Arsenal

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We asked you to put yourselves in Mikel Arteta's shoes and suggest what you would do to solve Arsenal's lack of right-back options for the final games of this season.

Here are some of your suggestions:

Will: I would play Cristhian Mosquera at right-back against Burnley. That way Jurrien Timber can get his fitness back for the Crystal Palace game, and then hopefully be ready for Paris St-Germain after getting some game time the previous week.

Neil: I would start Mosquera in a back four with William Saliba, Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Another option is shifting Saliba to right-back and playing Riccardo Calafiori at centre-back with Gabriel and Lewis-Skelly.

Kieran: It's not tried and tested but I wouldn't be so worried about throwing Christian Norgaard in at right-back. He has always done well when he has been given a chance and he could be a decent option given we seem to have a lot of midfielders. However, I can't fault Mosquera for his efforts either so I wouldn't mind him continuing in that role as well.

Kyle: I would play Mosquera. He has been used there before and he coped relatively well. It makes most sense. Any other choice would be strange - for example, Declan Rice.

Lew: The obvious answer would be putting Mosquera there but, with Lewis-Skelly playing in midfield at the moment, you could try putting Martin Zubimendi in as a right-back who drifts into midfield - a bit like Trent Alexander-Arnold did at Liverpool. Just please don't put Rice in at right-back. It kills our midfield and the job he does there is massively important.

Colin: If Timber can't make it, it has to be Mosquera - but young Marli Salmon must be on the bench. We can't waste Rice at right-back again. Lewis-Skelly has proven his worth and should partner Rice in midfield, but if Zubimendi is looking good in training then both he and Lewis-Skelly should share minutes in each of the remaining games.

BBC Sport football issues correspondent Dale Johnson has written this piece looking at how VAR has this week been involved in two big decisions in title races in both England and Scotland - and in the case of the Premier League, the relegation battle too.

So we asked supporters of clubs involved - including Arsenal fan writer Chris Howard - what it says about how VAR is working...

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As a matchgoing supporter, I experience the agony of a VAR "wait" call on a regular basis, and I am not a fan. But Pandora's box has been open, kids, so we all need to reframe our relationship with it.

And I think we also have to go back to what we all want from VAR.

We hear "consistency" and "getting the right decision" as the key reasons. The first part can be debated, but I do feel that when the decisions aren't extremely subjective - "that's never a pen!" - VAR does often get things right.

The noise around West Ham's goal was not about the decision in isolation, it was partisan fans, commentators and ex-players having their say and trying to create noise and get themselves profiled.

We do, however, need to look at those in charge of VAR and a review of the people behind the screens is something that needs to be done sooner rather than later.

Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Gooners, external and the Same Old Arsenal Podcast, external

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Mikel Arteta has said that Jurrien Timber is doing "everything he can" to be fit for the climax of Arsenal's run-in.

The full-back has not featured for the Gunners since coming off in the first half of their 2-0 win over Everton in March.

The right-back position is now a problem area for Mikel Arteta as alongside Timber, Ben White has also been ruled out for the season with a knee ligament injury.

Timber has been spotted around the squad before the games against Atletico Madrid and West Ham last week as he tried to come back in time for Arsenal's title push and the Champions League final.

"He wanted to be very close to the team," Arteta said of Timber's presence despite not being in the squad.

"He's progressed a little bit in the past few days. He's feeling better. We're going to try to get him fit and available as quick as possible, but let's see.

"He has been out now for a while, unfortunately. He is such an important player for us - we all know that - and he is doing everything that he possibly can to help the team in any capacity.

"We know his leadership, his quality and how much the team needs him."

Alongside White, who Arteta said is out for the "long term", Riccardo Calafiori came off at half-time of Arsenal's dramatic 1-0 win at West Ham, but the Gunners boss is unsure if the Italian will be available for Arsenal's final home match against Burnley on Monday.

"No, we don't know whether it's going to be a better one - we still have days ahead. Hopefully it's nothing serious but we'll have to wait and see how we react to that," he said.

Arteta said Cristhian Mosquera could be "an option" in the defensive line, but added that he is keen on being "flexible" and "open to not only one but two or three" solutions amid his right-back conundrum.

So what would you do about the right-back situation if you were Arteta?

Tell us here

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Burnley at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• It is unknown if defender Riccardo Calafiori will be fit after he was forced off with a muscle injury at half-time last time out: "We still have a few days ahead of us. Hopefully it is nothing serious, but we'll have to wait and see how he reacts."

• Jurrien Timber, who is struggling with a recurring ankle injury, is "feeling better" and has "progressed a little bit" this week. The aim is to get the defender "fit and available as quick as possible" because he is "such an important player". Arteta added: "He is doing everything he possibly can to help the team in any capacity. There is a chance he could play - I cannot tell you how big the chance is."

• When asked if injured Ben White will miss the World Cup, he replied: "It looks like a long-term injury so, at the moment, the focus is on when we will get him back available for Arsenal. That isn't going to happen for many, many weeks."

• The Gunners will be forced to "look at alternatives" at right-back going into the final run-in. However, he reiterated: "We have experienced this all over the pitch this season. When we've had other issues, they've normally been in the same positions as well. Each time, we have managed to find the right level of performance and consistency, so I'm sure we can do it."

• Cristhian Mosquera could be "an option" in the defensive line, but Arteta is keen on being "flexible" and "open to not only one but two or three options" amid his right-back conundrum.

• Following the 1-0 win over West Ham, the Gunners are "living in the moment", the players' emotions are "in a really good state" and the "energy level is right". There is also a sense of "enthusiasm and positivity" going into the final two league games of the season.

• On whether the importance of goal difference is in the back of his mind, Arteta said: "We have to win the games first of all - then we can make the difference with more goals, as obviously that's even better. But we are playing some very tough matches. Goal difference is part of the narrative. There are various factors, though, and this could just be one of them. It is a factor that has been important since the start of the season."

• On Red Action confirming another 'meet the bus' event before Monday night's game, Arteta said: "I loved it and I think the players all loved it [last time]. It builds an energy and a connection with the fans that we haven't experienced before. The whole preparation showed the level of meaning was higher, and the atmosphere showed the level of passion from our supporters was different as well. It really helped us."

• Arteta didn't watch Manchester City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday. When asked if the result changes his plan of attack for the remaining games, he replied: "It changes nothing. We only focus on the things that are in our hands. We are focused on preparing in the best way possible to beat Burnley."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Mikel Arteta is hosting an early press conference before Arsenal's final home game against Burnley.

The supporters are planning another demonstration to welcome the players when they arrive at Emirates Stadium. They did it for the first time before the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

Arteta has been dealt a blow after Ben White was ruled out for the season with a knee ligament injury, and with Jurrien Timber also injured, the Arsenal manager has thinking to do about what to do at right-back for their last three games of the season.

This is what Manchester City's win over Crystal Palace does to the Premier League table.

After 36 games played, only two points separate leaders Arsenal and Manchester City.

It will all come down to the final two rounds of the season.

Arsenal's remaining fixtures:

Arsenal v Burnley - 18 May, 20:00 BST

Crystal Palace v Arsenal - 24 May, 16:00 BST

Man City's remaining fixtures:

Bournemouth v Man City - 19 May, 19:30 BST

Man City v Aston Villa - 24 May, 16:00 BST

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Football should be fun but at this time of the season the stress levels can edge towards being dangerous.

In east London on Sunday, Arsenal piled the mental pressure on themselves with a strange approach to their must-win game against West Ham. The good start crashed after Ben White's injury. Declan Rice, the most influential player on the pitch, was pulled from the centre of proceedings and plonked at right-back to accommodate substitute Martin Zubimendi, a fine but lesser presence in the midfield. Why did Mikel Arteta do that? He could have slotted Cristhian Mosquera in at full-back with minimal disruption.

It was a mystifying call. Was Arteta overthinking or maybe over stressing? West Ham immediately found confidence and began to take part instead of just spectating. The mistake was rectified at half-time as the Arsenal manager readjusted before the next incomprehensible decision – allowing his team to slow the game down to a crawl.

There was a period of almost two entire minutes near the start of the second half when Arsenal passed it aimlessly around the back and midfield without the merest thought of making a serious forward pass.

Fortunately, the willingness to take some risks and add some chaos arrived with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz. Was this genius planning by Arteta to leave it this late to push on? Was it him finally getting it right after trial and error? Or was it desperation by himself and his players?

It could have back fired and it nearly did, but they got away with it by the skin of their teeth.

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.

In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.

Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".

You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating:"Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"

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Ben White could turn down a move to Everton this summer if the England defender, 28, receives assurances about his playing time at Arsenal. (Football Insider), external

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Arsenal defender Ben White is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury - and is a huge doubt for England's World Cup squad.

White had just returned to the England team for the first time in more than three years, in the recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March, with the defender scoring in the draw against Marcelo Bielsa's side.

It will also be a personal blow to miss out on what could be an historic end to the season for the Gunners with the chance for two trophies just three games away.

White put in an excellent performance in the Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid and his partnership with Bukayo Saka on Arsenal's right-hand side has flourished since he returned to the side.

Now the worries about the season run-in and who to play right-back will be on the Arsenal manager's mind.

Jurrien Timber is still out with a groin injury and Mikel Arteta played Declan Rice at right-back against West Ham before putting Cristhian Mosquera into that position for the rest of the match.

Mosquera has shown that he has the potential to be an elite defender but at just 21-years-old, it would be a big ask for him to start in a Champions League final against Paris St-Germain's elite attack.

In March, Thomas Tuchel recalled White to the England squad for the first time since the defender left camp at the Qatar 2022 citing "personal reasons".

White has six England caps and scored his first international goal in March after Tuchel introduced him in the second half of a friendly against Uruguay.

Read Sami Mokbel's piece on the news

Mikel Arteta might have prioritised solidity over excitability at times this season, but it could be a decision which brings Arsenal their first Premier League title in 22 years.

On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said people "should be praising" the Gunners' approach, after going within touching distance of the title with an edgy 1-0 win over West Ham.

"Arsenal have done something different," Sutton added. "We should be applauding them because not everybody can keep up with the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Paris St-Germain in terms of playing the beautiful and expansive game.

"So if other teams have adapted to that, we shouldn't be kicking them for it because, at the end of the day, the end justifies the means.

"If Arsenal go on and win the Premier League and the Champions League, we should all be praising Mikel Arteta to the hills. It is genius from him.

"Arsenal tried to play the beautiful game for years under Arsene Wenger, but they didn't win a Premier League."

The Observer's football correspondent Rory Smith added: "Arsenal have exploited it and they should be credited for their ingenuity, but that doesn't mean it is a good thing [for the game].

"Dressing it up as a good thing is sophistry because it has ruined the spectacle [of modern football]."

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Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

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I didn't initially see David Raya's remarkable save from Mateus Fernandes during Arsenal's win on Sunday because I already had my head in my hands.

It was a well-worked piece of play from the home team, with Fernandes just needing to place the ball anywhere but where he actually did to score. As he went through on goal, I simply couldn't watch.

Several hundred replays later and Raya's save could be the moment of the season. He has quietly become Arsenal's most important player and, in my opinion, should be considered our player of the season.

The Spaniard's rise to winning his third Golden Glove award in a row should be recognised as one of the early signs of Mikel Arteta's ability to identify and coach potentially elite players, all while being unafraid at upsetting the status quo.

It's easy to forget that when Raya was first brought into Arsenal, Aaron Ramsdale was one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Many fans, myself included, wondered why Arteta would upset his current number one by bringing in an outsider. Moreover, when Raya was eventually picked to start over Ramsdale, his first few games left fans wondering whether the fuss was worth it.

Arteta, and the coaching staff at Arsenal, deserve immense credit for what they saw in Raya and how he has improved season after season. His showreel of saves from this season, including Saturday's point-blank stop against West Ham, is extensive.

Fast-forward to 2026 and it's almost impossible to overstate the impact Raya has had on this team. In addition to his remarkable shot-stopping capability, he is integral in orchestrating Arsenal's build-up through his decisive distribution.

With Ramsdale the exception, Arsenal have for decades managed with a good, but perhaps not elite, goalkeeper.

Raya is perhaps the finest example that the much espoused "defence wins titles" almost definitely starts with exactly that - a world-class goalkeeper.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

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Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney believes Martin Odegaard was the difference for Arsenal on Sunday, as they beat West Ham United 1-0.

The Norwegian came off the bench in the 67th minute at London Stadium and assisted Leandro Trossard for the winning goal.

"The big difference and why they won the game was Odegaard," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show

"He hasn't been in his best form this season but he came on and he showed two or three bits of real quality in terms of his passing, his decision-making, when to hold the ball and when to play the ball and then obviously his composure in the penalty box for Trossard's goal and that's the difference.

"He's captain of Arsenal and probably not happy with the season for him personally - to be captain and left out of the team is not a great thing - but he's shown his professionalism and then real quality when Arsenal needed it.

"That was the difference."

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Uefa have announced the matchday officials for the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain, with referee Daniel Siebert set to make his Uefa club competition final debut.

The German has been an international referee since 2015 and has been at the centre of nine Champions League matches this season; including Arsenal's quarter-final first leg against Sporting, and their semi-final second leg at home to Atletico Madrid.

The 42-year-old also officiated two games at Euro 2024 and three games at Euro 2020. He will be joined by compatriots Bastian Dankert and Robert Schroder on VAR.

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between West Ham and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Steve: Thought West Ham frustrated Arsenal for most of the game and could even have won it. Great disappointment when the equaliser was disallowed but it was the correct decision. Arsenal almost there and fully deserve their position.

John: The writing was on the wall very early that West Ham would struggle to survive in the Premier League this season. We didn't start to put up a fight until late January and even then we lost crucial games when Forest and Leeds were fighting more than we were. Unfortunately we will have to take our medicine and do what we always do and bounce back from the Championship!

James: Resolute performance. Tactically we looked like we had the right shape for this game. It was always going to be tough for Taty, but he worked hard. I think we had the best chance of the game with Mateus Fernandes at 0-0 which could have provided a different result. I'll look forward to cheaper tickets next season in the Championship.

Samuel: Furious, absolutely furious. We played fantastically against the best defence in the division and nullified most of their attacks. But that moment at the end has cost us dear. It was never a foul on the keeper and the goal would have been deserved for our battling performance.

Arsenal fans

Sam: That was one of the most stressful matches we could have asked for but the end result is exactly what was needed. It was an ugly watch and at times we struggled to create much up against a resilient West Ham defence. Leandro Trossard came up with the vital moment but full credit to Martin Odegaard who was exceptional when he came on. The disallowed goal was the correct decision in the end, it's probably a little bit soft but it's still a clear foul on David Raya. Just two games away from the trophy now. We've never been in a better position than we are now and it's fully in our own hands.

Mark: Mikel Arteta will know he got away with one today. The decision to put Declan Rice at right back was a shocker - and it almost cost us dear as it meant that he had used up all his subs when we were trying to see the game out. Much as I dislike VAR, today it was used as it should be - to help the referee see something that he missed in real time - not one but two fouls on David Raya, without which he would have caught the ball.

Matthew: The biggest takeaway was Arsenal's maturity. In previous years, this is the kind of match they might have drawn. Instead, they stayed calm, found the breakthrough and managed the closing stages well, even surviving a late VAR scare.

Will: A nervy performance, we were fortunate to come away with three points. Bukayo Saka did not step up and did not give us a captain's performance. David Raya has shown how consistent he is in every game that he plays. We lost 25 minutes of play making without Declan Rice in the first half when Mikel Arteta moved him to right back. We need to do a lot better in our two remaining games.

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Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has called for a rule change that would stop attacking players from entering the six-yard box before a corner.

Cann suggested the idea after Callum Wilson's late goal for West Ham against Arsenal on Sunday was disallowed because Hammers forward Pablo was judged to have fouled goalkeeper David Raya as the corner was sent into the penalty area.

"I feel the time has come now for a law change, whereby no attackers are allowed in the six-yard box before a corner is taken," Cann told BBC Match of the Day.

"At goal-kicks, forwards are not allowed in the penalty area; at corners, they shouldn't be allowed in the six-yard box until the ball is in play.

"Lots of teams grapple at corners, sometimes before the ball has come into play and then obviously the referee can't give a penalty or an indirect free kick if the ball is not in play, so this would create that natural separation and eradicate these kind of situations."

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