FOOTBALL UPDATE

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Alexis Sanchez should not be considered a "mercenary" for opting to join Manchester United rather than renewing his contract at the Emirates Stadium. Sanchez made the move to Old Trafford on Monday, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan switching the other way in a swap deal. The Chilean is reported to be earning £350,000 a week at Old Trafford, vastly in excess of Arsenal's top-earning players, having entered the last six months of his Gunners contract without penning fresh terms. Wenger previously appeared to suggest Sanchez had moved for money, citing the forward's desire to secure "his last contract" and claiming he "cannot understand" why the 29-year-old wanted to leave Arsenal. But the Frenchman appeared to row back on his comments when he spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of his side's EFL Cup semi-final second leg at home to Chelsea. "Of course the financial aspect is important but he could combine ...

Premier League clash between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Arsenal:  Defenders Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal could make their first appearances of 2018 after shaking off injuries. German playmaker Mesut Ozil could return after a spell out with a knee problem, whilst youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to be fit despite suffering about of flu. Forward Alexis Sanchez will not be involved due to his imprending move to Manchester United. Crystal Palace: Defender Joel Ward is available once again after a month out with a groin problem, whilst midfielder Yohan Cabaye could feature after recoving from a knock. Ruben-Loftus Cheek is expected for an extended spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem, where he will be joined by Andros Townsend (also ankle), Mamadou Sakho (calf), Jordon Mutch, Jeffrey Schlupp, Jason Puncheon, Connor Wickham and Scott Dann (all knee). Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "I agree completely that 2018 until now has no...

Alexis Sanchez will earn up to £60,000-a-week more if he opts for Manchester United over rivals City, claims the Sun.  Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of his former Barcelona charge, but is willing to go as high as a  £20 million fee and £290,000-a-week for his services. Not only will United gazump their neighbours by some £10m, but they are also prepared to offer as much as £350,000-a-week to land the Arsenal star in January.

We take a look ahead today Carabao Cup semi-final first leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal from Stamford Bridge. Chelsea: Eden Hazard should be fit for the game after overcoming a calf injury, but new signing Ross Barkley will miss out as he continues his comeback from hamstring surgery. David Luis is avail once again after making his comeback in the FA Cup draw with Norwich at the weekend. Arsenal:  Arsene Wenger will once again watch from the stands as his touchline ban continues and the Frenchman will be without Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud, who are all sidelined through injury. Ozil's absence means that Alexis Sanchez is expected to start, despite Manchester City having tabled a fresh bid for the Chilean. New signing Konstantinos Mavropanos could feature on the bench due to Arsenal's minor injury crisis at the back. Cup goalkeeper David Ospina will start ahead of Petr Cech, but other than t...

Arsenal are interested in luring Riyad Mahrez to Emirates Stadium in the January window as they look for a replacement for Alexis Sanchez, according to Le Buteur.  The Chilean is keen on joining Premier League rivals Manchester City, with both clubs currently in negotiations over a deal. Arsene Wenger has identified Mahrez, who has also been linked with Liverpool, as the ideal replacement, with Leicester City looking to receive €55 million from any potential sale.

FA Cup is well known for its magic and Nottingham Forest fans must have been shellshocked to see their side take the lead for the second time against Arsenal on Sunday, courtesy of a stunning strike from defender Eric Lichaj. The Tricky Trees' initially went ahead with 20 minutes on the clock as Lichaj found the net, only for Per Mertesacker to level things just three minutes later. The home fans needn't have worried though, as right-back Lichaj restored Forest's lead a minute before half time with a fine volley. Mertesacker could only head a cross clear as far as the American, who took a touch before volleying past David Ospina and into the top corner with the outside of his right foot. Such was the quality of the goal that we could be talking about it for some time to come.

Manchester City are lining up a £35m bid for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international looks set to join City on a free transfer this summer, when his contract with the Gunners expires. But the Premier League leaders are now ready to splash the cash this month in response to their injury problem and amid interest in Sanchez from French giants Paris Saint-Germain. City have lost Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus for around two months with a knee ligament injury. That leaves Sergio Aguero as Pep Guardiola’s only out-and-out striker as City compete on four fronts. PSG’s interest is another concern. With Sanchez now into the final six months of his Arsenal contract, he can already sign a pre-contract agreement with the big-spending Ligue 1 leaders. City are set to respond with a bid worth more than half the £60m they agreed with Arsenal last summer. That deal fell through when the Gunners failed to land Monaco’s Thomas Lemar as a replacement.

Arsene Wenger will serve a three-match touchline ban after he was charged with misconduct by the FA. Wenger has also been fined £40,000 over comments he made about the refereeing of last Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Brom. Referee Mike Dean awarded West Brom a late penalty for handball against Arsenal defender Calum Chambers during the match and Jay Rodriguez converted to earn his side a point. Wenger expressed his displeasure with the decision when he spoke to the media after the game and was subsequently charged for post-match remarks that he made in the referees' changing room. And an FA statement on Friday read: "Arsene Wenger will serve a touchline ban for Arsenal's next three matches after he was charged with misconduct. "It follows an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today at which the Arsenal manager admitted that his language and behaviour in the match officials' changing room after the West Brom game on Sunday was abusive, improper a...

Pep Guardiola will be talking to the press ahead of FA Cup action. All  eyes are on the cup for Manchester City. The Blues begin their FA Cupadventure as they welcome Burnley to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. City are unbeaten in domestic competition this season and will look to continue the remarkable run against the Clarets. Guardiola will be speaking to the press later today where he is expected to be asked about any potential transfer additions in the January window. Speaking last month the Blues boss had confirmed strengthening his defence would be a priority for January. "We are thinking about it," he said. "In that department we have few, few, few players, and of course to handle all competitions we are in trouble, real trouble, but I can’t assure you anything. “With Txiki we’re going to see what will happen in January."

The 20 year old will join Arsenal for €2.1m and Goal caught up with a journalist who has seen him play regularly in the Greek Super League. Arsenal have completed the signing of PAS Giannina starlet Kostas Mavropanos for a fee in the region of €2.1 million (£1.8m) . The 20 year old defender only made his professional debut in November 2016 but has gone on to become one of Greek football’s most sought-after youngsters. Ahead of the move being completed,Gazzetta.gr journalist Thodoris Vasilis, who gave us the lowdown on Mavropanos and what the deal means for Greek Super League side PAS.  Manager Arsene Wenger said following Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Chelsea that Mavropanos was being viewed as a prospect for the future and would likely be sent out on loan. The Greece Under-21 international is the first Arsenal signing since the overhaul of the club's scouting and recruitment department. Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat was brought in from Borussia Dortmund in No...

Chelsea come from behind and yet fail to at Arsenal thanks to a late Hector Bellerin goal. A first-half of many chances saw Alvaro Morata and Alexis Sanchez denied by the respective goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois magnificently tipping an effort from the Chilean onto the post before it ran along the line and tickled the opposite stick.And after Alexandre Lacazette was unable to finish one big chance aided by a kind deflection early in the second period, Jack Wilshere burst through to slam home on 63 minutes.Chelsea were level in double quick time, however, as Eden Hazard caused problems enough for Bellerin to kick out at a bouncing ball, connecting with the Belgian enough for another somewhat soft penalty to be awarded by the referee, this time Anthony Taylor earning the Gunners' retribution.  Despite being a flowing attacking game, it had begun to look as though the two goalkeepers would end it as the stars, both Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech having made fine saves. Arsen...

Alexis Sanchez helped Arsenal to victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Thursday, though Palace boss Roy Hodgson will have been pleased with his side's battling display. Palace went into the game looking to extend their eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and whilst they put in a spirited performance, they fell to a narrow defeat on a landmark night for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Arsenal dominated the ball in the opening exchanges but they were unable to create any real openings. Granit Xhaka and Yohan Cabaye exchanged efforts from range, before the former saw a low effort hacked away following a cut-back from the left. Wilshere was the next to threaten with a low drive before Arsenal took the lead with 25 minutes on the clock. Palace failed to clear an Arsenal free kick and the ball fell nicely for Alexandre Lacazette to try his luck on goal. He hit a powerful effort towards the far corner and while Julian Speroni in the home goal managed to keep it...

We take a look ahead to today Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park.    Crystal Palace:  Striker Christian Benteke returns to contention after missing the draw with Swansea through suspension, but defender Mamadou Sakho remains unavailable with a calf strain, whilst Joel Ward is also struggling with a groin problem.    Arsenal:  Defender Nacho Monreal will miss the game after picking up an ankle injury against Liverpool, with the Spaniard expected to be out for 10 days. Striker Olivier Giroud is also out with a hamstring problem, though manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful he will return sooner than the initial four to six week prognosis. Finally, midfielder Aaron Ramsey remains sidelined with a hamstring complaint, but is expected to return in early January. Spanish schemer Santi Cazorla remains unavailable long-term.     Did you know?   Arsenal have lost just one of the la...