#premier-league-leaders

#premier-league-leaders

Pep Guardiola has no fears about complacency heading into Manchester City's crucial clash at Everton.The Premier League leaders head to Goodison Park on Sunday for a match of significance at both ends of the table.City need points to hold off the challenge of title rivals Arsenal while the relegation-threatened Toffees are anxious to pull away from trouble.

Thiago Silva expects to sign a new contract to extend his stay at Chelsea "in the next few days".The centre-back has been a key player for the Blues since joining as a free agent in August 2020 following the expiry of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.Silva signed an initial one-year deal with the club and helped Chelsea to win the Champions League in the 2020-21 campaign, after which he signed an extension until the end of this season.

Alf Inge Haaland says he was escorted from his seat at the Santiago Bernabeu because Real Madrid fans were not happy with his celebrations following Kevin De Bruyne's second-half equaliser for Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final.The Belgian scored a spectacular goal after 67 minutes as the Premier League leaders claimed a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their last-four tie against the holders on Tuesday night.

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus will not be rushed back into action, manager Mikel Arteta said on Thursday, after the striker returned to training with the team.Jesus, who has scored five goals and chipped in seven assists for Arsenal following his £45 million move from Manchester City in July, has been sidelined since he sustained a knee injury at the World Cup with Brazil, having surgery in early December.

The contract binding Reiss Nelson to Arsenal expires at the and of the season, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League leaders are yet to present an offer of a new one, despite the player wanting to remain in North London for the foreseeable future.The winger, who prefers the right flank but can also play on the left or centrally behind a striker, is a product of the academy at Arsenal, and apart from 2018/19 and 2021/22, which he spent on loan with Hoffenheim and Feyenoord, respectively, he's been a Gunner from his first football steps to this day.

3:03 PM ET



Mark OgdenSenior Writer, ESPN FC



Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said his team made "unacceptable" errors and showed they still have a "way to go" to be considered a top side during their 3-2 defeat at Arsenal.Eddie Nketiah's 90th minute goal sealed victory for the Premier League leaders and left United in fourth position, 11 points adrift of Mikel Arteta's side.

Arsenal are not currently looking at Victor Osimhen as a potential summer signing despite his impressive 2022/23 campaign in Serie A with Napoli.Are Arsenal interested in Victor Osimhen?There are reports suggesting the Nigerian forward could potentially be set for a summer move to the Premier League with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United credited with an interest.

Arsenal have signed Poland defender Jakub Kiwior from Serie A side Spezia on a "long-term" contract.The 22-year-old will provide some much needed support for Mikel Arteta's squad in their title push.Brazilian defender Gabriel has played every Premier League game so far this season and Kiwior matches the profile of player the club are trying to sign.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed criticism surrounding his behaviour on the touchline after he clashed with officials and Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe in Tuesday's goalless draw at the Emirates.Arteta was furious in the second half of the Premier League game after the referee failed to award Arsenal a penalty and was also upset about the amount of time added on.

Shakhtar Donetsk will continue to negotiate with Arsenal over a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk but warned they will only sell at the right price.Arsenal are reported to have had a bid of £57million (€64.4m) for winger Mudryk rejected by the Ukrainian champions.Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini on Wednesday stated that the club will expect a fee closer to the £100m (€113.2m)

Brighton have rejected a second bid from Arsenal for Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo and told the Premier League leaders he is not for sale.The latest bid is thought to be in the region of £70m.Arsenal and Chelsea both had offers for the 21-year-old turned down last week.Caicedo informed Brighton in an open letter that he wanted a transfer, with the club responding by telling him to take time off until after Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Brighton have rejected a £60m bid from Arsenal for midfielder Moises Caicedo.The Premier League leaders are keen to strengthen their squad after Mohamed Elneny picked up an injury in training that could mean a lengthy lay-off.Arsenal already have a small squad and manager Mikel Arteta does not want to jeopardise his team's title challenge through a lack of numbers.

By Harry Whittingham

Arsenal are optimistic that they could secure the signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk for a transfer fee of around £57m for Mikel Arteta's side at the Emirates Stadium, transfer guruFabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport.The Ukrainian has been touted for a move away from Shakhtar this winter.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's faith in Eddie Nketiah is growing "every single day" as the striker prepares for what could be a lengthy spell leading the line.The Premier League leaders return to action against West Ham on Boxing Day without Gabriel Jesus, who suffered a knee injury during Brazil's World Cup campaign and has undergone surgery - with reports he could face three months out.

Jan 2, 2023



James OlleySenior Writer, ESPN FC



Arsenal have activated clauses to extend the contracts of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba by an extra year as talks continue over long-term agreements, sources have told ESPN.Both players were entering the final six months of their present deals but the Gunners have triggered extensions keeping the pair at the club until 2024.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has had successful surgery on the knee injury that ruled him out of the remainder of Brazil's World Cup campaign.It was his first start in Qatar after two earlier substitute appearances.Arsenal said Jesus will now start a rehabilitation programme but put no timescale on his return.

Manchester City's Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 32, is wanted by Atletico Madrid.The four-time Premier League winner, who is also attracting interest from Bayern Munich, is out of contract next summer.Napoli and Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is attracting interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, could cost as much as £86m.

Arsenal missed out on a chance to clinch direct progress to the Europa League last 16 after they went down 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion on Thursday to leave top place in Group A to be decided in the final round of fixtures next week.The Premier League leaders, who have already secured a place in the top two, needed just a point to be confirmed as group winners and avoid a playoff against a team dropping out of the Champions League.