Mikel Arteta sanctioned the Arsenal transfer (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have spent over £1 billion on players under Mikel Arteta but a £31.6m star has been hailed as the ‘most underrated signing of recent years’ in the Premier Le…

He’s having a great season so far

Matheus Cunha was approached by an Arsenal fan while on international duty with Brazil in London (TikTok)

Matheus Cunha saw the funny side after an Arsenal supporter asked him when he would be leaving Manchester United for the Gunners.

Un…

‘My desire, as I say, is to return…’

‘He’s a hugely talented footballer.’

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang endured a miserable season at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has confessed his move to Chelsea from Barcelona was a  ‘f*****g big mistake.’

The former Arsenal captain left the Gunners in acrim…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang endured a miserable season at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has confessed his move to Chelsea from Barcelona was a  ‘f*****g big mistake.’

The former Arsenal captain left the Gunners in acrim…

‘He’s a player that is very, very clever and adapted very well to the league.’

Martin Keown says Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have ‘never looked as strong as they do now’ and are benefitting from a strong summer transfer window.

The Gunners, bidding to win their first Premier League title since 2004, are six points clear at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s huge clash between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Arsenal won ten games in a row – enjoying a perfect start to the Champions League – before Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

Arteta said he had a ‘pain in his stomach’ after Sunderland’s injury-time equaliser but a point at the Stadium of Light is not a disaster given the Black Cats’ brilliant start to the season.

Keown believes his former club have ‘sent a huge message’ out to their title rivals since the start of the season and says Arteta’s side are ‘reminding him’ of Arsene Wenger’s title-winning teams.

While Arsenal’s absurdly tight defence has stolen headlines this season, Keown has been just as impressed with the midfield, comparing Declan Rice to a Manchester United legend and heaping praise on Martin Zubimendi.

‘The way Arsenal are behaving at the moment reminds me very much of the Arsene Wenger teams I won three Premier League titles with,’ Keown told BBC Sport.

‘In those teams, it was done from a strong base and Mikel Arteta’s side has got a similar look about it, very similar characteristics, if not better in some ways.

‘The Gunners equalled a 122-year-old club record by keeping their eighth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions [against Slavia Prague last week].

‘But you don’t want to be the best statistically, defensively, like we were in 1999 and still not be champions. You’ve got to be better in all areas.

‘The back four takes a lot of strength from all the plaudits and the talk about how this team is so good defensively because as a defender, you don’t really grab the headlines.

‘In front of them, [Martin] Zubimendi is as good as anything I’ve seen in Europe. And then Declan Rice, he’s like the modern day [ex-Manchester United and England captain] Bryan Robson.

‘He’s up and down the pitch. The distance he’s covering is ridiculous, not to mention the quality on the delivery.

‘The only thing missing from their CV is trophies. We can see with our own eyes how good the defence is.

‘If they could be champions, they reach that elite level alongside these past title-winning teams.’

Zubimendi has quickly developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since his £60m summer move to Arsenal.

Liverpool almost signed the Spain Euro 2024 winner 12 months prior to his move to north London, while Real Madrid rivalled Arsenal for a deal in the previous transfer window.

Arteta’s side have finished as runners-up for the past three seasons but look well placed to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since in 22 years.

Club World Cup champions Chelsea are currently second but both Man City and Liverpool can leapfrog the Blues with a victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

‘In the past, I’ve described it like a tug-of-war,’ Keown added on the title race. ‘When you win and they lose, the rope comes your way, and if they win and you lose, it goes the opposite way.

‘At the moment, Arsenal are pulling hard in that tug-of-war, and they’re toppling their opponents. Because when you win emphatically – like they’re doing in all competitions – everyone’s looking at their opponent.

‘That’s all Arsenal are doing at the moment, they’ve sent a huge message that they’re in the race here. They’re massively in this race.

‘Now you’re going to see the other teams wake up. So we’re in for a cracking rest of season.’

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Martin Keown says Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have ‘never looked as strong as they do now’ and are benefitting from a strong summer transfer window.

The Gunners, bidding to win their first Premier League title since 2004, are six points clear at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s huge clash between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Arsenal won ten games in a row – enjoying a perfect start to the Champions League – before Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

Arteta said he had a ‘pain in his stomach’ after Sunderland’s injury-time equaliser but a point at the Stadium of Light is not a disaster given the Black Cats’ brilliant start to the season.

Keown believes his former club have ‘sent a huge message’ out to their title rivals since the start of the season and says Arteta’s side are ‘reminding him’ of Arsene Wenger’s title-winning teams.

While Arsenal’s absurdly tight defence has stolen headlines this season, Keown has been just as impressed with the midfield, comparing Declan Rice to a Manchester United legend and heaping praise on Martin Zubimendi.

‘The way Arsenal are behaving at the moment reminds me very much of the Arsene Wenger teams I won three Premier League titles with,’ Keown told BBC Sport.

‘In those teams, it was done from a strong base and Mikel Arteta’s side has got a similar look about it, very similar characteristics, if not better in some ways.

‘The Gunners equalled a 122-year-old club record by keeping their eighth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions [against Slavia Prague last week].

‘But you don’t want to be the best statistically, defensively, like we were in 1999 and still not be champions. You’ve got to be better in all areas.

‘The back four takes a lot of strength from all the plaudits and the talk about how this team is so good defensively because as a defender, you don’t really grab the headlines.

‘In front of them, [Martin] Zubimendi is as good as anything I’ve seen in Europe. And then Declan Rice, he’s like the modern day [ex-Manchester United and England captain] Bryan Robson.

‘He’s up and down the pitch. The distance he’s covering is ridiculous, not to mention the quality on the delivery.

‘The only thing missing from their CV is trophies. We can see with our own eyes how good the defence is.

‘If they could be champions, they reach that elite level alongside these past title-winning teams.’

Zubimendi has quickly developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since his £60m summer move to Arsenal.

Liverpool almost signed the Spain Euro 2024 winner 12 months prior to his move to north London, while Real Madrid rivalled Arsenal for a deal in the previous transfer window.

Arteta’s side have finished as runners-up for the past three seasons but look well placed to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since in 22 years.

Club World Cup champions Chelsea are currently second but both Man City and Liverpool can leapfrog the Blues with a victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

‘In the past, I’ve described it like a tug-of-war,’ Keown added on the title race. ‘When you win and they lose, the rope comes your way, and if they win and you lose, it goes the opposite way.

‘At the moment, Arsenal are pulling hard in that tug-of-war, and they’re toppling their opponents. Because when you win emphatically – like they’re doing in all competitions – everyone’s looking at their opponent.

‘That’s all Arsenal are doing at the moment, they’ve sent a huge message that they’re in the race here. They’re massively in this race.

‘Now you’re going to see the other teams wake up. So we’re in for a cracking rest of season.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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‘It wasn’t an easy decision.’

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a free agent after leaving Besiktas in the summer (Fozcast)

Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed he is targeting a move to an English club.

The 32-year-old is currently a …

Xabi Alonso took over at Real Madrid in the summer (Picture: Getty)

Real Madrid have been told they made a ‘huge mistake’ not signing Martin Zubimendi before Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners were leading the …

The midfielder is attracting a lot of attention.

The midfielder is attracting a lot of attention.

Former Premier League midfielder Dietmar Hamann (Picture: Getty)

Dietmar Hamann has surprisingly said he has been ‘more impressed’ by Manchester United summer signing Benjamin Sesko than Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.

United…

Former Premier League midfielder Dietmar Hamann (Picture: Getty)

Dietmar Hamann has surprisingly said he has been ‘more impressed’ by Manchester United summer signing Benjamin Sesko than Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.

United…

William Saliba has opened up on his reason for turning down a ‘very tempting’ offer to join Real Madrid this summer.

The Arsenal centre-half has become a cornerstone of an ever improving side that has established itself as a genuine force to be reckoned with under Mikel Areta.

Saliba was forced to bide his time to cement his place in Arteta’s plans and went out on loan on three separate occasions before he was given a first team opportunity.

The France international signed a new long-term contract back in September which put to bed any suggestion that he could be convinced to join Real Madrid.

Asked to explain why he was able to reject the Spanish giants, Saliba told ‘Of course it’s really tempting when a club like that is interested in you.

‘But I wanted to win titles at Arsenal first before thinking about anything else.’

Despite Arsenal’s continued progress under Arteta, major silverware has continued to elude them.

After a fantastic start to the season, underpinned by an astonishing defensive record, the Gunners look well placed to finally end their wait for a Premier League title.

‘We have to think game by game,’ said goalkeeper David Raya, who has conceded just twice from open play this season, after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Burnley.

We have to think it’s very early in the season. We’ve played 10 [league] games in the season, so it’s a lot of football to be played

‘We are only just starting in November, so obviously it’s nice to be there [at the top of the league] and to have those points.

‘But we have to focus on ourselves, focus game by game and in the present.

‘It’s incredible, not just the defence, I think it’s a collective achievement, if you want to put it that way.

‘It starts from the striker, finishing with the goalkeeper. So, it’s just incredible to have that work rate from everyone, trying to shut teams down and not concede that many chances, not concede anything.

‘And that’s just credit to everyone. So, it’s incredible to have that achievement.’

Micah Richards says one Arsenal star won’t get the game time he needs at the Emirates (Photo: YouTube)

Micah Richards has suggested that Mikel Arteta needs to loan out one ‘special’ Arsenal star in order for him to proper…

‘He’s been incredible.’

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has had a long injury lay-off (Picture: Getty)

Gabriel Jesus says his priority is to stay at Arsenal until the end of his contract but admits he is ‘interested’ in joining one of his…

Eberechi Eze admits he was ‘prepared’ to join Tottenham before his ‘dream’ move to Arsenal.

England forward Eze looked set to join Thomas Frank’s Spurs from Crystal Palace and had agreed personal terms over the move.

But Arsenal hijacked Tottenham’s move at the last minute to bring him to the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth more than £60m.

Eze has only scored one goal for new club Arsenal but has helped the Gunners climb to the top of the Premier League and enjoy a perfect start to the Champions League group phase.

The 27-year-old was ‘prepared’ to join Spurs, who only finished 17th in the Premier League last season but are playing in the Champions League courtesy of their Europa League win, but had no hesitating rejecting Tottenham for Arsenal.

Eze spent five years in the Arsenal academy as a child before being released at the age of 13 and ending up at QPR before his successful spell at Crystal Palace.

‘I was prepared to go to Tottenham, but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them,’ Eze said ahead of Sunday’s clash against his former club Palace.

‘My first [senior] Arsenal game was special. It almost didn’t feel real because it’s something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time.

‘Playing for Arsenal from eight to 13, it’s been in the back of my mind wanting to go back. It felt like the realisation of a dream.’

Arsenal have won six games in a row ahead of Sunday’s clash against London rivals Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners thumped Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League during the week in a result that was widely described as a ‘statement’.

Crystal Palace have largely impressed under Oliver Glasner, winning the FA Cup last season and recently enjoying a 19-match unbeaten run.

But the Eagles have lost two of their last three games ahead of the trip to north London to face Premier League title favourites Arsenal.

Palace’s impressive unbeaten run was ended by David Moyes’ Everton before the international break and the south Londoners were also beaten by Cypriot side AEK Larnaca on Thursday night.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late goal earned Palace a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in this fixture last season.

Arsenal thrashed Crystal Palace 5-1 away from home, with injured striker Gabriel Jesus scoring twice, and also beat the Eagles in the Carabao Cup.

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Benjamin Sesko was wanted by several clubs over the summer (Picture: GettyO

Benjamin Sesko has explained why he rejected interest from Newcastle United and Arsenal to sign for Manchester United in the summer.

The Slovenian striker complet…

Arsenalhave reacted to the growing interest in their teenage sensation Max Dowman by reaching an agreement over scholarship forms.

The 15-year-old’s burgeoning reputation was enhanced during the early weeks of the new season when he made his first team debut against Leeds United in the Premier League.

More lucrative offers may well have been available elsewhere, according to The Athletic, but Dowman, a lifelong Arsenal fan, is steadfast in his determination to continue his rapid development with his boyhood club.

The teenager’s father is reported to have conducted negotiations and a swift and satisfactory resolution has already been reached.

Dowman has committed to Arsenal for two years but once he reaches 16, on December 31, a professional deal can be offered and pre-agreed to take effect on his 17th birthday.

After the blow of losing two emerging young talents in Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi to Manchester United last year, confirmation of Arsenal retaining the jewel in their crown will come as a welcome boost.

Dowman’s decision follows the success sporting director Andrea Berta enjoyed over the summer when fellow teenage talents Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri also signed new long-term deals.

Following his eye-catching start to the new season, Dowman’s first team opportunities have lessened in recent weeks following the return to fitness of several more senior players.

Mikel Arteta is currently in command of the most complete squad he has had at his disposal over the course of his reign and his meant several more experienced players have been forced to to bide their time.

Lewis-Skelly is one such example with the England international forced to play second fiddle to Riccardo Calafiori so far this term.

The 19-year-old did, however, give a timely reminder of his qualities in the midweek win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Indeed, it was his surging run and expertly weighted pass that allowed Gabriel Martinelli the chance to double his side’s lead with the second goal in what was an eventual 4-0 rout.

‘If you look at it from what he’s done from December last year to now, at his age, at this level, it’s incredible,’ said Mikel Arteta after the game.

‘But I said it before, he’s been really focused, really humble, and really good. When that happens and you have to play after, you are ready, and I thought he was really good today.’

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice as Arsenal thrashed Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Alan Shearer was ‘pretty alarmed’ by Viktor Gyokeres’ lack of involvement before he ended his drought with two goals in Arsenal’s Cha…