YUNUS Musah is being linked with a sensational return to Arsenal just three years since his departure for Valencia.
The midfielder opted to depart Arsenal back in 2019 after seven-years in their academy.
However, he could be set for a sensational return as it is believed that the USMNT star has interested Mikel Arteta, who sent scouts to watch him at the World Cup.
In terms of potential departures, Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Gabriel Martinelli.
They are believed to be considering a move for the Brazilian, whose current deal expires in 2024. He will be watched closely by the La Liga side as they consider a move.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Kiro Evans
No Agreement Yet
Youri Tielemans does not have any agreement in place for another club despite reports, Fabrizio Romano says.
Spanish publication Marca reported on the weekend that Barcelona had pulled out of the race for the Leicester midfielder as they suspected he already had a deal in place.
But transfer expert Romano told Caught Offside that this was not the case and the Arsenal target was still up for grabs.
He said: "Youri Tielemans has not given his word to any club, yet. It’s still open and he will decide at the right moment."
- Kiro Evans
Ready to Go
Arsenal face a gruelling run when the Premier League finally returns.
The Gunners headed into the World Cup break with a five point gap at the top of the Premier League.
But will face a test of their mettle straight away when the season resumes on Boxing Day.
They first host West Ham before an evening trip to Brighton on New Year's Eve.
It's Newcastle up first in 2023, with the Toon having not lost a game since August.
And then they travel to Tottenham for the North London Derby before hosting Manchester United.
- Kiro Evans
Nou Camp Calling
Barcelona are reportedly scouting Gabriel Martinelli at the World Cup with his Arsenal deal nearing its end.
The La Liga giants are believed to be considering a move for the Brazilian as it would be hoped he could be bought at a cut-price deal.
Martinelli's contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in 2024, meaning he would be able to leave the club for free in a year and a half.
His three appearances at the World Cup have caught the eye of Barcelona, with the club labelling him as a "favourite" of the club's sporting department and coaching staff, according to Sport.
The outlet has suggested that Martinelli will be watched closely by Barcelona as they consider making a move for him at the end of the season.
Read the full story here.
- Kiro Evans
Saka reveals "biggest regrets"
Bukayo Saka has revealed not yet meeting Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger.
The former Gunners bossed stepped down before Saka made his first-team breakthrough but the England star is still keen to meet him.
He said: "One of my biggest regrets was that I haven’t met Arsene Wenger. I know how much my dad loves him, how much everyone at the club loves him. I know what he has done for the club, of course."
- Kiro Evans
Ready for Yu
Arsenal are interested in re-signing USA's World Cup star Yunus Musah and sent scouts out to Qatar to watch him, according to reports.
The 20-year-old American was allowed to leave the Gunners back in 2019 after seven years at the Hale End academy.
He was one of USA's best-performing players in Qatar as they drew with Wales and England and beat Iran to reach the last-16.
But Musah's displays have not gone unnoticed as Fabrizio Romano claims Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sent scouts out to the Middle East to watch their former player – with Inter Milan also keeping tabs on him.
The transfer expert told CBS: "Yunus Musah is also in the list of Premier League clubs. Arsenal recently sent their scouts to monitor him, but there are also other Premier League giants well informed on the Valencia midfielder."
- Kiro Evans
'A disaster'
Devastated Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu admitted his performance for Japan in their last 16 defeat to Croatia was a “disaster”, writes SunSport's Oscar Paul.
And the Gunners defender is hoping for some time off before meeting up with Mikel Arteta’s squad so he can “forget about football”.
The Samurai Blue were knocked out by Croatia on penalties yesterday following a 1-1 draw.
It was Tomiyasu’s first start of the World Cup and he was lucky not to be punished by Ivan Perisic after losing the ball in the first half before spurning a shooting chance to put Japan 2-1 up.
And on the verge of tears, the 24-year-old said: “My performance was a disaster so I am sorry for the team. I just need to be much, much better to help the team.
“I can’t be proud. I am not satisfied about what happened. It was not enough."
- Kiro Evans
'He's an amazing person'
Bukayo Saka has revealed his admiration for Arsenal legend Thierry Henry after his actions last year.
The former striker reached out to the England ace after his penalty miss in last year's Euros final.
Saka said: "Thierry called me [after I missed the penalty in the Euro 2020 final]. He showed a lot of character to get my number and reach out to me.
"After most Arsenal games, he reaches out to me and he is still passionate about the club. He is an amazing person."
- Kiro Evans
Lyon in Wait
Arsenal have three warm-up games to come before getting back in the Premier League grove.
The Gunners take on Lyon on Thursday with many of their stars still off on World Cup duty.
It's AC Milan up next week as the league leaders look to build up fitness before the season's restart.
And then they play Juventus to round-off their winter friendlies.
- Kiro Evans
Saka on Jesus
Bukayo Saka has revealed his worries over Gabriel Jesus' injury – with the striker potentially set for a spell out on the sidelines.
He said yesterday: “He’s a very, very, very, very important player for us. It’s not good to hear the news.
“I’ve messaged him and I think he’s going to go to see the doctor and see what he needs to do for the next steps. Definitely it wasn’t good news when I heard that.”
- Kiro Evans
Weng's Just a Puppet
For 22 years, we listened to Arsene Wenger moralising about football, supposedly the conscience of the game, writes SunSport's Dave Kidd in his column.
Now, as a puppet of FIFA and the Qatari regime, Wenger says teams like Germany and Denmark exited the World Cup early as they were more worried about protesting over human rights than football.
This after we saw Qatari pundits mimicking the German team's hand-over-mouth sign and gleefully waving them goodbye just because they'd stood up for those who are criminalised here for loving the wrong people.
So it seems Wenger over ever protested over "financial doping" as it was in the interest of himself and Arsenal. Wenger is just like the rest – and ready to act as a ventriloquist's dummy for an oppressive dictatorship so he can trouser wodges of cash.
Read Kidd's main weekly column here.
- Kiro Evans
I Spi
Speculation is mounting that Arsenal are interested in young Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie.
The Ecuadorian is attracting interest from across the Premier League with the Gunners' rivals Chelsea and Tottenham also believed to be wanting his signature.
The 20-year-old started all three of Ecuador's World Cup games before they were eliminated and is seen as a strong presence in defence.
It's reported that around £25m will be needed to tempt him from Bayer Leverkusen.
- Jack Figg
Good morning Gunners fans
Arsenal will have a £50million to spend in January but will not target a striker to replace injured Gabriel Jesus, according to reports.
The Gunners top the Prem but have just been dealt a blow with news of a knee injury for their Brazil star Jesus at the World Cup which could rule him out for three months.
But despite the loss of the ex-Manchester City ace, a striker is not on the club's new year wish list, says Footy Insider.
Meanwhile, Jesus' injury is a huge blow for Arsenal's title hopes.
Teammate Bukayo Saka said: “He’s a very, very, very, very important player for us. It’s not good to hear the news.
"I’ve messaged him and I think he’s going to go to see the doctor and see what he needs to do for the next steps.
"Definitely it wasn’t good news when I heard that.”
Elsewhere, Spurs and Arsenal are in a transfer battle to sign Ecuador's 20-year-old defender Piero Hincapie, according to reports.
According to CalcioMercato, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma are also in the race for the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back.
But his club are not interested in selling him.
And Hincapie, who played every minute in Qatar, is valued at £25million as a result.
Finally, Mo Elneny is working hard to return from injury.
That's after joining Arsenal's training camp in Dubai.
The Egyptian midfielder hopes to be available when the Gunners return to action against West Ham on Boxing Day.
And he was all smiles as he joined in training with Mikel Arteta’s men yesterday.
- Anthony Chapman
Saka inspired by Bible readings
Bukayo Saka has revealed he reads the Bible every night to inspire his World Cup form.
He said: “I’ve been continuing to do that out here, read my Bible every night.
“For me it is really important to have the presence of God in me all the time.
“It gives me more confidence to know that God’s plan is perfect so I can go on the pitch and know that God has my back.”
- Anthony Chapman
Martinez hailed for Arsenal exit
Peter Schmeichel reckons Argentina star Emi Martinez has developed into a top goalie since quitting Arsenal for Aston Villa in 2020.
He said: “With Martinez, he came for four or five crosses as well, which calms everyone down.
"I think he has done really, really well. I kind of like him to be up there amongst the best.
"I think he has done fantastically well since he came to Aston Villa, I think he has progressed.”
- Anthony Chapman
Saka taking form to England
Bukayo Saka reckons Arsenal's bid for the title is boosting his World Cup form with England.
Saka said: "It’s been an amazing season so far for Arsenal.
"We are top of the league right now. not just me but everyone in that team is playing with so much confidence.
"Coming here, we can bring that here. It’s really helped me."
- Anthony Chapman
Duo battle for Ecuador ace
Spurs and Arsenal are in a transfer battle to sign Ecuador's 20-year-old defender Piero Hincapie, according to reports.
According to CalcioMercato, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma are also in the race for the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back.
But his club are not interested in selling him.
And Hincapie, who played every minute in Qatar, is valued at £25million as a result.
- Anthony Chapman
Jesus injury blow for Arsenal
Gabrel Jesus' injury is a huge blow for Arsenal's title hopes.
Teammate Bukayo Saka said: “He’s a very, very, very, very important player for us. It’s not good to hear the news.
"I’ve messaged him and I think he’s going to go to see the doctor and see what he needs to do for the next steps.
"Definitely it wasn’t good news when I heard that.”
- Anthony Chapman
No text support for Gooners
Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are NOT messaging each other ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against France.
The two Arsenal aces could go head-to-head for a place in the semis on Saturday.
Saka said of his club teammate: “No, I haven’t received any text from William Saliba.
"I’m not sure I will either. Let’s see.”
- Anthony Chapman
Elneny steps up injury return
Mo Elneny is working hard to return from injury.
That's after joining Arsenal's training camp in Dubai.
The Egyptian midfielder hopes to be available when the Gunners return to action against West Ham on Boxing Day.
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- James Colasanti
Gunner closes on quarter-final
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu started for Japan in this afternoon's last-16 clash against Croatia – and it is going well for him at half-time.
Celtic striker Daizen Maeda's close-range goal just before the break has put the Japanese 1-0 up against the 2018 runners-up heading into the second half.
- James Colasanti
Silvestre hails 'complete midfielder' Bellingham
Former Arsenal star Mikael Silvestre says England's Jude Bellingham is the "complete midfielder".
Retired defender Silvestre, who won 40 caps for France, also believe the winner of their quarter-final with England is more "like a final" which could well produce the tournament winner.
On Borussia Dortmund star Bellingham, 19, he told bettingexpert: "Jude has a style of football that can suit any league.
"He has energy, and his quality of dribbling, passing and finishing is great as well.
"He’s a complete midfield player – he can play the No 6 or No 8 roles and he’s the modern midfield player.”
- James Colasanti
Petit identifies a France weakness
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit says his native France are weak in their full-back positions.
The retired 63-cap French midfielder also doubts the mental toughness of all of Les Bleus' current crop.
Petit told Midnite: "The game against Tunisia was a game to forget.
"France have problems, no one knows who will play at right or left back.
"They have 25 players in the squad but so many aren't showing the quality or mental strength to play in the World Cup."
- James Colasanti
Tomiyasu's sympathy for Jesus
Takehiro Tomiyasu says it is a "shame" his Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Jesus' World Cup "dream" has been ended by injury.
Brazil forward Jesus has picked up a knee knock in Qatar which could leave him sidelined for three months if he needs surgery.
Tomiyasu, who plays in defence for a Japan side which faces Croatia in the last 16 today, said: "It's a shame because obviously to play in a World Cup is a big dream for us – for every football player.
"So I'm sorry for him, but hopefully he will be back soon."
- James Colasanti
Ozil sends message to Giroud
Mesut Ozil sent his former Arsenal team-mate Olivier Giroud a cheeky tweet after the France striker copied one of his trademark finishes.
Giroud hit a shot into the ground and it bounced past Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny in France's 3-1 last-16 win at the World Cup.
It was the sort of goal that German Ozil regularly scored for the Gunners, and he tweeted a message to his old pal which said: "Nice goal… who taught you that bro?"
- James Colasanti
Arsenal not after Jesus cover
Arsenal will have a £50million to spend in January but will not target a striker to replace injured Gabriel Jesus, according to reports.
The Gunners top the Prem but have just been dealt a blow with news of a knee injury for their Brazil star Jesus at the World Cup which could rule him out for three months.
But despite the loss of the ex-Manchester City ace, a striker is not on the club's new year wish list, according to Football Insider.
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