Arsenal had a late goal disallowed as they missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points with a draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Bukayo Saka thought he had given the Gunners all three points when he headed in Gabriel Martinelli’s cross two minutes from time, but the goal was disallowed after the Brazilian was found to be offside during the build-up. Raul Jimenez, with his sixth goal of the season, put Fulham in front against the run of play when he latched on to Kenny Tete’s ball down the line to fire past David Raya from a tight angle. Arsenal, looking to capitalise on the postponement of Liverpool’s Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday, struggled to carve out opportunities from open play in the first half and managed just one shot on target from Saka.

But Mikel Arteta’s side were level within six minutes of the second half after a well-worked corner kick routine saw William Saliba convert Kai Havertz’s knockdown. It was one-way traffic after that as Arsenal pushed to find a winner but they struggled to break down a resolute Fulham side. The draw means Arsenal are six points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more. After the 4-1 defeat at home to Wolves a fortnight ago, Fulham fans could have been forgiven for dreading a games against Tottenham, Brighton and Arsenal within seven days. In hindsight, they need not have worried. A spirited draw against Spurs last weekend was bettered by a 3-1 win against Brighton in midweek.

The visit of Arsenal, though, was the toughest of the lot. The Gunners were well below their best in the first half, lacking the sharpness that that they have shown in wins against West Ham, Manchester United and Sporting in recent weeks. Saka had the Gunners’ only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes as the Gunners struggled to create opportunities from open play. Declan Rice whipped a brilliant in-swinging corner in from the left to the back post, where Havertz nodded down for Saliba to tap home. The goal – which survived a video assistant referee (VAR) review – was Arsenal’s 23rd scored from a corner since the start of the 2023-24 season, more than any club in Europe during that time. Arteta’s side managed just four shots on target during the game and their best opportunities once again came from dead ball situations.

Arsenal scored twice from corners to comfortably beat Manchester United as Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat in English football.

Defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba did the damage as Arsenal took advantage of Liverpool dropping points to trim their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal sit third with 28 points, level on that mark with Chelsea and seven behind Arne Slot’s Reds. The home side took the lead in the 54th minute when Declan Rice’s corner was headed in at the near post by full-back Timber. The Gunners then almost doubled their lead when United’s Manuel Ugarte had to clear off the line after team-mate Joshua Zirkzee flicked on another Rice corner. Saliba made sure of the win when Thomas Partey headed Bukayo Saka’s corner against the French defender’s back and the ball went past Andre Onana in the United goal.

Arsenal have become a force to be reckoned with from set-pieces under manager Mikel Arteta. Timber and Saliba’s goals means they have scored 22 goals from corners since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League side. Amorim’s United did threaten the Arsenal goal when Diogo Dalot flashed a shot past David Raya’s post in the first half, and the Arsenal keeper made an excellent save to deny Matthijs de Ligt in the second half. Substitute Mikel Merino headed wide from another excellent Arsenal set-piece and Kai Havertz had an effort saved by Onana as the Gunners dominated the closing period of the match. It meant that Amorim, who warned that a “storm will come” for United before this game, saw his three-game unbeaten start come to an end in north London.

Since losing back-to-back games to Inter Milan and Newcastle at the start of November, Arsenal have hit on a hot streak. The return of Martin Odegaard has coincided with a five-match unbeaten run and Arteta’s side are back to looking like title contenders. This victory, in Arsenal’s 500th match at Emirates Stadium, means they have won three successive league games for the first time this season.

Arsenal moved second in the Premier League after a frenetic victory over West Ham at London Stadium in which seven goals were scored in the first half.

The Gunners led after 10 minutes when centre-back Gabriel flicked home Bukayo Saka’s corner at the near post after escaping loose West Ham marking. It is the Brazilian’s third Premier League goal of the season, taking him joint second for Arsenal in the top flight. And the lead was doubled after 27 minutes when Leandro Trossard finished a flowing Arsenal move from close range. Saka was again the provider, played in by a chipped Martin Odegaard through ball before squaring to Trossard to finish. Then followed a frantic period of four goals in six minutes, started by Odegaard making it three shortly following the hour mark from the penalty spot after Saka was tripped in the area by Lucas Paqueta.

And Arsenal went 4-0 up after 36 minutes when a long ball was missed by home defender Max Kilman, allowing Kai Havertz to finish one-on-one past beleagured goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. West Ham responded when right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka scored his second goal in consecutive games with a near-post finish, before left-back Emerson reduced the arrears to 4-2 with a magnificent free-kick that crashed in off the crossbar. But Arsenal restored their three-goal lead with a second penalty, this time netted by Saka for his first away league goal of the season after Fabianski accidentally punched Gabriel while trying to clear a corner.

This was only the fourth time in Premier League history that seven goals have been scored in the first half of a game – but there were none after the break as Arsenal comfortably saw out the win. Victory moves Mikel Arteta’s side six points behind leaders Liverpool, who face third-place Manchester City on Sunday. West Ham remain 14th in the table, six points above the relegation zone.

Arsenal got back to winning ways in the Champions League with a commanding victory over Sporting at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Gabriel Martinelli tapped home from Jurrien Timber’s low cross as Mikel Arteta’s side went in front early on. They doubled the lead in similar fashion, Bukayo Saka getting in behind the Sporting defence and firing the ball across the box for Kai Havertz to prod in from close range. Gabriel scored his first Champions League goal on the stroke of half-time, powering in a header from a Declan Rice corner. Shortly after the break Goncalo Inacio got a goal back for Sporting with a smart left-footed strike but it was a mere consolation for the hosts. Ousmane Diomande was lucky to avoid a second yellow card when he went straight through the back of Martin Odegaard and conceded a penalty.

Saka scored the resulting spot-kick, whipping it into the bottom corner. Mikel Merino’s fierce strike from the edge of the area was parried by home goalkeeper Franco Israel into the path of Leandro Trossard, who headed into an empty net for Arsenal’s fifth goal. The result means Arsenal move up to seventh in the Champions League table while Sporting are a place behind them, with both sides on 10 points. Arteta spoke ahead of the match about wanting his players to make a Champions League statement by recording a big win against Sporting, and they duly obliged. Martinelli’s goal, recorded at six minutes 43 seconds, was Arsenal’s fastest in the competition since Theo Walcott netted against Basel in September 2016 (06:42).

Saka was in fine form on the right wing, providing the assist for Arsenal’s second goal before converting from the spot as he registered his 11th goal involvement in the Champions League (six goals, five assists). It is the second time that Arsenal have scored three goals in the first half of a Champions League away game, previously beating Galatasaray 4-1 in December 2014. Arteta was able to withdraw key players Rice, Martinelli and Odegaard as his side cruised to a brilliant victory on the road. The Gunners were winless in their last five away games in the competition (drawn two, lost three) but they blew Sporting away with their fast start and completely dominated from the first whistle.

Arsenal got their title challenge back on track by beating Nottingham Forest to secure a first win in five Premier League matches.

The Gunners’ form has dipped in recent weeks amid a tough fixture schedule and a number of injuries, which meant Mikel Arteta’s side were nine points behind leaders Liverpool before kick-off on Saturday. Arsenal dominated from the outset at Emirates Stadium and Bukayo Saka gave them the lead after 15 minutes, exchanging passes with Martin Odegaard before beating two defenders and slamming a strike into the top corner. Thomas Partey, who came on as a half-time substitute, doubled the hosts’ lead when he curled in from 20 yards, before youngster Ethan Nwaneri added a third late on to secure the win.

Forest have been the surprise package of the season so far and came into this match with the same number of points (19) as the Gunners. However, they struggled to get a foothold in the game and failed to muster a shot on target – with tame headers from Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez their best opportunities. Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber thought he had put the hosts in front when he tapped in from close range before Saka’s opener, but Mikel Merino was offside in the build-up. This match was Arteta’s 250th in charge of Arsenal in all competitions – and he will hope victory sparks a run of form that will help his side close the gap on their rivals at the top.

Arteta shocked many with his team selection as he made five changes to the team that drew with Chelsea in the Gunners’ last league game. However, his side’s display proved he got those calls right – and managed to leave key players Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli on the bench before the Champions League match with Sporting next week. Odegaard was named in the starting XI for the second time in a row after his lengthy injury lay-off and the captain showed supporters exactly what they missed in his absence.

Pedro Neto drilled in a fine equaliser as Chelsea and Arsenal both missed the chance to make up ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool following an entertaining draw at Stamford Bridge. The result leaves the two teams on 19 points, nine adrift of top spot, and Arsenal without a win in their past five games in all competitions. The visitors opened the scoring when Gabriel Martinelli slammed the ball past Blues keeper Robert Sanchez at his near post after collecting a back-post cross from the returning Martin Odegaard.

Chelsea’s leveller was deserved. Neto ran on to an Enzo Fernandez pass before cutting inside and striking a powerful low left-footed shot past David Raya’s dive. England winger Bukayo Saka limped off late on with an injury as both sides strived to create a winning chance. Arsenal came closest but Leandro Trossard was unable to divert William Saliba’s cross into the net from six yards, a second before referee Michael Oliver blew for full-time. Chelsea have lost once in their past 10 matches and played like a team filled with confidence.

Cole Palmer set the tone when his long-range strike was tipped over by Raya before Malo Gusto headed a good chance over the bar from close range. Martinelli also had a good chance in the first half before Kai Havertz had a strike ruled out for offside. This was always going to be an important game for Arsenal but more so after Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa on Saturday which meant the Gunners started the day 10 points off the top of the table. Manager Mikel Arteta was able to start captain Odegaard for the first time in two months after his return from an ankle injury and as he grew into the game he had a big influence on the Arsenal midfield.

Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is set to leave the club, a source has told ESPN. Edu joined Arsenal in July 2019 as technical director and led a culture shift at the club that saw Mikel Arteta hired as manager and the side battle for the Premier League title. Edu was later promoted to sporting director in November 2022. It is unclear when he will leave the club though a source has told ESPN that it could be imminent.

The Brazilian’s tenure as director came after a four-year playing career between 2001 and 2005, during which he won the Premier League title in 2001-02 and 2003-04 under Arsene Wenger. Sources have told ESPN that Edu has been approached by Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis to lead their multi-club group with an offer that would include a considerably increased salary. Arsenal  suffered their second Premier League loss in three games on Saturday, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. That result followed a home draw with Liverpool and a 2-0 reverse at Bournemouth.

Edu’s departure comes as a surprise to Arsenal, given his close alignment with Arteta’s vision that transformed Arsenal from missing Champions League qualification to becoming a Premier League contender.

Alexander Isak scored the only goal as Arsenal dropped points in the Premier League against Newcastle at St James’ Park. The Swede’s 12th-minute header came after the Gunners failed to clear their lines and Anthony Gordon sent a sumptuous ball into the area. Mikel Arteta made changes in the second half to try to break down Newcastle’s resolute defence but his side registered just one shot on target across the 90 minutes. Victory for the Magpies moves them up to eighth in the league while Arsenal are third and will find themselves eight points adrift of Manchester City in top spot should Pep Guardiola’s side beat Bournemouth later on Saturday.

Arteta said prior to the match that it is “too early” to talk about the title race but defeat leaves them in a difficult position. The Spaniard has suggested that injury troubles have hampered his side at times but, having limped off in last week’s draw against Liverpool, both Gabriel and Jurrien Timber started the match in the North East, with William Saliba also back from suspension. Bukayo Saka’s fitness has also been a concern but he played 85 minutes against Liverpool, came on as a substitute in the midweek win over Preston and started against the Magpies. The absence of Martin Odegaard is, however, a clear issue for the Gunners with the lack of fluidity and vision evident against Newcastle.

This fixture last season finished with the same scoreline but was laced with controversy as Gordon’s goal was subject to three VAR checks – all of which came back in Newcastle’s favour – and Arteta labelled the decision a “disgrace”. But the Arsenal boss can have no complaints about the manner in which his side were beaten this time as the hosts ultimately had the better of them. Arsenal dominated possession in the second half but lacked cutting edge as Declan Rice headed what was probably their best chance of the game wide in the final minutes. Arteta’s team were unbeaten until their 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth two weeks ago, but they are now without a win in three league matches and have lost vital ground on their title rivals.

Mohamed Salah’s late equaliser gave Liverpool a point against Premier League title rivals Arsenal in an eventful encounter at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal led twice but were undermined by injuries to key defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber in the second half, having already been without the suspended William Saliba. The setbacks allowed Liverpool to apply pressure and take a point, leaving Manchester City at the top of the table – with Arsenal now five points adrift of the relentless reigning champions. Arsenal were rewarded for a fast start when Bukayo Saka bamboozled Andy Robertson to score his 50th Premier League goal, striking at the near post after nine minutes.

Their lead only lasted until the 18th minute when Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk equalised, nodding in from close range after Luis Diaz headed on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the near post. Mikel Merino put Arsenal ahead again with a powerful header from Declan Rice’s free-kick shortly before half-time. Liverpool improved after the break and Salah equalised with a routine finish from Darwin Nunez’s unselfish square ball after he had been set clear by Alexander-Arnold’s superb pass. It leaves them a point behind Manchester City in second place. Arsenal were facing a vastly improved Liverpool in the second half while hampered by a depleted defence, yet the home team will be frustrated they were unable to close out what would have been a big win.

The Gunners could hardly afford another loss after slipping up at Bournemouth, such are the title race’s fine margins, and fully deserved their half-time lead after an excellent first 45 minutes. The returning Saka gave Robertson a torrid time, especially when scoring the first goal, and it was no more than Arsenal merited when Merino dived forward on to Rice’s teasing set-piece delivery to restore their lead after Van Dijk’s equaliser. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was forced into changes with the departure of Gabriel, who was holding an ice pack to his thigh on the bench, and Timber, who had only just returned from injury. The pressure on their backline was consequently mounting before Liverpool broke away for Salah to score.

Arsenal will be disappointed with only a point at home, but the questions that arose about this side’s character after the defeat at Bournemouth were answered again here as they showed real spirit and resilience when Liverpool scented victory in the closing minutes. The worry for Arteta now is that he may face the loss of both Gabriel and Timber for upcoming games and he will be desperately hoping they both only have minor problems.

Arsenal beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League thanks to an own goal by goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk as they bounced back from defeat by Bournemouth at the weekend. Gabriel Martinelli’s effort in the 29th minute bounced off the post and hit the Shakhtar keeper in the back before trickling over the line as the home side’s dominance paid off. The Gunners started the match brightly and Riccardo Calafiori should have opened the scoring, before Gabriel Jesus had a good chance after the goal but was denied by Riznyk.

Shakhtar were well organised and provided a threat on the counter-attack with winger Eguinaldo keeping the Arsenal backline on their toes. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side are already struggling with injury problems and were without captain Martin Odegaard and key man Bukayo Saka. The Spanish boss may have more problems to think about as Ben White did not come out for the second half, although he was on a yellow card, and Calafiori was withdrawn after receiving treatment following an awkward slip.

Leandro Trossard had the chance to score a second for Arsenal from the penalty spot late on, after the video assistant referee deemed Valerii Bondar’s arm to be in an unnatural position, but his effort was poor and saved by the impressive Riznyk. Pedrinho almost snatched a draw for the away side in stoppage time but his effort from the edge of the box was excellently saved by David Raya. Arsenal will be delighted to be back to winning ways after what they hope was a blip against Bournemouth and now can focus on a crucial game against top-of-the-table Liverpool on Sunday.

Arsenal secured their first win in the new Champions League format as they overcame Paris St-Germain at Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s side followed an opening draw with Atalanta by taking control with two first-half goals from Kai Havertz’s header and a free-kick from Bukayo Saka that drifted in past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. PSG had their moments, especially when Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves hit the woodwork either side of the break, but the platform for victory was established by a dominant first-half display from Arsenal. Havertz put them ahead after 20 minutes when he beat Donnarumma to Leandro Trossard’s inviting cross to head home, before the keeper was deceived by Saka’s set-piece from near the touchline as he was unsighted in a packed penalty area.

PSG, stripped of the old superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar, mounted periods of pressure after the break as Arsenal struggled to retain possession, but Arteta felt confident enough to give a debut to Mikel Merino, a £31m signing from Real Sociedad, on another satisfactory night for Arsenal. Arsenal’s victory was built on a fine opening 45 minutes which brought them a deserved two-goal advantage and gave them the cushion to come through moments of pressure in the second half for a deserved win. This is a PSG team in major transition after the decision to move on from the era of the acquisition of superstars, but the manner in which Arsenal controlled the first 45 minutes was another sign of the growth of the Gunners under Arteta.

As they took a stranglehold on affairs through Havertz, who showed bravery and commitment to reach Trossard’s delivery ahead of the onrushing Donnarumma, and Saka’s somewhat freakish strike from a free-kick, Arsenal played in a fashion which would have delighted their manager. It was a more difficult second half as PSG responded, although Gabriel Martinelli should have added a third when he volleyed straight at Donnarumma, but Arsenal kept Luis Enrique’s side at arm’s length and the win was concluded in comfort. Arteta will also have been delighted to give Merino some minutes, the Spain midfielder being unfortunate to suffer a shoulder injury in his first training session after an accidental tangle with Gabriel.

Arsenal scored twice in stoppage time to earn a dramatic victory over Leicester at Emirates Stadium. A Wilfred Ndidi own goal in the 94th minute and a close-range Kai Havertz strike in the ninth minute of stoppage time denied a Foxes side who were within reach of an unlikely point after clawing back a two-goal deficit in the second half. Gabriel Martinelli had given the dominant Gunners a deserved first-half lead when he steered home Jurrien Timber’s cross, before providing the pass for the second, converted by Leandro Trossard, on the stroke of half-time.

Leicester had managed only one touch in the Arsenal area before the break, but they reduced the arrears a little over a minute into the second half when James Justin’s header from Facundo Buonanotte’s free-kick struck Havertz on its way in. Justin doubled his personal tally in spectacular fashion shortly after the hour mark, meeting Ndidi’s left-wing delivery with a swerving volley that beat David Raya via the inside of the post. If Arsenal were momentarily stunned by Leicester’s recovery, they soon recovered their poise and Mads Hermansen produced two superb saves to keep the Foxes level, denying Havertz with a point-blank stop before keeping out Trossard’s shot – moments after giving the ball away inside his own area.

But Trossard’s late effort was deflected past the Danish goalkeeper by Ndidi before Havertz struck from point-blank range to complete the scoring. Arsenal stay one point behind leaders Liverpool but move level on points with Manchester City, who were held by Newcastle earlier on Saturday. Arsenal fans must have been scratching their heads as the game entered second-half stoppage time, as Leicester closed in on a draw that had barely seemed possible at the interval. Arsenal fans must have been scratching their heads as the game entered second-half stoppage time, as Leicester closed in on a draw that had barely seemed possible at the interval.

Teenager Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Arsenal goals as they cruised to victory over League One Bolton to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round. The 17-year-old, making his first senior start for the club, slotted into an empty net from Raheem Sterling’s cross, before taking advantage of some sloppy Bolton play to pick up the ball from Declan Rice and roll under visiting goalkeeper Luke Southwood. Nwaneri’s two goals came after he had already played a part in Arsenal’s 16th-minute opener with a fizzed cross which Scott Arfield failed to clear and Rice dispatched a calm finish into the bottom corner

Sterling tapped home the fourth from a couple of yards in the 64th minute after Southwood spilled Bukayo Saka’s effort. It was the forward’s first goal in Arsenal colours, on his first start, since joining from London rivals Chelsea on transfer deadline day. Kai Havertz wrapped up a convincing win at Emirates Stadium after guiding home a rebound when Sterling’s shot was saved. Aaron Collins had pulled one back for Bolton in the 53rd minute after a brilliant counter-attack. It was ultimately a consolation, but one that denied teenage Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter a clean sheet on his record-setting senior debut. At 16 years and 72 days old, he became the youngest player to start a first-team game for the Gunners, breaking a mark set by Cesc Fabregas in October 2003 in the League Cup against Rotherham.

Porter is the club’s fourth choice, but got the call after number one stopper David Raya was ruled out with a thigh injury, summer signing Neto was cup-tied, having already featured in the competition for parent club Bournemouth, and Tommy Setford was also out injured. After a gruelling Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday, boss Arteta opted to rest several first-team starters and chose a youthful line-up with Porter, full-back Josh Nichols, 18, Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, and Nwaneri making their full senior debuts. Two other teenagers Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia also made their first foray into first-team football off the bench. But bolstered by the experience of Rice and Jorginho in midfield and the quality of Saka and Sterling on the wings, Arsenal’s youngsters had the freedom to showcase their talent in this comfortable victory.

John Stones scrambled home an equaliser seconds from time amid chaos and controversy to deny Arsenal a famous victory against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. Arsenal had mounted a magnificent rearguard action following the first half-dismissal of Leandro Trossard – and stood moments away from arguably the finest moment in manager Mikel Arteta’s reign – until substitute Stones forced in following a well-worked short corner at the end of seven minutes of added time. There will be pride as well as pain for the Gunners, who went behind early on to Erling Haaland’s 100th goal for Manchester City but turned a thrilling encounter on its head to lead before the interval.

In moments of huge significance, City lost talisman Rodri with a knee injury after 21 minutes, manager Pep Guardiola’s mood worsening even further when Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori swept home an angled finish high past Ederson seconds later. Arsenal’s set-piece expertise was in evidence again as Gabriel, in a replica of his winner at Tottenham last week, headed home a corner at the far post seconds into first-half stoppage time. The most contentious incident came seconds before the break when Arsenal’s Trossard was given a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, leaving the visitors nursing a sense of injustice after City’s Jeremy Doku had escaped punishment for a similar offence.

It set the scene for a City siege after the break, but Arsenal defended with courage, resilience and organisation, aided by the heroics of goalkeeper David Raya, only to be denied right at the end – as they were on the brink of inflicting the first home Premier League defeat on the champions since Brentford won at Etihad Stadium in November 2022. Stones’ dramatic intervention means City stay top of the Premier League. Arteta may have won the FA Cup against Chelsea in 2020 – but if they had survived just a matter of seconds longer in a frantic finale at Manchester City, this may just have been the best win of his managerial career. The Gunners were simply magnificent in defence of a 2-1 lead, their task made harder by Trossard’s foolish decision to effectively invite a second yellow card from referee Michael Oliver seconds before half-time when he kicked the ball away following a needless barge into Bernardo Silva.

David Raya made an unbelievable double save from a penalty as Arsenal drew at Italian side Atalanta in their Champions League opener. The Spaniard got down low to his right to keep out Mateo Retegui’s spot-kick and somehow got across his goal to scoop the striker’s follow-up header off the line. That was the one real moment of drama and quality in an otherwise forgettable match in Bergamo. Chances were at a premium, with Raya not needing to pull off any other saves outside of that two-second spell. Arsenal, meanwhile, did not have a single shot between the 18th and 75th minute.

Like Europa League winners Atalanta, the Gunners’ only two shots on target came as part of a double save. Marco Carnesecchi tipped away Bukayo Saka’s free-kick and blocked Thomas Partey’s follow-up. It looked as if the game was going to go away from Arsenal when Thomas Partey clipped defensive midfielder Ederson on the left edge of the box. A penalty was awarded and, after a long video assistant referee check, the decision stood. During that wait Raya went over to talk to Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach, his fellow Spaniard Inaki Cana, who he also worked with at Brentford. Whatever they discussed worked.

Retegui’s penalty was not the best but Raya still did very well to dive to his right and keep it out. The Italy striker, again, should really not have given Raya a chance with the rebound as he looked to head into an empty net on the other side of the goal. Nobody in the ground expected Raya to have any chance of getting across in time to keep it out but he did, just before the ball fully crossed the line.

Brazil international Neto has joined us from Bournemouth on a season-long loan. The 35-year-old has made 63 appearances for the Cherries since joining them in August 2022 and was named club captain just six months later. After signing for us, he said: “I’m realising a dream in my life, a dream come true, and I’m really, really happy.

“I had two dreams as a kid to play for a football team. It was my team in Brazil, where I grew up and became a professional footballer, and also Arsenal. And now I’m realising it! I’m a really lucky person. “To all the supporters of Arsenal, I’d just like to say I’m one more fan here. My dream has come true, I’m really happy. Depend on me, I’ll give more than 100% to give everything for Arsenal.”

Neto started his youth career with Cruzeiro before moving to fellow Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense, where he made his professional debut at the age of 19 in August 2009. The following campaign saw him become a regular in the Athletico side, making 34 league appearances. In January 2011, he moved to Italy, signing for Fiorentina. Following his debut in November 2011, Neto went on to make 101 appearances in a successful four-year spell with I Viola before moving to Juventus in 2015. During his two seasons there, Neto won five trophies, which included back-to-back domestic league and cup doubles.

In July 2017, Neto moved to Spain, signing for Valencia. In two seasons with the La Liga side, he made 80 appearances helping his side win the 2019 Copa del Rey, before moving to Barcelona ahead of the 2019/20 season. During his time with Barca, Neto won the Copa Del Rey for the second time in his career when Barca lifted the trophy in 2021. After two seasons with Barcelona, Neto moved to the Premier League, signing for Bournemouth in August 2022. The experienced goalkeeper was included in the Brazil squad for 2012 Olympic Games in London, as well as his country’s squad for 2015 Copa America held in Chile.

Neto is not eligible for Saturday’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion, and will join up at Sobha Realty Training Centre next week. He will wear the number 32 shirt. Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Neto to the club.

A second-half goal from Joao Pedro saw Brighton come from behind to draw after Arsenal had Declan Rice sent off in an entertaining game in north London. It looked as though the Gunners were going to continue their perfect start to the season when Bukayo Saka played through Kai Havertz, who lobbed Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal for the 38th-minute opener. However, the game completely changed after Declan Rice was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 49th minute for delaying a free-kick being taken by Joel Veltman. The Seagulls defender could also feel lucky to have got away without picking up a card himself.

Brighton piled on the pressure after that point and drew level in the 58th minute when Yankuba Minteh’s shot was parried into the path of Pedro by David Raya and the Brazilian striker slotted the ball under the keeper. Havertz then had a good chance to win the game when through on goal, but his effort was saved by Verbruggen, before Seagulls substitute Yasin Ayari had an effort saved by Raya late in the game. Brighton continued to push for a winner and brought on new £39.5m signing Georginio Rutter as they looked for a magic moment, but he mistimed a header as they could not find the decisive strike. Prior to kick-off, the feeling around the club was already positive following the deadline-day deal to bring Raheem Sterling to the club on loan from Chelsea on favourable terms.

That continued when Havertz lobbed Verbruggen for a delightful strike after a touch by Saka to set him up. But it all started to go downhill for the Gunners from there. Boss Mikel Arteta had his head in his hands when, having already been booked for a late foul on Veltman, midfielder Rice nudged the ball away from the Dutchman and knew a second yellow card was coming. On his 245th Premier League appearance, this was Rice’s first ever red card.On his 245th Premier League appearance, this was Rice’s first ever red card. Arsenal lost any control they had in the match when they went down to 10 men, although Havertz did waste a good opportunity to claim his second goal.

Raheem Sterling has joined us on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The 29-year-old winger arrives at the club having won every domestic honour, including four Premier League titles and five Football League Cups. He has made 379 appearances in the top flight, scoring 123 goals and assisting 63 times.

Raheem began his youth career at QPR before moving to Liverpool’s academy. He went on to establish himself as a first-team player, making his senior debut in 2012 and earning his first England cap the same year. He then moved to Manchester City in 2015, winning all of his Premier League titles during his seven years with the club as well as the EFL Cup five times, the FA Cup and Community Shield, before joining Chelsea in 2022.

Raheem’s individual honours include being named FWA Footballer of the Year in 2018/19, and he was voted into the PFA’s Team of the Year at the end of the same season. Raheem has been capped 82 times by England – only 16 players have made more appearances for the men’s team – and was a key man for his country as they finished runners-up at Euro 2020. Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Raheem to the club. And that cements it ladies & gentlemen. Arsenal had cemented it’s place as the retirement home for Chelsea rejects, with one last big paycheck and helping their rival to take off some of the salary.