ARSENAL have joined Manchester United and Chelsea in the transfer battle for Dutch ace Denzel Dumfries, according to reports.
On the pitch, have been leapfrogged by Manchester City in the Premier League table after losing 3-1 at the Emirates.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland were enough to see Pep Guardiola's side go top of the charts.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Declan Rice in the summer with Chelsea focussing on Jude Bellingham, according to reports.
It is claimed the Blues will "move heaven and earth" for Borussia Dortmund ace Bellingham after resigning themselves to defeat on Rice.
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- Etienne Fermie
Villa 'must win' for Arsenal
The Gunners 'need' to win against Aston Villa this weekend after last night's setback, claims BBC pundit Chris Sutton.
He told Radio 5 Live last night: "A massive blow for Arsenal, how will they recover? Yes they have a game in hand but I thought City were excellent in the second half..
"They've flexed their muscles and said to Arsenal 'we are the team to beat'.
"For Arsenal it's about recovering, they need to win that game at Aston Villa."
- Etienne Fermie
Arteta: 'We are feeling down'
After last night's 3-1 home defeat to Man City, which saw Arsenal relinquish top spot, boss Mikel Arteta said: "We are all feeling down, especially because they knew we could do much better today to get a very different result and we just gave the game.
"We have to pick the points because the performances are there for sure. What we've done today against this team, believe me, this was not the game that they wanted to play.
"Games are decided in the boxes and we have given too much away today. We were not ruthless enough to convert out chances. That's what we have to improve on.
"Manchester City demand you to play at the best level. We reached that level in a huge battle and had a feeling we were going to win but then we just gave three goals away and did not put our chances in.
"Bad mistakes are part of football and unfortunately we have done it against a team that punish you."
- Etienne Fermie
Mikel Arteta: 'I still believe'
Defiant Mikel Arteta claims he is "even more" certain Arsenal can win the Prem after last night's 3-1 home defeat to Man City.
After the match, the Spaniard told the BBC: "I have more belief than I had before the game.
"With the performance and the level the team put in, we had the feeling we could beat them. Until the second goal we had them.
"But we gave them three goals and the game at the end. Certain errors at this level, you can't make. At the same time, the team put the level very high.
"The difference was in the boxes, they had three chances and they put them away. We had chances and we didn't put them away."
- Etienne Fermie
De Bruyne mocks Arsenal fans
Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne has poked fun at Arsenal fans with a hilarious message after beer was chucked at him.
The defending Premier League champions took back top spot with a 3-1 win over the Gunners at the Emirates on Wednesday.
De Bruyne played a key role in dismantling Arsenal, opening the scoring in the 24th minute.
De Bruyne was withdrawn from play three minutes from time and replaced with holding midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
But as he walked around a riled-up Emirates, De Bruyne had items chucked at him, including beer.
The Belgium ace, of course, played pantomime villain, dodging beer being thrown while not breaking his smug stare.
And he took to Instagram after the game, saying: "Beer anyone?"
- Etienne Fermie
Red Devils legend trolled
Gary Neville has been brutally trolled after his tweet during Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City.
The former Manchester United and England star gave his thoughts at half-time with the match level at 1-1.
And he was CONVINCED Arsenal would win.
City promptly went on to score twice via Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland to move above the Gunners on goal difference at the top of the Premier League table.
Neville did not see that coming after slamming the champions’ performance before the break.
He tweeted: “City imbalanced and still scruffy. Their for the taking.
“Arsenal will be difficult to stop second-half shooting towards that end.”
- Etienne Fermie
Ivana Knoll is a Gooner
The World Cup's sexiest fan Ivana Knoll is a Gooner.
And she jetted into London to watch Arsenal take on Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday.
But unfortunately for Ivana the night did not end well with City running out 3-1 winners and regaining top spot in the Premier League.
Ivana lives in Miami but was determined to watch the Gunners in what was arguably their biggest match of the season.
She was treated to a hospitality box and her own home shirt which featured 'Knoll #1' on the back.
The Croatian tried on the jersey and posed in it for photos she shared on Instagram.
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning Arsenal fans
Manchester City have climbed up to the top of the Premier League table after beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates.
City broke the deadlock after only 24 minutes with Kevin De Bruyne’s opener.
The Gunners, who have a game in hand, equalised with Bukayo Saka's penalty just three minutes before half-time.
But City regained the lead with Jack Grealish in the 72nd minute and Erling Haaland, who was a doubt before the game due to a knock, sealed the win on 82 minutes.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted the North Londoners were "imprecise" against City but still has faith in their title hunt.
Arteta told Amazon: “We lost it. It was an incredible battle against two teams. We had them, but gave them the goals. We had three big chances but didn’t put them away, and that was the difference.
"To beat them we have to be over our level because they are such a team. We had them in big moments, but in the big moments they were better than us. We were really imprecise.
"We put ourselves in trouble. In certain areas of the pitch we overplayed. We got punished. The atmosphere and performance was really good. If you take away the way we gave them three goals.
"I have more belief because we went head to head with City. We have to go to the next one. We have a really difficult game next. I have more belief in my players [that we can win the league].”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign West Ham star Declan Rice despite his links to Chelsea.
That is why the Blues will focus their attention on Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham as they resign themselves to defeat in the race for Rice.
According to the Telegraph, the West Londoners’ owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali will now "move heaven and earth" to try and sign Bellingham.
SunSport also recently revealed how Boehly was "obsessed" about signing the midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Finally, Arteta confirmed there is no timeframe for Gabriel Jesus' return to action.
But the Spanish tactician insists Jesus is making very good progress after undergoing knee injury.
The striker sustained medial ligament damage while on international duty with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Arteta said: "Doing really well he’s been doing quite a lot of work on the ball already and his rehab is going well"
- Kostas Lianos
Mikel Arteta reacts
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted the Gunners were "imprecise" against Manchester City but still has faith in their title hunt.
Arteta told Amazon: “We lost it. It was an incredible battle against two teams. We had them, but gave them the goals. We had three big chances but didn’t put them away, and that was the difference.
"To beat them we have to be over our level because they are such a team. We had them in big moments, but in the big moments they were better than us. We were really imprecise.
"We put ourselves in trouble. In certain areas of the pitch we overplayed. We got punished. The atmosphere and performance was really good. If you take away the way we gave them three goals.
"I have more belief because we went head to head with City. We have to go to the next one. We have a really difficult game next. I have more belief in my players [that we can win the league]”
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Pep Guardiola reacts
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is ecstatic with his team's victory over Arsenal but insists there is still a long way to go.
Guardiola told Amazon: “Now we are top of the league but they have one game in hand. We have a lot of games to play. The first half they were much better than us, the second we were much, much better.
"We were not playing, we were defending because they were so good. In the first half, my tactics, I tried something new and it was horrible!
"We adjusted in the second half and we were more aggressive towards [Martin] Odegaard and controlled more of the ball. Erling [Haaland] used his power to keep the ball.
"We suffered in the first half but in the second we were there. Bernardo Silva started at left-back and finished as right winger. Few players can do that!
"We are built to go as a crazy team. We were more aggressive, winning duels, and when that happens we are a better team. Arsenal will be back. In three days we have another one. Still many, many games to play for everyone and we are not an exception”
- Kostas Lianos
FT: Arsenal 1-3 Man City
Manchester City have moved to the top of the Premier League table after beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates.
City opened the scoring after only 24 minutes with Kevin De Bruyne.
The Gunners, who have a game in hand, equalised with Bukayo Saka's penalty three minutes before half-time.
But City regained the lead with Jack Grealish in the 72nd minute.
And Erling Haaland, who was a doubt before the game due to a knock, sealed the win on 82 minutes.
Follow all of the live reaction from SunSport's live blog HERE
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal 1-2 Man City
Manchester City have regained the lead against Arsenal at the Emirates.
And it's Jack Grealish putting City back in front on 72 minutes.
Almost 10 more minutes left until full-time.
Follow all the action in SunSport’s live blog HERE
- Kostas Lianos
Jesus is here
Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus is at the Emirates watching his team taking on his former club Manchester City.
Jesus has been sildeined due to a knee injury he suffered during the 2022 World Cup while on duty with Brazil.
The striker went under the knife and a return date is not yet sealed.
However, manager Mikel Arteta is confident the ex-City star is making a lot of progress
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Arsenal and Manchester City are level at the Emirates as we've reached half-time.
City opened the scoring after 24 minutes with Kevin de Bruyne.
But the Gunners equalised three minutes before half-time with Bukayo Saka's penalty.
Follow all the action in SunSport's live blog HERE
- Kostas Lianos
Gabriel Jesus injury update
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed there is no timeframe for Gabriel Jesus' return to action.
But Arteta insists Jesus is making very good progress after undergoing knee injury.
The striker sustained medial ligament damage while on international duty with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup.
Arteta said: "Doing really well he’s been doing quite a lot of work on the ball already and his rehab is going well"
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Arteta on Partey
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed Thomas Partey suffered a muscle injury before the game against Manchester City.
Arteta said: "Players pick up injuries and unfortunately Thomas felt something in his back muscle. He isn't available to play today.
When asked about Jorginho's role as a replacement, Arteta responded: "That's why we brought him here, for this occasion and because it was a possibility [that Partey could get an injury].
"We planned for that and Jorgi has the opportunity today"
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal vs Man City subs
Arsenal: Turner, Tierney, Kiwior, Holding, White, Trossard, Vieira, Cozier-Duberry, Nelson
Man City: Ortega, Phillips, Laporte, Alvarez, Gomez, Akanji, Foden, Palmer, Lewis
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal vs Man City XI
…And Erling Haaland starts for Manchester City!
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Jorginho, Odegaard, Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Rodri, Ake, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva, Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
- Kostas Lianos
Henry on Haaland
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has offered Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland some pointers on how he can improve ahead of tonight's crunch clash.
Henry told CBS Sports Golazo: "We all know [if] you put the ball in the box, you feed him, you are dead. In the air, on the ground, whatever it is he [Haaland] will score.
"But there is one piece of advice that Arsene Wenger gave me when I was playing: 'What can you do when your team is not feeding you?'
"We all know when Kevin De Bruyne has the ball, Kevin can find him in any way, so Arsene told me: 'Ask yourself the right question, do you think Dennis Bergkamp can give you the ball the same way Freddie Ljungberg does?'
"I thought how can I enhance the skills of a player instead of showing his weaknesses. So for example, Kevin you can make that [far post run] but maybe Bernardo Silva likes a one-two.
"I think sometimes Haaland is making the same run whoever is on the ball… and sometimes he doesn't help the team in terms of who is on the ball"
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Birght and Erl-y
Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland was spotted making the “exhausting” journey to London along with his team-mates for tonight’s clash with Arsenal.
Haaland handed City manager Pep Guardiola a huge boost for the title showdown with the Gunners by taking part in a full recovery session on Monday.
The Premier League’s top scorer was subbed at half-time during Sunday's 3-1 win over Aston Villa after picking up a knock.
Guardiola said afterwards he would wait to see if the striker could join the squad heading to the capital for the bumper match.
And the signs are positive, as the Norway international was among the players pictured leaving Manchester at the train station earlier.
The return to London comes just nine days after the Spanish tactician moaned about the Citizens' “exhausting” trip to the capital after they suffered defeat at Tottenham
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal's Partey over
Arsenal legend Thomas Partey is set to miss the top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City.
According to The Athletic, Partey is expected to miss the crunch clash after picking up a muscular injury,
The 29-year-old's absence could see Jorginho in line for his full debut after his January move.
The Gunners have been unchanged in their last six games in a row before tonight
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal vs Man City preview
Arsenal are ready for a crucial Premier League clash with title rivals Manchester City tonight at the Emirates.
The Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta will be without Emile Smith Rowe (groin), Reiss Nelson (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Mohamed Elneny (knee) for the big game.
But Arteta, who worked at the Etihad as an assistant manager, doesn't have any other fresh injury concerns.
City manager Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, is sweating over Erling Haaland's fitness after he was withdrawn at half-time of Sunday's win over Aston Villa with a thigh problem.
Guardiola confirmed after the whistle that Haaland felt "a kick" and was substituted as a precaution.
John Stones remains sidelined with a hamstring injury but Nathan Ake appears set to return to action
Credit: PA
- Kostas Lianos
Vitor Roque talks
Arsenal have "opened talks" with Athletico Paranaense over a deal for teenage star Vitor Roque.
Roque is representing Brazil's Under-20 team at the South American age group championships.
The centre-forward has been one of the wonderkids to come out of the tournament, scoring six goals on the road to Sunday's final against Uruguay.
The Brazilian has been linked with a host of top bidders, such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle.
According to Goal, however, Barca are leading the way in the race to secure the 17-year-old’s services in the summer
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal favourites for Rice
Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign West Ham star Declan Rice despite his links to Chelsea.
That is why Chelsea will focus their attention on Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham as they resign themselves to defeat in the race for Rice.
According to the Telegraph, the Blues' owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali will now "move heaven and earth" to try and sign Bellingham.
SunSport also recently revealed how Boehly was "obsessed" about signing the star midfielder
- Kiro Evans
Team Tomiyasu
Tony Adams has backed Takehiro Tomiyasu to start tonight for Arsenal's huge top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City.
He writes for SunSport: "Obviously the chance to go six points clear at the top is a massive incentive for Arsenal but it’s not a cup final and they don’t have to throw caution to the wind.
"When they beat Liverpool earlier this season, Arteta played Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back and it was a genius move because he just sat on Mo Salah and completely cut out that threat.
"It was the same in the 3-2 win against Manchester United last month, when Tomi replaced Ben White at half-time and stopped Marcus Rashford in his tracks.
"So tomorrow I would play Tomi at left–back instead of Oleksandr Zinchenko to take care of Riyad Mahrez."
- Kiro Evans
The Threat
Arsenal are set to come up against Erling Haaland in the league for the first time this season.
The Gunners managed to keep him quiet in the FA Cup last month but the stakes are far higher tonight in the league.
But Haaland comes into the game with patchy form by his standards with no goals in his last three games in all competitions.
Erling Haaland has 25 Premier League goals this season
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