Arsenal news LIVE: Barcelona target Mikel Arteta as Xavi replacement as Gunners handed Zaha transfer BOOST – latest | The Sun

Arsenal could lose Mikel Arteta, with Barcelona planning a swoop for their head coach.

The Spaniard has earned admirers in World football after transforming the Arsenal squad and Barcelona have reportedly been impressed, eyeing up Arteta as a replacement for Xavi.

The La Liga side have crashed out of the Champions League this season and could look to make a managerial change.

Elsewhere, the Gunners have been handed a pursuit in their interest of Wilfried Zaha.

The Palace star 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…

  • 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.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Gift of the Gab

    Gabriel Jesus may not have scored since October 1, but the summer signing is still more than proving his worth to the side.

    The striker laid on two assists in the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

    That's now 13 Premier League assists since the start of last season.

    It's the third-most out of any player in the Prem, behind only Kevin De Bruyne (17) and Mohamed Salah (16).

  • Giacomo Pisa

    A first for the Gunners

    The 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest was the 19th time the Gunners have won a Prem match by five goals or more.

    But it's the first time it's happened under Mikel Arteta.

    The previous 18 wins of five goals or more came under legendary former gaffer Arsene Wenger.

    A new era at the Emirates?

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Elneny does the Wright stuff

    Arsenal legend Ian Wright has gushed over the "brilliant" Mohamed Elneny.

    The Egyptian midfielder is back in training after injuring his hamstring against Fulham in August.

    His return date remains unknown, but Wright can't wait for him to get back in the midst of things.

    The ex-striker said: "I don’t care whatever anyone thinks of Elneny, I think he is brilliant for us.

    "To freshen it up a little bit, so you can get somebody that can control the game because, at the moment, we can’t as we would want to without Zinchenko being there.

    "Someone like Elneny comes in and he can take care of the ball."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Arsenal season so far…

    Here's a look at the story of Arsenal's Premier League season so far.

    Ben White has excelled playing out of position at right-back, making more tackles than any other player.

    While at the other end of the pitch, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have excelled on the attacking front.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Gunner get Grimaldo?

    Arsenal could reportedly battle it out with Barcelona for the signing of Benfica ace Alejandro Grimaldo.

    And the likes of Chelsea and Juventus are also monitoring his situation, according to Portuguese outlet Record.

    The 27-year-old left-back has been linked with a January move.

    The Gunners signed Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer, but the Ukrainian has suffered injury problems and can also play in midfield.

    Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney has slipped down the pecking order, with Takehiro Tomiyasu now seemingly preferred on his weaker side to the Scotsman.

    Grimaldo has played 292 times for Benfica since signing from Barcelona in 2015.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Patino out for Seasiders

    Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino is out of Blackpool squad for tonight's trip to West Brom tonight through illness.

    The 19-year-old reported ill on Tuesday afternoon after the squad arrived in the West Midlands.

    Patino has impressed since joining the Championship side on loan in the summer.

    The teenager had started the last eight games on the bounce before tonight's encounter.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Gab not so fab in front of goal

    Gunners legend Ian Wright has said Gabriel Jesus' recent struggled in front of goal is a "worry" for him.

    Jesus has not scored since the derby win over Spurs on October 1.

    And Wright said on the Kelly and Wrighty show: "When you look at Jesus, and you look at the amount of work he's doing outside of the box, he has got the energy to get in there.

    "But even on Sunday, he had two very good chances, which I think that a player of that calibre should have taken because it was all in his hands – and he didn't.

    "So that's a little bit of a worry because people are constantly talking about: 'well, he's not a natural finisher'. He started the season on fire, and then we're seeing a couple of misses now.

    "Now, everybody's starting to say: 'well, we told you so'.

    "But we're talking about somebody who does contribute a lot, will score goals, and as long as the team's scoring, what are you going to do?"

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Former Gunners in action vs Spurs

    Arsenal's bitter rivals Tottenham face Marseille in the Champions League this evening, knowing a win for the French side will see them knocked out of the competition.

    Hoping to do exactly that is current Gunners loanee Nuno Tavares, as well as former stars Alexis Sanchez, Sead Kolasinac and Matteo Guendouzi.

    And former Spurs star Jamie O'Hara has claimed none of the quartet were "good enough for Arsenal" – despite Sanchez scoring 80 goals and providing 45 assists in 166 games for the Gunners.

    O'Hara told Sky Sports: "Look, they played for Arsenal, I get that, and they probably want to try and do Arsenal a favour.

    "But at the end of the day, they were not good enough for Arsenal, they were gone.

    "So I don’t know why they care about doing Arsenal any favours, at the end of the day they should be doing a favour for Marseille.

    "Marseille can still go through, so this is a massive night for them as well. And them, as players, need to step up."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Nottingham Forest stat attack

    Just in case you missed the match stats from Sunday's 5-0 battering against Nottingham Forest.

    That's about as dominant as a performance as they come.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Second coming of Jesus

    Former Arsenal star Mikael Silvestre has claimed he can sense "frustration" in Gabriel Jesus' recent performances.

    The striker hit the ground running after signing from Manchester City, but hasn't scored since the win over Spurs on October 1.

    Jesus did provide two assists in the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest, and Silvestre reckons the goals will start flowing again despite the frustration.

    Silvestre told bettingexpert on Jesus: I feel a little bit of frustration.

    "Of course, when you are a striker and there are a series of games when you don’t score, you start being irritated. You force decisions and the effort when it’s not going your way.

    "My impression is that he’s showing a little bit of frustration.

    "But strikers go through phases like this. With Arsenal creating so many chances he will get back on the score sheet very soon."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Arsenal in Zaha transfer boost

    Wilfriend Zaha is in no rush to sign a new deal at Crystal Palace, writes SunSport's Jack Rosser.

    The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

    SunSport revealed in September that Palace have offered him a new deal, but he is yet to put pen to paper.

    The Ivory Coast international is happy to wait it out until the end of the season to see where Palace finish before agreeing fresh terms.

    The Gunners have previously been linked with Zaha, as have London rivals Chelsea.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Sunday's KO time vs Chelsea explained

    Arsenal host Chelsea in a mouthwatering London derby this weekend.

    But fans have been left confused as to why the game is kicking off at 12pm on Sunday.

    The game is being shown live on BT Sport, who usually provide broadcast in the 12.30pm slot on Saturday.

    The Gunners though face Zurich in the Europa League on Thursday evening, so cannot play on Saturday.

    As a result it has been pushed back to 12pm on Sunday, and will still be shown live by BT.

    Mikel Arteta and Co have had the same unusual kick off once before this season – the 3-0 away win at Brentford.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Vieira – Ronaldo is an inspiration

    Arsenal new boy Fabio Vieira has hailed Manchester United rival Cristiano Ronaldo as one of his biggest influences in football.

    And the 22-year-old praised his Portuguese countryman for the "support and advice" he passes on to younger players.

    Vieira told Arsenal's official website: "The two biggest influences for me are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

    "Ronaldo not because he is Portuguese, but he is really someone who really inspires others with his work ethic, how he had to leave his family and his comfort zone to sign for Sporting, and for him to build the career that he has built inspires everyone.

    "Messi is more to do with my style of play. I am similar to Messi and I appreciate the way that he plays."

    Vieira added: "I have met Ronaldo. I met him with the national team as we would both be at the gym, and again recently in our game at Manchester United.

    "He would always provide support and give advice to young players."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Nelson eyeing new deal

    Reiss Nelson is eyeing a new Arsenal contract after his surprise brace against Nottingham Forest.

    The 22-year old was linked with a move away from the club in the summer and has barely featured this campaign.

    But his two goals against Forest suggest he could still have a part to play at the club.

    Nelson said, via the Mirror: "I only have some months left on my contract but at this moment of time, getting a new deal, of course, that would be amazing and I would love to commit to the club.

    "But I’m just really, really focused on doing everything I possible just to do the right stuff and if I get to play for the team to do well, of course, it’s hard coming in for 5-10 minutes and of course, I would love to play much, much longer.

    "But any opportunity I get, I’m going to try and take and just do my very best and just keep helping the team really."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Rio – Jesus needs more goals

    Rio Ferdinand has hailed Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal's "most important player" – but challenged the striker to add more goals to his game.

    Jesus has impressed since joining from Manchester City, netting five times in 16 games in all competitions.

    But Ferdinand has urged the 25-year-old to find the back of the net even more regularly in order to become the complete player.

    The ex-defender said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel: "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 he’s 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."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    Tierney's time will come

    Ex-Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has reassured Kieran Tierney that opportunities will come his way if he bides his time.

    The Gunners are fighting for silverware on four fronts this season, with squad depth vital to help dealing with tired legs.

    Tierney has started just three times in the Premier League this campaign.

    Even with Oleksandr Zinchenko out injured, Takehiro Tomiyasu has been preferred at left-back.

    But Silvestre told bettingexpert on Tierney: "He also has a very good mentality, he just needs to keep patient and wait for opportunities."

    "There will be a lot of games to play."

  • Sam Dymond

    Barca keeping eye on Arteta

    Barcelona officials have held internal discussions regarding the future appointment of Mikel Arteta, according to Sport.

    The Spanish outlet suggest that those at the Nou Camp have been impressed with the Arsenal boss, who learnt his trade under the guidance of former Barca great Pep Guardiola.

    The 40-year-old is said to be one of a number of candidates shortlisted for the head coach's role down the line.

    Gunners fans needn't be too alarmed though; the Catalan giants hope that current boss Xavi will lead them for years to come.

  • Sam Dymond

    Reiss gets shirty with fans

    After almost two years out of the side, Reiss Nelson's contribution against Nottingham Forest would have surprised most – but that wasn't the case for two football fans.

    Fantasy Premier League revealed that two of its nine million players had captained the 22-year-old at the weekend, scoring double points for his performance against Nottingham Forest.

    The Gunners winger scored a whopping 19 points after registering two goals and an assist in the 5-0 win.

    On discovering the news, Nelson responded in good-natured style, offering to send the two players a shirt for their faith.

  • Sam Dymond

    Nelson: I never doubt myself

    Arsenal's two-goal hero from the weekend, Reiss Nelson, has revealed that he never had cause for concern despite his long exile from the first team.

    The 22-year-old's introduction as a first half substitute for Bukayo Saka on Sunday was his first Premier League appearance since August 2021.

    And the winger made the most of the occasion, scoring a quickfire double shortly after the interval as the Gunners romped to a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

    Nelson told the Evening Standard: “I’ve never doubted myself at this football club.

    “Arsenal is a team that I’ve been at since I was eight years old and I have a very, very strong bond and love for the club.

    “Of course, there has been times where I’ve been a bit down when I haven’t played or been on the bench, but my plan has never been for me to leave the club or say that I have no future here – and I will do everything possible to get there.”

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