Charles Watts

3 weeks ago | caughtoffside.com | Charles Watts

The win against Fulham on Tuesday perfectly encapsulated Arsenal’s season. You had the positive of Bukayo Saka coming back, something that boosted the whole club. And then you had the crushing disappointment of seeing Gabriel Magalhaes limp off early with a hamstring injury. That’s just how things have gone at Arsenal since the season got underway. Injuries have just been the theme of the campaign. And obviously it’s not just Gabriel. It’s Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White as well.

3 weeks ago | caughtoffside.com | Charles Watts

We don’t yet know the extent of the injuries to Gabriel, Timber and White – but you feel it is very unlikely that they will all be fit to face Madrid. In Gabriel’s case it feels impossible to think he could return so quickly to feature given it’s a hamstring problem and that’s a huge blow. But I have to say I think the potential issue with Timber is even more worrying.

4 weeks ago | caughtoffside.com | Charles Watts

I’ll be honest, I can’t remember cheering an England goal scored outside of a major tournament as much as I did when Myles Lewis-Skelly scored against Albania the other other day. What a moment that was for him. Just another to add to the long list he has enjoyed throughout what has been a remarkable season of firsts for Arsenal’s prodigious teenager. It was just really special to see him tuck away that finish and then run off to celebrate in front of the fans.

4 weeks ago | caughtoffside.com | Charles Watts

It’s been interesting to see the reaction to the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid now appears certain. There has been lots of backlash from Liverpool fans, certainly on social media anyway, but I’m not sure you will see or hear quite as much of it from the match going Liverpool fans. I think deep down they will understand Trent’s decision, even if it will hurt them to see him go, especially on a free. He has given so much service to that club and he has won the lot with them.

1 month ago | caughtoffside.com | Charles Watts

The interest from Saudi Arabia in Gabriel Magalhaes is nothing new, it dates back a couple of years now. In the summer of 2023 there were fears at Arsenal that Gabriel’s head had been turned by the money that was on offer, which was why he was left out of the team in those early games that season. Mikel Arteta publicly said it was tactical, but it wasn’t. It was because of what was going on behind the scenes with the interest from Saudi.