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Mikel Arteta makes William Saliba return promise ahead of Arsenal clash with Man City

William Saliba has been confirmed to be ready to return before Arsenal take on Manchester City, but will miss the clash with Dinamo Zagreb.

Mikel Arteta has faced the press ahead of Arsenal’s penultimate Champions League first-phase clash with Dinamo Zagreb. The Gunners could guarantee their place in the last-16 of the competition with a win in north London.

They sit third in the table as things stand, with only Barcelona and Liverpool above them. There are, however, only three points separating Arsenal in third and Club Brugge in an astonishing 19th place.

Arteta will be hoping to have a stronger squad than he has in recent weeks and will have been emboldened by both Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri returning to training. Asked for further updates on the side he could finally give more clarity.

Barça NewsJust in: Veteran Barcelona star to start ahead of Spaniard against Benfica

We are merely hours away from Barcelona’s seventh UCL league stage game against SL Benfica.

After a disappointing outing against Getafe over the weekend, the Catalans will be keen on getting back to winning ways.

Hansi Flick is unlikely to tinker much with the team and will hope that the existing set of players perform to their potential against the Eagles.

That said, a recent report from Polish news outlet Meczyki claims with certainty that Flick could make a big change in the goalkeeper position.

As per the report, Wojciech Szczesny will start ahead of Inaki Pena in goal tonight, as part of his plans to rotate the goalkeeper position between La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Szczesny, who returned from retirement to join Barcelona following the injury of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, has featured thrice for Barça this season.

The Pole notably featured in both the Super Cup matches and has kept one clean sheet while conceding two goals.

Now, Szczesny will have the opportunity to showcase his goalkeeping prowess in the UEFA Champions League – a tournament he is quite familiar with.

The veteran goalkeeper has featured in 68 Champions League matches throughout his career. His last match in the UCL came in November 2022, when he played for Juventus against Paris Saint-Germain.

Szczesny conceded two goals in that game from Nuno Mendes and Kylian Mbappe, as Juventus lost the game 2-1.

Ethan Nwaneri returns, Calafiori and Sterling decisions – Arsenal line ups vs Dinamo Zagreb

Arsenal face Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night looking to all but confirm their progression to the last-16 of the competition. With a strong run so far, they sit third in the table with this clash against 24th-place Croatian side and then a trip to 30th-place Girona to finish the first phase.

This is the first of two expanded matches from the typical six of the old group phase system. Arteta’s side have been stretched and injuries have only made the situation so much more difficult.

That said, there were some positive pieces of news for the Arsenal manager with several returning players spotted before the clash during the open training session.

Tom Canton

It was a very positive sight to have both Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori back among those training for Arsenal ahead of the clash with Dinamo Zagreb. The match itself presents as a great opportunity to ease them back into the fold too.

Starting one and bringing in the other is probably the way forward to spread minutes while remaining competitive against a tough challenge. Other players who could return to the team and make some rare minutes are Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior.

I have gone with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli joining Nwaneri in the forward line too as the best option considering that Leandro Trossard can come off the bench. Then he can start at the weekend against Wolves.

Canton’s Arsenal XI: Timber, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Havertz, Martinelli.

Just in: Barcelona youngster will sign his renewal until 2028 with €100m release clause this week

Gerard Martin has been one of the youngsters who has had a breakthrough season at FC Barcelona in the current campaign under Hansi Flick.

Having arrived in 2023, the left-back played for Barça Atletic in his debut season but was given a chance by Flick during the pre-season camp in the summer, from which point he has not looked back.

The 22-year-old defender has cemented his place as the understudy to Alejandro Balde, earning the manager’s full trust, even though his performances have, at times, been below the level needed.

Contract renewal this week

Either way, Barcelona have been working on renewing Martin’s contract, which expires in the summer later this year.

An agreement over a new deal has been in place for some time now and now reports that the 22-year-old left-back will sign the contract this week and make it official.

The agreement has been in place for several weeks. However, both the club and Martin’s representatives had agreed to wait until after the Spanish Super Cup – the player’s first professional title – to formalise his contract renewal.

The new deal for Martin includes a release clause of €100 million and extends his commitment to the club until 2028, with an improved salary as well.

Martin is expected to sign his new contract with Barcelona this week, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The signing is anticipated to take place after the team’s trip to Lisbon, likely on Thursday.

Barcelona want ‘magic’ forward to leave after Tottenham offer with player’s stance on transfer revealed

Tottenham’s quest to sign a talented forward from Barcelona could get complicated, with a report revealing his desires after learning that his club want to get rid of him, while head coach Hansi Flick has made clear in public his thoughts on the matter.

As transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher has been reporting this month, Tottenham are keen on signing a new striker in the January transfer window. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy still believes that Spurs could have a successful season and is ready to help head coach Ange Postecoglou in the second half of the campaign, with the team just eight points above the Premier League relegation zone right now.

Tottenham were keen on a deal for Randal Kolo Muani with Levy personally trying to make it happen, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward is now on the verge of moving to Juventus on loan for the rest of the season.

Another forward that Spurs are monitoring is Ansu Fati. Reports in Spain last week claimed that Tottenham have already made an offer for the forward, who had a loan spell at Brighton and Hove Albion from Barcelona last season.

West Ham United are also reportedly keen on Fati and have made a bid too, with Besiktas claimed to be showing interest in the 22-year-old as well.

Sport has now reported that Barcelona have made up their mind to severe ties with Fati in the January transfer window.

While the LaLiga giants are not going to force the forward to leave, they will try to come to an agreement with him and his agent.

Barcelona respect that Fati has come through La Masia to become a first-team player, so they will not push him to leave, but they have made it clear to the forward that he is not in their plans.

Sport has also reported what Fati wants to do. According to the Spanish publication, the forward does not want to leave Barcelona in January.

Once described as “magic” by his Barcelona teammate Eric Garcia, Fati has always wanted to become a success at the Catalan club, and he has not changed his mind at all.

Arsenal gunning for sensational Dusan Vlahovic transfer as Mikel Arteta chooses his man

Arsenal are the only club to have shown concrete interest in signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this month, with Mikel Arteta the driving force behind a potential deal.

Juventus are on the verge of securing an agreement to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muano on loan, who is already training with the Turin-based club.

Once that deal is fully ratified, Juventus will consider selling Vlahovic for the right price, but they will demand a big fee.

The Italian side are adamant it will take around €65million (£55m / $67.3m) to sign Vlahovic this month. As things stand, the only team to have taken concrete steps for the 24-year-old Serbian international is Arsenal.

Sources close to the situation say Vlahovic is ‘Arteta’s favourite’ and he has identified him as a top target to strengthen the attack, in the wake of the serious injury to Gabriel Jesus.

However, as we have previously reported, Arsenal would like a significant discount from Juventus to consider a permanent transfer this month, similar to what happened with Liverpool and Federico Chiesa.

Vlahovic, for his part, is only under contract until 2026 and is open to taking on a new challenge elsewhere, hence why Arsenal are very attentive to the situation.

Juventus are unwilling to budge on their valuation of Vlahovic, at least until Kolo Muani’s arrival in Turin is fully confirmed. As mentioned, the PSG star is already training with Juventus and manager Thiago Motta has been very impressed so far.

That is why Arsenal is being patient with Vlahovic. They are monitoring the situation closely and could make a move late in this month’s transfer window, to convince Juventus to let him go for a lower price.

This won’t be easy, however, as apart from Kolo Muani Juventus have no real striker alternatives. Nico Gonzalez has played in that position this season but has generally struggled in that role, as he’s usually a winger.

Arsenal get major Ethan Nwaneri and William Saliba injury update ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk

Arsenal could be boosted by the return of two key players as they prepare to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. The Gunners sit third in the Champions League table on 13 points from their opening six fixtures and have put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the last 16.

The top eight from the 36-team league phase gain automatic qualification into the knockout phase and the Gunners are part of that elusive group right now. A win against Ukrainian side Shakhtar could guarantee a place in the last 16 should results go their way across matchday seven this midweek.

And Arteta, who has seen his Arsenal squad shredded in recent times due to injuries, has been handed a welcome boost ahead of his side’s clash with Shakhtar. Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori were both spotted in training in Tuesday as both players bid to return to action in the near future.

Nwaneri has been out since picking up an injury in the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday, January 4, missing the last four matches across all competitions. As for Calafiori, he been out for the last couple of weeks with a muscle problem, having not featured against Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

While it’s unknown whether Nwaneri and Calafiori are going to be fit to face Shakhtar, the fact they are both back in training is no doubt a huge boost for the Gunners.

They have some important fixtures coming up, none more so than the next couple in the Premier League, including the clash with Manchester City on Sunday, February 2.

Barcelona boss Flick admits Benfica star ‘is one of my favourite players’

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has on Monday moved to reveal his appreciation for the talents of a member of the attacking ranks at Benfica.

This, of course, comes as Barcelona prepare to lock horns with the Portuguese heavyweights on Tuesday night.

Fresh off another disappointing domestic result against Getafe over the weekend, the Blaugrana will tomorrow turn their attentions back towards matters in the Champions League, in a trip to The Estádio da Luz.

Hosts Benfica had for their part been sweating over the status of a key member of the club’s attack in the buildup to the clash, after Ángel Di María was forced to sit out the Eagles’ victory over Famalicão at the weekend.

As confirmed by a number of sources in Spain on Monday, though, the Argentine has been declared fit to play his part.

Speaking to the media in anticipation of Tuesday’s matchup, Di María’s name was therefore put to the aforementioned Hansi Flick.

Predicted Barcelona lineup against SL Benfica: Gavi to start again; Olmo ruled out

Hansi Flick will unlikely make any changes to the Barcelona starting lineup for the UEFA Champions League clash with SL Benfica on Tuesday.

Barcelona will aim to return to winning ways and get closer to sealing automatic qualification to the next round of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League when they lock horns with SL Benfica at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Tuesday night. And Hansi Flick has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Dani Olmo is the latest absentee after picking up a muscle injury this past weekend against Getafe. The Spanish international will likely return in a week for the final UEFA Champions League clash of the first phase.

Olmo has joined Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee), Inigo Martinez (hamstring), and Marc Bernal (knee) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick discussed Pau Cubarsi’s progress and heaped praise on the teenage sensation.

The Barcelona manager said, “He is always at an incredible level. He’s two days away from his 18th birthday, he’s having a great season.” Flick also lauded Wojciech Szczesny despite the veteran goalkeeper’s lack of game time.

The German tactician said, “It’s one of the things we are discussing. Situations change. We saw what Tek [Szczesny] did in the Super Cup. I really like the way he shows himself on the pitch, but we’ll see tomorrow.”

The Barcelona manager continued, “I think he is one of the best signings we have made. Not only because of the way he plays but also because of his support for the players. It’s great to see him and how he shows his experience to the young players.”

Inaki Pena should retain his spot ahead of Wojciech Szczesny, with the lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against SL Benfica on Tuesday. The backline should feature Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Garnacho.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Marc Casado and Pedri in the double pivot. Olmo’s absence means Gavi will reprise the no. 10 role again as he continues growing in stature and confidence. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the away side against Benfica, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal completing the numbers in the offensive unit.

Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Arsenal transfer news – Sesko saga, Osimhen offer, Duran delay, Rashford reality, Cherki clause

Arsenal are yet to make new additions to their squad and a forward is thought to be top of the list following the ACL injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian left Arsenal short in the final third and as a result a host of names for attack including Nico Williams, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Liam Delap have been linked with a move.

On the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s side dropped points in their fight for the Premier League title, drawing 2-2 to Aston Villa at home. Their focus will now turn to the Champions League when they host Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday (8pm kick-off).

The Gunners are third in the table and in a healthy position to progress to the knockout stage of the competition. While our main focus here will be on bringing you all the transfer news and rumours, we will also bring you all the latest Arsenal news, views and transfer gossip.