ARSENAL return to Premier League action on Sunday with a clash against Watford at the Emirates.
The Gunners could welcome back Keiran Tierney after his recent ankle injury, with Mikel Arteta targeting a fourth-straight win in all competitions.
We've also the very latest on Dusan Vlahovic, with Arsenal reportedly informing Fiorentina they can meet his release clause.
And Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak admitted it "would be nice" to play in the Premier League one day amid rumours linking him to Arsenal as Alexandre Lacazette's replacement.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Etienne Fermie
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Arsenal take on Watford on Sunday at the Emirates in the Premier League.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been dealt with an injury boost with Kieran Tierney returning to training.
Tierney has been out with an ankle injury but is in contention to return against the Hornets.
Granit Xhaka remains sidelined with a knee injury and Arteta considers naming the same starting line-up for a third game in a row.
Watford manager Claudio Ranieri, on the other hand, will be without Ken Sema and Kwadwo Baah due to a ligament and ankle injury respectively.
Sema and Baah both limped off during training earlier this week ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Arsenal.
Francisco Sierralta could return to action after taking part in first-team training but Christian Kabasele continues his recovery from a hamstring strain.
Kiko Femenia also trained with the rest of the team despite a recent hip knock.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have informed Fiorentina they can meet Dusan Vlahovic's release clause.
That is according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims the two clubs are in talks over a deal involving Vlahovic.
The Viola are understood to have told the Gunners they want £68million for the centre-forward.
And the north Londoners are happy to oblige as they suggested they can achieve that figure through add-ons.
Finally, Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak admitted it "would be nice" to play in the Premier League one day amid rumours linking him to Arsenal as Alexandre Lacazette's replacement.
Isak told The Independent: "I am in a good place at the moment, I am very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well.
"They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a very high level, and of course one day it would be an alternative.
"Every player wants to be the best version of themselves and reach the highest possible level.
"People will always count the goals, I want to score, but I want to be a modern striker. I love playing football and that means being involved as much as possible.
I think that is why Spain has suited me very well"
- Kostas Lianos
GUEN, GOING, GONE
Newcastle want to hijack Marseille's move for Arsenal ace Matteo Guendouzi.
Guendouzi is currently on loan at the OM after finding himself frozen out by Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.
The Ligue 1 giants have an option to make their loan move for the midfielder permanent.
But according to Foot Mercato, the Magpies want to try and tempt the 22-year-old back to the Premier League.
But the Frenchman is reported to 'feel particularly good at Marseille' and' isn’t thinking about a departure.'
- Kostas Lianos
LACA FIREPOWER
Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette would be a perfect January solution to Manchester City's striker shortage, Shaun Wright-Phillips told Etienne Fermie.
Wright-Phillips told SunSport: "Someone was talking to me about it the other day and I said ‘for me I would sign Ollie Watkins'.
“Or even Lacazette, he knows where the goal is. He knows how to bring people into play and I always believe that when he plays for Arsenal, their front three behind him seem to play better, there seems to be more of a link-up between them.
“I think he’s like someone that helps Liverpool tick, Roberto Firmino. "When Firmino plays with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, there’s more space for them to run in behind because he’ll come short.He’ll turn and he’ll drag centre-backs with him and it creates space in-behind.
"The way Phil Foden plays, always running in-behind, Ilkay Gundogan, if Raheem Sterling plays, Riyad Mahrez, it'd just open the game up a little bit more [for them] and give the centre-backs something real to think about, instead of coming short or coming deep with that striker, they have to think about going in-behind as well”
- Kostas Lianos
AGUERO REPLACEMENT?
Barcelona are keeping tabs on Arsenal superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
That is according to Fichajes, who claim Barca see Aubameyang as a potential replacement for Sergio Aguero.
Manchester City legend Aguero is temporarily sidelined following a health scare.
The Argentina international faces at least three months out after being diagnosed with a heart problem this week
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
SILVES LINING
Former Manchester United and Arsenal ace Mikael Silvestre believes the Gunners can finish in the top four.
Silvestre said: “Now, it’s a different Arsenal with more certainty in what they’re trying to do, offensively, defensively, players individually, they’re much more on par.
"Some players like [Thomas] Partey, [Emile] Smith Rowe, [Bukayo] Saka are a big part of the jigsaw, so it’s good for Mikel [Arteta] that he’s been given time.
“The places are super expensive in that top four now. They should be close enough, just thereabouts. They should finish better than where they finished last season if they can keep everybody fit.”
- Kostas Lianos
MERSON PREDICTION
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has predicted his former club will beat Watford 3-1 on Sunday.
Merson told Sportskeeda: "Arsenal are flying in the Premier League. They’re playing really well at the moment, but they need to be careful against Watford.
"Arsenal got great results against Leicester and Aston Villa, and they’re playing with plenty of pace and energy.
"Watford are a decent team on the counter and stunned Everton last week. Arsenal are building their team very well at the moment, and are nine games unbeaten now.
"They have a couple of hard matches after Watford, and going into their Liverpool game with a ten-match unbeaten streak would help the team.
"Arsenal had no points in their first three games and weren’t able to score a goal, while Tottenham were at the top of the Premier League table.
"Spurs have now sacked their manager, and Arsenal are flying – it’s a strange game, this.
"In four weeks’ time, Arsenal could well be battered by Liverpool and we’d be calling them flat-track bullies. But we have to give them credit where it’s due, and they are defeating teams that they should be putting away.
"Arsenal are looking good at the moment and should be able to win this game"
- Kostas Lianos
LAWRO PREDICTION
Mark Lawrenson has predicted Arsenal will beat Watford 2-0 on Sunday in the Premier League.
Lawrenson told BBC Sport: "I was wrong about Arsenal last week too.
"Aaron Ramsdale made some brilliant saves to keep Leicester out, but the Gunners played well and deserved their win.
“It seems Mikel Arteta’s side have found the consistency they have needed for a long time, while Watford remain hugely up and down under Claudio Ranieri.
"Good luck to anyone predicting how they will do”
- Kostas Lianos
TOP MAN
Arsenal legend David Seaman believes Crystal Palace manager and former team-mate Patrick Vieira could one day take over the top job at Manchester City and the Emirates.
Seaman said on the latest installment of the Seaman Says Podcast: "Yeah, I think that could be a plan [Vieira replacing Pep Guardiola if he leaves City].
"Would Arsenal be looking at that situation as well? Patrick is proving that he knows what he is doing. He does not get too irate.
"He is disappointed with those last-minute equalisers, but you have definitely seen an improvement in Palace and it is not like a load of players who have gone in there, he has made the players that are already there so much better and that is a good sign"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
BARC-ING OFF
Barcelona have reservations about signing Manchester City star, and reported Arsenal target, Raheem Sterling.
That is according to AS, who claim that Barca are having second thoughts ahead of Xavi's imminent arrival in the dugout.
The Blaugrana are said to be concerned about the England international's ability to adapt in a new league and his recent dip in form.
The winger has been linked with a move away from the Etihad in search of more first-team football.
- Kostas Lianos
LOKONGA SURPRISE
Arsenal star Albert Sambi Lokonga was "surprised" by the level of detail the Gunners go in to when searching for a new signing after his arrival from Anderlecht last summer.
Lokonga told Sud Info: "This discussion made things easier and reassured me.
"I was almost a little surprised that they knew me so well, even though now, with data, all the clubs have a lot of data on each player.
“During this discussion, the coach made it clear that he was counting on me.
"He told me that I would get playing time, which was important to me, and that it was up to me to perform on the pitch to get as much as possible”
- Kostas Lianos
TIERNEY UPDATE
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hasn't ruled out the possibility of Kieran Tierney being fully fit before the international break.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke is waiting patiently to see if Tierney will be available for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Denmark.
Tierney is currently nursing an ankle injury but is in contention for the clash with Watford.
Arteta said: "He’s done bits with the team but hasn’t fully trained yet so let’s see how he is"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
RAM-PAGE
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is very pleased with Aaron Ramsdale's England call-up by manager Gareth Southgate.
Ramsdale stood out for the Gunners during last week's win at Leicester with some incredible saves.
Arteta said: "Well I'm really happy for him to see him back there.
"The rest is decisions for Gareth. What Aaron needs to do is keep performing and be humble"
- Kostas Lianos
ARTETA ON CONTE
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Antonio Conte's Premier League return as Tottenham manager is "incredibly positive" for the English top flight.
Arteta said: "It is [incredible], yes.
"When you think there are many, many more who are at the top, world-leading managers.
"But I think that it is incredibly positive for our league because it raises the level as it brings new ideas, the competition will be even harder"
- Kostas Lianos
BAD TRIP
Newcastle are interested in signing Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier ahead of the January transfer window.
That is according to Guillem Balague, who reports that the Magpies' new owners are keeping tabs on Trippier, who was linked with Arsenal and Manchester United last summer.
Balague told Radio 5 Live: “I hear from Atletico Madrid that Newcastle are really interested in getting Trippier and they have started negotiations with his people.
"I am not sure if they will get him or not”
- Kostas Lianos
VLAHOVIC REACTION
Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano insists star striker Dusan Vlahovic remains focused on the Viola despite interest from Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City, Juventus and AC Milan.
Italiano said: “We are talking about a guy who has scored eight goals in 11 appearances even if, during some games, we were not able to provide service properly.
“I don’t read papers, I’ve heard about Arsenal, Tottenham, City, Juventus and Milan.
"They are just rumours and not too credible for me, the guy is highly focused and he wants to do well”
GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
PAN-FUL DECISION
Arsenal loanee Dinos Mavropanos has admitted that he could see himself leaving the Gunners on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
Mavropanos told BILD when asked if he wishes to stay with Stuttgart, where he plays on loan: "Of course I can imagine that
"But we have to wait and see. For me, everything is perfect at the moment.
"The club and the city"
- Kostas Lianos
CAN DU
Arsenal have informed Fiorentina they can meet Dusan Vlahovic's release clause.
That is according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims the two clubs are in talks over a deal involving Vlahovic.
The Viola are understood to have told the Gunners they want £68million for the centre-forward.
And the north Londoners are happy to oblige as they suggested they can achieve that figure through add-ons.
- Kostas Lianos
WATFORD TEAM NEWS
Watford manager Claudio Ranieri, on the other hand, will be without Ken Sema and forward Kwadwo Baah due to a ligament and ankle injury respectively.
Sema and Baah both limped off during training earlier this week ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal.
Francisco Sierralta could return to action after taking part in first-team training but Christian Kabasele continues his recovery from a hamstring strain.
Kiko Femenia also trained with the rest of the team despite a recent hip knock
- Kostas Lianos
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Arsenal take on Watford on Sunday at the Emirates in the Premier League.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been dealt with an injury boost with Kieran Tierney returning to training.
Tierney has been out with an ankle injury but is in contention to return against the Hornets.
Granit Xhaka remains sidelined with a knee injury and Arteta considers naming the same starting line-up for a third game in a row
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
EM-INENT CALL-UP
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes it is only a matter of time until Emile Smith Rowe is called up by England manager Gareth Southgate despite his latest omission.
Arteta said: "Gareth has to make so many difficult decisions, he has so many choices. What I like is that our players are performing at a level that I am sure they are giving problems in selection to Gareth and the coaching staff.
"That is what pleases me because I know they have the level to do it and it will be about the timing when the manager decides it is the right moment to select them.
"I think Emile should be happy if people are gutted [about him not being selected] or people are questioning any decision, because that tells you the level that he’s playing at. Like anything that has happened in Emile’s career, it will come when it’s the right moment, because we don’t know if now is the right moment.
"Gareth knows much better than us to judge what he thinks about the role that he could have in that team, and if he’s decided that it’s not the right moment, I’m sure it was a very thoughtful process and the right decision"
- Kostas Lianos
BELOTTI BLOW
Arsenal have been handed a transfer blow amid their reported interest in Torino star Andrea Belotti.
According to Calciomercato, Belotti prefers to stay in Italy and move to AC Milan.
The striker is likely to move in the summer as his contract with Il Toro expires in June.
The Gunners rate him as a potential replacement for Alexandre Lacazette, whose deal also expires at the end of the season
- Kostas Lianos
ISAK REMINDER
Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak admitted it "would be nice" to play in the Premier League one day amid rumours linking him to Arsenal as Alexandre Lacazette's replacement.
Isak told The Independent: "I am in a good place at the moment, I am very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well.
"They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a very high level, and of course one day it would be an alternative.
"Every player wants to be the best version of themselves and reach the highest possible level.
"People will always count the goals, I want to score, but I want to be a modern striker. I love playing football and that means being involved as much as possible. I think that is why Spain has suited me very well"
- Tristan Barclay
MORE SWP
More from the SunSport exclusive with Shaun Wright-Phillips, who says Alexandre Lacazette would be the perfect fit for his old club Man City.
The ex-City winger reckons Laca would slot in well under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad in a well-travelled path for Gunners players.
Alexandre Lacazette could follow other Gunners in moving to ManchesterCredit: Getty Emmanuel Adebayor was one striker who famously made the switch from north London to Manchester, while the likes of Samir Nasri and Kolo Toure are other famous names to have done the same.
And if it’s not Lacazette heading north, SWP thinks there are only a select few others in the Premier League who would work for Pep.
He said: "Someone was talking to me about it the other day and I said ‘for me I would sign Ollie Watkins'.
“Or even Lacazette, he knows where the goal is. He knows how to bring people into play and I always believe that when he plays for Arsenal, their front three behind him seem to play better, there seems to be more of a link-up between them.
“I think he’s like someone that helps Liverpool tick, Roberto Firmino.
"When Firmino plays with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, there’s more space for them to run in behind because he’ll come short.
“He’ll turn and he’ll drag centre-backs with him and it creates space in-behind.
"The way Phil Foden plays, always running in-behind, Ilkay Gundogan, if Raheem Sterling plays, Riyad Mahrez, it'd just open the game up a little bit more (for them) and give the centre-backs something real to think about, instead of coming short or coming deep with that striker, they have to think about going in-behind as well.”
- Tristan Barclay
LACA FIREPOWER
Alexandre Lacazette would be a perfect January solution to Manchester City's striker shortage, former favourite Shaun Wright-Phillips tells SunSport.
Pep Guardiola's side having been making do without a recognised No9 this season, since Sergio Aguero's departure last summer.
Alexandre Lacazette looks set to leave ArsenalCredit: Getty City are currently third in the Premier League – five points behind leaders Chelsea after five games.
And while he trusts Guardiola to find solutions in house, ex-City winger Wright-Phillips believes that an out-and-out striker could improve his old side's fortunes.
He told SunSport: "I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a Harry Kane or an Erling Haaland, I just think it’s a (natural) No9, a know-how of that position.
“I think there are times when City get behind the defence and they have a cut across the box where they could just have a tap in but normally everyone pulls back to the penalty spot for a cut-back, whereas a striker’s mentality would be to cut across the front post, make sure you’re in and around that area.
“I just think with City it doesn’t necessarily have to be a striker worth £150million it could be a striker that knows where the back of the net is and I think there’s a lot of them in the Premier League and around the world.”
- Tristan Barclay
GUEN, GOING, GONE
Newcastle want to hijack Marseille's move for Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, according to reports.
The Frenchman is currently on loan at Stade Velodrome after finding himself frozen out by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
France's Matteo Guendouzi is a polarising figureCredit: Reuters Guendouzi last featured for Arsenal in June 2020, when he was involved in a bad-tempered clash with Brighton during Project Restart.
He was loaned to Hertha Berlin last season, before returning to Ligue 1 with Marseille in the summer.
The French side have an option to make their loan move for Guendouzi permanent.
But according to Foot Mercato, Newcastle want to try and tempt the 22-year-old back to the Premier League.
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