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      Seven Arsenal players who could be sold in January including Ozil and Mustafi as club prioritise trimming squad

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      ARSENAL are set to continue their radical squad overhaul when the January transfer window opens.
      A surprisingly busy summer saw several stars arrive with comparatively few first-teamers departing.

      Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal career may finally come to an end next monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Next month will see a concerted effort to trim the squad of the high-earning players who have not had a look in under Arteta.
      According to The Athletic, sporting director Edu Gaspar is charged with finding new clubs for these unwanted reserves.
      Not only have they cost the Gunners financially, some outcasts are reportedly causing dressing room divides over their treatment.
      Here, SunSport names seven players who could be moved on in January.

      Mesut Ozil
      Arguably the most talked-about player in the entire Arsenal squad, there wasn’t even space to register Ozil for the Premier League this season.
      Out of contract in the summer, January will seal his fate with either a recall to the side or a push towards a sale – with clubs in Turkey and the United States keen.

      Sead Kolasinac
      Kieran Tierney has cemented the left-back spot as his own with Bukayo Saka and Cedric Soares both able to deputise for the Scot if needed.
      A return to German football or a switch to West Ham were touted in the summer with Arsenal again likely to be open to offers.

      Sead Kolasinac has appeared only nine times this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Shkodran Mustafi
      Another out of contract in the summer, Mustafi has been stuck on Europa League duty by Arteta with an ill-fated runout against Leicester the bulk of his domestic action.
      Any chance of recouping the £35million fee spent on the centre-back is all-but gone unless Barcelona want to follow through on their reported interest.

      Shkodran Mustafi could be about to leave Arsenal after almost five years at the clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hector Bellerin
      Speaking of Barcelona, the Spanish giants are reportedly eyeing Bellerin for a January move if Joan Laporta wins their club presidential election.
      Tariq Lamptey is already named as the Gunners’ preference to replace the Catalan defender, who has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain.

      The Gunners may be forced into a fight with Barcelona over Hector Bellerin Credit: EPA
      Sokratis Papastathopoulos
      Like Ozil, Sokratis’ exile from the side this season is said to have caused dressing room rifts at Emirates Stadium.
      Napoli reportedly lined up the Greek defender amid talk of a move for Kalidou Koulibaly and he could make a quiet exit after two-and-a-half years in North London.

      Sokratis Papastathopoulos is yet to appear for Arsenal this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Calum Chambers
      Having fought back from a horror knee injury, the reality for Chambers is that Arsenal’s defence is hugely overstocked.
      A whopping seven centre-backs are currently on the club’s books with four players who can play right-back, potentially making him a highly sellable asset if a good bid lands.

      Leeds were linked with Calum Chambers in the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      William Saliba
      A loan move for French youngster Saliba is on the cards for very much the same reason that Chambers may go.
      Playing time has been non-existent for the £27m defender and, in lieu of a debut and a run in the team, he could head back to Saint-Etienne.

      William Saliba is still yet to make his competitive debut for the GunnersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Arteta says it doesn’t get any better than to win on Boxing Day in a London Derby More

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      Kieran Tierney wears Arsenal AND Celtic custom shin pads as he shows he hasn’t forgotten old club

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      KIERAN TIERNEY revealed his homage to both Arsenal and Celtic – by the way of custom shin pads.
      The full-back swapped Glasgow for London last summer in a record-breaking £25million transfer.

      Fans spotted Kieran Tierney’s custom gear as he celebrated Arsenal’s win over ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The full-back showed off his Arsenal-themed shin pads

      And he has not lost his love for boyhood heroes Celtic by keeping a piece of the club with him when playing for the Gunners.
      The pads were on display after he helped Arsenal to a vital 3-1 win over Chelsea on Boxing Day.
      Tierney posted a picture to his Instagram story showing his personalised shin pads made by bespoke company PRO I.D LTD.
      It featured two black shin pads; one with a Celtic badge and the number 63 below it and one with an Arsenal badge and the number three.

      Tierney’s move down south received mixed responses from Celtic fans who questioned his passion for the club.
      The 23-year-old recently admitted it broke his heart to read some comments from fans and revealed the word ‘Judas’ was painted near his home.
      He said: “It was just sad the way it ended. People turning and all that.
      “Some people make it out to be what it’s not and it’s not that at all.

      “Weeks before when Arsenal had bid people were like that ‘you’re a rat if you go, you’re terrible, you’re never a Celtic fan.
      “I’m like ‘this is breaking my heart reading this’ and as soon as this gets announced it’s going to blow up.
      “And the worst thing I did when it got announced was go on Twitter. [There were] thousands of tweets, threats and all sorts.
      “When I went home two days later after signing, there was spray paint on the walls, ‘Judas’ outside my bit.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Watch Kieran Tierney arrive in just T-SHIRT before Arsenal win over Dundalk in freezing temperatures as others wrap up More

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      Watch as Tammy Abraham appears to tell Saka to ‘shut up’ in row whether Arsenal star meant wonder goal vs Chelsea

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      TAMMY ABRAHAM appeared to tell Bukayo Saka to ‘shut up’ after the Arsenal winger’s stunning goal in Saturday’s 3-1 win.
      The Gunners ended a long winless run with a clinical display against their London rivals.

      Bukayo Saka sent Arsenal into dreamland with his goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Saka, who at 19 became the second-youngest Premier League scorer in the fixture, sealed the win with a cross-cum-shot that looped over Edouard Mendy.
      Whether the winger meant it or not only he knows – and the discussion seemed to irk Chelsea star Abraham at the full-time whistle.
      As Saka spoke to team-mate Ainsley Maitland-Niles, TV cameras picked up the Blues forward walking past the pair and muttering some words.
      Eagle-eyed viewers reckoned he said: “You didn’t mean it, shut up man.”

      The naturally frustrated Abraham then continued to walk off as his England colleagues shared a cheeky chuckle.
      Saka has since claimed the strike was what he intended, telling Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves he ‘of course’ meant it as he walked through the Emirates Stadium mixed zone.

      😂😂😂😂😂 ur to funny man! Liar 😂😂😂
      — Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) December 26, 2020

      The youngster later tweeted with a winking face: “Saw him off his line!”
      That comment drew a reply from another England team-mate, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, who joked that he did not believe Saka for a second.

      He posted on Twitter: “Ur to funny man [sic]! Liar.”
      Arsenal fans were able to revel in their star man’s performance on Boxing Day whether he meant to score their third goal or not.
      First-half strikes for Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka sent the Gunners on their way to a first domestic win since November 1.
      The victory significantly eased any looming relegation worries and set Mikel Arteta up well for crunch trips to Brighton and West Brom.

      And Saka’s performance on the right wing was a genuine highlight with Sky pundit Gary Neville naming him the man of the match.
      The ex-defender said: “Absolutely loved his performance, scored a goal at the beginning of the second-half.
      “Absolutely outstanding playing off that right-hand side.
      “He’s mainly had a defensive role in the second-half after that goal but he’s done it well.
      “We haven’t seen anything of [Ben] Chilwell and that’s down to him.”
      Saka told BBC Sport post-game that the win was a long time coming after a ‘tricky’ and ‘unlucky’ spell for Arsenal.

      It’s been tricky, tough, but we have come out of it and we are trying our best.
      Bukayo Saka

      He stated: “We feel that we are a good team who have been unlucky with results and red cards but this is a big one for our confidence.
      “It’s been tricky, tough, but we have come out of it and we are trying our best.
      “We grew up with each other, the young players all want to play and have the passion for this club. We want to make the fans happy.”
      On the goal, he remarked: “I saw him off his line so I thought I could chip him.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Bukayo Saka nutmegs Russian freestyler whilst out with Arsenal youth squad More

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      Watch as Tammy Abraham appears to tell Saka to ‘shut up’ in row whether Arsenal star meant wonder goal against Chelsea

      by

      TAMMY ABRAHAM appeared to tell Bukayo Saka to ‘shut up’ after the Arsenal winger’s stunning goal in Saturday’s 3-1 win.
      The Gunners ended a long winless run with a clinical display against their London rivals.

      Bukayo Saka sent Arsenal into dreamland with his goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Saka, who at 19 became the second-youngest Premier League scorer in the fixture, sealed the win with a cross-cum-shot that looped over Edouard Mendy.
      Whether the winger meant it or not only he knows – and the discussion seemed to irk Chelsea star Abraham at the full-time whistle.
      As Saka spoke to team-mate Ainsley Maitland-Niles, TV cameras picked up the Blues forward walking past the pair and muttering some words.
      Eagle-eyed viewers reckoned he said: “You didn’t mean it, shut up man.”

      The naturally frustrated Abraham then continued to walk off as his England colleagues shared a cheeky chuckle.
      Saka has since claimed the strike was what he intended, telling Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves he ‘of course’ meant it as he walked through the Emirates Stadium mixed zone.

      😂😂😂😂😂 ur to funny man! Liar 😂😂😂
      — Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) December 26, 2020

      The youngster later tweeted with a winking face: “Saw him off his line!”
      That comment drew a reply from another England team-mate, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, who joked that he did not believe Saka for a second.

      He posted on Twitter: “Ur to funny man [sic]! Liar.”
      Arsenal fans were able to revel in their star man’s performance on Boxing Day whether he meant to score their third goal or not.
      First-half strikes for Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka sent the Gunners on their way to a first domestic win since November 1.
      The victory significantly eased any looming relegation worries and set Mikel Arteta up well for crunch trips to Brighton and West Brom.

      And Saka’s performance on the right wing was a genuine highlight with Sky pundit Gary Neville naming him the man of the match.
      The ex-defender said: “Absolutely loved his performance, scored a goal at the beginning of the second-half.
      “Absolutely outstanding playing off that right-hand side.
      “He’s mainly had a defensive role in the second-half after that goal but he’s done it well.
      “We haven’t seen anything of [Ben] Chilwell and that’s down to him.”
      Saka told BBC Sport post-game that the win was a long time coming after a ‘tricky’ and ‘unlucky’ spell for Arsenal.

      It’s been tricky, tough, but we have come out of it and we are trying our best.
      Bukayo Saka

      He stated: “We feel that we are a good team who have been unlucky with results and red cards but this is a big one for our confidence.
      “It’s been tricky, tough, but we have come out of it and we are trying our best.
      “We grew up with each other, the young players all want to play and have the passion for this club. We want to make the fans happy.”
      On the goal, he remarked: “I saw him off his line so I thought I could chip him.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Bukayo Saka nutmegs Russian freestyler whilst out with Arsenal youth squad More

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      Arsenal squad ‘split over Mesut Ozil January recall with senior players keen to bring £350k-a-week star back from exile’

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      SENIOR Arsenal stars are reportedly hoping to see Mesut Ozil recalled to the team in January.
      Mikel Arteta has not played the German since March having dropped him from the 25-man squads allowed to play in the Premier League and Europa League.

      Mesut Ozil is being backed by senior Arsenal stars to return next monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Amid his exile, Ozil has continued to train with the first-team.
      But his treatment is said to be a driving force behind a dressing room divide, also caused by the handling of Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ removal from the squad.
      According to the Telegraph, there is no dressing room consensus over seeing the 32-year-old given a fresh chance.
      A group of senior players are described as keen to see Ozil return.

      Next month, Arteta can update his league and European squad quotas.
      Should Ozil fail to make the cut, it will finally spell the end of his career with the club.

      Signed in 2013, he agreed a new £350,000-a-week deal in early 2018 that expires in the summer.
      Fenerbahce are linked with a move for the playmaker and a stint in MLS is also reportedly an option.

      Arsenal earned a much-needed reprieve on the pitch on Boxing Day with a 3-1 win over Chelsea.
      But sporting director Edu Gaspar admitted earlier in the month that creativity has been lacking in Ozil’s position this season.
      He told a fans’ forum: “It’s quite clear what we need.
      “We need a player with creativity in the middle, we don’t have that in the squad right now.”

      Arteta also accepted that there could be a route back into the side for Ozil when the squad registrations are updated in January.
      He stated: “I’m focusing just on the players we have here.
      “But, whatever happens in January, we have some time to decide.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Mikel Arteta drops huge hint that Mesut Ozil could be recalled to squad in January More

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      Arsenal loanee Lucas Torreira wanted by Torino in January tranfer after just two LaLiga starts for Atletico Madrid

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      SERIE A side Torino are reportedly chasing Lucas Torreira for an early end to the midfielder’s Atletico Madrid loan spell.
      Arsenal allowed the Uruguayan to leave North London after Thomas Partey’s arrival in the autumn.

      Lucas Torreira has found chances limited at high-flying Atletico MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Torreira has not been a regular at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano and is being eyed for a quick exit.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, a Torino bid would be something of a longshot.
      The Italians are said to be dreaming of a major signing in January to boost their fight against relegation.
      Although Diego Simeone is unlikely to let Torreira leave, even though he has only started two LaLiga games for Atleti.

      The possibility of Mikel Arteta recalling the player to Arsenal has also been reported on in recent weeks, something the coach failed to dismiss.
      Refusing to comment specifically on Torreira, he said: “Edu has been dealing with that situation.

      “But again, when the market opens and we have the possibility to bring players in and get players out, whatever we have to do, we will discuss it.”
      The 24-year-old’s legal representative, Pablo Betancur, spoke recently of Torreira’s ‘calm and happy’ attitude in Madrid.

      That is despite playing just over 45 minutes of football in Atletico’s last eight league games.
      Betancur told Gianluca Di Marzio: “Lucas is calm and happy and has nothing in his mind beyond continuing with Atletico.
      “He is finishing his process of adaptation [to the team and LaLiga].”
      Los Rojiblancos have put together a stunning start to the season, sitting level on points with Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga with two games in hand.

      After Torreira’s debut in October, boss Simeone praised his new man’s abilities.
      He said: “He is a very hard-working boy, we are going to need him.
      “He competes very well, he will give us a lot of strength there in the middle of the pitch, where he picks up the pace of the game.
      “His speed, going out quickly during the circulation of the ball in the middle, will generate more pace in that part of the pitch and, hopefully, he will find his best form.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Lucas Torreira says ‘if I have to leave Arsenal it will be for the best’ with club ‘open to transfer’ amid AC Milan interest More

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      Watch Granit Xhaka score stunning free-kick on Arsenal return as Gunners stun Chelsea

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      GRANIT XHAKA repaid Mikel Arteta’s faith with a stunning free-kick past Chelsea on Sunday.
      The Arsenal manager reintroduced Xhaka to his line-up for the London derby after a ban for a petulant red card against Burnley.

      With the Gunners already 1-0 up after Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty, the Swiss midfielder had the chance to cap a stunning first-half for his side.
      Standing over a free-kick some 25 yards out, he whipped it past Edouard Mendy to double Arsenal’s lead.
      Xhaka held a single finger in the air for a muted celebration, while being mobbed by overjoyed team-mates.
      With his first goal in over 11 months, the 28-year-old’s strike marked the Gunners’ remarkable Boxing Day resurrection.

      Not since November 1 had Arteta’s men even held the lead in a Premier League game.
      And Xhaka’s three-match ban saw the team extend their domestic winless run to eight games.

      Granit Xhaka bagged his first goal of the season with a pearl of a free-kickCredit: Reuters

      The midfielder was mobbed by team-mates as he celebrated the strikeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But that all changed with a clinical performance at Emirates Stadium.
      Lacazette’s penalty, from a Reece James foul on Kieran Tierney, and Xhaka’s free-kick made it 2-0 at the break.

      Bukayo Saka then lobbed goalkeeper Mendy with a cross-cum-shot before Chelsea put together an attempt at a comeback.
      Tammy Abraham netted what proved only to be a consolation when Jorginho had his stoppage-time penalty saved by Bernd Leno.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Man Utd get horror draw against La Liga high-flyers Real Sociedad as Arsenal face Benfica and Spurs take on Wolfsberger More

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      Micah Richards slams YouTube channel AFTV for affecting Arsenal players confidence with ‘negativity’

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      MICAH RICHARDS believes YouTube channel AFTV could be affecting Arsenal players’ confidence with the ‘negativity’ on the channel.
      Richards was a pundit on Sky Sports and watched as his former team Manchester City thumped the Gunners 4-1 in the Carabao Cup.

      Micah Richards thinks AFTV could be affecting Arsenal players’ confidence Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      AFTV creator Robbie Lyle, right, launched the channel in 2012 Credit: YouTube / AFTV

      It adds to more misery for Mikel Arteta’s men, who sit 15th in the league having lost EIGHT TIMES already.
      And Richards reckons AFTV – which gives fans a platform to speak their mind – could be working against Arsenal.
      He said: “You know AFTV, I’m a massive fan of it, I love it.
      “But for the players, the amount of pressure – you could be scrolling through and your name pops up and someone’s being horrible and it can affect your confidence.

      “These players now look at social media. Players work hard, trying to be better every day but there’s negativity…”
      AFTV creator Robbie Lyle launched the channel in 2012 to give supporters a voice.
      But his guests have been accused of creating a toxic environment between fans, and even Hector Bellerin slated the channel during his Oxford Union address in 2018
      That is despite club captain Piere-Emerick Aubameyang in the past endorsing AFTV.

      Some Arsenal fans caused angry scenes after a 0-0 draw at Everton last December, chanting for AFTV members to ‘get our of our club’.
      But loyal Gunners fan Piers Morgan leapt to the defence of Lyle & Co – as he instead pointed the finger at the club itself.
      He tweeted: “Hate to see this. Few nicer people or more loyal @Arsenal fans than Robbie Lyle.
      “The reason @AFTVMedia has been so negative in recent years is that we’ve been utter cr*p.
      “Don’t blame the messengers – blame the owners, managers & players.”
      Scottish legend Ally Mccoist also backed AFTV on talkSPORT the same month, as he said: “The fact of the matter is, anything that gives the fans a say you think has got to be a good thing.
      “It is effectively all about opinions.”

      Robbie Lyle from Arsenal TV says it’s no surprise that Unai Emery has been sacked More