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    ‘We value Mykhaylo Mudryk more than Antony’- Arsenal transfer fee for Shakhtar Donetsk star at least £85m, club confirm

    SHAKHTAR DONETSK have dealt Arsenal a transfer warning by declaring Mykhaylo Mudryk is valued at over £85million.That’s after comparing him to Manchester United star Antony.
    Arsenal have been warned Mykhaylo Mudryk will cost over £85mCredit: Reuters
    Shakhtar value their star man more than Ajax did when selling Antony to Man UtdCredit: Getty
    Mudryk, 21, is taking football by storm with some top performances for his Ukrainian side.
    The versatile winger already has five goals in just eight games this season.
    And SunSport exclusively revealed this week that Mudryk is one of THREE signings Mikel Arteta hopes to make in January.
    It’s believed Arsenal had a bid rejected for the attacker late in the summer window.
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    But Gunners boss Arteta is now ready to return with a fresh bid potentially worth £50m.
    However, that’s well below Shakhtar’s asking price.
    Club chiefs are aware there is plenty of interest in Mudryk from across Europe, with Man City reportedly joining the race.
    That has driven up his value, and Shakhtar are also looking at fees paid for similar talents at the same age.
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    Man Utd landed Brazilian winger Antony, 21, from Ajax over the summer, paying £85m.
    And Shakhtar insist they value Mudryk MORE than Ajax valued Antony, meaning Arsenal may have to pay through the nose to get a deal done.
    Deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini told Calciomercato: “Together with Kylian Mbappe, Rafa Leao and Vinicius Jr, Mudryk is the strongest player in his role.
    “Is £35m enough to buy him? We don’t speak for these figures, not even for £45m, we don’t even call the president to make the offer.
    “We value Mudryk more than United’s Antony – £85m. Floating between Arsenal and Man City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player.
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    “But there are also other clubs than can spend right away. We are not obliged to sell, we do not want to lose phenomena. We don’t want to shoot figures that aren’t realistic.
    “But in this team, he is the most decisive. If you want to take on certain players who make a difference in the top clubs, you also need the right money.” More

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    Arsenal ‘want Midtjylland wonderkid Gustav Isaksen transfer but face competition from Newcastle, West Ham and AC Milan’

    ARSENAL have joined the race to sign 21-year-old winger Gustav Isaksen from Midtjylland, according to reports.Mikel Arteta is eager to add some more attacking players to his ranks come January.
    Arsenal are considering a January swoop for IsaksenCredit: EPA
    The Spaniard has already sent scouts to watch Palmeiras youngster Danilo as well as Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has already revealed that he would be willing to join Arsenal if an offer is made.
    But, now a new name has appeared on the transfer shortlist.
    According to Italian outlet CalcioMercato, the Gunners are now looking to sign Isaksen from Midtjylland.
    But, they face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Newcastle and West Ham for his signature.
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    Midtjylland are unlikely to accept anything less than £17million for the winger, who has scored seven goals in 23 appearances for the Danish side so far this season.
    Arsenal currently have the youngest squad in the Premier League.
    Arteta and club technical director Edu Gaspar have recruited a host of young talents since they began working together in 2019.
    Marquinhos, 19, has already made four first team appearances for the Gunners since signing in the summer transfer window.
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    Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba – who both joined the club as teenagers – have also established themselves as regular starters in Arteta’s squad.
    Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table, one point behind Manchester City.
    But, the Gunners are leading their Europa League group despite Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to PSV. More

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    Erling Haaland posed in Arsenal kit as a kid as Gunners fans joked ‘he’s coming home’ before £51m Man City transfer

    ARSENAL fans were sent wild when an old picture of Erling Haaland in a Gunners kit was posted on social media this year.The 22-year-old sensation left Borussia Dortmund in the summer for a bargain £51million move to champions Manchester City.
    A young Erling Haaland pictured in an Arsenal shirtCredit: Twitter / @chriswheatley_
    Haaland ended up moving to Man City from Borussia Dortmund for £51mCredit: Getty
    Manchester City appeared to always be in pole position for his signature, with Haaland reportedly jetting to Monaco for talks on several occasions before his switch.
    But an old photo posted to Twitter by Football.London’s Chris Wheatley last season caused quite the stir among Arsenal fans.
    In the snap Haaland can be seen wearing a yellow Gunners away kit with matching shorts.
    The kit is dated from the 2010-11 season, and was also used as the away kit for the next two campaigns, but it’s unknown when the picture was taken.
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    Nevertheless some fans joked it was a sign that Haaland could have been heading to the Emirates this summer.
    But none will be complaining about the addition of Gabriel Jesus instead, with the Brazilian firing Arsenal to the top of the league.
    One excited supporter wrote on social media at the time: “He’s coming home then.”
    Meanwhile another said: “He’s a Gooner through and through.”
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    Others called for Haaland’s Norway team-mate Martin Odegaard to help get a deal over the line, with one writing: “Agent Odegaard.”
    Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, Haaland did end up opting for Man City instead.
    He’s scored an incredible 22 goals in just 16 games under Pep Guardiola.
    And if wearing a shirt was anything to go by, last year the goal machine was spotted wearing Leeds United shorts as he signed fans for autographs. More

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    Gabriel Magalhaes filmed limping after Arsenal’s loss at PSV in huge injury blow ahead of Nottingham Forest

    ARSENAL’S injury fears surrounding Gabriel Magalhaes will not have been eased after he was pictured limping on to the team coach. Gabriel came on as a late substitute for the 2-0 loss to PSV, but could now miss the game at the weekend against Nottingham Forest if his injury diagnosis comes back badly.

    Gabriel Magalhaes was filmed limping on to the team coachCredit: Twitter @TikiTakaConnor
    His loss would be a massive blow to Arsenal’s title ambitionsCredit: Twitter @TikiTakaConnor
    Gabriel is yet to miss a game this season in the Premier LeagueCredit: EPA
    The Brazilian, who recently signed a new contract at Arsenal, has been a key member of Mikel Arteta’s side this season.
    He has appeared in 15 games in all competitions and is yet to miss a Premier League game.
    His combative presence alongside William Saliba has helped Arsenal forge a two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.
    However, if Gabriel’s affliction causes him to miss some games then Arsenal could see that lead quickly evaporate.
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    Following the game, journalist Sam Dean spotted Gabriel limping down the tunnel “grimacing in pain”.
    And the video of Gabriel taken after the game clearly shows that his mobility has been affected.
    Arsenal appear to have hit a rough patch of form since their 3-2 victory over Liverpool.
    A 1-0 win against Leeds papered over a below-par display before beating PSV convincingly at The Emirates.
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    However, last weekend Arteta’s side were held to 1-1 draw against Southampton.
    Ben White is the most likely candidate to replace Gabriel in the heart of the Gunners defence, while Takehiro Tomiyasu could return to right-back.
    Failing that, Cedric could also deputise there with Tomiyasu instead being deployed at left-back – a position he has occupied in each of the last three games. More

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    Arsenal star Pablo Mari to undergo surgery after getting stabbed while shopping with wife and baby son

    PABLO MARI will undergo back surgery today after being stabbed by a knifeman in Milan.The Gunners defender – who is on loan with Serie A side Monza – was one of five people stabbed in a random supermarket attack on Thursday night which tragically claimed the life of one of the victims.
    Arsenal defender Pablo Mari will undergo surgery after being stabbed in the backCredit: GETTY
    Mari was stabbed as he shopped with his wife and sonCredit: INSTAGRAM@PABLOMV5
    The incident took place at a supermarket in MilanCredit: EPA
    Mari, luckily, didn’t suffer any life-threatening injuries but will have surgery later today to repair the damage to his back.
    The Spanish defender said of the horrific incident: “I was with the trolley with my child inside and I felt an excruciating pain in my back.
    “Then that man stabbed another in the throat. Today I had luck because I saw a person die in front of me.”
    The shocking incident took place at around 6:30pm on Thursday night.

    A 46-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the stabbings, although Italian police have ruled out any terrorist motive.
    Monza CEO Adriano Galliani led the scores of well-wishes for the 29-year-old.
    He tweeted: “Dear Pablo, we are all here close to you and your family, we love you, keep fighting as you know how to do, you are a warrior and you will get well soon.”
    Arsenal also issued a statement on the horrific incident, saying: “We are all shocked to hear the dreadful news about the stabbing in Italy, which has put a number of people in hospital including our on-loan centre-back Pablo Mari.
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    “We have been in contact with Pablo’s agent who has told us he’s in hospital and is not seriously hurt.
    “Our thoughts are with Pablo and the other victims of this dreadful incident.”
    After his side’s 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said of the incident: “I just found out.
    “I know Edu has been in touch with his relatives. He’s in hospital but he seems to be OK.”
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    Mari joined on Arsenal from Brazilian outfit Flamengo in January 2020 before penning a permanent deal the following summer.
    He made 19 appearances and scored one goal for the north Londoners before being loaded out to Udinese and Monza in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns. More

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    Arsenal verdict: Arteta’s lack of squad depth laid bare as tired Gunners struggle to keep up red-hot start to season

    PSV EINDHOVEN made Arsenal look more National League than top of the league in a Thursday night mauling.Mikel Arteta desperately needs to boost his squad depth with a January splurge if he wants to maintain his shock Premier League title bit, as his tired troops waved the white flag in Holland.
    Boss Arteta needs more squad depth in January as his squad begins to lack energyCredit: Getty
    Arsenal were outplayed at PSV in a Europa League disappointmentCredit: Getty
    The heroes of North London remain top of the Prem but they won’t be for long if this form continues.
    The midfield looked lethargic and the defence looked knackered – even Aaron Ramsdale was at fault for a goal.
    A sluggish back line allowed PSV to run riot in the first half.
    The Dutch hosts scored twice in the opening period, only for them both to be disallowed through VAR.
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    And a pair of second-half goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk De Jong gave Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team an easy 2-0 win.
    Now the Gunners must beat FC Zurich at the Emirates next week to guarantee they won’t be facing the likes of Barcelona and Juventus when they drop down from the Champions League.
    After Arsenal fans begged Arteta to rest his stars for the Eindhoven clash, he played near enough a full-strength XI.
    Now he must take Zurich seriously and give his experienced players another game in an already gruelling fixture pile-up.
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    The former midfielder’s side clearly ran out of steam against Southampton at St Mary’s at the weekend.
    They conceded a second-half equaliser and dropped two points as the drop in energy and urgency was all-too clear.
    Manchester City are gaining momentum and Pep Guardiola’s team now sit just two points off the league leaders.
    Erling Haaland and his mates are baying for blood.
    Arteta would not have expected to be ahead of his former mentor at this stage of the season, with the North London club exceeding all expectations so far.
    But owner Stan Kroenke is willing to finance another spending spree despite splashing out a hatful of cash in the summer.
    He will back the Spanish boss with £50million of hard cash in the January transfer window.
    This should help to prevent their title bid being wrecked by burn-out.. if it’s used wisely.
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    With a winter World Cup coming up, in which Haaland won’t be involved, Gunners supporters may find themselves watching more tired displays like the one against PSV.
    Manager Arteta is said to want to add at least two more players to his squad to help them stay top of the tree this Christmas – and he needs them.
    Xhaka has worked tirelessly to get Arsenal to the top of the Prem but the minutes are starting to have an impactCredit: Getty More

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    PSV 2 Arsenal 0: Ruthless Dutch side thrash Gunners with Arteta forced to wait to secure top spot in Europa League group

    ARSENAL’s plans to put their feet up in Europe have been scrapped after Mikel Arteta’s weary team continue to run out of steam.They arrived in Eindhoven only needing a point to be sure of winning their group after an electric start to their Europa League campaign.
    Joey Veerman opened the scoring for PSV as they kept their hopes of top spot aliveCredit: Getty
    Ex-Barcelona ace Luuk de Jong got a second not long afterCredit: Getty
    The Dutch striker beat Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale in the airCredit: Getty
    Arsenal will have to wait until next week to secure top spotCredit: PA
    But now they must beat FC Zurich at the Emirates next week to guarantee they won’t be facing the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus when they drop down from the Champions League in the next round.
    And that means Arteta won’t be able to field a team of kids after watching his senior stars getting a right run-around this evening.
    Second-half goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk De Jong mean that PSV can still snatch pole position from a Gunners team who looked to be in cruise control for the first 45 minutes.
    And while there is no need for panic while their fate remains in their own hands, the way his team wilted after the break will be a real cause for concern for Arteta.
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    Just as alarming as the sudden goal drought is the way opponents are now regularly finding a way  through a previously watertight defence.
    Cody Gakpo thought he had given Arsenal something  to worry about when he raced away to shoot past the advancing Aaron Ramsdale.
    But his celebrations were quickly cut short when he realised the linesman had raised his flag for offside.
    Ramsdale, making his European debut, had already been forced into a low save by Xavi Simons yet that was about as much as he was asked to do for most of the first-half.
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    Arsenal dominated the ball in Eindhoven
    Arsenal’s first attempt on goal didn’t arrive until Gabriel Martinelli’s 16th minute shot was deflected over and that was quickly followed by Eddie Nketiah’s near post effort which required a sharp save from Walter Benitez.
    Their best chance of the first-half arrived six minutes before the break when Takehiro Tomiyasu’s header picked out Martinelli in space in front of goal.
    But though the young Brazilian was able to bring the ball under control on his chest, his finish was sadly lacking as he volleyed over.
    And Arsenal were very neary punished for their wayward finishing when Simons wriggled past Kieran Tierney and William Saliba to prod a shot into the bottom corner.
    It was only as Arsenal were about to kick-off that Italian ref Marco Di Bello got word in his ear from the VAR to tell him that Anwar El Ghazi had been marginally offside before chesting the ball down for Simons.
    There was still time for Martin Odegaard to shoot straight at Benitez as Arsenal looked to regain control before the interval.
    Eddie Nketiah fired just wide on the turn before Tieerney cut inside to curl one over as Arsenal looked to take control.
    But the breakthrough never materialised and they paid the price in the 56th minute when sub De Dong teed up Veermans to smash home.
    Wore was to follow eight minutes later when Ramsdale came for Gakpo’s corner, completely missed his pounch and left De Jong free to head home.
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    The former Newcastle striker had the ball in the net again two minutes later but yet again it was ruled out for offside.
    Not that PSV were going to lose any sleep over that. This game was already done and dusted. More

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    Arsenal to scout Palmeiras wonderkid Danilo tonight as Arteta targets three signings in January transfer window

    ARSENAL will reportedly scout top transfer target Danilo tonight.That’s after SunSport exclusively revealed he’s one of THREE signings Mikel Arteta could make in January.
    Arsenal are set to scout top target Danilo this evening
    Danilo, 21, has been highly impressive for Palmeiras this term.
    And Ekrem Konur claims Arsenal are sending scouts to watch him in action against Fortaleza this evening.
    Arteta is hoping to land a new central midfielder in January.
    And Danilo is top of the list after previous target Douglas Luiz signed a new deal at Aston Villa.
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    Arsenal have been interested in Danilo since the start of the year.
    And they even attempted to make a late move for him in August.
    Danilo now has the chance to impress the Gunners in person when he takes to the field later.
    But he’s not the only player on Arteta’s shortlist.
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    The Spaniard also wants at least one attacking winger to boost his title hopes.
    Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk is the preferred choice, although he could cost up to £50million.
    Arsenal are also keen on versatile Villarreal forward Yeremy Pino.
    And should enough funds be scraped together, they could even move for both Mudryk and Pino – as well as Danilo. More