Arsenal news LIVE: Rapinha transfer wanted, Morata deal still on, Tierney to Barcelona – latest updates

Merson calls out Piers Morgan

Paul Merson has slammed Piers Morgan for saying Arsenal should sack Mikel Arteta if the club doesn’t finish in the top four.

Merson claims the Gunners are only one signing away from competing the title and reckons Piers is living in the past after his comments.

Merson said: “Piers Morgan is living in the past saying Arsenal should sack Mikel Arteta if they don’t finish in the top four.

“They’re one signing away from being title contenders next season if they can the goalscorer they need – and they have the money to do it.

“I know where Piers is coming from when they’re playing once a week, and they’re basically out of every competition already this season.

“But this is a young team. This is what you’re going to get. They will play unbelievably one week and then be awful the next.”

United in for Juventus' Arthur

Arsenal face competition from Arsenal to sign Juventus midfielder Arthur, reports claim.

The Gunners were keen to bring the Brazilian on loan until the end of the season.

But the Old Lady wanted an 18-month loan deal with Arsenal to cover his wages, while also having an option-to-buy clause inserted.

Though negotiations have since stalled since their demands.

As a result, Cor Sport state that the Red Devils are now looking to lure the player to the Premier League.

Like Arsenal, United are said to only be prepared to sign him until the summer.

Arsenal joined by Spurs for Luiz

Tottenham have reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to lure Douglas Luiz away from Aston Villa.

The Gunners have been linked with a swoop for the Brazilian midfielder after failing to nab Bruno Guimaraes.

But according to the Daily Mail, their North London rivals are now in the hunt to sign the 23-year-old.

They state that Spurs are preparing a £32million bid for the ex-Manchester City man.

Luiz has 18 months left on his contract at Villa Park.

Brighton willing to sell Bissouma

Premier League clubs have been put on red alert with Brighton reportedly willing to sell star midfielder Yves Bissouma this month.

The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa are all believed to be admirers of the Mali international.

And according to The Times, the Seagulls are ready to cash in on the 25-year-old.

Valued at around £50million, Bissouma has just 18 months left on his contract at the Amex Stadium.

The south coast outfit know that they may not be able to fetch that price in the summer when he enters his last year of his deal.

Denis the menace

Juventus are reportedly determined to beat Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.

The Swiss international is set to become a free agent in the summer, and the German side are keen to cash in on him before the window closes.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "Juventus are pushing to sign Denis Zakaria immediately.

"Talks ongoing with Borussia Monchengladbach and Zakaria’s new agents in the last few hours.

"Negotiations ongoing to reach an agreement over last minute move. Juve have made their proposal."

Before adding: "Juventus have submitted an opening proposal to sign Denis Zakaria immediately: €7m [£5.8m] add-ons included. Borussia Monchengladbach will decide soon."

Feel the Bern

Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno will reportedly remain at the Emirates this month.

The German shot-stopper has been linked with a move to Newcastle with Aaron Ramsdale the No1 choice in North London.

But Sky Sport reporter Florian Plettenberg has declared that he will be staying until at least the summer.

He tweeted: He [Leno] won’t leave @Arsenal in winter, decision confirmed.

"A transfer in summer is more likely. #NUFC still with good chances if they stay in the PL."

Rowe your boat

Emile Smith Rowe has been Arsenal’s star player so far this season – and is top of the Prem when it comes to overperforming.

The Gunners began their Premier League campaign with three defeats in a row as some fans tipped them to become embroiled in a relegation battle.

But since then Mikel Arteta‘s men have started to find their feet and are now in a fight to finish in the top four.

And Smile Rowe is almost single-handedly responsible for much of the good feeling around the Emirates at the moment.

He has scored nine goals and provided two assists in all competitions – stepping up to the plate at crucial times for Arsenal.

Pennant wants Aubameyang at Everton

Former Arsenal forward Jermaine Pennant has urged Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join EVERTON instead of Barcelona or Juventus.

He told BestofBets.com: “Although Pierre is a great footballer, something really bad obviously happened at Arsenal - serious enough to strip his of captaincy - and this may work as a deterrent for some clubs.

"But… there will be some teams out there, such as Everton, who require a big name striker to help them.

"So, that can play in his favour, because he's a big name, and he can score goals.

"So, it might not be a top, top-tier team, but middle-tier, and he shouldn't find a problem there, regardless of what's gone on at Arsenal.

"If he comes out saying, ‘I just wanna play, I just want to prove, I want to get back into things,’ they should take him.

“And considering the problems Everton are faced with at the moment, Pierre-Emerick could be just what they need to help them out of relegation fears."

Jack to the future

Jack Wilshere has attracted transfer interest from various Championship clubs as well as teams from abroad after keeping fit with Arsenal.

In a bid to keep his fitness levels up, the 30-year-old has been working with the Gunners for the past few months and has also been involved in their warm weather training camp in the UAE.

According to reports from football.london, a host of Championship clubs are looking to secure his signature.

A move to Italy or Greece could also be on the cards with Serie B side Monza and AEK Athens among the former England midfielder’s admirers.

Saliba eyed up by Real Madrid

William Saliba could reportedly be set for a shock summer transfer away from Arsenal without ever having played for the club.

Spanish media claim that Real Madrid are plotting a move for the 20-year-old centre-back once his loan spell at Marseille finishes.

He has yet again impressed in Ligue 1 from his 20 outings - helping the Stade Velodrome outfit reach third in the table.

It was said in November how Arsenal were preparing to hand him a new contract with his deal set to expire in 2024.

But according to Fichajes, Real are hoping to lure him to Spain as they look to bolster their backline.

It has been suggested that the player's age and potential is seen as an attractive option for the Spanish top-flight leaders.

Vla va voom

Dusan Vlahovic has broken his silence after rejecting Arsenal to join Juventus from Fiorentina.

He said: "Juventus represents pride, tradition, family. Juventus are always there until the last minute, they never give up.

"The team always comes first, I am at the disposal of the coach and my teammates, who I will try to help in the best way possible.

"We always want more, and we want to improve in the future. Today is my birthday, which is really wonderful, a special day for me.

"This is one of the happiest birthdays I’ve experienced so far. I want to make Juventus proud. We will always fight for all goals, as they say, fino alle fine!"

Morning Arsenal fans

The Gunners' long shot of landing Dusan Vlahovic has finally missed.

Juventus recruited the Fiorentina goal machine for £62million on his 22nd birthday.

Vlahovic was keen to stay in Italy and in the past week it became clear Arsenal had little chance of persuading him otherwise.

Emirates boss Mikel Arteta might now look elsewhere before the transfer window shuts on Monday.

That's because Newcastle are thought to be keen on luring unsettled Gunners' frontman Eddie Nketiah this month.

And that could speed up Arteta's hunt for more firepower.

The Spaniard already wants long-term replacements for 30-somethings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

One, possibly both, could depart in the summer. PSV left-winger Cody Gakpo has been mentioned as incoming.

But Liverpool have also been linked with the 22-year-old.

Wolves fight to keep Arsenal & Utd target Neves

Wolves are battling to keep Manchester United and Arsenal target Ruben Neves, reports say.

SunSport revealed the Red Devils have bid £35million for the Portugal midfielder.

But it’s claimed tonight Wolves want more and also believe they can keep the 24-year-old until at least the summer.

The former Porto superstar has two years left on his Molineux contract.

Juve fans swarm to welcome Dusan

Dusan Vlahovic has completed his Juventus move after rejecting Arsenal to seal a £62million deal from Fiorentina.

The Serbian striker was one of the Gunners' top targets this month, as a replacement for the exiled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The 22-year-old would have been offered a huge salary and add-on incentives to seal a move to Mikel Arteta’s side.

But he has snubbed a switch to North London to join the Italian giants and become their next superstar forward.

Vlahovic’s move to Juventus also includes around £6m in add-ons, including goal bonuses and appearance fees.

He has scored 20 goals in 24 appearances already this season and is one of the hottest strikers in world football at present.

Arsenal will have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements ahead of Monday's transfer deadline day.

The Gunners were linked with PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool.

Man Lew-nited?

Could Manchester United muscle in for reported Arsenal and Newcastle target  Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

That’s the speculation tonight over Everton’s England striker, 24.

But any move for Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to come before the summer.

The 11-cap star is under contract until 2025.

But the Manchester Evening News is among media outlets suggesting the Toffees might decide to cash in on one of the Premier League’s most reliable marksmen of the current decade.

The MEN claim the Toffees are ‘shackled’ by Financial Fair Play rules due to ‘reckless spending’ in recent years.

Toffees should Penna deal for Auba

Jermaine Pennant reckons Everton should try and sign Arsenal ace Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.

Speaking to , Pennant said: “Although Pierre is a great footballer, something really bad obviously happened at Arsenal – serious enough to strip his of captaincy – and this may work as a deterrent for some clubs.

“But…there will be some teams out there, such as Everton, who require a big name striker to help them.

“So, that can play in his favour, because he’s a big name, and he can score goals.”

Juventus beat Arsenal to Vlahovic

Arsenal's main target Dusan Vlahovic has joined Juventus from Fiorentina.

The Gunners have reportedly been in talks for weeks over the Serbia striker, who is 22 today, but he wanted to stay in Italy.

Calum jogging on from Gunners

Ex-Arsenal defender Calum Chambers looked like a seasoned Villa veteran rather than a transfer window newbie as he knuckled down to his first day of training

Chambers, 27, joined yesterday in a three-and-a-half-year deal.

And he has already told : ““It’s a very exciting place to be and everyone can see that from the outside.

"Things are happening here and it’s definitely moving in the right direction."

Toon tipped to land Nketiah in triple swoop

Newcastle are expected to welcome THREE new faces before the end of the January transfer window, according to reports.

Eddie Howe has already brought in Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier and Burnley striker Chris Wood.

But a lot more could be on the way.

 are reporting that Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, Brighton defender Dan Burn and Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes are all close to joining the Magpies at St James’ Park.

Newcastle have quietly been working away on a deal for Nketiah – who is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer.

Talks are continuing with Arsenal, but a deal may not be agreed until Mikel Arteta can secure a suitable replacement.

Howe is keen to bring in a striker following Calum Wilson’s calf injury – which is expected to leave him sidelined until March.

Meanwhile, a first bid for Brighton man Burn was rejected by the south coast outfit.

However, Howe and Co have been encouraged to make another offer to prise the 29-year-old away from Graham Potter’s squad.

And 24-year-old Guimaraes, who has been capped three times by Brazil, will undergo a medical at Newcastle on Friday.

Smith Rowe 'outperforming' KDB and Salah

Emile Smith Rowe has been Arsenal's star player so far this season - and is top of the Prem when it comes to overperforming.

The Gunners began their Premier League campaign with three defeats in a row as some fans tipped them to become embroiled in a relegation battle.

But since then Mikel Arteta's men have started to find their feet and are now in a fight to finish in the top four.

And Smile Rowe is almost single-handedly responsible for much of the good feeling around the Emirates at the moment.

He has scored nine goals and provided two assists in all competitions - stepping up to the plate at crucial times for Arsenal.

The 21-year-old is the North London outfit's top scorer, two ahead of Bukayo Saka and outcast captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.about:blank

And Smith Rowe's impressive statistics look even more incredible when you analyse just how much he is overperforming by.

The England international, who received his first call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad in November of last year, has the best goals to expected goals ratio of any player in the Prem.

In the league, he has netted eight times from an xG of just 3.6.

That's a better return than the likes of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Man City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne - who have a goals to XG of 3.5 and 3 respectively.

The best in the Prem aside from Smith Rowe when it comes to this measurement is Burnley striker Maxwel Cornet with a score of 4 - following six goals from an xG of 2.

Gunners Doug in

Arsenal are reportedly preparing an offer to lure Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz away from Aston Villa before the winter transfer window closes.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is understood to be a fan of the 23-year-old having worked with him during his time as Pep Guardiola’s No2 at Manchester City.

Arsenal were linked with Lyon ace Bruno Guimaraes, but he is now joining Newcastle.

As a result, the North London outfit are now weighing up a move for his compatriot Luiz.

According to the , should the Magpies sign Bruno, Arsenal will press ahead with a deal to bring Luiz to the Emirates.