JOSE MOURINHO is eyeing Arsenal's Ashley Maitland-Niles in a January loan swoop for Roma.
The England international, 24, has struggled for playing time with the Gunners this season.
Meanwhile, the Spanish press claim that Barcelona are desperate to send Phillipe Coutinho on loan to the Premier League.
And that puts the Gunners in a strong position, with technical director Edu known to be close to Coutinho's agent Kia Joorabchian.
However, Arsenal have put former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up for sale as they wait to see which clubs are interested.
The majority of clubs are reported not to be willing or able to fund his wages, but there are claims Juventus could do, providing the deal is a loan.
The Gunners are hoping for a strong squad going into the game at Norwich on Boxing Day.
Takehiro Tomiyasu could return a week after picking up an injury in the win at Leeds.
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- Jim Sheridan
HAPPY CHRISTMAS GUNNERS FANS!
Has Santa been?
If reports are to be believed, the Gunners could be in for an exciting January transfer window.
They are reportedly looking at Youssef En-Nesyri as a replacement for out of favour Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the Gabon forward set to leave.
While Eddie Nketiah is also set for the exit door after snubbing a new deal.
And Mikel Arteta's men are one of just eight Premier League teams still in action on Boxing Day as Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on the fixture list.
- James Orr
Revels with a cause
Ex-Gunner Paul Merson has likened inconsistent Arsenal this season to a bag of Revels.
Merson told Sportskeeda: "Arsenal have been playing very well this month – they're bright all over the pitch.
"They’re flat-track bullies at the moment, and I have no problem with that.
"Arsenal are better than a lot of the other teams in the Premier League, but they struggle against the big three.
"They’re a bag of Revels – you don't know what you’re going to get."
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners looking sharp
After three Boxing Day games fell victim to Covid outbursts, Arsenal can cement fourth place in the Prem with victory at bottom side Norwich.
And amongst those looking sharp in training was Alexandre Lacazette, who has profited from fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s continuing absence for breaching club discipline.
Arsenal were quick to show that off by posting this clip from training.
- Ian Tuckey
Youssef on Gunners' strike radar
Arsenal are scouting striker options, according to reports.
The Gunners are set to be in the market for a striker after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was exiled by boss Mikel Arteta.
One option they are considering is Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri.
The Moroccan has endured an injury-plagued season, but when fit has been watched by the Gunners ahead of a potential switch.
- Ian Tuckey
Pepe off to AFCON
Nicolas Pepe has been called up to the Ivory Coast’s 28-man squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Gunners' winger will link up with his country next week.
Should his side reach the final, he will not return to action for Arsenal until after February 6.
Pepe is joined in the squad by fellow Prem stars Eric Bailly and Wilfried Zaha.
- Ian Tuckey
Bernd out in the summer?
Arsenal will let Bernd Leno leave at the end of the season, according to reports.
The German has lost his place to Aaron Ramsdale this season.
He is still featuring in the cup competitions, helping the Gunners to the League Cup semi-finals.
But ESPN claim that he will be allowed to move on in the summer.
A January is possible, but only if the North Londoners can find another back-up.
- Ian Tuckey
Revels with a cause
Inconsistent Arsenal are like a 'bag of Revels' – according to their ex-England striker Paul Merson.
The Gunners are a dark-horse for a top-four spot, despite a woeful start to the campaign.
Mikel Arteta's side have been thumping teams left, right and centre in recent weeks – but still struggle against the big boys.
And Merson reckons Arsenal must accept the mantle of 'flat-track bullies' and press on for a top-four spot.
Hilariously, the Highbury legend even compared the current crop to a 'bag of Revels' – famous for their hidden, assorted centres.
Merson told Sportskeeda: "Arsenal have been playing very well this month – they’re bright all over the pitch.
"They’re flat-track bullies at the moment, and I have no problem with that.
"Arsenal are better than a lot of the other teams in the Premier League, but they struggle against the big three.
"They’re a bag of Revels – you don’t know what you’re going to get."
- Ian Tuckey
Aubameyang and Takehiro left out of training pics
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Takehiro Tomiyasu were left out of Arsenal training pictures ahead of Sunday's trip to Norwich.
Striker Aubameyang could yet be outcast longer after his disciplinary breaches, while defender Tomiyasu strained a muscle in last Saturday's 4-1 win at Leeds.
The duo were absent from a video on Arsenal’s official YouTube account.
Boss Mikel Arteta has not made it clear publicly if Aubameyang will be available again over Christmas.
And in-form Japan star Tomiyasu was already known to be a doubt for Boxing Day due to his injury.
NINTCHDBPICT000698541341Credit: Rex - Ian Tuckey
CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND PARLOUR GAMES
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has revealed how the club's academy stars had to sing Christmas carols outside London Colney to earn tips from the first-team players.
The 48-year-old declared that as part of the Gunners' festive tradition, the youngsters sang in an attempt to earn Christmas bonuses.
As well as cleaning the boots of the senior footballers, academy players had to stand on a box outside the club's training ground before belting out iconic carols.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Parlour, who made his Arsenal debut in January 1992, said: "I was on like £27.50 a week.
"It was a big thing for the apprentices is that they got a bonus from the players they cleaned the boots.
"So, what you used to have to do is there was a big box outside the training ground at London Colney, every single apprentice had to stand on the box to sing a Christmas carol.
"They got paid by how they sang. You wanted the big players really, the David O’Leary’s and Tony Adams and them sort of guys because they would give you bigger money.
“I had three reserve team players, that was a nightmare, I probably got a tenner each, £20 each maybe."
Parlour also recalled the time he was thrown in the mud by iconic captain Adams after his rendition of 'Little Donkey'.
He remarked: "They had buckets of water ready and it was obviously a very cold morning when you have to sing.
"I had to sign ‘Little Donkey’ and I only got to Donkey and Tony Adams chased me because at that time, he was called the donkey. Donkey Adams.
“He chased me, got me, put me in the mud, proper mud all over you, buckets of water going all over your head.
“But I didn’t have to sing. Believe it or not, the players were really nervous before they went out to sing in front of George Graham, first team squad, it’s a nightmare, it really is.”
- Ian Tuckey
Gunner take advantage?
After three Boxing Day games fell victim to Covid outbursts, Arsenal can cement fourth place in the Prem with victory at bottom side Norwich.
And amongst those looking sharp in training was Alexandre Lacazette, who has profited from fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's continuing absence for breaching club discipline.
Arsenal were quick to show that off by posting this clip from training.
- Ian Tuckey
The Brits are thriving abroad
Gareth Southgate has quite a task keeping tabs on all the English talent outside of the Premier League.
That’s because there are a gang of Three Lions making an impression on foreign soil.
SunSport has selected a best XI made up of English players currently playing abroad.
And it includes former Man United star Chris Smalling, as well as rumoured target Jude Bellingham.
- Etienne Fermie
Got the Wright attitude
Gunners legend Ian Wright was full of praise for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah this week.
The 22-year-old forward netted a superb hat-trick against Sunderland on Tuesday night, capping it off with a cheeky backheel.
In response, Wrighty tweeted: "
Lovely movement and finish @EddieNketiah9."
- Etienne Fermie
New Arsenal training vid drops
Feast your eyes on this, Gunners fans!
It's your latest training video.
You might be putting the finishing touches on your Christmas decorations or panic-buying late gifts for your mother-in-law.
But Arsenal have today been busy preparing for their clash with Norwich on Boxing Day.
- Etienne Fermie
Gunners stopper to leave in summer
Arsenal will let Bernd Leno leave at the end of the season, according to reports.
The German has lost his place to Aaron Ramsdale this season.
He is still featuring in the cup competitions, helping the Gunners to the League Cup semi-finals.
But ESPN claim that he will be allowed to move on in the summer.
A January is possible, but only if the North Londoners can find another back-up.
- Etienne Fermie
Arsenal star heading to Afcon
Nicolas Pepe has been called up to the Ivory Coast's 28-man squad for next month's Africa Cup of Nations.
The Gunners defender will link up with his country next week.
Should his side reach the final, he will not return to action for Arsenal until after February 6.
Pepe is joined in the squad by fellow Prem stars Eric Bailly and Wilfried Zaha.
- Etienne Fermie
Three Arsenal aces to leave
A trio of Gunners first-teamers will be allowed to leave the club next month.
Forgotten man Sead Kolasinac is surplus to requirements and can leave the Emirates.
While Calum Chambers is also set to go.
ESPN also claim that Mohamed Elneny could depart, should an offer come in.
- Etienne Fermie
Arsenal in for Everton ace?
The Gunners want to sign a forward next month, after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was exiled.
Arsenal scouts have been busy considering potential buys.
One option they like is Everton and England star Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The 24-year-old is nearing a return from injury, and the Toffees may have to brace themselves ahead of next month's transfer window, according to ESPN.
- Etienne Fermie
Seville striker boost for Gunners?
Arsenal are scouting striker options, according to reports.
The Gunners are set to be in the market for a striker after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was exiled by boss Mikel Arteta.
One option they are considering is Sevilla's Youssef En-Nesyri.
The Moroccan has endured an injury-plagued season, but when fit has been watched by the Gunners ahead of a potential switch.
- Etienne Fermie
Auba show at Carrow Road
Last time out at Norwich, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was Arsenal's saviour under caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg.
The Canaries had led the December 2019 encounter 2-1 at the break, before the Gabonese striker levelled to grab the Gunners a point.
A repeat is unlikely on Boxing Day when the two teams meet at Carrow Road, again, however, with Aubameyang still in Arsenal exile after being stripped of the captaincy.
- Etienne Fermie
The Brits are thriving abroad
Gareth Southgate has quite a task keeping tabs on all the English talent outside of the Premier League.
That’s because there are a gang of Three Lions making an impression on foreign soil.
SunSport has selected a best XI made up of English players currently playing abroad.
And it includes former Arsenal starlet Stephy Mavididi, as well as loanee Reiss Nelson.
- Etienne Fermie
Nicolas' pep in his step
How good was this, Gooners?
Nicolas Pepe produced some OUTRAGEOUS nutmegs on Tuesday night!
- Etienne Fermie
Last time out with Norwich
Arsenal's first clash with Norwich this season was a big turning point for Mikel Arteta's men.
The Gunners went into the match BOTTOM of the table after three losses to start the season.
But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's winner kickstarted their campaign, with Arsenal having since climbed into the top four.
Ahead of Sunday's rematch at Carrow Road, let's remind ourselves what happened back in September.
- Etienne Fermie
Last time out at the Emirates
The kids were alright on Tuesday night, as Arsenal breezed into the League Cup semi-finals.
On this Christmas Eve, warm yourself up with all the highlights, as Eddie Nketiah bagged a hat-trick and Charlie Patino made a goalscoring debut.
- Etienne Fermie
Mikel Arteta on Patino development
Arsenal boss has had his say on what's next for Charlie Patino after the 18-year-old's goalscoring debut against Sunderland.
He said: "Charlie is with us more and more in training sessions, yesterday was his first competitive match which was a beautiful day for him and everybody involved in the club and we’ll go slowly from there.
"If we need him, we’ll use him if the numbers are quiet and we have to throw him in there when we believe he’s ready and he’s making the right steps and we’re really happy with where we are.
"I am delighted [so many players are coming through youth system] but that is down to all the work that has been in the academy and at the club over many years and this is the fruit of that work.
"Now it is about finding the right moments to give opportunities to these kids and finding the space in the squad to be able to do that."
- Etienne Fermie
Mikel Arteta on Norwich test
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta believes that bottom of the table Norwich are better than their current league position.
Ahead of his side's Boxing Day clash with the Canaries, the Spaniard said: "I think they deserve much more from many, many games – in recent games as well.
"Under Dean [Smith] they deserve better results and they haven't got them and we know at their place it will be a really difficult game.
"If the crowd is there as well you know how special it is on Boxing Day so we expect a tough match."
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