Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners eye Viktor Gyokeres, Odegaard position switch, Eddie Nketiah EXCLUSIVE – updates

United join Arsenal in Gyokeres race

Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.

Arsenal as well as Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the striker.

Correio da Mania have claimed that United could trigger his £87million release clause.

However, it is suggested that a summer move is more likely than in January.

Moyes on Arsenal

David Moyes has admitted that Mikel Arteta has done a "brilliant" job at Arsenal since his appointment.

I’ve been very impressed with Mikel Arteta since he first went into Arsenal. I believe he won the FA Cup and the Community Shield early on, and then obviously it went a little difficult and there was some talk, but he hasn’t half proved all the doubters wrong.

He’s done a brilliant job with Arsenal and got them incredibly competitive, and back towards the top of the Premier League and competing again.

Mikel was someone who always had another, deeper thought. He was always thinking about football and always preparing himself well. He tried to make sure he was getting the best for himself. He’s had a really good background in terms of the clubs he’s been at, and then he’s worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, who many would consider the best coach in the world.

Let’s be fair, when you become manager of Arsenal then you’re coaching a good side with good players, but you also have to be able to deal with that pressure and he’s done really well with that.

David Moyes

Moyes on Rice reunion

West Ham manager David Moyes has insisted that the club has done well to replace Declan Rice following his move to Arsenal in the summer.

We’re all pleased for Declan Rice. No one ever doubted his ability and, while we won’t be cheering him on against us on Thursday evening, we’re always looking out for him.

I said right from the start that I thought Declan Rice was a top player and I thought his value could have been greater. We got the price we wanted though, and Dec got the move he wanted, so it was a move that worked for both parties.

I think Declan would make any team more mature and improve any team in the Premier League so I think their current levels are partially to do with him right now.

From our standpoint, we had to go again and it can make you stronger and make you grow. In many ways, that’s what we’ve done. We’ve had to go out and find new players, who we thought could help us, and I think we’ve done it well.

David Moyes

Arteta issues rallying call

Mikel Arteta has issued a rallying call to Arsenal fans ahead of the Premier League clash with West Ham.

First of all, thank-you for everything that you’ve done throughout the year and the way you’ve supported and inspired the team.

For tomorrow, please go to the stadium and get it rocking. Get behind the team, inspire them again and the team is going to try to do everything that we can.

It’s going to be the last game of the year in front of you, so it’s a special moment, so let’s make it beautiful.

Mikel Arteta

Raya on team chemistry

David Raya has also praised the team chemistry at Arsenal.

He said: "It’s a very very close dressing room, so everybody gets along with everybody.

"Obviously, you spend more time with the GK union, so it’s a mix of everything, but I’ve bonded really well with everybody and the outfield players, playing against them, like Jorginho and a few others.

"Everybody has been very welcoming.

"The culture is magnificent. It’s like a big big family, even though the club is that big.

"You don’t know how big the club is until you get inside but I was very impressed by how the club and everything is run like a big family, especially with the staff and the fans.

"Everybody has a big part to play, no matter if you’re a player, staff or groundsman, it’s a family club."

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.”

Raya on West Ham clash

David Raya is expecting a "tough match" when Arsenal face West Ham in the Premier League clash tomorrow night.

He said: "West Ham are a great team that can hurt you in many ways, especially on fast attacks and counter-attacks, so we have to be very aware of their strengths.

";We just have to play our game and focus more on ourselves and what we can do to win the game.

"We played them in the cup as well so we know what to expect. In this league, every game is tough

";Anybody can beat anybody so it’s going to be a tough match, as every game is in the Premier League."

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Stuart Pearce tip

Former England international Stuart Pearce has issued a warning to Arsenal about Brentford star Ivan Toney.

The big thing is, the age of Toney might come into consideration. People want value for money.

He is certainly, before he was laid up, he was firing particularly well and did brilliantly for Brentford.

I think he’s an outstanding player, but whether what it would cost to get him out of Brentford is value for money, I don’t know.

Brentford will want top dollar for him, having sat with the player for the best part of nine months without him kicking a ball.

Stuart Pearce

Oleksandr Zinchenko warning

Arsenal legend Martin Keown claims Oleksandr Zinchenko might cost his former team the Premier League title.

I’ve got to be honest with you, and I’ve seen him not just this game and it was a huge game, I think he might cost Arsenal the Premier League.

That’s how big of a problem it is. That’s not me criticising him saying he’s a terrible player because he’s not, he’s played for Manchester City, been there done it before.

He’s certainly done it at Arsenal and it’s quite hard to criticise him at times when you think over the last year-and-a-half what him and I suppose his family and everything have been through.

But judging on football and what I’ve seen, I think he’s a problem for Arsenal.

If you talk about communication, I think communication between a left-back and a centre-half is absolutely key. I don’t think the communication between Zinchenko and his two centre-halves is there for everybody to see.

Martin KeowntalkSPORT

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.

Raya on goalkeeping drama

Arsenal ace David Raya claims he and fellow goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale don't concern themselves with what's being said about the ongoing No1 drama at the Emirates.

It’s a big thing when another goalie comes to a club.

Aaron [Ramsdale] had a magnificent season last year so I’m just here to help the team to win the games when the gaffer puts me in.

My relationship with Aaron is really good. We’re teammates and try to make each other better in every single session. We don’t try to hear what the outside world is saying, just focus on the team.

I’m enjoying every time I go out there, playing football and doing what I love, especially enjoying every single training session as well.

It’s incredible to be part of this football club and hopefully we can fight for the title.

David RayaArsenal.com

‘Awkward’ Unai Emery interview

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery had an awkward interview after Manchester United’s stunning 3-2 win over his team at Old Trafford.

United came back after being 2-0 down against Villa, who conceded all three goals in the second half.

Ex-Arsenal boss Emery issued an odd response when asked what went wrong for his team.

39 points, it’s amazing… But now you’re asking me in another direction.

Unai Emery

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.

Saka on title talk

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has avoided talking about winning the Premier League title.

I don’t think we can talk about the title yet. It is still too early for that kind of talk.

We are still number one over Christmas, which is nice.

But it is too early to talk about the championship.

Bukayo Saka

Buy to loan

Arsenal are hoping they can work a deal to buy Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio.

Inacio has a £51million buyout clause in his contract but loaning the defender back to Sporting for the rest of the season could sway any deal.

A bigger question is whether the Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta wants to focus that money elsewhere as they bid to try and win the Premier League.

The North Londoners are also keeping tabs on Brentford star Ivan Toney to spearhead their attack.

Work of Arth

Tottenham are aiming to pull off a £25million swoop for Royal Antwerp wonderkid and Arsenal target Arthur Vermeeren in January, reports SunSport’s Jack Rose.

Vermeeren is only 18 years old but played a major role in leading Antwerp to their first Pro League title in 66 years last term.

Spurs, the Gunners and Chelsea have all sent scouts to watch the midfielder in action this season.

The Belgium international, though, is also attracting the attention of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund as well as Barcelona.

But Ange Postecoglou's side have leapt to the front of the queue as they fancy a deal similar to the one that brought Destiny Udogie to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 18 months ago.

License to Yil

Juventus wonderkid and Arsenal target Kenan Yildiz scored a stunning solo goal on Saturday.

Yildiz bagged his first ever goal for Juve during a 2-1 win at Frosinone.

This comes as the Gunners continue to be linked with a move for the forward.

The North Londoners' boss Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window as they look to remain top of the Premier League table and the 18-year-old is among his targets.

The Turkey international's contract expires in 2027, so Arsenal will likely have to table a significant offer to convince Juventus to sell.

Ben White suspension worry

Arsenal ace Ben White is only one yellow card away from a suspension.

The Gunners host West Ham on Thursday at the Emirates and will be without Kai Havertz, who has amassed five Premier League bookings this season.

And White has already amassed four bookings in the Prem, which means he will have to be extra careful against the Hammers.

One more yellow card will see the versatile defender missing Sunday's clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

However, if the England international doesn't get on the referee's book tomorrow he will no longer be a suspension risk with the bar for yellows resetting midseason.

Kai Havertz replacement

Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz on Thursday against West Ham at the Emirates.

Havertz is suspended after amassing five Premier League bookings this season.

However, the Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta has alternatives to replace the versatile midfielder.

Arteta can pick either Jorginho or Mohamed Elneny, with the former likelier to fill in for the Germany international against the Hammers.

Gift of the Gab

Arsenal have been dealt a transfer blow in their attempts to sign Corinthians wonderkid Gabriel Moscardo.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona have also been linked with Moscardo in recent months.

But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has dealt a blow to all of the midfielder’s suitors.

Romano claims Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a £17million deal to land the 18-year-old.

The deal will also see Corinthians receive £1.7million in add-ons, with the Brazil Under-23 international ready to fly to Paris imminently to complete the transfer.

Pep Guardiola warning

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola fired back at his critics and sent a warning to Arsenal as well as other Premier League title rivals.

The people say, ‘How good they play, the methodology, how genius it is,’ but it’s because I win.

They don’t understand anything that we do, but they give credit just because we win. You have to look further than that.

In the moment you don’t win there are going to be doubts, but that’s what’s nice. Doubt again. We’ll see what happens.

Pep Guardiola

Arsenal vs West Ham preview

Arsenal take on West Ham on Thursday in a Premier League clash at the Emirates.

The Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta will be without Kai Havertz, who picked up his fifth booking of the season against Liverpool on Saturday.

Jurrien Timber (knee), Fabio Vieira (groin), Thomas Partey (thigh) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) are all still sidelined.

West Ham manager David Moyes, on the other hand, may have Nayef Aguerd back in action but there are still doubts regarding Maxwel Cornet.

Michail Antonio will also be unavailable for the match against the North Londoners due to his knee injury.

Ivan Toney alternatives

Arsenal have identified three alternatives in case they miss out on Brentford star Ivan Toney in the summer.

According to The Athletic, Toney is part of a four-man shortlist which includes the likes of Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Brighton's Evan Ferguson and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.

However, it is unlikely a swoop will be made during the upcoming January transfer window.

The Gunners, though, may have to wait until the summer to land one of their targets.

Eddie Nketiah status

Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah will not be sold despite increasing interest from other Premier League clubs, as per SunSport's Alan Nixon and Joshua Hall.

Despite Nketiah's limited game time, the Gunners need him for their Prem title chase and European commitments.

And 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 this term.

The 24-year-old's goalscoring exploits haven't gone unnoticed by other top sides with interest in a potential transfer increasing among Prem clubs.

Reports have linked both Brentford and Crystal Palace with Nketiah with other clubs said to be keen too.