Martin Keown has discussed the importance of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to how Arsenal plays as the Gunners prepare to face Manchester United this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s men head into the fixture needing a win to go eight points clear of Manchester City after the Citizens closed the gap to just five points.

United remains the only club that has beaten the Gunners in the Premier League this term, so the Londoners will have vengeance on their minds.

Several players in the Arsenal team have stepped up their performances this season, which is one of the reasons this campaign has been a successful one, so far.

Keown believes Arsenal’s inverted wingers Saka and Martinelli are their key men and will cause problems for United.

Arsenal faces Manchester United in an important Premier League game this weekend as both clubs bid to end the season with the league title.

Some fine form in recent weeks has helped United move up on the league table, while Arsenal has been league leaders for much of the term.

The Gunners’ form has been helped by the performance of some key men at the Emirates, with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka earning praise every other weekend. Still, Talk Sport believes the player United should worry about the most is Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss midfielder has been given new freedom by Mikel Arteta and now plays in a box-to-box role at the Emirates.

This means he is able to effectively make contributions at both ends of the field for the Gunners.

Juventus will not give up on Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda even though reports believe the Gunners are in pole position to sign the full-back.

Fresneda is just 18 and has not been in Real Valladolid’s first team for long, but the Spaniard has proven to be one of the finest full-backs in La Liga.

Arsenal has an interest in the youngster as Mikel Arteta continues to rebuild the Gunners and make them very competitive.

However, a report on Tuttojuve reveals despite Premier League sides chasing the defender, Juventus has refused to accept defeat in their pursuit.

The Old Lady will continue chasing his signature and they believe they might have a chance to add him to their squad ahead of the Gunners.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor expects Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to sign new Arsenal deals.

The Gunners have been in talks with the entourage of the trio separately, but neither player has signed a new contract yet.

Mikel Arteta has benefited from having them in his squad as the Gunners work towards winning a trophy at the end of this season.

Even if Arsenal does not win the Premier League, there is almost a guarantee that they will play in the Champions League and Agbonlahor believes that should make the trio stay.

He tells Football Insider:

Reports have linked Arsenal with a six-month loan move for Eduardo Camavinga, but the midfielder’s agent insists he is happy with life at Real Madrid.

After missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk, Arsenal has had a very busy past few days as they strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad for the second half of the season.

The Gunners have confirmed the signing of Leandro Trossard and could complete the signing of Jakob Kiwior in the next few days.

Camavinga is yet to nail down a starting spot at Real Madrid, but the former Rennes man remains one of the finest young midfielders in Europe.

Arsenal similarly added Martin Odegaard to their squad on a six-month loan deal not so long ago before making his transfer permanent.

Arsenal could reportedly turn to Moussa Diaby as their next forward as Mikel Arteta continues to find ways to bolster his squad.

The Gunners have been keen to add a new attacker this month, but they missed out on their primary target Mykhailo Mudryk and have instead added Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal remains busy in this transfer window and Diaby is the latest name to be mentioned with a move to the Emirates.

Diaby has been on the Gunners’ radar for some time and the Frenchman remains one of the finest players in his position in Europe, making a move for him a sensible thing to do.

However, journalist Christian Falk has told the Gunners the former PSG man’s signature will cost them a lot of money.

Arsenal has been linked with a summer swoop for West Ham’s Declan Rice, with the Gunners hoping to keep buying top players and remain inside the top four.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been superb in this campaign and remain one side that could potentially win the title if they keep winning.

Whether they win the league or not, the smart thing to do will be to continue improving their playing squad and Rice will bring quality to the Emirates.

However, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano insists Arsenal hasn’t made an effort to get the West Ham man yet.

He tells Give Me Sport:

Paul Merson insists he expects Manchester United to miss Casemiro when they face Arsenal this weekend, even though the Red Devils beat the Gunners in the reverse fixture without the Brazilian.

Casemiro is suspended for the game after picking up another yellow card in his last Premier League game, a huge blow to United.

Their manager Erik Ten Hag has played down the influence of the former Real Madrid midfielder, but former Gunner Merson insists they will miss the Brazilian.

He said on Sky Sports via Football Daily:

“He is massive for them. He would have looked after [Martin] Odegaard.

The manager of Spezia admits he is pleased Jakub Kiwior has earned a big-money move to Arsenal but insists he is not happy to lose the defender.

Kiwior is set to join Arsenal on a long-term deal after the Gunners swooped for the Poland World Cup star in a surprising transfer.

Mikel Arteta’s side is getting bolstered ahead of a tough second half of the season while Spezia has lost a key part of their team.

Speaking about the Pole’s departure, Luca Gotti said via Football Italia:

“I am very happy for Kiwior and this opportunity he created for himself. It is also the biggest sale in Spezia’s history and I imagine the club is happy with that too.

Jules, Andy and Pete douse their flaming Christmas puddings with some goals, more misguided footballer tattoos, and Manchester United tears...

They chew over the best of the Boxing Day football, where Spurs picked up from exactly the same confusing place they left off and Darwin Núñez proves for some that he is the second coming of Andy Carroll. Plus, a Newcastle fan embraces the real spirit of Christmas: wrestling with a child for Joelinton’s shirt.

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Almost two years ago today, Norway international Omar Elabdellaoui went blind in a firework explosion.

11 surgeries and 13 months later, he returned to the pitch for Galatasaray. Kate catches up with him about his incredible journey since that New Year’s Eve in 2020 and how he is seeing football – literally – with new eyes.

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With the new year around the corner, it’s time to reflect, spend time with our loved ones… and suggest some of the worst format changes to football imaginable!

Marcus, Luke, Pete and Jim hammer out their new year's resolutions for football in 2023 and hear some of your suggestions! Piers Morgan banned from all sport, anyone?

Listen to our Guide To… Football’s Original Rules for more madcap ideas that *actually* happened. Believe us, the officiating has improved since 1863…

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Last night, we lost one of football’s true greats as Pelé passed away at the age of 82.

Marcus, Jim and Luke relive his legendary international career, his complicated relationship with Santos as he grew into football’s first global celebrity, and his lasting importance to football – and sport – itself.

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Marcus, Luke and Andy look ahead to a bumper weekend of Premier League action, as Nottingham Forest search for a striker down the back of the sofa and Erling Haaland picks up where he left off. 

Elsewhere, Emi Martínez is back for the revenge match that nobody wanted, while a former England manager has apparently been visited by the ghost of his father - have a guess which one. 

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Marcus, Luke, Jim and David kick off the new year with a slice of familiarity, as Antonio Conte continues to moan about a lack of Spurs signings while the rot sets in and Ivan Toney continues his goalscoring shithousery. 

Elsewhere, the David Moyes Gloom hangs over West Ham while Arsenal have one hand on the Premier League trophy - sixteen games in. Get the ticker-tape! 

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This weekend sees the return of perhaps the most enjoyable fixture in the English football calendar: it's the FA Cup third round!

Marcus, Luke and Jim are here with your definitive guide to the showpiece of the oldest cup competition in world football. From the tournament's unique traditions and quirks to some of its most celebrated moments and notable cult heroes, it's truly one of our favourite things in football. So point a glitzy Premier League team in the direction of your local mud bath, fetch a ball from the gardens over the road and join us! 

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Jules, Jim, Pete and Lars choose violence today - just like Newcastle last night.

They discuss Mikel Arteta’s latest touchline antics and Cristiano Ronaldo’s unveiling, where everything went to plan apart from forgetting which country he was in. Plus, crises galore! Everton and James Tarkowski head slide into their latest disaster, while Liverpool continue to labour and Antonio Conte continues to Antonio Conte.

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Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to chew over the return of Serie A, where Napoli’s unbeaten run at last ground to a halt!

We discuss whether this is a sign of things to come as teams struggle to return to form after a World Cup and winter break. Elsewhere, PSG also taste league defeat for the first time this season – and Lens bossed it – and it’s a tale of three marquee strikers in Spain!

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Marcus, Pete , Jim and Andy are here to preview that most wonderful time of year: FA Cup third round weekend, baby! 

While Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr debut descends into chaos, we hear about scores being settled at Stevenage vs Newcastle in 2009, Accrington Stanley’s war with the council, and Vinnyball at Burnley! Plus, some not-so-bright ideas from Crawley Town’s resident crypto bros and – as usual – Jamie O’Hara!

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Goalkeeper with most WSL clean sheets 2022? Arsenal Women’s Zinsberger, of course. by Michelle

Manu Zinsberger signed for Arsenal in May 2019 from German side Bayern Munich.  She was awarded the WSL Golden Glove Award in the 2021-22 season and she has kept 8 cleans sheet in the 2022-23 season so far.  There is much speculation around Arsenal goalkeepers at the moment, due to the imminent arrival of 29 year old Canadian international Sabrina D’Angelo.

No goalkeeper in the #BarclaysWSL registered more clean sheets in 2022 than @Manu_Zinsberger (13) @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/Id1kDWgg5E

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 28, 2022

Let’s take a look at Zinsberger in action so far this season: