelligence in the duels. 4 fouls tonight against Kairat Almaty.

Arsenal can't face Bayern until the final. Can't face Liverpool or Spurs untul the semi-final (in the event get there).

Providing Havertz reacts well to the 45 minutes tonight, hopefully he starts against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup next week. Seems a good next step to getting him fully fit and into gear.

Can we get some specialist coach on Madueke. He is only 23, phenomenal attributes in some areas but horrific in others.