MIKEL ARTETA has picked up his first victory as Arsenal manager.
The Gunners saw off Manchester United 2-0 on New Year's Day thanks to first-half goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis.
And Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka are right back in the picture after being frozen out by Unai Emery.
Follow all the latest gossip and updates from North London below…
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ARSENAL have confirmed Calum Chambers is out for up to nine months after undergoing surgery on a ruptured ACL.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta confirmed the 24-year-old's injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea was “significant”.
An Arsenal statement released this afternoon read: “We can confirm that Calum ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee.
“Calum has had successful surgery in London on Thursday morning. The rehabilitation process is expected to take between six to nine months.
“Everyone at the club will be supporting Calum to ensure he is back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
Arteta said: “Obviously we had a bad injury with Calum a few days ago that is going to change our plans at the back.
“We are going to try and be in the market to see options that can strengthen the team.
“That’s for sure and that’s our obligation and we’re going to be working on that.
“My obligation is to give my opinion on the things that we can improve.
“But the reality at the moment is we are not going to be able to do much.
“I am more concerned to get people back from injures than the signings and to try and improve the players that I have here.
“If something extra comes up and we think it’s the right opportunity to improve what we have, let’s do it.”
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ARSENAL look set to miss out on Dayot Upamecano after RB Leipzig slapped an £80million transfer fee on the defender.
Gunners bosses were said to be willing to back Mikel Arteta with a move for the 21-year-old after being priced out of a transfer last summer.
And some fans got a smile and nod out of transfer chief Raul Sanllehi when they told him the club should try to land the centre-back.
But now things have taken a turn for the worse in Arsenal's pursuit of the France Under-21s international.
Bundesliga leaders Leipzig are said to have put an £80m price tag on Upamecano's head as they also bid for glory in the Champions League, say The Mirror.
And their social media team have even been goading fans with a tweet.
One Arsenal supporter posted a video of a man frantically checking three phones with the caption: “Me waiting for Upamecano to be announced.”
But the German side responded with a video of WWE star Wade Barrett – known as 'Bad News' – with the caption: “I'm afraid I've got some bad news.”
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MIKEL ARTETA
On Granit Xhaka: “I had a conversation with him and I wanted to understand his feelings.
“That's first, and his reasoning why he was thinking it probably wasn't the right place for him to continue his career.
“I gave him my opinion, my perspective, and I told him that I was ready to support him from the club perspective, and I wanted his team-mates to have his back to help him to change his mind. We need him.
“I believe that if we're able to do that, the fans will respond in a positive way. I've seen him act every day, how he trains and how he lives his profession, as well as the quality of the player.
“I think he could be a really important player for the club. From my perspective, I don't want him to leave. I said no to the club and I said no to him! After, in life, I cannot control what happens.”
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MIKEL ARTETA
On signings: “We're going to try to be in the market to see options that can strengthen the team.
“That's for sure and that's our obligation, and we're going to be working on that. My obligation is to give my opinion on the things we can improve.
“Obviously we have some bad injuries, like Calum a few days ago. That's obviously going to change our plans at the back, but the reality at the moment is that we're not going to be able to do much.
“I’m more concerned at the moment about getting people back from injuries than I am the signings. I want to improve the players I here, get everybody on board and understanding what we're trying to do. If something extra comes up and we think it's the right opportunity to improve what we have, let's do it.”
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ROMA are reportedly open to selling Arsenal and Spurs target Cengiz Under.
Calciomercato claim the Turkish winger could be sold in January as injuries disrupt his season.
The 22-year-old – tied down at the club until 2023 – has featured in just ten games this term.
However they report that it is unlikely the player will end up in North London come February.
The player is valued at around £34million.
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