Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners chase £52m defender EXCLUSIVE, Ivan Toney latest, Thomas Partey EXIT – updates

Wish you Emira Christmas with £40 sweater

Newcastle fans are knit amused by the £45 price tag for one of their club’s footie-themed Christmas jumpers.

Despite the Magpies having the richest owners in the world — the Saudi sovereign wealth fund — the black, white and gold jumper is more than any other Premier League club’s festive winter woolie.

Arsenal are selling their jumper, with yellow stripes on a blue background and red and white dots, for £40.

Manchester United have designed a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer jumper, selling at £36.

They are also offering one in the original club colours of green and yellow.

Defending champions Manchester City have set their price tag at £30 — while Chelsea and Liverpool are among several clubs selling their jumpers for £35.

The cheapest sweater in the Prem can be found at Luton Town, whose Santa-inspired design retails at just £22.

Fellow strugglers Burnley are the only club not seeling a festive jumper.

Clubs have hiked prices by up to 15 per cent compared with last year.

But last night, the cost of the festive jumper on NUFC’s online shop was slashed to £13.

Arteta hope to clean up at Anfield

Mikel Arteta has tried all the tricks in the book to get Arsenal over the line at Anfield and his latest plan is a washing machine.

The Gunners boss has played Liverpool's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' anthem during training to try and prepare them for "the jungle" in front of the Kop.

Arteta wants to avoid the repeat cycle of disappointment which has hit Arsenal at Liverpool - where they have not won since he was playing back in September 2012.

Klopp, fearing a more dangerous Arsenal side than they've hosted in recent years, has challenged his fans to up the atmosphere this evening.

But the former Arsenal and Everton midfielder admitted playing the Reds can feel like being in a washing machine - and now he wants to throw Jurgen Klopp's side into a spin.

Asked about the challenge of Anfield, Arteta said: "It is different, different like Old Trafford.

"I explained that sometimes when you don’t feel at your best and you feel that they are on top of you, and you cannot get out of that washing machine.

"You try to overcome those situations but that’s a learning — it happened once and it didn’t happen again. How do we stop it? The game-plan and everything that we discussed to try to be away from that game, and put on our washing machine that is very powerful."

Shock Onga management

Luton could terminate Albert Sambi Lokonga's loan from Arsenal half a season early.

That's according to TEAMtalk as the Belgian midfielder struggles for game-time with the lowly Hatters.

Issa Kabore, from Manchester City, is doing far better during his own temporary spell at newly-promoted Luton.

And it's also suggested Hatters' boss Rob Edwards might want to free up space for another loan recruit.

'Victory tomorrow more important to Arsenal'

Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant reckons tomorrow's top-three clash between his old clubs at Anfield is more important for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta's men sit two points clear of third-placed Liverpool and five in front of champs Manchester City.

Pennant predicted a draw and told Genting Casino: "I think this is a bigger game for Arsenal than it is for Liverpool.

"Everyone expected Arsenal to challenge Manchester City for the title again this season, whereas I don’t think anyone thought Liverpool would challenge. I think most people expected Liverpool to fight for a place in the top four.

"From an Arsenal perspective, as the main contenders for Manchester City’s title, this is a game that they will want to win. A win would give them a huge confidence boost in terms of their title challenge.

"Can Arsenal go there and win? Can they handle the atmosphere of playing at Anfield? We saw what happened last season when Arsenal silenced the crowd and then Granit Xhaka brought them to life again by getting involved in some silly antics, which resulted in Liverpool coming back from behind.

"I think it will finish as a draw. It is going to be more of an open game, which plays into Liverpool’s hands."

'Toney tops four-man strike list'

Four frontmen could head Arsenal's January shopping list.

Brentford's Ivan Toney is expected to be the main target despite a valuation of anything from £60million to £100m.

The Athletic say Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brighton teenager Evan Ferguson are the potential alternatives.

But it's also suggested a move for anyone next month would be tough to pull off.

And even if there is a transfer, any permanent deal might have to wait until the summer.

'Injuries could ruin Gunners' title bid'

Leaders Arsenal could be derailed by injuries - but are likely to splash out in January to save themselves.

That's the verdict of ex-QPR and Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway, who believes the title race is "that close I can't predict it!"

Holloway told William Hill and and Footy Accumulators’ podcast No Tippy Tappy Football: “I think they’re going to go for it in the window and strengthen.

“Arsenal are getting there but one or two injuries in other positions and they might fall away.

"They’re strong going forward and Kai Havertz is a really talented player, but he’s still young.

"They have got a decent blend with the likes of Eddie Nketiah - who’s getting there - along with Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli."

Holloway added: “I am so delighted that it is so close and for the first time in a long time, a lot of teams will have half a chance.

"My message to those involved at this stage would be to listen to your manager. Let him tell you what he needs if he’s brave enough in the transfer window and try and get him what he wants.”

Red Devils eye ex-Arsenal target

Manchester United could bid around £48million for Everton's Amadou Onana next month.

The Belgium anchorman has been linked with United, Arsenal and Chelsea over the past year.

The Red Devils instead bought keeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan for an initial £44m last summer.

Now Foot Mercato claim United will vie with Barcelona for Toffees' main man Onana in January.

Gunners could nab Palace medical chief

Arsenal are tipped to make Crystal Palace’s head of sports medicine Zafar Iqbal their new head of medical services next summer.

The Athletic's David Ornstein believes the Gunners want Iqbal as the replacement for Gary O’Driscoll, who was appointed Manchester United's head of sports medicine in September.

Gunners target Sesko 'open to Prem move'

Benjamin Sesko might just have fired himself up the shortlist of potential new Arsenal strikers.

RB Leipzig's £55million-rated Slovenian is reportedly "open" to a premier League move in January.

90Min say the 26-cap star would consider a move after slipping down the pecking order at his Bundesliga club.

A loan with an obligation to buy is regarded as one possible solution.

90Min even say interested clubs have been alerted to Sesko's situation by intermediaries.

Ferguson valued at £100m

Prem giants keen on Brighton striker Evan Ferguson might have to fork out £100m.

Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be among the main admirers of the Republic of Ireland star, 19.

But the Seagulls recently persuaded the former Bohemians youngster to sign a new long-term contract.

Carragher on Liverpool's advantages

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes his former side hold two key advantages over Arsenal ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Anfield.

If Arsenal had Alisson Becker they would be almost guaranteed a minimum of nine extra points, which would win them the title.

Where Liverpool still have the advantage is in [Jurgen] Klopp himself. Of the current contenders in the top four, [Mikel] Arteta has the most to prove as the only coach still to win a league title.

He has done a brilliant job since taking over from Unai Emery but that final step is always the most difficult and he is up against two of the best coaches of all time and, in Aston Villa, an emerging side with a hungry coach with fewer expectations of them and nothing to lose. That is a dangerous combination.

Arteta has nothing more to learn about his side’s skills. They have proven themselves as one of the best teams in the country over the past 18 months, and look even better since signing [Declan] Rice.

Jamie CarragherTelegraph

Gloves Aar off

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been told to "take on a different role" at the Emirates after falling behind David Raya in the pecking order.

James told instantcasinos.com

Arsenal have got a goalkeeper in David Raya who, from what I’ve seen, isn’t fully confident.

If he’s not confident, then the Arsenal defence won’t be confident. His positioning is definitely questionable from my perspective, and if I’m Liverpool I’d be shooting from silly positions.

With Raya’s positioning, there’s the opportunity to score from places that you normally would not, and with the ability of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, they can definitely nick a 1-0 win.

Unfortunately for Aaron Ramsdale, he’s had three or four games in the past couple of months.

This is the tough thing about being the number two goalkeeper – you’re looking at your manager thinking, ‘I know you don’t fancy me’, and you have to take on a different role in the squad.

David James

Arsenal 'admire' top players

Arsenal are keeping tabs on some star strikers ahead of the January transfer window.

Brentford star Ivan Toney continues to pose as the Gunners' top target.

According to The Athletic, the North Londoners are also "admiring" Napoli's Victor Osimhen, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Brighton's Evan Ferguson along with Toney.

However, all of them are unlikely to arrive in January and a deal is thus likelier for the summer.

Arsenal close to 'Rodri successor'

Arsenal could make a January swoop for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.

Zubimendi is a rising star many believe will be Manchester City star Rodri’s long-term successor for Spain.

According to The Athletic, the North Londoners “will be on alert” once the January transfer window opens but any new arrivals will depend on the “usual considerations such as injuries, profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).”

Having “explored” the idea of signing the 24-year-old previously, the Gunners' “interest remains strong” in him.

Salah to miss Arsenal clashes

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah is preparing for Saturday's Premier League top-of-the-table showdown with Arsenal, but could miss two more clashes against the Gunners.

Salah will soon represent Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on January 13 in Ivory Coast with the final due to take place on February 11.

The star forward could potentially miss seven games, which means he may miss the Carabao Cup semi-finals' two-legged tie against Fulham on January 10 and 24.

The Reds also have an FA Cup third round tie with the North Londoners on January 7.

The Reds return to Prem action away to Bournemouth on January 21, and they have a further three top-flight games until the weekend of the Afcon final.

And that includes bumper clashes with Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal again.

Liverpool snub ESL

Liverpool have confirmed their opposition to the European Super League to become the final ‘Big Six’ Premier League club to publicly speak out against the controversial competition after Arsenal.

It comes after football was thrust into an all-out scrap on Thursday when judges decided Uefa can't punish any breakaway rebels.

The shock ruling opened up a second attempt to form a new competition with Real Madrid and Barcelona not giving up on their initiative.

However, the Reds followed Manchester City, Manchester United, the Gunners, Chelsea and Tottenham to rule themselves out of the ESL.

Bukayo Saka's new look

Arsenal fans have said “it's over for Liverpool” after Bukayo Saka revealed his new haircut ahead of their huge clash on Saturday at Anfield..

The Gunners have failed to win a league game in Merseyside since 2012.

However, fans are confident that Saka can lead them to victory, especially after adopting a bold new haircut.

The 22-year-old has kept the same style but has dyed the top of his hair blonde.

Thomas Partey 'over'

Arsenal are prepared to sell Thomas Partey in the January transfer window in a bid to raise transfer funds.

Signing a new midfielder is the Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta's main priority, with a forward also on his transfer wishlist.

But in order to make new additions, some Arsenal stars will have to be sold.

And ESPN claim Partey could be set for a move away next month.

The midfielder has been limited to just four Premier League appearances this season because of injury.

Arsenal lead Toney race

Arsenal are leading the bidding war to sign Brentford star Ivan Toney in the January transfer window.

That is according to The Independent, who claim the Gunners are determined to land Toney next month.

However, the centre-forward is valued by the Bees at £100million.

Chelsea and Tottenham are also said to have an interest in the England international ahead of the winter market.

Chelsea not targeting Ramsdale

Chelsea will not move for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the January transfer window.

That is according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who reports the Blues are not keen on Ramsdale.

The West Londoners had been linked with a move because of the struggles of Robert Sanchez in goal.

It is understood that Arsenal are also reluctant to sell the England international midseason.

Super League update

Arsenal are the latest Premier League club to officially reject the European Super League.

Arsenal monitoring Inacio

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio.

However, SunSport understands the Gunners are unlikely to be active in the January window in terms of both incomings and outgoings.

Mikel Arteta’s side have battled several injury issues already this season, especially in defence with full-backs Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu out until the new year.

Arteta and Arsenal are content with the defensive options they currently have, and would only be prepared to spend again should another serious injury crop up.

Yet having splashed the cash in the summer – forking out a combined £170m on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz – the North Londoners would prefer to stick rather than twist.

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How Arsenal could line up against Liverpool

Kai Havertz is expected to start in midfield alongside Declan Rice.

Mikel Arteta is set to stick with his preferred front three of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.