ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has issued an injury update regarding star winger Bukayo Saka ahead of the Chelsea clash on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Ben White has revealed he wants to stay at the Gunners for as long as possible amid reports of contract talks.
Elsewhere, Arsenal face a thrilling transfer battle with Liverpool for the signature of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Jurgen Klopp sent one of his network to take in Nigeria’s friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in the Algarve over the last week.
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Follow ALL of the latest from the Emirates Stadium below…
- By Emillia Hawkins
Match Day
Good morning, Gooners!
Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge this afternoon to face Chelsea in a huge London derby.
Bukayo Saka could make his return from injury today, while William Saliba is also in contention to start.
If they win, the Gunners will top the Premier League table.
A huge day ahead!
- By Ian Tuckey
Varane better than Saliba
Manchester United’s Raphael Varane is among four Prem rivals reeled off by William Gallas as better than William Saliba.
Former Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea defender Gallas told Lord Ping: “Thiago Silva comes to mind when thinking about truly world-class defenders.
“He was great in the past, and he’s great now, even at his age. I also like Josko Gvardiol, and he’s a great example of a player who adapted to a new system straight away.
“Look at how he plays now compared to how he played at RB Leipzig – the way he’s adapted is unbelievable and he’s a world-class defender.
“There’s also Raphael Varane. He may not be at his best at the moment, but what he’s achieved speaks for itself.
“Virgil van Dijk is great, too, even if he’s not quite been the same since his injury. He was top-class back then, but he’s making some mistakes now. He’s not perfect, but he’s still very good.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Arteta to assess Gunners trio
Boss Mikel Arteta says he will ponder the fitness of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard ahead of today's trip to Chelsea.
The Spaniard said: “We obviously haven’t had a lot of players.
Credit: Alamy “I do have an idea [of his starting XI] but I have to see them all together today and how everybody is because we have a lot of people travelling around the world and with a lot of minutes in the legs.
“I want to judge what is the best for tomorrow, not only in terms of what I want to do tactically but also how the energy is, how the mood is, how the spirit is. In order to that, I will have a better clue after the session today.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Prem eye Xmas Eve game
Premier League bosses are pondering having a match on Christmas Eve for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Chelsea’s trip to Wolves, initially scheduled for December 23, is understood to be the game under discussion.
Sky Sports are believed to be pushing for a match on the day before Christmas to be part of their festive TV offer to fans.
It would be the first time a top flight game has been played on December 24 since Leeds beat Manchester United 3-1 at Elland Road in 1995.
But the idea has already brought a backlash from Chelsea fans and supporters of the Molineux outfit.
Chelsea’s recent decision to end the subsidy for fans travelling to away matches has added to the frustration of Blues fans.
And there is also the likelihood of pushback from West Midlands Police ahead of a night when their resources are likely to be stretched thin patrolling the streets and ensuring revellers are safe.
Prem bosses were due to announce the full list of December and January fixture switches on Friday.
Instead the League only announced the seven matches moved from the 3pm Saturday slot on December 2, which include Manchester United fans facing ANOTHER 8pm away match, this time at Newcastle.
- By Ian Tuckey
Are you Gunner join the chat?
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Well, you can by joining the WhatsApp channel via this link to keep up to date with all the goings on at Emirates.
- By Rob Maul
Mudryk in the mood
Mykhailo Mudryk will face Arsenal at last showing a glimpse of the potential that persuaded Chelsea to beat the Gunners to signing the Ukraine winger.
A first Premier League goal and more settled performances have helped Mudryk revive his fortunes since arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk in January.
Credit: Getty Stamford Bridge boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “He has changed a lot from the day we first met him.
“After three months he is not a completely different player because we are not magic but he is a different person.
“We are starting to see how lovely this guy is. He is so sensitive, smart. He is so clever. And how important it is to give confidence in life and in life to trust.
“When people trust they can be open and start to express their talent in football. Micha is doing really well in his relationships with the team, the coaching staff, the medical staff, with the club.
“That is a massive improvement. It is not to give him some exercises or some advice about how to move between the lines or one-v-one. That is part of his talent.
“But the most important thing is that he can feel confident and happy when you play football because you need to feel connected to the game.”
- By Rob Maul
Kai's a chief in the making
Mikel Arteta is backing under-fire Kai Havertz to rediscover his scoring boots ahead of his return to former club Chelsea.
Havertz, 24, holds a special place in Blues folklore as he scored the winner against Manchester City in the 2021 Champions League final but has hit just ONE GOAL in 12 games since his £64million summer switch
Arteta, however, reckons his display as a late sub in the 1-0 over City on October 8 will act as a turning point.
The Spaniard, 41, said: “The last touch of the game that he had and the contribution he had against City was terrific.
“It was difficult to make the decision whether or not to play him but as well we knew that the last 25-30 minutes against City were going to be critical.
“And the impact that the subs had was crucial to the result and I’m really happy how he reacted and contributed to the team.
“Could it prove to be a big moment for him? I hope so, I hope so, and I can see that the confidence is shifting and he’s in a much better place.
“And we have to continue to do that and he needs to play.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Raya and Ramsdale 'not equals
Mikel Arteta's claim to see David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale as equals is misleading.
That's the verdict of Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth, who reckons the Arsenal boss rates loanee Raya a "better fit" than previous undisputed No1 Aaron Ramsdale.
Raya is tipped for a permanent arrival from Brentford next summer – while Ramsdale is battling for more game-time to boost his Euro 2024 hopes with England.
And Sheth believes Raya is now first-choice in Prem games "purely because Arteta sees Raya as a better fit for what he wants to do with Arsenal".
The reporter added: "It isn't great news for Ramsdale, but what Arteta does have now are two ‘number one goalkeepers’ who will be fighting it out for the rest of the season.
"That is what Arteta wants in every single position. I think it’s highlighted more when it's a goalkeeping situation because you rarely see that position change as much as a right winger, left winger, or central midfielder."
- By Ian Tuckey
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- By Ian Tuckey
Two Whites make a throng
Arsenal team-mates gathered to see Ben White's new, er, white hairstyle.
The versatile defender looked happy enough to show off his new floppy locks.
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- By Ian Tuckey
Whats not to like?
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- By Ian Tuckey
Striker light says Shearer
Ex-England frontman Alan Shearer reckons a new striker would transform Arsenal's title chances.
The Newcastle legend believes Brazilian Gabriel Jesus does not chip in with enough strikes for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Shearer told the Athletic: “Without wishing to pick on him, he has consistently been underperforming his xG over the past few years.”
- By Ian Tuckey
The top-flight before Christmas
Prem chiefs are considering playing a match on Christmas Eve for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Chelsea’s trip to Wolves, initially scheduled for December 23, is understood to be the game under discussion.
Sky Sports are believed to be pushing for a match on the day before Christmas to be part of their festive TV offer to fans.
It would be the first time a top flight game has been played on December 24 since Leeds beat Manchester United 3-1 at Elland Road in 1995.
But the idea has already brought a backlash from Chelsea fans and supporters of the Molineux outfit.
Chelsea’s recent decision to end the subsidy for fans travelling to away matches has added to the frustration of Blues fans.
And there is also the likelihood of pushback from West Midlands Police ahead of a night when their resources are likely to be stretched thin patrolling the streets and ensuring revellers are safe.
Prem bosses were due to announce the full list of December and January fixture switches on Friday.
Instead the League only announced the seven matches moved from the 3pm Saturday slot on December 2, which include Manchester United fans facing ANOTHER 8pm away match, this time at Newcastle.
- By Ian Tuckey
Valverde reckons he nearly joined Gunners
Federico Valverde has named Arsenal as the club he came close to joining – but they rejected him.
Instead the Uruguay midfielder joined Real Madrid – and is now one of LaLiga's brightest lights.
Valverde, 25, singled out the Gunners when asked on TikTok if any other team were near to signing him before his career-defining move to Spain six years ago.
The 53-cap star revealed he missed out on a move following a trial – but praised Arsenal and Manchester United-to-be striker Alexis Sanchez for his help.
Valverde said: “Alexis was there and he was one of the few who came up to help me.
“I will always be grateful to him because, being a nobody, I was well-received by him. He was there to help me when I was a kid. As a footballer, he is an incredible player.”
- By Ian Tuckey
'I'm surprised City haven't come in for Saka'
Former Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson is stunned Prem champs City haven't yet bid for Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka.
But Gunners' fan Richardson is praying the "perfect fit" transfer never happens.
The eight-cap ex West Brom star, 38, is sure the 22-year-old is destined for greatness – as long as he's lucky with injuries
Richardson exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "This player is just an exceptional talent. I'm happy he's still at Arsenal, but surprised Man City still haven't come in for him yet.
"He's one of the best players in the Premier League. He's such an important part of this whole Arsenal set-up, he's a massive talent and he's got a great family behind him.
"I've spoken with his dad a few times in the past and he's just a very well-grounded young man. The world's his oyster. He does his thing on the pitch, but he does so much off it, too."
Richardson added: "I do feel like if he does leave the club, he'll go to City.
"Even though I don't want him to go, they've obviously lost a couple of players in the summer, Riyad Mahrez being one… it seems a perfect fit for Saka, if he wants it."
- By Emillia Hawkins
Varane better than Saliba
Manchester United's Raphael Varane is among four Prem rivals reeled off by William Gallas as better than William Saliba.
Former Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea defender Gallas told Lord Ping:"Thiago Silva comes to mind when thinking about truly world-class defenders.
"He was great in the past, and he’s great now, even at his age. I also like Josko Gvardiol, and he’s a great example of a player who adapted to a new system straight away.
"Look at how he plays now compared to how he played at RB Leipzig – the way he’s adapted is unbelievable and he’s a world-class defender.
"There’s also Raphael Varane. He may not be at his best at the moment, but what he’s achieved speaks for itself.
"Virgil van Dijk is great, too, even if he’s not quite been the same since his injury. He was top-class back then, but he’s making some mistakes now. He’s not perfect, but he’s still very good."
- By Emillia Hawkins
Saliba NOT world class… yet
Ex-Gunners defender William Gallas insists Arsenal's much-praised centre-back Saliba is NOT world class.
Saliba, 22, joined the Gunners from Saint-Etienne in 2019 but only established himself as a first team regular last summer.
Since making his Premier League debut at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, the centre-back has become one of the most important players in Mikel Arteta's squad.
The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have all heaped praise on him in recent months.
However, Gallas told Lord Ping: "Let’s calm down about William Saliba.
"I like Saliba, and I think he’s a really good player, but as far as I’m concerned, the best defenders in the world have to play in their national teams and be a constant in their starting XI.
"Saliba isn’t a starter for France yet, but when he’s in the line-up and he’s performing as well as he does at club level, then we can discuss him being the world’s best defender.
"At the moment, he could be one of the best defenders in Europe. There’s a difference."
- By Jack Figg
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- By Jack Figg
Gunner be tough
Arsenal will have to see off competition from Liverpool if they want to sign Victor Osimhen.
SunSport can exclusively reveal the Reds have joined the race for Napoli's star striker.
Arsenal are keen as they look to land a top No9 to boost their title bid.
And Chelsea remain interested despite already spending £1billion under Todd Boehy.
TOR BLIMEY Liverpool join Chelsea and Arsenal in Osimhen transfer race after scouting him
- By Jack Figg
Squad goals
Mikel Arteta has a starting 11 in mind to play Chelsea already.
He said: “I do have an idea but I have to see them all together today and how everybody is because we have a lot of people travelling around the world and with a lot of minutes in the legs.
"I want to judge what is the best for tomorrow, not only in terms of what I want to do tactically but also how the energy is, how the mood is, how the spirit is.
"In order to that, I will have a better clue after the session today.”
- By Jack Figg
Arteta talks Saka
He said: “I’m sure he wants to play. I don’t see any player there that doesn’t want to be in the starting XI.
"He has been working so hard to be fit for this game and let's see where he is at today.
"He had a couple of days off that he needed, but the rest unfortunately has not been rest for him because he needed the treatment and training to get ready to be available against Chelsea.
“I think we have to play him when we see he is in the right condition to play – mentally, physically and that he’s performing.
"He needs to deserve to play, that’s another story, but so far when he’s played that amount of minutes, it’s because we believe he was ready to cope with that.”
- By Jack Figg
Mik drop
Mikel Arteta revealed he will access Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard’s fitness ahead of Arsenal's trip to Chelsea.
He said: “We obviously haven’t had a lot of players. It’s the first training session we’re going to do today and we will know more after the session.
“I do have an idea [of his starting XI] but I have to see them all together today and how everybody is because we have a lot of people travelling around the world and with a lot of minutes in the legs.
"I want to judge what is the best for tomorrow, not only in terms of what I want to do tactically but also how the energy is, how the mood is, how the spirit is. In order to that, I will have a better clue after the session today.”
Credit: Alamy - By Jack Figg
SunSport’s Arsenal WhatsApp chat
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- By Jack Figg
Holy moly
Prem chiefs are considering the introduction of Christmas Eve football this year, according to reports.
No Premier League match has been played on December 24 since 1995.
That could change this year, with the league still finalising its festive schedule.
According to the Telegraph, "at least" one game from the December 23 slate of fixtures could be moved to the 24th.
Prem bosses will NOT move the prime fixture between Liverpool and Arsenal to that day, however.
Other matches scheduled include West Ham vs Manchester United, Tottenham vs Everton and Wolves vs Chelsea.
HOLY MOLY Premier League 'considering introduction of CHRISTMAS EVE football'
- By Jack Figg
Ol be watching
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mykhailo Mudryk may be teammates for Ukraine.
But they’ll be facing off as rivals when Chelsea host Arsenal on Saturday.
And Zinchenko has delivered a stark warning to his pal.
He said: “I told Mudryk ‘If you score on Saturday, I’ll rip your balls off’.”
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