Mikel Arteta has a number of Arsenal injury concerns likely on his mind as the final international break of the year gets started. The Gunners return to Premier League action against Brentford on Saturday, November 25 with both Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus expected to be available, as football.london understands.
Jesus has headed out to South America to represent Brazil despite missing the last month with a hamstring issue. The plan for his return has now been revealed by Brazil head coach Fernando Diniz and while every precaution has been take, Arteta and co. will likely be very concerned over the next few weeks.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Martinelli, who entered the two-week pause as an injury doubt, appears to have been trialled in a number of new roles which could save Arsenal millions. Brentford star Ivan Toney remains of interest to Arsenal despite their slight priority shift and he has sent another clear message to any potential suitors.
With that said, stay with us on football.london as we bring you the latest Arsenal transfer news with regular updates to come throughout the day!
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Ramsdale told to make Arsenal transfer decision
Aaron Ramsdale has been told he should hand in an transfer request immediately after a challenging few months at Arsenal. The England international started the 2023/24 season as Mikel Arteta's No.1 before he was replaced in the starting XI by David Raya in September with just two Carabao Cup appearances to his name since then.
Having sat on the bench in Premier League and Champions League action for a number of months, Ramsdale has been sent a direct message by former Scotland international Steve Nicol with the defender revealing the rather extreme lengths he would go to if it was him in the shoes of Ramsdale.
Read the full story here
Arsenal get worst-case Rice scenario
Arsenal have been handed a double update from the England camp that may not bode well for Declan Rice. The 24-year-old has been joined by Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale in Gareth Southgate's latest squad with Eddie Nketiah missing out having been dealing with an ankle injury in recent weeks.
Rice has been a constant feature under Southgate alongside Manchester City ace Kalvin Phillips with Jude Bellingham ahead of the duo in the 3-1 win against Italy.
Phillips has struggled for minutes under Pep Guardiola, with appearances for his national team forming the bulk of his game time this season, however that could change over the coming days and it will likely affect Rice.
Read the full story here
FA charge Mikel Arteta
FA charge Mikel Arteta, double injury update, Ivan Toney twist
Arteta sent Odegaard message
Mikel Arteta has been told that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will rediscover his best form following the international break. The attacking midfielder has remained at London Colney for the two-week domestic pause as he recovers from a hip injury and concussion that kept him out of wins over Sevilla and Burnley in the last week.
As captain, Arteta will undoubtedly have placed high demands on Odegaard and a slight break from the spotlight will hopefully be paid back with a strong return later this month. Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre is certainly of that belief, labelling his struggles as a "dip" in a message to Arteta that he should keep the faith with the Norway international.
Read the full story here
Man City get Rodri injury scare
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have been handed a huge Rodri injury scare which could greatly benefit Arsenal in the Premier League title race. The 27-year-old is arguably Guardiola's most important player, perhaps minus Erling Haaland, as evidenced by Man City's three defeats this season with Rodri missing all of them.
After picking up a straight red card in the win over Nottingham Forest, Rodri was suspended for Premier League trips to Arsenal and Wolves, with the reigning champions losing both games. A Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Newcastle was the other fixture that Rodri missed and any potential further absences will likely come as a huge blow for Man City and thus a boost for the Gunners and now a fresh update has suggested a new issue may be on the horizon.
While on international duty with Spain, COPE journalist Miguel Angel Diaz has claimed that the midfielder has complained of 'discomfort' and thus he will not be risked for Spain's first European Championship qualifier of the break against Cyprus this evening.
Roy Keane makes intriguing title prediction
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has argued that his old side, as well as Arsenal, need to worry more about the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa catching them rather than being able to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title. The Gunners currently sit just one point behind league-leaders City and level on points with Liverpool, who boast a better goal difference, in second.
But Keane isn't convinced by their title aspirations, putting them in the same bracket as United, who are six points behind the north Londoners down in sixth.
Read the full story here
Ivan Toney transfer twist
Arsenal and Chelsea appear to have suffered a blow in their January transfer window pursuit of Ivan Toney with Brentford confident he will sign a new contract, according to talkSPORT. His current deal expires in 2025 and an extension could increase his chance of staying in west London.
The report also adds that the Bees have no intention of selling their star striker in the winter window upon his return from an eight-month ban for betting offences.
Partey update
Juventus are keen to sign a more attack-minded midfielder than Arsenal's Thomas Partey, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. “I don’t know the exact name of the midfielder that they’re (Juve) after yet, it’s too early,” Romano told CaughtOffside.
“Kalvin Phillips, Thomas Partey and other names being spoken about are too defensive. Juve actually want an offensive midfielder and it has to be a cheap deal, they’re not spending crazy money.”
Bizarre Deschamps criticism
Didier Deschamps has strangely criticised Arsenal defender William Saliba's performances for France's national team. Saliba has established himself as one of Europe's best centre-backs over the last couple of seasons, delivering top-class performances for the Gunners on a consistent basis.
But he hasn't been the first choice for Les Blues, often finding himself behind the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano in the pecking order. Now, France boss Deschamps has addressed his reasoning for benching the 22-year-old.
“He hasn’t had a lot of game time with us. He is performing well for his club,” Deschamps said in a press conference, via RMC Sport.
"At international level, he hasn’t always found himself in the best conditions in matches where I’ve rotated a lot. He isn’t in the same psychological situation with his club, where he doesn’t ask himself if he’ll play at the weekend.
"When he has game time with us, he tells himself he needs to play well because there are others behind him. He is not in a psychological situation that is the same as at his club.
"He has everything he needs to take the next step.”
Trossard new role?
Arsenal star Leandro Trossard has admitted he is more than comfortable operating as an attacking midfielder.
When asked what position he feels most comfortable playing in, the diminutive attacker told the club’s official website: “That’s a tough question.
“I don’t really mind playing all of those positions up top, to be fair. If it’s left winger, as a false nine, even as an attacking midfielder, I don’t really have a straight answer for that.
“[As a kid I played] as a number ten, like a proper attacking midfielder back in the old days, or as a striker as well. I always try to be in the box and in good positions to score goals and with the quality that we have, I know I have to be there, especially if I play on the left wing, I need to be there when, for example, Bukayo Saka is on the ball on the right side, so yeah I follow my instinct there, to be honest, to get in the right positions to score goals.”
Havertz advice
Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich star Michael Ballack has offered some advice to struggling Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz. The German international arrived at the Emirates Stadium over the summer transfer window, signing from Chelsea for £65million.
But so far, Havertz has failed to live up to that price tag, netting just one Premier League goal and providing one assist so far this term. Some Gunners supporters have started to become increasingly disgruntled with the 24-year-old's performances and German legend Ballack has urged his compatriot to be more assertive with his actions.
Ballack said, via Sport Witness: “Kai Havertz has outstanding skills. But as already mentioned: he seems a bit too reserved for me.
"You need a certain robustness and mentality, especially abroad, to assert yourself in difficult situations. I hope he gets it done.
“In my opinion it is still too early for that (an exit). He should assert himself at Arsenal by all means possible.”
Campbell on Osimhen
“There’s Ivan [Toney]. I think they’re good [in other areas of the pitch]. Center forward is one thing they might need to look at and see the possibilities, see what’s out there, or wait until next season.
“But if the right person comes along, an out-and-out striker, that can unlock those tight games, knows what to do in those positions, and also keeps defence occupied to then free up other people, they should maybe look at it Christmas time – if not, definitely next season.”
Toney urge
Sol Campbell believes Arsenal should go all out tp get Ivan Toney.
He said:
“In the end, they will have to decide by January, do they need a centre forward. 20 to 25 goals in the Premier League. You know, in those big, tight games. I think it will help them.”
Arteta behind Phillips interest
It is reported that Mikel Arteta is behind Arsenal's interest in Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The Gunners are said to driving for a new midfielder in 2024 with concern over Thomas Partey's fitness.
Although there has been no progress over a move for Phillips it is said that Arsenal could look to use their positive relationship with Pep Guardiola's men.
Moscardo move
Arsenal are one of the teams keen to sign Corinthians starlet Gabriel Moscardo, according to the Standard. Moscardo has attracted plenty of attention in recent times, establishing himself as one of the highest-rated young midfielders in Brazil.
The 18-year-old is said to have attracted interest from the Gunners, as well as Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, with the former seeing a €20million (£17.5million) proposal to sign the teenager rejected during the summer transfer window.
Potential midfield targets
Arsenal are short of options in midfield, with Thomas Partey struggling for fitness.
The Ghana international is set to be sidelined for the remainder of 2023 after undergoing a procedure, football.london understands.
So, we've taken a look at some midfielders the Gunners should look to target in the January transfer window below.
Read more here.
Double Gabriel Jesus injury update
Arsenal have been handed a big injury update on Gabriel Jesus after he joined up with Brazil for the November international break.
The 26-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since late October in the Champions League win against Sevilla where he picked up a hamstring issue.
Despite having not trained for Arsenal since, he is contention to make his return for Brazil with head coach Fernando Diniz giving an update on his status after he was spotted in training.
Read the full story here
Ivan Toney message amid Arsenal links
Ivan Toney has continued his hard work away from Brentford's training ground as he prepares to make his footballing return amid transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Both London clubs may have altered their focus ahead of the January transfer window, but Toney is still being monitored by both with yet another message from the man himself showing Arsenal and Chelsea exactly what kind of player they would be getting.
Read the full story here
Martinelli Arsenal role change hint
Gabriel Martinelli could prove to be even more of a transfer bargain after displaying his versatility while playing for Brazil.
The 22-year-old has nailed down the position on the left of attack as his own, although a rampaging run and pass from deep has shown he has the capabilities to play in several different roles which could make some transfer decisions far easier for Mikel Arteta and Edu.
Read the full story here
Good morning
Hello and welcome to today's dedicated Arsenal live blog on football.london. Stay tuned for regular updates throughout the day for all the latest team news, injury updates and transfer rumours!
The Gunners appear to currently be dealing with a mini-injury crisis, although a number of key stars, including Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, are expected to be back available to Mikel Arteta for the away clash against Brentford in nine days.
Ivan Toney has fired another subtle message to interested suitors ahead of the January transfer window, but Arsenal could save millions by deploying Gabriel Martinelli in a new role. Here are your Arsenal headlines this morning:
- Gabriel Jesus injury update and return plan
- Ivan Toney message
- Gabriel Martinelli role change
- And much more
