Arsenal are six poiints behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with an extra game played meaning Mikel Arteta’s team could get active in the January transfer window
It remains unclear whether Arsenal will be active in the January transfer window despite continued claims that Mikel Arteta’s squad needs a new centre-forward.
But after a scratchy 1-0 win against Ipswich Town on Friday night, the injury-hit Gunners are now six points behind league leaders Liverpool with an extra game played ahead of Wednesday night’s game away to Brentford.
And having little room for manoeuvre could force Arsenal to spend in pursuit of a first Premier League title for two decades.
Here are the stories from in and around the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal face a rare weekend without a fixture.
Arteta warning
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal must improve even after closing the gap on leaders Liverpool.
Kai Havertz grabbed a first-half winner for the Gunners who wasted a host of second-half chances in a laboured win against Ipswich on Friday night which at least pushed them into second place, six points behind Arne Slot ’s pace-setters who have a game in hand.
Arteta confirmed afterwards that Bukayo Saka has had a surgical procedure on his hamstring injury and suggested the lay-off could be “more than two months” but it is understood they still hope to have him back by the end of February.
And Arteta went on to say he was looking for even more from his players if they are to put up a genuine title fight.
Carragher claim
Arsenal have narrowly missed out to Manchester City for the past two years and they will have to go some if they want to make it third time lucky.
And Jamie Carragher reckons Arteta’s men will have to settle for next best once again come May.
“Arsenal’s biggest problem right now is their injuries,” he said. “They managed to avoid too much disruption in the last two years but their squad has been stretched this time.”
The former Liverpool star turned pundit made a number of other predictions for 2025 here.
Fashion faux pas
Chrissy Teigen has hit back at football fans who criticised her appearance at the Arsenal versus Ipswich Town Premier League match, at which she wore a Chelsea shirt, by calling critics “t***s.”
The 39-year-old model and influencer attended the game with husband, singer John Legend, and their children but it was their interview to Amazon Prime Sport after the match which riled fans, who questioned why they were there and their knowledge of the sport.
And following the criticism Teigen has now shot back.
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