ARSENAL have made their WORST start to a season in 118 years following their 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea.
And the Gunners flops have been slammed by Roy Keane on Sky Sports punditry.
Meanwhile Hector Bellerin is keen on a move away from Arsenal and could be swapped for Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta's side are reportedly doing battle with Everton for Lazio's Joaquin Correa.
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Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates below…
- Kostas Lianos
ARTETA ON AUBAMEYANG
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is not sure when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be back to full fitness after testing positive for coronavirus.
Aubameyang just managed to make the bench and came on as a substitute on 61 minutes during the 2-0 loss to Chelsea.
Arteta said: "I don’t know.
"Auba made a real effort to be on the bench today. He only trained one day.
"He really struggled with the illness and he was in bed for a long time but he wanted to be in the team"
- Kostas Lianos
ARTETA ON CITY
Arsenal are going to face defending Premier League champions Manchester City away on Saturday.
The Gunners have endured a poor start to the league having lost both their first games to Brentford and Chelsea.
The north Londoners are facing the prospect of stretching their losing streak when they meet City's star squad but Mikel Arteta has a plan to get his players back on their feet.
Arteta said: " [I will] Try to give them confidence and tools and belief that football changes really quickly [ahead of the match with City].
"I don’t want to see anybody feeling sorry for themselves or for the team because that’s not going to help us"
- Kostas Lianos
MORE FROM ARTETA
Arsenal opened up about the impact of COVID-19 on his team after the loss to Chelsea.
Arteta said: "It’s really challenging at the moment.
"We’re missing nine players and the majority of them are big senior players. We put a team out there that will probably be unprecedented in the history of this football club.
"They are trying their best but at the moments it’s not enough to win football matches"
- Kostas Lianos
ARTETA REACTS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted that the circumstances are "really difficult and probably unprecedented" after a poor start to the Premier League but insists nothing's over yet.
Arteta said: "One of the difficult moments that you have to go through. The circumstances are really difficult and probably unprecedented. Feeling sorry for ourselves doesn’t help though.
"You can always do things better in a football match. In the first half we had some difficulties. It took us a long time to regain the ball in the areas we needed. When we did we looked a real threat.
"I certainly see a team that in the second half they kept trying they never gave up and their attitude was exceptional. Something that is clear is that they never gave up. Even the crowd tried to push them and we tried to fight until the end"
- Kostas Lianos
ARSENAL 0-2 CHELSEA
Chelsea added to Arsenal's miserable Premier League start with a 2-0 victory at the Emirates.
The Blues opened the scoring just after 15 minutes when record signing Romelu Lukaku scored his first ever goal for the team on his second debut.
Reece James doubled the west Londoners' lead just 20 minutes later and sealed an important win for Thomas Tuchel's side.
The Gunners are now without a point as they lost to Brentford last week
- Kostas Lianos
LOAN DEAL
Sunderland are interested in a loan move for Arsenal youngster Ryan Alebiosu.
That is according to Sky Sports, who claim the Black Cats are looking into the Premier League for some reinforcement ahead of a challenging League One campaign.
Alebiosu is a regular in the Gunners' Under-23 team and would gain first-team football experience in the north-east should the move come into effect.
The right-back has yet to make an appearance for the north Londoners' senior squad
- Kostas Lianos
ODEGAARD REACTS
Martin Odegaard is ecstatic to be back at Arsenal following his move from Real Madrid.
Odegaard has stated he is intent on taking the Gunners "back where they belong".
He said: "I feel like I've come here to settle down, stay for a while and achieve a lot of good things.
"I'm really motivated to get this club back where it belongs. I really believe that we can achieve something great here"
- Kostas Lianos
BATTLE OF CORREA
Everton are set to rival Arsenal for Lazio star Joaquin Correa in a bid to bolster their attack.
That is according to Italian football journalist Alfredo Pedulla, who confirms the Toffees are pursuing Correa who has attracted interest from Tottenham as well as the Gunners.
The forward is rumoured to have fallen out of favour with new Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri.
And it is claimed the Argentina international is considering his options despite Sarri publicly expressing his wish for the star to stay and fight for his place.
Reports in Italy suggest Everton are gearing up to make an improved offer for the 27-year-old
- Kostas Lianos
ARSENAL 0-2 CHELSEA
Chelsea doubled their lead with a goal by Reece James on 35 minutes.
Reminding that the Blues opened the scoring just 20 minutes earlier thanks to record signing Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku hit the target on his full debut with the west Londoners following his move from Inter Milan.
That of course was the Belgium international's first ever goal for the Premier League giants, for whom he played for three years before his departure in 2014
- Kostas Lianos
ARSENAL 0-1 CHELSEA
Chelsea have opened the scoring against Arsenal in the London derby at the Emirates.
And it is the Blues' record signing Romelu Lukaku who scores on his full debut.
Lukaku played a total of 15 times during his first stint with the west Londoners and failed to score a single goal.
However, the star striker's hoodoo has come to an end as he reintroduces himself to the Chelsea fans
- Kostas Lianos
TOP GUNS
Arsenal have been linked with a potential swap deal with Atletico Madrid during the summer transfer window.
According to Football London, there is a "genuine prospect" of Hector Bellerin heading to Atletico and Kieran Trippier going the other way to the Emirates.
Bellerin is growing increasingly frustrated with life under Mikel Arteta and has been linked with a move away for several months.
The right-back wants to return to Spain and both Atleti as well as Barcelona are keen.
Arteta is believed to be keen on getting a player in exchange for the Spain international with both Trippier and Barca’s Emerson Royal mentioned as potential options
- Kostas Lianos
ARSENAL – CHELSEA
Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is on the bench today against Chelsea.
Aubameyang recently tested positive for coronavirus but healed in time for the London derby.
Aaron Ramsdale is also on the bench following his move from Sheffield United.
More below:
Arsenal subs: Ramsdale, Aubameyang, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Chambers, Nelson, Elneny, Balogun, Kolasinac
Chelsea subs: Kepa, Silva, Kante, Werner, Chalobah, Zouma, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Ziyech
- Kostas Lianos
THE TEAM SHEETS ARE IN!!!
Chelsea record signing Romelu Lukaku makes his debut today against Arsenal.
Lukaku has been named in Blues manager Thomas Tuchel's starting line-up.
CHELSEA XI: Mendy, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku
ARSENAL XI: Leno, Soares, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Lokonga, Xhaka, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Saka
- Kostas Lianos
OD MAN OUT
Arsenal's new recruit Martin Odegaard will be not be available for today's derby with Chelsea due to visa issues.
Odegaard returned to the Gunners after signing a permanent dealthanks to a £30million move from Real Madrid.
The attacking midfielder spent the second half of last season with the north Londoners and Mikel Arteta has been trying to bring him back all summer.
However, it will take some time until the Norway international wears the Arsenal shirt once more
- Joshua Mbu
DERBY DAY
Reminder of Arsenal's next five fixtures.
West Brom are up next for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup after today's derby against Chelsea.
- Joshua Mbu
BEN BLOW
Arsenal have suffered another blow with Ben White ruled OUT of their clash against Chelsea, writes DANIEL CUTTS.
The £50m defender is understood to be 'unwell' and will not be in the Gunners squad at the Emirates.
It comes amid a huge Covid outbreak at the North London club, with at least FOUR first-team squad members being struck down.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both missed out in their opening day defeat at Brentford.
Willian also tested positive for the virus, amid a disastrous start to the season for Mikel Arteta.
White was expected to start against the Blues today, according to The Athletic.
The England centre-back played the full 90-minutes of their 2-0 loss at the Bees last Friday.
The 23-year-old was set to face off against Romelu Lukaku, who rejoined Chelsea for £100m.
But Arteta is without one of his key players, in what has been a turbulent few weeks for his side.
Ben White has been ruled out of the Arsenal match against ChelseaCredit: Getty - Joshua Mbu
GIVE RAM A GO
ARSENAL have completed the signing of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United on a ‘long-term’ deal, writes THOMAS BLOW.
Dozens of fans have slammed the reported £24million transfer – but the former England youth international CAN be a success at the Emirates.
It's obvious why there's been a negative reaction to the move: Ramsdale's left a relegated club for one dominated by apathy, dismay and division.
The youngster comes with a big price tag and THREE relegations on his CV with Chesterfield, Bournemouth and the Blades – despite being just 23.
But Gunners fans shouldn't be worried by these bleak stats – and should instead give Ramsdale the opportunity to show his obvious quality.
Sheff Utd supporters were in a similar position 12 months ago after paying £18.5m for the stopper, three-and-a-half years after selling him for £800k.
Ramsdale was under huge pressure to perform after succeeding the impressive Dean Henderson, who helped the Blades to promotion and a ninth-place Prem finish during his two seasons in South Yorkshire.
The ex-Bournemouth star initially struggled as United picked up just two points from their first SEVENTEEN games – the worst Prem start in history.
Read more…..
- Joshua Mbu
HOME TURF
Arsenal are back on home turf today against London rivals Chelsea, with KO at 4.30pm.
We will have you covered here at SunSport with all the latest pre-match news as well as minute-by-minute coverage of the game.
- Joshua Mbu
SEAMAN CONFIDENT
Arsenal legend David Seaman is "confident" with the direction the club is going.
Seaman told Sky Sports: "I feel it's going in a new direction.
"And I am confident in what I'm seeing from Arteta, not just from Arteta but from the club – from the board.
"They're putting money up, you know, they're backing him and nobody said its going to stop.
"We're adding to the squad that needed adding to, you know, there was no doubt about it that 8th last season, 8th the season before, you know, that's not good enough. It's nowhere near good enough.
"But there becomes a time where you think 'right we've got to start here and then we've got to move forward'.
"And hopefully 8th is our rock bottom because we really want to push on."
- Joshua Mbu
FANCY XHAK
Grant Xhaka's Arsenal contract renewal has been confirmed by owner Stan Kroenke in the club's matchday programme, writes JAKE LAMBOURNE.
Owner Stan Kroenke and son Josh spoke of Arsenal's transfer business in the programme, with Football.London obtaining their message.
They said: "We know there is much work ahead to get back to where we need to be but are confident about what can be achieved by this great club and our people.
"We are building a squad, rich in young talent, much of it developed through our wonderful academy.
"It is clear looking across Europe that we are dealing with a difficult transfer market due to the impacts of the pandemic but at the time of writing, are delighted to have signed Nuno Tavares, [Albert] Sambi Lokonga and Ben White.
"We have also renewed the deals of Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe, both on a long-term basis.
"These are all young players that we are convinced can develop further and have a bright future with us.
"They are supported by a strong group of more experienced players including Granit Xhaka, who has signed an extended contract.
"This is an important step in terms of maintaining balance and stability in the squad.
"In the meantime, the transfer negotiating team has been working hard behind the scenes to improve the squad further."
- Joshua Mbu
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Arsenal have won 80 games against Chelsea overall, drawing 58 and losing 65.
In recent years though, the Gunners have the upper hand in the head-to-head record.
Arsenal have won the last three fixtures, with their last loss to the Blues coming in 2019.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET ARSENAL AT 28/1 OR CHELSEA AT 8/1
- Joshua Mbu
KOL ME MAYBE
Arsenal are in contact with Turkish side Fenerbahce to sell left-back Sead Kolasinac.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs haven’t been able to find an agreement yet.
A move to Turkey suits Kolasinac as his best friend and former Gunner Mesut Ozil plays for Fenerbahce.
The likes of Torreira, Willian and Bellerin could also leave this summer.
- Joshua Mbu
'SPECIAL'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised "special" Ben White for his defensive attributes.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: "Yes, he can improve [in the air], but he won many aerial duels against him (Ivan Toney) in the game as well.
“But Ben made a big effort. Physically, he’s still not where he needs to be, but I think he has had a positive start.
“Ben is an exceptional defender. He can play in a back four, he’s very comfortable playing in a back three, he’s got the league experience, he’s quick, he’s agile, he’s really aggressive in duels.
“And then, with the ball, he’s got special qualities that I needed for the way we play, to make all the processes better and for us to be composed and dominant in games like we want to be.”
White is, however, a doubt for today's game against rivals Chelsea at the Emirates.
- Joshua Mbu
LONDON CALLING
European champions Chelsea make a short trip to north London to face rivals Arsenal at the Emirates.
The Gunners have got off to a poor start this season, losing 2-0 to league newcomers Brentford on the opening day of the season.
Chelsea, on the other hand, breezed past Crystal Palace.
Massive, massive game. It kicks off at 4.30pm, but we will be covering it here at SunSport from 3pm.
- Joshua Mbu
SUPER SUNDAY
There’s three Premier League fixtures being played today including a London Derby:
- Southampton vs Man Utd – 2pm KO
- Wolves vs Tottenham – 2pm KO
- Arsenal vs Chelsea – 4.30pm KO
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