ARSENAL were back at their majestic best as they tore West Brom apart at the weekend.
Mikel Arteta is reportedly eyeing a swoop for Norwich's Emi Buendia but Emile Smith Rowe's form has seen the Gunners interest in Isco cool
Follow all the latest from the Emirates below…
- Sandra Brobbey
SUPER SAKA
Andy Cole has been singing Bukayo Saka's praises following the England starlet's fine performances against Chelsea and West Brom.
The Gunners youngster was on target for Mikel Arteta at the Hawthorns and played a key part in Arsenal's recent turnaround in form.
And the club are now six points away from a top four spot.
Cole – who began his career at Arsenal – told TalkSport: "He’s very very talented and apparently his attitude is bang on for a young kid. Not a big -time Charlie."
“Just watching his performances you can tell. I just love watching him, love watching his energy and what he gives the football club.”
Bukayo Saka has been winning plaudits from former Arsenal stars - Sandra Brobbey
NO GO FOR ISCO
Mikel Arteta is thought to be losing interest in Real Madrid's Isco thanks toEmile Smith Rowe's impressive performances, according to reports.
The Gunners Academy graduate has been excelling as Arsenal’s No10 and helped set up a memorable goal during the club’s 4-0 win against West Brom.
Arteta has been linked with a January bid for Isco with the 28-year-old out of favour at Madrid.
The Spain star has made just three starts for Zinedine Zidane’s side this season.
But it looks like a January transfer to Arsenal may be unlikely according to Spanish outlet AS.
- Sandra Brobbey
MAIT CAN'T WAIT
Kevin Campbell has warned Ainslie Maitland-Niles could head for the Emirates exit if he is not given enough game time.
The Arsenal ace has started in just four Prem games this term and was missing from Mikel Arteta’s starting 11 against West Brom.
Campbell told Football Insider: “I think he will pursue an exit in the summer. Although he loves the club, he is an England international now – he has to play football.
“There is no point loving the club and being a bit-part player. You have proven you can do it on numerous occasions, you are a full England international and you are on the bench. That is not going to last.
“I hear Mikel Arteta is trying to convince him to stay and sign a new contract because he is now an England international.
“Which clubs let England internationals go? You do not do that. He wants to play, of course, he wants to but we know football is a squad game.”
Kevin Campbell believes Arsenal need to give Ainslie Maitland-Niles more game time
- Sandra Brobbey
GO FOR POG
Ian Wright admits he "would love" to see Paul Pogba in an Arsenal shirt with the France star's future at Man United in doubt.
The Gunners icon applauded the midfielder's performance during United's 2-1 win against Aston Villa and reckons the player is back to his best on the pitch.
Wright said: “Yes [he is back to his best] and you know, with all the stuff that’s happened with him he’s getting it right on the pitch.
“He’s put it all to the side and to be honest he’s putting in good performances. He was unlucky there [not to score against Villa] but I thought with his ability he should have scored.
“Great touch, great play, great awareness, great skill. He’s getting everyone playing and that’s what he does."
- Sandra Brobbey
ZORC TALK
Julian Brandt continues to be linked with with a possible switch from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal, according to reports.
And Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc is fuelling speculation by reportedly refusing to rule out the playmaker's chances of being sold.
Zorc told Kicker that he had read about the Gunners interest in a January bid, but he hinted there were no offers currently on the table.
Zorc said: “I’ve read that too. I can’t say more about it. Nobody answered, there is nothing on the table.”
- William Pugh
'AMAZING GOAL'
Bukayo Saka was thrilled with his goal in Arsenal's 4-0 win against West Brom.
The young winger made it 2-0 after 28 minutes at the Hawthrons.
And he was quick to heap praise on his team-mates.
- William Pugh
PLAYING FOR KEEPS – EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal, Leeds and Crystal Palace are tracking highly-rated Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
Dieng, 26, has caught they eye with a series of impressive displays for Mark Warburton’s side this season.
The Swiss ace has established himself as clear QPR No1 this term.
The Premier League trio are all looking at their options in goal.
All three are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options to provide competition to their current No1s.
The top-flight clubs ALL brought in a new goalkeeper in the summer.
- William Pugh
PREM UPDATE
The Premier League table is finely poised as we approach the half-way point of the season.
Liverpool and Manchester United lead the way on 33 points each with Jurgen Klopp's men having a far better goal difference.
Just ten points separates third and 15th spot with every team in those places with a shout at a European spot come the end of the season.
Sheffield United look doomed already at the bottom while Sam Allardyce's West Brom also have a mountain to climb.
Although the conditions aren't ideal, this season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of all time.
- William Pugh
BUK-ING HELL
Bukayo Saka said it felt like he was ice skating at the freezing cold Hawthorns yesterday.
The young winger shone as Arsenal won 4-0 but the game was at risk of being called off because of heavy snow before the match.
After the win, Saka said: "Wow, it was so cold, the ice was getting under my boots.
"My boots were frozen, I felt like I was ice skating at times, it was good that we got through it and we managed to get the win in the end.
"I felt we started the game well, we created so many chances, we had so many crosses, so many shots, more than we normally do and it could even have been more than 4-0.
"We’re really happy with this performance, we just want to build on it."
- William Pugh
…
The ban left Atletico Madrid chiefs enraged, stating it’s unfair they are being punished when they played no part in the alleged offences.
With Trippier’s ban now on ice, he could miss England’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Those three games could be the Three Lions final games before June, when they take on Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic in the group stages of this summer’s delayed Euros.
The right-back spot is easily England’s deepest too.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James are already pushing for the starting spot, with Tariq Lamptey, Kyle Walker and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also in the mix.
Missing crucial games in March could see Trippier forced out of the squad and replaced for the Euros.
- William Pugh
TRIPP CANCELLED
Kieran Trippier could miss this summer’s European Championship due to his ten-week betting ban.
Last week, the former Tottenham right-back, 30, was found guilty of four of seven alleged betting offences relating to his move to Spain in 2019.
But Atletico Madrid say his ban has now been put on hold after they appealed the ‘totally unjust’ decision. And it could now affect England‘s Euros campaign this summer.
As well as his ten-match ban, Trippier was fined £70,000, with Fifa confirming the ban was effective worldwide and would start immediately.
That meant Trippier would miss Atletico Madrid‘s next 13 matches, including the Champions League last-16 clash with Chelsea.
Trippier appealed the decision, claiming he did not place any bets or profit from bets placed by others…
- William Pugh
TIERS OF JOY
Arsenal fans may be bored of hearing about Government Tiers.
But they won't tire of watching this goal back from their very own Tier.
Kieran Tierney struck in the 23rd minute to give Arsenal the lead against West Brom at the Hawthorns yesterday.
A game the North Londoners eventually won 4-0.
- William Pugh
TIER-SOME COMPETITOR
Kieran Tierney has been a real hit since joining Arsenal from Celtic.
The Scottish left-back has been one of few bright sparks in a pretty grim start to this season.
And stats emerged today showing he has created the most chances of any defender in the Premier League since the start of December.
- William Pugh
ZILKY SKILLS
Mesut Ozil made another jokey jibe at Arsenal saying the Gunners 'look good with a No 10'.
The German outcast has not played a minute for the North Londoners this season but took to Twitter to praise the team after their 4-0 win at West Brom.
He wrote: "Nice game my boys! Great spirit – 3 wins in a row.
"Team looks good with a No10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference maker."
- William Pugh
ROWE-D TO RECOVERY
Emile Smith Rowe has delighted to be involved in Arsenal's 4-0 win at West Brom yesterday.
And the young star was quick to tweet out an upbeat message after the game.
He wrote: "Enjoy Gunners."
- William Pugh
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Kieran Tierney has all the makings of a future club captain.
The Scottish left-back has been a shining light in a disappointing campaign for the Gunners so far.
And Keown said on BT Sport: “Right from the beginning I could see there was a determination about him.
“He’s just the right type that you need… his personality, character. He’s a driving force and he’s a throwback.
“In training, they have to tell him to calm down because he’s tackling ferociously. I really like that attitude that he brings.
“He has got everything in his game, it’s about building around him. Perhaps an Arsenal captain in the making.”
- William Pugh
FINE ART – COMMENT
SunSport's Charlie Wyett gives his verdict on Arsenal's win at West Brom yesterday…
Arsene Wenger had this canny knack of getting some big results when he really needed them.
And Mikel Arteta, it appears, looks to have a similar ability to get himself out of a tight situation just when Arsenal’s fans are beginning to lose the plot.
Wenger was in charge at the club for 22 years and there were a few occasions, particularly in the final few seasons when things were in danger of getting really sticky. And then the Frenchman sorted things out.
A run of seven Premier League games without a win, along with unrest in the dressing room, has seen things turn sour for Arteta – and resulted in many of the club’s supporters scream for a new manager.
But what a remarkable week Arteta has enjoyed. Three games, nine points, two clean sheets and eight goals. For the time being at least, Arteta has shut some of the moaners up.
- William Pugh
HAPPY GOONERS
Having not tweeted a single thing until midday yesterday, Arsenal's admin made sure they were up nice and early this morning to remind their fans they beat 'relegation rivals' West Brom yesterday…
Mikel Arteta's side made it three wins from three to haul themselves towards the top half of the table at the Hawthorns.
The Gunners won 4-0 and sit in the heady position of 11th after the victory.
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Arsenal have started the new year in the manner in which they ended the last one with another away win and a clean sheet.
And the Gunners performance and goals drew praise from fans and ex-players on social media including Bacary Sagna.
The former Emirates star described Bukayo Saka’s strike as an “Arsenal old days type of goal.”
The win saw Mikel Arteta’s side move to eleventh in the table and six points of top four.
It is a complete contrast to club’s form in November the Gunners looming dangerously close to the relegation zone/
Meanwhile, Arsenal have reportedly revived their interest in Valencia ace Carlos Soler.
Spanish outlet El Desmarque claim the LaLiga side may be willing to consider offers for the attacking midfielder.
The 24-year-old has netted five times and provided four assists in 12 top-flight appearances in Spain this term.
And Arsenal are rumoured to be rivalling Celtic for the signature of Leicester City’s Ryan Christie.
The Foxes star is thought to be among a number of attacking midfield players thought to be on Mikel Arteta’s January transfer shopping list.
Real Madrid’s Isco and Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia are also rumoured to be transfer targets for the Emirates boss.
William Saliba is reportedly willing to leave Arsenal permanently this month. French sports outlet L’Equipe claims the player held a meeting with the club to discuss his future with both parties agreeing to options for a temporary or permanent move.
- Sandra Brobbey
OLD SCHOOL ARSENAL
Bacary Sagna likened the Gunners' performance against West Brom to that of a Wenger style Arsenal side.
The former Emirates full-back took to Twitter to praise his old club's second goal against West Brom.
The Gunners netted four goals in 64 minutes with Alexandre Lacazette nabbing a brace.
- Sandra Brobbey
SAKA'S CRACKING GOAL
Bukayo Saka has Arsenal fans salivating on Twitter after combining with Emile Smith Rowe and Alexandre Lacazette to score an exquisite goal for Arsenal.
The Gunners starlet was on target for his side's second goal of the evening against West Brom.
And one fan reckons the club's player of the season award could go to Saka for his efforts.
- Sandra Brobbey
ICE COOL KIERAN
Kieran Tierney clearly isn't fussed about the temperature drop ahead of Arsenal's clash with West Brom.
The Scotland ace was seen warming up in a short-sleeved shirt with his socks rolled down on a snow-covered Emirates pitch.
Tierney has become a firm favourite amongst his team's supporters.
The Emirates star has cemented his place as Mikel Arteta's preferred left-back.
- Sandra Brobbey
GUEN-DAZZLER
Matteo Guendouzi appears to be enjoying himself with Hertha Berlin.
The Arsenal midfielder, who is on loan at the German club, netted his second goal of the season earlier today.
The Frenchman curled the ball beyond the fingertips of Schalke stopper Ralf Fahrmann in the 32nd minute of his team's clash with the Bundesliga strugglers.
It was a strike that may well draw some admiration from Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
- Sandra Brobbey
BRING EM HERE
Arsenal are yet to make a bid for Emiliano Buendia despite sending scouts to watch the Norwich City ace, according to reports.
Football.London claims no formal approach has been made to the Canaries for the versatile attacking midfielder.
And it is believed the player is a popular transfer target for some Gunners fans on social media.
Buendia has been in fine form for Norwich this term scoring seven times and providing seven assists in 19 Championship appearances.
Emiliano Buendia has scored seven times for Norwich City in 19 games this term - Sandra Brobbey
SOLER FLAIR
Arsenal's interest in Valencia's Carlos Soler is thought to have been revived according to Sport Witness and reports in Spain.
El Desmarque's believe financial challenges facing the 17th placed LaLiga outfit could mean may be willing to consider offers for the player.
Valencia have picked up just three wins from 16 games so far this term and are out of the drop zone on points difference.
It is rumoured that Mikel Arteta has added Carlos Soler's name to target list of new attacking midfielders for the Gunners.
The 24-year-old has netted five goals and provided four assists in 12 LaLiga appearances.
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