Arsenal news LIVE: Gunners ‘eye’ £52.5m Milinkovic-Savic deal, Asensio BLOW, Ndicka linked, Balogun updates
ARSENAL are reportedly lining up a sensational deal that would bring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to the Emirates, with Albert Sambi Lokonga and £52.5million going in the other direction.
The Gunners' lack of depth in the squad was exposed during their disappointing 1-1 draw against Southampton.
And Arsenal are 'willing to do anything to secure the services of Milinkovic-Savic who could be the solution to their problems.
Mikel Arteta is also said to be interested in Real Madrid's Marco Asensio, but the starlet could sign a new contract.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates...
Good morning Arsenal fans
SHOCKING scenes at The Emirates overshadowed an otherwise perfect day for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta's side maintained their 100 per cent record in Europe following a 1-0 win against PSV.
Granit Xhaka's well-taken second-half strike was enough to give the rampant Gunners the three points and seal their passage into the knockout stages of the Europa League.
But the victory was marred by fan trouble following the game as a section of PSV fans threw flares towards the home support.
Visiting fans were also pictured ripping up chairs before riot police intervened to diffuse the situation.
Elsewhere, forward Eddie Nketiah - who impressed against PSV - has backed himself to earn an England call-up.
Reports have suggested Ghana have been trying to convince the 23-year-old to represent them at this year's World Cup.
However, Nketiah remains hopeful of an England call up, and has decided to leave his options open for now.
Cody Gakpo, who played against Arsenal tonight, has been revealed to be a fan of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
This comes after Ruud van Nistelrooy declared Gakpo was being pursued by a number of top teams across Europe.
The Dutchman had been close to joining Man Utd over the summer, but the deal fell through.
On the transfer front, it has also been revealed that Arsenal director Edu is attracting interest from other top clubs due to his exploits in making Arsenal a force to be reckoned with.
PSV throws flare in Emirates
Following their sides 1-0 loss to Arsenal, some PSV supporters were pictured throwing flares into the home end and ripping up seats in disgusting scenes.
Riot police were forced to intervene to prevent the ugly scenes from getting any worse - on an otherwise completely positive night for Arsenal.
You can read more on the post match chaos here.
Eddie Nketiah wants England call
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is backing himself to earn an England senior team call up.
However, he had been linked with representing Ghana at the World Cup due to not yet receiving the call up for England.
But The Gunners star has opted to keep his options open for now.
And Ghana will proceed with their plans for Qatar without Nketiah on board.
It indicates England's record Under-21 goalscorer remains keen on getting a debut cap for the Three Lions.
Arsenal continue unbeaten run
Arsenal have continued their 100 per cent record in Europe following a 1-0 victory over PSV.
Granit Xhaka's late strike was enough for The Gunners to seal all three points and make it four wins from four in the Europa League and eight wins from their last eight games - with their last defeat coming against Manchester United.
You can read the full match report here.
Xhaka gives Arsenal the lead
It's been a long slugfest getting to it, but Arsenal have finally managed to find a breakthrough against PSV.
Granit Xhaka truly is a star reborn and has given the home side the lead.
Credit: AFP Underway at The Emirates
Arsenal are underway in their match against PSV.
You can keep up with all the action in SunSport's live blog here.
Arsenal starting xi
So here's how Mikel Arteta lines up for tonight's game.
Five changes from the team which hung on for a narrow victory against Leeds.
ARSENAL vs PSV blog
Kick-off between Arsenal and PSV is now one hour away as Arsenal look to continue their 100 per cent record in the competition.
PSV are the only other unbeaten team in the group, with the original fixture between the two sides being rescheduled to today after the passing of The Queen.
It will likely be their toughest European test so far, and following a poor display against Leeds over the weekend Mikel Arteta will be hoping to find their groove once again.
You can keep up with all the action with SunSport's live blog here.
Feel-good factor
The feel-good factor is certainly being felt around The Emirates at the moment, and that mood is being translated in training.
Gabriel Jesus had Thomas Partey in a headlock ahead of The Gunners Europa League clash against PSV.
As the players headed out onto the pitch, Partey snuck up behind Jesus and purposely bumped into him.
Jesus jokingly threw out an arm and tried to run after him, but was held back by Bukayo Saka.
The Brazilian striker did eventually get his own back though.
He walked over to Partey and tried to wrestle a ball out of his grasp, before wrapping the Ghanaian midfielder in a headlock.
Director Ed-ing off?
Arsenal face a fight to hold on to technical director Edu after his impressive work.
The ex-Gunners ace returned to the Emirates in 2019 and has thrived in his role after turning Mikel Arteta's team into Premier League contenders.
According to transfer guru , the 44-year-old chief is attracting interest from several European clubs.
The ex-midfielder's name is said to have been "discussed internally" as a suitable technical director, although the identity of the teams are currently unknown.
However, the Brazilian is considered to be "100 per cent focused on the Arsenal project", with the Gunners seeing him as a "key figure" in their plans for the future
Zinchenko injury return
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta doesn't have a specific return date for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Zinchenko has been sidelined as he is nursing a calf injury that will keep him sidelined for some time.
However, the full-back could come back before November 20 when the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar.
Arteta simply replied, "Yes" when asked if the 25-year-old would return before the upcoming competition
Tavares happy at Marseille
Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares admits he feels "great" at Marseille amid his impressive stint at the Veldrome.
Tavares told Quotidien du Sport: “Adjustment problems? Not particularly. If not the language, even if the coach speaks English and Italian. It’s easier for me.
“I feel great in my new team. I gained confidence from my first days thanks to the welcome of my teammates and the support of the fans. It was essential for me.
“Whether on or off the pitch, I discovered an incredible and spectacular city. Playing in a stadium like the Velodrome is unique. There is an extraordinary atmosphere with impressive supporters”
Lobotka rejects Arsenal
Napoli ace Stanislav Lobotka looks set to reject Arsenal's advances.
Lobotka is on the verge of agreeing a new long-term contract with the Partenopei, according to .
The midfielder has been previously linked with the Gunners, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Arsenal have been looking for reinforcement in midfield since the summer
Credit: Reuters Arteta shares Gabriel update
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes is "OK" following the fracas with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
The Gunners beat the Reds 3-2 in the Premier League two weeks ago at the Emirates
Gabriel was involved in an incident with Henderson after referee Michael Oliver awarded the North Londoners a penalty.
Oliver then ran to the touchline to speak with Arteta and Jurgen Klopp to discuss an argument that erupted inside the penalty area.
Ahead of Arsenal's Europa League clash against PSV Eindhoven, the Spanish tactician was asked about the cenetre-back.
Arteta provided a brief answer, as he said: "He is OK"
Gakpo idolises Arsenal legend
PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo revealed he has been idolising Arsenal legend Thierry Henry for a few years now.
The winger has been linked with a move to the Premier League and the Gunners are reportedly interested in him.
Gakpo said: "I’m a tall winger, but when you look for tall wingers, there aren’t so many, so a few years ago, I started watching Henry & tried to learn something from him; the way he comes in from the left & shoots with his right.
"I tried to copy him a bit”
Nketiah sticks with England
Ghana have ended their attempts to convince Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah to switch his international allegiance.
Nketiah, 23, is eligible to represent the African nation at international level due to his Ghanaian parents and has considered the switch.
The striker is said to be reluctant about making the change, with reporting that their FA have halted their pursuit after several attempts.
The 23-year-old is England Under-21s' record goalscorer with 16 goals in 17 appearances, but he's yet to be handed his first senior cap
Friendly training scrap
Footage from Arsenal's London Colney training this week showed Gabriel Jesus impressively putting Thomas Partey in a headlock.
As the Gunners stars headed out onto the pitch, Partey snuck up behind Jesus and purposely bumped into him.
The Brazil international jokingly threw out an arm and tried to run after him, but was held back by Bukayo Saka.
The striker did eventually get his own back though as he walked over to Partey and tried to wrestle a ball out of his grasp, before wrapping the Ghanaian midfielder in a headlock
Gabriel Jesus puts Thomas Partey in a HEADLOCK as Arsenal team-mates play-fight in training ahead of Europa League clashCome and get him
Arsenal have been encouraged to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer once his contract runs out in June by Gabby Agbonlahor.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: "Now I found out his contract runs out next summer, he can go on a free transfer to a top club.
"If you're an Arsenal, Spurs, or Chelsea, you're snapping him up on a three-year contract at the age of 30.
"Last night he was outstanding… He showed a lot of hunger last night. Great player. Hopefully, he gets that big move"
Don't Wright them off
Arsenal legend Ian Wright dismissed suggestions that Liverpool "aren't going to do something" this season.
Wright told Premier League Productions: "People writing off Liverpool and saying, 'the title is out of it', maybe that is the case, but there's no way that Liverpool aren't going to do something.
"They have too many good players. The manager is brilliant. I think that's a significant win for them.
"It has to be for Liverpool [aiming for the top four]. It has to be. I still look at it now and see the way Liverpool performed in that game. They can get on a run.
"You can't see Liverpool not being in the top four. I thought it was silly for people to say, 'Oh, Liverpool are out of it now. Klopp's going to have to build and transition'.
"Well, we saw what they could do to Man City there. A very good Man City side"
Arsenal target Ndicka
Arsenal have been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt ace Evan Ndicka ahead of the January transfer window.
According to , the Gunners are weighing a bid for Ndicka, 23, who has also been linked with Tottenham.
Spurs were reportedly frontrunners to sign the centre-back in the summer transfer window.
The Frenchman joined Eintracht in 2018 from Auxerre and has since amassed a total of 10 goals and nine assists in 155 appearances
'Ukrainian Messi' update
Shakhtar Donetsk have raised Mykhaylo Mudryk's release clause amid Arsenal's continued interest.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Shakhtar may demand as much as €65million (£57m) for Mudryk, who was previously dubbed the "Ukrainian Messi".
Romano said: "Shakhtar Donetsk wanted around €50m for him in August, probably €40m plus add-ons were enough.
"Today, I'm sure they want way more than €50m for their star, it could probably be as high as €60-65m”
Credit: Reuters
Martinelli contract situation
Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli has two years left on his current contract but insists he is keen to remain for much longer.
Martinelli said: "We are talking about a contract so let’s see what happens.
"But of course I want to stay. I think this is my best season at Arsenal and I am so happy for this moment.
"Everyone can see our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game.
"I am so happy to be playing alongside players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka"
Bukayo Saka bid
Chelsea may launch a surprise bid for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka just as Liverpool’s hopes of landing the winger fade.
The Gunners, though, remain confident of tying Saka, 21, to a new deal soon.
But suggests the Blues’ owner Todd Boehly regards the England international as an ideal recruit for Graham Potter’s team.
The West Londoners’ main hope would surely be to dangle a lucrative contract for a talented player tipped to be one of England’s key men at the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, though, is growing weaker
Arsenal vs PSV preview
Arsenal's Premier League clash against Manchester City has been postponed in favour of their Europa League match with PSV Eindhoven, which was also moved after the death of The Queen.
Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a doubt for the Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta as he still deals with a calf problem.
Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe remain long-term absentees for the North Londoners as well.
Gabriel Martinelli, on the other hand, missed training on Wednesday and poses as a doubt
Credit: Reuters Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal's Premier League clash with Manchester City has been postponed in favour of their Europa League match with PSV Eindhoven, which was also moved after the death of The Queen.
Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a doubt for the Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta as he still deals with a calf problem.
Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe are still long-term absentees for the North Londoners.
Gabriel Martinelli, on the other hand, missed training on Wednesday and poses as another doubt.
Meanwhile, Arsenal face a struggle to keep hold of technical director Edu after his impressive work.
The ex-Gunners ace returned to the Emirates in 2019 and has thrived in his role after turning Arteta's side into Premier League contenders.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the 44-year-old chief is attracting interest from several European clubs.
The former midfielder's name is said to have been "discussed internally" as a suitable technical director, although the identity of the suitors is currently unknown.
However, the Brazilian is "100 per cent focused on the Arsenal project", with the club seeing him as a "key figure" in their plans.
And Arteta doesn't know a specific return date for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Zinchenko has been sidelined as he is nursing a calf injury that will keep him out for quite some time.
But the full-back could return before November 20 when the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar.
Arteta simply replied, "Yes" when asked if the 25-year-old Ukrainian would return before the World Cup.
Finally, Arsenal are confident about the contract situation of two key players.
That is according to Caught Offside, who report the Gunners are "optimistic" William Saliba and Bukayo Saka will sign new deals.
The young pair has been very influential during the North Londoners' stunning start to the season.
Saka and Saliba's deals run out in 2024 and Arsenal want to tie them with long as well as lucrative deals.
