Arsenal are in talks with Belgium winger Leandro Trossard, 29, over a new contract that would include a significant pay rise. (Mail), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThe word ‘creativity’ has cropped up frequently when assessing Arsenal this season, or rather, the lack of it. Arsenal, who currently sit fourth, nine points behind Liverpool, have certainly been lacking in creativity. Losing key playmaker Martin Odegaard for eight weeks has been part of the problem, but the rest of Arsenal’s attack has also looked blunt and inconsistent.
As fans try and diagnose what is going wrong, attention has turned to what could have been. Enter Emile Smith Rowe, who after leaving Arsenal in the summer, is making his mark in a Fulham side flying high in seventh, just one point behind Arsenal. Smith Rowe has five goal contributions for Fulham in 11 games, as well as three Player of the Match awards. If his aim was to show Arsenal what they’re missing, it’s certainly working.
But it is too simplistic to argue that Arsenal should not have let him go. Nobody could have foreseen that Arsenal would be without Odegaard for such a long time, nor that goals from the rest of the Gunners' attack would dry up so dramatically. Had Odegaard not suffered his injury, there simply wouldn’t be a debate about Smith Rowe.
Last season, Arsenal broke a multitude of goal-scoring records, including becoming the first side in English league history to win three successive away games by five or more goals. Where was Smith Rowe in all this? Largely sat on the bench. When Arsenal are at their best, which admittedly they haven’t been this season, Smith Rowe is not a part of it.
Smith Rowe has always made it clear that his goal was more playing time. He wanted to play, and Arsenal wanted to go to the next level. Like going through a mutual break-up of a romantic relationship, both sides can be content that while the love is still there, it was simply time to wish each other well, and walk away.
Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external
Oli Price-Bates
Fan writer
Image source, PA MediaPep Guardiola extending his stay at Manchester City led to a shrugged-shoulder reaction from myself and many Arsenal fans.
There is still the underlying expectation (perhaps more hope) that City will be punished for their alleged wrongdoings and subsequently heavily penalised.
I am sure Guardiola has some sort of break clause if that were to happen, so for me, the future of Guardiola and Manchester City is more dependent on the outcome of the charges against them.
I wonder if this contract extension was announced now to provide a deflated City side an early-season boost rather than any real longer-term commitment.
In terms of how it affects Arsenal this season, I think we have got our own issues to sort out rather than spending too much time thinking about other clubs' affairs. And right now, it is Liverpool that Mikel Arteta needs to catch.
Arsenal must ensure they are there to capitalise if Manchester City are not at their 90+ point best for whatever reason, otherwise they will have only themselves to blame.
Find more from Oli Price-Bates at The Fresh Arsenal Podcast, external
Besiktas are hoping to sign Italy midfielder Jorginho, 32, on a free when his contract with Arsenal expires in the summer. (Sabah - in Turkish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal go into the fixture with Nottingham Forest looking for their first win in the Premier League for five matches.
The Gunners were improved in the match against Chelsea when captain Martin Odegaard returned after two months out, only for Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to limp off with injuries.
Mikel Arteta will hope that Rice and Saka are fit enough to play against Forest who have been the surprise team in the Premier League this season.
Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu have also been missing in recent weeks but they are nearing a return.
Arsenal have had a tough fixture list to begin this season but their performances have been of concern.
They have struggled to create freely and they have looked increasingly functional.
Arteta's side did not score in the defeats to Newcastle and Inter Milan but any side would miss a player of Odegaard's quality.
It was his pass that opened up the Chelsea defence for Gabriel Martinelli to score.
Arsenal are nine points from the top of the table but Arteta will hope that a win against Forest can put them back in the mix of teams hoping to challenge for the title.
Image source, Getty ImagesNo sides have scored more Premier League goals from set-piece situations (excluding penalties) this season than Arsenal or Nottingham Forest (five goals - level with Aston Villa).
However, 33% of the Gunners' goals conceded have come from set-pieces (four out of 12), with no team in the division shipping a higher such ratio this term.
Raheem Sterling has scored four goals in his four Premier League appearances against Forest. The forward's average of a goal every 68 minutes against the Reds is the best of any opponent he has faced more than once. However, Sterling is yet to score or assist a goal for Arsenal after four league appearances.
Arsenal have made 25-year-old Newcastle United and Sweden striker Alexander Isak their top attacking target. (TeamTalk), external
The Gunners are also interested in a move for 19-year-old Real Madrid and Turkey winger Arda Guler. (Sport - in Spanish), external
Meanwhile, Arsenal are considering a move for 21-year-old Southampton and Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, who has impressed on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal contributed £616m to the UK economy in the 2022-23 season according to their Economic and Social Impact Report.
Of that sum, the borough of Islington benefited by £425m.
In addition to the money generated by the club, more than 4,400 jobs in the UK and 1,600 local jobs were supported in that one season alone.
Through the work of Arsenal in the Community 14,000 people participated in initiatives, which delivered over 140,000 hours of community-based activity.
"Arsenal brings so much to our community beyond the football we play," said managing director, Richard Garlick. "Creating a sense of belonging and driving progress in our communities has been central to who we are since we were established in 1886. We cherish that heritage and the positive impact we continue to make.
"We hope the report, along with the stories shared by people in our local community, will bring to life the contribution Arsenal makes to the prosperity of the local communities we serve and the impact we have beyond Islington too."
Arsenal are interested in Brazil forward Raphinha and are reportedly preparing an offer close to £75m. However, Barcelona are not willing to part with the 27-year-old for less than £83m. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Arsenal and Liverpool will not be able to sign Mohammed Kudus for less than his £85m release clause next summer, with West Ham determined to keep hold of the 24-year-old winger. (Football Insider), external
The Gunners have approached Paris St-Germain football adviser Luis Campos about taking over from former sporting director Edu. (Football Transfers), external
BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.
But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.
So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?
Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?
Arsenal are still monitoring 24-year-old Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic's situation at Juventus. (Rudy Galetti), external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for one thing - good or bad - involving Arsenal that nobody is talking about but should be.
Here are some of your comments:
Karter: The impact that Edu leaving might have on the club. He played a big role in building this current squad and has arguably been more important in Arsenal's transfer windows than Mikel Arteta. His absence might leave a hole that is hard to fill.
Jimi: How well Emile Smith Rowe is doing at Fulham, while we have had no attacking midfielder. He would have done a better job in the midfield than Leandro Trossard. We have missed a creative spark and he could have been it. Could we have not just tried him for one more season?
Jonny: Why is it that things go one of two extreme ways for players? It seems that those on the boat with Arteta improve so much - Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Kai Havertz to name a few. Meanwhile, those who aren't just fade to the point of being almost unusable assets - Aaron Ramsdale, Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson. Previously this has even included Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil - and now, worryingly, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Jorginho.
Jordan: People are putting a lot of emphasis on how uncertain the form has been and not on the fact that Arsenal have had an extremely difficult fixture list. Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea all away from home, in addition to Liverpool at home, in the first 10 games. Arsenal now have a chance to generate some form over the next few weeks.
Jonathan: I don't think enough has been said about the run of games we have had, with so many away matches against top-half sides, not to mention injuries and suspensions. It is a long season and I'm hopeful that, with five home games in December, the table will start to even itself out towards the end of the year.
Image source, Getty ImagesThere has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.
But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.
It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.
But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.
From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.
I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.
It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Arsenal full-back Lee Dixon has recalled the "full-blown slugging match" he once had with team-mate Dennis Bergkamp before a game with local rivals Tottenham.
The pair were team-mates at the Gunners for seven years between 1995 and 2002, winning two league titles and two FA Cups together, but their bond was not always perfect.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Sacked In The Morning podcast, Dixon said: "Dennis had something that nobody else had.
"He got injured and I was injured at the same time. We had to train with the reserves on a Thursday in order to play on the Saturday against Tottenham. Because the first team were having a day off.
"Arsene Wenger was coming over from his training session to watch me and Dennis - there was an 8 v 8 going on and Dennis stamped on my calf as I was on the floor, so I kicked him while I was on the ground.
"As I stood up, he kind of squared up to me. So I just, straight righted, right on his chin. And he left hooked me - so we had a full-blown slugging match.
"As we were fighting, Arsene Wenger was walking over to check how we were doing. He just looked, his right-back and his king were just slugging each other on the three pins.
"All we could hear was him going: 'What are you doing?' And we just stopped fighting at that point and just gave each other a hug. I had a big black eye and he had a graze on his face.
"We both played on Saturday and we beat Tottenham 2-0 - so it was all right!"
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Arsenal's current form is dominating the headlines, with Mikel Arteta's side picking up just two points from their past four Premier League games.
The Gunners were in fine form at the start of the season, going on a seven-game unbeaten run in the top-flight but that is now a distant memory.
Aside from current form, what else should we be focusing on at Emirates Stadium?
What is one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad?
West Ham are set to stand firm on attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus' £85m release clause, with Arsenal and Liverpool both monitoring the 24-year-old Ghana international. (Mail - subscription required), external
Bayer Leverkusen's managing director of sport Simon Rolfes is on the Gunners' radar to replace Edu as sporting director. (Mail - subscription required), external
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesMaybe it is time to rethink how squads are built. Can Manchester City and, to a lesser extent, Arsenal still afford to be so top heavy with mega-huge earners?
When the superstars are injured, or off form, or just plain knackered, or - whisper it - just getting a little older, it leaves a very unbalanced looking group.
Their replacements aren't at nearly the same standard. More worryingly for the bean counters, they have lost the art of finding inexpensive rough diamonds and being able to polish them.
Other Premier League clubs have no sympathy for the stuttering giants. They understood they had to cut their cloth to suit their means.
So Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, Fulham and others might not have the superstars, but they have balance. They typically have at least two players of similar ability for most positions.
That means you can cope with the injuries without the standard dropping too far. There are few irreplaceable stars.
In contrast, City without Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne, and Arsenal without Martin Odegaard, suddenly look a lot less invincible.
Maybe this is the biggest point about both sides' wobbles. They suddenly don't look invincible.
It will only take another couple of questionable performances and the vultures will be circling.
It is vicious, but in football there is nothing sweeter than feasting on a once-great beast that suddenly appears vulnerable.
Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter
With only four points separating third and 13th, we do not normally see that many teams in this type of mini league.
Normally, you might have the teams in a pack around the top four or five and then another pack underneath that with your relegation pack as well, so the fact there is so many teams in it at this stage is making it different.
From the mental side of competing in that, you look at Manchester United who have struggled so much this season and are sitting 13th. If they get a win, it can shoot them right up the table. They are in a position to think they are only a few points off the Champions League places' and that is good.
But it can work both ways.
Knowing the points are so close can keep you strong, keep you competing and have that competitiveness because you know a result can jump you up. But on the flipside, you could easily go from seventh down to 13th in one weekend or from third down to 10th.
How you deal with it depends on the manager, the players and also the psychologists within the group. Psychology in sport is really important for whether you see the situation as a positive or a negative.
Whether it stays like this all season is hard to say as there have been some really inconsistent performances and results. The most consistent team is the one sitting at the top.
I do not know what the rest of the campaign has in store for these sides because all the teams seem to be able to take points off each other this season.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
Image source, PA MediaOn the latest episode of Planet Premier League on BBC Sounds, former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey discussed Martin Odegaard's return to fitness and how much of a boost that is to the Gunners.
The Norway international was out for about two months with an ankle problem before returning to the starting XI at Chelsea on Sunday.
Wales captain Ramsey said: "He's been brilliant for Arsenal over the last few years and I think his creativity - he can see a pass, his weight of pass is brilliant - is the link between the defence and the strikers.
"Arsenal [have been] missing that player in between the lines who can receive the ball in those little tight areas and slide these killer passes through.
"It was just nice to see him back the other day because he's going to be a massive lift to them."
Image source, PA MediaArsenal's plan to reach net-zero by 2040 has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global body that enables businesses to set ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science.
In 2020, the Gunners became the first Premier League club to sign up to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.
Arsenal's plan for net-zero, external includes decarbonising energy consumption at Emirates Stadium and the club's training ground, reducing travel emissions, minimising waste and working with partners and suppliers to reduce emissions from the goods that the club purchases.
Hannah Mansour, Arsenal director of environmental, social, and governance (ESG), said: "We're proud that our net-zero target has been approved by the SBTi, which is part of our commitment to being thorough and transparent in reducing our footprint. We continue to take actions that deliver against this target, focused on reducing emissions across our value chain.
"The full extent of the actions we're taking for our environment go beyond the scope of our SBTi-approved net-zero target. We will also continue to partner for our goals with our commercial and local partners to help our communities adapt to the effects of climate change."
