Arsenal guaranteed to be without six players for Southampton as Jurrien Timber call ‘confirmed’

Arsenal welcome Southampton to Emirates Stadium this weekend and Mikel Arteta has one clear focus ahead of the fixture – remain unbeaten.

“That’s what we are trying to do,” the Gunners boss said when asked if it was important his side continue their unbeaten run against the Saints. “We had a really difficult fixture list after the international break, and a lot of unpredictable things in terms of injuries and players now being available on top of that. But we adapted.

“We look forward and we competed really well in all games. There are for sure aspects that we have to improve. But we have shown a lot of consistency and adaptability in the way that we can play and win games. These are all positive signs but it’s very early in the season still.”

Arteta will hope that a number of players return to fitness in the coming weeks with the second international break of the season on the horizon. For now, however, Martin Odegaard remains out as he continues his recovery from a foot problem. “Martin is very difficult,” Arteta admitted on Friday. “I expected still with the boot and a lot of things but he’s working so hard and he’s feeling good and he’s pushing it. So difficult to give a timeline.”

Is Ben White fit to start for Arsenal vs Southampton?

Arsenal defender Ben White faces a race against time to be fit for the Premier League match against Southampton this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side have their third home game in a week on Saturday when they take on newly-promoted Southampton at the Emirates Stadium (3pm kick-off). The game comes after a late win over Leicester City last weekend and a midweek 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

White missed both of those games, as well as the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton with a groin injury. He is therefore a doubt for the clash against winless Southampton.

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players will have until the deadline on 11am on Saturday to decide whether to keep White in their team, transfer him out or have him as a substitute. With that in mind, here is the latest on the Arsenal man.

Mikel Arteta provides positive update on Martin Odegaard return ahead of Arsenal vs Southampton

The Gunners boss has given the latest on the fitness of his captain ahead of their Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium on Saturday

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal walks from the tunnel during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at on October 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - UEFA/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on the fitness of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

The 25-year-old has been absent since picking up an ankle injury during Norway’s UEFA Nations League clash with Austria last month. Speaking not long after, Arteta confirmed that Odegaard was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“After recent scans the scans showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle,” the Spaniard said. “We’re gonna miss him. I don’t want to do (give a timeline on his return) because I’m not a doctor. But it’s something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while.”

In the time since then Odegaard has been wearing a protective boot as he continues to recover from the injury. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Southampton though, Arteta revealed that the Norwegian is now walking without it ahead of schedule.

“I expected still with the boot and a lot of things (at this point),” Arteta said. “But he’s working so hard and he’s feeling good and he’s pushing it”

In Odegaard’s absence, Arsenal have coped by playing Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard together as dual false nines. The system has helped the Gunners to remain unbeaten and pick up crucial results against Manchester City, Tottenham and PSG. Despite all the positives though, Arteta is still very keen to get Odegaard back as soon as possible.

“We had to be different,” he said of the switch. “The impact that Martin has in everything we do is too big to try to replicate it with one player. We tried to do it in a different way by adapting a few things and playing on players’ qualities, players who can play in spaces and positions with the right chemistry around them.

“Maybe it took a game or two before everything started to flow a bit better, but I think we have found a way. But we still miss him (Martin) a lot as he is one of the most important players for us.”

Arsenal are set to also be without Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Saturday’s clash with Southampton. Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White will face late fitness tests, while Mikel Merino could finally be in line to make his Premier League debut.

Mikel Arteta hints at new Arsenal priority for Edu as huge transfer statement made

Mikel Arteta watches Thomas Partey in action during Arsenal training

Mikel Arteta has made his thoughts perfectly clear on Arsenal star Thomas Partey with his future still uncertain. The Ghana international, who sees his contract expire next summer, was expected to depart ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, however he remained at Emirates Stadium for a fifth season.

Injuries have plagued the midfielder in recent years but he has started every Premier League game this season, which shows Arteta is clearly still of the belief he is an important player. Both Mikel Merino and Declan Rice, as recent midfield signings, are favoured by Arteta in more advanced positions which leaves Partey and Jorginho as his two holding midfielders.

The Italy international will also see his contract expire in 2025 after signing a one-year extension earlier this year which leaves Arteta and Edu with two huge decisions. Though there is a possibility both could leave, Arteta’s latest comments on Partey suggest he would be more than happy for him to stay.

“Very important as he is a massive player for us,” Arteta replied when asked about Partey’s performance levels this season. “He has shown that for us week in, week out. He has started the season really well. The way he came back post-holidays it was probably the best condition he has been in so that was really helpful.

“Now he needs to continue to adapt. We have managed certain minutes of him and he is doing everything he can to be in the best physical condition. It is about consistency. Obviously when you change certain habits, things don’t happen overnight.

“If it doesn’t happen in two or three weeks and you throw in the towel, you waste the next two or three years of your career. He is doing everything to adapt and his work ethic has been better than ever. Defensively he has been really solid and with the ball he had moments.

“The other day was probably his most complete performance because he gave us everything we wanted from him.” Asked specifically if he was playing for his future, Arteta unsurprisingly, did not give a straight response to that question.

“We are playing to find our best version and the most competitive team we can be to win every single game,” he said. Based on Arteta’s praise for Partey, he may well want to keep him on for another few years with the option of signing a short-term contract certainly on the table.

Edu has played a key role in tying down several key players to new contracts, with Ben White as the most recent star to agree fresh terms, and his next task could be convincing Partey to extend his stay at the club and not look to secure a transfer exit.

Though there is seven months remaining on his deal, Arsenal may want to work quickly if their final decision is for Partey to stay with the 31-year-old able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs in January.

Antonio Rudiger sends dream William Saliba transfer message amid Real Madrid links

William Saliba has emerged as one of the best defenders in world football after impressing for Arsenal over the last couple of years

Antonio Rudiger has revealed that he would sign William Saliba for Real Madrid. The two-time Champions League winner showed his admiration for the Arsenal defender and said it would be his dream signing for Los Blancos.

Saliba has been a revelation for the Gunners since returning from his loan spell at Marseille ahead of the 2022/23 season. He made 33 appearances during his first full campaign with the Arsenal first-team squad before missing the final eight weeks with a back issue – an injury that proved to be critical in their bid for the Premier League title.

The 23-year-old recovered from that problem and played in all but two matches for the Gunners across all competitions last season. As a reward for another excellent campaign, Saliba was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the second successive season. Unfortunately for Arsenal, it wasn’t enough to get them over the line and win their first top-flight title for 21 years.

Arsenal have conceded just six goals in nine matches this season, with Saliba and defensive partner Gabriel helping the Gunners keep another shut out in a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. And now, former Chelsea star Rudiger has shown his appreciation for Saliba.

When asked what defender he would sign for Real Madrid, Rudiger replied: “I say William Saliba. I’m very happy with my centre-back partner [Eder] Militao because he also came from a big injury and he’s getting back to his best, but there’s so many games, so we would rotate. To have Saliba… it would be great.”

This comes after Saliba had been linked with a move to Real over the summer. Football Transfers reported last month that Los Blancos would be willing to offer a player to sweeten the deal, and Rodrygo has been suggested as a potential option, but Arsenal are not open to selling for any price.

It was added that Real are expected to ‘sit down’ with Saliba in the coming months to try and tie him down to a lucrative new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2027. Saliba is said to be fully committed to Arsenal and is focused on bringing silverware back to the Emirates this season.

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE – Mikel Merino plan, Florian Wirtz talk, striker linked

It’s Friday and Mikel Arteta is set to face the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Southampton tomorrow.

The Gunners have been preparing for the visit of the Saints ever since beating PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday. With Manchester City and Liverpool also playing on Saturday, Arsenal can ensure they keep the pace at the top of the table with a win against Russell Martin’s side. Mikel Merino could be handed his first start while Takehiro Tomiyasu has resumed training in what is a huge boost for the north Londoners.

While football matches are coming thick and fast, Arteta and Edu will also be keeping a close eye on the January transfer window. According to Bild, Arsenal are one of a number of clubs keeping an eye on Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, while there are also reports linking Lille forward Jonathan David with a move to the capital.

Sterling back enjoying what he loves most

Sterling back enjoying what he loves most

Playing for the love of the game has motivated and driven Raheem Sterling throughout his life.

Our newest signing has had a hugely successful career to date, bursting onto the scene as a teenager at Liverpool, having joined their academy from Queens Park Rangers in a high-profile move at the age of 15 in 2010. He made his debut for both Liverpool and the England national team aged 17, and joined Manchester City three years later in a deal which broke the transfer record for an English player.

He more than justified the price tag, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups and one FA Cup during a seven-year stay – half of it working alongside Mikel Arteta. He then switched to Chelsea in 2022, scoring 19 times in two seasons, and reaching another League Cup final.

It means he’s spent the past 13 years competing for the biggest trophies in the game, and he’s now bringing that considerable know how to the Gunners squad, spending the season on loan with us.

So what are the major lessons that Raheem has learnt in his glittering career so far? Well it all goes back to his very early days in football, and developing an ethos that has stuck with him ever since.

“The big lesson I learnt from an early age was to understand that being out playing football and being on the pitch was a place where you are meant to enjoy yourself,” the 29-year-old begins. “If you are not enjoying yourself when you are playing, then that’s not what football is about. No matter what position you play, or what level you are playing at, the most important thing in football is to enjoy what you do. Love playing and love the feeling of winning as well.”

Born in Kingston, Jamaica in December 1994, Raheem moved to London aged five and soon joined QPR’s academy.

“I had a few early influences, I had Clive Ellington who was a real mentor for me,” Raheem explains, remembering his days at first Sunday league team Alpha & Omega FC. “Then in my early days at QPR I had a coach, Steve Gallen, Abdi as well – they were my early coaching influences in my playing career.

“Then in terms of players, the first one I think of is Steven Gerrard. When I first went into the dressing room at Liverpool I saw the way he carried himself and conducted himself. Then how much he was always willing to help me, even though he had all the pressure that was on him as well. He tried to make all the youngsters feel in tune and a part of it.”

It was making that move to Liverpool to join up with the likes of Gerrard that sums up Raheem’s drive and ambition. He was just 15 at the time, and desperate to break through into the national team setup. So he took a chance.

“I think moving up from London to Liverpool was a big moment for me,” he says. “I’m a person who very much likes to challenge myself or put myself in environments out of my comfort zone. I like to test myself to see how I will respond. So that was a big moment for me. I had a big ambition to play for England under-16s at the time, and I remember not being picked for the first Victory Shield.

“The England story at the time was that they felt the boys playing for the category A teams were just a bit ahead of me. So in my head I thought I needed to be in that environment, in with the category A teams. So that’s why I was keen to move from QPR to Liverpool, to join that environment and try to prove myself at that level, and get in the under-16s for England.”

“No Matter What Position You Play, Or What Level You Are Playing At, The Most Important Thing In Football Is To Enjoy What You Do”

It’s clear he took onboard all the coaching and advice he received from a young age to be able to fulfil that incredible early potential, but he believes his own self-motivation was just as important.

“Looking back, I would say I was very self-driven. At the time I never put any pressure on myself, it was just something I loved doing, and no matter where I was, I always wanted to improve. I always said to myself that however I had done in the last five games, I wanted to be better in the next five. I constantly had those little targets, then wanted to go and do it.

“At the start there were two training sessions a day, but I can guarantee I was outside every single day, any chance I had to play football. If my friends were outside, fine I’d join them, if they weren’t outside then I’d go out by myself. I was always very self-motivated.

“But it never felt like hard work, I was just enjoying myself, that was what I wanted to do. It was about enjoyment. It was how I spent all of my time basically, playing football because I loved it.

“My favourite drills in training were always taking players on,” he adds. “Just turning and running at players. That was always the joy for me, having the ball at my feet and trying to beat players. The more I could do that, the better I was playing. It’s the same now too, but of course as well as that I’m looking to get goals on the end of that.”

“Turning And Running At Players. That Was Always The Joy For Me, Having The Ball At My Feet And Trying To Beat Players”

His love for the game is evident as he speaks, and it’s something he wants to pass on to the next generation when the time comes.

“I don’t know about coaching yet,” he says, “but maybe something to do with working with young players, and trying to help them to handle what’s next and prepare them for that. I get real joy out of helping people.

“Being any sort of help to people on a football pitch gives me real joy, so it might not be coaching, but something along those lines, working with players, but not maybe as a traditional coach. More about helping the young players with different things, but I don’t know – it’s a way off yet. That’s something for the future.

“There is a qualification I want to do, not on the coaching side, but I will focus on playing first I think.”

Until then, Raheem has plenty of ambitions remaining on the pitch, and after getting his first appearances out of the way for his new club on the pitch, he can’t wait to get down to work at the Sobha Realty Training Centre as well, and specifically in the analysis rooms.

“I absolutely love the analysis side,” he beams. “That’s my favourite part of it now. Doing the analysis on your opponents, knowing what they are going to do, and what you have to do against them. I just think it’s amazing, because that is football.

“You have to be totally prepared for anything the opposition can throw at you, and then you have to be more ready than them to deal with it. I think whoever does that side of the game better more consistently will come out on top.

“I love it when we do that with the coaches, and that’s something I would like to be involved with as well. I think it’s really interesting, and when I’m in those meetings, I love listening to their analysis and making the plans.

“When I’m watching a game at home, I always like to try and identify what both teams are doing. Not just watching the game or what’s happening, but really see why certain things are happening or why they aren’t. I think that’s a side of the game that’s really grown in the past few years, and the environments I’ve been in have allowed me to see the game more in that way.”

Now Raheem is in an all-new setting, at a new club, to add to his al

Darren Bent admits Arsenal star has proved him wrong

Darren Bent has admitted that he was initially skeptical about Arsenal’s decision to sign Kai Havertz, but he has since changed his mind as the German international begins to impress in Mikel Arteta’s team.

Havertz joined Arsenal last season in a surprising move, but Arteta was confident he was acquiring a talented player. The manager has consistently backed his new signing, and Havertz has now found a role that suits him perfectly within the squad.

Currently playing as a false nine for Arsenal, Havertz’s performances have been strong enough to see him bench Gabriel Jesus, who has been a traditional striker throughout his career. His progress as a key attacking player for Arsenal has led fans to recognise his value to the team.

Bent is among those who have reassessed their opinions; the former striker recently admitted that he did not believe Havertz was a good signing at first. However, he now acknowledges the impact Havertz has made and appreciates his contributions to the team.

He told Talk Sport:

“I was one, and I hold my hands up and say I thought £65 million on Kai Havertz, a guy who previously the season before scored seven goals and got one assist, I said, ‘absolutely not, £65m? Come on’.

“But since then he has been given the confidence by Mikel Arteta and he has been to a point where… there’s an argument that he’s Arsenal’s most important player, and that includes [Bukayo] Saka in that as well.”

Report: Arsenal employees travel to club this week as Edu eyes “extremely quick” player

Arsenal made an offer to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, and were involved in a high-profile Premier League race against Chelsea and Man United for the Slovenian’s signature. However, Sesko decided instead to remain at Leipzig – penning a contract extension with the condition of a “gentleman’s agreement” that he could leave in 2025 or 2026.

Arsenal are believed to be weighing up the possibility of bringing in a new striker next year instead, and Sesko remains on their list alongside a host of other star names.

Reports claim Edu is looking at Marcus Thuram of Inter Milan, with Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres on Arsenal’s radar as well. The stellar form of Aston Villa star Jhon Duran has led to Arsenal chiefs believing he’d be an even better capture than Gyokeres, according to Football Transfers, but Sesko remains at the forefront of their thinking.

Arsenal send scouts to run rule over Sesko at Leipzig this week

According to The Boot Room, Arsenal scouts were at Leipzig this week to run the rule over Sesko, with the 21-year-old seemingly impressing as he bagged a brace against Juventus in the Champions League.

Arsenal-Sesko-Leipzig

While the 21-year-old was ultimately on the losing side, Sesko showcased his proficiency yet again – picking up where he left off from last season. The former Salzburg starlet has chalked up six goals and three assists in eight total appearances so far this term, following a 2023/2024 campaign where he netted 18 in all competitions.

“Benjamin Šeško is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player,” said Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell.

“He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who despite his 1.95m (6’4″) is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile.”

Sesko’s new deal is rumoured to include a £63 million release clause, a mark-up from his previous one in the summer, but it could still represent good value for money.

ARSENAL LEGEND DEFENDS GABRIEL MAGALHAES AFTER WHAT HE HEARD ABOUT THE DEFENDER

Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has defended Gabriel Magalhaes following the criticism he has heard about the Brazilian centre-back

IMAGE CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has come to the defence of Gabriel Magalhaes amid criticism the Brazilian has faced. Gabriel, who has been a key figure in Arsenal’s strong start to the season under Mikel Arteta, recently scored a decisive winner in the North London derby against Tottenham and came close to sealing a victory with a header against title rivals Manchester City.

Despite his contributions since joining from Lille in 2020, Gabriel has received some criticism, particularly when compared to his defensive partner, William Saliba. Some view him as the lesser of the two and have been quick to point out any mistakes the 26-year-old makes.

However, Gilberto Silva, who was a crucial part of Arsenal’s invincible 2003/04 season, has strongly dismissed these critiques, insisting that Gabriel is invaluable to both Arsenal and the Brazilian national team.

“He’s super respected within the group, at the club, and among the fans,” Gilberto said in an interview with MyBettingSites.co.uk. “Those who understand football can see how valuable he is to the team. He’s balanced defensively and has stood out in key moments.”

Gilberto emphasised that Gabriel’s performances are often undervalued in the media, particularly in England. “As a Brazilian player, if you perform well, you can become a media darling. But if you don’t meet expectations, you’re quickly underestimated,” Gilberto said. “I’ve experienced this myself, but Gabriel should focus on his game and not the outside noise.”

Gilberto also praised Gabriel’s partnership with Saliba, describing them as the best defensive duo in the Premier League. He believes the pair’s complementary qualities make them stand out among the league’s top defenders.

“In my opinion, they are the best duo in the Premier League,” Gilberto said. “They complement each other perfectly, with different strengths that make them a complete partnership. Their physical and technical abilities encompass everything a top defensive pairing needs.”