ARSENAL have been joined by Newcastle in the hunt for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to reports.
Mikel Arteta remains a huge admirer of Mudryk, with it understood the North London outfit will go back in for him in January to provide competition for Gabriel Martinelli.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus' representatives are confident he will earn a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad – despite not being selected during this international break.
Jesus is not the only Gunners player not to be selected in Tite’s squad this month, with Gabriel Martinelli and defender Gabriel Magalhaes also deemed surplus to requirements.
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Partey replacement rated a priority
Mikel Arteta has been urged to find a replacement for Arsenal's injury-plagued midfielder Thomas Partey.
The table-topping Gunners can choose from Partey, Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny.
But boss Arteta reportedly made THREE approaches for Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz in the summer.
Former Villa attacker Gabby Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “Arsenal might look in January and think, ‘you know what, we’re third in the league, we’re second in the league, we’ve got a really good chance this season of finishing in the top four’ and they will have to go out and get one.
“Their fans were very upset at the end of the window when they didn’t get one.
“Thomas Partey is always getting injuries, he’s very injury prone. Xhaka’s been outstanding, Lokonga is still up and coming but they need one more.
“It was strange that they didn’t fill that position. Especially when they know Thomas Partey is not going to play a lot of games this season because he’s always injured."
Four Gunners miss training after international break
The injury break has proved painful for Arsenal, with four players now missing club training.
Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko didn't even travel to play for Ukraine.
And three players to return early also have fitness doubts.
Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu were not pictured in training with boss Mikel Arteta.
Hend of the road for Qatar
David Seaman believes Dean Henderson will NOT be one of England's three World Cup keepers.
The Manchester United keeper, on loan at Nottingham Forest, was an unused sub against Italy and Germany over the past week.
And former Three Lions and Arsenal stopper Seaman believes Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsey will go to Qatar behind No1 choice Jordan Pickford.
He told FootballDaily: "It’s a tough one, but looking at it and the experience that everyone has got, I think that unfortunately, Dean might miss out.
"He's not made a lot of appearances for England, it's his first season back in with Nottingham Forest. I would imagine he's the one that misses out.
"I say fingers crossed no one gets injured because you never know, there's still a few months to go before the World Cup and you never know what might happen.
"But I think in Aaron and Nick, you've got two guys there that are really close in being number two."
Southgate grateful for Sak's appeal
Gareth Southgate hailed the contribution of Bukayo Saka in England’s 3-3 draw against Germany.
The England manager said: “We showed some character but also a lot of quality in the chances we created throughout the whole game and particularly for the goals we scored.
“I think the crowd also came with us. They stayed with us, they stayed with the team. Even at 0-2 they didn’t get on their back.
“They were quiet, understandably, but they didn’t get on their back and that was so important for us.
“And, of course, we score and the roof nearly lifts off – we all suddenly remember what it feels like to watch a goal go in!
“Then there’s great momentum in the game and I thought Bukayo (Saka) and Mason had really good contributions.
“I thought Jude (Bellingham) was outstanding through the whole game. I think Luke Shaw, considering how little football he’s had, had a really positive night.
“So, a lot to take from it and then of course we get an absolute punch on the nose at the end, which is pretty much how it’s going at the moment, frankly!”
When Harry met Sali
There will be key battles at home to Spurs on Saturday – and none more so than rookie Arsenal centre-half William Saliba versus record-breaking striker Harry Kane.
Saliba, 21, is coming back from France duty where he was substituted at half-time in a shock 2-0 defeat to Christian Eriksen-inspired Denmark on Sunday.
Kane, 29, returns after bagging his 51st England goal from the penalty spot in Monday’s 3-3 with Germany.
But the young Frenchman has proved he can handle the Prem’s hottest strikers this season – as Brentford’s in-form Ivan Toney might reluctantly confirm – and he will be more than up for the challenge against visiting Kane & Co.
World Cup ticket chance
England fans enthused by the comeback against Germany get a final chance to buy World Cup tickets today.
Match tickets are available in all price categories with fans allowed to buy up to six tickets per match and 60 across the tournament.
Tickets for group stage matches range from £53 to £168 although seats for the final start at £508 and rise to £1,352.
Supporters can buy their tickets via the Foifa website on a first come first served basis from 10am although further seats will be for sale if available throughout the tournament.
Dusn't want to join
Dusan Vlahovic appears to have dampened talk of a shock switch to Arsenal in January.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Juventus striker or Roma's England frontman Tammy Abraham.
But it's claimed Serbia superstar Vlahovic, 22, has made it clear he wants to stay with Juve,
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is thought to want another proven forward to support ex-Manchester City ace Gabriel Jesus.
Wilshere playing talent is still a 'joke'
Arsenal starlet Kido Taylor-Hart says it's a "joke" how good Jack Wilshere still is as a player - after the former England midfielder returned to the Emirates as a coach.
Striker Taylor-Hart, 19, also praised the 30-year-old coaching ability.
Wilshere retired from playing in July after a career beset by injuries.
He's best known for his spell at Arsenal from 2008-2018, during which he won 34 caps.
But Taylor-Hart told The Beautiful Game Podcast how strong an influence Wilshere has been on the new generation of Gunners.
The-ex West ham and Bournemouth creator initially went back to the Emirates to keep fit by training with the youth teams.
And Taylor-Hart said: “He’s a very good coach.
"When he came back originally he was playing with the 23s, he was training with us like every day. He’s a joke, his talent is a joke.
"The way he works is too quick, he’ll see a pass before it’s even there, it’s crazy.”
'Mistake' to name Arteta manager not coach
Arsenal’s former head of football Raul Sanllehi says the club have messed up by changing Mikel Arteta’s title from coach to manager.
Sanllehi was part of the Gunners set-up which hired the former Manchester City assistant as a ‘head coach’ in 2019.
The Spaniard has since been made ‘manager’, giving him more influence on the direction of the club and decisions across the board.
Sanllehi, who is now director general at Real Zaragoza, says giving Arteta the type of influence that club legend Arsene Wenger once had is not in the best interests of the club.
He told The Athletic: “By going back to the manager at the top, that is a mistake, but that is their mistake.
“I would have not allowed that to happen. But that’s fine, it is working so far for them.”
Gunners sweating on EIGHT players' fitness
The Gunners’ squad is being stretched to its limits in the build-up to Saturday’s crucial North London derby.
Injury prone stars Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Takerhiro Tomiyasu all returned early from international duty while Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss Ukraine’s Nations League decider on Tuesday.
Martin Odegaard and Ben White are being closely monitored after struggling with niggles while Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny have already been ruled out for Spurs’ visit to the Emirates at the weekend.
Sagna backs record-chasing Giroud
Bacary Sagna has backed his former Arsenal team-mate Oliver Giroud to break fellow ex-Gunner Thierry Henry's goal-scoring record for France.
Giroud's strike against Austria last week took him onto 49 international goals and left him two behind Henry's tally.
Retired Gunners and France right-back Sagna, 39, told Lord Ping: "He will break Henry’s record and he deserves it.
"He has the mentality of a dragon and he always gives his best, whenever he plays.
"He has worked hard and he deserves the recognition that will come his way."
Jesus tipped for World Cup
Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus has been tipped to make Brazil's World Cup squad - despite not being called-up for them this month.
The former Manchester City striker has started the season in great form with four goals and three assists for his new club.
And SunSport understands his agents are not worried about Jesus' recent omission as they believe Brazil boss Tite was just using this international break to look at other attacking other options.
Why did England overlook Arsenal?
They are top of the Prem and have a number of in-form Englishman - so why were Arsenal stars marginalsied for England this month?
Versatile Gunners centre-half Ben White did not get a call-up for a national team which looked far from defensively solid against Italy or Germany.
Keeper Aaron Ramsdale was left warming the Three Lions bench while Newcastle rival Nick Pope was dropping a clanger which let Germany earn a 3-3 draw.
And - perhaps most surprising of all - in-form attacker Bukayo Saka was benched for the Germans after being used at left wing-back against Italy.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate said when he got the job he would pick players on form rather than reputation.
It looks like he could do with a trip to the Emirates on Saturday, taking an open mind with him.
Can Saliba cope with Kane?
There will be key battles all over the Emirates park on Saturday - and none more so than rookie Arsenal centre-half William Saliba versus Spurs' record-breaking striker Harry Kane.
Saliba, 21, is coming back from France duty where he was substituted at half-time in a shock 2-0 defeat to Christian Eriksen-inspired Denmark on Sunday.
Kane, 29, returns after bagging his 51st England goal from the penalty spot in Monday's 3-3 with Germany.
But the young Frenchman has proved he can handle the Prem's hottest strikers this season - as Brentford's in-form Ivan Toney might reluctantly confirm - and he will be more than up for the challenge against visiting Kane & Co.
Are North Londoners title rivals?
Arsenal top the Prem with Spurs a point and two places behind them in third after seven games - so is Saturday's North London derby a title-barometer clash?
The Gunners have not won the Prem for 18 years while Spurs' last English top flight success came during an historic Double campaign... in 1961.
But the early running in this campaign suggests both might finally have all the ingredients to join Manchester City and Liverpool in the title mix come the spring.
So will a genuine contender emerge from the lunchtime clash at the Emirates - or will it be another result which only counts for bragging rights in the capital in the final analysis?
Time for Partey against Spurs?
The chances of Thomas Partey being ready to face Spurs in Saturday's lunchtime derby appear to be improving by the hour.
The Arsenal star has been treated with kid gloves by Ghana during the international break as he nurses his way back to full fitness after a thigh and knee problems.
The powerhouse midfielder did play 78 minutes of the Gunners' 3-0 win at Brentford nine days ago and news coming out of his national team camp suggests he could be ready for the weekend.
Ghana boss Otto Addo told reporters they did not want to risk an injury relapse by playing him in a friendly against Brazil, but added: "Hopefully Thomas will be healthy very, very soon."
Newcastle eye Arsenal-target Mudryk
Arsenal could face competition from money-bags Newcastle in their pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Toon are the latest Prem club to track the hot-property Ukraine star, 21, according to The i.
Arsenal have 'repeated structure mistake'
Arsenal’s former head of football Raul Sanllehi says the club have messed up by changing Mikel Arteta's title from coach to manager.
Sanllehi was part of the Gunners set-up which hired the former Manchester City assistant as a 'head coach' in 2019.
The Spaniard has since been made 'manager', giving him more influence on the direction of the club and decisions across the board.
Sanllehi, who is now director general at Real Zaragoza, says giving Arteta the type of influence that club legend Arsene Wenger once had is not in the best interests of the club.
He told The Athletic: "By going back to the manager at the top, that is a mistake, but that is their mistake.
"I would have not allowed that to happen. But that’s fine, it is working so far for them."
Does Saka have to start?
Bukayo Saka's positive impact off the bench for England against Germany last night was undeniable - so is he now a guaranteed World Cup starter?
Arsenal's talismanic winger came off for the last 20 minutes in the defeat to Italy, and came on for a similar amount of time in the draw with the Germans.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate was undoubtedly taking every opportunity he could to test out his many exciting attack-minded midfield options.
But when it is go-time against Iran on October 21 - does Saka need to start and finish if England are to be at their best?
Arsenal injury problems
The Gunners' squad is being stretched to its limits in the build-up to Saturday’s crucial North London derby.
Injury prone stars Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Takerhiro Tomiyasu all returned early from international duty while Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss Ukraine’s Nations League decider on Tuesday.
Martin Odegaard and Ben White are being closely monitored after struggling with niggles while Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny have already been ruled out for Spurs’ visit to the Emirates at the weekend.
Buk got us back on track
Gareth Southgate hailed the contribution of Bukayo Saka in England's 3-3 draw against Germany.
The England manager said: "We showed some character but also a lot of quality in the chances we created throughout the whole game and particularly for the goals we scored.
"I think the crowd also came with us. They stayed with us, they stayed with the team. Even at 0-2 they didn't get on their back.
"They were quiet, understandably, but they didn't get on their back and that was so important for us.
"And, of course, we score and the roof nearly lifts off - we all suddenly remember what it feels like to watch a goal go in!
"Then there's great momentum in the game and I thought Bukayo (Saka) and Mason had really good contributions.
"I thought Jude (Bellingham) was outstanding through the whole game. I think Luke Shaw, considering how little football he's had, had a really positive night.
"So, a lot to take from it and then of course we get an absolute punch on the nose at the end, which is pretty much how it's going at the moment, frankly!"
Good morning Arsenal fans
Ex-Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas has criticised modern managers for not having open communication with their players.
Fabregas told the Daily Mail: "I always spoke up, gave my opinion, I've had discussions with players, with coaches, always in a constructive way. Giving your honest opinion.
"Arsene was always very open with communication, very open to dialogue - 'What do you think about this?' – asking questions. He was always testing you mentally.
"Nowadays, the coaches are not like that. They are more 'It's me, you do what I say and that's it'.
"You have no say. It's a way for them to protect themselves, for them not to be having to give explanations to anyone. They make their decisions. Whoever likes it likes it, if not, you're out.
"This is the way it is going with modern managers. I was brought up in another environment, with Arsene with [Vicente] Del Bosque.
"That's how I was and that's how I will be. Always with respect, but giving it how I think."
Meanwhile, Arsenal's squad is being stretched to its limits in the build-up to Saturday’s crucial North London derby.
Injury prone stars Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Takerhiro Tomiyasu all returned early from international duty while Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss Ukraine’s Nations League decider on Tuesday.
Martin Odegaard and Ben White are being closely monitored after struggling with niggles while Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny have already been ruled out for Spurs’ visit to the Emirates at the weekend.
It leaves Gunners boss Mikel Arteta already sweating over his options less than two months into the season.
And the persistent injury problems are already causing concerns at the club over the depth of their squad and their ability to maintain a title challenge.
Kidd on North London derby
It feels as disorientating as watching Tony Adams in sequins on Strictly Come Dancing, writes SunSport's Dave Kidd
But on Saturday, we’ll witness a North London derby between two teams with genuine ambitions of challenging for the title.
This is a rivalry so intense that 47,000 watched their Women’s Super League clash at the weekend.
But for the first time in six years, Arsenal v Tottenham is a truly elite Premier League fixture, rather than a local squabble of little interest north of Watford.
Last year’s derbies were two of the most one-sided home wins you’ll ever see — when Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs were demolished at the Emirates and Arsenal choked with Champions League football up for grabs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May.
This one promises to be different with Arsenal top and unbeaten Spurs in third.
Read the full piece here.
Cech tops Prem clean sheet list
Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has the record for the most Premier League clean sheets with 202.
The legendary stopper played 443 times in the league and made 1,005 saves.
He was part of the Chelsea 2004/05 squad that won the title under Jose Mourinho with a record breaking defence.
Cech played a huge role in the successes that year keeping 25 clean sheets and he conceded just 15 across the campaign - both records still stand today.
Legendary Arsenal keeper David Seaman is also up at the top of the list in fourth.
Saka shines for England
Bukayo Saka was the star player for England against Germany this evening, writes SunSport's Etienne Fermie.
The Arsenal man was given a 9/10 despite only coming on for Phil Foden in the 66th minute.
He set up Mount's equaliser and was generally a threat throughout.
