Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Thomas Partey AFCON status CONFIRMED, Ivan Toney LATEST, Tomiyasu ‘EXIT’ updates

Mikel Arteta speaks out

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta described his team's performance at Fulham as the "worst" of the season.

We have to look at ourselves in the mirror because today’s performance is the worst we have played all season that’s for sure. If we play like we played in the other 19 games we will be up there [in the league at the end of the season]. If we play like today we will be nowhere near.

It was a really difficult day to swallow. It was painful and sad. We were not good enough. We lost three days ago when we deserved to win, but today we were nowhere near that level.

We conceded two very similar goals, giving the ball away. Defensively we were second best. We had a great performance against Liverpool, against West Ham, this is the one you have to isolate as it is our worst performance of the season.”

We didn’t do enough with possession — not enough purpose, speed or threat. We were sloppy with the ball. It wasn’t good enough. We didn’t deserve to win. When you have opportunities to go top of league on December 31 and now end up with really bad feeling that is football.

Mikel Arteta

Declan Rice speaks out

Arsenal superstar Declan Rice blasted Sunday's loss at Fulham after "letting ourselves and our fans down".

It is not good enough. The standards set over the course of the season have not been met in the last two games. We let the fans down and we let ourselves down. We need to take more control.

We need to have more self-belief, more desire, the mentality needs to be better. That’s where we need to demand more from each other. We are fighting up the top end of the table and the goals that we have conceded, it cannot happen.

It is about knowing you’re going to fight for every ball. We need to push each other more when times get tough.

In this league there is no room to mess up. There are so many good teams around you and obviously we want to be pushing up the top end of the table.

Declan Rice

Smith Rowe left hanging

Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe was awkwardly left hanging by team-mate Gabriel Martinelli during Sunday's loss at Fulham.

The Gunners were beaten 2-1 at Craven Cottage as their Premier League title hopes suffered another crushing blow.

As the North Londoners chased an equaliser, manager Mikel Arteta opted to replace Gabriel Martinelli with Leandro Trossard.

But as Martinelli went to take his seat on the bench, he acknowledged Reiss Nelson but appeared to miss the offer of a handshake from Smith Rowe.

Ivan Toney blow

Brentford manager Thomas Frank told Arsenal to back off in their hunt for Ivan Toney.

Chelsea and Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Toney but a source recently told SunSport that Frank is desperate for the striker to stay and turn the Bees' season around.

As far as I know Ivan is a Brentford player. I want to keep him and I’m looking forward to him playing with us. I really would like to [keep him]. I’m a head coach.

Desperate is a big word. I want to have my best players with me at all times. From my perspective, I don’t want to sell him. That’s because I think he’s fantastic. I’m enjoying him every day.

Having him back will be like signing an unbelievably good Premier League striker. He’s looking forward to finally contributing to the team.

I see the same determination and willpower from him to want to train well and be ready to play. Maybe a tiny bit more in terms of a comeback and wanting to be at his best.

Thomas Frank

Arsenal reject Nketiah bid

Arsenal rejected an initial enquiry for Eddie Nketiah from Crystal Palace.

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have turned down an approach from the Eagles as they search for a new striker.

The North Londoners are said to have immediately informed Palace that the England international is not available.

Arsenal are steadfast that a deal for the 24-year-old to leave the Emirates will not happen in January as things stand.

But it is yet to be seen if that may change in the near future depending on incoming business from Mikel Arteta's side in the January transfer window.

However, Crystal Palace have been eyeing Nketiah for a long time.

Takehiro Tomiyasu exit?

Arsenal are open to letting Takehiro Tomiyasu leave on loan in the January transfer window.

The Gunners are expected to be active in the winter market as they target their first Premier League title in 20 years.

Manager Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a defender, a midfielder and a striker this month.

However, some current players will have to be offloaded first to make way for new additions.

And according to Il Mattino, Tomiyasu could be allowed to leave in order to raise funds.

Napoli are understood to be interested in signing the right-back on loan in January.

January transfer window OPEN

The January transfer window has officially opened across the planet, including the Premier League and EFL.

Prem clubs, such as Arsenal, can move for reinforcement throughout the month with top teams looking to push for the title while others fight to avoid relegation.

The winter transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Thursday, February 1 this term.

And deals will be rubber-stamped beyond that date if an extension is granted.

Free agents can sign for a new outfit even outside any transfer window.

However, Prem sides can't sign permanent players after the transfer window closes, though some stars could still depart.

Martinelli and Smith Rowe awkward moment

Emile Smith Rowe was awkwardly left hanging by Gabriel Martinelli during yesterday’s loss at Fulham.

As Arsenal chased an equaliser, Arteta opted to replace Brazilian winger Martinelli, 22, with Leandro Trossard.

But as Martinelli went to take his seat on the bench, he acknowledged Reiss Nelson but appeared to miss the offer of a handshake from his fellow team-mate Smith Rowe, 23.

One fan wrote: “Didn't notice this, maybe clears a few things up. 

“I genuinely think Smith Rowe is leaving in Jan, which will be a massive loss, we're so much better with him in the team.”

Rice on another defeat

"Very disappointing. Very tough to take. Not good enough from us again today. Obviously the last two results have not been what we have been setting over the course of the season.

"On the back of the draw at Liverpool we felt we could kick on but two defeats is a tough one to swallow.

"The game against West Ham we had 30 shots, so many touches in the box but couldn't put it away. Today when go one up we have to have more control.

"We need to demand more from each other. We had to push on again and go for more. In this league there is no room to mess up. It is a tough one to take."

Arteta slams performance

He said: "Painful and a sad day. That’s how I would sum it up. We had the chance to be top of the table after 20 games.

"Three days ago we lost a game that we deserved to win, today was a different story."

Arteta speaks out after defeat

He said: "Really tough day. A sad day. Three days ago [2-0 defeat by West Ham] we played a game we lost that we completely meant to win it, today was our worst game of the season.

"The pace, the purpose we have in attack, defensively we were second best, we could not dominate and had issues because of that."

To be Frank

Thomas Frank told Arsenal to back off in their hunt for Ivan Toney.

The Brentford striker, 27, will be available to play after the club’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Chelsea and Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Toney but a source recently told SunSport that Frank is desperate for Toney to stay to turn Brentford’s season around.

But Frank said: “As far as I know Ivan is a Brentford player. I want to keep him and I’m looking forward to him playing with us."

When asked if he was desperate to keep hold of Toney in the transfer window, Frank replied: “I really would like to. I’m a head coach.

“Desperate is a big word. I want to have my best players with me at all times. From my perspective, I don’t want to sell him.

“That’s because I think he’s fantastic. I’m enjoying him every day.

“Having him back will be like signing an unbelievably good Premier League striker. He’s looking forward to finally contributing to the team.

“I see the same determination and willpower from him to want to train well and be ready to play.

"Maybe a tiny bit more in terms of a comeback and wanting to be at his best.”

Match report

Arsenal's winless run has extended to three matches after they were beaten by Fulham on New Year's Eve.

In another blow to the Gunners' title hopes, Mikel Arteta's side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Bukayo Saka had given Arsenal an early lead before the home side completed a stunning turnaround.

Raul Jimenez equalised in the 29th minute before Bobby De Cordova-Reid's second half winner.

Full time - Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

It's all over! A huge result for Fulham - and an even bigger one for Arsenal as far as their season is concerned.

Fulham 2-1 Arsenal

59. Fulham have come from behind to lead at Craven Cottage!

But if the equaliser was stylish, their second is an absolute mess.

Willian's outswinging corner from the right is met by Palhinha's header into the back of Declan Rice.

The ball diverts towards Gabriel, whose attempted clearance hits Takehiro Tomiyasu and falls for Bobby Decordova-Reid to crash into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Gunners face Solanke competition

Arsenal face competition in the race to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth.

The Gunners have been urged to sign the forward after his fine form for the Cherries this season.

However, Tottenham are also being linked with a move for the 26-year-old, report the Independent.

Solanke has scored 12 Premier League goals so far this term, his best-ever top-flight return.

Char off

Charlie Patino is not close to leaving Arsenal for Juventus, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The youngster had been linked with a move to Italy as part of a swap deal involving Moise Kean.

However, it is now reported that there are currently no talks between the two clubs, with Patino’s Arsenal future set to be addressed in 2024.

The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Championship side Swansea, where he has scored three goals and added four assists in 19 matches.

Cutting corners

Lee Dixon has revealed why footballers don't take corners from inside the painted arc.

Generally, players place the ball just outside of the arc before taking a corner.

Rules state that it needs to be in contact with the paint, not directly on or inside the line.

Some football fans have been left confused by this, but Dixon claims that players do it for a practical reason.

Speaking on commentary for Amazon Prime during Chelsea's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Wednesday, the former Arsenal full-back revealed that the paint used to mark the arc is actually hard.

That means the ball sits in an awkward position when fully placed on it.

Therefore, players find it easier to take the corner when a fraction of the ball is on the line.

Rules also state that opposition players must remain at least 10 yards away from the arc until the ball is in play.

If the ball is placed outside of the arc or if an opposition player is deemed to be too close, the corner is usually retaken.

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

No goals in 100 minutes plus on Thursday evening, but Arsenal have one already here.

Gabriel Martinelli is allowed to run in from left following a quick break, and looks set to score himself when unleashing a wicked low curler.

Yet Bernd Leno produced a brilliant stop, only to find the ball in the back of his net instantly as it ricocheted off Bukayo Saka and into the corner.

There's a look to the linesman from the scorer, but the flag stays down and the goal is good.

One-nil to the Arsenal!

London calling

You can follow our LIVE Fulham vs Derby derby blog here.

Give or take

Arsenal are reportedly open to letting Takehiro Tomiyasu leave on loan next month.

The Gunners are expected to be active in the January transfer market as they target their first Premier League title in 20 years.

Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a defender, a midfielder and a striker when the window opens.

However, some current players will have to be offloaded to make way for new additions.

And according to Italian outlet Il Mattino, Tomiyasu could be allowed to leave.

Napoli are understood to be interested in signing the full-back on loan in January.