BUKAYO SAKA is set to be FIT for Arsenal's game with Chelsea this weekend after he came off injured in the win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Gunners thrashed Forest 5-0 to go back to the TOP of the Premier League table.
Though the win came at a cost with Bukayo Saka forced off after 27 minutes.
But the England star doesn't look to have suffered a serious injury, and is contention to face the Blues.
Elsewhere, Orlando City's Facundo Torres is a target for Mikel Arteta's side, with scout Toni Lima recommending the signing as competition on the wings.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Dylan Terry
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is cautiously optimistic Bukayo Saka will be available for Sunday's clash at Chelsea.
Saka injured his ankle during the 5-0 home win against Nottingham Forest and hobbled off the pitch after 27 minutes.
Arteta said: "It was a bad kick and he was limping, but I don't see it being anything further than that. Let's see how he is in the next couple of days."
Meanwhile, Arsenal are considering making a bid for Orlando City star Facundo Torres.
Torres has impressed in the MLS this season and the Gunners have been made aware of him by scout Toni Lima.
Lima has been credited with recommending Neymar to Barcelona and Philippe Coutinho to Inter Milan when both were still playing in Brazil.
According to The Evening Standard, the winger could be signed to provide competition for Saka.
Since moving to the United States, the Uruguay international has scored 14 goals and registered 10 assists in 40 league matches.
And Arsenal are in talks with William Saliba over a new long-term contract with fears he could walk out for free next summer.
Saliba's deal is due to expire next summer, meaning he could walk out of the Emirates for free.
The Gunners have a 12-month option, but according to The Athletic, the club want to tie the centre-back down to a new long-term contract.
Should the Gunners hit a stumbling block during talks, the France international won't be short of options.
Reports suggest Paris Saint-Germain are keen on the 21-year-old, who loves living in France.
Finally, Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Leicester star Youri Tielemans, whom they targeted in the summer.
Manchester United and Juventus were also thought to be interested, but the Foxes managed to keep hold of Tielemans.
According to The Mirror, the Gunners are the favourites to seal a deal for the midfielder, whose contract expires at the end of the season
A summer move is thought to be the most likely time for the Belgium international to move to North London.
- Kostas Lianos
Milinkovic-Savic not for sale
Arsenal have been informed that Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is not for sale.
That’s according to the Serie A giants' president Claudio Lotito, who insists that Milinkovic-Savic's value increases with every game.
Responding to the ongoing rumours linking the 27-year-old with a move to the Premier League, Lotito told Il Messaggero: “I’m not gonna sell Sergej, it’s not in my plans. I will offer him a new long term deal.
“Milinkovic-Savic is worth €120m, and then every month the price increases”
- Kostas Lianos
Mohamed Elneny boost
Arsenal are buoyed by the news that Mohamed Elneny has returned to full training.
Elneny was expected to be out for some time through injury.
But now the midfielder is ready to fight for his place in the first team.
Elneny shared an image on Instagram at training – captioning the snap: “Surprise, I’m back. #Ready to Fight”
- Kostas Lianos
Three for Nelson
Arsenal ace Reiss Nelson was targeted by three teams who wanted him on loan before his impressive display against Nottingham Forest.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano told CaughtOffside: “Mikel Arteta was really happy with his approach to training.
"Nelson can be a really important player for Arsenal to be used when rotating their squad for now.
“More than three clubs asked for Nelson on loan in the summer, but Arsenal decided to keep him”
- Kostas Lianos
Taking the Myk
Shakhtar Donetsk have dealt Arsenal a transfer warning by warning Mykhaylo Mudryk is valued at over £85million.
Shakhtar deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini told Calciomercato: “Together with Kylian Mbappe, Rafa Leao and Vinicius Jr, Mudryk is the strongest player in his role.
“Is £35m enough to buy him? We don’t speak for these figures, not even for £45m, we don’t even call the president to make the offer.
“We value Mudryk more than United’s Antony – £85m. Floating between Arsenal and Man City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player.
“But there are also other clubs than can spend right away. We are not obliged to sell, we do not want to lose phenomena. We don’t want to shoot figures that aren’t realistic.
“But in this team, he is the most decisive. If you want to take on certain players who make a difference in the top clubs, you also need the right money”
- Kostas Lianos
Sanchez spurred on
Marseille star Alexis Sanchez, who only lost once against Tottenham in seven games when playing for arch-rivals Arsenal, is eyeing another “special” win over Spurs in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Sanchez said: "I have great affection for Arsenal from my time there. I have some great memories with everyone at the club, especially the fans.
“Beating Spurs every time was a great joy. It was very special and those are memories that I hold dear to my heart.
“Every single player has motivation to play and win. We all want to bring the victory back.
“In the dressing room, there is a lot of passion. Playing in front of the fans with their atmosphere is super important and that will drive us on”
- Kostas Lianos
Ozil and Arsenal relationship
Mesut Ozil is still a "welcome guest" at Arsenal despite his turbulent exit in 2021.
Ozil fell out with the Gunners' management as well as former manager Unai Emery and current boss Mikel Arteta.
According to the attacking midfielder's agent Dr Erkut Sogut relationships "soured" between his client and the club towards the end of his time at the Emirates.
However, it was never as bad as the media previously reported and the two sides have since patched things up
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal target Isaksen
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Midtjylland star Gustav Isaksen ahead of the January transfer window.
That is according to Calciomercato, who claim the Gunners are impressed with Isaksen's performances in Denmark.
Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on adding young talent to his ranks come the New Year.
And Arteta is looking for players to offer competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli down the wing
- Kostas Lianos
Real Jesus interest
Real Madrid are set to launch a bid for Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus next summer.
Jesus was linked with Real last summer, only for them to pull out of the running because of an "issue with his passport".
According to Goal, the striker is on a five-man shortlist compiled by Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The same report claims that Ancelotti sees him as a perfect understudy, and potential successor, to Karim Benzema
- Kostas Lianos
Strike a Tiel
Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Leicester star Youri Tielemans, whom they targeted in the summer.
Manchester United and Juventus were also thought to be interested, but the Foxes managed to keep hold of their man.
According to The Mirror, the Gunners are the favourites to seal a deal for Tielemans, whose contract expires at the end of the season
A summer move is thought to be the most likely time for the Belgium international to join the North Londoners
- Kostas Lianos
Big bet b-ux
Arsenal fan and YouTuber Callux won a huge bet on the win over Nottingham Forest, predicting the first scorer and the exact score.
The Gunners put five past Nottingham Forest, with Gabriel Martinelli being the man to set the ball rolling.
Arsenal fan, YouTuber and friend of KSI, Callux, predicted both the first goalscorer and the exact final score correctly.
Callux placed a £125 stake with odds at 33/1, and tweeted: "PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ARSENAL.”
He got a return of £4,250, which he says is close to the max payout that would have been available to him
- Kostas Lianos
Nobbs opens up
Arsenal ace Jordan Nobbs vowed to make the most of her impressive form after the Gunners went level on points with league leaders Manchester United.
Reflecting on her recent goals and return from injury, Nobbs told Sky Sports: "It's been really tough.
"I've obviously had a rough few years and in the last few months getting into this squad. We've got such a talented team and I've just had to basically keep working hard.
"Every time I've gone out at training and I've just been thinking 'don't stop because that chance always comes'.
“I'm just glad that I could take my chance last week and then obviously, coming on today. I have to take any chances I can and yeah and it's been tough but it's football”
- Kostas Lianos
Dan the man
Arsenal sent scouts to watch Palmeiras star Danilo last week ahead of the January transfer window.
According to journalist Ekrem Konur, the Gunners stepped up their pursuit of the midfielder by having club representatives monitor him during the Brazilian giants' 3-1 win over Athletico Paranaense.
However, it did not go as the 21-year-old or the Arsenal scouts would have planned as the holding midfielder was substituted at half-time.
The Brazilian made way for Gabriel Menino – a change which turned the game.
However, it is believed Arsenal remain keen and could try to prize him away in January for a fee of around £26million
- Kostas Lianos
Saliba contract talks
Arsenal are in talks with William Saliba over a new long-term contract with fears he could walk out for free next summer.
Saliba's contract is due to expire next summer, meaning he could walk out of the Emirates for free.
The Gunners hold a 12-month option, but according to The Athletic, the club want to tie the centre-back down to a new long-term contract.
Should the Gunners hit a stumbling block in negotiations, the France international won't be short of options.
In fact, reports suggest Paris Saint-Germain are keen on the 21-year-old, who loves living in France
- Kostas Lianos
Give'em Torr
Arsenal are considering making a bid for Orlando City star Facundo Torres.
Torres, 22, has impressed in the MLS this season and the Gunners have been made aware of him by scout Toni Lima.
Lima has been credited with recommending Neymar to Barcelona and Philippe Coutinho to Inter Milan when both were playing in Brazil.
According to The Evening Standard, the winger could be signed to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.
Since touching down in the United States the Uruguay international has scored 14 goals and registered 10 assists in 40 league matches
- Kostas Lianos
Arteta praises Nelson
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Reiss Nelson's impact from the bench against Nottingham Forest.
Arteta said: "I think not only me but all his team-mates, all the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, really evolving, really maturing.
"He’s showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity, and he did extremely well because it helped us win the game."
"How mature he is, how focused he is in his profession. The way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he is challenging everybody every single day.
"He is a joy of a kid. We all want him to be successful and do well. What he has done today for the team is something he really merits"
- Kostas Lianos
Bukayo Saka reminder
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is cautiously optimistic Bukayo Saka will be available for Sunday's clash at Chelsea.
Saka injured his ankle during the 5-0 home win against Nottingham Forest and hobbled off the pitch after just 27 minutes.
Arteta said: "It was a bad kick and he was limping, but I don't see it being anything further than that.
"Let's see how he is in the next couple of days"
- Sam Dymond
Ozil still welcome at Arsenal
The breakdown in the relationship between Mesut Ozil and the Arsenal management towards the end of the German's time at the Emirates has been overplayed.
That's according to Ozil's agent – Erkut Sogut – who insists that the midfielder still loves the club that he left in January 2021.
"He could never play for another English club, he's not like [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang," Sogut told Tribal Football.
"He loved his time at Arsenal, and is still in contact with a lot of players, not least (Bukayo) Saka. They have a special relationship."
Sogut goes on to insist that while Ozil did depart the Gunners on a sour note, the extent of issues have been embellished, and he remains a welcome guest of the club.
- Sam Dymond
Arteta provides Saka injury update
Arsenal are cautiously optimistic that Bukayo Saka did not suffer any serious injury on Sunday and could even be available for next weekend's clash with Chelsea.
The England winger injured his left ankle during the 5-0 home win against Nottingham Forest and limped off just 27 minutes into the game.
He had been struggling since colliding with an advertising hoarding early on, and was then on the receiving end of a couple of hefty challenges from Forest full-back Renan Lodi.
"It was a bad kick and he was limping, but I don't see it being anything further than that," Mikel Arteta has revealed.
"Let's see how he is in the next couple of days."
- Sam Dymond
Nelson impact from the bench
Reiss Nelson fired a timely reminder to Mikel Arteta that he still has a future at the Emirates.
The 22-year-old made his first Premier League appearance in over a year when he was introduced as a substitute for the injured Bukayo Saka in yesterday's win over Nottingham Forest.
And the winger needed just seven minutes of the second half to make his mark, hitting a quickfire double to extend Arsenal's lead.
The young Englishman also registered an assist by laying on a fourth goal for Thomas Partey.
Ironically, Nelson's first ever Gunners goal came in another 5-0 win against Forest, a League Cup tie that took place in 2019.
Nelson's contract is due up at the end of the season, but there has been recent speculation that he will be handed a new deal.
- Sam Dymond
Pablo Mari discharged from hospital
Arsenal's Pablo Mari has been discharged from hospital following his injuries sustained in a knife attack at a Milan supermarket.
The defender, on loan at Monza from the Gunners, was one of four people injured in the horrific incident on Thursday evening that resulted in the death of one supermarket employee.
The 29-year-old suffered muscle damage in his back, and has already undergone surgical reconstruction.
Mari's Serie A club confirmed that the centre-back will now undertake a period of 'absolute rest'.
The current Arsenal squad paid tribute to their colleague before and during yesterday's game with Nottingham Forest.
- Sam Dymond
Arteta's Arsenal are five alive
Arsenal outlined their title credentials at the weekend by crushing hapless Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
It was the 19th time in Premier League history that the Gunners had won a home match by five goals or more.
However, Sunday afternoon's massacre was the first five star showing to take place under a manager other than Arsene Wenger.
Mikel Arteta oversaw the feat that had previously evaded the likes of George Graham, Stewart Houston, Bruce Rioch, Pat Rice, Unai Emery and Freddie Ljungberg.
The result took the Gunners back to the top of the table, two points clear of Manchester City.
- Sam Dymond
Arsenal take fancy for Facundo
Arsenal are considering a January move for Orlando City's Facundo Torres, according to the Evening Standard.
The Gunners are in the market for a right-sided attacker to provide support and competition for Bukayo Saka, particularly in light of the England international's injury yesterday.
Uruguay international Torres has shone in the MLS this season, weighing in with nine goals and ten assists.
The 22-year-old has been on the radar of the Londoners ever since he scored against them in a pre-season friendly.
- Sam Dymond
Gunners offer Saliba new deal
Arsenal have formally entered into contract negotiations with William Saliba.
The French international has been a breakthrough star for the Gunners this term following three seasons of impressing out on loan.
Now a permanent fixture in the first team three years after signing, the Londoners are wary that the centre-back has just 20 months remaining on his current deal.
The subject has been raised with the 21-year-old by the media in recent weeks, who has responded in positive fashion at the thought of committing his future to the club.
Now, according to The Athletic, formal discussions are underway with Arsenal understood to have made an initial offer.
- Sam Dymond
Youri favourites: Arsenal lead race
Arsenal are said to be leading the race to land Leicester ace Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian will leave the King Power on a free transfer at the end of the season following four years with the Foxes.
A host of clubs are interested in the midfielder, but The Express report that it is the Premier League leaders in the box seat.
The Gunners were heavily linked with Tielemans during the summer, but Leicester's asking price was considered too high for a player with just 12 months remaining on his contract.
While Manchester United remain interested in the 25-year-old too, Arsenal's hopes have said to have been boosted by Juventus pulling out of the race.
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