GETTING Bukayo Saka a new contract remains Arsenal's priority for the foreseeable future, with the England star set to sign for another five years.
Saka, 21, was in top form against Liverpool, where he scored two goals, and has been in outstanding form for Mikel Arteta's side this season.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are reportedly set to go back in for Cody Gakpo as soon as January.
And Arsenal will get a closer look at the Dutch forward when they face PSV in the Europa League.
But one player that the North London club have lost out on is Douglas Luiz as the Brazilian has signed a new long-term contract at Aston Villa.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates…
- Emillia Hawkins
'Most underrated manager'
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch believes Mikel Arteta is the most underrated manager in the Premier League.
On Friday, he said: "Mikel Arteta has done an absolutely amazing job.
"I think he’s the most underrated manager in the league.
"With a young team, he’s built this up to be really complex, stable, I think exciting to watch.
"He’s done an amazing job and it’s taken him time. He took a lot of heat in the beginning, but I think now you see the fruits of his labour and the fruits of their labour."
- Emillia Hawkins
How Arsenal could line up against Leeds
The Gunners hope to retain their spot at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Leeds United on Sunday.
But, some players are a doubt.
New boy Oleksandr Zinchenko is unlikely to make an appearance at Elland Road as he continues to recover from a muscular issue.
Kieran Tierney took his place at left-back during Thursday's Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt, so he could be replaced with Takehiro Tomiyasu who impressed in the position against Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus is expected to return after sustaining a nasty blow to the face from Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas last week.
- Alex Terrell
Odegaard hails midfield pal Vieira
Gunners star Martin Odegaard has praised Portuguese revelation Fabio Vieira for adjusting to life in England.
The Norwegian said: "Fabio is a little bit different to me and it's brilliant to play with him.
"He has great qualities on the ball and we can both play in different positions, so hopefully we will do more together in the future."
Credit: Getty
- Alex Terrell
He lifts a medicine ball, he plays for Arsenal
Fabio Vieira has been pumping iron in a bid to beef up for Arsenal's title challenge, writes MARK IRWIN.
The Portuguese playmaker is still acclimatising to the ferocious pace of the top flight after his £30million summer switch from Porto.
But the determined 22-year-old plans to do everything in his power to accelerate the learning process.
And a big part of his plan to be a key member of Mikel Arteta's table-toppers involves adding extra muscle to his lightweight frame.
Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Leeds, Vieira said: "It's a different type of game in England compared to Portugal. In England it's more physical. I need to work on this and promise that's what I am doing. Three times a week, I'm in the gym.
"It's time to improve to help the team keep going, to work every day, because we are in first place and need to maintain this run."
- Alex Terrell
Morning Gunners fans
Douglas Luiz has signed a new long-term contract with Aston Villa in a blow to Arsenal.
The 24-year-old has finally put pen to paper, with his old deal running out in the summer.
Mikel Arteta winning the battle with Aubameyang has turned Arsenal into title challengers.
That’s according to John Barnes, who thinks the battle with the now-Chelsea striker gave the young Spanish boss a platform to succeed.
Gareth Southgate has gone from being spoilt for choice at right-back to an injury crisis in the position.
The England gaffer has been rocked by the news that Reece James could MISS the tournament after suffering a knee injury in the week.
James is the third Three Lions right-back in two weeks to be struck down – following Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Arsenal's Ben White is on the shortlist of replacements.
The 25-year-old has been superb this season after being displaced in the heart of defence at Arsenal by William Saliba.
Likely to be on the plane for his ability to play both positions, but White’s form at right-back is one encouraging point for Southgate in the midst of the injury crisis.
- Alex Cole
Bees sting Seagulls in Prem
Brentford beat Brighton 2-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium tonight.
Two Ivan Toney goals were the difference between the sides.
The Englishman has scored 55 goals in exactly 100 games for Brentford and time will tell if he makes it on the plane to Qatar.
- Alex Cole
Boss Arteta pleased to win on 'tough night'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised his players after the victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Arteta told Sky Sports: “Really happy with the win against a team that has won 14 games consecutively here.
“It’s not a coincidence and we knew we were expecting a really tough night here.
“We made a lot of changes again but I’m delighted to find a way to win football matches every three days, under any circumstances it’s a positive sign for the team”
- Alex Cole
Arsenal keeping tabs on the ‘next Haaland’
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Nordsjaelland star Andreas Schjelderup, dubbed the next Erling Haaland.
According to Calciomercato, the Gunners are among a number of clubs keeping tabs on Schjelderup, 18, who has registered 14 goals and five assists in 51 appearances.
The forward has already registered eight goal contributions in just 12 matches so far this season.
The Norway youth international’s contract expires in 2024 and Nordsjaelland are said to be willing to accept a fee in the region of £17.5million.
Journalist Dean Jones has said the young striker has “similar traits” to Manchester City star Haaland
- Alex Cole
Foden promises more to come
Foden – who has already won 11 major trophies with his boyhood club – says he is just getting started.
City trail Arsenal by just a single point nine games into the prem season, and Foden will be gunning for the top.
He said: “It’s such an easy thing to say but there’s a lot more to come.
“I’ve a determination to always want to win and I think I’ve always been like that since I was young. Anything I play in I want to win.
“I feel like I can add a lot more goals and hopefully this season I’m seemingly doing that so hopefully I can keep going down that road.
“It’s hard to put into words how happy I am to sign the contract. It’s an extremely proud day for me and my family but it was such an easy decision.”
- Alex Cole
Foden signs long-term in Manchester
Phil Foden says there is a lot more to come after finally committing his long-term future to second-placed Manchester City.
The England ace, 22, has given the champions a timely boost by signing a five-year deal believed to be worth around £200,000 per week.
It is just the news City fans wanted to hear ahead of their crunch trip to face deadly rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
- Alex Cole
Gunners lose out on Luiz
Arsenal made multiple bids for Luiz, hoping to seal a deal before the summer transfer window ended.
With less than one year on Luiz's contact it was reported the club came back with a second offer of £23m on deadline day that was turned down.
They were expected to make a third bid in January of around £15m, with Mikel Arteta becoming increasingly concerned over the injury-prone Thomas Partey.
Luiz says he decided to sign with Villa as he's loyal to the club after they opened up the door to his Premier League dreams.
Luiz says: "[I signed] because I love this club. The club opened the door when I came to England and played in the Premier League.
"I am so happy. "
- Alex Cole
Lu-iz staying
Douglas Luiz has signed a new long-term contract with Aston Villa in a blow to Arsenal.
The 24-year-old has finally put pen to paper, with his old deal running out in the summer.
Luiz shared his delight on the new contract, saying: "I love this club, I love the people here, the staff, the players and I'm so comfortable."
Fans have shared their support for the Brazilian international on Twitter with one calling Luiz "King of the Midlands" while another posted that it's "the best news this season".
- Alex Cole
No tripping over Kieran
The most experienced of those waiting in the wings, with 37 caps to his name.
Trippier, 32, has been played at left-back by Southgate for England but right-back remains his natural position, and his impressive form for Newcastle this season only strengthens his chances.
- Alex Cole
Aaron is Wan good option
An outside candidate, the Manchester United defender was tipped for an England call up before falling out of form in recent months.
But Wan-Bissaka is now well down the pecking order at Old Trafford, playing just four minutes of action in all competitions this season.
The 24-year-old has represented both England and DR Congo at youth level, with suggestions last year that he could snub the chance to represent the Three Lions in favour of the African nation.
- Alex Cole
Could he Just make it?
Like Trippier, Justin can also play on either side of defence and has one cap to his name.
But with Leicester suffering a torrid season so far, the 24-year-old is not approaching the World Cup in the best of form.
- Alex Cole
No Walk in the park
Southampton ace Walker-Peters does have England experience, playing in the friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast earlier this year.
The 25-year-old has started all nine of Southampton's Premier League games this season, but is likely to be behind both Trippier and White in the pecking order.
- Alex Cole
White in the middle
The 25-year-old has been superb this season after being displaced in the heart of defence at Arsenal by William Saliba.
Likely to be on the plane for his ability to play both positions, but White's form at right-back is one encouraging point for Southgate in the midst of the injury crisis.
Let's see who his competition is…
- Alex Cole
Right-back to square one
Gareth Southgate has gone from being spoilt for choice at right-back to an injury crisis in the position.
The England gaffer has been rocked by the news that Reece James could MISS the tournament after suffering a knee injury in the week.
James is the third Three Lions right-back in two weeks to be struck down – following Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Manchester City star Walker had groin surgery following the 6-3 win over Manchester United at the start of the month and is a major doubt for the tournament.
While Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold is set for two weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal – and he is horrendously out of form.
With Southgate's three first-choice right-backs currently out of action, there is the chance for an unexpected Gunner to book their ticket on the plane to Qatar…
- Alex Cole
Arteta in charge after battle with Aubameyang
Mikel Arteta winning the battle with Aubameyang has turned Arsenal into title challengers.
That's according to John Barnes, who told BonusCodeBets the battle with the now-Chelsea striker gave the young Spanish boss a platform to succeed.
He said: "They've had one more year. They were young and inexperienced last year, sometimes they played well whereas now, they've got the experience and also Arteta is being fully supported.
"Last year when they were inconsistent, there were a lot of questions of whether he was the right man for the job but the hierarchy and fans supported him.
"When he won that battle against Aubameyang, it said to everyone involved with Arsenal that he's the man in charge, we have to do what he says.
"We've seen managers on the line making mistakes and managers lose their jobs because the fans or the hierarchy back the players instead of the managers.
"Whereas once you back the manager 100% on and off the pitch, that is when things improve and that has helped Arsenal massively.
"He's the man in charge, the players have to stand to attention and do exactly what he says rather than undermining him."
When he [Arteta] won that battle against Aubameyang, it said to everyone involved with Arsenal that he's the man in charge, we have to do what he says.
John Barnes
- Alex Cole
Let's talk about Bruno
Newcastle are ready to offer midfielder Bruno Guimaraes a bumper wage increase to keep him at the club, according to reports.
The Magpies plan to build a team around the South American ace but it's no secret the 24-year-old is itching for some Champions League football.
Head coach Eddie Howe recognises the need for the club to break into Europe's top competition saying: "We desperately want Bruno to be happy here, to see a long-term vision here.
"As long as player sees ambition in the club and progression in the club we can fulfil his need."
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that a new deal will be offered "very soon".
It comes after Newcastle chiefs earlier this week admitted that they may have to cash in on big names like Guimaraes to fund their title dreams.
- Alex Cole
What England fans can expect from the matchday experience
It has also been reported elsewhere that individuals that end up in the “sobering tent” will have to remain there until they are judged to be OK to be released with a warning.
Fans heading to Qatar will be able to drink for up to 19 HOURS a day a the official fan festival.
There will also be a fan zone curated by Arcadia, hosts of the spectacular arena which features at the Glastonbury Festival.
But a pint won’t come cheap – with a beer expected to cost £8.
- Alex Cole
'Sobering up tents’ to be used at Qatar World Cup
England supporters and other nations fans will have special zones at the World Cup to sober up.
Alcohol will move from just hotel bars in Qatar to fan zones and will also be sold outside stadiums during the tournament
The Middle East nation is a predominantly Muslim country which has restricted public drinking laws.
Now it has been decided that authorities will control public drunkenness at the World Cup by having an alternative to arrests or jail time for those fans that have one too many.
Qatar's World Cup chief Nasser Al Khater told Sky News: “There are plans in place for people to sober up if they've been drinking excessively.
“It's a place to make sure that they keep themselves safe, they're not harmful to anybody else.”
- Kiro Evans
Gunner Miss Out
Oleksandr Zinchenko is a doubt for Arsenal's trip to Leeds due to a calf injury.
The £32million summer signing missed last week's win over Liverpool and was not in the squad for last night's game against Bodo/Glimt.
SunSport has tried to work out what team Mikel Arteta may opt for ahead of the potentially tricky trip to Elland Road.
Arsenal could open up a four point lead for a few hours at least if they beat Leeds - Kostas Lianos
Moyes on Arsenal title push
West Ham manager David Moyes reckons Arsenal can challenge for the title, thanks to Martin Odegaard.
Moyes said: "It doesn’t surprise me. I used to listen to pundits criticising Arsenal but they have been a really good team for a while and nobody was giving them the respect.
"They brought in Odegaard and he’s made a real difference in the position he plays for them and makes it really difficult for opponents.
“Arteta isn’t half putting together a good side. Sometimes you need to have good fortune to have good young players at your club when you arrive in. And I think Arsenal have good young players in their system"
- Kostas Lianos
Saka contract s priority
Bukayo Saka's contract remains a priority for Arsenal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Romano tweeted: "Bukayo Saka's contract extension remains Arsenal top priority since February.
Mikel Arteta: "He can become much better, he has an incredible potential.
"He has moments in the game where he was really good, other moments he can improve on & demand more"
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