FORMER Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn believes Cristiano Ronaldo making the switch to the Emirates would be a 'complete disaster'.
The Gunners could do with a striking reinforcement after Gabriel Jesus' long-term injury.
And after Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester Untied exile, the Portuguese legend is available as a free agent but Winterburn hopes Arsenal do not pursue that idea.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has given an injury update on Reiss Nelson who sustained a problem in the 2-0 loss against Juventus.
Arteta said: "Let's see what will happen but we know what we have to do and that doesn't change plans."
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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has played down reports linking Roma winger Nicolo Zaniolo with Arsenal.
In his CaughtOffside’s Substack column, Romano said: "I'm aware there’s been some speculation about Nicolo Zaniolo again.
"And it’s a slightly surprising story as there are no negotiations between Arsenal and Zaniolo as of now.
“He has never been close to a Premier League move."
Arsenal want too sign highly-rated attacker Nicolo Zaniolo from Roma, according to Roma Giallorossa.
The 11-cap Italy star, 23, has also been linked with fellow Prem giants Manchester United and Spurs.
Zaniolo has 18 months left on his contract and his future at the Serie A club looks as uncertain as that of his manager Jose Mourinho, who is reportedly considering taking over as Portugal boss.
Arsenal's World Cup stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are both back and ready to face West Ham on Boxing Day.
England star Saka and Brazil's Martinelli both reached the last eight in Qatar but have checked back in with the Gunners in a fit and focused state, according to their club boss Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard said: "I don’t have any concerns.
"They have both been assessed really well and they will be training for us in the next few days, so hopefully they will be ready."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he is unsure of the extent of Reiss Nelson's injury.
The 23-year-old Gunners winger started Saturday's friendly against Juventus but had to come off midway through the first-half after going down clutching his hamstring.
Arteta told reporters afterwards: "The fact that he had to leave the pitch straight away is not good news, especially with someone like Reiss who is really powerful and fast.
"Let’s see what will happen but we know what we have to do and that doesn't change the plans."
Arsenal could be set to move for Brazilian midfielder Danilo as soon as the January transfer window, according to a new report.
The Gunners have been credited with an interest in the young Palmeiras star, Fichajes say.
And with competition for the 21-year-old is so fierce, it could force Mikel Arteta’s side to move fast.
Arsenal‘s hopes of signing Nicolo Zaniolo have been dealt a blow, according to reports.
His agent Claudio Vigorelli told Football Italia that his club Roma are currently working on extending his contract that expires in 2024.
He said: “There are no clouds on the horizon, we have an excellent rapport with Roma and Tiago Pinto and we’ve agreed that we’ll discuss a contract extension in the future when the club think it’s best.
“Now, the most important thing is to focus on work and performance on the pitch.
“The club know that we are ready to sit down and negotiate. I repeat that the rapport with Pinto is excellent and Zaniolo is happy in Rome and with fans.”
Tony Cascarino says if he was Arsenal, then ‘I would consider’ signing Liverpool transfer target Cody Gakpo during the January transfer window.
He told talkSPORT: “I could see a lot of players working out,” said Cascarino on Arsenal possibly signing Gakpo. “They are are a really good side now.
“What he (Arteta) has done is nothing short of a miracle – yes, I would consider, it’s because you don’t have this opportunity very often. You are five points clear.”
Yaya Toure has backed Arsenal to ‘carry on’ going in their battle with Manchester City for the Premier League title, despite Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
He told SKy Sports: “Arsenal have a great chance.
“I think Arsenal is going to carry on. Even maybe Jesus’ injury, at the moment.
“But let’s see different things as well. Arsenal was on top before the World Cup. I think maybe they could still carry on, even though Manchester City are really strong.”
Arsenal are not favourites to sign Atletico Madrid and Portugal forward Joao Felix, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has told GIVEMESPORT.
The 23-year-old is being linked with a move to the Emirates, with one report saying that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature, but Taylor thinks Atletico’s asking price will be a problem.
According to MARCA, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are currently at the front of the queue for Felix.
Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea have also been mentioned, but the outlet claims that it is the north London club who are the frontrunners to sign the former Benfica man.
Arsenal could be set to move for Brazilian midfielder Danilo as soon as the January transfer window, according to a new report.
The Gunners have been credited with an interest in the young Palmeiras star, Fichajes say.
And with competition for the 21-year-old is so fierce, it could force Mikel Arteta's side to move fast.
Vic Akers is backing Arsenal to rally in their fight for silverware after losing two of their most feared forwards to injury.
The ex-Gunners Ladies chief, 76, says Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead will be “a big miss” for the side with the duo currently injured.
Akers said: “Vivianne will be a big, big miss for the team.
“I could see when she went down it was quite serious with Gary Lewin (Arsenal women’s head of medicine) coming out on the edge of the pitch.
“Looking at the expression on Gary’s face I knew it was serious. Let’s hope it’s not an ACL injury. It did look ominous.”
Arsenal 's hopes of signing Nicolo Zaniolo have been dealt a blow, according to reports.
His agent Claudio Vigorelli told Football Italia that his club Roma are currently working on extending his contract that expires in 2024.
He said: "There are no clouds on the horizon, we have an excellent rapport with Roma and Tiago Pinto and we’ve agreed that we’ll discuss a contract extension in the future when the club think it’s best.
“Now, the most important thing is to focus on work and performance on the pitch.
“The club know that we are ready to sit down and negotiate. I repeat that the rapport with Pinto is excellent and Zaniolo is happy in Rome and with fans.”
Barcelona youngster Pedri draws the plaudits, and is considered as one of the best young players in the world.
However, Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka outshone him in the World Cup.
Ferdinand said: ‘He outperformed Pedri at this World Cup. Three goals.
"You’d have to put him in there. He was arguably our best attacking player."
Chelsea could scupper Arsenal's bid for Youri Tielemans.
The Blues are said to have made the Belgium midfielder a target, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
“A dark horse to keep an eye on is someone maybe like a Youri Tielemans, who Arsenal are considering on a free transfer if he doesn’t sign a new deal at Leicester in the summer of 2023,” Jacobs told the CFC365 Podcast.
“Potentially a suitor could put down a low-value offer that they think is a bargain, hoping that Leicester take it rather than lose the player on a free.
“Chelsea haven’t made any significant advances on this front but that’s one to watch.”
Tony Cascarino says if he was Arsenal, then ‘I would consider’ signing Liverpool transfer target Cody Gakpo during the January transfer window.
He told talkSPORT: “I could see a lot of players working out,” said Cascarino on Arsenal possibly signing Gakpo. “They are are a really good side now.
“What he (Arteta) has done is nothing short of a miracle – yes, I would consider, it’s because you don’t have this opportunity very often. You are five points clear.”
Paris Saint-Germain have made a bid worth £35million for Palmeiras teenager Estevao Willian.
Arsenal have monitored Willian for some time and have reportedly contacted his agent over a move.
Yaya Toure has backed Arsenal to ‘carry on’ going in their battle with Manchester City for the Premier League title, despite Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
He told SKy Sports: “Arsenal have a great chance.
“I think Arsenal is going to carry on. Even maybe Jesus’ injury, at the moment.
“But let’s see different things as well. Arsenal was on top before the World Cup. I think maybe they could still carry on, even though Manchester City are really strong.”
Mikel Arteta has spoken about the injury Reiss Nelson suffered in the friendly against Argentina.
He said: "We don’t know the extent of the injury.
"The fact that he had to leave the pitch straight away is not good news, especially with someone like Reiss who is really powerful and fast. Let’s see what will happen.
"We know what we have to do and that doesn’t change the plans."
Arsenal are not favourites to sign Atletico Madrid and Portugal forward Joao Felix, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has told GIVEMESPORT.
The 23-year-old is being linked with a move to the Emirates, with one report saying that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature, but Taylor thinks Atletico’s asking price will be a problem.
According to MARCA, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are currently at the front of the queue for Felix.
Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea have also been mentioned, but the outlet claims that it is the north London club who are the frontrunners to sign the former Benfica man.
Arsenal fans believe Mikel Arteta found the new Bukayo Saka during Saturday's friendly against Juventus.
Amario Cozier-Duberry is yet to make his debut for the first team. But he certainly made an impression on supporters with an exciting cameo.
The 17-year-old academy star came off the bench on the hour mark to replace Granit Xhaka.
Cozier-Duberry is a left-footed winger who predominantly plays off the right for the under-21 side, similar to Saka. But he can also play on the other flank and he was willing to take on the Juventus defenders in his first senior outing at the Emirates, albeit a friendly.
Rio Ferdinand has named the Arsenal star who ‘outperformed’ Barcelona midfielder Pedri at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Pedri, 20, considered to be one of the most promising young players in the world, impressed for Spain at the World Cup across their four matches.
Asked to pick between Pedri and Bukayo Saka – who scored three goals for England before their quarter-final defeat to France – Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: "[I would pick] Saka.
"He outperformed Pedri at this World Cup. Three goals. You’d have to put him in there. He was arguably our best attacking player."
Fans are convinced Arsenal players were "refusing to pass the ball" to Marquinhos in their friendly versus Juventus.
It proved a tough day for the Gunners as they lost 2-0 via two own goals scored by Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding.
The Brazilian failed to make an impact and it led to some supporters believing in a conspiracy theory that his team-mates were deliberately not giving him the ball.
One fan said online: "The players don’t seem to trust Marquinhos."
And another agreed replying: "I've seen that too. Both Xhaka and KT [Kieran Tierney] didn't initially want to pass to him. Xhaka ignored him entirely."
Arsenal may have one major “advantage” when it comes to trying to sign Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix during the January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.
He said: "There’s a lot of interest in Joao Felix, who does seem like he will be leaving Atletico Madrid in this window and I’m sure the chance to move to Arsenal and the chance to possibly win the Premier League title and also an opportunity to move to London is very attractive to a lot of foreign players as well.
"So yes, if Arsenal do follow up on their interest in Felix, they probably have an advantage over some of their other rivals.”
Danny Murphy believes talk of Gabriel Jesus’ injury ending Arsenal’s title hopes is “direspectful to Arteta” and his “fox in the box”.
He said: “A lot has been made of the knee injury Gabriel Jesus suffered with Brazil, that might keep him out for a month, but I don’t think the Gunners will crumble, as some suggest.
“Jesus has been important in Arsenal’s great run: he’s unselfish; works hard off the ball and sets the tone for the press. But he hasn’t scored in his last 11 games. So I don’t think Arsenal should be fearful of playing without him.
“Eddie Nketiah is a fox in the box and can finish. Arsenal’s next three games against West Ham, Brighton and Newcastle are all winnable without Jesus.
“It’s disrespectful to Arteta, as well as stars such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and the other Arsenal players, to suggest one injury setback will make it a stroll.”
Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn says a move for Cristiano Ronaldo would be a ‘complete disaster’ for the Gunners.
He said: "It’s a no from me and there’s only one simple reason; it would be a short-term gap to fill.
"A lot of people might say that’s great, let’s do it.
"I wouldn’t be able to argue with that, but I think the way Arsenal start games, they press high, they’re full of energy, and Ronaldo is an unbelievable player, but I don’t think he has the legs to be able to do that any more.
"I’m certain he doesn’t. I think Arsenal would have to change their style of play to bring him in, and I think that move would be a complete disaster."
Arsenal have been told the asking price to sign Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram in January, according to Bild.
Mikel Arteta's side have scouted the forward and will battle Liverpool to secure his signature.
Gladbach will consider selling the forward in January if they receive bids of £10.5million.
Chelsea have entered the race to sign Youri Tielemans, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.
Arsenal have tracked the midfielder for some time and were heavily linked with a summer transfer, but could not agree a fee with Leicester.
Tieleman's contract is up at the end of the season and both clubs could rival one another for his signature.
Arsenal are looking to sign the Palmeiras midfielder Danilo dos Santos when the transfer window opens in January.
The 21-year-old has attracted the attention of top European clubs with his performances, and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners can secure his services.
According to a report from Fichajes, Mikel Arteta is looking to reinforce his squad during the January transfer window and the Brazilian midfielder is one of the few targets on his wish list.
Arsenal will welcome Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli back to the squad imminently, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
The duo missed the Gunners’ 2-0 friendly defeat to Juventus on Saturday but are set to return to training next week.
Arteta said of Saka and Martinelli: “They’ll come back straight away into the rhythm, shape and mould of the team.
“We’re waiting for them and they are desperate to be back as well. I’ve spoken to both of them.
“Gabi was here today, with a big smile and big energy. He’s ready to go again. It’s going to be a big boost for the team.”
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