Things are really heating up in the run-up to Christmas across Europe's top leagues, with Inter reclaiming top spot in Serie A, Lens surprisingly leading the way in Ligue 1 and Barcelona continuing to pile pressure on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid. Over in Germany, though, it seems that nobody is really capable of dethroning Bayern Munich, but Premier League leaders Arsenal are looking more and more nervous with each passing week.
Bukayo Saka conceded Arsenal had "luck" on their side as they narrowly edged past a "frustrating" Wolves side 2-1 courtesy of two own goals on Saturday evening. The England international was heavily involved in Sam Johnstone and Yerson Mosquera putting through their own net as the Gunners moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta slammed Arsenalâs display as "unacceptable" after a chaotic late win over bottom-placed Wolves, admitting his title-chasing side made life far harder than necessary before scraping a stoppage-time victory through a second own goal. While the dramatic finish preserved Arsenalâs lead at the top, Arteta warned that the lapses that nearly cost them points cannot continue.
Mikel Arteta has admitted it is "not good news" for Arsenal after Ben White limped off with a hamstring problem during the win over Wolves, raising fresh concerns in a squad already stretched by defensive injuries. White had only recently returned to fitness but now faces another spell out, deepening the Gunnersâ mounting fitness crisis as a hectic December schedule looms.
Serie A giants AC Milan are tracking Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus ahead of a potential January swoop as the forward finally makes a comeback from injury. The Brazil star spent almost a year on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in January this year. Jesus returned to action in the Champions League earlier this week against Club Brugge before appearing in the Premier League on Saturday.
Lucky Arsenal were let off the hook in dramatic style as they claimed a 2-1 win against Wolves thanks to two own goals from the Premier League's basement boys, with Yerson Mosquera heading what proved to be the winner past his own keeper Sam Johnstone deep into stoppage time at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta's league leaders looked to have dropped two costly points when Mateus Mane glanced a header past David Raya with just seconds remaining to cancel out Arsenal's opener, which had come when Bukayo Saka's inswinging corner had struck the far post and gone in off the back of the unfortunate Johnstone.
Arsenal have suffered another injury blow after Ben White hobbled off in the first half of their Premier League clash with Wolves. The defender has been working his way back to fitness after various injuries but the 28-year-old could no longer continue around the half-hour mark after aggravating his hamstring. The Gunners have had a lot of bad luck in defence with injuries, and now that problem has worsened.
Mikel Arteta has called for patience with Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri amid the playmaker's lack of game time this season. The 18-year-old had been hailed as the Gunners' brightest academy talent in recent years but this term, he is struggling for first-team minutes. But Arteta has stressed that it is important for the youngster to bide his time at Emirates Stadium.
Injury has not prevented Arsenal star Gabriel from getting involved in drama off the pitch, as the defender was seen embroiled in a furious bust-up during a six-a-side friendly in south London on Tuesday night. While the altercation was not physical and Gabriel was not playing in the game, he was seen running over to get involved in the incident following a 'horror' challenge during the match between supporters of Brazilian club Botafogo.
Mikel Arteta has delivered a clear message to ÂŁ64 million signing Viktor Gyokeres, insisting that âtwo things have to mergeâ for the Swedish striker to thrive at Arsenal. The manager believes both player adaptation and tactical integration are essential as Gyokeres searches for form. After an injury setback and a slow Premier League start, expectations remain high for the summer arrival.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly instructed his squad to report for training on Christmas Day, despite not being scheduled to play on Boxing Day this year. The Gunners return to Premier League action on December 27 when they host Brighton at the Emirates Stadium, but Arteta is adamant that the preparations must continue without interruption.
William Saliba has been forced to "modify his running" after the ankle injury as Mikel Arteta revealed a potential comeback date for the Arsenal defender. The Frenchman has missed the clubâs last four matches after completing 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in late November, and what was initially described as a âminorâ setback has evolved into a more serious situation.
Arsenal have stepped up their monitoring of Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Diant Ramaj, with scouts repeatedly watching the 24-year-old during his standout loan spell at Heidenheim. With Kepa Arrizabalaga currently serving as David Rayaâs understudy, the Gunners are exploring long-term options, and Ramajâs rise in the Bundesliga has positioned him as a potential future competitor for the No.1 spot.
Manchester United have finalised the signing of 13-year-old defender Socrates, a rising prospect who rebounded from failed trials at Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace before earning a place at Old Trafford. The Elite London Academy product has impressed scouts with his maturity and intelligence, completing a move that highlights Unitedâs renewed focus on youth recruitment under INEOS.
Gabriel Jesus is "happy" after making a return from his devastating ACL injury during Arsenal's victory over Club Brugge in Belgium. The Gunners had plenty to celebrate as they registered a sixth consecutive Champions League win, got another clean sheet and put in a performance that instilled hope among the fans.
Noni Madueke has sent a stern warning to Arsenal's Champions League and Premier League rivals as the Gunners maintained their perfect European record with a 3-0 victory over Club Brugge. The forward stole the show with a devastating double, becoming the first player in the clubâs history to score his first three goals in the Champions League. It is a rare feat that has vaulted him into the spotlight at a time when Mikel Artetaâs side are chasing silverware on multiple fronts.
Arsenalâs worst fears on the injury front have been confirmed, with Mikel Arteta announcing that Cristhian Mosquera is set to spend âweeksâ out of action. The full extent of his fitness setback has been revealed, with the Spanish defender joining fellow centre-halves William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in the treatment room. The Gunners are having to get creative with their team selections.
Arsenal star Noni Madueke scored a brilliant goal to open the scoring for the Gunners against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The summer signing from Chelsea shrugged off challenges from two defenders before ending a slaloming run by crashing a shot past goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel and into the top corner to break the deadlock in some style in Belgium.
It's fair to say that not even Arsenal fans were convinced by the club's decision to pay Chelsea ÂŁ50 million for Noni Madueke during the summer transfer window - but it's starting to look like a masterstroke, with the winger having produced another stellar performance on the game's grandest stage in Wednesday's Champions League win over Club Brugge.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has explained why Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were left out of his starting XI to face Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Gunners were already without key defenders Gabriel and William Saliba due to injury, meaning midfielder Christian Norgaard was handed a surprise start in central defence in Belgium.
The Gunners have come agonisingly close to landing the Premier League in the last three years and Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has pointed the finger of blame at the fans for boasting about winning the title too early in the season. The Gunners have finished second three times on the bounce, but the fans have been starting to crow again with boss Mikel Artetaâs side at the top of the table, and Evra has a message for them.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has picked out a surprising player for praise after returning to Arsenal to train. The former Liverpool midfielder is staying match-fit by training with the Gunners, having had his contract terminated by Besiktas back in August after two seasons in Turkey.
Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman is reportedly facing a lengthy spell out after suffering an ankle ligament injury. The 15-year-old was in action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United at the weekend and was left hurt after a heavy challenge.
Arsenalâs battle with injuries has taken a further turn for the worse after Declan Rice was ruled out of Wednesday nightâs Champions League meeting with Club Brugge. The midfielder is a central figure in Mikel Artetaâs plans but was deemed too ill to travel to Belgium, which has deepened the sense of strain within a squad already stretched thin.
Wilfried Zaha is returning to the Ivory Coast fold after a prolonged spell away, with the 33-year-old earning a surprise recall for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The Charlotte FC winger had been absent from the national team squad for two years, having initially slipped out of contention following disagreements with former coach Patrice Beaumelle. As a consequence, Zaha missed Les ĂlĂŠphants' triumphant campaign on home soil in 2023.
Arsenal have announced that teenage starlet Max Dowman has been dropped from their Champions League squad and will not be eligible to play in the competition again until February 2026. The Gunners have replaced Dowman in their European squad by calling-up fit-again striker Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian is back in action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
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Arsenal
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