Mikel Arteta is facing an anxious next seven days with a number of Arsenal stars in November international break action. David Raya was the first Gunners star to represent his country as he played the full 90 of Spain's 3-1 over Cyprus.
Declan Rice will be next in line today as England face Malta, with Arteta given a fitness worry before he has even taken to the field. Injuries have been rife throughout north London in recent weeks however Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Gabriel Jesus are all expected to be back available for the Premier League return against Brentford.
Elsewhere, with the January transfer window fast approaching, the Gunners are starting to get their priorities in order with a huge update being provided on Ruben Neves. Brentford star Ivan Toney, who remains of interest to Arteta and Edu despite a slight switch of focus, could depart in the winter window, however the Bees are confident that will not happen.
So, stay with us on football.london as we bring you the latest Arsenal injury updates, team news and transfer rumours!
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Mbappe demand
PSG star Kylian Mbappe has outlined his contract request if he joins a team on a free transfer this summer, according to a recent report. It comes as the forward continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid as his contract continues to dwindle.
Man City wait
The Premier League is nearing two ground-breaking and historic moments in its history in relation to financial rules and potential punishments, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all waiting to witness the outcome. In the space of a year, the division has announced two of its first cases of alleged breaches when it comes to profit and sustainability rules.
Manchester City charges
Amidst all of the discussion over Everton's points deduction, there has naturally been plenty of questions over Manchester City and their charges from the Premier League. football.london has compiled all of those charges below to see exactly what they are facing.
Wirtz move?
Jermaine Pennant has urged Arsenal to try and sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz, replacing summer signing Kai Havertz in the process.
Speaking to King Casino Bonus, he said: ''I need to talk about Kai Havertz before I answer that. That signing hasn't worked. I thought I'd give him some time to settle in, but that period is over now. I think he's been a poor signing. I don't understand what he brings to the team as he's not scoring or assisting. It's bizarre as Arteta seems to believe in him."
"I think Arsenal should have gone for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz. His footballing IQ is off the charts! He's not a speed-merchant, but he's clever on the ball and he seems to always pick the right pass. His assists are great, he has an eye for goal, and I think he'd be a fantastic addition to Arsenal. He'd fit in perfectly there."
Title odds revealed
Odds from Betfair place Arsenal as the second favourites to win this season's Premier League title behind Manchester City.
Premier League Winner 2023-2024
Man City 4/9
Arsenal 9/2
Liverpool 11/2
Tottenham 25/1
Newcastle 80/1
Aston Villa 80/1
Man Utd 150/1
Chelsea 150/1
Diomande claim
Ricardo Sousa, who coached Ousmane Diomande during his loan spell at CD Mafra, namedropped Arsenal when discussing teams who admire the 19-year-old.
"He’s one of those players who doesn’t make mistakes," Sousa told O Jogo, via Leonino. "Manchester City’s main scout called me (during Diomande’s time at Mafra).
"And, before that, someone from Arsenal had already spoken to the club. So the recent interest from a club like Newcastle doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.”
FA approach
The Football Association (FA) will pursue strict punishment for clubs who publicly criticise referees, according to The Telegraph. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was charged on Thursday after the Spaniard's passionate rant directed towards the officiating during his side's 1-0 loss to Newcastle United earlier this month.
Anthony Gordon's goal was checked by VAR for three possible offences before the on-field call to award the goal stood, a decision that PGMOL chief Howard Webb has since claimed was the correct one. But Arteta didn't see it that way.
The day after the Gunners manager voiced his frustrations, the north London club came out with a statement of their own that showed they fully supported his comments. But the FA is said to be "hugely concerned" by both Arteta's remarks and the statement that followed.
The governing body plans to meet with representatives of the leagues and the managers association to warn that regulatory action will be taken against clubs if they back managers who come out and criticise officials. The FA is said to be concerned by the increasing disrespect towards referees and would send a strong response to any statements similar to Arsenal's.
Everton decistion
The Premier League have announced that Everton will receive a ten-point deduction after being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. Sean Dyche's side currently sit 14th in the table having accrued 14 points.
But a deduction would see them drop down to 19th, level on points with bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.
Read more here.
Vieira frustrations
According to the Athletic, Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira was earmarked as someone to compete with summer signing Kai Havertz this season.
After a year spent acclimatising to English football, it was hoped the Portuguese International would kick on in this term, although he has struggled for consistency.
Tomiyasu absence explained
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu missed out on Japan's fixture against Myanmar on Thursday.
According to Japanese outlet Hochi News, the reason for Tomiyasu‘s absence was down to fatigue, nog an injury.
Creativity issues
Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has had his say on the Gunners' current creativity issues.
“I don’t think there’s a specific reason for the lack of creativity. Teams are finding ways to control the space that Saka, Ødegaard and Martinelli like to occupy,” Silvestre told bettingexpert.com.
Diomande move
Arsenal are keen to sign Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo.
Diomande, 19, has a £69million release clause in his Sporting contract.
Bayer duo targeted?
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has urged his former side to try and sign Bayern Munich midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka ahead of the January transfer window. Thomas Partey’s recent injury issues have left a hole in the centre of the park for the Gunners.
Jorginho has filled in relatively well for Partey but it is clear that Mikel Arteta’s side need a proper number eight, with holding midfielder Declan Rice pushed further forward, a position that Petit isn’t convinced suits his qualities.
Speaking to Compare.Bet, Petit said: “Declan Rice’s priority for Arsenal should be to maintain the balance of the side and to win the ball back for his team. He does those things so well. I think he is wasted a bit in that number 8 role where [Granit] Xhaka played last season because he is such a brilliant holding midfielder."
The Frenchman has also claimed that Arteta needs to dip into the transfer market to try and recruit in the centre of the park. He added: “The main two players I would target if I was Arsenal would be Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
“They are both incredible players with huge experience who have both been at Bayern for a while and would maybe like a new challenge. Goretzka has played at such a high level for so long and is still only 28, and I think Kimmich would be great for Arsenal, even if the price tag may be a bit expensive.”
Arteta sees worst-case Rice scenario emerge
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
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.
Neves to Arsenal transfer clarity
Arsenal have been handed a Ruben Neves transfer update ahead of the January window. The Gunners are looking to sign a new midfielder following the latest Thomas Partey injury news with the former Wolves man, who Mikel Arteta tried to sign in 2021, emerging as an option.
The 26-year-old currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, although he has recently been linked with a loan move to Newcastle. And now the Gunners have been given some clarity on their interest in Neves by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Read the full story here
Rodri injury worry for Manchester City
Manchester City could have their pursuit of a fourth consecutive Premier League title affected by Rodri missing more games.
The Spain international was absent for all three defeats suffered by Pep Guardiola's side this season and a fresh injury has now emerged which could hand Arsenal a significant title advantage.
Read the full story here
Good morning
Hello and welcome to today's dedicated Arsenal live blog on football.london. For regular updates on injuries, transfers and much more stay glued to this page throughout the day!
Mikel Arteta has been forced to deal with a number of injury issues over the last few weeks, but those concerns finally look to be lessening, despite Gabriel Jesus heading to represent Brazil over the international break after nearly a month out with a hamstring injury.
Declan Rice could become another fitness worry for Arteta after he was handed the worst-case England scenario ahead of their clash against Malta. Elsewhere, updates on Ruben Neves and Ivan Toney have emerged with Arsenal interested in both ahead of the January transfer window. Here are all your Arsenal headlines:
- Arsenal injury worries on Jesus and Rice
- Ivan Toney contract development
- Ruben Neves transfer clarity
- Huge Man City injury worry
- And much more
