Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta He faces the very real possibility of losing a starter in his first 11 matches following a behind-the-scenes development at N5 this week.
Arsenal faces Everton in a must-win Premier League match
After Arsenal tied with Fulham 1-1 at Craven Cottage. Premier League Liverpool remain six points clear of Arteta's side with a game in hand, so Arsenal are at risk of falling far behind the title race already.
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Their clash with Arne Slott's Merseyside rivals, Everton, tomorrow at the Emirates Stadium is another must-win game for Arteta – who is desperate to ensure his bid for a first title in more than two decades does not collapse midway. .
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Arsenal's next five matches in the English Premier League |
date |
|---|---|
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Everton (home) |
December 14 |
|
Crystal Palace (away) |
December 21 |
|
Ipswich Town (home) |
December 27th |
|
Brentford (away) |
January 1 |
|
Brighton (away) |
January 4 |
Arsenal have not scored from open play in Ligue 1 since their 5-2 win over West Ham in late November, but returned to their scoring ways against Monaco with a 3-0 win over the French title challengers in Ligue 1. Champions League on Wednesday.
Goals from Bukayo Saka (2) and Kai Havertz completed an impressive display, one in which Arsenal could have scored more if they had been so clinical, so they went into the Everton encounter on a slightly higher level than their European exploits.
In the recent absence of Joren Timber, with Ben White will also be absent until 2025 after undergoing surgerya starting midfielder Thomas Partey He played at right-back again against Monaco and could play that role again for Everton, depending on Timber's availability.
The Ghanaian's ability to adapt, and return to fitness after an injury-plagued 2023/24 season, has been one of the great plus points for Arteta in the season so far – with Partey starts almost every match for Arsenal in all competitions This season.
However, uncertainty surrounds the matter £200,000 per week The future of the midfielder, as his contract is set to expire at the end of this season depending on the current situation.
There have been suggestions of that Arsenal are ready to hand Partey a contract extension After making a good start to the campaign, however, Daily Mirror journalist John Cross has now provided a somewhat worrying update regarding the prospect of the African leaving.
Arsenal is in “serious danger” of losing Thomas Partey after a contract stalemate
In fact, he believes Arsenal is in “serious danger” of losing Partey for nothing Next summer, talks over a new contract have reached an impasse and “little progress” has been made in agreeing new terms.
Arteta has been impressed by the 31-year-old's return behind closed doors, but the prospect of Partey leaving N5 at no cost is becoming more likely as we head into the new year.
The former Atletico Madrid star could hold talks and agree a pre-contract with interested suitors from abroad in January, with clubs in Saudi Arabia was previously strongly interested in signing Partey And lure him to the Middle East.
“He's a massive player for us and he's shown it week in and week out. He's started the season really well, with great fitness.” He said Arteta on Partey's level this season.
“The way he came back after the break was probably in his best shape, which was really helpful as well. Now he has to keep doing that. We managed some minutes with him the right way and the team is doing that, and then he is doing everything he can to be the best he can be.” Physical condition.
