Sam Dean
@samjdean.bsky.social
Football reporter for the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph.
Another superb performance from Arsenal's midfield pairing of Rice and Zubimendi. Rice had the most touches and passes, and regained possession eight times (the most of any player on the pitch).
February 7, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Another superb performance from Arsenal's midfield pairing of Rice and Zubimendi. Rice had the most touches and passes, and regained possession eight times (the most of any player on the pitch).
Viktor Gyokeres has scored six goals in his last eight appearances in all competitions. It's all falling into place for him.
February 7, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Viktor Gyokeres has scored six goals in his last eight appearances in all competitions. It's all falling into place for him.
Five of Viktor Gyokeres' seven Premier League goals have come against the promoted sides (three v Leeds, one v Burnley and now one v Sunderland)
February 7, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Five of Viktor Gyokeres' seven Premier League goals have come against the promoted sides (three v Leeds, one v Burnley and now one v Sunderland)
That's Martin Zubimendi's sixth goal of the season for Arsenal. He had never scored more than four in any previous campaign in his career.
February 7, 2026 at 3:43 PM
That's Martin Zubimendi's sixth goal of the season for Arsenal. He had never scored more than four in any previous campaign in his career.
Very rarely see a forward player attach themselves to William Saliba in the way that Brian Brobbey has so far today. Most strikers try to avoid Saliba. Sunderland keep going long to Brobbey's feet as he tries to pin the Arsenal defender. Good battle.
February 7, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Very rarely see a forward player attach themselves to William Saliba in the way that Brian Brobbey has so far today. Most strikers try to avoid Saliba. Sunderland keep going long to Brobbey's feet as he tries to pin the Arsenal defender. Good battle.
Daniel Farke: "We have to accept the better team won this game. We faced today the best side in Europe. You need a perfect day in order to give yourself a chance. We did not have our very best day. We have to accept their quality. Whatever we did, they always had an answer."
January 31, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Daniel Farke: "We have to accept the better team won this game. We faced today the best side in Europe. You need a perfect day in order to give yourself a chance. We did not have our very best day. We have to accept their quality. Whatever we did, they always had an answer."
The use of Havertz and Odegaard summarised how Arsenal destroyed Leeds here. The more physical Havertz helped #AFC to grind down Leeds in an attritional first half, before Odegaard then picked them apart as the game opened up after the break. First the power, then the precision.
January 31, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The use of Havertz and Odegaard summarised how Arsenal destroyed Leeds here. The more physical Havertz helped #AFC to grind down Leeds in an attritional first half, before Odegaard then picked them apart as the game opened up after the break. First the power, then the precision.
Arsenal's most convincing away performance of the season, and an emphatic answer to the questions that have been asked of them after three league games without a win. Leeds could not handle the aerial barrage in the first half, or the fluidity of #AFC's movement in the second.
January 31, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Arsenal's most convincing away performance of the season, and an emphatic answer to the questions that have been asked of them after three league games without a win. Leeds could not handle the aerial barrage in the first half, or the fluidity of #AFC's movement in the second.
Lovely finish by Gabriel Jesus. The way he shifts the ball, creating space in the penalty box while holding off the defender... not sure anyone else in the #AFC squad can do that as well as him.
January 31, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Lovely finish by Gabriel Jesus. The way he shifts the ball, creating space in the penalty box while holding off the defender... not sure anyone else in the #AFC squad can do that as well as him.
Game over at Elland Road. Gyokeres missed his earlier chance but buried this one in style, converting Martinelli's left-footed cross. Odegaard has helped #AFC to regain control here.
January 31, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Game over at Elland Road. Gyokeres missed his earlier chance but buried this one in style, converting Martinelli's left-footed cross. Odegaard has helped #AFC to regain control here.
2-0 to Arsenal at half-time. Arteta's side in full control ever since Zubimendi's opener. He and Rice are dominating the midfield, while Madueke is a constant threat on the right. Leeds are yet to have a shot on target.
January 31, 2026 at 3:49 PM
2-0 to Arsenal at half-time. Arteta's side in full control ever since Zubimendi's opener. He and Rice are dominating the midfield, while Madueke is a constant threat on the right. Leeds are yet to have a shot on target.
Not content with scoring headers from corners, or with forcing own goals, it seems Arsenal are now scoring from them directly. Madueke swings it towards Darlow, who can't scramble it out. It might still go down as an own goal, though... let's see.
January 31, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Not content with scoring headers from corners, or with forcing own goals, it seems Arsenal are now scoring from them directly. Madueke swings it towards Darlow, who can't scramble it out. It might still go down as an own goal, though... let's see.
That #AFC goal was another reminder of Martin Zubimendi's excellence in the air. He's not particularly tall but he has that blend of spring and timing when attacking the ball.
January 31, 2026 at 3:35 PM
That #AFC goal was another reminder of Martin Zubimendi's excellence in the air. He's not particularly tall but he has that blend of spring and timing when attacking the ball.
Arsenal take the lead. Madueke's cross, Zubimendi's header. Leeds couldn't properly clear a corner.
January 31, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Arsenal take the lead. Madueke's cross, Zubimendi's header. Leeds couldn't properly clear a corner.
Declan Rice makes his 300th Premier League appearance today. Aged 27 years and 17 days, he is the fifth youngest player to reach 300 — after Wayne Rooney, James Milner, Gareth Barry and Raheem Sterling.
January 31, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Declan Rice makes his 300th Premier League appearance today. Aged 27 years and 17 days, he is the fifth youngest player to reach 300 — after Wayne Rooney, James Milner, Gareth Barry and Raheem Sterling.
Arteta's use of his full-backs this season has been really interesting. Timber was effectively playing as a striker in some moments against Liverpool. Part of the plan to create more unpredictability & fluidity? Chelsea have done similar with Cucurella
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
Arsenal’s tactical shift leads to rise of the buccaneering full-back
Daringness of defenders this season provides clear evidence of evolution of the team’s attack under Mikel Arteta
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Arteta's use of his full-backs this season has been really interesting. Timber was effectively playing as a striker in some moments against Liverpool. Part of the plan to create more unpredictability & fluidity? Chelsea have done similar with Cucurella
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
Since Arsene Wenger's departure in 2018, Arsenal have spent more than £1bn to rebuild the squad – and then rebuild it again, and again. In total, there have been 49 first-team signings. Here they all are, ranked from best to worst #AFC
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
Arsenal’s 49 signings since Arsene Wenger left: Ranked from best to worst
Telegraph Sport runs the rule over all the players to join the club during a period of great upheaval since the Frenchman’s exit
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Since Arsene Wenger's departure in 2018, Arsenal have spent more than £1bn to rebuild the squad – and then rebuild it again, and again. In total, there have been 49 first-team signings. Here they all are, ranked from best to worst #AFC
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
Arteta on Havertz: “We are monitoring his load. He has been out for a long time. He is very close. He trained this morning again. Hopefully we will have him available.” #AFC
January 7, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Arteta on Havertz: “We are monitoring his load. He has been out for a long time. He is very close. He trained this morning again. Hopefully we will have him available.” #AFC
Mikel Arteta says Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are still injured and won’t be available for tomorrow’s game against Liverpool. #AFC
January 7, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Mikel Arteta says Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are still injured and won’t be available for tomorrow’s game against Liverpool. #AFC
Arsenal were a long way from their fluid best but that was another fabulous defensive performance by Declan Rice in midfield. He won possession 10 times, the most of any player on the pitch. He also had the most touches (114) and accurate passes (87). #AFC
December 20, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Arsenal were a long way from their fluid best but that was another fabulous defensive performance by Declan Rice in midfield. He won possession 10 times, the most of any player on the pitch. He also had the most touches (114) and accurate passes (87). #AFC
Viktor Gyokeres continues to divide opinion among #AFC fans but one thing cannot be denied: he is good at penalties. Since the summer of 2023 (when he joined Sporting) he has scored 19 out of 19 penalties he has taken in league football.
December 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Viktor Gyokeres continues to divide opinion among #AFC fans but one thing cannot be denied: he is good at penalties. Since the summer of 2023 (when he joined Sporting) he has scored 19 out of 19 penalties he has taken in league football.
Arsenal's bench tonight: one goalkeeper, one left-back, four midfielders, two wingers and a striker.
December 20, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Arsenal's bench tonight: one goalkeeper, one left-back, four midfielders, two wingers and a striker.