MIKEL ARTETA has brushed the Barcelona links aside claiming that he is 'proud' and 'happy' with his managerial role at Arsenal.
The Catalan chiefs are reportedly eyeing up Arteta as a replacement for Xavi who failed to help Barcelona secure Champions League last-16 qualification.
Meanwhile, Arteta received a huge boost on the injury front as Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko were both pictured in training ahead of Arsenal's final Europa league match against FC Zurich.
Saka, 21, was forced off with a leg injury during the 5-0 Nottingham Forest thrashing, while Zinchenko hasn't featured for almost five weeks.
Elsewhere, the Gunners have been handed a pursuit in their interest of Wilfried Zaha.
Zaha, 29, will wait and see where the Eagles finish this season before making a decision on his future.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Kealan Hughes
Ian Wright has Jesus concern
Ian Wright has echoed David Seaman's concerns over Gabriel Jesus' lack of goals in recent weeks.
The Brazilian failed to score despite eht Gunners putting five past Nottingham Forest on Saunday, and he missed a number of chances.
Wright said: "Arsenal need goals. They need goals from wherever they can get them from. We need people getting in the box, taking opportunities to shoot and score.
"We’ve got five goals today and our centre-forward [Gabriel Jesus] hasn’t scored. Everybody is talking about it. You’re hoping it’s just something… He’s got a couple assists, but we want our centre-forward scoring as well.
"‘Jesus had a very good chance [in the game]. He’s got to hit the target there. He’s just in that form at the moment. He looks a little bit clunky. He seems to be attracted to the ball. There’s no reason for him to do that. I’d rather he stayed up there [leading the line].
"We’ve got enough players to do that. He can make runs. That’s where you want him."
- Kealan Hughes
Barca consider Mikel Arteta move
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly being lined up by Barcelona as a potential future replacement for Xavi.
The Blaugrana head coach is under pressure at the Camp Nou after his side were dumped out of the Champions League.
And according to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona are already preparing for the future with the club ‘marking’ Arteta’s name as a potential successor.
Arteta has guided the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table after 12 games, with his team dropping points in just two games.
And this has caught the attention of Barca, who would be keen to bring him back to Catalonia with Arteta previously in the club’s youth set-up.
- Kealan Hughes
Arteta confirms Saka is fit
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka has overcome his injury concern and could play against Zurich.
The Spanaird also provided a fitness update on Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny following their recent absence.
He said: "Bukayo just missed one or two sessions and was fine today.
"They are at different stages obviously. Mo (Elneny) had a long-term injury but he has recovered now in a really good way and has been training with the team for a week or two now.
"Alex (Zinchenko) is just very recent and he’s had two training sessions."
- Kealan Hughes
Arteta provides Pablo Mari update
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Arsenal defender Pablo Mari after he was stabbed last week.
The Gunners boss said: "Well, first of all he’s in a really good place and we know how Pablo reacts to things.
"He’s been really positive about everything that happened, but there are concerns obviously when you talk about some issues that have happened in the last few months with footballers, with their wives, with their families, not only in the UK, but all across Europe.
"I think we need to raise our voices and we need to do something about it because it’s not what we want. We need to feel safe and everyone deserves to feel safe and we need to do something about that."
- Kealan Hughes
Saka passed fit to play
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Bukayo Saka is fit to play against Zurich while providing a fitness update on his squad.
He said: "Bukayo just missed one or two sessions and was fine today.
"They are at different stages obviously. Mo (Elneny) had a long-term injury but he has recovered now in a really good way and has been training with the team for a week or two now.
"Alex (Zinchenko) is just very recent and he’s had two training sessions."
- Kealan Hughes
Gary Neville shares Arsenal doubt
Gary Neville is not certain Arsenal will finish in the top four despite their remarkable start to the season.
The Sky Sports pundit is yet to be convinced and believes Mikel Arteta's side could fall away in the second half of the season.
He told the Mirror: "City are guaranteed obviously and I think Tottenham will get in there. I want to say Arsenal because I think they will be.
"But I think Liverpool will come back. We've not seen Chelsea, what are they going to do, are they going to hang in there? Are Arsenal going to hang in there? Tottenham, I don't think will fade away.
"I think it will become a right tangle and mess come February, March and I think the business end of the season will look completely different to how it looks today. So I will go City, Arsenal Tottenham, United, I think and then I think Chelsea and Liverpool will just miss out.
"But to be honest with you, this idea that Arsenal will definitely get top four, I don't go along with that yet personally. I think they have got to prove it towards the end of the season even though I've loved watching them at the moment and they're brilliant."
- Kealan Hughes
Mikel Arteta ignores Barcelona interest
Mikel Arteta insists he is happy at Arsenal despite Barcelona considering him as a future option at the Camp Nou.
The Spaniard emerged from Barcelona’s famed youth academy before leaving the club as a teenager.
Arteta however brushed off the speculation while also praising the ‘phenomenal’ Xavi for his work so far at the Catalan giants.
He said: "Barcelona now they are in a really good path now, with a phenomenal coach. You have to be very respectful of that."
The Spaniard added that he is "proud and happy" to be Gunners boss.
- Kealan Hughes
A host of football's biggest stars have taken to the TV screen as part of Sports Direct's Christmas advert series titled; 'Give Me Football', including Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus.
Gunners legend Thierry Henry also stars and shares Christmas dinner alongside the Brazilian and Eric Cantona.
The campaign seeks to build on last year's ‘Go All Out’ which inspired Brits to go outside and play sport during the festive season.
Gabriel Jesus tucks into Christmas dinner - Kealan Hughes
Arteta set for January spend
Arsenal technical director Edu has given Mikel Arteta the go ahead to make one January signing, according to the Telegraph.
A winger or a midfielder is likely to be what Arteta targets in the winter transfer window, having previously been linked to Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk is also said to be of interest as Edu and Arteta draw up a shortlist of options.
- Kealan Hughes
Seaman has big Jesus concern
Arsenal legend David Seaman is concerned about Gabriel Jesus’ confidence after the Gunners thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0.
Jesus has five goals this season but missed a hatful of chances against Steve Cooper's side and Seaman found it weird the Brazilian did not get on the scoresheet.
He said on his Seaman Says podcast: “The fans were so desperate for Jesus to score [on Sunday].
“Every time he was around the box, they were saying, ‘Give it to Jesus! Give it to Jesus!’. They were saying his confidence is low, because he hasn’t scored for a while.
“I was thinking it might actually be a bit lower you know, because we have scored five and he hasn’t scored one. You know, so it’s a bit… it was weird."
- Kealan Hughes
Major injury boost for Gunners
Bukayo Saka is back in full training in a major boost for Arsenal and England.
And Oleksandr Zinchenko is also back for the Gunners ahead of their clash with FC Zurich.
There were major concerns over Saka when he limped off with foot and ankle bruising in the first half of Sunday's 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
With the World Cup just three weeks away, the Arsenal man seemed to face a race against time to be fit.
However, as revealed by SunSport, the injury was nowhere near as bad as first feared and he could face Chelsea on Sunday.
- Kiro Evans
What a Difference a Year Makes
Twelve games into the season and Arsenal sit top of the Premier League, having won 10 of those 12.
There could hardly be a sharper contrast to last season when the Gunners lost their opening three matches and Mikel Arteta found himself under intense pressure.
They would go on to record two crucial 1-0 victories over relegation-bound duo Norwich and Burnley, before needing a late Alexandre Lacazette goal to nick a point at home against Crystal Palace.
Three more wins followed before their 12th game at Anfield when they were taken apart and lost 4-0. After that defeat they sat 5th, nine points off leaders Chelsea and three points behind 4th-place West Ham.
21-22: Played 12, Won 6, Drew 2, Lost 4, Scored 13 and Conceded 17
22-23: Played 12, Won 10, Drew 1, Lost 1, Scored 30 and Conceded 11 - Kiro Evans
A Team Effort
It's seven games without a goal for Gabriel Jesus who did not find the net even as Arsenal dismantled Nottingham Forest.
But it is not a major problem so far with goals coming from across in the pitch in their impressive season so far.
When including goals in all competitions, three Gunners are so far tied on five goals each: Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Granit Xhaka surprisingly comes in next with four goals – already more strikes than last season – with Martin Odegaard also on the same amount.
After Sunday's supersub appearance, Reiss Nelson joins Fabio Vieira, William Saliba, Eddie Nketiah and Thomas Partey with two goals.
Marquinhos, Rob Holding and Gabriel all have one.
- Kiro Evans
The Final Countdown
Club football is barrelling towards it's mid-season break and there are now only a few games left before the World Cup takes centre-stage.
Arsenal have some huge matches ahead as they bid to be top of the table during the break.
But they begin with a home game against FC Zurich in the Europa League and need to match PSV's result in order to secure top spot.
But the Gunners will likely have one eye already on their huge Premier League with Chelsea.
Victory at Stamford Bridge would take Mikel Arteta's side 13 points clear of the Blues.
Arsenal then welcome Brighton to the Emirates for their League Cup game, before ending their post-World Cup schedule with a trip to Wolves.
- Kiro Evans
Fab Gab
Rio Ferdinand has hailed Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal's "most important player" despite his scoreless run.
The Brazilian striker failed to hit the net in the 5-0 battering of Nottingham Forest, making it seven games without a goal.
But the forward continues to impress with his tireless performances.
Ferdinand has revealed himself to be a fan.
He said: "Do you know what? I listened to the manager [Mikel Arteta] the other day before this game [against Forest].
"He basically said: 'we need our strikers scoring if we’re going to be successful… we need them to score'. That’s a fact.
"Listen, I still believe [Jesus] is Arsenal’s most important player by the way. Without him, Arsenal are not the same team. But he just needs to add goals now. You can’t criticise anything else he’s doing.’
- Kiro Evans
Reiss has arrived
Reiss Nelson had a dream substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest on Sunday as he came off the bench to score twice.
They were only his second and third Premier League goals for the club, and his first since the 2019-20 season.
He will be hoping the brace will help him finally establish himself as more than a bit-part player at the Emirates.
The 22-year-old will be hoping to impress again when Arsenal play FC Zurich on Thursday as they look to secure top spot in their Europa League group.
- Kiro Evans
Hard Knock Life
Jamie Carragher has branded the timing of the World Cup as "disgusting" with minor injuries threatening to rule players out.
Raphael Varane will miss France's defence at Qatar 2022 after the Manchester United man pulled his hamstring at Chelsea while Liverpool's Diogo Jota is out for Portugal.
There are also fears Reece James won't make it after he was injured against AC Milan last month, while Son Heung-min now faces a race against time to make it on the plane after a head knock against Marseille last night for Tottenham.
Carragher told CBS Sports: "Players who spend their whole lives dreaming of playing in a World Cup and now could be [out injured] – as we've seen with Son and players all around the world.
"Varane was crying coming off the pitch at Stamford Bridge. That's how close we are to a World Cup. An injury, a ten-day or two-week injury, is going to keep players out of a World Cup and it should not be happening.
"And it all started with Fifa giving Qatar the World Cup and then moving it. I think it's absolutely disgusting."
- Kiro Evans
Mad House
Atletico Madrid are keen on signing in-form Arsenal defender William Saliba, according to reports.
The Frenchman, 21, has had an impressive start after finally getting to play for the Gunners.
He was made to wait a couple of years for his opportunity following his £27million 2019 transfer from Saint-Etienne.
Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that one of Atletico boss Diego Simeone's "great wishes" is to sign the France international.
Atletico were believed to be close to signing Saliba before he joined Arsenal.
The 2021 LaLiga champions are in the market for a standout defender with the likes of Felipe, Stefan Savic and Jose Maria Gimenez all failing to live up to expectations.
- Kiro Evans
Not Xaving that
Arsenal could soon be facing a fight to hang onto their manager after it emerged Barcelona were big admirers.
Mikel Arteta's project has come to fruition this season and the Gunners have impressed the footballing world with their performances.
Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League and will look to hold onto that spot before the mid-season World Cup break.
But it could one day be a case of holding onto their manager with Barca "paying attention" to him, according to Sport.
While the Spanish club are happy with Xavi and have no plans on replacing him at the moment, it is reported they could see Arteta as a future Barcelona manager "down the line."
- Kiro Evans
Za From Over
Wilfried Zaha will wait to see where Crystal Palace finish before committing to a new deal.
The Eagles talisman, 30 tomorrow week, is a free agent in the summer.
As revealed by Sunsport in September, Palace have already offered their star forward fresh terms but the Ivory Coast ace is happy to bide his time.
That will not help nerves in south London, with Zaha allowed to discuss a pre-contract move with a foreign clubs from January 1.
Zaha, a long-term Arsenal target, has shone for Palace this season with five goals in 11 Premier League games so far.
- Kiro Evans
YES CUN DO
Arsenal are set for imminent talks with the agent of Facundo Torres as they look to intensify their interest in the winger, according to reports.
Torres, 22, has been linked with a move to the Emirates as Arsenal look to build more squad depth.
ESPN report that Torres’ agent Edgardo Lasalvia has confirmed talks are set to be held with the London club.
The Uruguayan has enjoyed an outstanding season in the MLS with Orlando City and Arsenal have taken notice.
- Dylan Terry
Good morning Arsenal fans
Wilfried Zaha is waiting to see where Crystal Palace finish in the Premier League before signing a new deal.
The news comes as a boost to Arsenal, who have previously been linked with the 29-year-old winger.
SunSport revealed in September that Palace have offered Zaha fresh terms, but he is yet to put pen to paper.
And the Ivory Coast international is willing to wait and see where the Eagles end the campaign before deciding whether or not he stays put in South London.
Elsewhere, Arsenal's stunning form could come at a cost.
Spanish reports suggest Barcelona are eyeing boss Mikel Arteta as the man to replace Xavi.
Club officials have held internal discussions about appointing Arteta in the future, according to Sport.
Although fans can breathe a sigh of relief, with Barca intending to stick by Xavi for a while yet.
And finally, Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo is a transfer target for the Gunners, according to Portuguese outlet Record.
Summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko has struggled with injury since signing and can also play in midfield, while Kieran Tierney appears to have fallen out of favour.
That could allow the Gunners to make a January swoop for the 27-year-old.
- Giacomo Pisa
Trust the process
Birmingham City boss John Eustace reckons Auston Trusty is worthy of a first-team place when he returns to Arsenal from his loan spell.
The 24-year-old American defender is impressing in the Championship with the Blues.
Trusty signed for Arsenal earlier this year from MLS side Colorado Rapids, and is set to feature for the USA at the World Cup.
He has played 90 minutes in all 17 of Birmingham's Championship games this season.
And Eustace said on Trusty: "He is going to be a top player, he is going to go back to Arsenal and hopefully push for that first-team spot.
"He deserves to be going to the World Cup. His performances for us having been exceptional & they are only going to get better."
- Giacomo Pisa
Gunner be up there
Arsenal are one of three teams Rio Ferdinand would "put his house on" finishing in the top four.
The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League, winning 10 out of 12 games this season.
Mikel Arteta's side are eight points clear of Manchester United in fifth place.
Ferdinand told Vibe with Five: “It will be Arsenal, Man City and Man United.
“They are the three teams I would put my house on now.
“And then the fourth one I can’t pick. Newcastle could come in and take it.”
- Giacomo Pisa
Up next in the Prem
Arsenal host Zurich in the Europa League on Thursday, before travelling to Chelsea on Sunday.
And here's a look at the head to head record between the Blues and the Gunners in the Premier League.
The two rivals are hardly separated when it comes to goals scored against each other.
But it's Arsenal who just edge it in wins, having prevailed over the Blues 23 times in 60 Prem meetings.
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