Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and his side will be keen to get their title challenge back on track when they return to domestic action against Nottingham Forest this weekend
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal return to action this weekend knowing that there is no more margin for error when it comes to the title race.
The Gunners have been plagued by injury this term and headed into the international break some nine points behind the Premier League’s early pace-setters, Liverpool, at the summit after failing to beat Chelsea.
And with lots riding on their meeting with Nottingham Forest – who sit one place below Arsenal in fifth as the league’s surprise package – the last thing Arteta needed was an injury to Leandro Trossard, who limped off in Belgium’s loss against Israel.
Ahead of the build-up to Saturday’s big match, Mirror Football will keep you up to date with all the latest news from in and around the Emirates…
Arteta’s secrets leaked
Oleksandr Zinchenko has shed light on the extreme lengths Mikel Arteta has gone to in a bid to hide team news from Arsenal’s opponents.
The Gunners boss is known for keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to injury news: he attempted to catch Liverpool cold in their recent meeting by starting Bukayo Saka – who went on to score early in the game – after seeming to talk down the England star’s chances of featuring following an injury.
But Arteta’s secret tactics have been shared by Zinchenko, who revealed the Spaniard often gets injured players to travel with the squad to throw their opposition off.
Read the full story on Arteta’s tactics here!
Gunners get transfer boost
Arsenal’s hopes of landing Nico Williams have seemingly improved after it emerged that Barcelona have turned their attention elsewhere.
Both the Gunners and Barca have been touted as long-term admirers of Williams, who was influential for Spain during their Euro 2024 triumph last summer.
And while neither side would likely have a problem paying the forward’s €65million (£54.2m) release clause, ESPN have outlined that Barcelona have decided the player’s wage demands, said to be around €9m to €10m-per-season (£7.5m to £8.3m), are too high.
Club legend speaks out on start
Gilberto Silva believes his former club cannot afford to panic in the wake of their difficult start to the season.
The Gunners are already nine points off the pace at the Premier League summit, though they are only four points behind reigning champions Manchester City and may fancy their chances of plugging a bigger gap against Arne Slot’s Liverpool than City.
But while some pundits have said another defeat would surely put Arsenal out of the title race, Gilberto is of the opinion that it is far too early for the team to panic given there are still so many games to play.
Read Gilberto’s full comments here!
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