The Bundesliga may still be on a winter break, but there was plenty of other action across Europe as 2026 got off to a cracking start for some of the continent's elite teams. In England, Arsenal took another big step towards a first Premier League title since 2004 by moving six points clear thanks to a 3-2 win at Bournemouth, while reigning champions Barcelona continue to lead the way in Spain after beating city rivals Espanyol thanks to late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.
We reached the midway point of the Premier League season on Thursday night, with Arsenal holding a very promising four-point advantage at the top of the table as the Gunners look to end an agonising, 22-year title drought, and their chances of doing so have only increased after Saturday's hard-fought win at Bournemouth. Of course, Manchester City are very dangerous chasers - as Arsenal know to their considerable cost - and Aston Villa will obviously be hoping to stay in touch even after their chastening 4-1 defeat at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hailed "world class" Declan Rice, who shrugged off injury to score two goals in a man-of-the-match performance as the Gunners beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Vitality Stadium. Arsenal now enjoy a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and Arteta has singled out Rice for the highest praise as his title challenge continues to gather momentum.
Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-2 to open up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, a victory which puts them on a superior trajectory to the legendary Invincibles of the 2003-04 season. The Gunners landed the title that season and the stats are adding up very favourably for Mikel Arteta’s side as they bid to land the club’s first league title in 22 long years.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has laid down the gauntlet to Eberechi Eze after dropping him from his XI. The playmaker joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace for an initial fee of £60 million ($81.2m) in August, and after impressing in the first few months of the season, Arteta has barely called upon the 27-year-old in recent weeks. Now, he has gone as far as saying Eze needs to "improve" certain parts of his game.
Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal squad to end their wait for a Premier League title this season. The Gunners have gone close over the past few campaigns, often holding strong positions at the halfway point, but they remain without a trophy since 2020. They are favourites to finish at the top of the pile but will face stern competition from the likes of Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a fitness update on Declan Rice, with the England international midfielder nursing a knee complaint. Rice was forced to sit out the impressive victory over Aston Villa, with the Gunners barely missing his presence in their engine room, and questions continue to be asked of whether he will be ready to face Bournemouth.
Arsenal should have conceded a penalty in their 1-0 win over Everton on 20 December, according to the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI). The Gunners have now been told they should have given away a spot kick when William Saliba and Thierno Barry challenged for the ball at Hill Dickinson Stadium - in a controversial decision which could have huge implications in this season’s title race.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has delivered a blunt assessment of Arsenal’s misfiring frontman Viktor Gyokeres, arguing that either Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz should now be trusted as the club’s starting striker. The Swede arrived at the Emirates in the summer amid considerable fanfare, with Arsenal investing around £64 million ($86m) to secure a forward many believed could finally elevate them from contenders to champions. However, he has found the transition to English football more punishing than expected.
Unai Emery has explained why he did not shake Mikel Arteta's hand following Aston Villa's 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal on Tuesday night. Villa made the trip to the Emirates on an 11-game winning run following their 2-1 victory at Chelsea on Saturday evening as the Villans sought to go level with the Gunners at the top of the Premier League table, but ended up being blown away by the hosts.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has labelled former club Arsenal as Premier League title “favourites” ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash between the two teams. The Spaniard has taken the opportunity to add plenty of extra spice to a mouth-watering fixture which will see Mikel Arteta’s leaders play host to the high-flying Villans at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are "actively looking" to make signings in the January transfer window as they continue to struggle with injuries. The Gunners spent £267 million ($360m) on players this summer, but they may dip back into the market next month as Ben White, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori, and more, are all currently sidelined.
Ian Wright has warned that Arsenal need to start taking their chances of else they run the risk of being leapfrogged by title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa. The Gunners edged to a 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday afternoon to return to the top of the Premier League table having briefly dropped to second following City's 2-1 victory at Nottingham Forest in the lunchtime kick-off.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are ready to push Manchester City all the way for the Premier League title as both teams continue to slug it out at the top of the table. The Gunners were momentarily replaced at the summit following City’s late victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, before the north Londoners reclaimed top spot following their win over Brighton and Hove Albion later in the day.
Mikel Arteta has recalled feeling “hacked off” over Declan Rice’s red card in Arsenal’s draw with Brighton last season - but the head coach is pleased his side’s disciplinary issues are now behind them ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides. The Gunners are looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they welcome the Seagulls to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
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.
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