Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners eye Viktor Gyokeres, Odegaard position switch, Eddie Nketiah EXCLUSIVE – updates
ARSENAL are reportedly eyeing up a move for Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres, who has 16 goals in 19 games this season.
There will be an old face at the Emirates for the clash against West Ham, with Granit Xhaka returning to the club to say farewell.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has revealed that skipper Martin Odegaard could be seen in a new role against the Hammers.
And the Gunners are also leading the race to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney, according to reports.
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Arsenal suffer transfer blow
Arsenal are set to miss out on signing long-term target Ivan Toney in January.
SunSport understands that Brentford are desperate to hold on to the striker in a bid to boost their survival chances.
Toney also wants to be part of that fight back when he returns from his gambling ban on January 17.
The forward scored 20 Premier League goals for the Bees last season.
Arsenal's next five
Arsenal face Liverpool twice in their next five matches in a potentially crucial run of fixures.
The Gunners visit Fulham on Sunday following their home loss to West Ham.
Their FA Cup third round clash with Liverpool is next before league matches against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta's side will then host the Reds again on February 4.
Arsenal beaten by Hammers
Arsenal's title hopes have suffered a huge dent after they were beaten by West Ham.
A VAR row marred the Hammers' 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium, though, after their controversial opener.
Tomas Soucek's goal was followed by a second from ex-Arsenal man Konstantinos Mavropanos to clinch all three points.
Mikel Arteta's side remain two points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool following the defeat.
Arsenal player ratings
Leandro Trossard struggled during Arsenal's 2-0 home loss to West Ham on Thursday.
The Gunners were brushed aside by their London rivals at the Emirates Stadium to miss the chance to go top of the table.
Meanwhile, captain Martin Odegaard was a rare bright spark for Mikel Arteta's side.
You can read SunSport's full Arsenal player ratings here.
Arsenal beaten by Hammers
Arsenal have suffered a set back in the title race after a 2-0 loss to West Ham.
The Hammers denied their hosts the chance to return to the top of the Premier League.
Tomas Soucek opened the scoring with a controversial first half goal before former Gunner Konstantinos Mavropanos doubled West Ham's kead.
Arsenal remain two points adrift of leaders Liverpool after their third league defeat of the season.
Gunners trail at the break
Arsenal find themselves 1-0 down to West Ham at half-time in their final home match of 2023.
The Gunners trail through Tomas Soucek's 13th minute strike at the Emirates Stadium.
You can follow coverage of the match through our live blog here.
Underway at the Emirates!
The action is underway at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal's final home match of 2023.
West Ham are the visitors as the Gunners look to return to the top of the Premier League.
You can follow coverage of the match with our live blog here.
Rice was a 'bargain'
Alan Shearer believes Arsenal got Declan Rice for a bargain.
The midfielder signed from West Ham in the summer for a club record £105million.
He has since stood out as one of the Premier League's best players so far this season.
Speaking ahead of tonight's match against his old club, Shearer told Amazon Prime Video: "For me, what they spent on him was an absolute bargain!"
Arsenal team news
Mikel Arteta has made one change to his team for tonight's clash with West Ham.
Leandro Trossard comes into the side in place of the suspended Kai Havertz.
Starting line-up: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Subs: Ramsdale, Cedric, Kiwior, Jorginho, Elneny, Nwaneri, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Nketiah
Gunners take on West Ham
Arsenal are back in action tonight as they welcome West Ham to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are hoping to return to the top of the Premier League with a victory.
Liverpool are currently two points clear of Mikel Arteta's side following their Boxing Day win at Burnley.
You can follow live updates from the match on our live blog here.
Arsenal 'admire' De Ligt
Arsenal are reportedly interested in a move for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt.
According to , the Gunners admire the 24-year-old Dutch international.
However, a January move for De Ligt is said to currently be unlikely.
De Ligt has been limited to just 11 appearances for Bayern this season due to a knee injury.
Arteta would love a 50 goal-a-season striker
But has said he is more than happy for his team to share their goals around.
And while Arsenal could go back to the top of the league table with a win tonight, they have hardly been free-scoring this season.
Ahead of the game, Arteta said: "Would I like that Gabi, Eddie, Leo score 50 goals? Yes, for sure. Every manager would want a player that can score 50 goals guaranteed every season.
“But if you don’t have it, it means as well that they have other qualities that empower the qualities of the players next to them.
“I would prefer that those goals are shared because I think it is more probable that this is going to be consistently maintainable. This is what we have done.
“The amount of goals we share in the squad is really positive. We want more goals, that is for sure. I think we have got them within the team. I am very happy.”
Arsenal interested in Ajax youngster
Arsenal are interested in 17-year-old Ajax defender Jorrel Hato according to The Athletic.
Arsenal believe Ajax’s game model is analogous to their own, hence Jurrien Timber’s swift adaptation.
Hato would not come cheap, however, & Arsenal may decide they need someone more experienced to help in the run-in.
A short-term loan signing remains the most likely option.
Arteta full of praise for Rice
Mikel Arteta has praised Declan Rice’s impact since joining Arsenal, saying he has more than justified his £105million price tag.
He said in his latest press conference: “Every time you switch the TV on, they will be talking about Arsenal and talking about Declan Rice.
He’s very intelligent to manage that. When they put the price tag you have to carry that and it is not easy. He has done it in a brilliant way”.
Arsenal will wait on centre forward
Arsenal will wait until the summer to sign a new striker, according to The Athletic.
The club have been linked extensively with a move for Ivan Toney, who is valued at £100million by Brentford.
But defensive reinforcements are valued in January and a deal can wait for the summer.
Positional switch for Odegaard
Mikel Arteta has hinted that attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard could be in for a positional switch.
The boss says he can see the midfielder playing a bit deeper to dictate play.
Ahead of Arsenal's clash against West Ham on Thursday night, Arteta said: "Well there are certain games that require certain things from certain players.
"We have used Martin to accommodate the needs of the team to make us better against certain behaviours and challenges that the opponents put for us. That's a big quality of his.
"He also the defensive part which I'm really impressed with and I'm really happy with that because it's a part of the game that we want to transform and keep evolving."
Arsenal interested in Neto
Arsenal remain interested in Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
Neto is set to return to action soon after missing months with a hamstring injury.
The Athletic report that Neto has been a long-term target of Arsenal for a while now but it is more likely they will move for him in the summer.
Defensive reinforcements are the priority in January.
Timber update
Jurrien Timber's recovery is progressing well and he is expected to be back sooner than expected - according to The Athletic.
He is not expected to play in January, however.
That could see Arsenal dip into the transfer market to acquire some short term defensive cover.
Arteta willing to spend in January
Mikel Arteta has said he and Arsenal are willing to spend in January to reinforce his squad.
There had been debate as to how much the Gunners could afford to spend after splashing the cash in the summer.
But with a league title in sight, Arteta says they will reinforce where needed.
Arsenal's midfield targets
Arsenal are likely to focus on signing defensive reinforcements, rather than a midfielder in January, according to The Athletic.
There are no developments expected in January regarding the pursuit of Douglas Luiz.
The same is true of long-term target Martin Zubimendi. Arsenal would look at a loan if an appropriate midfield candidate became available, but a marquee midfielder is unlikely.