03 February 2024 , 04:00
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Arsenal are preparing for a potentially season-defining match against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Gunners host the league leaders at the Emirates Stadium after they picked up an important 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. Mikel Arteta's side remain five points behind Liverpool and defeat this weekend could be terminal for their title hopes, with defending champions Manchester City hitting their stride in second place with a game in hand.
The January transfer window is over and, like many of their rivals, Arsenal opted not to make any signings. Arteta is happy with his squad and is confident that they can do what they couldn’t last season and sustain a title challenge. But even in a happy camp, there are always problems going on behind the scenes. Here Mirror Football rounds up the latest news involving Arsenal.
Training ground deal struck
In the new age of football, which is governed by financial fair play regulations, extracting income from all areas is increasingly important. The recent Deloitte Football Money League showed that Arsenal trail rivals Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea – but they are trying to close the gap.
On Friday they announced they had agreed to sell the naming rights to their training ground at London Colney to Dubai-based real estate developer Sobha Realty in a multi-million-pound deal. It means that, from now on, their base will be officially called the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Hailing the deal, Arsenal sporting director Edu said: “This is a very exciting agreement that will help us develop the best possible environment for our men’s and women’s players, coaches and support staff for years to come. Our training centre is a big part of our people’s lives.”
Arsenal have sold the naming rights to their training ground (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Arteta dismisses argument
The win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday was an important one for the Gunners – but it wasn’t all positive. An argument between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White was captured on camera and had to be broken up by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
It hinted at potential friction behind the scenes between the two Arsenal defenders. But speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta tried to make light of the situation.
"They’ve been in the same house the past few days sharing wives and everything!” he joked. "You don't argue with someone if you don’t have a great relationship. That happens because you have the trust and chemistry to react the way they did."
Ramsdale’s England chances hurt
Aaron Ramsdale stayed put in the January transfer window, choosing to remain where he is and fight with David Raya for a starting spot. There had been reports linking him with Chelsea, Newcastle and Bayern Munich, but nothing came of it.
His decision may harm his chances of getting in Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, according to Gabriel Agbonlahor. "Ramsdale will be in the horrors now," Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT. "The Euros are coming he’s thinking to himself I’ve just played for England I’ve got a chance now. Now he probably won’t even get on the plane.”
The 25-year-old goalkeeper has played just five times this season in the Premier League – and only once since September 3, because Raya couldn’t face his parent club Brentford. He is clearly frustrated by his situation, but has no option now until the end of the campaign.