Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners eye Viktor Gyokeres, Odegaard position switch, Eddie Nketiah EXCLUSIVE – updates
ARSENAL are reportedly eyeing up a move for Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres, who has 16 goals in 19 games this season.
There will be an old face at the Emirates for the clash against West Ham, with Granit Xhaka returning to the club to say farewell.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has revealed that skipper Martin Odegaard could be seen in a new role against the Hammers.
And the Gunners are also leading the race to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney, according to reports.
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Game day
It's game day for the Gunners.
Arsenal take on West Ham in a London derby at the Emirates tonight at 8:15pm.
Manchester City came back to beat Everton 3-1 yesterday to keep the pressure up in the title race and Liverpool leapfrogged Arsenal with their win against Burnley.
A win against the Hammers would putt Arsenal back to the top of the table.
How Arsenal could line up against West Ham
Here is a predicted XI to face West Ham tomorrow...
Next up for Arsenal
Arsenal face West Ham in their final home game of 2023 tonight before a trip to Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
The Gunners then face Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in January.
Arteta eyes Onana
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been having scouting reports drawn up for Everton ace Amadou Onana.
Onana has impressed so far this season and helped the Toffees bounce back after their 10-point deduction in the Premier League.
However, with Sean Dyche’s side having paid £33m for the midfielder, they would no doubt want to see a good profit on that figure.
Arteta needs reinforcement in midfield with Fabio Vieira injured and Thomas Partey on his way out.
Arteta has January plans
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal could dip into the market in the January transfer window.
He explained: “We are really short.
“We have positions that we have been very exposed in for the last six weeks and hopefully we are going to get players back. In what condition and when?
“That’s a question mark and as well because we have some long-term injuries still for certain players that give us a lot of versatility and that’s an issue.
“We have certain targets, ideas if things happen. As well, we don’t know how the squad is going to look in two weeks’ time and you have to be always prepared for that.
“But it is a very, very tricky market that shifts quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well. You have to be prepared. We will be prepared and we will try to make the right calls.
“If there is something that we can [do to] improve the squad and that appears, and we cannot fulfil it with players here, we are always going to be open to do that because we want to be stronger.”
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Eddie Nketiah status
Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah will not be sold despite increasing interest from Premier League rivals, as per SunSport’s Alan Nixon and Joshua Hall.
Despite Nketiah’s limited minutes, the Gunners need him for their Prem title chase and European commitments.
The centre-forward is still believed to be a crucial part of the squad to help the North Londoners continue to push for a first league title in 20 years.
On top of that, the England international offers an option to rotate as Arsenal hope to progress further into the Champions League.
The 24-year-old’s goalscoring exploits haven’t gone unnoticed by other top clubs with interest in a potential transfer increasing among Prem clubs.
Reports have linked both Brentford and Crystal Palace with Nketiah with other teams said to be keen too.
Ivan Toney alternatives
Arsenal have identified three alternatives in case they miss out on Brentford star Ivan Toney.
According to The Athletic, Toney is part of a four-man shortlist which includes Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
However, it is unlikely a move will be made during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Gunners, though, may have to wait until the summer to land one of those targets.
Ex-Gunners youngster seals big move
Sheriff Tiraspol have signed a former Arsenal and Manchester United academy prospect.
Tyler Reid has agreed to join the 21-time Moldovan champions on a free transfer, with the deal set to be completed on January 1.
He heads to Sheriff, who played in the Europa League earlier this season, after two years in Finland.
However, the early years of his career saw him star for both Arsenal and United's youth teams.
Reid started with the Gunners' academy before heading to the Red Devils aged 15.
Arsenal stars in training
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Credit: Getty Duo could miss Arsenal clash
West Ham pair Michail Antonio and Nayef Aguerd could both be out for the trip to Arsenal.
David Moyes confirmed that Antonio will be out while Aguerd has only returned to training recently.
He said: “Michail is not ready yet. There’s not return date for Mick yet.
“Nayef Aguerd has done a little bit of training after illness so I’ll need to see how he is.”
Osimhen’s new deal
Napoli confirmed Arsenal transfer target Victor Osimhen has signed a new contract with the club.
Osimhen was linked with a host of Europe’s biggest clubs over the summer as the Gunners, Manchester United and Chelsea chased his signature.
After a move failed to materialise, the Premier League giants were then put on red alert after a controversial TikTok post left the striker contemplating suing his employers back in September.
Then it emerged that the Blues were leading the race to try and sign the Nigeria international – despite the reigning Italian champions working hard to secure their talisman to a new long-term deal.
Now the Old Trafford outfit and their Prem foes may have to wait a little longer to get the 24-year-old after he finally penned an extension.
The Partenopei confirmed the news on social media with a post that was captioned with “together until 2026” and a picture of Osimhen and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis sitting in front of them.
Arsenal vs West Ham, where to watch
With West Ham coming to town, you can find all you need to know on watching the London derby here.
It will prove a tough test for The Gunners with David Moyes’ side in good form.
Arsenal will have to be on their game, with The Hammers having a lot of attacking options.
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How Arsenal could line up against West Ham
Here is a predicted XI to face West Ham tomorrow...
Vermeeren would 'reject' move
Arthur Vermeeren has claimed that he would turn down a move to Arsenal and Manchester United in January in order to stay at Royal Antwerp.
He told Het Nieuwsblad: “Yes (whether he has seen exit links).
“Then you get the articles forwarded or my brothers will come with it. The youngest (sibling), in particular, is always very enthusiastic. He reads everything and believes everything immediately!
“Maybe that’s normal at that age. but then I tell him that not everything that appears in the newspapers or online is true. All I know is, if my lawyers haven’t told me about it, it won’t be concrete yet.
“There are so many scenarios to take into account because, suppose you sign somewhere and are loaned out, but then the coach leaves… Then you suddenly find yourself with another coach who may not want you. We’ll see what happens. But I want to finish the season here anyway.”
Zaha picked for Arsenal
Ian Holloway has suggested that Arsenal should make a move for Wilfried Zaha in the January window.
He told : "I think Arsenal suits him down to the ground. The way they play, the way they do things and dominate the ball.
"If you give it to Wilf just outside the box, he could create anything for you.
"He's also such a fantastic athlete, so he wants to run and he wants to chase back. He's a bit like (Sergio) Aguero, who was taught how to track back alongside scoring. He's a bit like Mohammed Salah.
"Maybe Wilf wants to stay in London, but I could also see him going to Liverpool with the way the out-of-possession demands Jurgen Klopp puts on his players."
Summer's costliest Prem buys XI
The January transfer window is only just around the corner, so SunSport thought it would be a good idea to remind fans of the cash splashed in the summer.
Huge sums were spent by a host of Premier League clubs ahead of the new season.
Here is an XI consisting of the most expensive players signed by English top flight sides in the summer.
Emile Smith Rowe start
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is likely to give Emile Smith-Rowe a start against West Ham on Thursday at the Emirates.
Smith Rowe, who Arteta branded as a “special talent” has been plagued by injuries.
However, the Spanish tactician isn’t giving up on the attacking midfielder.
And the England international still figures into Arteta’s plans amid another Premier League title bid.
Credit: Getty Arsenal to hijack Liverpool deal
Arsenal are reportedly ready to hijack Liverpool's move for Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio.
The Portuguese ace is one of the highest-rated young defenders in Europe.
The Reds have been linked with a move, but A Bola have claimed that the Gunners are best placed to snatch the defender's signature.
Credit: Reuters Arteta hails 'remarkable' Moyes
Mikel Arteta has hailed West Ham manager David Moyes ahead of tomorrow night's encounter at the Emirates.
He said: "To be in this league and manage for so long and be more successful than him is not easy.
"The teams that he’s done it at and how he’s done it, obviously I know him and I love him a lot and I’m so grateful for everything that he did for me and the times that we had together, but he’s an outstanding manager.
"He does it in a way that’s, in my opinion, very special. He doesn’t make too much noise, but what he has accomplished at West Ham is remarkable."
Arsenal target De Ligt
Arsenal are lining up a sensational move for Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports.
The Athletic report that the Gunners are tracking the Bayern defender ahead of a move.
However, it is much more likely that it will take place in the summer rather than this January.
Mikel Arteta has been candid in his desire to bring in bodies and said simply in a recent press conference: "We need more players."
But the club are facing FFP issues and may be limited in who they can bring in.
Aside from de Ligt, Arsenal may also target Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck.
But the price-point and contract situations of both players mean they are deals that may have to wait for the summer.
Arteta eyes Onana
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been having scouting reports drawn up for Everton ace Amadou Onana.
Onana has impressed so far this season and helped the Toffees bounce back after their 10-point deduction in the Premier League.
However, with Sean Dyche’s side having paid £33m for the midfielder, they would no doubt want to see a good profit on that figure.
Arteta needs reinforcement in midfield with Fabio Vieira injured and Thomas Partey on his way out.
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Read more Arsenal stories on our amazing
Next up for Arsenal
Arsenal face West Ham in their final home game of 2023 before a trip to Fulham on New Year's Eve.
The Gunners then face Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest in January.
