Mikel Arteta has just over a week on the training pitches at London Colney to conjure up a plan which sees Arsenal extend their winning streak against Brentford after the international break. When the Gunners boss isn't hard at work he'll be hiding behind his sofa hoping the likes of Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli return to north London unscathed!
Nevertheless, Arsenal have been a bit shaky in the month or so. While they've managed to pick up wins against Burnley and Sevilla, the north Londoners have also recently lost to Newcastle and West Ham.
But, despite concerns over their form, the Gunners sit second in the Premier League table – but they'll be targeting top-spot! In other news, the summer transfer window may be shut but there's still plenty of life left in the rumour mill.
So, with that being said, stay with us at football.london as we keep you up to date on everything you need to know as it happens LIVE from the Emirates Stadium...
football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Arsenal stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Gunners news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!
Good night
Thanks to everyone who joined us for today's Arsenal live blog.
Join us again tomorrow as we do it all over again!
Luiz secret weapon
Arsenal continue to be linked with a January transfer for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz. The Gunners are short of options in the centre of the park, with Thomas Partey set to be sidelined for the remainder of 2023 after undergoing a procedure, football.london understands.
Luiz is a name that has constantly been mooted as a potential target for Mikel Arteta's side over the last couple of years and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has recently reported that the Brazilian international remains on the north London club's shortlist ahead of the winter window. It remains to be seen how much Unai Emery's men would want for Luiz, with former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor claiming that he could be worth around £60million last year.
Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor said: "Let’s be honest, Douglas Luiz wanted to leave Aston Villa because Arsenal bid and the club didn't accept it. Douglas Luiz was in a great position as his contract was up in the summer.
"Sometimes contracts can hide what is really going on. In the summer, Luiz might go but instead of £20million it might be £50million or £60million.
"The position he's in, he's laughing because he's got his wages up high. I think it suits both the club and the player, to be honest."
That is a steep fee indeed for Arsenal considering they splashed in excess of £200million during the most recent summer window. But one way they could get Luiz's price down is by offering a player-plus-cash deal instead.
Read who here.
Chiesa move
According to Italian outlet TuttoJuve, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in signing Juventus attacker Federico Chiesa in the January transfer window.
Chiesa has also been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent times.
Kompany praise
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has heaped praise on Arsenal after his side lost 3-1 in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners struggled to break down the Clarets' resolute defence in the first half but Leandro Trossard was eventually able to break the deadlock on the brink of half-time with a close-range finish.
Kompany's side equalised against the run of play after the break when Josh Brownhill's deflected shot beat a flat-footed David Raya. But the north Londoners restored their lead just a couple of minutes later thanks to William Saliba, who headed home from a corner before Oleksandr Zinchenko secured all three points with a stunning volley, also from a set-piece.
Mikel Arteta's men have now scored eight times from dead-ball situations [not including penalties] in the Premier League this term, the most of any team in the English top-flight, something that Kompany hailed when reflecting on Saturday's game. Speaking after the full-time whistle, the Belgian said: "Even against a top side, I think it's something that will make us even sharper, even more aware of the threat of the level of this league.
"I have to give credit to Arsenal as well, it’s not a coincidence. These teams that have high possession and play around your box, they create set pieces because of it, dangerous set plays too.
"You have to deal with them but it’s one of the best teams in the league at doing that. Let’s not forget they are the best team on set plays, I think."
City clinch win
In a hugely thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge, Manchester City have drawn 4-4 with Chelsea.
That means that the Citizens are now only one point clear of Arsenal and Liverpool.
Chelsea drawing with City
Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea are currently drawing 2-2 with Manchester City in the Premier League.
It would be a great result for the Gunners, who would then be just one point behind City in first.
Saka matches Kane
Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory over Burnley in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side dominated throughout the match in north London, eventually breaking the deadlock on the brink of half-time thanks to Leandro Trossard's close-range finish.
But the Clarets were able to level the scoreline in the second half when Josh Brownhill's deflected shot left Gunners goalkeeper David Raya flat-footed. However, Arsenal quickly restored their lead thanks to William Saliba's header before Oleksandr Zinchenko added a third with a spectacular volley to clinch all three points to send Arteta and Co above local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the league table.
Trossard's aforementioned finish was set up by right-winger Bukayo Saka, his 14th direct goal contribution of the campaign across all competitions, a feat that is even more impressive when you consider that the Hale End academy graduate is still only 22 years old. In fact, Saka's latest assist has put him in an exclusive club with former Spurs frontman Harry Kane as the only two players to have scored or assisted against every Premier League team they have faced (excluding players who have played against just one side), as per Opta.
100% - Players to have scored or assisted against every team they have faced in the Premier League:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 12, 2023
32/32 - Harry Kane
24/24 - Bukayo Saka
1/1 - 9 players
Completionists. pic.twitter.com/o0Ds2PAmKh
Arsenal drop to third
Liverpool have defeated Brentford 3-0 thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and a Mohammed Salah brace.
That means that the Reds now have a superior goal difference to the Gunners, climbing up to second in the table.
Kai Havertz worry
Arsenal fan Piers Morgan has claimed that summer signing Kai Havertz is struggling more and more.
During half-time of yesterday's match with Burnley, Morgan wrote on X: “Havertz is getting worse.”
Liverpool lead
Arsenal's Premier League title rivals Liverpool currently lead Brentford 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Mohammed Salah.
If the result stays the same, the Reds will be level on points with Mikel Arteta's side, with their goal difference one less than the Gunners.
Jover response
Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover will no doubt have been smiling from ear-to-ear on Saturday as his side impressed in his specialist area of set-pieces. In a far from enthralling tie with newly-promoted Burnley, the Gunners found plenty of success from corners and more direct play.
It comes as a clear response to former Manchester United defender Gary Neville just a week ago.
Brandt move
Arsenal are showing interest in Borussia Dortmund playmaker Julian Brandt for next summer, according to a report from the Mirror. That is despite the German international signing a new contract recently as well as interest from Liverpool and Newcastle.
Injuries compared
Arsenal have a number of injury concerns this season, but how do they stack up compared to their current title rivals in Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham?
Mbappe hope
Arsenal have been handed some hope in their efforts to land Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer in the summer transfer window. That's because the Telegraph reports that Real Madrid may be unable to sign the Frenchman due to their current financial outlook.
Nwaneri message
Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri continues to knock on the door for first-team opportunities as he impresses at youth level for club and country. The midfielder was thrusted into the limelight last season as Mikel Arteta was forced to look within his ranks after some injury troubles.
Gabriel Jesus injury tensions
Tensions appear to be growing between Arsenal and the Brazil national team over the status of Gabriel Jesus and his injury concerns. The star striker is currently absent from action due to a knock he picked up a few weeks ago, coming as a huge blow to both club and country.
Arteta issues White injury update
White has been carrying a knock recently and was omitted from the matchday squad to face Burnley. After the game, Mikel Arteta was asked for an update on the right-back.
"Yesterday in training he wasn’t comfortable," said the Gunners boss. "He didn’t look right. But Ben won’t give you much. He always wants to be on the pitch and he wants to hide anything that is in there.
"But we highlighted something happening there that we noticed in the last two weeks as well. We wanted to protect him today. It was the right call from the physios and the medical department and tomorrow we will assess him and understand what’s happening."
Martinelli concern
Mikel Arteta was dealt a major injury scare in the dying embers of Arsenal's 3-1 win over Burnley. With just a few minutes left to play at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Gabriel Martinelli was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
As the Gunners winger beelined for the substitutes bench, he was spotted clutching his right hamstring. The severity of Martinelli's potential muscle injury remains to be seen, but Arteta will be hoping that his talisman is okay.
The 22-year-old winger is set to join up with the Brazil squad in a couple of days ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Columbia and and Argentina. The Seleção Canarinha, otherwise known as the Canary Squad in English, currently sit third in the CONMEBOL group with just seven points after four games...
Arsenal told perfect Osimhen alternative...
Arsenal have been urged to sign Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria international star Victor Boniface in January as they continue to be linked with a striker for the transfer window ahead. The Gunners have managed to push Manchester City in many ways over the past year in races for the title, but one separating factor can boil down to forwards.
The Nigerian international has scored seven goals and assisted five in his ten Bundesliga matches so far, helping Xabi Alonso's side sit top of the table. Whether he would be ready for a move so quickly remains to be seen, but an international team-mate of his believes Arsenal should snap up a deal.
With Boniface two-years younger than Osimhen, it remains to be seen whether he can become the next prophetic suggestion by Ogu, this time in the favour of Arsenal. However, it may be an opportunity too good for them to miss if the player and deal is right for them.
Read the full story here.
Good morning!
Welcome to football.london's dedicated Arsenal blog on Saturday morning! Stay with us as we keep you up to date on everything you need to know as it happens LIVE from the Emirates Stadium...
