07 February 2024 , 04:00
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Arsenal are once again in the midst of a Premier League title challenge and will be doing everything they can to ensure that continues this weekend.
The Gunners closed the gap to the top of the table with victory over Liverpool on Sunday and next face West Ham hoping to maintain that pace. Mikel Arteta's side sit two points behind the Reds and level with Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
The pressure will likely be on Arsenal as both of their title rivals play a day before the north London side. City welcome Everton and Liverpool host Burnley.
There remains plenty going on behind the scenes as Arsenal prepare for their trip to the London Stadium. Mirror Football takes a look at some of the latest news from the Emirates below.
New contract
Reports suggest that defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to sign a long-term deal with the Gunners. The Japanese international joined the club in 2021 from Bologna and has went on to make 73 appearances.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Tomiyasu, who had been away with at the Asia Cup, has proven a versatile defensive option for Arteta during his time at the club and appears to have proven himself worthy of a new contract. Arsenal's Spanish coach and the Arsenal board were keen to get the deal over the line with the 25-year-old having less than 18 months remaining on his deal.
The extension will see an end to negotiations that have taken place over recent months. Earlier in the season Arteta said: "We don’t have a player like him. Defending, [he] is probably the best I’ve seen in many situations."
Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu shields the ball from Andreas Pereira (Getty)Petr Cech moves
The former Arsenal goalkeeper has once again pressed his claim in professional ice hocky and returned to the Belfast Giants for a second time. Cech featured for the Northern Irish side against Glasgow Clan back in November, and returns to the Elite League side from Oxford City Stars.
"I'm happy to be coming back to Belfast to rejoin the Giants," said Cech following the announcement. "I'm looking forward to getting back on the ice and making more memories this time around."
The ex-Czechia international has also guested for the side in the past when he played in a charity match in 2023 which saw the Giants take on Ukrainian side Dnipro Kherson.
Coach Adem Keefe is happy to have the netminder return. He said: "Petr was a great guy to have around the locker room during his last loan period with the Giants, and his experience and knowledge of performing at the highest level is invaluable."
Arsenal legend hits back at Carragher
Ray Parlour believes that Jamie Carragher was simply 'bitter' when making his cristicism of Arsenal's celebrations following their win against Liverpool on Sunday. Ex-Red Carragher wanted to see more discipline from the Gunners and for Martin Odegaard to 'get down the tunnel' rather than spending time photographing staff members.
Parlour explained his take on the situation however: “I love Jamie, but he’s being a little bit bitter because Liverpool lost. Of course you have to enjoy those moments, you get into the hype with the fans. The supporters would have been buzzing knowing they beat Liverpool, who are going very well at the moment and are top of the league.
“Carragher’s a Liverpool legend and will naturally be gutted about the result, but I actually think there was a lot more at stake for Arsenal. If Arsenal lost that game on Sunday, they're out of the title race, so that’s why there was so much emotion at full time. The fans really played their part yesterday as well – they got right behind the team and emotions sometimes just go away from you, but you’ve got to celebrate these moments."
Read the full story here.
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