ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has confirmed his agent is looking to secure him a move away from Arsenal in January for him.
The striker, 30, is in the final few months of his £200,000-a-week deal and can open talks with overseas clubs in January.
But one man who could replace him is Raheem Sterling, who is said to find the idea of a move to Arsenal "extremely attractive".
Meanwhile Bukayo Saka is a big doubt for Arsenal's match at Man Utd after picking up an injury at the weekend.
However, the England star is not set to be out long-term.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Anthony Chapman
NIC OFF
Nicolas Pepe is running out of time to prove himself at Arsenal.
It is more than two years since the Ivorian international became the club’s £72million record signing from Lille.
But he has still not been able to nail down a place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
Pepe’s prospects are unlikely to change any time soon after finding himself behind fans’ favourites Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe in the Emirates pecking order.
And though he still has more than two years to run on his £140,000-a-week contract, Arsenal could soon consider selling him before his value drops much further.
- Anthony Chapman
SILVER WHERE?
Plenty of money has been spent since Arsene Wenger left Arsenal.
But the Gunners are still without a Premier League title since 2004.
Will Mikel Arteta's signings move Arsenal back into the race for English football's ultimate prize?
- Anthony Chapman
USE YOUR ED
Arsenal chief Edu has admitted that he wants to bring Arsene Wenger 'closer' to the Gunners once more.
He said: "It was great to see Arsene Wenger the other day at the screening for his new documentary.
"We had a good conversation, and I said to him that he cannot realise how important he is for my career.
"I told him I would like to see him a bit closer to the club and to myself as well in the future. That would be a real, real pleasure and special for everyone here.
"I also told him I was so proud to see myself in his film – it brought back lots of great memories about that Invincibles team!"
- Anthony Chapman
MAR MOVE
Brazilian side Flamengo are reportedly plotting a January transfer for Arsenal outcast Pablo Mari.
The Gunners defender has started just two Premier League games so far this campaign.
He is expected to 'consider his options' if his game time does not improve in the coming weeks, according to football.london.
Mari's former club Flamengo are interested in a move for the centre-back, but would rather a loan deal to a permanent transfer.
- Anthony Chapman
MO IDEA
Mo Elneny’s father has attempted to play down talk of his son’s departure from Arsenal.
Elneny Snr said: “Mohamed’s contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season.
“The club does not intend to terminate his contract. His playing in the Liverpool match proves his coach’s belief in him and his abilities.
“It is difficult for him to return to Egypt during this period.
“The reports that El Ahly made a deal with him are completely false.”
- Anthony Chapman
RED GESTURE
Manchester United have given fans permission to hold up an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer banner at their match against Arsenal on Thursday.
Supporters are said to have approached the club about the touching gesture and Old Trafford chiefs have approved.
The enormous banner will be held aloft in the Stretford End, according to ESPN.
Arsenal’s visit is United’s first home match since the Norwegian club legend was let go.
- Anthony Chapman
RIP
Liverpool and Arsenal legend Ray Kennedy has sadly passed away at the age of 70.
The midfielder, who made 393 appearances for Liverpool, had spent the last few years battling Parkinson's.
He arrived at Anfield in 1974 having played more than 200 times for Arsenal, winning the league and cup double with the North London outfit in 1971.
He would then go on to lift 11 major trophies with the Merseyside giants across an eight-year spell, winning five league titles and the European Cup on three occasions.
- Anthony Chapman
BUK THE TREND
Bukayo Saka is struggling to be fit for Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United but has not suffered a serious long-term injury.
The England winger was forced off by a thigh problem shortly after scoring the opening goal during Saturday’s 2-0 home win against Newcastle.
But a scan on his tight quadriceps muscle has confirmed that he has sustained only minor damage.
There is even an outside chance that he could be available for the trip to Old Trafford, although it is unlikely that he will be included in the starting line-up.
- Anthony Chapman
NEXT UP
Let's take a look at Arsenal's next five games…
- Anthony Chapman
VLA LA LAND
Tottenham are reportedly preparing a mega-January bid for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
TuttoMercato claims Antonio Conte has identified the 21-year-old Serb as Harry Kane’s ‘successor’.
Vlahovic is a reported target for both Manchester United and Arsenal.
The 6ft 3in hitman is valued at £70million and has scored 13 times in all competitions this season.
- Kealan Hughes
LEARNING GAME
Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson says he is learning about the slower side of the game during his loan spell with Feyenoord this season.
Nelson joined the Dutch side on loan in the summer when it was made clear he was not a part of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s plans this season.
In an interview with Dutch magazine Hand in Hand, he said: "In the months that I am here, I am really impressed with Feyenoord.
“I thought it was fantastic to come on in a packed stadium with a great atmosphere. When Dessers scored, we all went crazy.
“When I compare English football with Dutch football, I see that in England, it’s more about running and switching quickly.
"The pace of the matches is higher. Here it is more about tactics, I notice.”
- Kealan Hughes
MAR TO COME
A number of Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to react to the news that Marcelo Flores has received his first call-up to the Mexico senior squad.
Flores is yet to make his first-team debut for the Gunners. However, he is a player that fans of the club will be more than aware of.
The 18-year-old has scored six goals in nine games in the under-18 Premier League this term. He can play on either wing. However, he has been superb in the attacking midfield role this season.
Reacting to the news, one fan said: "What a talent."
Another simply added: "Wow."
A third said: "Hale end production line in full effect! Best of luck my guy, do us proud."
Credit: Getty - Kealan Hughes
MATCH POSTPONED
Arsenal's Premier League match with Chelsea has been postponed due to Chelsea's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The match is yet to be rescheduled but could take place in January once Thomas Tuchel's team return to the UK.
- Kealan Hughes
WAITING GAME
Arsenal could be made to wait for one of their key targets, Ianis Stoica, after the president of his current club FCSB reiterated their transfer stance.
Stoica has risen to prominence with FCSB this season. The talented teenager has made 15 appearances, providing six goals so far in 2021-22. After a few loan spells to kickstart his career, the winger is well on track with his parent club now.
The Gunners supposedly put £6million on the table for the 18-year-old. However, Steaua want at least £8m plus a sell-on clause.
Becali has now made an adjustment to his stance over Stoica’s potential transfer. Reiterating that he wants to keep the Romania under-21 international, he suggested they could multiply his value fivefold a few years down the line.
He told Digi Sport (via Sport Witness): “I propose that Ianis Stoica stays for another three years at FCSB, to sell him for £40m.
“At 22-23, he will be mature. He is very well put together and strong at 18, so at 21…”
- Kealan Hughes
REAL DEAL
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco, according to La Razon.
It has been reported that Madrid are willing to sell Isco in the January transfer window.
The Spain international attacking midfielder is out of contract at Madrid at the end of the season.
La Liga club Sevilla are also reportedly interested in the 29-year-old.
- Kealan Hughes
CARR BLIMEY
Manchester United have confirmed Michael Carrick will remain in caretaker charge for the Premier League game against Arsenal on Thursday.
The former midfielder has overseen the 2-0 win at Villarreal and 1-1 draw with Chelsea since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
Ralf Rangnick was announced as interim manager on Monday but, while the club follows the regulatory process around a work visa, Carrick will continue at the helm.
- Kealan Hughes
AWARD TIME
Arsenal have released the nominees for the November player of the month award.
The Gunners lost just once during the month – to Liverpool – but a number of players stood out, particularly in defence.
England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has gone from strength to strength and is a favourite to the award.
Defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel have also been recognised for their efforts, as has Emile Smith Rowe.
- Kealan Hughes
RAHEEM DREAM
Raheem Sterling is keen on a move to Arsenal, according to Ian McGarry.
McGarry stated on The Transfer Window Podcast: "It's the case that his representatives have met with Manchester City and are saying their player does not wish to continue or indeed explore an extension on his contract.
"Instead, they would prefer to explore the option of a loan deal, which they would like to begin in the January window.
"Whether or not that's possible remains to be seen but there are several interested parties, including Arsenal.
"We know that Sterling himself turned down the opportunity to join Tottenham on a permanent basis last summer but the idea of moving back to London, the idea of having the guarantee, almost, of a starting place in another elite Premier League club is extremely attractive to him."
- Kealan Hughes
SER FOR SALE
Arsenal showed an interest in signing Sergino Dest over the summer – and Barcelona are now making him available for transfer.
That’s according to a report from Mundo Deportivo, who have been discussing players that can leave the Camp Nou.
Barca want to bring in Manchester City attacker Ferran Torres and may look to engineer a part-exchange deal.
And Dest is listed as one of the players Barcelona are making available.
- Kealan Hughes
GUNNER LEAVE?
West Ham and Arsenal are part of a five-way battle to bring Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa to the Premier League, according to 90min.
Barbosa reportedly wants to return to Europe in January and would prefer to play in the Premier League.
Fortunately for the 25-year-old, he has several suitors who may be willing to offer him such a platform.
Long-term admirers West Ham are among a number of Premier League clubs considering a bid, while Arsenal, Everton, Aston Villa and soon to be big spending Newcastle are also in the hunt for his signature.
- Kealan Hughes
USE YOUR ED
Edu has admitted that he wants to bring Arsene Wenger ‘closer’ to Arsenal once more.
The Frenchman has kept away from the Gunners after leaving in 2018 following 22 years at the helm.
The Brazilian, 43, wrote in his programme notes: “It was great to see Arsene Wenger the other day at the screening for his new documentary.
“We had a good conversation, and I said to him that he cannot realise how important he is for my career.
“I told him I would like to see him a bit closer to the club and to myself as well in the future. That would be a real, real pleasure and special for everyone here.
“I also told him I was so proud to see myself in his film – it brought back lots of great memories about that Invincibles team!”
- Kealan Hughes
'HUGE GAME'
Paul Merson has made his predictions for the midweek round of Premier League fixtures, including Arsenal’s trip to Manchester United.
He said: "This is another huge football match.
"Arsenal are back to beating the teams they should beat and got a good result against Newcastle.
"They struggled against Brighton and Liverpool in the Premier League and haven’t been very good away from home.
"Manchester United rode their luck a couple of times against Chelsea, but got an excellent result in the end.
"Carrick made a big statement by leaving Ronaldo out, and I think it worked.
"They took Rashford and Sancho off for Ronaldo after they went 1-0 up, and Chelsea dominated the rest of the game.
"United haven’t become a good team overnight. Carrick will take a chance against Arsenal – I’d be shocked if Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo don’t start.
"They aren’t very good defensively, however, and can’t afford to be too open against Arsenal. I reckon both teams would be pretty happy with a draw this week."
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
- Kealan Hughes
'HE'S HAVING FUN'
Nuno Tavares earned special praise from Micah Richards following his performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Richards said of Tavares: “He was excellent and I’m not just doing it because he’s a full-back. He was one of the best players on the pitch.
“What I liked about him was he just didn’t stay, every opportunity he went forward and he went forward with quality.
“This is what I am seeing with the modern day full-back, look at his position here [picture shows Tavares in a central position] this is where you would find a normally a midfielder and us full-backs from back in the day wouldn’t know what to do there.
“But look at the awareness from him to play Saka in… What is he, 21? From Benfica, little chop here, he’s confident now, he’s having fun. £8million, he’s keeping out Kieran Tierney who I really love.
“He’s started the last five games and everything he did in his game today was just quality. He today was brilliant, he really was.”
- Kealan Hughes
RECORD BROKEN
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has finally seen his longstanding record as the most prolific French player at an elite club level taken from him.
Henry netted 360 goals in senior football in the club with 228 coming across his two stints at the Gunners, across eight-and-a-half seasons.
His goal-scoring club record has now been surpassed by Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Benzema was on the scoresheet for Madrid as they defeated Sevilla 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga on Sunday night – the 361 st goal of his club career.
That is one goal more than Henry’s club career total of 360, which was achieved in 791 matches as opposed to Benzema, who took 724 games to reach the landmark.
Benzema has netted 103 goals in less than three-and-a-half seasons since becoming the central striker in the Spanish capital and has been the best player in La Liga in the calendar year.
- Kealan Hughes
'NO EXCUSES'
Chris Sutton believes Arsenal have an advantage over their rivals by not competing in Europe this season.
But he still believes Manchester United will pip the Gunners to fourth place thanks to the appointment of Ralf Rangnick.
The pundit wrote in his Daily Mail column: “I’m saying Manchester United will finish fourth.
“The fact that Arsenal don’t have Europe this season is a massive advantage for them. Mikel Arteta and his players have got no excuses — no Thursday night games in Baku to hide behind.
“They’re even on the verge of having Arsene Wenger back at the club, and he knows a thing or two about finishing fourth.
“But Ralf Rangnick is a super-manager, a visionary of the game, the godfather of gegenpressing, and I believe United are capable of sneaking into the Champions League places at the expense of fellow European hopefuls Arsenal and West Ham.”
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