ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has hinted at buying a new striker in January to replace injured Gabriel Jesus.
He said after his side's 3-0 win over Lyon: "What we can do after that when we know the timescale better and we know when we can have him back we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions.
"I feel my squad is really good, and unfortunately we’ve had injuries, but we will see what we can do to be stronger."
Meanwhile, the Gunners have reportedly set their sights on Porto star Pepe – but they could have to battle Chelsea for his signature.
The Brazilian left scouts with 'their mouths open' after some outstanding performances.
And now reports suggest that Pepe is being linked with a sensational move to England.
Granit Xhaka has backed Eddie Nketiah to fill the boots of Gabriel Jesus who is out of action for several months.
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Bukayo Saka has said that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry offered him support after he missed his penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout against Italy.
Saka suffered racial abuse as a result but has responded in fine fashion netting three times at this year's World Cup in Qatar.
Saka said about Henry's help: "It meant everything.
"He showed a lot of character to obviously get my number and reach out to me.
"It's not just from that moment. After most Arsenal games he reaches out to me and he's still so passionate about the club. He's an amazing person"
Arsenal are interested in a 15-year-old from Brazil dubbed 'Messinho' named Estevao Willian.
Palmeiras ace Willian has Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring him.
But the forward will not be allowed to leave until 2025 due to rules regarding the signing of young players.
He is not the only Palmeiras star attracting attention from top clubs, as Real Madrid chase 16-year-old sensation Endrick worth £60million
Arsenal third-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein was hailed as "the next best thing" after four shootout penalty saves, including from a Panenka, in the Dubai Super Cup.
A penalty shootout was held at the end of the game with an extra point on offer.
Gunners' fans singled out Hein following a 3-0 win over Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup and an extra point for a 2-1 shootout victory.
England back-up keeper Aaron Ramsdale and USA international Matt Turner clearly remain Mikel Arteta's first two options between the sticks.
But with those two absent ahead of the Premier League return at Christmas, Hein hopes to play in the Gunners' other Dubai Super Cup game, against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus has been pictured walking with crutches as he prepared to head home from hospital.
Jesus, 25, underwent knee surgery after jetting back to the UK on Sunday from Brazil's World Cup campaign.
But having previously been pictured in bed after his surgery, the striker now appears to have a spring in his step and a smile on his face.
The ex-Manchester City ace posted a pair of pictures to his Instagram page.
In the photos Jesus can be seen using crutches to hold him up, but still pulled a pose by sticking his tongue out and lifting one crutch off the floor.
He accompanied the post with the caption: "Time to go home"
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is the latest England star to take on the gauntlet that is Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka’s “spelling school.”
A host of other Three Lions stars including Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Declan Rice have all tried and failed to pass Saka’s spelling bee.
After realising he was filmed Rashford burst into laughter, as the winger revealed his word was “embarrassed.”
After a moment’s thought the striker gave it his best shot, and was so close to becoming the first person to pass Saka’s spelling school.
But Rashford went with just one r, when of course he needed two.
To signal Rashford’s wrong answer, Saka attempted at a Britain’s Got Talent style buzzer before bursting out into laughter and yelling : “You’re wrong”
Arsenal have received a transfer boost amid their interest in Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
The Gunners, Chelsea and Manchester United are in a battle to sign Felix.
This comes after reports that the forward has fallen out with manager Diego Simeone, with their relationship said to be beyond repair.
As a result, Atletico owner Gil Marin has admitted the 23-year-old is up for sale.
Therefore, Relevo claim that Arsenal, United and the Blues are all in the running
Arsenal are facing a battle to keep hold of academy manager Per Mertesacker.
That's because Germany want Mertesacker to become their new sporting director following their 2022 World Cup exit.
That is according to Sky, who claim the German national team want the former centre-back to replace Oliver Bierhoff, who resigned from his post after their nightmare in Qatar.
Germany want the 38-year-old to develop the next crop of young players after failing to reach the quarter-finals of a major tournament since 2016
Arsenal could have to postpone their planned January transfer swoop for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk after news Gabriel Jesus could be sidelined long-term, writes SunSport's Jack Rosser.
The Gunners have been dealt a huge blow to their title hopes with Jesus facing months out after surgery on his knee.
The North Londoners are keen on signing Mudryk but may have to rethink their plans as the 21-year-old winger is not a centre-forward.
Arsenal spent £120million in the summer but only have one other out-and-out striker in the squad and that is Eddie Nketiah
Mikel Arteta has hinted that he could dip into the January market following Gabriel Jesus' surgery, as per SunSport's Jack Rosser.
The Arsenal striker returned from the World Cup with Brazil following a knee injury and quickly went under the knife.
Asked whether it would alter his January planning, Arteta said: "What we can do after that when we know the timescale better and we know when we can have him back we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions.
"I feel my squad is really good, and unfortunately we’ve had injuries, but we will see what we can do to be stronger"
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has urged the Gunners to replace Gabriel Jesus with Brentford star Ivan Toney, whom the former midfielder compared to Ian Wright.
Parlour told Sports Lens: "The problem you’re going to have in January is who’s available? I’ve always said Ivan Toney of Brentford.
"I’d go and try to get him if I could. I don’t think you’ll get him in this window but he’s who I’d go for.
"I think he’s similar to Ian Wright the way he plays and scores his goals"
Arsenal thrashed Lyon 3-0 during a mid-season friendly at the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
Eddie Nketiah stood out and proved he can fill in for star striker Gabirle Jesus, who underwent knee surgery and may be out for three months.
Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring on 19 minutes before Nketiah doubled the Gunners' lead just 14 minutes later.
Fabio Vieira sealed the North Londoners' triumph in the 39th minute
Arsenal are ready to bring in a replacement for Gabriel Jesus, who recently underwent knee surgery and could be sidelined for three months.
That's by recalling Folarin Balogun from his loan stint at Reims.
The striker has impressed in France with eight goals in 15 matches this term.
According to 90min, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could choose to bring the England Under-21 international back rather than splash out on a new signing
Arsenal ace Granit Xhaka has revealed he is saddened to hear that Gabriel Jesus requires knee surgery and has offered his full support to him during his recovery.
Xhaka said: "I spoke with him [Jesus] straight after the Cameroon game [where he went off injured].
"We have contact with each other, with all the players we have here in the World Cup.
"It’s a shame because you saw in the first round of the Premier League how important he is for us. I don’t know how big the injury is, maybe two or three months, I think.
"But he is a strong guy. He knows that we are behind him and hopefully we can get him back as quick as possible"
Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah looks set to spearhead Mikel Arteta's attack once the Premier League resumes.
That is after Gabriel Jesus underwent knee surgery that could see him out for three months following an injury in the 2022 World Cup while on international duty with Brazil.
Granit Xhaka was asked about the situation and he said that Nketiah needs to be ready to play a "big, big part" in the title race.
The 23-year-old was nearly let go last season but managed to get a new contract after registering five goals in seven matches towards the end of the season
Arsenal look set for a bidding war over Porto ace Pepe ahead of the January transfer window.
The Gunners will lock horns with London rivals Chelsea over the forward.
The Brazilian has left scouts with “their mouths open” after some fine performances.
According to A Bola, the 25-year-old is now being lined up for a move to England.
But suitors will have to meet Pepe's release clause, which stands at a mega £65million
Marcus Rashford is the latest England star to take on the gauntlet that is Bukayo Saka's "spelling school."
A host of other Three Lions stars including Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Declan Rice have all tried and failed to pass Saka's tricky spelling tests.
And Manchester United ace Rashford became the latest cornered England star.
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Ray Parlour also wants to see France and Gladbach star Marcus Thuram at the Emirates.
He added: "I know Marcus Thuram at Borussia Monchengladbach could be available because his contract is up at the end of the year.
"I do know Edu was looking for a winger [or] forward when I spoke to him in preseason.
"He wanted a winger who could go past someone and offer something a bit different to what they’ve got now.
"Someone pacey like a Marc Overmars… that’s what I’d be looking to bring in."
Arsenal have been told to sign Brentford star Ivan Toney by club legend Ray Parlour.
Hailing Toney as the "new Ian Wright", he said: "The problem you’re going to have in January is who’s available? I’ve always said Ivan Toney of Brentford.
"I’d go and try to get him if I could. I don’t think you’ll get him in this window but he’s who I’d go for.
"I think he’s similar to Ian Wright the way he plays and scores his goals."
Arsenal continue their warm-weather training in Dubai with a huge clash against Italian titans AC Milan…
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Prem clubs are beginning to emerge from their enforced winter hibernation.
Qatar 2022 brought an unprecedented pre-conceived six week shutdown half-way through the campaign.
But with bosses now starting to gear up through a series of friendlies for the Boxing Day return to Prem arms, the big question is how the World Cup will impact the domestic agenda.
SunSport looks at the 20 Prem teams to work out the likely winners and losers from a situation none of them will want to see repeated…
SEE OUR WINNERS & LOSERS
Arsenal and Chelsea will reportedly lock horns over Porto forward Pepe.
The Brazilian winger has left scouts with “their mouths open” after some fine performances.
And A Bola claims Pepe is now being lined up for a move to England.
But suitors will have to meet his release clause, which stands at a mega £65million.
Arsenal fans might have to wait before seeing Takehiro Tomiyasu in action again… as he wants to take a break after Japan's World Cup exit to Croatia.
The defender said: “My performance was a disaster so I am sorry for the team.
“I just need to be much, much better to help the team. I can’t be proud. I am not satisfied about what happened. It was not enough.
“Hopefully I can get a bit of rest. I need time to forget about football. I need a bit of time.”
Arsenal are ready to bring in a replacement for crocked Gabriel Jesus.
That's by recalling youngster Folarin Balogun from his loan in France.
The American has eight goals in 15 games for Reims this term.
And 90min claims Mikel Arteta could choose to bring Balogun back rather than splash out on a new signing.
Arsenal are back in action today as they play Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup friendly tournament.
With many first-teamers away at the World Cup, manager Mikel Arteta is set to involve a number of youngsters such as Matt Smith and the Premier League's youngest ever play Ethan Nwaneri.
Granit Xhaka's Switzerland were knocked out of the World Cup on Tuesday being hammered 6-1 by Portugal but the midfielder does not want a break.
Instead, he has flown straight to Abu Dhabi to train with the squad as he prepares for the title race.
One man who will not be playing for some time is Gabriel Jesus. He could be sidelined for a number of months with as he has undergone knee surgery.
As a result, there have been rumours that Folarin Balogun could be recalled from his loan at Reims.
Arsenal could go into the transfer market and buy a striker but that could ruin plans to sign winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners have beat Juventus 1-0 in the Champions League group stage.
Vivianne Miedema scored the only goal of the game to sent Arsenal top of the table with ten points and within touching distance of making it to the quarter-final.
The match was played at the Emirates Stadium.
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