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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Viktor Gyokeres latest
Arsenal are linked with Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the January transfer window.
However, Gyokeres has confirmed that he will not leave Sporting next month.
With the Gunners and Chelsea interested in the striker, it will come as a blow for either side planning a move in the New Year.
The Sweden international has an £86million release clause in his contract, so for either side to sign him it would not come cheap.
Credit: AFP Arsenal considering signing incredible talent
Mikel Arteta's side are contemplating making an offer for Juventus wonderkid Kenan Yıldız.
The 18-year-old would cost in the region of €40m to prise him away from the Italian giants.
It would fit into the current transfer policy of getting a young player who could have a long career at the club.
Coach issues warning to Arsenal
Former England international, Stuart Pearce, has issued a warning to The Gunners about one of their key targets.
"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.”
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Gunners with chance to open gap
After the results today, with victory over West Ham, Arsenal could open a three point gap between themselves and third place Aston Villa.
With Man City returning to action against Everton tonight, sitting six points behind The Gunners, they will be looking to get back to winning ways.
This adds more importance to the London derby against The Hammers for Mikel Arteta's side.
Arteta could do with confirming his stance
One thing that could add more stability to the squad in a potential title race is for Mikel Arteta to make a statement on his goalkeeping situation.
Aaron Ramsdale is likely to want a move in January if he is not assured of first-team appearances with a European Championships looming.
If Arteta sees Raya as his number one, letting Ramsdale move would reiterate this to the Spanish keeper which could improve his performances moving forward.
Arteta looking to give talent start
Mikel Arteta is likely to give Emile Smith-Rowe a start against West Ham on Thursday night.
The player who the Spaniard branded as a 'special talent' has been plagued by injuries.
Arsenal fans will be hoping he can use the game to get his career back on track before he heads down the same route as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Credit: Getty Unai's side falter in title race
Aston Villa have gone down 3-2 at Old Trafford despite coasting with a 2-0 lead after an hour of the game.
Emery has never won at the ground as a manager and will never get a better chance than he had today.
More importantly, it means Arsenal sit second in the table, two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand.
Man Utd 3-2 Aston Villa
After over 1000 minutes of Premier League football, Hojlund finally scores in the league for Man Utd.
The roof almost comes off Old Trafford as it hit the back of the net.
What a turnaround in this game from two-nil down at the break.
Man Utd 2-2 Aston Villa
Alejandro Garnacho scores two goals for the hosts to draw the game level.
Aston Villa drop to third in the table behind Arsenal.
Maybe the Old Trafford outfit can do The Gunners a favour this evening after all.
New man offers solidity for Gunners
Many wondered if Arsenal would miss Granit Xhaka in the heart of midfield this season.
It has been far from the case since the signing of Declan Rice.
The England international has settled well into the Arsenal midfield and has been integral in the successful start to the season, scoring some important goals in the process.
Bukayo plays down title talk
With The Gunners sitting pretty at the top of the table prior to today, the Arsenal winger was asked about the title race:
I don’t think we can talk about the title yet. It is still too early for that kind of talk. We got a point; we are still number one over Christmas, which is nice. But it is too early to talk about the championship.
Bukayo SakaMan Utd 0-2 Aston Villa
United are undone by another set piece.
As the corner is flicked on, Dendoncker flicks the ball in from a couple of yards out.
Erik ten Hag's side look incapable of doing Arsenal any favours here.
Man Utd 0-1 Aston Villa
McGinn's free kick whipped in from out wide beats everyone, including United keeper Onana.
It puts Aston Villa level at the top of the table with Liverpool, second only on goal difference.
Pressure back on Arsenal.
Buy to loan could swing deal
Arsenal are hoping they can work a deal to buy Goncalo Inacio.
The player has a £51m buyout clause in his contract but loaning the player back to Sporting Lisbon for the rest of the season could sway any deal.
A bigger question is whether Mikel Arteta wants to focus that money elsewhere as they bid to try and win the Premier League.
FT: Burnley 0 Liverpool 2
Strikes from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota take Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League table.
The visitors also had two goals disallowed by VAR during the game.
Vincent Kompany's side had no response to Jurgen Klopp's side.
Sporting star frustrates Arsenal fans
Viktor Gyokeres has confirmed that he will not leave Sporting Lisbon in the January transfer window.
With both Chelsea and Arsenal interested in the player, it will come as a blow for either side planning a move next month.
Gyokeres has a £86m release clause in his contract, so for either side to sign him, it would not come cheap.
Arteta considering Toffees swoop
Mikel Arteta has been having scouting reports drawn up for Everton's Amadou Onana.
The 6'5" midfielder has been impressing with performances so far this season.
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.
Gunners' youngster puts in real shift
Albert Sambi Lokonga played the full 90 minutes for Luton Town this afternoon.
The Arsenal loanee even provided an assist in their 3-2 win at Bramall Lane against Sheff Utd.
Mikel Arteta will be pleased to see him getting the game time he wanted when they agreed to the transfer.
HT: Burnley 0-1 Liverpool
It is half-time at Turf Moor and the hosts are doing Arsenal no favours.
Darwin Nunez's goal is the difference between the sides as they move two points clear at the top of the table.
Vincent Kompany's side are lucky to only be a goal behind as Cody Gakpo had a goal ruled out wrongly as replays show.
VAR is the present that keeps on giving with decisions that would drive anyone crazy.
Ex-Gunner sends Arteta a warning
Martin Keown has spoken on talkSPORT about how he feels Zinchenko could cost The Gunners 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."
Credit: Getty
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.
All eyes turn to Turf Moor
With Arsenal not playing until Thursday, Arsenal fans will be keeping a keen eye on the game between Burnley and Liverpool.
A draw or victory for Jurgen Klopp's side will see them replace The Gunners at the top of the table.
Large parts of North London will become Clarets' fans for the next 90 minutes or so.
Arteta could get his very own Suarez
Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez is rumoured to be a target of the club with the transfer window looming.
The Mexican striker has scored 31 goals in the Dutch league in 2023, eclipsing the 30 goals scored by Suarez for Ajax.
It is thought he would cost around £60m, but for a proven goalscorer, the payer could prove priceless to The Gunners' title ambitions.
Merse tipping Gunners to win title
Arsenal legend Paul Merson is backing Mikel Arteta's side to go on and win the Premier League.
Speaking to Sky Sports following their game at Anfield, he said "I think Liverpool might think they should've shaded it in the second half but I thought it was a proper game of football, end to end, both teams wanting to win and played at an electric pace Arsenal are a different team now, they learnt a lot last season and putting Declan rice has taken them to another level in my opinion.
"I think they go on and win it now. My mate said Arsenal would win the league at the start of the season but I said ‘nah’. I think they would’ve rolled over last season and gone and got beat by 4 or 5 but they didn’t, they hung in there and I think they could’ve nicked it."