Oleksandr Zinchenko’s proposed move to Ajax has stalled after Arsenal decided to pursue a permanent sale rather than allow the defender to leave on loan. The Ukrainian international is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, but Ajax have been keen to bring him to the Netherlands for the remainder of the season.

Arsenal Change Their Position on Zinchenko

Ajax were prepared to cover Zinchenko’s full wages as part of a loan deal, and several reports had suggested that an agreement was already in place for him to join the Dutch club. However, Arsenal subsequently revised their stance on the situation. With Zinchenko’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Gunners now prefer to sell him outright rather than risk losing him for nothing.

This change of approach has complicated matters and left the player in a difficult position. Zinchenko is now waiting for the clubs involved to reach a compromise, while Ajax continue discussions with Arsenal over a potential transfer fee. Although the move has slowed, there remains a belief that a resolution can be found in the coming days.

From Ajax’s perspective, Zinchenko is seen as a valuable addition due to his experience and leadership qualities. The club believes his profile would be a strong influence in the dressing room, particularly during a demanding period of the season. Arsenal, meanwhile, are focused on securing value for a player they no longer see as part of its long-term plans.

Ajax Remain Hopeful of a Deal

Despite the delay, Ajax have not given up hope of completing the transfer. The expectation is that negotiations will continue, with both clubs exploring ways to finalise the move before the window progresses much further. Ajax are conscious of its limitations in the early part of January and understands that flexibility will be required.

Arsenal were left disappointed by the outcomes of their last two Premier League fixtures, particularly the goalless draw away at Nottingham Forest. While the results did not meet expectations, Mikel Arteta’s side remains top of the league with seven points, despite collecting only two from the last two matches.

Arsenal’s Position Remains Strong

One of the key reasons Arsenal have been able to maintain their advantage is the inconsistency of the teams chasing them. The clubs behind the Gunners have also struggled to put together winning runs, allowing Arsenal to preserve their lead at the summit despite a slight dip in form. Arteta is currently overseeing one of the strongest Arsenal squads in many years, and there is a clear understanding within the club that they cannot allow their winless run to extend to three matches.

The challenge ahead is significant, with Manchester United next on the schedule. The fixture represents another demanding test for Arsenal, as United remain capable of raising their level in high-profile matches. While the Gunners are confident in their ability, the coaching staff and players are aware that no team can expect to win every match over the course of a long season.

Sheringham Urges Perspective

Former striker Teddy Sheringham believes Arsenal must maintain perspective during this period. He has suggested that dropped points are an inevitable part of any title challenge and that the draw against Nottingham Forest should not be viewed as a major setback. According to the Metro, Sheringham urged calm when assessing the situation.

He said, ‘I think Arsenal might be getting ideas above their station very quickly.

Pep Guardiola has praised Arsenal as the best team in the world at the moment as Manchester City continue to struggle to close the gap on the Gunners in the Premier League title race. The two clubs have developed a fierce rivalry in recent seasons, with City repeatedly edging past Arsenal to lift the league crown at the end of the campaign.

Arsenal’s Consistency Sets Them Apart

This season, however, the balance appears to have shifted. Mikel Arteta’s side have been far more consistent than City across the course of the campaign, regularly delivering strong performances and avoiding the lapses that have affected their rivals. In previous years, Arsenal have often faded during the decisive stages, but this time they have shown resilience and focus when it matters most.

There is a growing belief that this could finally be Arsenal’s year. The squad is convinced it has the quality and depth required to sustain a title challenge, and the players are determined not to let the opportunity slip away. Every match is being approached with the understanding that small margins could decide the destination of the trophy.

For many members of the team, this season represents a defining moment in their careers. They know that chances to win the Premier League do not come around often, and they are working hard on the pitch to ensure they capitalise on their current position. The emphasis has been on maintaining standards and avoiding complacency as the pressure intensifies.

Guardiola Admits City Are Chasing

Manchester City, meanwhile, have found it difficult to reach the level that has defined their dominance in recent seasons. Guardiola has acknowledged the challenge his side faces, admitting that Arsenal have set the benchmark. City are still fighting to remain competitive, but they require a significant improvement if they are to apply real pressure in the title race.

Julian Alvarez has been linked with a potential return to the Premier League, with Arsenal reportedly interested in adding him to their squad. The Argentinian previously impressed during his time in England, where he enjoyed success and proved he could perform at the highest level in a demanding league.

Arsenal Consider Premier League Return

Alvarez performed well while playing in the Premier League with Manchester City, where he won the league title and established himself as a reliable attacking option. His time in England also coincided with major success on the international stage, as he was part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Those achievements have contributed to his reputation as a proven winner who can handle pressure at both club and international level.

Arsenal see him as an ideal addition to their attacking options. The club believes his experience, versatility, and understanding of English football would allow him to settle quickly and contribute immediately. As they continue to look for ways to strengthen their squad, Alvarez is viewed as a player who could raise the overall quality and depth of their forward line. The Gunners are prepared to make a serious effort to secure his signature if the opportunity arises.

Atletico Future and Barcelona Interest

At Atletico Madrid, Alvarez has not been as consistent as the club would have hoped. While there is still an expectation that he could improve his form in the coming weeks, the Spanish side is understood to be open to his departure in the summer if circumstances do not change. That openness has encouraged interest from other clubs monitoring his situation closely.

However, Arsenal are not alone in their admiration. According to Sport, Barcelona are also interested in the attacker and has already declared its intent to pursue him. If Arsenal move forward with concrete steps, they can expect strong competition from the Spanish giants, who could offer Alvarez the chance to remain in La Liga.

Paul Scholes has suggested that Arsenal could struggle to win the Premier League title because of their record against the league’s strongest sides. Despite Mikel Arteta’s team being widely regarded as the most consistent side this season, questions remain about their ability to overcome direct rivals in decisive fixtures.

Arsenal’s Record Against Top Rivals

Arsenal have produced outstanding performances across the campaign and have regularly taken maximum points against teams lower down the table. However, they have often found it difficult in head-to-head matches against rivals such as Liverpool and Manchester City. So far this season, they have not managed to secure a victory against either side, which in previous title races would have been viewed as a serious weakness.

In earlier seasons, failing to beat direct competitors often proved costly, particularly in tightly contested title races. This time, however, the situation appears different. Arsenal have continued to collect points consistently, while other leading clubs have dropped points in matches they would normally be expected to win. That pattern has allowed Arteta’s side to maintain their position near the top of the table, even without registering statement victories against fellow title contenders.

Scholes Revises His View on the Title Race

As the season progresses, it is widely expected that all teams competing for the title will drop points at various stages. This has created a scenario in which Arsenal can remain in control of the race by continuing their steady form, rather than relying solely on wins against their closest rivals. After assessing recent performances from other challengers, Scholes appeared to soften his earlier stance.

Speaking as reported by Metro Sports, he said, ‘One thing Arsenal haven’t done is they haven’t won a big game, beat a Liverpool or a Man City, they still haven’t done it.

Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Here are the biggest headlines from last week.

“Pizza Parties Don’t Fix Burnout”: The State of Librarian Mental Health

Reading the results of Kelly Jensen’s survey of library work’s impact on library staff’s mental health made me want to go pick up a fruit basket for the good folks at my local library. Here’s what you can expect in this detailed piece:

I wanted to know how much of a toll the job takes on library workers when I sent out a lengthy survey last summer, from July to August 2025. The survey asked library workers of all backgrounds, experiences, and demographics to get honest about where and how library work intersected with their mental health. Respondents were asked to share their experiences in a free-form style, highlighting what they perceived as the most significant stressors in the field, where and how they’ve managed their mental health in relation to their job, and what kinds of solutions they think would be helpful. Those who took part were welcome to write as much or as little as they’d like.

The Independent Press Top 40 Bestselling Books

If you follow our weekly compilations of the bestselling books, you know that this list can get pretty homogenous and predictable, which is why we always shout out books that didn’t make the cut but that you should know about. One point of predictability that’s not immediately apparent, especially to the general reader, is that it’s the same publishers whose books make the list. The Big 5 publishers quite simply have more resources than indie and small presses to push their books to the masses. So I cheered the news that the Independent Publishers Caucus is launching the Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers, a weekly bestseller list that identifies the top titles in fiction and nonfiction from independent presses “as represented at independent bookstores across the US.” The first lists are out now, and they’re a nice change of pace (though it was chilling to see Charlie Kirk near the top of the nonfiction list and I had to take comfort in Jill Lepore’s We the People above it). One perhaps obvious insight about the Fiction list, specifically, is that you see many more awards winners and finalists than on the usual bestseller lists. You’re much more likely to find the kind of literary and experimental fiction championed by major literary awards from indie presses. For instance, topping the Fiction list is Heart the Lover by Lily King and The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alameddine, to name a couple. Find the full lists here.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Series Announced

I loved both Niels Arden Oplev’s and David Fincher’s adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, so I can’t help but get excited about the series adaptation I first learned about through Variety. Lisbeth Salander is one of the most compelling characters I’ve encountered in psychological/crime thriller fiction, and Larsson did plan for many Millennium series books (he wrote three before his death, with more series books divided between authors David Lagercrantz and Karin Smirnoff) so there is plenty of material to work with. But for now, we only know of an eight-episode series adaptation of the first book in the series and it’s being produced by British media company Sky, so who knows how or if we’ll be able to watch the show here in the U.S. Whomp.

Arsenal had the opportunity to sign Benjamin Sesko during the summer transfer window but ultimately chose to bring in Viktor Gyokeres instead. That decision has added extra intrigue ahead of this weekend’s meeting between Arsenal and Manchester United, where both forwards are expected to feature prominently.

A Striker Decision Under the Spotlight

Gyokeres has yet to consistently reach the level Arsenal hoped for following his arrival, although there remains confidence that his best performances are still to come. This fixture offers him a valuable opportunity to demonstrate his qualities and underline why Arsenal placed their faith in him. The match also presents a direct comparison, as Sesko now leads the line for Manchester United after completing a summer move to Old Trafford.

Sesko has shown encouraging form in recent weeks and will be keen to prove a point against the club that decided not to pursue him to the end. Playing at the Emirates, he will be motivated to show Arsenal supporters what they potentially missed. United had also expressed interest in signing Gyokeres, with the possibility of reuniting him with Ruben Amorim, but the striker opted to continue his career in north London instead.

Arteta Explains Arsenal’s Choice

Arsenal’s recruitment team held extensive discussions about both players, and the club was strongly linked with Sesko before finalising their decision. Mikel Arteta has now provided insight into why Gyokeres was ultimately preferred. Speaking as quoted by the Metro, the Arsenal manager explained the thinking behind the move.

He said, ‘Well, at the end, we have to make a decision, and we believed that Victor was the best one in the scenario that we were in.

Kai Havertz has been restricted to the bench in Arsenal’s last two matches as the club manages his workload following his return from a long-term injury. The German attacker suffered a series of injuries in 2025, and he is determined to ensure a much stronger season in 2026 by taking a measured approach to his reintegration.

Managing Havertz’s Return

Havertz remains a crucial figure for Arsenal, and there is a belief among some fans that he could eventually reclaim a starting role, potentially replacing Viktor Gyokeres. One advantage for the team is Havertz’s versatility, which allows him to operate in multiple positions. This flexibility gives the manager the option of using both Havertz and Gyokeres on the pitch simultaneously, enhancing tactical possibilities.

The player is reportedly eager to resume full involvement and contribute to the team as soon as possible. Arsenal staff are closely monitoring his development in training to assess when it is safe to increase his minutes. Despite his readiness to return, Havertz is still in a period of rehabilitation, and the club is mindful that rushing him back could increase the risk of further injuries.

Arteta on Havertz’s Progress

Arsenal appears to be handling his comeback with caution, balancing the need for careful management against the desire to utilise his talents. Speaking in his pre-match press conference about Havertz’s rehabilitation, Mikel Arteta told Arsenal Media, “He is very close. Obviously, he has been out for a long time, almost a year, for different reasons, and now we have to be very smart in the manner that we manage that load, the minutes, and I am sure that in the next few weeks, he is going to play in minutes. I cannot tell you which competition because that will depend as well on the game context, and it is a context that is positive to throw him in or not, with his qualities. It is great that we have him. We can use him in different positions, we will see him in different positions, and we are really happy to have him.”

Arsenal’s measured approach reflects an understanding of the delicate balance between restoring a key player to full fitness and safeguarding his long-term health, with the club prioritising sustainable performance over immediate returns.

Arsenal will face Michael Carrick’s Manchester United in what will be his second match since taking charge as interim manager, and he will be aiming to secure back-to-back victories. Carrick was appointed shortly before United’s previous fixture against Manchester City, a match in which he delivered an impressive and unexpected win against the former defending champions.

Carrick’s Early Impact at United

This season has been a difficult one for United, with performances often falling below expectations. Going into the match against Man City, most observers anticipated a defeat, given United’s struggles and the strength of their opponents. However, the victory demonstrated that the team still has belief and resilience, even in challenging circumstances. Carrick’s calm approach appeared to have an immediate effect, and the result suggested that the players responded positively to his leadership.

The upcoming fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates represents another significant test. With Carrick having managed only one game so far, there remains uncertainty about what to expect from United. The lack of a clear pattern or extended run under his management makes it difficult to predict their approach, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest. Nevertheless, the momentum from their last result could play a role in shaping their performance.

Arsenal’s Perspective Ahead of the Emirates Clash

From Arsenal’s point of view, the match is expected to be a tough challenge. Despite United’s inconsistent season, Arsenal supporters will back their team to rise to the occasion and secure a positive result at home.

Mikel Arteta has acknowledged the challenge posed by Carrick’s arrival and the changes it can bring. Speaking to Arsenal Media, he said, “Michael coming in will bring new ideas. Always, the intensity rises up. You could see that in the Manchester derby, the kind of behaviours and the game that they played, so we will expect a really tough match and we’ll adapt to that for sure.”