Coutinho January loan, Patino nets on debut, Aubameyang to Barcelona or Juventus

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Let’s take a look at Arsenal’s next five games…

Arteta update on Tomiyasu injury

Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Takehiro Tomiyasu after the defender was forced off injured in the 4-1 win against Leeds on Saturday.

The summer signing missed the Carabao Cup clash against Sunderland, but Arteta is hoping he’ll be back in time for the Boxing Day game against Norwich.

Arteta said: “It was more of a muscular injury.

“He’s got a big load on him because he’s played every single minute since he’s joined us and even this week he’s been struggling a little bit.

“We decided to take him off, he wasn’t 100 percent confident to continue in the game, and hopefully he’s not injured.”

David in final Lille season

The agent of Arsenal target Jonathan David has confirmed that this season will be the 21-year-old’s final campaign in France.

And with Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette out-of-contract in the summer, it represents perfect timing to line-up a move for the Canada international.

In a boost to the Gunners his agent, Nick Mavromaras, told Radio Canada: “For us, the goal is to finish the season in Lille, but it will be his last season there for several reasons.

“I think the Premier League is a good option for him.

“I think that he likes Spain a lot also because he likes the feeling of the ball and the very technical players.

“These two leagues are a big priority for him, but nothing is excluded.”

Arsenal ‘ready to pay’ £68m

The Gunners are reportedly ‘ready to pay’ £68million to snap up Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic.

Gazzetta Dello Sport claim Arsenal are willing to pay the fee ‘immediately’ in order to secure a deal for the much wanted forward.

However, a potential issue is the Serbian wanting to stay with the club until the end of the season.

Arsenal meanwhile are in need of reinforcements at the top of the pitch sooner rather than later.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now been frozen out, with a new striker said to be a priority.

Arsenal tracking Bologna man Svanberg

The Gunners are keen on Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg, reports suggest.

According to local newspaper Il Resto del Carlino, via Sport Witness, Arsenal are interested in the 22-year-old.

But Atalanta, and both Milan clubs, are also said to be monitoring his situation.

AC Milan are said to have already failed in a £13million bid last year.

The Sweden international has just 18 months left on his Bologna deal, with talks stalling over a new contract.

That could give the Gunners the chance to swoop, with the player’s agent set to entertain offers either in January or next summer.

Patino turned down Arsenal rivals

Gunners starlet Charlie Patino reportedly turned down approaches from Tottenham and Chelsea in order to sign for Arsenal’s academy.

According to the Guardian, Spurs and Chelsea, as well as Manchester City, made an effort to sign Patino as an 11-year-old.

In the end he opted to join Arsene Wenger’s Gunners from Luton Town, with the club having to pay £10,000 in compensation.

But if Patino turns out to be just half as good as what’s expected, that £10,000 might be the best money ever spent by the club.

Campbell on Gunners young talents

Former Arsenal man Kevin Campbell has heaped praised on youngsters Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun after their League Cup runouts last night.

Campbell told Football Insider: “Eddie’s attitude has been amazing.

“That is why Mikel Arteta likes him and likes to give him a runout. His attitude is always good. Arteta trusts him and it has paid dividends.

“I’m also so glad to see Balogun given his opportunity as well. I was hoping to see that.

“Balogun is getting there slowly but surely. I think he will be going out on loan in January so he can get more minutes under his belt, proper minutes in league football.

“I think it was smart of Arteta to give him a start last night.”

Arsenal ‘open’ to Aubameyang offers

Arsenal are ‘willing to listen’ to offers for former club-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January, reports suggest.

ESPN claim the club will entertain offers for the 32-year-old in the New Year.

Aubameyang has been linked with a move to Barcelona, who are in need of reinforcements up front.

Juventus too are claimed to be interested, with AC Milan and Inter both monitoring the situation.

The club don’t believe that relations have completely broken down with Aubameyang after stripping him of the captaincy, but remain willing to listen to any offers that come their way.

Leno impresses on team return

Mikel Arteta has praised Bernd Leno today for coming into Arsenal’s team and performing well lats night.

Leno has fallen behind Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order and has had his chances limited to the Carabao Cup.

Arteta said: “The situation now is that Aaron [Ramsdale] has been starting the matches in the Premier League and he’s been outstanding.

“Bernd had a chance to play yesterday and he had a really good game.

“That’s the situation that every single player has in any team of football that when someone else is playing you are not playing as much.”

Arteta on Patino Prem chance

Mikel Arteta has hinted Thomas Partey’s involvement at AFCON could see Charlie Patino drafted into Arsenal’s Premier League side.

When asked this morning when Patino would get a chance in the league, Arteta said: “Charlie is with us more and more in training sessions.

“Yesterday was his first competitive match and it was a beautiful day for him and everybody involved at the club.

“We will go slowly from there. If we need him we will use him if the numbers are required.

“But we have to use him when we believe he is ready and we believe he is making the right steps and we are really happy with where we are.”

Arteta plea on empty stadiums

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is desperate for the Premier League not to return to being played behind-closed-doors.

The ongoing Omicron variant has led to concerns that new restrictions could be brought in.

As cited by the Evening Standard, Arteta said: “Please don’t go back to that stage. We have experienced that and it is something that we don’t like, so hopefully it is not what happens.

“It’s a different sport and football is all about sharing it with people, and having fans around the stadiums.

“When it is not, it’s a completely different sport and the competition gets, I don’t know, lost. It’s not the same.

“We will play like we have to play. What I am saying is that obviously nobody wants to go back to where we were because we have already experienced it – and it is not something we enjoyed a lot.

“But if we have to carry on doing that, of course we will.”

Place in the final beckons

The last two occasions Arsenal have reached the League Cup semi-final they have gone on to play in the final.

Mikel Arteta and Co secured their place in the last four last night.

But the Gunners have lost the last two League Cup finals that they’ve been in – 2011 and 2018.

They’ll be hoping to go one step further this year.

Merson compares Arsenal to Utd

Paul Merson reckons Arsenal could have the next class of ’92 on their hands with the amount of young talents bursting through the ranks.

Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka are already established players in the first team, while Charlie Patino is regarded as a star for the future.

And Merson told Sky Sports: “There is some good things happening at Arsenal with the young players. You imagine if Nketiah gets in the team and then all of a sudden you have got Smith Rowe on one side and Saka on the other.

“Or they could have Martinelli on one side and Smith Rowe dropping back.

“Those four players, and the young lad, Charlie [Patino], they could be for the next five, six or seven years at Arsenal.

“Who knows, it could be the next Man United.”

Wilshere sends message to Patino

Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere took to social media to congratulate teen sensation Charlie Patino on his debut goal.

Wilshere himself broke into Arsenal’s first team as a teenager, with many comparing the two players when it comes to footballing ability.

He’s been working with the starlet recently, and posted on his Instagram story after Patino’s stunning debut.

Wilshere wrote: “Hard work paying off love it Charlie boy.”

Merson wants Nketiah to stay

Eddie Nketiah is out-of-contract in the summer and widely expected to leave Arsenal in order to play regular football.

But with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now frozen out, Nketiah mind find himself with more opportunities to shine.

And former Gunner Paul Merson believes Nketiah should pen a new deal at the Emirates instead of opting for a fresh challenge.

Merson said on Sky Sports: “He’s hungry. There’s talk that he doesn’t want to sign a contract which I can understand that because he wants to play but at the same time I’m looking and you’re at Arsenal, an unbelievable football club.

“You’re only a young kid, you’ve got time, be patient. I like him, he’s a good finisher, a good goalscorer, got pace.

“If I was his agent I’d be signing again. I left Arsenal, it’s different. This is an unbelievable football club and you only realise when you leave.”

Arteta coy on Aubameyang future

Mikel Arteta was very tight-lipped last night when asked about whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be involved over the Christmas period.

He hasn’t played for the Gunners since being stripped of the captain’s armband after a disciplinary breach before the clash against Southampton.

And when asked on whether the ex-skipper would be involved over Christmas, Arteta simply said: “He wasn’t selected for today’s match.”

Charlie Patino takes to Instagram

Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino took to Instagram last night after coming off the bench to score on his Arsenal debut.

The 18-year-old is highly rated at Arsenal, and could be a star of the future for the Gunners.

Writing on social media, Patino said: “The best day of my life and an early Christmas present.

“Thanks to all the fans for their amazing support, what a night.”

Arteta on Charlie Patino hype

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said he wants to ‘avoid’ the hypr around 18-year-old Charlie Patino’s name.

The teenager is tipped for big things, and scored on his Arsenal debut last night.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “No that’s what we have to avoid [hype].

“There’s still a lot of competition ahead of him, he’s still young and he needs to go step by step.

“Today he was lucky he got the opportunity and he took it really well.”

Richards praises Arsenal target Vlahovic

Micah Richards has labelled Arsenal and Manchester United target Dusan Vlahovic as a ‘ridiculous’ player.

The Fiorentina forward recently equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for Serie A goals scored in a calendar year, and has turned down the Italians’ latest offer of a new contract.

And speaking on BBC Radio 5live, Richards said: “I have watched him a couple of times now. He is lightning. It’s ridiculous.

“He has got 16 [goals] in 18 [games] this season. His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”

Watford linked with Sead Kolasinac

Watford could be about to hand out-of-favour Sead Kolasinac an Arsenal escape.

Kolasinac is out of contract next summer and could be allowed to leave permanently if an offer comes along in January.

That career lifeline could come in the shape of a move to Vicarage Road.

The Telegraph reports Hornets manager Claudio Ranieri is in the market for a new defender as he battles to keep his side from the drop.

Kolasinac is understood to be one of the names on the shortlist to help shore up a defence that has already shipped 31 goals.

Patino debut a ‘beautiful moment’

Mikel Arteta spoke last night on Charlie Patino after the 18-year-old marked his Arsenal debut with a goal.

Patino came on for the last ten minutes of the win against Sunderland, and even managed to get himself on the scoresheet.

Arteta said: “It was a beautiful moment. He’s a kid whose coming through our system, lovely kid, he’s training with us almost every week and it was a dream.

“As a debut to come here at the Emirates in front of our fans, it was a really special moment.”

Arteta ‘wants to keep’ Nketiah

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was full of praise for hat-trick hero in the aftermath of yesterday’s 5-1 win over Sunderland.

And in his post-match press conference, Arteta admitted that he wanted to keep Nketiah at the club.

The Spaniard said: “We want to keep Eddie. We see how he trains, that’s what he does every day, he works so hard and puts the ball in the net every session.

“I am really delighted with him. Every time we need him, he responds.”

Into the hat for Semis

Arsenal booked their spot in the last four of the Carabao Cup with a convincing 5-1 win over Sunderland last night.

An Eddie Nketiah hat-trick, as well as goals from Nicolas Pepe and Charlie Patino, secured the Gunners’ safe progression.

But Mikel Arteta faces losing two of last night’s stars in January.

Nketiah is out-of-contract in the summer and has stated his desire to play more regularly, so Arsenal could look to offload him in the New Year while they can still receive a fee for him.

Pepe meanwhile seems destined to leave the club in the near future after his flopped £72m move.

Gunners chiefs are willing to accept a huge loss on the winger, should any bids come their way.