"Latest Arsenal Updates: Man City Points Deduction, Gabriel Jesus' Injury News, and an Unexpected Ivan Toney twist"
Arsenal is gearing up for a big showdown in the Premier League against Sheffield United this Saturday. However, there's a bit of a hiccup in the form of potential absences from two key players, Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey, at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Gabriel Jesus picked up a hamstring injury during their thrilling 2-1 victory against Sevilla in the Champions League earlier this week. Meanwhile, Thomas Partey found himself sidelined due to a thigh issue he encountered during a training session on Monday.
To get a clearer picture of Gabriel Jesus' condition, he underwent a scan. We're all eagerly awaiting Arteta's press conference today for updates on the Brazilian striker's fitness. In other news, Real Madrid seems to have its eye on Jesus, and there's talk of a £45 million move to bring the 25-year-old to their ranks in January as they search for Karim Benzema's successor at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Interestingly, this potential transfer could actually help Arsenal in their pursuit of Brentford's shining star, Ivan Toney. And don't forget about Ollie Watkins, who's still in the mix for a possible move to Arsenal, despite recently committing to a new deal with Aston Villa.
So, with that being said, hang around with us on GoatKits for real-time updates from the Emirates Stadium, keeping you in the loop on all things football!
Salah Sets a New European Goal Record, Overtaking Henry
In a thrilling Thursday evening match against Toulouse in the UEFA Europa League, Liverpool's standout, Mohamed Salah, made history by breaking Thierry Henry's European goalscoring record. Jurgen Klopp's team dominated the French side, securing a 5-1 victory, with Salah's defining moment occurring in stoppage time.
The Egyptian international's goal has now elevated his European tally to 43 goals since he joined Liverpool in 2017. Remarkably, all but two of these goals were scored in the Champions League. This prolific forward has now claimed the title of the Premier League player with the most European goals, a record previously held by Thierry Henry for an impressive 17 years.
Thierry Henry, renowned for his time with Arsenal, had netted 42 times in European competitions during his stint with the Gunners. He later made a high-profile move to Barcelona in 2007, where he continued his European goal-scoring exploits. However, during his brief return to Arsenal, he couldn't add to his European tally, which remained unchallenged until Salah's spectacular achievement.
A Possible Points Deduction for Man City?
As the title race heated up last season, with Arsenal vying for the top spot against Manchester City, there was an unsettling undercurrent for Gunners fans. The cloud of 115 alleged breaches hung over their title rivals, and it seemed like these questions wouldn't find answers within the last season's timeframe.
But here's the twist: the situation might be even worse for Arsenal this time around. The Premier League is now looking into Everton, who face allegations of breaking the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. If found guilty, they could be hit with a massive 12-point deduction, setting a new record in Premier League history.
This development has once again shifted the spotlight back to City. The Premier League has initiated a thorough investigation, and it's been relatively quiet since the news surfaced earlier this year.
There's a good reason behind the hush, and it's why Arsenal supporters, for the time being, might not need to lose sleep over it. The sheer volume of allegations City is grappling with implies a lengthy and complex process that could take years to reach a conclusion.
Sheffield United's Battle with Injuries
Sheffield United is currently grappling with a significant injury crisis as they gear up for their Premier League showdown against Arsenal tomorrow. The Blades have faced their fair share of struggles since their promotion to the top flight of English football, and they currently find themselves at the bottom of the league table after nine matches.
Their next challenge takes them to the Emirates Stadium, where they'll face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. The Gunners are one of just two Premier League teams who haven't suffered a league defeat this season and currently sit in third place, trailing the league leaders, Tottenham Hotspur, by just two points as we head into this weekend's fixtures.
However, Sheffield United's preparations have been plagued by injuries. According to Sky Sports, a substantial number of first-team players, as many as ten, could be sidelined for the upcoming match. The likes of Chris Basham, Anel Ahmedhodžić, George Baldock, Will Osula, Oli McBurnie, Rhys Norrington-Davies, John Egan, Tom Davies, Max Lowe, and Daniel Jebbison are all nursing injuries at the moment.
Ivan Toney's Potential Arsenal Move Gets a Boost
Arsenal might just find a solution to their Ivan Toney transfer puzzle, and it involves a surprising partner: Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for a new striker to bolster the Gunners' bid for the Premier League title this season.
However, there's a twist in this story. The English international, Ivan Toney, is currently serving an eight-month ban from football due to a breach of Football Association betting rules. Toney has also changed his representation as he eyes a move away from Brentford, catching the attention of not only Arsenal but also Chelsea and Tottenham, who are all keen to secure the 27-year-old's services.
Brentford has slapped a £60 million price tag on Toney, which means Arsenal would need to offload some players to make room for him while complying with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. This might lead to some of Arteta's current squad being made available for transfer to raise the necessary funds.
In a surprising turn of events, it appears that Real Madrid could play a significant role in helping Arsenal secure the funds needed for Ivan Toney. Los Blancos are reportedly considering a £45 million move to bring Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus to their ranks, following Karim Benzema's departure to the Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad during the summer.
Sport reports that both Madrid and Barcelona had their eyes on Jesus before he joined Arsenal in 2021. And the latest word on the street is that the Brazilian international hasn't been forgotten by Madrid, as they are closely monitoring his progress.
Arsenal's Injury Updates and Return Timelines for Sheffield United Clash
As Arsenal gears up for their upcoming Premier League showdown against Sheffield United this weekend, there are a couple of notable injury concerns on their radar. Gabriel Jesus, who was part of the squad during their recent 2-1 triumph against Sevilla in the Champions League, had to be substituted due to a hamstring issue.
The Brazilian international has had his fair share of injury setbacks while wearing the Arsenal kit, but Mikel Arteta is keeping his fingers crossed for Jesus to be match-fit to take on Sheffield United this Saturday. In the meantime, Thomas Partey encountered a thigh problem during a training session on Monday, casting doubt on his availability to face Paul Heckingbottom's team.
Adding to the injury list, Jurrien Timber is currently sidelined with a knee issue, and his return to the action is anticipated to be around March 2024. So, with these developments in mind, let's take a peek at the most recent updates from the treatment room at London Colney.
Arsenal's Upcoming Deal Unveiled
Arsenal is currently in the process of negotiating new long-term contracts for several key players within Mikel Arteta's squad. Over the past year, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Aaron Ramsdale have all penned fresh deals with the club.
Following Martin Odegaard's contract extension, Edu, Arsenal's chief, seems to be well aware of what it takes to secure the club's future. He expressed his thoughts, stating, "Reaching an agreement and finalizing a new contract with Martin is truly fantastic news for all of us." His words, as quoted by Arsenal's official website, reflect the excitement surrounding this development.
Edu continued, "He is not only our captain but also a seasoned international, providing us with an abundance of quality and joy every time he steps onto the pitch. Martin is still just 24 years old, which means there is plenty more to come from him, and we are thrilled to continue our journey together in the upcoming years."
While the focus remains on retaining key players in Mikel Arteta's senior squad, Arsenal is equally committed to securing the futures of their promising young talents in the academy ranks.