Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mbappe ‘willing to join Gunners’, Chelsea ‘in battle for Williams’, Neto updates
KYLIAN MBAPPE is reportedly “willing” to sign for Arsenal in a blockbuster move so he can follow in the footsteps of his hero Thierry Henry.
Elsewhere, the Gunners are reportedly eyeing up a summer move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams ahead of a potential summer transfer.
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Full Nelson for loanee Reiss
Reiss Nelson is set to leave Arsenal on loan next month.
The winger has barely featured this season after signing a new deal.
And he could be tempted by a temporary move to Wolves.
But there could be an offer from Spain too, with Sevilla keeping tabs.
Odegaard apologises to fans
Martin Odegaard admits Arsenal let their fans down against West Ham.
He said: “It’s a tough one. We always want to give the fans a good performance, we always want to win.
"It was the last home game of the year so we wanted to finish off in style, but today wasn’t the day and we have to look at ourselves and we have to learn and move on.
“It’s another game in a very short time so it’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves, we have to move on and learn.”
Neville in Gunners VAR joke
Gary Neville rubbed salt into Arsenal fans' wounds with a cheeky post after their title hopes were dented versus West Ham.
The Manchester United legend wound up supporters by posting a picture of him standing next to a ball on the line and later tweeting that he is "great at goal line technology."
It comes after another ball in or out VAR decision went against Arsenal last night.
Art attackEagle-eyed fans spotted Mikel Arteta's unsuccessful tactic as his notes were exposed during Arsenal's shock 2-0 defeat to West Ham.
The main focus of the Spaniard's masterplan appeared to be to attack West Ham's so-called "hotzone".
However, for all the Gunners tried, none of their 30 shots hit the back of the next against David Moyes' side.
And they now sit second in the table.
Arsenal’s De Ligt delight
Arsenal are reportedly keen on Matthijs de Ligt.
The centre-back is out of Bayern Munich’s first team.
And the Athletic claims Arsenal could make a move for him in January.
But the Dutchman won’t come cheap, posing a problem for Mikel Arteta’s cash-strapped side.
Arteta defends West Ham result
Mikel Arteta reckons his Arsenal stars were unlucky to lose 2-0 to West Ham.
He explained: "It’s for a lot of different reasons. There were big situations that is incredible that we don't put it in the net or that they did really well blocking certain shots.
“Sometimes we didn't pick the right pass or the centimetres of the smallest spaces in the box, there was a combination of all, but again I have to praise the players because they tried and they kept trying right up until the end.
“If they will continue to play like that, it is very unlikely that it will happen again."
Arsenal 'turn down Nketiah bid'
Arsenal have rejected an initial enquiry for striker Eddie Nketiah from Crystal Palace, according to reports.
The have claimed the Gunners have turned down an approach from the Eagles as they search for a new striker.
Arsenal are said to have immediately informed Palace that the England international is not available.
The North London club are reportedly steadfast that a deal for Nketiah to leave the Emirates will not happen in January as things stand.
Victor is Arsenal's Wright one
Ian Wright reckons Napoli's Victor Osimhen is the kind of player Arsenal need this winter.
He said: "The calibre of player Arsenal need right now i somebody who hits the ground running, a top end striker, like the [Victor] Osimhens of this world… that level of striker.
"If Arsenal want to do it now they’re going to need that level of goalscorer who will slot in straight away.
"That’s what they probably need now. I don’t think any Arsenal fan will look at the game and not see that we need a killer in front of goal."
Toney deaf warning for Gunners
Thomas Frank has told Arsenal to back off in their hunt for Ivan Toney.
The England striker returns from a ban next month and is a top target for Mike Arteta.
Frank said: “As far as I know Ivan is a Brentford player.
"I want to keep him and I’m looking forward to him playing with us."
Gunners blast VAR once more
Arsenal fans were left fuming after Tomas Soucek's controversial goal for West Ham last night, with many blasting VAR once again.
A supporter said: "VAR hates Arsenal. Clearly out. Happened twice this season."
Another declared: "The ball was out, it was completely past the post, VAR then moved it a frame forward when it was back in play. Scandalous!"
One added: "Same mistake VAR made against Newcastle. Then what is the use of VAR for crying out loud. Ball out of play."
Martin leads calls for goals
Martin Odegaard fears Arsenal's title challenge will go off-track unless they can start scoring more goals.
Speaking after the 2-0 home defeat to West Ham, he said: "I think we created more than enough to score goals to win the game and it was the little details and the little last pass or the finish that was missing today.
"We have to learn from it and make sure we get sharper and better in front of the goals.
"The goals we conceded were too easy, so definitely in front of the goals, inside the boxes, that’s where the games are decided. We weren’t good enough today.”
He's a keeper
David Seaman has urged Aaron Ramsdale to stay at Arsenal.
The former No1 told talkSPORT: “No. I don’t want him to leave the club at all. Raya has come in and I think now we’re seeing you know why he’s in there because with his feet he’s brilliant.
“Even last night [vs West Ham], some of the touches that he made were brilliant. It’s still 50-50 for me.
"I’m happy that we’ve got two really good quality goalkeepers at the club.
"But the main factor that you’ve got to do is make sure that whoever’s not in is happy.”
Gunner go
Cedric Soares looks set to leave Arsenal permanently in January with Besiktas and Trabzonspor interested, according to reports.
The club are keen to get his £120,000-a-week wages off their books.
Cedric has played twice this season.
Set the Tone
Brentford are desperate to keep Ivan Toney with him able to play again after serving his betting ban from January 17.
There has been interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea amid the Bees ready to demand £80m.
Thomas Frank said: "Is he raring to go? Oh yeah, definitely. To get Ivan back will be like signing an unbelievably good Premier League striker.
"Ivan is training very well on and off the pitch, looking forward to finally contributing to the team.
"I really, really would like to keep him. As a coach I'd love to have my best players with me all the time. From my perspective, I don't want to sell him because I think he's fantastic.
"Last year there were three players scoring more than 20 goals in the Premier League, he was one of them.
"I'm enjoying him every day and looking forward to finally using him.
"Ivan is a Brentford player. No bids. I want to keep him. And he's looking forward to playing for us."
Nelson to go on loan?
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is wanted by both Wolves and Sevilla, according to reports.
A loan is potentially on the cards but the player is keen to fight for his place and help Arsenal's title challenge.
Gyokeres to stay at Sporting
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks.
But the Sweden and Sporting Lisbon striker has promised to stay in Portugal until the end of the season.
Gyokeres said: "I’m very happy here and I don’t care about any interested parties at the moment.
"I’m enjoying every day here and not thinking about what’s going on around me. Yes, there’s talk of big clubs, but for now it’s just news. That’s all."
Art attack
Eagle-eyed fans spotted Mikel Arteta's unsuccessful tactic as his notes were exposed during Arsenal's shock 2-0 defeat to West Ham.
The main focus of the Spaniard's masterplan appeared to be to attack West Ham's so-called "hotzone".
However, for all the Gunners tried, none of their 30 shots hit the back of the next against David Moyes' side.
Neville at it again
Gary Neville rubbed salt into Arsenal fans' wounds with a cheeky post after their title hopes were dented versus West Ham.
The Manchester United legend wound up supporters by posting a picture of him standing next to a ball on the line and later tweeting that he is "great at goal line technology."
It comes after another ball in or out VAR decision went against Arsenal last night.
Arsenal in for De Ligt
Arsenal are keen on Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, claim The Athletic.
The Dutch defender, 24, has made just eight league appearances this season, having lost his place in the team and with him battling injury.
Arsenal are interested in him but any move would occur in the summer.
The Gunners also like the look of Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and Ajax's teenage sensation Jorrel Hato as other defensive options.
West Ham fans troll Rice
Declan Rice was brutally trolled by his old supporters as West Ham beat Arsenal for the second time this season.
Fans in the away end chanted his name as he gave away a penalty that was missed by Said Benrahma at the end of the game.
And they were also heard singing ";2-0 down, 2-0 down, Declan Rice" to the tune of their old chant "10 more years, 10 more years, Declan Rice" as they begged him to stay last season.
Credit: Rex Top four predictions
Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe were asked who they think will win the title while on punditry duty last night.
Their top fours in order were:
Shearer: Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Defoe: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal
Striker needed
Ex-Arsenal star Jay Bothroyd believes the Gunners desperately need a new striker, he said: "It was a poor display from Arsenal. 75 per cent possession. 30 shots on goal. Only eight on target.
"Arsenal need a striker badly. If they can get a striker I'd feel much more confident they can really put in a good title challenge and maybe beat Man City or Liverpool to the title.
"Right now, as it stands, teams will sit in. This is why Man City are the best club because they find a way.
"West Ham had ten players defending in the box. Arsenal had three in the box. You're not going to score if you don't commit men forwards.
"Gabriel Jesus is not a striker. He's one of their best players, but he likes operating deep and in wide areas.
"Gabriel Martinelli, his good games come when teams play a high line. But against teams happy to sit in he finds it difficult to manufacture chances.
"Arsenal have to make other additions as well. The squad is thin. Arsenal need a real striker. I've been saying it since Jesus came."
New signings?
Asked if Arsenal need new signings in January, Mikel Arteta said: "What we have is the players that we have, it’s the players that I love the most.
"What we have to do is try to get better situations, and more training, put them there and raise their confidence and that’s it because they have done it."
Varcicial
Mikel Arteta blamed a lack of effective technology for refs not being able to conclude if the ball went out prior to Tomas Soucek's goal.
The boss said: "I haven’t seen it, the only thing they are saying is that it’s not conclusive the images that they have.
"It’s just a shame that with the technology that we have that it’s not that clear that we can say yes that it was out or in.
"It’s done, it’s gone, nothing we can do about it now."
Players praised
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta still praised his players despite the wasted chances in the loss to West Ham.
Arteta said on why the Gunners failed to score: "It’s for a lot of different reasons.
“There were big situations that is incredible that we don't put it in the net or that they did really well blocking certain shots.
“Sometimes we didn't pick the right pass or the centimetres of the smallest spaces in the box, there was a combination of all, but again I have to praise the players because they tried and they kept trying right up until the end.
“If they will continue to play like that, it is very unlikely that it will happen again."
