Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners plan for Thomas Partey EXIT, Jobe Bellingham battle, Ivan Toney BOOST – updates

Liverpool are Arsenal's biggest threat says Bergkamp.

Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has said he believes that Liverpool are the Gunners' biggest threat when it comes to the title race this season.

The non-flying Dutchman was speaking on the David Seaman podcast when he was asked who he thought would threaten Mikel Arteta's side the most.

Bergkamp revealed that he believes it will be Liverpool, citing their immense squad depth as the main reason.

He said: "I think Liverpool. I saw that game yesterday against Man Utd and they showed the [Liverpool] bench.

"I was like 'oh wait a minute - they've got him and him and him' and they are all injured.

"They all have to come back and if they come back at the right time then they might have a good chance to win [the league]."

Arsenal handed Toney transfer boost after Brentford chief admission

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Ivan Toney after Brentford chief Lee Dykes has admitted that the England international could soon be on his way out of the club

Speaking to Brentford club media in an interview about the club’s recruitment process, he said: “Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be.

“He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season – one of them [Harry Kane] has gone to Germany now, so he’s up there as one of the best strikers in the division. He is in the top five in the world, in my opinion.

“So there should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club.

“But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent.”

Gunners demanding £26m for youngster

Arsenal are reportedly demanding a huge fee for 20-year-old Charlie Patino as interest in the youngster hots up.

The young Gun is currently on loan at Swansea where he has made 17 league appearances this season scoring three goals and registering four assists.

And his red hot form and sky high potential is said to have attracted some of Europe's top clubs.

According to football scout Michele Fantini, the Gunners starlet is being monitored by both Juventus and Milan.

But he won't come cheap with Frantini telling TvPlay that Arsenal will demand around £26million for Patino.

Xhaka reveals heartbreaking words to Arteta

Granit Xhaka has revealed the heartbreaking chat he had with Mikel Arteta after he was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy and booed by Gunners fans.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder revealed he was ready to leave the North London club in 2019, but was convinced to stay by Mikel Arteta.

Speaking to The Athletic, he said: "I had many black days, sitting in my hotel room for away games, realising what had happened... I was completely devastated.

“The club showed me little respect even though I was the captain. It was clear they wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible, apart from one person: Mikel Arteta.

"When I met him for the first time, my bags were already packed and I was about to hop on a plane. 

"With my heart and soul, I had already left the club. I said to him, ‘The solution is for me to go’. Mikel told me he wanted me to stay."

Agureo names title challengers

Sergio Aguero has named the teams that he think will push Man City for the title this season and there's no mention of Arsenal.

Despite the Gunners sitting top of the table and five point clear of the Cityzens, Aguero reckons his old side need to be worried about Man Utd and Spurs instead.

Speaking to Stake, he said: “You can never sleep on Man United at this stage of the season. They are one of the biggest threats to Man City’s Premier League title.

“I also think Tottenham are title contenders, who have improved a lot under Ange Postecoglou.

“Even despite their ups and downs, Newcastle are also in with a chance of the title as they always put up a fight.”

Arsenal monitoring Jobe Bellingham

Reports have suggested that Arsenal are among three English clubs tracking Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe.

The 18-year-old has impressed with Sunderland this season scoring four goals and registering one assist in the Championship this term.

And now Ekrem Konur has reported that the Gunners, Liverpool and Chelsea all sent scouts to watch him play against Bristol City over the weekend.

Berbatov likens Havertz to himself

Manchester United icon Dimitar Berbatov has has he believes that Kai Havertz plays in a similar way to how he used to.

When asked which modern-day player most resembles his play style, he said: "I don’t like comparing, but to answer the question, the first person popping into my mind is Kai Havertz.

"The Leverkusen link, but not because I came from Leverkusen and he came from Leverkusen.

“But he has that way of moving around the pitch and not necessarily in a way that he’s in a hurry.

“He’s watching, he’s studying, he’s taking his time. He has a good touch as well on the ball. So I like him to be honest and I wish him all the best at Arsenal.”

Gunners next five

Arsenal sit top of the table, but they will be well aware of a tough run of fixtures round the corner.

Here are their next five games...

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Gunners to reject Kiwior approaches

Arsenal are reportedly expected to turn down any offers for Jakub Kiwior in January.

According to The Standard, The Gunners' defender is attracting a lot of interest from Italy.

It is said that AC Milan are interested in the 23-year-old, however Arsenal do not want to let their man go.

Kiwior has struggled for regular game time with the Emirates Stadium outfit since arriving from Spezia in last January.

However Mikel Arteta has recently begun to integrate him into the setup more with the Polish International starting two of Arsenal's last four games.

Arsenal handed Solanke blow

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Dominic Solanke in the January transfer window as they look to bolster their attacking options.

The Gunners have the best defence in the league, but could need a goalscorer if they are to get their hands on some silverware come May.

Solanke has already netted nine times in the league this season, more than Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus combined.

But Cherries owner Bill Foley has made it clear that the club aren't willing to sell their star man this January when asked about the possibility of an exit in the winter window.

The door is closed and bolted shut.

Bill FoleyBBC Radio Solent Sport

Toney wants Arsenal move

Arsenal have been linked with a deal for Ivan Toney and it would seem the Brentford star is keen on the move too.

According to Fabrizio Romano the Gunners are aware that Toney is keen on joining them in North London.

Speaking to Caught Offside, he said: "It’s not an easy deal because Brentford want important money or else they are more than happy to keep the player until the end of the season,

“I reported yesterday that Toney would be interested in joining Arsenal. Of course Arsenal are aware of Ivan Toney’s stance.

"It’s not about him telling Arsenal that he wants to join them, but of course they know the player would like to join."

Khayon Edwards nets brace in Arsenal U21 win

Khayon Edwards, 20, netted a brace as Arsenal came from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 in last night's PL2 Division 1 clash.

Two goals after the break handed the young Gunners the win to leave them in fourth going into the Christmas break.

They are currently seven points behind league leaders Tottenham, who have won all nine of their games this season but are yet to play Arsenal.

Sagna reveals condition for Arsenal to win the Premier League

Former Arsenal and Man City right-back Bacary Sagna has revealed the one condition for the Gunners to win their first Premier League title in 20 years; staying injury-free.

Speaking to Paddy Power ahead of Arsenal's table-topping clash with Liverpool, he said: "Arsenal have another chance this season to fight for the title.

"They have a good chance with Manchester City and Liverpool dropping points so if they manage to be consistent, and stay injury-free, they can win the league.

“They’ve showed some consistency and quality offensively and they have great control of every game they play. They are smart and when they have to win ugly, they can do that too.

"They have the quality, the players, the coach and the structure to allow them to perform, and they are performing at the moment.

“But it’s the consistency, the most consistent team will win the league because other teams will drop points. But at some point in the season, there are so many games in lots of competitions and that can be tiring.

“We also saw Arsenal tire towards the end of the last season, and when it mattered most last year, they struggled to meet their potential and they let Manchester City back into it.

“I can’t rule City out yet, they had an amazing season last year and surely, they’re going to get back to their best at some point.”

Arsenal boost in Toney transfer race after Brentford chief admission

Brentford have hinted that may be resigned to losing Ivan Toney after technical director Lee Dykes admitted it could soon be time to move him on from the Bees.

Speaking to Brentford club media in a deep-dive interview about the club's recruitment process, he said: "Yes, there will be lots of interest in Ivan in January. Naturally, there should be.

“He was the third-highest Premier League goalscorer last season - one of them [Harry Kane] has gone to Germany now, so he’s up there as one of the best strikers in the division. He is in the top five in the world, in my opinion.

“So there should be interest, and maybe the time comes very shortly that Ivan moves on to another club.

“But they will have to pay a decent transfer fee to acquire his services because he is some talent.”

'Only Arteta wanted me to stay at Arsenal'- Xhaka

Granit Xhaka has opened on how he felt Arsenal gave him "little respect" after he was stripped of the club captaincy under Unai Emery before Mikel Arteta stepped in to save his Gunners career.

Speaking to The Athletic, he said: "The club showed me little respect even though I was the captain. It was clear they wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible, apart from one person: Mikel Arteta.

"When I met him for the first time, my bags were already packed and I was about to hop on a plane. With my heart and soul, I had already left the club. I said to him, ‘The solution is for me to go’.

"Mikel told me he wanted me to stay. But I wasn’t sure. I remember speaking to my dad at the time. He told me, ‘Let’s go’. For the first time ever, he told me to run away. He said there was no future for me at Arsenal.’"

Xhaka of course stayed at the club until summer 2023, repairing his reputation and helping the club return to the Champions League.

He added: "I could not imagine myself playing for Arsenal again. I said to him, ‘I just want to be somewhere where the fans don’t boo me’. But he was so convincing.

"For the first time in my life, I took a decision without talking to my family first. I got up and said, ‘OK, I’ll stay’.

"We embraced and, from that day on, I returned to training and it was like nothing ever happened."

Wright reveals why he quit MOTD

Ian Wright has revealed the heartwarming reason why he is quitting Match of the Day at the end of the season.

Speaking on his Wrighty’s House podcast, he said: “I’m going to actually watch more football. I’m going to watch my grand-daughter.

"I’m going to watch a lot more women’s games. I’m going to watch a lot more Arsenal games, just to be there with fans.

"Go with my son and his missus, be amongst it, just to celebrate when we win or when we lose.

"It’s been a bit of a realisation that I want to give quality time to them. So that’s what I want. To watch games, spend time with people.”