Arsenal could do with some fresh faces as they look to get their Premier League ambitions back on track.
The Gunners ended 2023 poorly with their shortcomings clear for all to see and a striker appears to be at the top of the Mikel Arteta's shopping list. Ivan Toney remains firmly on their radar as he prepares to make a return to for Brentford. Elsewhere, Borja Mayoral, Joshua Zirkzee and Victor Osimhen have all been linked.
One surprise name that has now come up is Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema, who doesn't appear to be enjoying life in Saudi Arabia. A couple of Spaniards are also reportedly being targeted. Martin Zubimendi and Ander Barrenetxea have both recently been mentioned.
Stay tuned for all the latest transfer news from the Emirates...
The midfielder has been linked to Arsenal this month and should they decide to make a move, could find themselves with some stuff competition. Newcastle are said to be tempted to make a deal according to the Telegraph, as they struggle to come to terms over a new deal for Joelinton.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Amadou Onana has caught Arsenal's eye (Paul Phelan/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)The speculation never stops, and probably won't after Arteta's latest comments either. The Gunners boss was asked about the prospect of landing a new striker and it didn't sound postive...
"No. But, first thing, that’s because I love the players that we have.
With just shy of two weeks remaining, that is unlikely to be the end of the tale however.
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Former Celtic and West Ham forward Frank McAvennie believes that Arteta could provide some extra allure to draw players such as Alexander Isak. The former Scottish forward told Football Insider that he is not convinced that Newcastle would let the Swedish striker go however.
“I think he would be excellent at Arsenal. He’s energetic, he’s quick and a great player. Now will decide how good a manager Mikel Arteta is because a lot of things are going belly-up. They’re not winning games they should be and people are finding them out – they need a striker.
But I think Arsenal will come through it and Arteta is a big manager. Every good manager goes through these things.
The fact that Arteta has played at the top level will attract big players like Isak. Isak would be a massive signing at Arsenal, but I’m not sure they’d want to sell one of their best players to a rival.
Alexander Isak scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season (Newcastle United via Getty Image)Arsenal Women goalkeerper Manuela Zinsberger has committed her future to the Gunners in a move that sees any chance of a transfer for Manchester United shotstopper Mary Earps now, look unlikely.
Arsenal had a record bid turned down for Earps in the summer, and the goalkeeper has just six months remaining.
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall is pleased to tie down Zinsberger however.
Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes
Manu is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been a consistently high performer in this team throughout my time here.
She deserves this new contract and I know she shares the ambitions we have here. We want to compete for every title we can and Manu will play a big role in us achieving that.”
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He was injured in the opening game of the season and the Arsenal boss doesn't appear optimistic on an imminent return.
"There is a possibility but at the moment he’s still very far from competing," said Arteta. "Are we hopeful that he could have a realistic impact before the end of the season? At the moment it looks like that."
He said: "I’m really happy with Emile. He’s in the right trajectory. He’s settled really well and you know i’m not going to talk about individual situations."
Arteta also added: "No changes. Emile is Emile. We’re really happy to have him. He needs chances. What we have to do is give him minutes."
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The Spaniard said: "A lot of the time it’s not just what you have to do but looking around to see what you have to do.
"We had a difficult time but we know what we produced. That gives me every reason to be positive going in to the second half of the season."
Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend and Arteta will face the media today.
On the agenda is likely to be the team's recent wineter training camp and whether there's been any more progress on possible transfers.
January 19, 1878: legendary manager Herbert Chapman was born
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 19, 2024
He would go on to revolutionise the club, both on and off the pitch - and we will never forget his dedication, success and innovation
He told the Stick to Football podcast: “Arsenal must start taking chances. If we weren’t creating chances, then I’d be worried, but currently we’ve got four players who aren’t firing. Defensively, having Declan Rice in there and William Saliba fit – those two defensively has made us stronger.
"I don’t believe we are getting the ball into Martin Ødegaard who is off form, into Bukayo Saka who is the same, and Gabriel Martinelli. The play up to there is okay, but then we’re not being able to make things happen in the top end of the field.
“If we [Arsenal] were taking some of those chances, even though we haven’t played brilliantly, the way we’ve been defending has been a lot better – and we’d nick a couple of games 1-0 or 2-1, and we’d be feeling a lot better. People are feeling negative because we’ve lost a few games, and we don’t look like we’re going to score.”
Amadou Onana is not yet of sufficient quality to improve Arsenal's squad, says Mikael Silvestre.
Arsenal's primary concern appears to have been in adding greater firepower up front after four matches without a win and just two goals in that time. The north London side hope to strengthen in midfield too, though it may not be in January as they also deliberate whether to extend Jorginho's deal.
Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Silvestre is not convinced that the Belgian international is of sufficient quality to improve Arteta's midfield to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool. The former France star believes Onana is lacking in three areas.
Silvestre told bettingexpert.com: "He’s (Onana) improved a lot. I’m not sure he’s at the level to improve the current squad. If you’re chasing the Premier League title with City and with Liverpool."
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Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell claims Arsenal recalling striker Mika Biereth from his season-long loan is a "major, major disappointment".
The 20-year-old is poised to head out again, potentially to Sheffield Wednesday. Kettleweell played 15 times and scoring six goals.
"Mika has been recalled. It's been a difficult one for us over the last 24 hours," said Kettlewell. "It's a major, major disappointment. This was a little bit unexpected. The conversation was that Mika would stay here until the end of the season just last week unless something big came on the table for Arsenal that they couldn't turn down.
"They believe there's an opportunity to send him to another club that takes him that step beyond where we are just now."
Teenage prospect Estevao Willian has also emerged as a target for the Gunners, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that they are one of several clubs 'willing to bid hard' for the youngster.
Barcelona, PSG, Manchester City,Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in the 16-year-old. However, Barcelona are said to have the edge over the other clubs as Willian has previously stated that he is a fan of the La Liga giants.
"[My dream is] to play for Barcelona, which is one of the best clubs in the world," he told Mundo Deportivo. "I was born watching Neymar, Messi and Suarez play for Barcelona, and that's the dream I have. I watch almost every Barca match. I'm a fan of the club."
Arsenal are considering a summer swoop for PSG midfielder Xavi Simons, who is currently on loan at RB Leipzig.
According to a report from Sport BILD, as per Sport Witness, Arsenal are among the 'top clubs' who could make a move for Simons next summer. Barcelona,Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are also said to be interested in the 20-year-old.
However, PSG are yet to decide on Simons' future and the report claims they may even look to loan him back to Leipzig again next season given his impressive performances for the Bundesliga side.
Ivan Toney has spoken of his desire to "play for a top club" one day and he has left the door open to completing a move this month.
"You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it's obvious I want to play for a top club," he told Sky Sports amid links with Arsenal. "Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles.
"Whether it's this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows? But my main focus is to do what I do on the pitch, and let the background work take care of itself."
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We're back with all the latest regarding the Gunners so stay tuned throughout the day!
That's unfortunately all we have time for this evening.
Make sure you return bright and early tomorrow morning for the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
Former Arsenal target Moise Kean looks unlikely to be moving to the Premier League.
According to reports in Italy, the former Everton striker will move to Atletico Madrid on loan. However, the switch is thought to hinge on Angel Correa moving to Saudi Arabia.
Brazilian winger Marquinhos has underlined his commitment to getting back on track in North London after returning from his loan spell at Nantes.
He said: “I’m very focused on having a great Pre-Olympic, to return to Arsenal confident, to continue the work there, and God willing, to be at the next Olympics.”
Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has continued to criticise Arsenal for recalling striker Mika Biereth.
"This is hugely disappointing and a decision that is completely out of our hands,” he said in a press release. "Mika has made a huge impact in his time here and has been well loved by the supporters. Despite this news, his loan has been a major success for player.
“He’d had a loan spell abroad where he didn’t enjoy his time. That has been the opposite here and you can see by the amount of goals and assists, he’s developed well.
“The coaching staff have done an excellent job here in working with Mika and clearly, with interest in the player rising, we have gave him a platform and exposure.”
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has suggested that Ivan Toney would be a better option for Arsenal this January than Karim Benzema.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "It depends as a club if you’re going short-term or long-term. Would Benzema be a gamble? Not really, because he’s one of the best strikers we’ve ever seen – and that’s fact.
“But if you’re looking long-term, and with Arsenal’s model of signing younger players, I know Toney isn’t that young, but you could have Toney for the next four or five years."
Just some news from Arsenal's Premier League rivals now and it has been claimed that Manchester City could be relegated from the league should they be found guilty of their 115 financial charges.
Stefan Borson, a former financial advisor to the club, said: “The scale is on a completely different level [to Everton and Forest]. There can be no question that this will end in at least relegation - that’s no question, if those charges are proven.
“There's a suggestion of conspiracy over effectively a 10-year period. They [Premier League] are suggesting that City’s main sponsorship agreements are not for £50-60m but are actually for £8m and the whole thing was a sham."
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Former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has suggested St James' Park could be an ideal destination for ex-Liverpool star Roberto Firmino instead of Arsenal.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I don’t see that [Arsenal]. They have Jesus there and that’s the same role really. But he is a top player and character. The morale compass that he has got going is great. You can bring him in and you know everyone is going to love him. The fans as well. He’s a good signing. I think Newcastle would be a nice spot for him. They could be interested.”
Arsenal are reportedly ready to compete with a host of Premier League rivals for the signing of Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
The winger was linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer, while Manchester United have recently emerged as candidates for his signature.
Now, according to talkSPORT, the Gunners have been alerted to a release clause in his deal that could see them pay over £50m.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson is not expecting the Gunners to dip into the January transfer window over the next few weeks.
Speaking to SportsKeeda, he said: “In terms of their January transfer window, I’d be shocked if they went in and bought someone now. If they had plans of dipping into the transfer market, why couldn’t they have done so earlier in the month? This is why I don’t think they’ll pursue a deal for Ivan Toney – who is set to return to competitive action this week after eight months.
“Arteta’s current situation at Arsenal reminds me of the latter part of Arsene Wenger’s stint. Everyone knew at the time that Wenger needed a central defender, but he was a bit stubborn and refused to dip into the transfer market. Arteta needs a centre forward now to give his side a welcome boost in the title race, but he has thus far remained reluctant to sign one.”
Arsenal could potentially be tempted to cash-in on academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe this January after reportedly changing their stance on the midfielder.
The Gunners were previously against the idea of selling Smith Rowe despite barely playing a role this season.. Now, according to The Athletic, Arsenal are open to changing their stance.
It is suggested that financial reasons would be at the forefront of their minds as they attempt to come to a decision over Smith Rowe's future.
Scottish side Motherwell have announced that striker Mika Biereth has been recaled by Arsenal.
Speaking after the announcement, he said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone at the club and the supporters for the last six months.
“I’ve loved every minute of my time in Scotland and felt like I built a real connection with everyone. I wish the club and players the very best for the rest of the season.”
He is expected to move to Sheffield Wednesday.
Arsenal could potentially be set to do battle with Real Madrid and Manchester United for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
That is according to talkSPORT, who suggest that the Gunners are admirers of the Toffees defender. It is reported that Everton could be forced to sell Branthwaite in the upcoming summer transfer window to avoid running into more financial issues.
Newcastle are also reported to be among his admirers.
Spanish side Real Socieded have decided not to make a move for Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney.
The Scottish left-back joined the La Liga side on loan for the season with an option to buy. However, according to Gol, Sociedad have already decided not to sign him permanently.
It is reported that they are already looking for alternatives.
One surprise name that the Gunners have been linked with this season is former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.
And it appears that former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would be a big fan of a swoop. Speaking previously about the Frenchman, he said: "He played the game based on passing and connections, so he was an ideal player up front.
"He’s a striker who makes people around him better and sometimes you have strikers who score goals but they make players around them worse. He’s not one of them. If you put Benzema in the team, I would want to play with him."
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