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    How Arsenal could line up after January transfer window with Mikel Arteta planning bids for Danilo and Mudryk

    ARSENAL could have a whole new look for the New Year after the January transfer window SunSport exclusively revealed Mikel Arteta is hoping for at least two signings this winter.
    Arsenal could line up in a new way after January, with Palmeiras’ Danilo Oliveira on their shortlistCredit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta also hopes to land Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar DonetskCredit: Getty
    And the Spaniard has three targets lined up as Arsenal look for a first Premier League title since the Invincibles.
    Arteta will be handed £50million of hard cash by owner Stan Kroenke, having already spent £130m in the summer.
    Top of Arteta’s list is Brazilian midfielder Danilo Oliveira.
    The 21-year-old has been starring at Palmeiras this year.
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    And Danilo was quickly identified by Arteta after previous target Douglas Luiz signed a new Aston Villa deal.
    It’s believed Palmeiras could accept £22million for their star man, having spurned initial interest several months ago.
    And Danilo would provide competition for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, while also being an upgrade on Mo Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
    Arsenal also hope to sign a winger to boost their forward line.
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    Top of the list is Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk, 21, who is rated as one of Europe’s top youngsters.
    He scored his sixth goal of the season in last night’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Celtic.
    But Mudryk is attracting interest from some of the continent’s elite sides, with Shakhtar hoping for as much as £50m.
    That has seen Arteta also place Yeremy Pino on his wishlist.
    How Arsenal could line up in 2023
    The 20-year-old broke into Villarreal’s side two years ago.
    Pino is valued at £25m by the Spanish club, who have just lost boss Unai Emery to Aston Villa.
    Like Mudyrk, he would give Arteta more options on both sides of the attack.
    But Pino is also capable of playing as a striker, meaning Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah would have extra competition too.
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    It now remains to be seen who Arteta plumps for after taking Arsenal to the top of the table.
    The Gunners are two points clear of defending champions Manchester City, having won nine of their 11 games so far. More

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    Watch Arsenal transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk score wondergoal for Shakhtar Donetsk against Celtic

    ARSENAL won’t know whether to groan or grin after top target Mykhaylo Mudryk notched a sensational solo goal.Shakhtar Donetsk’s “Ukrainian Neymar” weaved inside to thunder a 25-yard equaliser in Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Celtic.

    Mykhaylo Mudryk lets rip with his stunning right-foot levellerCredit: EPA
    Mudryk celebrates one of the best goals in Europe so far this seasonCredit: EPA
    The Gunners, Newcastle and Everton are said to be trailing Nice in the race for the winger, 21.
    And the eight-cap star could be worth far more than the £25million the French club are reportedly willing to pay – judging by the response to his midweek strike on social media.
    One awed observer posted: “What a player, whoever gets him is so lucky.”
    Another said: “Arsenal bound” – but a Newcastle follower urged his club chief: “Get this kid in the January window now man. He is a beast.”
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    Mudryk’s all-round play won him yet more British admirers – but his goal stole the show.
    Twittter comments included “beautiful” and “wow, some finish” as social media agreed he is already a “top player”.
    Encouragingly for these, Mudryk said last month: “My dream is to play in Premier League, of course.
    “Arsenal is a very good team, very good manager – so from my side, I can’t say no to Arsenal!”
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    Villarreal’s Alex Baena is rated an alternative option for the Gunners.
    And the Spain Under-21 wideman might be an even attractive option if Shakhtar hold out forthe £45m it’s claimed they want – almost twice the amount his suitors seem willing to pay. More

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    Arsenal to back Mikel Arteta’s Premier League title bid and bankroll January transfer splurge

    ARSENAL will back boss Mikel Arteta with £50million of hard cash in the January transfer window to prevent their title bid being wrecked by burn-out.Arteta wants to add at least two more players to his squad to help them maintain their blistering start to the season.
    Arteta wants at least two new faces in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    Brazil star Danilo is attracting interest from ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Ukraine star Mudryk has a number of top clubs after himCredit: AP
    Yeremy is one of Villarreal’s main menCredit: Getty
    And owner Stan Kroenke is ready to finance another spending spree despite splashing out £130m in the summer to sign Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos.
    Few people at the Emirates expected the team to be challenging for the title this summer and have been pleasantly surprised to see opening a healthy lead over Big Six rivals Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs.
    But now they are only two points ahead of Champions Manchester City following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton.
    And little more than a quarter of the way into the campaign, there are already concerns that the surprise table toppers are already starting to feel the pace.
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    Arteta has been relying on a core group of 15 starters in Premier League but has also been forced to select a number of those players in the Europa League group games.
    He is particularly keen to ease the workload on Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka, who have featured in all 15 Arsenal games so far this season.
    Plans to make another bid for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz have been scrapped after he recently signed a new long-term contract.
    Now Arsenal could revive their interest in another Brazilian midfielder, the 21-year-old Palmeiras star Danilo.
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    Arsenal made two unsuccessful bids for Luiz on transfer deadline day but also sounded out Palmeiras about a potential deal for Danilo.
    They were prepared to pay £22m but the Brazilian League leaders were not interested in selling their young star while they were still involved in the Copa Libertadores.
    But with the Brazilian season finishing before next month’s World Cup finals, Arsenal believe that Palmeiras could be willing to cash in on Danilo in January and will test their resolve with an improved £26million bid.
    They are also in the market for another winger and are currently keeping track of Shakhtar Donetsk’s young Ukrainian international Mykhaylo Mudryk and Villarreal’s exciting 20-year-old Yeremy, who would both cost somewhere in the region of £25m. More

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    Arsenal in transfer blow with Marco Asensio set to sign new three-year Real Madrid contract after showdown talks

    REAL MADRID ace Marco Asensio is set to sign a three-year contract extension at the Bernabeu, according to reports.The Spaniard, 26, has been linked with a move to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham since bursting onto the scene at Los Blancos in 2016.
    Marco Asensio is set to sign a three-year extension at Real MadridCredit: AP
    According to SER, however, Real want to hold showdown talks with the winger’s representatives to extend his stay in Madrid – including a bumper pay rise.
    The Spain international has struggled to break into Carlo Ancelotti’s line-up with Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and 2022 Ballon d’Or Winner Karim Benzema ahead of him in the pecking order.
    Previous reports suggested Asensio wasn’t with his bit-part role in the team – but he appears to have changed his mind after a string of opportunities off the bench.
    Therefore, the versatile attacker could put pen to paper on a new deal with the reigning European champions.
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    His agent Jorge Mendes, though, appears to want a longer deal with an even higher wage bill.
    Nevertheless, Real are keen to hold on to Asensio and will push for a response before the 2022 World Cup – with the star tipped to be called up by Spain boss Luis Enrique.
    Arsenal appear keen on adding more firepower up front with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard firing on all cylinders already.
    The same goes for Tottenham, who want to add reinforcement next to Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski.
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    Liverpool, on the other hand, are still looking for someone to restore Sadio Mane’s influence down the wings.
    Plus, manager Jurgen Klopp recently lost Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota to injury. More

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    Arsenal ‘ready to make transfer offer of £52.5m and Albert Sambi Lokonga’ for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

    ARSENAL are reportedly “willing to do anything” to land Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.That includes having youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga as part of a package deal with £52.5million.
    Arsenal are said to be lining up a bid for Milinkovic-Savic in JanuaryCredit: Rex
    Lokonga will reportedly be part of the swap deal, along with £52.5mCredit: Rex
    Milinkovic-Savic, 27, is a wanted man as his contract expires at the end of next season.
    The Serbian midfielder is set for crunch talks with the Serie A side to discuss his future.
    He has netted four times and assisted seven in 15 games this season for the third-placed team.
    Lazio are said to have slapped a whopping £105m price tag on their prized target.
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    And according to Italian outlet CalcioMercatoWeb, the Gunners will do their very best to persuade them to agree.
    The package involving Lokonga, 23, will be worth around £74m.
    Arsenal reportedly had a £47m bid for the midfielder turned down in the summer.
    But they will return to the negotiating table again soon – much to the delight of club icon Paul Merson.
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    In his column for the Daily Star Merson wrote: “Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the player I would go for.
    “I think Milinkovic-Savic is a lovely player. A really top-drawer player.
    “The way he played for Lazio last season I personally think he is the best midfield player in Italy.
    “I know Manchester United have been linked with him in the past, but why there isn’t a queue of clubs lining up to buy the Serbian, I do not know.
    “I think a lot of clubs are missing a trick.”
    One report suggested that the Serbian would prefer a move to Old Trafford over anywhere else in the Premier League. More

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    Arsenal ‘targeting Frankfurt centre-back Evan Ndicka transfer’ after missing out on Man Utd star Lisandro Martinez

    ARSENAL have joined the bidding war for Eintracht Frankfurt ace Evan Ndicka, reports suggest.The Gunners are still in the market for a left-sided centre-back ahead of the January transfer window.
    Eintracht Frankfurt ace Evan Ndicka has been linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: Rex
    According to the Evening Standard, Ndicka, 23, is one of the North Londoners’ top targets but face competition for his signature.
    Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United have also been previously linked with the centre-back.
    Arsenal turned their attention on Ndicka after missing out on Lisandro Martinez, who signed for United last summer.
    Mikel Arteta’s side also failed to land Calvin Bassey, who opted for Ajax.
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    Ndicka stood out for Eintracht last season as he helped them win the Europa League.
    The Frenchman continues to impress in the Bundesliga with a total of 17 appearances already this season.
    The defender poses as a very attractive target as his contract runs out in June.
    Ndicka joined Eintracht from Auxerre in 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks at the Deutsche Bank Park.
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    The 23-year-old has since amassed a total of 10 goals and nine assists in 156 appearances across all competitions.
    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, though, has managed to create a rock-solid defence with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back. More

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    Arsenal and Chelsea transfer blow with ‘Wilfried Zaha set to open talks with Crystal Palace over new long-term contract’

    CRYSTAL PALACE will hold talks with star man Wilfried Zaha over a new long-term contract.That is according to Palace manager Patrick Vieira, who is adamant Zaha, 29, won’t be leaving for free in June when his contract runs out.
    Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has dealt Arsenal and Chelsea with a transfer blowCredit: Reuters
    Palace are set to hold contract talks with star man Wilfried ZahaCredit: Getty
    That would be a significant transfer blow for Arsenal and Chelsea who have been keeping tabs on the winger for quite some time.
    Vieira said: “Wilfried knows what the club think about him, and we know what he thinks about the club.
    “There will be discussions taking place [over a new contract] but for myself and for the club what is important is for him to play at this level and to be consistent and to help those young players around him to grow and we will see what will happen.
    “If Wilfried Zaha has a good day, the team will have a good day.
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    “He’s an important player on and off the field, he’s got the experience and today he was really good in possession and out of possession he worked really hard.”
    Arsenal, Chelsea as well as Roma were eyeing Zaha during the summer transfer window.
    The 29-year-old has long held ambition to play in the Champions League after his disappointing stint with Manchester United almost a decade ago.
    The Gunners have been keeping tabs on the Ivory Coast international since 2019 when former manager Unai Emery considered him a priority before the club opted for record signing Nicolas Pepe.
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    While Chelsea are also looking to add some more firepower to Graham Potter’s faltering attack.
    Zaha has been enjoying a stunning campaign so far with five goals and one assist in 10 Premier League matches. More

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    Southampton 1 Arsenal 1: Mikel Arteta’s side lose ground in Premier League title race as battling Saints grab draw

    STUART ARMSTRONG ended Arsenal’s eight-match winning streak as the Premier League leaders suffered a reality check at St Mary’s. Mikel Arteta’s faded alarmingly after an excellent start, which brought an early Granit Xhaka opener, and their lead over Manchester City is now just two points. 
    Xhaka opened the scoring in the first halfCredit: EPA
    The Swiss midfielder is having a standout seasonCredit: Getty
    Armstrong equalised for the SaintsCredit: PA
    The way Arsenal started with such energy and swagger, you felt they would canter to another victory but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s strugglers fought back with conviction to earn a deserved point.  
    Nobody at the Emirates had been getting too carried away about Arsenal’s magnificent start to the campaign – with a feeling that they might not have the squad depth or experience to make a serious title challenge. 
    And it felt as if Arsenal had hit the wall physically as they allowed inferior opposition back into a game they would have expected to win.
    Saints had ended a miserable run with a midweek victory at in-form Bournemouth but with their team depleted there was little pre-match optimism around St Mary’s.
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    Arsenal may have lost on three of their previous five visits here but this lot had been looking like a very different Arsenal. 
    They were full of it early on – a supreme conviction about everything they did. 
    Xhaka had an angled shot well saved by the legs of Gavin Bazunu and then the Swiss combined with Gabriel Martinelli to tee up Martin Odegaard, who dragged his shot wide. 
    But it took only 11 minutes for the opener to arrive, Bukayo Saka slipping a pass to Ben White on the overlap and the right-back cutting back a low centre which Xhaka met with a stunning half-volley on his weaker right foot.
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    Gabriel Jesus could have had a penalty soon after when he appeared to be pulled back by Lyanco and then the Brazilian forward twisted Duje Caleta-Car inside and out but drilled into the side-netting. 
    It had been an outstanding opening 20 minutes from Arsenal but then the Saints decided to join in.  
    Arteta’s side were pinned back for a long stretch, aerially bombarded by corners, free-kicks and long throws – but they dealt with it all unfussily. 
    And Jesus ought to have doubled the lead before half-time, when a defensive mix-up allowed Odegaard to play a saucy scooped pass only for the Brazilian to miscue his volley and allow Bazunu a comfortable save. 
    Arsenal struggled to find their first-half fluency after the break and St Mary’s – so quiet except for intermittent groaning – began to find its voice as the Saints stepped up the pressure.
    Yet when the Gunners broke, a cute through-ball from Odegaard sending Jesus clear, Mohamed Elyanoussi needed to make an excellent saving tackle just as the Brazilian went to pull the trigger. 
    Arsenal’s tempo had dropped, though, and Saints were sensing a way back in well before the equaliser arrived midway through the second half. 
    It was a sweeping move, featuring a smart dummy from Joe Aribo and finishing with Elyanoussi cutting in and slippin a pass through for Stuart Armstrong to steer past Aaron Ramsdale.
    This proved to be a powerful fillip for Hassenhutl’s side rather than a kick up the backside for Arsenal.
    Romain Perraud fizzed a shot wide and Aribo had a shot saved by Ramsdale as Southampton confidence surged, on and off the pitch. 
    Arteta sent on Eddie Nketiah for Martinelli, while former Gunner Theo Walcott and striker Che Adams arrived for the hosts. 
    As tempers rose, Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover was yellow-carded by ref Robert Jones. 
    Odegaard found the net but his effort was disallowed because the ball had crossed the line before sub Kieran Tierney had cut it back to the Arsenal skipper. 
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    Nketiah, one of those back-up men who do not look like title-winning players, sent a poor shot wide after more creative work from Odegaard. 
    And Arsenal were unable to find a way through in an end-to-end finale.
    Arsenal enjoyed the majority of possession More