Arsenal are edging closer to a significant injury lift after Mikel Arteta confirmed Kai Havertz is on the brink of returning to action. The German forward, absent since undergoing knee surgery in August, is now just days away from rejoining the squad, offering renewed depth and flexibility as the Premier League leaders prepare for a demanding festive schedule.
William Saliba has called on Arsenal to end their trophy drought in style by pushing hard to win an unprecedented quadruple this season. The Gunners are currently well-poised in their pursuit of a first piece of silverware since the 2019-20 season, with the France international insisting he and his team-mates are good enough to claim all four trophies in 2025-26.
As we head into Christmas, it's time to review the Premier League season so far. Each side has played 17 games out of 38 and we've got a good idea of who will be fighting for what this year. Arsenal boast a two-point lead at the top from Manchester City and a further one from Aston Villa, while Wolves already seem destined for relegation at a Derby-esque pace.
With the halfway stage of the season upon us, the time has come to shine a spotlight on the players who have made the biggest impact across Europe's major leagues. But first, let's run through the lay of the land.
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli explained how he helped fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus during his ACL recovery period. The Brazilian striker spent almost a year on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in January this year. After recovering from the injury, Jesus returned to action in the Champions League earlier this month against Club Brugge.
Mikel Arteta admitted it was "emotionally tough" to process Crystal Palace’s stoppage-time equaliser, before Arsenal steadied themselves to edge through on penalties in a breathless Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. After 90 minutes the game finished level at 1-1, but the Gunners held their nerve to win the shootout 8-7, with Kepa Arrizabalaga emerging as the decisive figure.
As we reach Christmas and approach the midway point in the Premier League season, the time has come to reflect on the first half of a campaign that has delivered drama and unexpected twists in abundance. It's also the opportune moment to assess those players who completed a transfer to, or within, the English top-flight back in the summer, with a decent sample size of games now under their belts.
Arsenal shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga has revealed the secret behind his shootout heroics following the Gunners' Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. The Spaniard was the star man as the north London side secured their spot in the semi-finals of the competition, setting up a final-four showdown with former side Chelsea.
Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was the unlikely hero on Tuesday night as the Gunners sneaked past Crystal Palace and into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after a penalty shoot-out. The Gunners went ahead late on thanks to a Maxence Lacroix own goal but were pegged back in stoppage time by Marc Guehi's equaliser. The game finished 1-1 then went to penalties with Kepa saving from Lacroix as Arsenal won 8-7 on spot kicks.
Pure excitement has been the theme of this Premier League season. Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are locked in a three-way title race while practically the rest of the division is competing for a European place. Indeed, the table is so crowded it feels more like the Championship than the top-flight, with back-to-back wins being all it takes to propel teams from 15th to the top five.
Ruben Dias has made it clear that Manchester City’s recent success will not be allowed to dull their hunger to reclaim their Premier League crown, as the defender sets his sights on chasing down Arsenal in the 2025-26 title race. Pep Guardiola's side have returned to their best form this season, after forfeiting top spot to rivals Liverpool last term.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted he is ready to offer Gabriel Jesus his first start in almost 12 months. The Brazilian striker has endured a testing 2025 on the fitness front, with knee ligament damage being suffered, but he could have a prominent role to play for the Gunners in their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with London rivals Crystal Palace.
Wayne Rooney has delivered a timely warning to Arsenal and Manchester City by insisting Liverpool cannot yet be ruled out of the Premier League title race. Despite sitting ten points off the summit at Christmas after a stuttering title defence, the former Manchester United striker believes the defending champions’ recent revival means they could still have a major say.
Arsenal are reported to have stepped up their interest in Borussia Dortmund-owned goalkeeper Diant Ramaj - who is currently on loan at Heidenheim. It is claimed that the Gunners have sent several scouting missions to Germany. David Raya remains No.1 at Emirates Stadium, with Kepa Arrizabalaga filling back-up duties, but further additions between the sticks are being considered.
Gary Neville has delivered a pointed verdict on Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes as the race with Manchester City reaches a decisive phase, insisting the Gunners will not “bottle it this time”. While acknowledging the pressure Pep Guardiola’s side apply every spring, the former Manchester United defender believes Arsenal’s biggest danger lies elsewhere.
Wayne Rooney is tipping Declan Rice to be the next England captain, with the Arsenal midfielder considered to be “irreplaceable” for club and country. The all-action 26-year-old has become a talismanic presence for the Gunners and Three Lions. He is being billed as a natural heir to Harry Kane on the international stage, with the prolific Bayern Munich striker poised to pass up a prominent armband at some point.
An executive from a Premier League club is being investigated by London’s Metropolitan Police for non-recent sex offences, report The Athletic. The man - who has been described as “well-known” - is still working in the English top flight while the case is being investigated by the police. In a statement, the police said no arrests have been made.
Arsenal regained top spot in the Premier League courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickson Stadium. The slender win was decided in the first-half after Viktor Gyokeres fired home from the penalty spot after Jake O’Brien handled in the box. Everton had two massive penalty appeals turned away in the second-half, but the Gunners held on for the three points.
Mikel Arteta has revealed what he tells his Arsenal players about his long-term future at the club. Saturday's trip to Everton marks six years in the job for Arteta but in that time, the Gunners have only won the FA Cup. The Spaniard's contract expires in the summer of 2027 but if he is to stay on, he suggested he needs to "earn the right" at the north London team.
Everton boss David Moyes shared a hilarious insight into what it was like to manage “moaner” Mikel Arteta ahead of their reunion on the touchline this weekend. The Scot has opened up about coaching the Spaniard during his playing days, while jokingly criticising how the now-Arsenal gaffer conducts his transfer business, having lost Declan Rice to his protege while he was in charge of West Ham United.
Manchester City legend Yaya Toure is adamant he was “better” than his brother Kolo after revealing the siblings had a “bitter rivalry” growing up. The former midfielder has opened up about what it was like to both compete and play alongside his brother, who represented Premier League trio Arsenal, City and Liverpool in a 14-year spell in English football.
Mikel Arteta has warned Viktor Gyokeres that he must experience the Arsenal doubters following the "global impact" of his summer transfer. The Sweden international arrived in north London last summer in a deal worth up to £63.5 million ($85m), fuelled by staggering numbers at Sporting CP, where he struck 97 goals in 102 appearances. That reputation ensured his transfer landed with global fanfare, but it also guaranteed that every performance would be under intense scrutiny.
Mikel Arteta has revealed what would be his ideal Christmas present as the Arsenal boss prepares his side for the busy festive football period. The Spaniard also reflected on the "incredible journey" he's been on, with it having been six years since the Gunners appointed the former Manchester City assistant as their head coach. Click the play button above to watch the full clip ⬆️
Arsenal have been warned that they face the threat of enduring a bleak Harry Kane-esque scenario if major silverware is not captured soon. The Gunners have remained in contention for top honours across recent seasons, only to be left empty-handed. Frank Leboeuf has told GOAL why that lack of tangible success could lead the likes of William Saliba to explore transfer opportunities elsewhere.
Thierry Henry has urged Arsenal not to look for excuses in their latest Premier League title bid, with the Gunners legend pointing out that "everyone has problems". Injuries have started to pile up for Mikel Arteta at Emirates Stadium, while seeing a lead at the top of the table cut to two points, but collective focus must remain locked on the ultimate end goal.
Arsenal
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