Welcome to the latest Arsenal transfer blog, brought to you by football.london, as we keep you up to date on the latest rumours from the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were dealt a major blow on Tuesday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Arsenal will now have to overturn a two-goal deficit when they travel to St James' Park for the second leg next month.
On the transfer front, Arsenal are being linked with several potential new signings as the January transfer window rolls on. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move to North London, with reports suggesting that the Sweden international is valued at around £150million.
There have also been reports that Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic could be a target for the Gunners. Arsenal have until February 3 to complete their transfer business, and it remains to be seen if any new additions get made to Mikel Arteta's squad.
To keep up to date with all the latest Arsenal transfer news, scroll through the live blog below
Goodnight
Thank you for joining us, we'll be back brining you all of the latest Arsenal news tomorrow.
City 'prepare' Marmoush offer
Man City are 'preparing' their first offer for Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush. Arsenal are one of the other clubs to be linked with an interest in the forward.
The Telegraph report that City have identified the Egyptian as they first priority in the January transfer window, and the move has been given the 'green light'.
It is added that talks between the clubs is expected next week.
Nico Williams transfer problem
Arsenal may have been handed a problem in their plans on signing Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams in the January or summer window, with the player's wage demands.
The Mirror report that Arsenal are keen on a move for the player, who has a £50 million release clause, but the winger is demanding a wage of more than £300,000-a-week.
It is added that tax rules around his current deal means that his net earnings would need a huge contract if he was to join a Premier League side.
'Dreamland' - Alexander Isak transfer verdict sent
Former Premier League striker Emile Heskey has said that Arsenal are in 'dreamland' if they think that they could convince Newcastle to sell Alexander Isak in the January transfer window.
Arsenal are long-term admirers of the striker, who scored and assisted in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday night.
Speaking to Instant Casino, Heskey has no doubt on Arsenal's chances of completing a deal over the next few weeks.
"I think Arsenal fans are living in dreamland if they think that they can sign Alexander Isak in January," he said. "The thing is, Newcastle are legitimately chasing top four. If I’m Eddie Howe, do you seriously think that I’m going to sell my best player to a rival?
"There’s no love lost between Newcastle and Arsenal, so why would they want to do them a favour. I think it would take stupid money, crazy money to get Isak out of Newcastle in January. Even if they want him in the summer, you’re talking over £100 million.
"Will they try for him in the summer? Maybe, but who’s to say he wouldn’t want to stay at Newcastle, especially if they can secure Champions League football. If Newcastle do qualify for the Champions League, I can’t see them selling any of their best players."
Arsenal sent clear Nwaneri message
Former Premier League manager Tim Sherwood has predicted a big future for Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri.
The 17-year-old scored in the 1-1 draw against Brighton before suffering an injury. It was his second Premier League goal so far this season.
Speaking to Lucky Block, Sherwood said:
“Understandably, there’s now a big expectation around Ethan Nwaneri, even more so now Saka is out for a few months. He looks to be a player of great ability and someone that can change a game.
"Every time he’s come off the bench or started a game, he’s done a fantastic job and I’m convinced he will continue to do so if he’s given the chance. I was upset for him when I heard about his injury against Brighton.
“I have no worries for him though; he’s got his feet on the ground and already looks to be a top-drawer player. From what I’ve seen, he can have a real impact on the future of Arsenal.”
Arsenal 'join race' for Barcelona man
Arsenal have joined the race for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The 25-year-old is out of contract in 2026, with the Spanish giants keen to extend that deal. He has however said to left 'everything open' when it comes to his future.
The report says that Arsenal are willing to 'bid strongly' for the player. They do however face competition from Juventus.
Arsenal 'bracing' for bid
Arsenal are 'bracing' themselves for a bid for full-back Oleksander Zinchenko this month, according to The Sun.
The left-back is in the final 18-months of his contract, meaning that this January could be the final time that the club could get a decent fee for the player.
The report says that Serie A side Inter Milan are 'preparing a bid' for the player, with Arteta 'open minded' about letting him go.
Dusan Vlahovic plan
Juventus are open to selling Dusan Vlahovic in the January transfer window, amid links to Arsenal, according to Calciomercato.
The report says that the club are willing to cash in on the player if they are offered the 'right amount'. It comes as contract renewal talks have come to a 'standstill.'
Good afternoon everyone
Hi Arsenal fans, my name is Amie, and I will be taking you through the next few hours brining you all of the latest news and rumours from the Emirates Stadium.
We are now a week into the January transfer window with it yet to really spark into life, although there has been no shortage of rumours and links.
First thing, why not take a look back at some of the stories you may have missed so far today?
What Arsenal fans did to Alexander Isak before Newcastle star exposed Mikel Arteta's £150m issue
Newcastle United dealt 'big blow' to Alexander Isak after Arsenal win amid £150m transfer links
Three strikers on Arsenal transfer list but there's a catch
Inside Viktor Gyokeres' transformation from 'grumpy' striker to Arsenal and Chelsea reports
Mikel Arteta verdict on Alexander Isak
Mikel Arteta has praised Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak following a match-winning display in a scathing assessment of Arsenal's attacking options.
"Yeah obviously and the ball arrived to him, that he created and had a lot of big changes."
Arteta added: "He was involved in both goals as well, unfortunately the two times he had the ball in the box - and that's what happens when you have real quality up front and they can make the difference, and they're very clinical."
Alexander Isak message
Alexander Isak has responded to Newcastle's 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Sweden international has now not scored in just one of Newcastle's last 10 games and, even before this purple patch of form, it is no surprise the Gunners had shown a keen interest in acquiring his services. On a night when lots of eyes would be on him, Isak put in a talismanic display.
Following that, Isak made comments of his own on another win for Newcastle.
Three strikers on Arsenal transfer list
Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has named three players on Arsenal's transfer wishlist, but there's a catch - the supporters will have to wait until the summer.
Speaking to bettingexpert.com, Di Marzio said: "I don't think Newcastle will let Isak go now in January. He is difficult to replace. Arsenal will try to get Isak or [Victor] Osimhen in the summer. Osimhen will come back to Napoli, but he has an exit clause of €75million. So, I think Osimhen is an option for the Premier League clubs in the summer.”
"[Dusan] Vlahovic is an option and a target as well for Arsenal. They like him, and I think they will try to make a deal in the summer. So he is also on the list."
Bryan Mbeumo transfer update
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
The report claims that Arsenal want to sign a new winger ahead of next season, with Mbeumo a target to add to Mikel Arteta's squad.
Mikel Arteta unhappy with match ball
Mikel Arteta pointed the finger at the ball following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night - an excuse previously used by Pep Guardiola in the same competition years ago.
The Gunners were undone by the in-form Magpies forward Alexander Isak, with the Swedish star netting one and contributing to Anthony Gordon's second, giving Eddie Howe's team a significant lead going into the second leg. However, it was Arteta's post-match remarks that really raised eyebrows.
Arsenal learn Lee Kang-in transfer stance
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain star Lee Kang-in.
According to The Athletic, the Gunners have an interest in signing Lee this year, but are put off by PSG's reported asking price.
The report claims that the Ligue 1 champions are seeking a fee of at least €44million (£36.5m), which would be double the fee that PSG paid to sign the South Korea international 18 months ago.
Nico Williams boost
Arsenal have been handed a potential boost in their hopes of signing Nico Williams.
The Gunners have been credited with an interest in signing the Athletic Bilbao star, who was also tipped to join Barcelona last summer.
TBR Football has reported, though, that Williams may be open to leaving Spain altogether if he does decide to pursue a new challenge.
As a result, the report claims that Arsenal have now been given hope that they may be able to agree a deal to sign Williams either this month or in the summer.
Mikel Arteta verdict on Newcastle loss
Mikel Arteta faced the media after Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday night in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
"It’s the result," said Arteta. "If you look at what both teams produced and the dominance its not the result that reflects the story of the game but the reality is they were super efficient with the chances they had and we weren’t.
"At this level, in these kind of scenarios you need that to impose yourself and win again."
Arteta added: "That it’s just half-time. When I see the team play, and how we deal with a lot of situations and play against a very good team I must say I have full belief that we can go out there and do it."
Alexander Isak injury blow
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak suffered a potential injury after helping beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
Tuesday night saw Arsenal go up against Isak and Newcastle, with the Gunners on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat in the semi-final first leg of the Carabao Cup. Isak opened the scoring for the visitors at the Emirates Stadium, with Anthony Gordon also on the score sheet.
Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign Isak, who is reported to be valued at around £150m. Eddie Howe stated on Tuesday night, though, there were concerns the striker has suffered a hamstring injury.
"First half he [Isak] was electric, I thought he played really well," Howe told Chronicle Live. "He scored but I just thought his general game was in a really good place.
"He was feeling his hamstring a bit at half-time so we had to manage him in the second half and that was a big blow to our performance."
What Arsenal fans did to Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak was always going to have a huge say on proceedings as Arsenal and Newcastle United met in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash on Tuesday evening, writes Rob Guest.
Coming into the encounter in red-hot form after hitting 13 goals in 14 games, the Swede would add to his tally at the Emirates Stadium to give the visitors the advantage heading into next month's return leg.
Constantly linked with a transfer to Arsenal and very much the striker supporters are pining for when it comes to bringing in a frontman who can take the team to the next level, Isak went on to deliver a masterclass in the capital.
Prior to the match, Arsenal supporters made their feelings clear to the striker when he disembarked the Newcastle team coach and walked into the Emirates Stadium.
Welcome
Greetings and welcome to the latest Arsenal transfer blog for Wednesday, January 8.
We'll be on hand to provide the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium as the January transfer window rolls on.
Make sure you stay tuned!
