Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend as they take on Brentford. Mikel Arteta looks set to welcome back two key players into his team following the international break.
Gunners' captain Martin Odegaard withdrew from Norway duty ahead of the break, allowing him time to focus on his rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has been spotted in Brazil training as he prepares to make his return to action following a hamstring injury.
Away from the pitch, rumours are heating up regarding transfers, with the January window now just seven weeks away from opening. Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has once again been urged to leave the Emirates Stadium in the new year as his future remains uncertain at the Emirates Stadium.
With all of that being said, make sure you keep the blog on lock throughout the day as we bring you all the latest team news and transfer chatter LIVE from the Emirates Stadium!
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Aaron Ramsdale set for Arsenal chance ahead of Brentford clash amid Premier League ruling
Aaron Ramsdale looks set to be handed his first Premier League start for Arsenal since September this weekend. The Gunners face a difficult test against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As per Premier League loan rules, a player that has been loaned to a rival team is prevented from featuring against their parent club. Therefore, David Raya will be ineligible to face the Bees after he completed a season-long loan move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer.
Raya replaced Ramsdale as Arsenal's No.1 goalkeeper following the September international break and enjoyed a strong start - keeping back-to-back clean sheets. The England international has been limited to making appearances in the Carabao Cup since he was dropped by Arteta - but now faces an uncertain future at the club following the Gunners' exit from the domestic competition.
Everything Pep Guardiola has said on Man City FFP charges as Arsenal await points deduction call
Football fans wee shocked on Friday when the Premier League announced that Everton would be receiving a 10-point deduction after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play rules. The Toffees were 14th in the league but a deduction has seen them drop into the relegation zone, only ahead of 20th-placed Burnley due to their superior goal difference.
All attention now turns to Manchester City's ongoing investigation. The reigning champions were charged back in February after allegedly breaching the league’s financial rules over 100 times between 2009 and 2018.
City have strongly denied the charges with the investigation still ongoing. If found guilty, it remains to be seen what exactly the punishment would be, with a points deduction and even relegation a possibility.
With City currently leading the league ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, we've taken a look at everything Pep Guardiola has said about the charges below.
Kai Havertz starts for Germany
Arsenal star Kai Havertz is set to start at left-back once again for Germany as they take on Austria this evening. Havertz spent most of his time at Chelsea playing as a striker - but has been dropped into a No.8 role under Mikel Arteta.
Julian Nagelsmann surprised many by fielding Havertz at left-back in the 3-2 defeat against Turkey last weekend.
The decision to start the Arsenal star in a new role has been slammed by Germany legend Lothar Matthaus - despite Havertz scoring the opening goal of the game against Turkey. "Kai said he wanted to do it, wanted to try it," Nagelsmann explained after the loss as he defended his team selection.
"I don’t see this as a risk for him, but as a very, very big opportunity to play a key role at the Euros. For a first time in an unfamiliar position, he did extremely well and probably was our best player."
Kai Havertz starts at LB again for Germany as Julian Nagelsmann wants him in that position… for present, future, Euros. pic.twitter.com/ZkLvkVFyiK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 21, 2023
Mikel Arteta urged to make surprise Arsenal change ahead of Brentford clash
Mikel Arteta has been urged by Arsenal legend David Seaman to bring Aaron Ramsdale back into the starting XI for the Premier League clash against Brentford this weekend. The Gunners will continue their title challenge with a difficult fixture against the Bees and it looks like Arteta will be forced into making a change to his goalkeeper.
Given that David Raya signed for Arsenal on a season-long loan deal in the summer - Premier League rules state that a player cannot play against their parent club, meaning the Spaniard will not be available for selection this weekend. This means that Ramsdale - who recently opened up on the most challenging period of his career - looks set to start his first Premier League game since the 3-1 win against Manchester United back in September.
The 25-year-old, whose only appearances since he was dropped have come in the Carabao Cup, will be aiming to take his rare chance in the Premier League to show Arteta he deserves to reclaim his place as No.1 goalkeeper at the club. Seaman is hopeful Ramsdale will seize his opportunity and provide his manager with food for thought ahead of a Champions League fixture against Lens.
Arsenal's dream international break is six steps away from being confirmed
The third international break of the season is almost over and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains on course to get exactly what he would have wanted.
With captain Martin Odegaard withdrawing from the Norway squad to allow him more time to recover from recent injuries, it has resulted in the Gunners being represented by 16 senior players, whether that be for Euro or World Cup qualifiers or important friendlies ahead of major tournaments taking place next year.
Whilst these two-week pauses in a campaign can disrupt momentum, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard netted for Germany, Brazil and Belgium respectively, Bukayo Saka claimed an assist whilst on England duty and Jorginho has helped Italy qualify for next summer's European Championships.
Furthermore, throw in the fact that Trossard, Jorginho, Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, Karl Hein, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny should have begun the process of returning to London Colney - if they haven't touched down in England already - and this international window perhaps could not have gone any better for Arteta.
Latest Arsenal injury news with six doubts amid Gabriel Jesus Brazil decision and Odgeaard wait
Arsenal will continue their preparation for Saturday's Premier League clash with Brentford this week by welcoming back their international stars.
As always, the Gunners had a number of players to represent their countries in the final international break of 2023. Mikel Arteta's men face a hectic period over the Christmas period meaning a fully fit squad is required.
The north Londoners were without a number of players due to injury before the break, although the medical room at London Colney could see two players return. Captain Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus are in line to feature on Saturday having endured contrasting international breaks.
Odegaard withdrew from Norway duty to continue his recovery from concussion and a hip injury. football.london understands that he was put through his paces last week and continues to be assessed.
Arsenal sent Ruben Neves transfer stance as Premier League vote hands Newcastle advantage
Arsenal and Newcastle have both been linked with a move to sign Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves ahead of the January transfer window. The Portuguese international left Wolves to complete a £47million switch to Saudi Arabia in the summer.
The Gunners are looking to bolster Mikel Arteta's midfield options in the new year with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both set to depart for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to represent their respective nations. Injuries to the likes of Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard in recent weeks have seen Arsenal prioritise a move for a new midfielder ahead of a striker in the January transfer window.
football.london understands that one of the players they are looking at is Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish international has been of interest for a while now and has a €60million (£52m) release clause in his contract.
Neves and Douglas Luiz have also been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the winter window opening. Meanwhile, Newcastle are said to view the former as the ideal replacement for Sandro Tonali - with the Italy international now serving a 10-month suspension over gambling offences.
Newcastle and Al Hilal share the same majority shareholder — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) — which suggest a move may be more straight forward between the two clubs. However, following scrutiny around associated party transactions, the Premier League held a vote at its shareholders meeting on Tuesday having recommended potential switches like this be blocked in the winter market.
Premier League risking 'unfair' Manchester City FFP charge decision amid Arsenal title verdict
Former Manchester City star Shaun Wright-Phillips believes it would be 'unfair' for the Premier League to strip the reigning champions of previous titles - if they are found guilty for breaching any of the 115 charges against them. Back in February, it was announced that the Citizens were being charged for allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play and Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules.
City are yet to be charged at this stage, but it remains to be seen whether they are found guilty and what potential punishments they could face. There has been plenty of discussion about what outcome could be reached from the ongoing investigation - with points deductions and stripping of honours being suggested.
However, Wright-Phillips - who played for City between 2008 and 2011 - believes the Premier League should not strip Pep Guardiola's side of any previous titles they have won. Speaking to NewBettingOffers.co.uk, the ex-City star said: “I don’t think it would be fair for Manchester City to be stripped of any of their previous honours should they be found guilty of any of the charges against them.
Aaron Ramsdale may have to fight for Arsenal January transfer as Euro 2024 lifeline confirmed
With the January transfer window set to open in five weeks' time, there has been a lot of talk about Aaron Ramsdale's future. However, he might not be the only Arsenal goalkeeper who should be in focus.
At the start of the season, the 25-year-old was viewed by many observers as Mikel Arteta's first choice option in between the sticks. But since the September international break, he's not played a single Premier League and UEFA Champions League fixture with loan signing David Raya establishing himself.
In fact, Ramsdale's only appearances for Arsenal in the past two months have been the Carabao Cup ties against Brentford and West Ham United. He impressed many with his performance in between the posts at the Gtech Community Stadium but on the other hand, he struggled in the 3-1 loss at the London Stadium.
The one issue that has emerged from reduced game time this season is his place in the England squad for Euro 2024 next summer is under threat with Gareth Southgate making it clear his chances of being on the plane to Germany will take a significant hit if he remains second-choice with the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta can complete Arsenal rebuild by hijacking Chelsea and Real Madrid transfer
Any individual that has spent time watching Arsenal since the start of the 2022/23 season will know the workload and pressure that weighs on the head of Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners star has played an incredible 65 games in the last two seasons for Mikel Arteta's side, missing only three games in total - the win over Manchester City in October, Carabao Cup win over Brentford in September and 3-1 loss to Brighton over 12 months ago.
Saka has also become a regular on the international stage, missing only three of England's 17 games since August 2022. Over the last 15 months, the 22-year-old has developed into one of football's best wide players.
However, with the sincere lack of rest, especially with the Qatar World Cup taking place in the middle of the season, comes the constant anxiety of unnecessary muscle problems. The Hale Ender has previously suffered with minor knee, hamstring and ankle problems at the start of his senior career, but his thigh has become an issue.
Arsene Wenger's stance on previous Man City FFP investigation amid Everton points deduction
Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been outspoken on Financial Fair Play regulations. The Frenchman won three Premier League titles and a record seven FA Cups during his time in the Gunners' managerial hot-seat.
However, he struggled to keep up with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea during the final years of his reign in north London. Part of that was because of the spending power the two Premier League giants possessed.
The Premier League are currently investigating City after charging the reigning champions with over 100 alleged FFP offences. Back in 2020, the club faced a two-year ban from European football after UEFA found that they had seriously breached FFP rules, with the ban eventually overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who also reduced the club's fine to €10million (£9million) from €30million (£26million)
When asked about City's situation at the time, Wenger was in fine form, joking about his transfer dealings with the Manchester-based club. "They bought all my players," he answered.
Neves claim
Ramsdale too good?
Arsenal icon David Seaman has claimed that Aaron Ramsdale is too good to be a backup goalkeeper.
"If he's not playing [for Arsenal], it's going to affect his [England] chances," Seaman, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Going into next summer, where Aaron is really pushing to become England goalkeeper - he needs to be playing."
England manager Gareth Southgate has said he could not "promise" him a place in the Euro 2024 finals squad if he remained on the bench.
Ramsdale is likely to start against Brentford on Saturday with Premier League rules preventing Raya from playing against his parent club.
"If Aaron goes in at the weekend, then he's left out for the next game, then we know who Mikel's number one is," added Seaman, who won three league titles in 13 years at the Gunners.
"It's not good for Aaron. He's a top-class goalkeeper, there's no doubt about that."
Pennant worry
Former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant has warned his old side about overplaying Bukayo Saka. The 22-year-old featured in 87 consecutive Premier League matches, a club record, before eventually missing October’s 1-0 win over Manchester City.
But since then, Saka has played through several different knocks, something that Pennant is clearly worried about, comparing the youngster’s fitness problems to ex-Liverpool star Fernando Torres. Speaking to King Casino Bonus, Pennant said: "Saka is still young and he's a strongly-built lad, but playing through the pain barrier won't do him any justice.
"You should always play at 100% as much as possible if you want a long career, and the pain barrier could make the issue worse down the line. Saka needs to be rested a little bit more and be at 100% when he plays.
"[Mikel] Arteta has made Saka played 90 minutes, but there needs to be management of his minutes. I think he should be rested if Arsenal are winning comfortably and the game is ending.
"Torres was so strongly-built it was difficult to gauge if he was injured or not. He picked up some hamstring injuries at the end, and that cost him some sharpness.
"Taking injections and playing through pain can catch up with you at the end of the season. Torres wasn't the same at Chelsea, and looked like his twin!
"It shows that if you play through pain, it'll only come back to haunt you."
Luiz claim
Former Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne has claimed that Arsenal transfer target Douglas Luiz would be a great signing for a UEFA Champions League side.
Speaking about Luiz to Betway, Dunne said: "It’s more likely that the big players will be poached away, not the manager. Luiz will have Champions League ambition.
"He will know soon enough if he can do that at Villa. There are certain clubs that need that position covering, so I expect he will be sought after in the January transfer window - if not, the summer."
City responses
Last week, the Premier League announced that Everton would be receiving a ten-point deduction after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations. That would see the Toffees drop down to 19th in the table, only above bottom-of-the-pile Burnley due to their superior goal difference.
Since the announcement, all eyes are now on Manchester CIty, who have an FFP investigation of their own ongoing. Back in February, it was announced that the Citizens were being charged for over 100 alleged breaches.
It remains to be seen what exactly the punishment would be if the reigning champions were found guilty. Pep Guardiola's side are currently locked in a title race with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, sitting one point clear of the former two.
With all of that being said, football.london has now taken a look at everything the Citizens have said about their case below.
Read more here.
Partey exit
Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Thomas n the January transfer window, according to Italian outlet TuttoJuve.
Al Ahly SC and Juventus are also said to be keen on the 30-year-old.
Premier League title odds
The latest odds from Betfair have placed Arsenal as the second most likely team to win this season's Premier League title, behind reigning champions Manchester City.
Premier League winner 2023-2024
Man City 4/9
Arsenal 4/1
Liverpool 11/2
Tottenham 25/1
Jorginho update
The agent of Arsenal star Jorginho has lifted the lid on his client's future at the Emirates Stadium. The Italian international arrived from Chelsea back in the January transfer window, penning an 18-month contract with the club having the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, football.london understands.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Gunners will exercise that option, with the player's agent Joao Santos now opening up on the situation. Speaking about Jorginho's future in north London, Santos told Tuttomercatoweb: "Everything is at a standstill.
"Well think about it after February. However, the priority remains Arsenal."
Guardiola on FFP charges
Football fans wee shocked on Friday when the Premier League announced that Everton would be receiving a 10-point deduction after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play rules. The Toffees were 14th in the league but a deduction has seen them drop into the relegation zone, only ahead of 20th-placed Burnley due to their superior goal difference.
All attention now turns to Manchester City's ongoing investigation. The reigning champions were charged back in February after allegedly breaching the league’s financial rules over 100 times between 2009 and 2018.
City have strongly denied the charges with the investigation still ongoing. If found guilty, it remains to be seen what exactly the punishment would be, with a points deduction and even relegation a possibility.
With City currently leading the league ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, we've taken a look at everything Pep Guardiola has said about the charges below.
Read on here.
Tomiyasu move
Bayern Munich were interested in signing Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu during the summer transfer window, according to German transfer guru Florian Plettenberg. The Bundesliga giants are said to be keen on Tomiyasu due to his versatility, although a January move is claimed to be unrealistic due to the player's participation in the Asian Cup with Japan.
Thomas Tuchel's side will reportedly continue to monitor the 25-year-old ahead of next summer, though.
Chelsea relegation, Man City points deduction, Arsenal wait - FFP punishments decided
The Premier League have opened up a can of worms after making Everton the first English club ever to be docked points for breaches of financial rules. The Toffees were handed their punishment with immediate effect last week as Sean Dyche saw his side go from untroubled mid-table mediocrity into the bottom three.
Everton are now just goal difference away from propping up the table despite having more points in the past two weeks than Burnley have in the opening 12 games of the season. After overstepping the £105million loss threshold over a rolling three year period the Merseyside club are now fighting a battle on multiple fronts.
Other than cause sheer outrage from fans in the blue corner it has also created a murky and uncertain footballing landscape for other teams to operate in. Manchester City are the only other current top flight side with charges against them but that comes with the caveat of being 115 alleged breaches over a 10 year period.
In the background to all of this are Chelsea. The Blues currently have no charges against them but face questions over; A) their current compliance within profit and sustainability rules in England and UEFA's own, less stringent, financial laws, B) allegations over undisclosed payments made during transfer dealings throughout Roman Abramovich's reign as owner and C) further non-reporting and missing details from the Russian oligarch's trophy laden tenure.
Aaron Ramsdale sent clear transfer message as Arsenal future left in doubt
Aaron Ramsdale has been urged to consider his Arsenal future after being demoted from first-choice goalkeeper at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta made the decision to start David Raya ahead of Ramsdale following the September international break after giving the latter the nod to begin the 2023/24 campaign.
The England international has just two Carabao Cup appearances to his name since being replaced by Raya. The Spaniard completed a season-long loan move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer with Arsenal having an option to make the switch permanent next summer.
Raya began his Gunners career in impressive form with a number of clean sheets and a superb save in the North London Derby against Tottenham, however in that same game mistakes began to creep into his game. A flapping punch from Raya led directly to Son Heung-min scoring the equaliser with a number of errors leading to goals made in the last few weeks.
Ramsdale has also been provided with chances to prove himself to Arteta with a superb display against Brentford in the EFL Cup which included securing a clean sheet, however that was somewhat undone in the following round's defeat to West Ham.
Read on here.
Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz Arsenal swap deal proposed as 'cheap' transfer claim debunked
Florian Wirtz to Arsenal with Kai Havertz heading back to Bayer Leverkusen in the opposite direction? Well, this is a transfer swap deal that has been proposed ahead of both windows in 2024.
The Gunners splashed the cash on the latter in the summer, agreeing a £65million deal with Chelsea to lure him from west London to north. However, it's safe to say the jury is still out on the Germany international as Mikel Arteta's plan to convert him into a central midfielder has run into a few obstacles.
Aside from two goal involvements in 19 appearances across all competitions - including the Community Shield - so far this season, Havertz's general performances simply have not lived up to his huge price tag. Of course, the fact he is now operating primarily in midfield as opposed to leading the line means it was always going to take time to make a successful transition.
"Last year I came more off the No.9 but I am used to this midfield position because I played there from a young age," he told football.london in Nuremberg after Arsenal's 1-1 draw there in July. "Now it's time to just get all the movements back into my brain and hopefully it will be good on the pitch."
Gabriel Jesus injury hint spotted as Mikel Arteta handed huge Arsenal boost ahead of Brentford
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is closing in on a return to action after being involved in Brazil training during the international break. The 26-year-old has been recovering from hamstring injury since the end of October but was still selected for Brazil duty.
The Brazilian international has struggled with injuries so far this season after missing the start of the 2023/24 campaign with a knee issue - a reoccurrence of the problem he suffered at the World Cup last year. The former Manchester City frontman then sustained a hamstring injury nearly a month ago.
Mikel Arteta had hoped Jesus would remain at Arsenal during the international break to continue his recovery. However, the 26-year-old was selected for Brazil's fixtures against Uruguay and Argentina.
Jesus has now taken part in full training for the past two days and could start Tuesday night’s clash against the reigning World Cup champions in Rio de Janeiro. The Arsenal star could be set to replace Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr in the team after the Brazilian winger sustained a hamstring problem of his own and could be sidelined for two months.
Jesus was pictured in Brazil training competing for the ball with Barcelona star Raphinha as well as stretching his right hamstring freely with no issues - suggesting he has fully recovered from his injury. The Gunners are set to face Brentford this weekend and will hope Jesus can avoid a setback in his recovery during the international break.
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