SETTABLOID

Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of Arsenal’s game against Brentford with a focus, particularly on team news and the preparation for the game. The Gunners need to win each game they have to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.

Arteta, who will be without Bukayo Saka for the foreseeable future, did provide something of a positive update on one of the winger’s potential replacements who has also been out. Raheem Sterling was also absent from the team that faced Ipswich after he was confirmed to have suffered a knee problem but the Gunners’ boss was upbeat on his chances of a quick return.

This will come as a positive sign considering the absence of any senior forward player on the Arsenal bench last week. Ethan Nwaneri was the only offensive option Arteta had to choose from and did not even come on as the Spaniard made just two changes in the game that saw his side narrowly claim the three points.

Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead of Arsenal’s match with Brentford in the Premier League. He discussed the upcoming clash in west London and provided some insights into the team news.

The Gunners, following their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Friday, have the chance to close the gap to the top to just six points, although having played a game more than Liverpool. Chelsea’s subsequent defeat to Ipswich means Arsenal can move four clear of their London rivals.

Arteta was asked about the latest on Raheem Sterling in the absence of Bukayo Saka, his thoughts on Leandro Trossard’s demeanour in games and his importance, and also his latest thoughts on the challenge of chasing down Liverpool.

More games than ever before, how much have they grown since last year?

We are going to have to prove it. What we’ve proven that already this season, I’m sure of that. If this had happened last season, the number of games we’ve played with ten men, the injuries in the squad, for sure it would be difficult to be in the stages of the competition we are in now.

So, for sure, the team has made another step, the team is evolving and adapting to new circumstances and now we have another one with more games with less players. So, let’s face it.

Raheem back sooner than expected,

He was gutted because he had a good game against Palace here, he could have scored two goals and made an assist and in the end, he got injured in a training session. That was his opportunity because naturally, he would have played in that position. But knowing Raz, I think he will be back quite soon.

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has insisted he is concentrating on his current club despite rumours linking him to the likes of Arsenal.

Isak is in incredible form for the Magpies this season and has bagged 13 goals in 20 appearances so far this season. He was once again on the mark when Eddie Howe’s team cruised to a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

As such, the Swede has earned himself admiration from clubs looking to add a top quality centre-forward to their teams.

Arsenal are one of the sides believed to be interested in a move for Isak. In the summer, Mikel Arteta’s recruitment team forged a plan to find their perfect striker and the attributes they were looking for – pace, strength, physical prowess – matched that of Isak.

There has been talk though that Newcastle are so keen to keep hold of the Swede that they have slapped a price tag of £150m on him. When discussing his value to Eddie Howe’s team and potentially leaving, Isak was keen to dismiss the speculation.

Former Scotland international Michael Stewart believes that Celtic could have a real shot at bringing Kieran Tierney back to Parkhead. He also suggests that a cut-price deal for former Hoops star Jota in January would be a smart move for Brendan Rodgers.

Tierney has been sidelined from the first team at Arsenal by Mikel Arteta and with just six months left on his contract, he can start discussions with clubs outside of England from January 1.

Arsenal might decide to cash in on the full-back in next month’s window and Stewart doesn’t dismiss the possibility of Tierney returning to Celtic permanently.

Stewart also thinks it would be foolish for the Hoops not to attempt to re-sign Jota from Rennes if he is available for a fraction of what Celtic received when they sold him to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.

Speaking on the Premier Sports Scottish Football Social Club, he said: “There has been so much rumours and chat about Kieran Tierney, with six months left on his contract. My gut is that Kieran Tierney would be up for going back to Celtic. I genuinely think he would. Could that happen in January? I wouldn’t discount it

Tierney has fallen out of favour in north London ever since Arteta was placed in charge of the team, with the Spanish boss favouring a left-back who can tuck into midfield at times.

With Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior all preferred to Tierney at times, the writing is on the wall for a January exit and Celtic continue to wait in the wings.

Arsenal spent most of last summer searching for a striker to bolster their ranks but failed with moves for Benjamin Sesko, who signed a new deal at RB Leipzig, and Joshua Zirkzee, who joined Manchester United.

The Gunners exited the market empty-handed and depleted as Eddie Nketiah joined Crystal Palace, leaving Mikel Arteta with only Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz as his centre-forward options.

Havertz continues to blow hot and cold, while Jesus’ persistent injuries remain a cause for concern despite his recent uptick in form. 

Arsenal still need to sign a centre-forward next summer and have been linked to Newcastle United man Alexander Isak. However, the Magpies are keen on warding off suitors, setting a £150 million price tag on the Swedish striker.

The North Londoners should steer clear of the overpriced Isak and must consider Ipswich Town star Liam Delap, who has been turning heads with his performances this season. 

Delap proved his mettle with an unforgettable performance against Chelsea last night. He delivered the kind of showing that should put clubs like Arsenal on red alert.

The 21-year-old won a soft penalty off a trailing leg from Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. He stepped up and converted the spot-kick emphatically. 

Delap made his presence felt from the first minute, leaving his mark on Tosin Adarabioyo, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill. He also set up Omari Hutchinson to score the second goal, topping a terrific centre-forward performance.

It was only his seventh goal of the season, but Delap showed all the makings of an excellent Premier League striker. He never stopped running the channels and turned half-chances into opportunities with vicious strikes from every angle.

His performance drew praise from teammate Hutchinson, who branded him a unit. Manager Kieran McKenna called him ‘top’ after his fine outing. Arsenal should be all over a deal for the former Manchester City attacker.

His hunger, physical presence, and ability to create chances out of nothing make him an ideal candidate to solve Arsenal’s striking woes. 

Investing in Delap would not only strengthen their attacking options but also align with the club’s philosophy of nurturing young talent. 

Arsenal take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in their first Premier League match of the new year. Mikel Arteta knows this is no simple challenge with the Bees’ home form very impressive indeed and having taken plenty of scalps off the big sides.

He will also continue to navigate his team selection without Bukayo Saka in the squad as his recovery from a hamstring surgery begins. Defensively, the side was sublime in 2024, but he needs to unlock another level in terms of goalscoring.

Arteta needs to find a way of integrating some of his forwards who have been overshadowed in the absence of Saka.

David Raya is naturally the obvious choice in goal. Whether a January arrival will see any competition come in remains to be seen, with on-loan stopper Neto perhaps waiting for the FA Cup before finally getting some minutes.

Myles Lewis-Skelly has been a great breakout player this year, but Riccardo Calafiori needs to come back into the side and get some valuable minutes. The Italian was an unused substitute against Ipswich and so is fully rested to take on Brentford and try to help lock down Bryan Mbeumo.

Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are going to be expected to play plenty of minutes through the next five months. Whether defensive additions are made and whether Ben White’s return is closing in remains to be seen.

Arsenal have been urged to launch a daring January swoop for West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus by one of their former players as they get used to life without Bukayo Saka.

Saka is expected to be out for at least two months after undergoing surgery on a hamstring problem he suffered during the recent 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It is a major blow for Arsenal as the right winger is crucial to their attacking output, having notched nine goals and 13 assists in 24 matches so far this season.

Arsenal boss Arteta is evaluating how best to overcome this setback. Gabriel Martinelli was used on the right flank in Friday’s 1-0 home win over Ipswich Town, and that is one avenue Arteta could go down in the coming weeks.

Alternatively, Arteta might urge the Arsenal hierarchy to splash out on a top new right winger who can fill in for Saka immediately and also provide him with competition when he returns to full fitness.

AC Milan attacker Samuel Chukwueze has been named as one option, but ex-Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke thinks the Gunners should pursue a Premier League option in Kudus.

According to reports, Arsenal are ‘ahead’ of Liverpool in the race to sign Omar Marmoush from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Gunners could do with signing a new forward in January as they will be without Bukayo Saka for a couple of months.

The 24-year-old has been in stunning form this season, but he is set for a spell on the sidelines after he was forced off during Arsenal’s win against Crystal Palace with a hamstring injury.

Regarding Saka’s return timeframe, Mikel Arteta revealed: “He had a procedure. Everything went well, but unfortunately, he will be out for many, many weeks.

“I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much longer.

“It will depend on how the scar tissue starts to heal, the first week or so, the mobility of that. Let’s see, it’s very difficult to say.”

Saka’s injury could push Arsenal to be active when the winter transfer window opens and they are reportedly keen on signing Marmoush.

The Egypt international – who has been mooted as a potential long-term replacement for Mo Salah – has been one of the best players in the Bundesliga this season. He’s got 18 goals and 12 assists in his 24 appearances in all competitions.

Arsenal could complete a six-month loan for a readily available winger with 25 major honours to his name as cover for the injured Bukayo Saka, according to a report.

Saka suffered a hamstring injury in the 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace that has required surgery to fix. No exact timeline has been put on the Arsenal talisman’s return, though manager Mikel Arteta has declared Saka is facing “more than two months out.”

The Gunners had looked a touch blunt in attack from open play even before Saka’s injury. According to The Evening Standard, ‘the need for Arsenal to bolster their forward line felt clear’ even before Saka went down.

And per the report, a player Arsenal held talks with last summer – and who was also readily available via the loan route – could come to the rescue.

The Standard named Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman, 28, as one player who ‘could be an option’ for Arteta and co.

The Frenchman knows a thing or two about lifting league titles having won 11 during his spells at PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Why Bayern are willing to offload Kingsley Coman

Bayern’s willingness to offload Coman stemmed from freshening up their forward line with the signing of Michael Olise.

With Jamal Musiala a firm fixture in the Bayern attack and Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry still on the books, Coman was deemed expendable.

Ultimately, Coman remained in Bavaria, though the suggestion is a loan deal is there for the making once again.

Coman is right-footed and has primarily played on the left wing during his cameos this season.

However, he is equally adept at operating on the right flank having made 117 appearances for Bayern on the right side, scoring 19 goals and providing 27 assists along the way.