Ballon d'Or award, Jude Bellingham deal, Neto twist, injury latest
Odegaard rank in the Ballon d'Or
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been officially ranked as number 28 in the world in this year's Ballon d'Or award ceremony.
Musiala message
Bayern Munich starlet Jamal Musiala has sent a supportive message to Arsenal youngster Mika Biereth after the Hale End academy graduate returned to action for loan side Motherwell. Biereth joined the Gunners from Fulham back in 2021 before being impressive at youth level, netting 11 goals and providing a further six assists in just 21 matches for their Under 23 side during the 2021/22 campaign.
Ballon d'Or coverage LIVE
Want to follow along with the coverage from the upcoming Ballon d'Or ceremony later this evening? Well we've got you covered with a live blog that will be following all the previews, actions and reactions heading into another potentially historic night.
Rice on Wenger
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has hailed Arsene Wenger.
Speaking about Wenger to BeIN SPORTS, Rice said: "He's [Wenger] spoken about all the time.
"If you look at managers of other clubs in the past that have left, they maybe don't quite have that legacy or the same way they're spoken about. With Arsene, every player you speak to, he's like a god to them.
"When I met him for the first time, I was a bit star-struck in a way like 'wow that's Arsene Wenger' in terms of the stories you hear from players, the way he used to coach and way he used to have his teams playing. It was an honour to meet him, shame I couldn't play under him but it was great to meet him in the end and hopefully many more times to come."
Nketiah comparison
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has claimed that Eddie Nketiah is a better striker than Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund. Sherwood told Sky Sports: “I feel sorry for Eddie because people [are] always, even Arsenal fans, always asking questions about him and look at what he can’t do.
“I like to look at what they can do. He can play in a lot of teams. A lot of big teams.
“You’re telling me this boy couldn’t play for Man Utd at the moment, instead of Hojlund? He’s an upgrade on Hojlund. They [Man Utd] spent an awful lot of money on him.
“For me, he’s top drawer. I think he warrants playing for Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
“Jesus will help him out massively as well.”
Title odds revealed
Odds from Bitcoin Casinos have Arsenal as the second favourites to win this season's Premier League title.
Bitcoin Casinos: Premier League winner 2023-2024
Manchester City 4/7
Arsenal 9/2
Liverpool 5/1
Tottenham 10/1
Aston Villa 66/1
Newcastle 66/1
Manchester Utd 200/1
Rice prediction
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has claimed that Declan Rice could be the game-changer for Arsenal in this season's Premier League title race. The north Londoners signed Rice during the summer transfer window, paying a club-record £105million to prise him away from West Ham United.
Since then, the England international has been hugely impressive, delivering some excellent big-game performances to help Mikel Arteta's side defeat the likes of Manchester City and United. Now, Neville has argued that if Rice had joined City instead of the Gunners, Arteta and Co would have had little hope of winning this season's league title.
When asked if the tough-tackling midfielder is now the main man at the Emirates Stadium, Neville told Sky Sports: “Probably. I think he is a big influence Declan Rice.
"That power, that drive. They’ve got brilliant players City anyway.
"But taking him out of Arsenal makes a huge difference, they wouldn’t be good enough. With him in it, he can be a difference player and he gives them a real chance.
"I’m predicting City might have a bit of a stumble this season and I suspect Arsenal get it right this season.”
Kudus warning
West Ham United playmaker Mohammed Kudus has sent Arsenal a major warning ahead of Wednesday evening's Carabao Cup clash.
"It was very disappointing,” the Ghana international told West Ham TV. “We want to win every game, but it’s done now and we need to focus on the next game…
"If you don’t score then you need to not concede, but we didn’t do that today. We need to learn from that and focus on our next game…
"We definitely want to bounce back against Arsenal. The good thing is there are a lot of games and we don’t have time to be too disappointed.
"The focus now has to be on Arsenal, our next game, and how we do better."
Midfield targets revealed
As per Italian outlet Calciomercato, Arsenal are keen on signing a new midfielder, with Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi both on the Gunners' shortlist.
It remains to be seen whether or not the north London outfit will actually make a move for either player ahead of the January window.
Saka on captaincy
Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka has opened up on being named captain when his side defeated Sheffield United 5-0n on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners secured all three points in convincing fashion at the Emirates Stadium.
Eddie Nketiah netted his first-ever Premier League hat-trick before substitutes Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu added gloss to the scoreline. It was the first time that right-winger Saka had been club captain from the kick-off whistle, having donned the armband during the latter stages of last week's 2-2 draw against Chelsea when Martin Odegaard came off.
Now, the Hale End academy graduate has broken his silence on the experience, voicing his disbelief at how far he has come during his time in north London. "To be at the front, leading the boys out, was just unbelievable," he said, via the Mirror.
"You know me and you know where I’ve come from - the academy. I’m lost for words - it’s hard to describe this feeling, it’s just amazing.
"It was a different experience. Obviously I was learning on the job and sometimes I didn’t know where I was supposed to be!
"But in the end, we played well, which was the most important thing.”
Jude Bellingham move
On Saturday afternoon, Real Madrid starlet Jude Bellingham continued to show why he is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. The England international netted a stunning brace as Los Blancos secured a 2-1 victory away to Barcelona in a hugely exciting El Classico.
And it was far from the first time that Bellingham has come up clutch since signing for Madrid during the summer transfer window. In, fact the talented midfielder has already found the back of the net 13 times this term, a record that reads even more stunning when you consider that he is still just 20 years old.
But it could have been very different for Bellingham, with Arsenal icon Tony Adams previously revealing that he nearly joined the Gunners from Birmingham City before eventually joining Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Adams previously claimed that ex-recruitment chief Sven Mislinta leaving the Emirates Stadium cost the north Londoners in the race for the young superstar.
Toney stalemate
According to a report from Fichajes, neither Arsenal nor Tottenham Hotspur are willing to pay Brentford's asking price for Ivan Toney.
Toney has been heavily linked with a move away from west London in recent times.
Odegaard update
football.london understands that the injury impacting Martin Odegaard is a hip concern that has been causing some discomfort. It saw the captain absent from Arsenal's starting lineup against Sheffield United, featuring on the bench instead.
Centre-back deal
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, according to The Sun.
Manchester United, City and Chelsea are also said to be keen on Guehi, although he won't be available in January.
Man Utd transfer race
Croatian wonderkid and NK Kustosija talent Dino Klapija is reportedly tempted to pick a move to Arsenal over Manchester United.
That's according to the Daily Mail, who claim prefers a move to the Gunners.
Title warning
Arsenal have been sent a warning by Gary Neville after Manchester City thrashed rivals Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The title race is beginning to take shape and Neville, who has predicted the Gunners to win the league, has sent a timely reminder to Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou's men. Speaking during the clash at Old Trafford, he said: "City needed this, they have not been at their best for the last few weeks and something like this will just get them purring again.
"Danger for Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and the teams battling with them at the top."
Pedro Neto messgage
Arsenal transfer target Pedro Neto has provided an update on his injury. The winger was forced off in Wolves' draw with Newcastle, prompting concerns over his fitness.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to today's Arsenal live blog. Here's a look at the biggest headlines ahead of another busy day.
