Hello and welcome to today's Arsenal live blog on Friday, December 16.
As we near the end of the World Cup in Qatar, supporters are starting to turn their attention to the return of Premier League football on Boxing Day. Arsenal face West Ham United in their first competitive festive fixture, but before then, they host Serie A giants Juventus in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium.
football.london will be bringing you all the latest team news ahead of that game, as well as any updates on Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus' respective injuries.
Meanwhile, the January transfer window is also ahead of us. Edu and Co. are likely to be active in the market as they look to strengthen the Gunners' squad ahead of a potential title charge. The likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk and Youri Tielemans have been linked, but no agreements are in place just yet.
With all that in mind, football.london brings you all the latest on Arsenal in today's blog.
Arsenal handed huge Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer boost as Lazio star 'changes mind'
Arsenal have been handed a huge transfer boost as Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 'changes his mind' on a move to the Emirates Stadium. The Lazio midfielder has been linked with a switch to the Premier League over the past few years and now could finally seal a move to England.
According to Italian publication Il Mattino in July, Lazio were hoping to sell the Serbia international to either Arsenal or United for a fee between €55million (£46million) and €60million (£50million). The Gunners were said to be willing to offer a fee in the region of £40million earlier this year and may look to reignite their interest in the Lazio star in the new year.
Italian football journalist Giulio Cardone has provided a major update Milinkovic-Savic's future which may alert Arsenal to his availability in the January transfer window. Cardone claims the north Londoners attempted to sign Milinkovic-Savic in the summer but the player was not keen, but now he is now open to the transfer following the Gunners' strong start to the season as they sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
It's understood that Milinkovic-Savic would consider a move if a fair proposal was put on the table with his agent, former Chelsea striker, Mateja Kezman looking to secure offers for his client. Cardone suggests a deal may not happen until the summer for Milinkovic-Savic, but given Arsenal's battle with Manchester City at the top of the table his arrival may be the catalyst for the north Londoners to continue fighting until the end of the campaign.
Speaking to Italian radio station Radiosei, Cardone said: "Arsenal on Milinkovic? The news is that the player has changed his opinion on the English club which already tried to approach him last summer.
"If a fair proposal were to arrive this time, he would consider it. Today, the Gunners are dominating the Premier League, they will go to the Champions League, they have started a fascinating project, they have acquired a different appeal.
"Agent Kezman has been probing various clubs for some time to then bring offers to Lazio. In the summer he had garnered serious interest from the London club [Arsenal] and Newcastle."
Arsenal handed double chance to sign perfect free transfer as Edu faces Tottenham obstacle
Arsenal have two chances to sign Roma and Italy star Nicolo Zaniolo who was close to making the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the summer, according to reports.
The 23-year-old is out of contract at Roma at the end of the season. Italian outlet Radio Radio claims there have been no talks over a renewal to the contract in recent months.
The club's president Dan Friedkin is still mulling over whether to bow down to what would be a significant increase in salary demand from the player.
Ben White sends message to Arsenal fans
Arsenal defender Ben White has sent a message thanking fans for voting him as the player of the month.
A heartfelt message from our Player of the Month pic.twitter.com/fSIRkoZ3EU
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 16, 2022
Beth Mead signs new deal at Arsenal
Arsenal Women's star Beth Mead has signed a new contract to remain with the club.
Mead's new contract follows her stellar 2021/22 season for club and country, as she racked up 33 goal involvements (14 goals, 19 assists) in 40 appearances for Arsenal, before playing a key role in England’s Euro 2022 triumph.
Gary Neville explains why Man City sold Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has revealed that City let Jesus and Raheem Sterling leave this summer to join Arsenal and Chelsea as the club did not want to "block" Julian Alvarez's path. Speaking on the Sky Sports World Cup Podcast, Neville said: “I was told a year ago when City let Jesus and Sterling go – because I was quite surprised that City let both go at the same time – that this kid [Alvarez] was the reason.
"Someone said that to me, that is quite close to City, that he was the reason and they didn’t want to block his path.”
Juventus squad for Arsenal friendly
Juventus have named their squad list for the friendly match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Interestingly, there is no Dusan Vlahovic in the squad after he was linked with a switch to north London back in January earlier this year.
In partenza per la trasferta di Londra Arsenal pic.twitter.com/zrXPj4BJmC
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) December 16, 2022
Louis van Gaal makes Cody Gakpo admission
Former Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has made a huge admission over Cody Gakpo's best position, warning clubs who may look to sign him in January.
"Cody is a very young player - he is 23 but looks younger," said Van Gaal. "He has only been playing with PSV for two, three years and always played from the left.
"He did not want to play in the centre or at 10, but he did have to for me. Now he thinks I am a great head coach!"
Given how well Gakpo performed for the Netherlands in a central role in Qatar, Van Gaal, to his credit, was right to move him inside. It certainly gave the attacker's admirers a sample of how he could deliver the goods through the middle.
However, a handful of games cannot mask the fact that Gakpo had reservations of playing in either of the two aforementioned positions. He is evidently more comfortable playing on the left-wing, which is understandable given his record for PSV over the last couple of seasons from that position.
Arsenal changes for Juve clash
Arteta won't be able to name what many supporters view as Mikel Arteta's strongest Arsenal line-up for the club's final friendly ahead of the Premier League's restart. But, there are some alterations that the Spanish tactician might be taking under consideration from the last outing against AC Milan.
As a result, football.london has taken a look at the changes the Spaniard could make to either his starting XI or matchday squad as Arsenal face Juventus on Saturday evening.
Read more here.
More on Saliba
We brought you news regarding William Saliba earlier and you can read more about it here.
France concern
William Saliba has played less than 30 minutes at the World Cup this year but the Arsenal and France star may be called-upon for the final. That's because Didier Deschamps' two preferred centre-back starters, Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate, are reportedly ill.
How new Club World Cup could work
We brought you news about plans for a new Club World Cup earlier and you can find out how it might work via this link.
Club World Cup expansion
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced plans to reformat and expand the current Club World Cup to be "like a [international] World Cup."
Read more here.
Arsenal could benefit from Nketiah's hard work
Eddie Nketiah has been putting in the hard work to improve. As per the Evening Standard, England under-21's record goalscorer has been participating in extra sessions following training to help bolster his game.
Nketiah was handed a five-year deal a matter of months ago, but has found himself behind Jesus in the pecking order at the Emirates. However, Arteta clearly believes in him, so perhaps it's now his time to show his boss that he can be the go-to star.
Felix blow
Joao Felix has been linked with a move to Arsenal recently. To find out how he views a potential transfer, click this link.
More on Saka and Bellingham
For more on the news we just brought you regarding Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, click this link.
Mudryk latest
For all the latest news regarding Arsenal's pursuit of Mykhaylo Mudryk, click this link.
'Sensational' Vlahovic request
According to Calciomercato, via football365, Arsenal may ask for Dusan Vlahovic in a swap deal for Gabriel Magalhaes.
The report claims that €40million (£34.9million) and Arthur for Gabriel - who Juventus desperately want to sign - may be proposed by the Serie A giants, but 'it is unlikely' that Arsenal would accept him as a counterpart for the defender. The Gunners may instead make a 'sensational request' which would see them ask for Vlahovic in an 'exchange' for Gabriel.
Bellingham and Saka eyed by City
As per 90min, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are on Manchester City's long-term transfer wish list.
Everything Mudryk has said about Arsenal
It's been a transfer story that has rumbled on in the background for months, but Mykhaylo Mudryk could finally get his wish and become an Arsenal player in January.
With that in mind, have a read of everything Mudryk has said about the Gunners here.
Gakpo snub
Arsenal have been told that both Manchester United and Liverpool are better options for Cody Gakpo than the Gunners. Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio expects United to be in the race with one other Premier League club, but not Arsenal.
Read more here.
Good morning!
Hello and welcome along to today's live Arsenal blog. We'll be keeping you up to date with all the latest Arsenal related news so make sure to stay tuned throughout the day.
