GRANIT XHAKA has been named in Switzerland's World Cup squad for the 2022 competition in Qatar as Arsenal players find out whether they have been called up.
This comes after Gabriel Magalhaes was snubbed from Brazil's selection, while Martinelli made it into the 26-man squad.
Furthermore, Arsenal are said to be 'tempted' by the prospect of signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram.
The forward could make his way to the Emirates as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his side.
And we have all the latest as Arsenal host Brighton in the Carabao Cup tonight.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Alex Smith
Wright praises Arsenal after Martinelli call-up
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has praised his former club for the way they have coached Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian star arrived in North London in 2019 as an unknown signing to many fans but he has now been called up to the World Cup.
Wright said: "The way we [Arsenal] have developed him into being able to go into the greatest footballing nation’s at the World Cup has to be a credit to Arsenal."
- Alex Smith
Neville says judge Arsenal in March
Gary Neville remains unconvinced that Arsenal will challenge Man City for the Premier League title but he has praised the team and the work of Mikel Arteta.
Neville told The Overlap: "Last season we had our reservations about Arteta but we wanted to be proved wrong because I like the manager and his style of football.
"We have 25 matches left in the season, with the massive disruption of the World Cup, but I do see Arsenal getting in the top four this season.
"If Arsenal lose a couple games and the teams below you win those games, the pressure now ramps up and that is when we’ll find out if Arsenal can handle the pressure.
"The big moment will come in February and March where we will see what Arsenal are made of."
- Alex Smith
Neville insists Arsenal won't win the title
Manchester United legend turned pundit Gary Neville believes Arsenal will not win the league title.
The former right-back accused the Gunners of always crumbling despite being top of the table as we near the break for the World Cup.
Neville speaking on The Overlap said: "The only thing Arsenal have proven in the last few years is that they crumble at the end of the season, until I see that they don't, I'll still have that doubt. Why would I not?
"Manchester City will win the Premier League by 10-15 points this season. I've seen It before when you've got a team that's so exceptional.
"We had that a few times with Manchester United when I was playing, where you just know a team just hasn't got it in them to go all the way to challenge the top team.
"If Arsenal do that, it will be unbelievable, and I want City to be pushed, but it won't happen."
- Alex Smith
Silvestre on Jesus' form
Mikael Silvestre has spoken about Gabriel Jesus' goalscoring form.
The Brazilian has not found the back of the net in his last nine appearances and missed some big chances in the process.
But despite Silvestre's concern he has stressed there is more to his game than just goals.
He told bettingexpert: "Gabriel Jesus. Not a weak link but a bit of concern for his goalscoring consistency.
"Because he is giving a lot to the team and sometimes, the final touch is not accurate, he is not making the right choice. Or he would force it. That is the only one but he is just dipping in form at the moment.
"But, thank god for them, they are creating chances and you have other goal-scorers.
"The strength of the team is going forward and scoring goals is not only on Jesus. Apart from that, I don’t see any weak parts."
- Alex Smith
Silvestre praises Martinelli
Mikael Silvestre has referred to Gabriel Martinelli as the club’s best player.
The ex-Gunner picked three players he thinks are the most vital to the team, he told bettingexpert: “For me, it is between Saliba, Martinelli and Xhaka. It is between those three.
“And even Ødegaard, he has got the armband so it’s just standard for him that he needs to be up there in terms of performances.
“That is why it is hard to pick because it shows how good they are individually. That is why they are at the top of the league.
“I would go for Martinelli because he has been creating, he has been scoring, and he is making all of the right-backs suffer.
- Alex Smith
Arteta explains how Arsenal cope with fixture congestion
Ahead of another midweek match for Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta has revealed how they cope with the demanding schedule.
The Gunners are juggling four competitions this season and the Spaniard is impressed with how his players are dealing with it.
He said: "We had a really good pre-season and we put the boys in a really good condition to be able to face these congested fixtures.
"They have responded extremely well, especially with the way we play which is really. really intense. They’ve coped well.
“I think we have rotated a lot, we are the team in Europe that has rotated the most. That has its benefits. As well, when you are winning obviously the energy is better, the mood is better, the preparation is a bit easier.
"Overall they have coped with it really well.”
- Alex Smith
Arsenal vs Brighton not televised
Arsenal take on Brighton in the Carabao Cup and the match is not televised anywhere in the world.
For those not lucky enough to be in the stadium – SunSport will be live blogging the match from inside the Emirates Stadium giving you minute-by-minute updates.
The Gunners are set to make changes to the side meanwhile Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has stressed he is taking the match as seriously as a Premier League game.
- Alex Smith
Xhaka going to Qatar
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has been named in the Switzerland squad for the World Cup.
The central midfielder has been in incredible form this season and his year is getting better as he will captain his national side in Qatar.
Switzerland will play Brazil, Cameroon and Serbia in the group phase.
- Alex Smith
Chance to prove Keown right
Marquinhos may get some minutes versus Brighton this evening and the 19-year-old winger has the chance to prove Arsenal legend Martin Keown correct.
The ex-centre-back praised the Brazilian after his Europa League debut against Zurich but he has not quite hit the heights and could be loaned out.
But Keown sees his potential previously saying: "It was like [Bukayo] Saka in that position, it’s almost a copycat performance. That’s what you’re really looking for.
"He looked a bit like a [Serge] Gnabry type player. He’s short, stocky, explosive pace. He looked very classy. He picked and chose his moments cleverly, whipped a couple of crosses in.
"We’ve seen Saka, we’ve seen [Emile] Smith Rowe in this very competition start their careers. I think we’re seeing another star here in the making."
- Alex Smith
Brighton taking tonight "seriously"
Brighton head to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
And Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi has stressed that his side will take the competition seriously.
There is likely to be a change in goal with Jason Steele likely to come in for Robert Sanchez.
Danny Welbeck has been injured but came off the bench in their last game and the ex-Arsenal man could start aiming to haunt his former employers.
De Zerbi said: "It will be a good test, we will treat it seriously.
"It’s a very important game. I can make some changes but it’s just as important as a Premier League game. We will try to win.
“It’s important to win always, but it’s most important to play seriously because if we want to prepare the best way for the next game against Aston Villa, we have play well."
- Alex Smith
Arsenal tempted by Thuram
Arsenal are supposedly keen on Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram, according to reports.
The versatile attacker is on the wishlist of a number of clubs such as AC Milan. Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid.
The Frenchman is in top form this season in 16 games he has scored 12 goals.
- Alex Smith
Liverpool to rival Arsenal for midfielder
Lens midfielder Seko Fofana is wanted by both Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle.
According to French outlet L'Equipe, Fofana is open to leaving France to make a name for himself elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta is rumoured to be desperate to bring in another central midfielder to add squad depth to his side.
- Alex Smith
Possible line-up
Arsenal are set to hand a start to Cedric Soares versus Brighton tonight in the Carabao Cup.
And in the much changed side Matt Turner could play in goal.
The likes of Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney could come into the defence.
Ahead of them Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny and Fabio Vieira may feature.
Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah are likely to start in attack and could be alongside either Gabriel Martinelli or Marquinhos.
- Alex Smith
Cedric to start
Arsenal face Brighton in the Carabao Cup this evening and Mikel Arteta are expected to make many changes to his starting XI.
With Ben White nailing down the right-back spot there has been few opportunities for Cedric Soares this season especially as he has been injured this year.
But the Portuguese international is expected to start tonight – it would be the first time this season.
- Alex Smith
2023/24 Prem schedule announced
The Premier League have confirmed the dates for the 2023/24 season.
The campaign will begin on the weekend of Saturday 12th August and run until Sunday 19th May.
For the first time in a number of years the Premier League are bringing the winter break back and there will be no league games from 13th to 20th January 2024.
There will be 76 days between the end of this season until the next.
- Alex Smith
Arsenal vs Brighton
Arsenal are back in action tonight in the Carabao Cup versus Brighton.
The Seagulls make the trip to North London for the third round of the cup.
Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his side as another midweek challenge faces the Gunners after a busy Europa League schedule.
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning Arsenal fans
England legend Alan Shearer has name dropped Arsenal’s Ben White as a right-back option for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate has a selection headache in the full-back department.
Reece James and Kyle Walker are racing back to be fit.
On the left-hand side Ben Chilwell has been ruled out, and Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t trusted.
That leaves the door open for White, who is enjoying a good campaign with Arsenal.
Arsenal have held “positive talks” over Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Shakhtar have quoted £85million but it is reported around the £65m mark could see the player move.
Arsenal have been joined in the chase for Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze.
According to Fichajes, Aston Villa and Everton could battle the Gunners for the Nigeria international.
Aston Villa’s appointment of former Arsenal and Villarreal manager Unai Emery could hand the Villans the advantage.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted he will pick a “competitive” team for their Carabao Cup tie against Brighton.
The Spaniard said: “We’re going to pick a very competitive team.
“I think everyone deserves chances, and we’ll make some changes with judgement in relation to the load of the players, but we’ll play to win.”
- Joshua Mbu
Arteta offers Tomiyasu injury update
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The Japan star has missed large parts of this season through injury.
But he is expected to play in Qatar.
Arteta said: "It’s a small injury for Tomi, he did well to stop during the match, so it’s not going to be a big issue.
"I think he will be back in a week or so, so hopefully he will be fine to start at the World Cup."
- Joshua Mbu
Rapid Arsenal transfer target
Arsenal transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk was the fastest player in the Champions League group stages.
- Joshua Mbu
White backed for World Cup role
England legend Alan Shearer has name dropped Arsenal's Ben White as a right-back option for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate has a selection headache in the full-back department.
Reece James and Kyle Walker are racing back to be fit.
On the left-hand side Ben Chilwell has been ruled out, and Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't trusted.
That leaves the door open for White, who is enjoying a good campaign with Arsenal.
Shearer told The Athletic: "It's not just about questionable fitness — it's about form, too.
"With Walker, it's fitness. With Harry Maguire, it's form and a lack of game time — one start in the league for Manchester United since August.
"It's form for Eric Dier, Luke Shaw, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"Kieran Trippier must be one of the first defenders on the team sheet at the moment, while Ben White is full of belief at Arsenal, but there are some big calls to be made here."
- Joshua Mbu
Gunners next five
Wolves are up next for the Gunners next weekend.
- Joshua Mbu
Carragher names England squad
Ex-Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has named who he would take to Qatar for the World Cup this month.
Carragher’s 26-man squad:
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope.
Defenders – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben White, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw.
Midfielders – Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, James Maddison, Kalvin Phillips.
Forwards – Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish.
- Joshua Mbu
Arsenal hold ‘positive talks’ over Mudryk
Arsenal have held "positive talks" over Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Shakhtar have quoted £85million but it is reported around the £65m mark could see the player move.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano said: “We know they [Arsenal] wanted a winger. Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible to proceed.
“They have had very positive contacts on Mudryk’s side, on the player’s side.
“But then they decided not to proceed with Shakhtar because they wanted more than £40m-£45m.
“Now Shakhtar want £60m-£65m. It’s not going to be an easy one, but Arsenal are still following the player. They consider Mudryk a top talent and so Arsenal are still there.
“But let’s see because now the race is open with many top clubs involved, but Arsenal will be busy in the next few weeks.”
- Joshua Mbu
Arsenal eye LaLiga winger
Arsenal have been joined in the chase for Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze.
According to Fichajes, Aston Villa and Everton could battle the Gunners for the Nigeria international.
Aston Villa’s appointment of former Arsenal and Villarreal manager Unai Emery could hand the Villans the advantage.
- Joshua Mbu
Arteta on Brighton cup game
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted he will pick a "competitive" team for their Carabao Cup tie against Brighton.
The Spaniard said: "We’re going to pick a very competitive team.
"I think everyone deserves chances, and we’ll make some changes with judgement in relation to the load of the players, but we’ll play to win."
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