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      Arsenal tipped to sign former Man Utd star, 24, they could get on a free transfer next summer

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      ARSENAL legend Lee Dixon tipped his former club to sign ex-Manchester United ace Angel Gomes, whom they could get for free in the summer.Gomes, 24, has been turning heads ever since rolling credits on his 11-year stint at United where he started out at the age of 6 in the academy.Arsenal legend Lee Dixon tipped his former club to sign Lille star Angel GomesCredit: GettyDixon predicted Arsenal could get ex-Manchester United ace Gomes for free in JuneCredit: AFP or licensorsDixon insists England star Gomes would be a ‘superb’ fit for Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaCredit: GettyThe versatile midfielder moved to France in 2020 and has since amassed a staggering 123 appearances, despite spending a season on loan at Boavista.That earned the defensive midfielder an England call-up by interim boss Lee Carsley and he proved he can play an integral part in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.Gomes has been so good he left United fans scratching their heads and wondering why he was let go.Dixon, 60, urged his former club to capitalise on the Red Devils’ inability to hold on to the England international, whom he described as a “superb” fit and the perfect partner for Declan Rice in midfield.Read More on ArsenalThe former full-back predicted the North Londoners could indeed sign the United academy graduate for next season as his contract with Lille runs out in June.Dixon told plejmo.com: “I think Angel Gomes would fit in at Arsenal superbly.”His qualities are clear to see, he’s a very good link-up player and we’ve seen that he can play alongside Declan Rice.”He’s got a lot of potential and although there will be plenty of clubs looking at him, I could see him at Arsenal next season.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSArsenal keep strengthening in their bid to win their first Premier League title since the Invincibles’ campaign in 2004.Dixon believes it is important to end that duck and urged his former club to also work on finally winning their first ever Champions League title.Mikel Arteta lauds Arsenal’s win over PSG The England international is adamant that titles need to be won and even claimed that manager Mikel Arteta would be deemed a “failure” if he failed to win any major trophies at the Emirates.Dixon added: “If Mikel Arteta leaves Arsenal without winning the Premier League or Champions League at Arsenal you’d have to say it’s been a failure because that’s what he is there to do, to win the biggest trophies.”He would be the first to say that and of course we don’t know how long he will be in the job, but not winning one of those would be a massive disappointment.”It’s a tough competition to win of course, but Arsenal’s defence could be the key to winning the Champions League for the first time.”It’s so tough to win, as Arsenal have proved over the years since they got to the final, they haven’t come anywhere close since.”It’s tough with all the big teams and you do need a bit of luck, but you have to have a firm base and they have got that with their defence now.”They’ve got that solidarity to build on and they need to get through the winter months with few injuries, that is the challenge for all the clubs in Europe.”Arsenal legend Dixon believes Gomes would be a stunning partner for Declan Rice in midfieldCredit: Getty More

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      Jonas Eidevall reflects on ‘hurt’ of Arsenal’s three-game winless run following WSL derby loss to Chelsea

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      JONAS EIDEVALL admits Arsenal have had a bad start to their season after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea. The Gunners boss says he aims to focus on the things he ‘can control’ when questioned on whether he feels his job is safe.Jonas Eidevall says Arsenal’s recent results have not helped their “league-winning” ambitions with the team collecting one point from their last WSL gamesCredit: GettyVersatile Blues winger Sandy Baltimore was among Chelsea’s scorers against ArsenalCredit: GettyEidevall has come under pressure from some Arsenal supporters amid three difficult results for his side in the past week. And a couple of defensive blips during set pieces saw his team lose their Saturday afternoon duel with Chelsea, conceding twice during the game’s first 16 minutes. Despite a late Arsenal fightback, goals from Mayra Ramirez and Sandy Baltimore were enough to seal a significant away victory for Sonia Bompastor’s Blues. The result led to the Gunners notching back-to-back defeats across all competitions after Bayern Munich trounced them 5-2 in the Champions League four days ago.Arsenal boss Eidevall said: “You need to do your absolute best in every single game. “But there is no point in hiding away from reality in saying it’s a bad start to the season.“It certainly doesn’t help with league-winning ambitions. “But it doesn’t change the perspective that you need to go game-by-game.”Most read in FootballArsenal have netted just two goals in their last three league fixtures with their last win in the top tier occurring away against Leicester City.And the loss to the Blues took their tally of winless results at the Emirates to three so far this season. On if he feels his job is safe, the Gunners chief added: “I gave absolutely everything in preparation for this game. “You can see the players gave absolutely everything on the pitch. “That’s the part you can control as a coach. That’s what you can control and ask for from the players as well.“I fully understand that people are disappointed when we don’t win football matches and we are also really disappointed. “We are really hurting, I’m hurting, the players are hurting. We want to do that better so I fully understand that in that moment.” Ramirez gave the Blues a fourth-minute lead with Arsenal caught out by a corner-kick that ended with a looped overhead strike from the Colombian dropping in behind goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.Baltimore’s header 12 minutes later made it a tough start for the hosts before they battled back with Caitlin Foord firing in an angled goal near halftime. The hosts upped the ante in attack in the second half with Chelsea spending large parts of the game’s closing stages defending. But they held out to claim maximum points with USA chief and ex-Blues boss Emma Hayes, and Arsenal football director Edu, among the guests watching from the stands. The result led to Bompastor registering her first win in the WSL against the Gunners leapfrogging Manchester City to go top before the Cityzens’ trip to Liverpool on Sunday.  Sonia Bompastor says she wants to encourage her team to hate conceding after they kept a third successive clean sheet in the WSL this termCredit: GettyThe Blues boss said: “I want my team to be able to hate conceding goals and I think this is what they showed with their mentality READ MORE SUN STORIES“When you play a game away and the team is doing good and you can hear your fans cheering for the team and supporting you, it’s so powerful. “I’m so proud of them and so happy for them.” More

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      Arsenal wonderkid, 14, dubbed the ‘next Kaka’ and already playing with Jack Wilshere’s U18s backed to star for England

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      ARSENAL’S conveyor belt of talent may have found its next big hit.It comes after a 14-year-old was tipped to be a future England star.An Arsenal coach has compared an academy talent to KakaCredit: GettyMax Dowman has been tipped to star for England in the futureCredit: GettyThe 14-year-old is playing many levels higher than his age groupCredit: GettyThe Gunners’ Hale End academy has produced some major talents in recent years, including teen Ethan Nwaneri and Crystal Palace ace Eddie Nketiah, while talisman Bukayo Saka is chief among them.However, academy coach Gustavo Oliveira has earmarked wonderkid Max Dowman as the next big talent to come out of the club.The teen has built a reputation for being a fast dribbler and gifted on the ball.Speaking to PL Brasil, he even compared Dowman to Brazilian icon Kaka.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “He plays in the style of Kaka.”He can write his name. One day he will play for the England national team and in the Premier League.”Such is Dowman’s talent, that he is already playing with Jack Wilshere’s Under-18 team and made his debut for the England Under-17s last month.He recently put in a standout performance against Birmingham, putting up two assists in a 3-2 comeback win.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWilshere lavished praise on him after the game, saying: “Max’s performances speak for themselves, but there’s still a lot of room for development.”For a 14-year-old, his character and personality are unreal. When we were 2-0 down, he was the one who wanted the ball.I’m mum of an Arsenal star – I have a side hustle to help parents of Premier League footballers “[He] drove at their defence and made things happen. His mentality to keep going, despite being kicked, and staying calm in those moments is impressive.”Dowman also started for Arsenal’s Under-19s in the Uefa Youth League last month, making him the second-youngest ever player in the competition and joining the likes of Evan Ferguson and Shola Shoretire in featuring in the competition aged 14. More

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      Faye White hopeful Arsenal can ride out rough moments in WSL derby battle with Chelsea

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      FAYE WHITE believes Arsenal can use the disappointment of a shock draw and loss in the league and Europe to fuel their battle to beat Chelsea.The Gunners icon thinks Sonia Bompastor’s first Emirates visit as Blues boss could be the ideal moment for her old side to stun their rivals.Faye White expects Arsenal will want to redeem themselves following their loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersThe Gunners hope to pick up their first match win at the Emirates this season but will face a huge challenge from ChelseaCredit: GettyToday’s game is a pivotal one for White’s former club who suffered two difficult results in the past seven days.A scoreless draw at home against injury-hit Everton was followed by a brutal 5-2 Champions League group stage loss away at Bayern Munich.A match where ex-Chelsea midfielder Pernille Harder ran riot against Jonas Eidevall’s players netting a 13-minute hat-trick.But White, 46, who was part of the Arsenal team that made history becoming the first English side to win a Women’s Champions League in 2007, reckons they will need little motivation to bounce back.Read More Football StoriesAnd she hopes the Gunners will be ready to ride out tough moments on the pitch.The former Arsenal captain, who won 11 top-flight titles including a WSL crown during her 17-year career at the club, said: “It’s about using that disappointment that you feel.“During my playing career, I won nine FA Cups, but I remember the one that I lost the most. I used that as motivation to want to not feel that again.“When you lose as a player, you want to get out there, get it out of your mind and redeem yourself.Most read in Football“But the team won’t need any getting up for this game. They’re at home, they’ll have the home crowd.“They know they’ve beaten Chelsea well at the Emirates before, but also how tough games can be (against them).“They just have to have that confidence and belief a little bit more, but also that desire, hunger, and the resilience side of it.”A mixed start to the season combined with two underwhelming results in the WSL and Champions League has seen the team’s tactics come into question.On his Wrighty’s House podcast club legend and Barclays football ambassador Ian Wright likened their performance against Everton to that of a mid-table side.White adds: “I’ve been there and done it where you can get yourself up for the tough games“But it’s also those matches against teams lower in the table where you’re expected to win because of the quality you have on the pitch and the bench, but you can’t quite break them down.“And then your rivals get their hopes up and step up a level as they feel they can nick a point or even a win.”Eidevall’s side are yet to win on their turf in the league this term with all their WSL home matches being played at the Emirates this season.However, his team went unbeaten in their last four home games against Chelsea in the top tier.Results include a 4-1 win last December against the Blues, then managed by former boss Emma Hayes, with Beth Mead and Alessia Russo among their scorers.White said: “Chelsea are seen as the team to beat. If there is any time for them to be got at, it’s now.“This is possibly a time where you could get at them because of a slight change of messaging (from their new manager) and a certain way players have been asked to play.“This will be the first time Bompastor experiences this kind of derby.“It’s going to be a good match but Arsenal have to be at their best and ride out those tough moments.”Chelsea are currently unbeaten in the league having notched 1-0 and 7-0 defeats of Aston Villa.Sonia Bompastor hopes to maintain her unbeaten run by consigning the Gunners to defeatCredit: GettyDespite Arsenal’s recent results, Bompastor is not taking the threat they pose lightly.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Blues boss, 41, who won September’s WSL Manager of the Month prize said: “I don’t pay attention to their context or their dynamic.“This team has a lot of talent. This game will be a tough game no matter what the context is for them.” More

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      Bukayo Saka injury update with Arsenal star set to miss England’s Nations League clash with Finland

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      BUKAYO SAKA is expected to miss England’s Nations League clash on Sunday with Finland through injury.The Arsenal star hobbled off six minutes into the second half of Thursday’s 2-1 home defeat to Greece, holding the back of his right leg as he left the pitch.Bukayo Saka limped off during England’s 2-1 defeat against GreeceCredit: PAThe Arsenal star is now a doubt for the Three Lions next game against FinlandCredit: RexHe will undergo a scan but the knock – believed to be a strain – is not thought to be serious.So while he is a major doubt for the match in Helsinki, his club will be hopeful he will be available for selection for their Premier League trip to Bournemouth next Saturday.Interim England chief Lee Carsley confirmed after the loss to Greece that Saka had been withdrawn due to feeling some discomfort in the build-up to Greece’s first goal.The 50-year-old said: “He’s being assessed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Obviously in the build-up to the first goal, you could see he felt something in his leg.”Carsley will give an update on Saka’s fitness tomorrow in his pre-match press conference previewing the Finland game.Saka, 23, has been in hot form for his club.He netted in both their 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain and 3-1 victory over Southampton earlier this month.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSaka was replaced by Noni Madueke in the match last night.Jude Bellingham looked to have spared England’s blushes with a late goal, but that was undone when some more shoddy defending allowed Vangelis Pavlidis to net his second of the night in injury time.Bukayo Saka declares ‘this is Arsenal’s year’ and they will win Premier League titleEngland player ratings vs GreeceBy Tom BarclayLEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.Jordan Pickford: 4Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.John Stones: 5Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.Levi Colwill: 7Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.Rico Lewis: 6Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.Declan Rice: 6Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.Phil Foden: 4Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective. Cole Palmer: 6Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season. Bukayo Saka: 5Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MANPlayed in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.Anthony Gordon: 5Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.SUBS: Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7Manager Lee Carsley: 4Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again. More

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      ‘Who sanctioned that’ fumes Arsenal legend as he rips into Man Utd’s ‘bag of Revels’ transfer failures and £80m flop

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      PAUL MERSON has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s transfer business under Erik ten Hag.The Arsenal legend was flabbergasted with United’s pursuit of Antony after ripping into the Brazilian’s £85.5m move.Paul Merson has slammed United’s recruitment business under Erik ten HagCredit: GettyThe Arsenal legend singled out Antony’s move to Old Trafford in particularCredit: GettyErik ten Hag’s future is in the balance after the Red Devils recorded their worst ever start to a Premier League season.United sit 14th after picking up eight points from seven games and have scored ONE goal at Old Trafford in the Prem this season – on the opening day 1-0 win over Fulham.The Dutchman’s future was discussed by club executives on Tuesday but there has been no communication on the outcomes of that near seven-hour meeting.Despite a £180m summer outlay on Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, Merson took aim at the transfer strategy.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSky Sports presenter Rob Jones asked Merson: “If United have been a bag of Revels for two years now, that’s surely evidence that Ten Hag is not the man to take them forward?”This sparked a classic Merson rant: “Man Utd have to be patient. And the only way to be patient is having a plan. And the plan is going to take time.”I mean Man Utd have to start walking again before they can start running and they definitely can’t start sprinting yet. And this is what everybody thinks. “The one thing that would worry me more than anything is who has come into that club and you’ve gone ‘wow he was a major success’.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I mean Antony was £80m, have you picked up yet? Or have you fallen over?”I thought you’d fall over when I said £80m. I mean that just sums it all up. “I’m looking at the players they’ve bought like the boy Rasmus Hojlund. I like Hojlund, the centre-forward, but he’s a young kid.Roy Keane blasts ‘don’t bloody say it you fool’ in furious rant at Eriksen after Man Utd star’s controversial comment “You can’t put a young kid into Man Utd up front in a struggling team and say ‘go on mate go and get me 20 goals a season’.”You can’t do it. For me it’s so wrong. And that’s me sitting on the outside. I just don’t know what they’ve done.””I mean £80m – who sanctioned that?”And I don’t want to be horrible, I watched him in Holland, he goes down the wing, he cuts in and bends it into the far corner. He done it every week in Holland.”You come to the Premier League and every single full-back is an international. And they work you out and won’t show you on that foot.” “United can’t even say ‘do you what we will swallow one here and get £40m for him – they won’t even get that.”In the midst of his passionate display, Merson also claimed that United legend Gary Neville would be perfect to bring in to oversee recruitment.He added: “Gary has been at that club all his career, and he knows football from the inside out.READ MORE SUN STORIES”You put someone like him in charge, even Rio Ferdinand, someone like that or even both of them together, and you go ‘right, we want to build this club- what players should we be bringing in?’”The Red Devils admitted that they overpaid for Antony, 24, who joined from Ajax in 2022. More

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      Arsenal star William Saliba ‘in transfer talks with Real Madrid’ as Spanish giants make Gunners star ‘top priority’

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      REAL MADRID have reportedly made contact with William Saliba after making him their top priority for a shock transfer. The Arsenal star, 23, is widely considered one of the best centre-backs in world football.William Saliba is a transfer target for Real MadridCredit: GettyHis form for the Gunners has seen him cement himself as a regular in the starting XI for France.And now Los Blancos want to take him to the Bernabeu.According to Le10Sport, Real Madrid are hoping to follow up the signing of Kylian Mbappe this year by adding his compatriot Saliba next summer.Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for £27million in 2019 but had to wait until the 2022-23 season to force his way into the side at the Emirates.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSince then, though, he has created a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes and he started all 38 Premier League games last season, recording a league-high 18 clean sheets.The 6ft 4ins defender has made his name for being notoriously difficult to beat in one-v-one situations and has managed to keep plenty of the world’s top strikers quiet. Saliba signed a new £190,000-a-week contract at Arsenal in July 2023 which runs until the end of the 2026-27 season.But Real Madrid hope to test the player and the North London club’s resolve by making an approach next year.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe reports in France suggest initial conversations have already taken place to register the LaLiga giants’ interest. According to Transfermarkt, Saliba is the most valuable defender in the world at £67million – the same as Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.Arsenal player ratings vs SouthamptonBut Real will know they would need to stump up significantly more than that to convince Arsenal to sell.In fact, it could take a world-record bid – surpassing the £85m Manchester United paid Leicester for Harry Maguire in 2019 – to sign Saliba.Should Saliba make the shock switch to Spain, he would not only link up with Mbappe but also fellow Frenchmen Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy. Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred centre-back pairing at the moment is Eder Mlitao and Antonio Rudiger.Rudiger turns 32 this season and therefore the Real Madrid hierarchy could view Saliba as his long-term successor. Ironically, the former Chelsea man won over plenty of Arsenal fans last week when he heaped praise on Saliba and Gabriel.Asked about the top centre-backs in the world, Rudiger said: “Saliba and I like Gabriel from Arsenal as well. If you see Arsenal and the two centre-backs playing together.”For two years now they are doing an amazing job. The transformation from Arsenal before and now.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Those two are the pillars of it. You have Gabriel as the more aggressive leader and Saliba, this brother plays clean.”You have to give it to him he looks like a silent leader.”Saliba is one of the best defenders in world footballCredit: GettyHe would link up with France team-mate Kylian Mbappe at the BernabeuCredit: AFP More

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      How Arsenal can use unique international break to gain huge advantage over Man City and Liverpool in race for title

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      INTERNATIONAL breaks either halt momentum or bring a welcome relief to Prem clubs.For Arsenal, it is the latter, despite recently making it 16 games unbeaten in all competitions – the longest run of Mikel Arteta’s five-year tenure.Mikel Arteta has overseen a strong start despite several injury issuesCredit: GettySkipper Martin Odegaard has been a big-name casualty so far this termCredit: GettyIn fact, this could be the most important period of the Gunners’ season as they prepare for yet another title charge, currently a point off the top with five wins from seven league outings.Arteta has been forced to juggle numerous injuries in the opening months of the campaign, making their start both domestically and in Europe all the more impressive with results against Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.Skipper Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have all spent time in the treatment room so far with knocks varying in severity.But this break – lasting until October 16 for some players – has given Arteta a unique reset opportunity with so many of his stars remaining at London Colney instead of jetting off around the globe.read more arsenalAnd in the long run, this could give the North Londoners a huge advantage over title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City with another tough run of fixtures on the horizon.Arsenal currently have 10 players away with their countries: Spain’s Raya and Merino, France’s William Saliba, Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori, Poland’s Jakub Kiwior, Belgium’s Leandro Trossard, England duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka and Brazil’s Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli.But unlike most international periods, Arteta also has a full starting XI of senior stars to work with – either to get back fit, give some much-needed rest or provide tactical work.That XI is: Neto; Timber, White, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Odegaard, Thomas Partey; Jesus, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBrazilian Neto is yet to make his debut since arriving from Bournemouth in the summer – cup-tied for the Carabao Cup third round 5-1 win over Bolton last month.Defensive quartet Timber [muscular], White [groin], Zinchenko [calf] and Tomiyasu [knee] are all aiming to be available for the Prem clash with the Cherries on October 19.Timber and Tomiyasu are the most likely with the latter making his first appearance since May off the bench in the 3-1 win over Southampton last weekend.White and Zinchenko are in a race against time to make the squad at the Vitality, as is Odegaard, who is progressing well from an ankle ligament injury picked up in the last international break for Norway on September 9.Partey was due to fly out with Ghana to face Sudan this week but pulled out at the last minute due to illness, while 32-year-old Jorginho was left out of Italy’s squad.Arsenal wages 2024-25 revealedSterling is also yet to earn an international recall for England after making his first Prem start for Arsenal against the Saints, with Jesus omitted from the Brazil squad as well.As reported by SunSport, Havertz has been managing a minor knee issue since the end of last season – including throughout the Euros with Germany – so will use this time to recuperate after a stunning start to the season with four goals and one assist in seven Prem games.The forgotten Kieran Tierney is also getting back up to speed, but Arteta has made it clear that the Scot is not in his plans given his excessive full-back options, likely looking for an exit in the January window.In comparison, City have 13 players on international duty, including 10 of the 11 that started in the 3-2 win over Fulham.As for Liverpool, they have 16 senior players away from Merseyside this month, including nine of the starting XI that edged a 1-0 victory away at Crystal Palace.Should Arteta use this time wisely to get the majority of his squad back fit and firing, it will be a huge boost as they drive head first into a challenging stretch.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter facing Bournemouth next weekend, they have two home games – Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and Arne Slot’s Reds.Then it is four away matches on the spin – Preston in the Carabao Cup fourth round, Newcastle, Inter Milan in the Champions League followed by a resurgent Chelsea. More