SETTABLOID

Arsenal will be hoping that their big win over Manchester City will propel them to mount an almighty comeback against Newcastle as they look to turn over a two-goal deficit from the first-leg defeat at the Emirates Stadium. It comes in the aftermath of a disappointing transfer deadline day in which the Gunners failed to reinforce.

This therefore adds pressure to the team and existing players in the squad as they travel to Tyneside. That said, there is then a chance for a ten-day break in which the club plan for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Before all that, though, Arteta needs to get a performance once again just four days after the win over Man City.

Tom Canton

This is a really tough pick, for two positions. The rest of the team effectively picks itself and when you have just beaten Manchester City 5-1, why would you change anything at all?

Well the gap is only four days and therefore that could factor in. That being said, there is then a ten-day chasm between the Newcastle clash and the next match which is a trip to Leicester.

For me, I would rotate in Riccardo Calafiori for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri in for Gabriel Martinelli. Freshen up the team slightly and have some players in reserve to bring an impact from the bench.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Newcastle: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Havertz, Trossard

Mikel Arteta could not have been much clearer when he was asked about Arsenal’s transfer plans at the start of January.

“I don’t know because the focus is on the players we have,” the Spaniard told reporters when asked if it was more likely the club sign someone than not. “If something stronger is in the market that we can afford and we believe is going to have a real impact in the team, we always have to be open for that possibility because we’d have the ability to improve the squad in the windows. But at the moment, the focus is on what we have.”

With deadline day now here, the Gunners are yet to make any signings whatsoever. With Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu suffering big injuries, some may feel it is a surprise the north Londoners have been rather quiet on the transfer front. With just hours of the window remaining, that is not expected to change.

Instead, Arsenal are expected to turn their attention to the summer when it comes to new signings.

It’s also believed the club would be open to signing a wide forward, preferably someone who is versatile and who can play across the frontline. Nico Williams is a player who the club have looked at, although the Spaniard is understood to be asking for extremely high wages should a move come to fruition.

The last area Arsenal seem keen to strengthen is in defensive midfield. With Jorginho looking like he will join Brazilian side Flamengo in the summer when his contract ends, a replacement will be needed. Thomas Partey’s contract is also due to expire in a matter of months, although the Ghana international has been one of the best performers this season.

Arsenal enter deadline day in the January transfer window still looking to do business before it slams shut but with time slowly fading, the Gunners are facing a quiet one.

Mathys Tel had been one to keep an eye on earlier in the day but the Bayern Munich star is now set to join north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The 19-year-old had interest from Arsenal, as well as Manchester United.

It means Mikel Arteta’s men are running out of time to sign a new attacker ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline. Dusan Vlahovic’s situation at Juventus could be one to keep an eye on following Randal Kolo Muani’s move to Turin.

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak have all been linked over the past month and it remains to be seen if Mikel Arteta and his recruitment staff have a surprise up their sleeves.

Ollie Watkins is ‘gutted’ that Aston Villa have rejected Arsenal’s advances for him as he still wants a move to Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal submitted a bid of around £40 million (€48.2m , $49.5m) for the England international last week but that was quickly rebuffed by Villa.

With fellow striker Jhon Duran being sold to Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr over the weekend for a fee worth up to £71m (€85.5m , $87.7m), Watkins’ importance at Villa has only increased.

While Donyell Malen joined from Borussia Dortmund last month, he can not lead Villa’s attack in the way Watkins can; making him practically indispensable at present.

With hours of the transfer window remaining,Watkins, who grew up supporting the Gunners, still wants to join Arsenal and is ‘absolutely gutted’ about Villa not letting him leave.

As our sources previously revealed, Arsenal are considering a late bid for the 29-year-old, who fears the north London outfit may end their interest in him this summer.

Arsenal registered an emphatic 5-1 win over Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Gunners had five different goalscorers including Kai Havertz, who was one of the stand-out players.

The Germany international provided a second-minute assist for Martin Odegaard’s goal.

Havertz was guilty of missing a clear-cut scoring chance midway through the opening half but made amends by bagging the Gunners’ fourth goal on the counter-attack in the 76th minute.

Speaking after the game, captain Martin Odegaard heaped praise on the 25-year-old. He said that Havertz had a ‘massive impact again’ and he is a top player with or without possession.

Havertz had the best start to the game with a brilliant assist for Odegaard but made the headlines at the interval after squandering another golden opportunity to score.

However, he kept up his intensity in the second half and bagged a goal of his own. The German answered his critics in fine fashion with two goal contributions on the day.

Havertz has accumulated 15 goals and five assists from 33 appearances across all competitions this term. It is his best scoring campaign since moving to England.

Arsenal will now turn their attention to the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United on Wednesday. They must overturn a 2-0 deficit to make the final.

Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Manchester City was more than just three points. It was a statement, a reminder, and a warning all rolled into one.

With Liverpool setting a relentless pace at the top, Arsenal needed a performance to convince themselves — and their rivals — that they are still in this title race. They did just that, dismantling the defending champions with an intensity and ruthlessness rarely seen against Pep Guardiola’s side.

To do so without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus made it even more impressive. Mikel Arteta’s team played with a belief that City, once their biggest obstacle, were now there to be beaten. They did not just win — they dominated.

This was the first time in a long while that Arsenal comprehensively outplayed City, and the celebrations reflected that. The taunts and euphoria were not just about the result, but about what it symbolised. The Gunners have been second-best to City in recent years, and this was a cathartic moment.

Even when City equalised through Erling Haaland, Arsenal never lost control. Within seconds, they restored their lead as Thomas Partey’s effort deflected in off John Stones. From there, they turned a tight contest into a rout.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri announced themselves with crucial goals, the former even mocking Haaland with his own “Zen” celebration. Kai Havertz, who could have crumbled after an earlier miss, completed the humiliation by making it 5-1.

Arteta’s game plan was perfect. Arsenal pressed City at the right moments, forced mistakes, and were clinical in transition. “You have got to have the bravery to go after them,” Arteta said. “The players showed that today.”

Defensively, they were disciplined and aggressive. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard covered every blade of grass, while William Saliba and Gabriel kept City’s attack quiet. David Raya, often criticised this season, played his part with smart distribution and crucial saves.

Arsenal’s tactical flexibility stood out. They mixed up their build-up, going long when needed to avoid City’s press. It was a clever adjustment that disrupted Guardiola’s usual control over the game.

Arsenal are ready to pay above and beyond to secure the signing of Nico Williams, a report has claimed, and when the deal could go through – as well as the player’s thoughts on joining the Gunners – has also come to light.

The north London side are yet to add to their squad so far during the winter window despite trying and failing to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa last week and having hovered with intent around several other striker deals, including Dusan Vlahovic. However, while Sunday’s thumping 5-1 victory over Manchester City illustrates the calibre of the Arsenal squad, Mikel Arteta has not hidden from the fact that he would very much like to add more firepower up front.

And with both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus both currently sidelined – the latter for a lengthy spell after a serious ACL injury – there is the feeling that the Arsenal attack still lacks the quality and depth to seriously challenge for the game’s biggest prizes.

However, reports on Monday claim the Gunners are unlikely to spring any late transfer surprises but are already making plans for the summer window by targeting a deal for Athletic Bilbao star Williams – a player Arteta has long admired.

Prising the 24-cap Spain winger away from the Estadio San Mames has always been a difficult task, however, owing to the winger’s huge €58m (£48.2m, $59.6m) release clause which has needed to be paid in full.