ARSENAL's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tonight against Liverpool has been postponed.
The Reds have confirmed a substantial Covid-19 outbreak at their training ground and have shut the facility, while assistant Pep Lidjners has joined Jurgen Klopp with a positive test.
As a result, the match has been called off with a new date yet to be announced.
On the transfer front, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly set to be offloaded with Europe's top clubs urged to sign the Gabon star.
And the forward has suffered a further setback, testing positive for Covid-19 after arriving to play for his nation at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set for a loan move to Roma with a deal agreed with the Italian giants.
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- Kostas Lianos
Prem clubs eye Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho isn’t short of Premier League suitors, with FIVE Prem clubs, including Arsenal, reportedly keen on a January move.
One of those is Aston Villa, as manager Steven Gerrard eyes a reunion with his former Liverpool team-mate.
Another is Everton, with owner Farhad Moshiri keen to sign Coutinho, who spent five years on the other side of Stanley Park.
Elsewhere the Gunners have also been heavily linked with a move for the playmaker.
Tottenham too are rumoured to be interested, as Antonio Conte looks to stamp his mark.
Finally Newcastle have been touted as a potential destination, with the Magpies set to announce Kieran Trippier as their first signing under the new owners
- Kostas Lianos
Auba tests positive
Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after arriving in Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Aubameyang was seen in Dubai with Gabon team-mate Mario Lemina before the pair travelled to Cameroon for Copa Africa.
Lemina has also contracted coronavirus and the duo will now need to isolate ahead of their first game of the tournament .
Aubameyang has been frozen out of the Gunners' squad following another disciplinary breach
- Kostas Lianos
Temp agreement
Arsenal have laid out the ground rules ahead of a potential loan for Barcelona's wantaway ace Philippe Coutinho.
According to Sport, the Gunners are interested in Coutinho but told Barca they expect to be under no obligation to buy him at the end of a loan.
And the north Londoners say they won’t be paying the attacking midfielder's full salary while he’s in N7, which could mean the Blaugrana topping up the rest.
Tottenham and Newcastle are also interested in the Brazil international and Everton recently entered the bidding war as did Aston Villa
- Kostas Lianos
Pain in the Arsenal
Arsenal have been fined £20,000 for losing their heads after Gabriel Magalhaes was sent off against Manchester City.
Gabriel was given his marching orders in the 2-1 defeat against the Citizens after receiving two quick bookable offences.
The north Londoners were hit with an FA charge on Wednesday for 'failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion'.
The FA statement read: "Arsenal FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League game against Manchester City FC on Saturday January 1.
"It is alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 59th minute.
"The club has until Friday January 7 to respond"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Guimaraes battle
Arsenal are facing a transfer war with Newcastle and Everton over Lyon star Bruno Guimaraes.
That is according to the Evening Standard, who claim that the Gunners have been following Guimaraes for a few years now.
In fact, the north Londoners scouted the midfielder when he was playing at his previous team Athletico Paranaense.
But the Brazil international won't come cheap and sources in France believe he could cost at least £40million
- Kostas Lianos
Ferdinand praise
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand praised Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Ferdinand said: "I have to say, the first half from Arsenal [against Manchester City] was the best I’ve seen for years.
"If thats a sign of things to come then you guys have some good stuff coming.
"Saka and Martinelli, they just bullied and scared the life out of the City team"
- Kostas Lianos
Level down
Arsenal legend Ashley Cole has claimed that Tottenham are not at the same level as their north London rivals.
Cole told Sky Sports: “If Tottenham fans and Tottenham as a club want to see the best Antonio Conte, then you have to give him a chance.
"We have seen it at Inter [Milan] and Chelsea, whether he could do it at Tottenham, I don’t know.
“The level, I feel, is not at the level of Chelsea. Let alone Liverpool, Manchester City or Arsenal. Not there yet”
- Kostas Lianos
Vlahovic latest
Chelsea have entered the bidding war for Fiorentina star and Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic.
That is according to CBS' Ben Jacobs, who reports that the Gunners have made a £45million offer, that includes Lucas Torreira who is already on loan at the Artemio Franchi.
But Vlahovic is happy to bide his time and the Viola are keen to assess other offers.
This looks like it will drag out throughout the January transfer window, while the Blues have entered the race and Barcelona have also been linked.
The striker's agent is busy talking to several clubs while the Serbia international is not completely sold on a move to the Emirates
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Jong blood
Barcelona are willing to listen to offer for Frenkie de Jong, who was previously linked with Arsenal.
According to The Athletic, Barca would consider a big offer for De Jong with manager Xavi keen to develop teenage talents Pedri and Gavi in the coming years.
The Blaugrana are hopeful that a hefty offer will be made by a mega-rich club like Newcastle.
That would help Xavi to rebuild the squad the way he envisions
- Kostas Lianos
End of the Pierre show
Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly been made available for a transfer to Europe's biggest hitters.
Aubameyang has been frozen out of the squad by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta following another disciplinary breach last month as he returned late from a visit to France.
According to the Mail, clubs across the continent have been informed they can sign the out-of-favour centre-forward as early as this month as the north Londoners are happy to offload him.
The Gabon international has been previously linked with a transfer to Barcelona, who are desperate to bolster their attack following Sergio Aguero's shock retirement.
Juventus are also keeping tabs on Aubameyang and so are Newcastle, who are looking to land him on loan
- Kostas Lianos
Ain free
Arsenal have agreed to let wantaway star Ainsley Maitland-Niles join Roma on loan for the rest of the season.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was reluctant to allow Maitland-Niles to leave while Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
But the two clubs are expected to agree a loan fee in the region of £850,000 with discussions talks over an option for a permanent deal in the summer.
Roma manager Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the versatile midfielder, who can also play at full-back
- Kostas Lianos
Carabao Cup reminder
Arsenal's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool has been postponed after a significant COVID-19 outbreak at the Merseyside club.
The Reds appealed to the EFL for the match to be called off following a surge in coronavirus cases.
Manager Jurgen Klopp and his assistant Pep Lijnders both tested positive and are currently self-isolating.
And as many as 14 new cases are understood to have emerged within the Kop.
Liverpool confirmed that their training ground at Kirkby had been closed for the next 48 hours as a result of the outbreak, which also saw Alisson, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino returning positive results
GETTY IMAGES - Joshua Mbu
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool has been postponed after a significant Covid outbreak at the Merseyside club.
Jurgen Klopp’s side yesterday appealed to the EFL for the match to be called off following a surge in cases.
The German is currently self-isolating and missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Klopp’s No2 Pep Lijnders was on the touchline at Stamford Bridge.
But he will now also be missing after testing positive himself.
And as many as FOURTEEN new cases are understood to have emerged within the club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are expected to loan out Folarin Balogun to Middlesbrough, according to reports.
The striker, 20, has made four first-team appearances this season but Arsenal are keen for him to get more experience playing at senior level.
And talks between the Gunners and Middlesbrough are now at an advanced stage, reports The Express.That could mean Balogun joins Boro on a deal until the end of the season before the end of the week – and he could be available for their FA Cup clash against Mansfield.
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal set for Vlahovic swap?
Arsenal have reportedly offered £46million plus Lucas Torreira to bring Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic to North London.
Vlahovic, who has scored 18 goals in 22 games this season, is reportedly the Gunners’ top target in the January window.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal have launched a player-plus-cash offer for the striker with Torreira going the other way.
Torreira is already on loan at Fiorentina, with the Serie A outfit keen to turn his stay into a permanent move.
- Dylan Terry
Ramsdale on passing into midfield
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale has said he is comfortable playing passes into midfield after being praised for the ability he has shown with his feet.
He said: "It’s something I enjoy doing – I played a few at Sheffield United and it’s something I did for England through the age groups when I was younger.
"At Sheffield United we had a different style of football and you have to adapt.
"I’ve come here and we want to play out from the back so I get quite a lot of control over how we do that and it’s good because I get to express myself that way."
- Dylan Terry
Aubameyang January transfer rumours circulate
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be turfed out of Arsenal as early as this month.
The Gunners are reportedly listening to offers for their ex-skipper and could even sell him during the current window.
The Gabon international was stripped of the captaincy after a series of ‘disciplinary breaches’ in North London.
And boss Mikel Arteta has not picked the striker for any of his side’s last six games.
Now Sky Sports reports Aubameyang’s time at the Emirates could be about to come to an abrupt end.
The 32-year-old has previously been linked with a move to Barcelona, while Sky reports Juventus have shown an interest.
- Dylan Terry
Liverpool vs Arsenal postponed
Arsenal's League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool has been postponed after a significant Covid outbreak at the Merseyside club.
Jurgen Klopp's side yesterday appealed to the EFL for the match to be called off following a surge in cases.
The German is currently self-isolating and missed Sunday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Klopp's No2 Pep Lijnders was on the touchline at Stamford Bridge.
But he will now also be missing after testing positive himself.
And as many as FOURTEEN new cases are understood to have emerged within the club.
- Dylan Terry
Lineker not happy with Spurs
It's 2-0 to Chelsea at the break as Tottenham face a mountain to climb already in their two-legged semi-final.
Can they recover to keep alive the possibility of a North London derby final? Providing Arsenal also come through Liverpool…
- Dylan Terry
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
Kai Havertz gave Chelsea the lead over Tottenham with a deflected effort off of Davinson Sanchez.
And now a defensive calamity has led to Ben Davies inadvertently turning home an own goal.
Nightmare for Spurs.
Remember, Liverpool or Arsenal will meet the winner of this two-legged tie in the final.
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal's biggest signings ever
- Dylan Terry
Merson tells Newcastle to sign Alli
Former Arsenal playmaker Paul Merson reckons Newcastle should make a 'pedigree' signing in January, in the form of Tottenham man Dele Alli.
Writing in his Daily Star column, Merson said: "Newcastle should go to football's equivalent of the dog rescue centre and pluck themselves a pedigree January signing.
"Dele Alli might not be just for Christmas, he might not even be there much after May if the Geordies do take the drop.
"But, for me, he's definitely worth a punt and could prove to be an inspired acquisition.
"Dele's talent isn't in question but he's been out in the wilderness at Tottenham for far too long and he needs to do something.
"He could be an absolute hero at St James' Park."
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal charged for Man City conduct
Arsenal have been hit with an FA charge for 'failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion' during their 2-1 home loss to Manchester City on January 1.
It relates to the team's reaction to Gabriel's red card just before the hour mark and compounds what was already a highly frustrating game for the Gunners.
The North Londoners are set for a fine with the club having until Friday to respond.
An FA statement read: "Arsenal FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League game against Manchester City FC on Saturday January 1.
"It is alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 59th minute. The club has until Friday January 7 to respond."
- Dylan Terry
Ramsdale on Arsenal's blossoming potential
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale is excited by the potential of the current side.
He said: "I’m really looking forward to seeing how we do with this project and this team.
"On average we’re the youngest team in this league so it’s probably not surprising that we’ve had games where we’ve been a little less consistent, and as players we have to break away from that.
"We have to work ourselves to do the right things to continue being consistent.
"But seeing where we can go from here is definitely going to be exciting."
- Dylan Terry
De Gea tops keeper charts
Manchester United star David De Gea is the best performing goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues this season – in one department at least.
De Gea, 31, has outperformed his Premier League rivals in terms of saving expected goals this season. Incredibly, he has saved 7.5 shots that were expected to hit the back of the net.
That has won United countless points – his five saves against Norwich a prime example of how crucial he is to the Red Devils.
Wolves keeper Jose Sa is next on the list with 6.6 expected goals saved, and Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris closes out the top three with 1.6.
By comparison, other top keepers in the Premier League fall some way short of De Gea.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale has won several plaudits for his displays this season but he has stopped just 0.4 expected goals this term, which suggests he has not overperformed like De Gea.
- Dylan Terry
Mourinho on Maitland-Niles deal
Roma boss Jose Mourinho has commented on Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles as the Serie A side close in on securing him on a loan deal.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager said: “I can’t say too much now but yes, Ainsley looks like a serious option for us.
"We’re working to sign two players on loan in January.”
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