Arsenal are riding high, sitting at the top of the Premier League with a perfect record after four matches.
The Gunners had to do things the hard way on Saturday, coming from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 and maintain their perfect start. Mikel Arteta believed the victory showed his side’s character. They will play Aston Villa next up on Wednesday before travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on the weekend.
In the meantime, there is plenty to reflect upon from the weekend’s action, which also included plenty of Arsenal intrigue from a match in France. Here Mirror Football brings you all you need to know.
Pepe slammed by Nice boss
Nicolas Pepe joined Nice on a season-long loan in the hope he could re-find his best form, but he was given a rude awakening on his debut.
Nice were thrashed 3-0 at home by Marseille on Sunday, with former Gunner Alexis Sanchez scoring twice and current Gunner Nuno Tavares grabbing the other in a game full of Arsenal links.
To make matters worse, Pepe’s new manager, Lucien Favre, did not hold back in his assessment of the £72million man.
“He hasn’t played for a long time in England. He has done the pre-season with Arsenal but he hasn’t played any matches," he said. "He is lacking a bit of rhythm, intensity in his placements, in his pressing as well and in his ball recovery, because everyone has to do that.”
Odegaard sale questioned
Gary Lineker is confused as to why Real Madrid allowed Arsenal to sign Martin Odegaard last summer for £30million.
Odegaard helped to instigate the Gunners’ comeback from a goal behind to secure a 2-1 victory which ensured they maintained their perfect start to the season and stayed top of the Premier League table.
But Lineker believes he should still be at Real, ready to take over from ageing pair Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
“Do you know what baffles me a little bit, is how have Real Madrid let him slip away when they’ve got Modric and Kroos, who are really at the end of their careers?” he said on Match of the Day. “It’s a strange one because he’s so clearly talented, isn’t he?”
Gabriel’s harsh words for Saka
Gabriel Magalhaes was caught on camera having stern words with Bukayo Saka following Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opening goal on Monday.
Gabriel was at fault as he was robbed of possession by Mitrovic, who then buried his effort past Aaron Ramsdale. But the Arsenal defender believed Saka was partly to blame too.
The England international played a risky ball from the right-back position across his own box into the path of Gabriel, who was then pressured into losing the ball. Gabriel grabbed Saka after the full-time whistle to make his point.
It was all water under the bridge after Martin Odegaard and Gabriel turned things around though. "He’s a guy with a big character,” Saka told BBC Match of the Day. “He deserved to get the winner."
