ARSENAL are looking to keep their winning run going with a win over Brighton on Saturday.
The 3-1 victory over Spurs in the North London derby has put a spring in the club's step after a disastrous start to the season.
But it's not all good news, Granit Xhaka will be out for THREE MONTHS after scans showed a medial knee ligament injury.
And there is news of the transfer chase for Ajax keeper Andre Onana.
The Gunners are also reportedly still keen to sign Real Madrid star Marco Asensio in January.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Joshua Mbu
STRONG BOND
Arsenal summer signing Albert Sambi Lokonga has said the tough start to the season – which saw Arsenal lose their first three games to Brentford, Chelsea and Man City – has brought the team together.
The Gunners have won their last three league games, including beating north London rivals Tottenham 3-1 at the Emirates.
Lokonga told Sport Foot magazine: "You are going to tell me that it is a cliche answer, but I believe that it is when we are in the hard times that we strengthen the links in a team, in a staff.
“Here, now, we are all looking in the same direction. We all want to move the ship forward. We know we have to make further progress. In particular, we must learn to become meaner.”
- Joshua Mbu
TOM THE TANK
Takehiro Tomiyasu has settled in at Arsenal well, and put in a fine performance against Tottenham at the weekend.
How would you rate his start to life in the Premier League.
- Joshua Mbu
ASENSI-GO
Arsenal are lining up a potential January transfer move for Real Madrid ace Marco Asensio, according to reports.
Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Arsenal are a possible destination for the Spaniard.
But in recent weeks, Asensio has received a lot of praise from current boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti says Asensio can 'do a lot of damage'.
He said: "I'm lucky to coach this brave team with a lot of quality and players who learn quickly. Asensio played very well.
"We knew that he can do a lot of damage and they had a lot of quality between the lines, he's a very good shot taker and he combines very well.
"Asensio has performed very well and during next week he can hopefully score three goals as well. I think this is the position.
"It can be sometimes that if we push with the full-back, defending, he can play more on the outside, but with the ball it's always the same position because he likes it.
"When he comes inside he has the ball on the left and he is very dangerous there."
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
- Joshua Mbu
PARETEY TIME
Former Arsenal player Paul Merson believes if Arsenal get injuries to key players like Thomas Partey, they will struggle this season.
He said: "This is a good XI, but if they get injuries, they are going to struggle as there is not much after that. But from what I've seen the last few weeks, fair play to them.
"But how long will Thomas Partey be fit for? How long before Granit Xhaka gets five bookings and misses a game? And then an injury at centre back.
"Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was closing down from the front and setting an example, but where has that been?
"They have set themselves a yardstick now, they've put the bar there, now good teams stay at that level. I did not expect them to lose to Tottenham at all, as they have been very fortunate in their results so far.
"Mikel Arteta had a lot of injuries at the start of the season and what I liked about him was he went to Burnley with a very attacking team, under pressure, and he took a chance, got the ball down when they had it and played.
"And he absolutely produced in that game and they were brilliant when everyone thought they would be bullied."
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Joshua Mbu
MERSON ON BRIGHTON CLASH
Paul Merson believes Arsenal's next game could help give fans a rough idea how the Gunners will fare this season.
Arsenal's next game is away at Brighton, who are flying high in the Premier League table at the minute.
He said: "The game on Sunday was their bread and butter, but if they win away at Brighton on Saturday, then I will sit up.
"But if we talk next week and they have lost at the Amex, I would not be shocked. And that is the problem, they need to get a run of games together."
- Joshua Mbu
TOP FOUR HOPEFULS
Former Arsenal player Paul Merson reckons Arsenal are in the hunt for a top-four finish.
The Gunners finished 8th last season, one place below rivals Tottenham, who they smashed 3-1 last weekend.
Merson believes if Mikel Arteta's squad stays largely injury-free, the Gunners COULD have a shot at a top-four finish.
He said: "If Arsenal keep those players fit and they play every week, they would have a chance of getting in the top four and cause problems.
"They have no Europe this season, so will have time to recover and work on the team.
"But this is Arsenal though and has been since they last won the league in 2004, since when they have never really looked like winning the league."
- Joshua Mbu
NEXT FIVE
High flyers Brighton are up next for the Gunners.
- Chisanga Malata
ARTETA CONFIDENT OF SAKA STAY
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly confident Bukayo Saka won't be leaving the club any time soon.
England international Saka is said to be a target for Italian big boys Juventus.
The north Londoners are said to be willing to cash in on their 20-year-old winger for a fee of £45m.
But according to the Daily Mirror, Arteta isn't fearing a potential departure for the youngster.
- Chisanga Malata
FANTASTIC FOUR
Gabriel Agbonlahor reckons Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Row are Arsenal's star men.
He said: “Definitely, those four are dangerous players.
“The problem with Arsenal has been behind them, the midfield and the defence. That looks a lot better now.
“I do think that they will now start picking up points and go up the table.”
- Chisanga Malata
ODEGAARD'S MESSAGE TO XHAKA
Martin Odegaard has sent Granit Xhaka a message of support after it emerged the midfielder will be on the sidelines for the next three months.
- Chisanga Malata
'AWFUL'
Arsenal hero Robert Pires admits Arsene Wenger's decision to substitute him in the Champions League final essentially triggered his exit from the club.
He told L'Equipe: "At no point did I think I'd be the one coming off, I didn't even look at Arsene.
"For me, he was going to take off [Alexander] Hleb or my friend [Cesc] Fabregas, because I could help in attack and I have that very good technical relationship with Henry. It's not arrogance.
"So I'm there, calm, super confident and Titi (Henry) tells me I'm the one coming off.
"'What?' and I see the number 7 on the board. It's awful. Awful!"
- Chisanga Malata
'SPEEDY RECOVERY'
Former Arsenal keeper goalkeeper Matt Ryan has wished Granit Xhaka a rapid recovery following the news the midfielder will be on the sidelines for the next three months.
Commenting on Xhaka's Instagram post, the Aussie wrote: "Speedy recovery bro."
- Chisanga Malata
'CAUSE PROBLEMS'
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is confident the Gunners' lack of European football this season can see them mount a serious challenge for Champions League football.
He told Sky Sports: “If Arsenal keep those players fit and they play every week, they would have a chance of getting in the top four and cause problems.
“They have no Europe this season, so will have time to recover and work on the team.
“But this is Arsenal though and has been since they last won the league in 2004, since when they have never really looked like winning the league.
“The game on Sunday was their bread and butter, but if they win away at Brighton on Saturday, then I will sit up. But if we talk next week and they have lost at the Amex, I would not be shocked. And that is the problem, they need to get a run of games together.
“This is a good XI, but if they get injuries, they are going to struggle as there is not much after that. But from what I’ve seen the last few weeks, fair play to them.
“But how long with Thomas Partey be fit for? How long before Granit Xhaka gets five bookings and misses a game?
"And then an injury at centre back. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was closing down from the front and setting an example, but where has that been?”
- Chisanga Malata
GOOD MORNING GOONERS
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a huge blow with Granit Xhaka's knee injury worse than first feared.
It had been thought the Swiss midfielder would be out for up to eight weeks, but the club have announced he now stands to miss three months.
Xhaka took to social media following the news, as he said: "The recovery starts now. Giving everything to get back onto the pitch as soon as I can."
In other news, Bernd Leno has revealed Arteta has given him ‘no clear reason’ for being dropped.
The German shot-stopper, 29, has not featured in the last three Premier League games for the Gunners and could be forced to move on.
Leno told German outlet Sport Bild: “There was no clear reason why I was out, just that it had nothing to do with my performance.
“He [Arteta] is the trainer, he decides. It’s difficult for me, of course.”
Meanwhile, Matteo Guendouzi is already falling out with his Marseille team-mates – just eight games into his loan spell with the Ligue 1 club.
The 22-year-old is reported to have clashed with a number of players in the squad.
In the 3-2 home defeat to Lens at the weekend, L’Equipe claim Guendouzi asked team-mate Gerson ‘when he was going to start running,’ which didn’t go down well.
Gerson had to be held back by team-mates as Guendouzi walked away, with captain Dimitri Payet stepping in to try and calm him down.
And finally, Arsenal are considering a swap deal involving Alexandre Lacazette ahead of the January transfer window.
According to La Razon, the North Londoners would be open to exchanging Lacazette for Sevilla star Youssef En-Nesyri.
Lacazette is set to become a free agent next summer, and the club are keen to avoid losing him for nothing.
- Jake Lambourne
SILVA LINING
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry praised Manchester City star Bernardo Silva amid rumours suggesting the Gunners wish to sign him.
Henry told Sky Sports: “The way they run, and they have to run, believe me, I’ve been there. If you don’t do it you’re on the bench or in the stands.
“We’re talking about a guy [Silva] who was supposed to leave or was unhappy, but Pep always finds a way to deliver.
“He caught my eye, this is how you win the league. For me, this man was the man of the match.”
- Jake Lambourne
ANOTHER NORTH LONDON DERBY WIN
Anything the men can do…
Arsenal's Women's team have thrashed Tottenham 5-1 to advance into the FA Cup semi-finals.
They will now face Brighton for a place in the final on Halloween.
- Jake Lambourne
GIFT OF THE GAB
Gabriel Agbonlahor has lauded Arsenal's front four of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
He told Football Insider: "Definitely, those four are dangerous players.
"The problem with Arsenal has been behind them, the midfield and the defence.
"That looks a lot better now.
“I do think that they will now start picking up points and go up the table.”
- Jake Lambourne
BERN BRIDGES
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno claims manager Mikel Arteta has given him 'no clear reason' for being dropped.
The German stopper, 29, has not featured in the last three Premier League games for the Gunners and could be forced to move on.
Leno told German outlet Sport Bild: "There was no clear reason why I was out, just that it had nothing to do with my performance.
"He [Arteta] is the trainer, he decides. It's difficult for me, of course."
Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale, 23, has played in goal for Arsenal's recent Prem fixtures against Norwich, Burnley and Tottenham.
Arteta hasn't publicly confirmed Ramsdale as his first-choice stopper and Leno still has two years remaining on his Emirates deal.
- Jake Lambourne
PIRES CONTINUED
"I pass in front of the manager, we don't look at each other. I go sit down, very annoyed.
"I wait for it to calm down, and then I tell myself 'what I want is for us to win'. Two days later I told him I was leaving… basically, it triggered my exit.
"[Wenger] wasn't expecting it. I also needed to move on to something else.
"After the final, there was like a rupture… It was a horrible week.
"I learn that I'm not in the squad for the World Cup, I play 17 minutes in the final and we lose it… I've known better!"
- Jake Lambourne
'IT WAS AWFUL'
Robert Pires has revealed how he demanded to leave Arsenal after Arsene Wenger sacrificed him in the 2006 Champions League final.
Pires, 47, was substituted after just 18 minutes to make way for Manuel Almunia, who came on due to Jens Lehmann's early red card.
Speaking to L'Equipe, the Frenchman said: "At no point did I think I'd be the one coming off.
"I didn't even look at Arsene. For me, he was going to take off [Alexander] Hleb or my friend [Cesc] Fabregas, because I could help in attack and I have that very good technical relationship with Henry. It's not arrogance.
"So I'm there, calm, super confident and Titi [Henry] tells me I'm the one coming off. 'What?' And I see the No7 on the board. It was awful. Awful!"
- Jake Lambourne
RONBELIEVABLE
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes Cristiano Ronaldo in the best centre-forward in the Champions League this season.
He told CBS: "You have to give this guy a lot of credit, why
"Because simply what he has done with the national team, what he's doing right now for United.
“What he has been doing for Juve, Real Madrid and United before, it is second to none if we’re talking about a No.9, you have to give him his respect.”
- Jake Lambourne
AUBA AND OUT
Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been praised for his 'captain’s performance' against Tottenham by former Gunners striker Kevin Campbell.
Campbell told Football Insider: “Aubameyang was incredible.
“He was a force. It was a captain’s performance, it really was.
“He is the best striker Arsenal have got but his all round game has not always been there. That was a great all-round performance on Sunday.
“A big improvement from the striker we saw at the start of the season.”
- Jake Lambourne
TOP GUNS OR FLOP GUNS?
Arsene Wenger once hailed his Arsenal class of 2008 as his best-ever group of youngsters.
Wenger’s teenage Gunners were supposed to be the next big thing after a 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United in the Carling Cup that year.
But where are they now?
And did they go on to have successful careers?
Here, SunSport takes a look at Arsenal’s talented teens of 2008.
Click HERE to read on.
- Jake Lambourne
PAUL THE OTHER ONE
Arsenal icon Paul Merson has expressed concern for Nuno Espirito Santo following three consecutive defeats in the Premier League.
The 53-year-old believes that one more showing like Sunday's performance against Arsenal could see to him being sacked.
The Sky Sports pundit said: "I've always liked Nuno and thought he would get a top job, but there are ways of getting beat at football and those players were not running through a brick wall for him on Sunday.
"And that is where the worry starts.
"This (the North London derby) is the fans' game, the be all and end all and it does not matter how good a manager you are, you can be the best manager in the world, but it is all about the players – do not let anyone tell you it is all about the manager.
"If the players want someone out, they are out – one more game like that and Nuno is gone, Spurs will not mess about, they can't have that."
- Jake Lambourne
SAFE HANDS
David Seaman has been pictured at Arsenal's training ground passing on his expert knowledge to the Gunners' young stars.
He's been snapped alongside Aaron Ramsdale who has impressed since his £30million move from Sheffield United in the summer.
According to Goal journalist Charles Watts, Seaman is at London Colney carrying out 'informal work' with the U23s goalkeepers.
He's been invited to the club's London Colney base by academy manager Per Mertesacker.
But it seems as though the 58-year-old has also been working with Ramsdale after the pair were pictured smiling together.
Source: Read Full Article