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      Arsenal launch £55m transfer bid for Mudryk as they make first move in attempt to land Shakhtar Donetsk winger

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      ARSENAL have stepped up their pursuit of Ukrainian superstar Mykhaylo Mudryk with an opening bid of £35million plus a further £17.5m in add-ons.That offer is likely to be rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk, who are looking for as much as £60m for the exciting 21-year-old.
      Arsenal have submitted a bid to sign Mykhaylo MudrykCredit: Getty
      But the Premier League leaders are optimistic that a deal can be struck and believe the player is eager to move to the Emirates in the January transfer window.
      And they hope that offering more of the fee up front could be enough to persuade Shakhtar to cash in on their ten-goal star.
      Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has already given the green light for a New Year spending spree to boost his team’s shock title bid.
      And with striker Gabriel Jesus likely to be sidelined for the next two months following knee surgery, Mikel Arteta is keen to add more fire power to his squad as soon as the transfer window opens on Sunday.
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      But they are not going to have things all their own way and with Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid all having been linked with the player in the past, Shakhtar are hoping that Arsenal’s bid will start an auction.
      Back in November Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin openly admitted a move for Mudryk to Arsenal was in the works.
      He said: “I like that he is focused only on himself, his and the team’s game. Fans don’t really see that much. No one sees what he is doing away from the football field.
      “All these transfer rumours affect him only in a positive way, because he enjoys what he does. 
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      “And, in the team, we can tell him; ‘well, you’re already at Arsenal, let’s all go!”
      That expectation has finally morphed into something tangible for the winger.
      Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini admitted Arsenal’s interest in a recent interview, but also warned other clubs had expressed an interest in him.
      Mudryk has proven his worth in the Champions League this season, with Celtic and RB Leipzig being on the end of receiving of some particularly dazzling displays. More

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      Paul Merson claims he’d be ‘shocked’ if Arsenal maintain Premier League title challenge without injured Gabriel Jesus

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      ARSENAL legend Paul Merson admits he’d be “shocked” if Mikel Arteta’s men maintained their title challenge without star man Gabriel Jesus.The Gunners are top of the Premier League table with four points separating them from second-placed Newcastle, while Manchester City have two games in hand.
      Paul Merson would “shocked” if Arsenal maintained their title hunt without Gabriel JesusCredit: Getty
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted that a replacement for Gabriel Jesus will be neededCredit: Reuters
      Jesus played a critical role in the North Londoners’ success so far this season with five goals and six assists in 14 Premier League appearances.
      But the striker suffered a knee injury during the 2022 World Cup while playing for Brazil and is expected to be sidelined for around three months.
      Merson is not confident about Arsenal’s title hopes without the 25-year-old because he is “everything” to the team.
      The pundit also agrees with Arteta’s recent statement about the club having to be active in the January transfer window as he is not convinced Eddie Nketiah is a suitable replacement.
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      When asked if his former team can cope without Jesus, Merson told Sky Sports: “I hope they do, but I’d be shocked if they did.
      “He’s everything to Arsenal in my opinion. That’s no disrespect to the other players because they’ve got some top players, but he just gels everything together.
      “He takes you up the pitch, he holds it up, he’s had more touches in the box than any other play in the Premier League this season by a country mile.
      “So that tells you absolutely everything about him.
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      “I like Nketiah don’t get me wrong, he might be able to do it for one or two games.
      “But I don’t see him doing it for three months and that’s where the problem starts.” More

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      Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea scout Yousuf Sajjad who helped unearth top young stars becomes technical director of Den Bosch

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      FORMER Arsenal and Chelsea scout Yousuf Sajjad has reportedly become the technical director of Dutch side Den Bosch.The 30-year-old left the Gunners back in September and has turned down job offers from League One and Championship clubs over the past three months.
      Yousuf Sajjad is the new technical director of Den Bosch
      But now he has taken a senior role with Den Bosch who currently play their football in the Eerste Divisie – Holland’s second tier.
      And in doing so he becomes the youngest person in the EU to hold the technical director position.
      Sajjad is incredibly well-respected as a scout having previously discovered talent at both Arsenal and Chelsea.
      While working for the Blues, he brought through the likes of Ian Maatsen, Billy Gilmour and Ethan Ampadu.
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      Now his move to Den Bosch – reported by The Mail – could spark a host of English talent joining the club given his knowledge of the country’s pool of talent.
      Den Bosch is part of a multi-club model, with other outfits in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Holland.
      They are currently struggling in the Eerste Divisie after a poor start to the campaign.
      Three successive defeats have seen the club drop to 15th place in the table.
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      However, there is no relegation from the second tier.
      They have not played in the Eredivisie since being relegated back in 2005.
      And they have not finished in the top half of the second division since coming fourth in 2019. More

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      Mikel Arteta demands Arsenal make early January transfer signings and ‘not just a body’ as he eyes Prem title charge

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      MIKEL ARTETA has demanded Arsenal make early January transfer signings as he eyes a Premier League title charge. The Spaniard brought in the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira early on in the summer.
      Mikel Arteta has demanded Arsenal make early January transfer signingsCredit: Getty
      And Arteta wants business wrapped up in quick fashion again when the January sales start.
      He said: “We knew the importance of getting players early in the summer and that is the same we want to do in January.
      “This is idealistic. Sometimes it is not realistic. But obviously, if you ask my opinion, as quick as possible we want the players in to get settled.”
      Arsenal have been linked with Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk after Jesus needed knee surgery following injury at the World Cup.
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      But Arteta said: “What we cannot afford to do is get a player here that is not for us.
      “We don’t need a body, we need players that make the team better.”
      Arsenal return to Premier League action tonight, hosting West Ham in a London derby.
      And they do so top of the table, five points above champions Manchester City.
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      So Arteta wants to recruit players with a winning mentality.
      He said:  “We think about Arsenal as a team and a club that has to be at the very best.
      “The hardest thing is to win. And once you have won, to win again. And to win again and again.”
      Arsenal return to the Premier League top of the tableCredit: Reuters More

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      Arsenal agree Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer with talks over fee with Shakhtar Donetsk continuing ahead of January switch

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      ARSENAL have reached an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to reports. The transfer for the Ukrainian winger could go through in January with talks well underway.
      Arsenal are leading the race to sign Mykhaylo MudrykCredit: Getty
      Journalist Nicolo Schira claims that the Gunners have a deal “in principle” for the 21-year-old.
      It has been reported that discussions are continuing over the transfer fee.
      Shakhtar supposedly want £85million for him but Arsenal are confident they will lower their demands.
      Manager Mikel Arteta is desperate to bolster his squad in the approaching transfer window as the club look to maintain their title challenge.
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      With Gabriel Jesus out injured for some time due to knee surgery, there was fears that Arsenal could postpone their move for Mudryk and instead sign a striker.
      But it appears the North Londoners will stick to their plan and buy their No.1 target, who they tried to purchase in the summer.
      Mudryk has been in good form for Shakhtar, particularly impressing in the Champions League.
      The quick and tricky winger netted three goals and assisted a further two in six group stage games.
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      He is also scoring for fun in the Ukrainian League, finding the back of the net on seven occasions in 12 matches as Shakhtar look to retain the league title.
      Reports suggest Newcastle are also keen on Mudryk and that Arsenal need to move quick with plenty of teams battling it out for his signature.
      However, the player himself has stated that he would be tempted by a move to Arsenal providing he gets enough of opportunities to play. More

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      This is a tough time of year having lost my son but Arsenal under ‘Gooner’ Arteta have been a source of strength for me

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      CHRISTMAS and New Year is a particularly difficult time for me, having lost my son on the 1st of January 2019.Boxing Day’s match against West Ham will in fact be the first visit to the Emirates over the busy Christmas and New Year schedule since.
      Mikel Arteta’s side will return to Premier League action against West HamCredit: Getty
      My last match with my lad was just before Christmas 2018 and the incredible 4-2 defeat of the old rivals, Spurs.
      Of course, I had no idea of the significance of that memorable afternoon.
      Arsenal, and the club’s community have been a constant pillar of strength and support to me, and Mikel Arteta has (unknowingly) been a huge part of that.
      I admired him as a player and his transition from attacking midfielder to holding midfielder was something I predicted in an article as soon as I knew Alex Song was leaving the club.
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      Throughout his career Arteta has been a cerebral player and his reading of the game, and passing range, made the move to the holding role seamless.
      The headlines from the 2013/14 season, which culminated in Arsenal’s first trophy in nine years, will forever belong to Arsene Wenger and Aaron Ramsey, but for me Arteta was the glue and the engine room in the team.
      Our greatest manager ever knew that the likeable, determined Spaniard would become a formidable coach and said as much when enforced injury breaks the following year, saw him begin his coaching badges.
      Perhaps, learning initially from Wenger and then obviously Pep Guardiola, it was easy to predict that Arteta would be a success as a coach or manager, but it does not always pan out as we expect.
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      However, Arteta had my backing from day one, and the first fabulous win coming on the first anniversary of my son’s passing, against Man United, seemed fateful.
      I recall sitting at home, with tears in my eyes at the final whistle, in part because I missed my son, and equally feeling the Arteta and the team had performed for us.
      There have been times since the incredible FA Cup win in 2020, certainly in the 20/21 campaign when I felt Arteta was stubborn and intransigent, but at no time did I doubt that he was the right man to take Arsenal back where we as supporters wanted our club to be.
      Yes, there have been mistakes in the transfer market but as the team became more his own, able to play the way he had envisaged, the pattern and progress became so evident.
      The parallels to George Graham’s early tenure, which saw the enforced departure of senior fan favourites are obvious and now on the third anniversary the team that leads the Premier League is his team.
      A squad assembled primarily full of players he wanted, of the age profile he decided upon, able to play football in the style, with and without the ball that he has determined.
      Of course, losing his main man, Gabriel Jesus, is a curve ball but I am confident Arteta will find a way to maintain the momentum his team have built before the enforced World Cup break.
      Not only because I would contend, he has evolved and is far more flexible as a coach, but because everyone of the first team squad believes in him, and crucially KSE and the Arsenal Board do as well.
      Mikel Arteta played a key role in the 2016 FA Cup success under Arsene WengerCredit: AP:Associated Press
      If the Spaniard feels he needs reinforcements, the hierarchy will find the funds.
      In short, I love the fact that Mikel is at my club, and I trust him to continue to take Arsenal in the right direction.
      He has made promising players top players and he has made inconsistent performers consistent.
      He has made Arsenal as good without the ball, as with the ball and built a defence that operate as a collective unit, and he has turned Arsenal’s renowned soft underbelly into a firm six pack!
      Lastly, I consider our manager to be an Arsenal Man. No matter what happened previously in his playing career, he took a pay cut to become one and despite a sojourn In Manchester, Arteta was always a Gooner at heart.
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      Happy third anniversary Mikel. I am loving the journey you are taking me on, and you have made supporting my team a source of lightness in an often-dark existence. Thank you!
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      Arsenal transfer boost in race for Joao Felix with Atletico Madrid willing to let star striker leave on January loan

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      ATLETICO MADRID are willing to let Joao Felix leave on loan in January, according to reports.The Portuguese star is unhappy in the Spanish capital, having endured a rocky relationship with manager Diego Simeone.
      Joao Felix has had an underwhelming season at Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
      Felix, 23, has drawn plenty of Prem interest – with Arsenal and Manchester United leading the race.
      The Gunners want to strengthen their forward line, with Gabriel Jesus currently out injured.
      While Man United want to fill the hole in their squad left by the axing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      According to the Daily Record, Atletico will let Felix go on a January loan deal for an £8million fee.
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      They will also require his wages paid in full, in order to comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
      The report adds that a loan deal will NOT include an option or obligation to buy.
      Felix has started just five of Atletico’s 14 LaLiga matches this season.
      He arrived at Atletico as a £113m replacement for Antoine Griezmann in 2019.
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      Felix has scored 33 goals and laid on 18 assists in 129 appearances since making the switch from Benfica.
      Earlier this month, Atletico chief Gil Marin admitted that the forward was likely to leave in the coming months.
      He said: “The reasonable thing is to think that he is leaving, although I would love him to continue.
      “But that is not the player’s idea. He is the biggest bet the club has made.
      “I think he has the highest level in the world, but because of his relationship with the coach, the minutes played, his motivation… the reasonable thing to do is to consider his departure if an offer comes in.”
      Felix played well at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring against Ghana and laying on two assists against Switzerland.
      Speaking about his player’s form, Atletico manager Simeone said: “I want Atletico to win, that’s my sole focus.
      “Then what has to happen will happen. No one is indispensable and things will be as they have to be.
      “He had a good World Cup, he participated in goals. Hopefully we can have the Joao of the World Cup… I hope we can give him the peace of mind and joy to show what he demonstrated in the World Cup, which was very good.”
      Felix, 23, has not had an easy relationship with Diego SimeoneCredit: Getty More

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      How Arsenal could line up on Prem return against West Ham but will Arteta make formation change after Jesus injury?

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      ARSENAL will resume their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day with a tasty London Derby.The league leaders will welcome West Ham to the Emirates on Monday night for what promises to be a fiery festive fixture.
      Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day with a clash against West HamCredit: AFP
      The Gunners currently top the Premier League Christmas TreeCredit: AFP
      The Gunners will be without the services on an injured Gabriel JesusCredit: PA
      But their starting XI for the visit of the Hammers will differ from the side that beat Wolves before the World Cup-enforced international break.
      That’s down to a handful of injuries and players participating in Qatar 2022.
      Summer signing Gabriel Jesus will miss the match after undergoing knee surgery – which is expected to keep him on the sidelines until March.
      Jesus’ fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli will likely deputise for him.
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      Reiss Nelson will also miss the match after picking up a thigh injury during the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat to Juventus last week.
      Emile Smith Rowe is in contention to return to the fold following his recovery from a groin injury.
      Despite missing all three of the north Londoners’ mid-season friendly, left-back Oleksandr Zinechenko is also a potential starter.
      But Kieran Tierney is likely to start ahead of the Ukranian, who is understood to be still dealing with the lingering effects of a calf strain.
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      The absence of Jesus could prompt Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to tweak his 4-3-3 formation.
      Martinelli will likely be the focal point of the attack, with Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka just behind him.
      Predicted Arsenal XI to face West Ham: Ramsdale; White; Saliba; Gabriel Tierney; Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard; Smith Rowe, Saka; Martinelli
      How Arsenal could line up against the Hammers
      Arsenal currently lead defending Premier League champions Manchester City by five points going into the frantic festive fixture period.
      And Arteta has hinted he’s not against the idea of dipping into the transfer market to ensure his troops’ title charge doesn’t fall flat.
      The Spaniard said of Jesus’ injury: “It’s a huge blow for us, obviously.
      “He’s such an important player: he’s brought something very different to the team and it’s impossible to replace him.
      “But we have other players, other alternatives and we’ll try to get that sorted.
      “The transfer window is another option.
      “I think [Jesus] is a unique player but Eddie [Nketiah] has incredible qualities as well for the way we want to play.
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      “We have other alternatives in that we can play Martinelli up front as well.
      “We are currently a little bit short in terms of upfront positions but getting Emile [Smith Rowe] back is going to be a big one.” More