CALL EM UP

Arsenal midfield sensation Emile Smith Rowe was 'very close' to making Gareth Southgate's England squad to face Andorra and Hungary.

Smith Rowe has made an incredible start to the season, and it hasn't gone unnoticed by Southgate.

Southgate - impressed with the Hale End academy products performance - admitted he was close to including him in the squad.

During his squad announcement on Thursday, Southgate said: "He’s [Smith Rowe] a player we like a lot and he was very close to making this squad.

"At this moment in time I don’t want to bring in any more younger players out of the Under-21s. They have got to earn that right over a longer period.

"I thought his performance against Tottenham was very good, we know how he finished last season as well.

"I can only say he is a player we really like and he was close."

'MOVING FORWARD'

Mikel Arteta believes he has put the foundations in place to make real change happen at Arsenal thanks to the summer's transfer business.

The Gunners took a while to get up and running but they have now won three in a row ahead of Saturday's trip to Brighton.

Speaking ahead of the game Arteta said: "Momentum is down to confidence, it's down to believing in what you do and really feeling it and trying to embrace it and move on every week, adding something, making sure that the steps are forwards.

“In any project, that’s impossible to happen every single week. Some days you have to go a little bit backwards to go forwards and you have to realise that and don’t lose perspective.

“The changes we made this summer was probably the most significant summer we’ve had since I’ve been here.

“Now you start to get a sense that we’re all on the same page. With any project, you need the right foundations and now we have clarity in what we want to do.

“We’re starting to have some stability. We have to establish unity. And when that happens, there are better decisions, everybody is more calm, everybody is more settled and things start to happen.”

RAY OF LIGHT

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is one of three players eyed as a potential Bernd Leno replacement.

German goalkeeper Leno lost his first-team place to summer signing Aaron Ramsdale, and is believed to be not best pleased about it.

It appears Arsenal are already drawing up a list of potential replacements should the German choose to leave in January, or the summer of 2022.

The Daily Mail have highlighted Raya, Barcelona's Neto and long-term target Andre Onana as his potential replacements.

'AMAZING'

Millwall defender Daniel Ballard says Bukayo Saka is the “nicest footballer I’ve ever met” – and the Lions centre-back hopes to join the England international in the Arsenal team one day.

He said of the England star: "He’s just an amazing character, certainly the nicest footballer I’ve ever met.

“He’s such as a genuine, hard-working person. What you see in glimpses is exactly what he’s like, it’s not a show, it’s not acting.

“It was tough for him but such a special talent like him, I was sure he’d bounce back and he has done already.

“He’s probably one of Arsenal’s best players and he’s shown that again this season."

CHANCE FOR AINSLEY?

Granit Xhaka's absence means there could be a chance for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to feature in his favourite position for the Gunners.

Summer signing Albert Lokonga could also return to the side, but Arteta hinted at Maitland-Niles getting his chance.

Asked if Maitland-Niles could be one of those, Arteta replied: “Ainsley is certainly one of the options.

“We have used him quite a lot since the start of the season. He’s doing really well and I’m pleased with what I’ve seen from him.”

XHAKA BLOW

Arsenal received the news this week that Granit Xhaka is likely to be out for three months.

Asked how big a blow it is to lose Xhaka, Arteta said: “He’s a big, big loss and we’re going to lose him for a while.

"We’ll try to keep him as close as possible to the team. He will evolve and develop in other areas.

“It’s the first big injury that he’s had. We are here to help him and I am sure we will find other ways around the team because we have some other really good players that will step in and do the job.”

GOOD FORM TO CONTINUE

Paul Merson expects Arsenal to win on their visit to high-flying Brighton this weekend.

He said: "Arsenal have turned a corner. They produced a fantastic performance against Spurs in the north London derby last weekend in the Premier League and have won three games on the bounce without conceding a goal.

"That said, Arsenal’s Achilles heel over the past few years has been consistency, so I wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest if they fail to record a victory against Brighton.

"If Arsenal keep their main XI fit, they stand a realistic chance of causing a lot of problems. Without European football, they only play one game a week and that could work to their advantage.

"Just when I thought that they could string together a run of victories with their first-choice XI, Granit Xhaka has been ruled out for nearly three months with an injury!

"In the grand scheme of things, Arsenal should win this and I predict they will prevail 2-1."

MIND GAMES

Brighton have trolled Arsenal ahead of Saturday's meeting by posting a photo of Neal Maupay on their Twitter page.

It is no ordinary photo of the Frenchman as Maupay is shown wiping away tears - having got under Arsenal's skin during their Project Restart fixture in 2020.

The caption also reads: "Arsenal at home is next" alongside the 'eyes' emoji - which suggests Brighton know exactly what they're doing.

'FANTASTIC FOOTBALLER'

Brighton boss Graham Potter has shared his thoughts on his former youngster Ben White and it appears he is still a big fan of the defender.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal's visit on Saturday he said: "He’s a fantastic footballer and a great guy – we all love him here.

"So, apart from obviously this weekend, we wish him well. And I’m sure he will do well.

"It was one of those things where I think everybody won from that situation – we got a good fee, they got a good player. Ben gets a chance to play at a club that he sees as a progression for him so everybody wins."

MORNING, GUNNERS' FANS

Dusan Vlahovic and Alexandre Lacazette are in the transfer spotlight as Arsenal prepare for Sunday's Premier League home clash with Brighton.

Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso admits he is struggling to agree terms to keep Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has been linked with the Gunners this season.

The 21-year-old hit 21 goals in 37 Serie A games last term and Atletico Madrid reportedly had a £51million summer bid rejected.

And it's increasingly claimed Lacazette, 30, will depart Arsenal either in January or when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The France frontman has played just 31 minutes of Prem football this term.

Calciomercato suggest the Gunners hope to offload his £150,000-a-week wages in the next transfer window.

And it's even said Lacazette has been offered to AC Milan - for no fee.

Meanwhile, Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta has praised £50million centre-back Ben White for “handling the pressure” well.

Sunday's 3-1 defeat of Spurs was Arsenal's third straight Prem win after they opened with three defeats in a row.

And Arteta said of England ace White “I’ve been very impressed with how… he’s handled the situation of coming through the Euros and paying the big fee and the composure and the calmness that he’s shown.”

The Spaniard also singled out White's “willingness to learn, to improve, because he’s realised that he is still really young, still in the development process and there are things that he can improve."

LACAZETTE 'SET FOR JANUARY EXIT'

Alexandre Lacazette has reportedly been offered by Arsenal to AC Milan for free as he approaches the end of his contract.

The 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Emirates and it looks increasingly unlikely that he will extend his stay in North London.

The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta having been limited to just 31 minutes of Premier League football this term.

He has played in just one out of the six top-flight matches so far, with the ex-Lyon ace an unused substitute in the last three fixtures.

And it appears that Arsenal are looking to shift him before his deal expires.

According to Calciomercato, the Les Bleus international could depart the club in January.

They state that they have offered Milan the chance to bring him to the San Siro for nothing.

And all that the Serie A side would need to do is pay his wages, which is believed to be in the region of £150,000-a-week.

FIORENTINA STRUGGLE TO KEEP ARSENAL TARGET DUSAN

Arsenal are on alert after Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso admitted he was struggling to agree new terms with Dusan Vlahovic.

The Gunners are tracking the striker as boss Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen up front.

The 21-year-old has caught the eye of top clubs after notching 21 goals in 37 Serie A games last term. Atletico Madrid were even reported to have had a £51 million offer for him turned down over the summer.

The Serb is under contract at Stadio Artemio Franchi until June 2023 but Commisso revealed he has been offered a new five-year deal worth £34.6 million.

Commisso said: “I don’t know if he’ll sign, let’s all just stay calm.

“We’ve been working on it for months, some days are more positive than others. I speak to Dusan and he says he’s only focussing on the pitch and I should talk to his agents, then I talk to his agents and they say I have to speak to the player.

“What I will say is that this would be the highest salary ever given to a Fiorentina player, including Gabriel Batistuta and Manuel Rui Costa.

“I told Dusan that he is taking a huge risk not signing this deal. We are offering him a five-year contract worth €40m.

“I had to work a whole year to earn what he would in two or three days. I don’t know how football reached this stage.”

GIROUD'S BIRTHDAY TREAT

Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud celebrates his 35th birthday - giving fans the chance to recall his iconic scorpion-kick that won Fifa's 2017 goal of the year award.

FIFA WANT WORLD CUP CHANGE SORTED THIS YEAR

Fifa want Arsene Wenger's plan for a World Cup every two years voted through by the end of 2021, writes MARTIN LIPTON. 

Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger formally presented his proposals to 204 of the 211 national associations at a virtual meeting from Zurich.

Despite strong opposition led by Uefa and European clubs and leagues, 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino claimed he was embarking on the “most inclusive and thorough consultation process that the world of football has ever seen on a global basis”.

Infantino told supporters and opponents: "FIFA has one event that lasts one month every four years that is helping to develop football in 211 member associations.

"Our ambitions for football development across the entire world can only be realised if we have more successful events taking place on a more regular basis."

Wenger and former US women's coach Jill Ellis outlined plans for the shape of men's, women's and youth football.

But despite the criticism, FIFA announced a "comprehensive report" would be published in November, "before a global summit will be staged before the end of the year".

Infantino added: "We have the opportunity to shape football history, to look forward, to learn from the past, and to design the future because our vision is to make football truly global.

"But we will only make changes if it benefits everyone.

"No-one should be a loser in this, everyone should be better off at the end of the day. "Otherwise there is no reason to change anything, if the global world of football and everyone in it is not better off. We are aware of the different challenges that this brings.”

CHEAP CLARET

Burnley shirts are the cheapest in the Premier League while Tottenham fans are forced to cough up £25 more for a replica shirt.

Clarets supporters appear to get the best value, while Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool followers pay more than 50 PER CENT extra.

Burnley’s £45 shirt is the best value in England’s top flight with Brentford (£48), Crystal Palace (£50), Norwich (£50) and Brighton £52 completing the cheapest five list.

GI TIZZ

Arsenal legend Ian Wright said Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon ‘didn’t have a clue’ as he was given a run around in the north London derby.

Arsenal came out 3-1 victors, brushing Nuno’s toothless Spurs side aside.

Wright said: “When Reguilon came, I looked at him and thought ‘Jesus Christ Real Madrid have got some players, but now I watch him and he’s nowhere near what he was and he didn’t have a clue what to do with Saka.

“Saka could go anywhere.

“He didn’t know whether to go inside on his strong foot or if he’d go outside like he did to set up the goal.”

LACAZETTE 'OFFERED' TO MILAN

Alexandre Lacazette has reportedly been offered by Arsenal to AC Milan for free as he approaches the end of his contract.

The 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Emirates and it looks increasingly unlikely that he will extend his stay in North London.

The Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta having been limited to just 31 minutes of Premier League football this term.

He has played in just one out of the six top-flight matches so far, with the ex-Lyon ace an unused substitute in the last three fixtures.

And it appears that Arsenal are looking to shift him before his deal expires.

According to Calciomercato, the Les Bleus international could depart the club in January.

They state that they have offered Milan the chance to bring him to the San Siro for nothing.

And all that the Serie A side would need to do is pay his wages, which is believed to be in the region of £150,000-a-week.

LOK AWAY NOW

Albert Lokonga "felt humiliated" as he sat on the bench while Man City thrashed his new Arsenal team-mates at the start of the season.

The midfielder watched on in embarrassment as the Gunners were smashed 5-0 by the reigning champions back in August.

And Lokonga, 21, admits he felt humiliated after being left out following his move to the Emirates from Anderlecht in the summer.

He told Sport Foot magazine: “I don’t know, I didn’t talk to the coach about it. You would have to ask him

“In any case, on the bench, I felt humiliated. Exactly as if I was in the field. Many have talked about the statistic of 81 per cent second-half possession for City.

“We often forget to say that we were also reduced to ten men since the 35th minute and the red card of Granit Xhaka at that time.”

Boss Mikel Arteta set about rebuilding his squad over the summer with Lokonga joined by other new arrivals such as Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale.

A shocking start to the season has made way to positive results - notably the 3-1 derby victory over bitter rivals Tottenham.

ARTETA HAILS WHITE

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised £50million centre-back Ben White for "handling the pressure" well.

Twice-capped England ace White, 23, has helped the Gunners transform following a dreadful start to the season.

And Arteta said: "I've been very impressed with how... he's handled the situation of coming through the Euros and paying the big fee and the composure and the calmness that he's shown."

The Spaniard also singled out his "willingness to learn, to improve, because he's realised that he is still really young, still in the development process and there are things that he can improve.

"We are already enjoying [our time] together and we have to continue like that."

MONEY FOR NOTHING

Willian has admitted he was 'unhappy' at Arsenal and left because ‘there are some things money can’t buy’.

The 33-year-old Brazilian's ill-fated spell at the Emirates began in August 2020, when he signed from rivals Chelsea on a three-year deal, after making 339 appearances for the Blues over seven years at the club.

But after just one season and 37 appearances for the Gunners, Willian cut his stay in north London short and parted ways with Arsenal by mutual consent in August 2021.

He then rejoined boyhood club Corinthians, after leaving aged 19 in 2007 to join Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donestk, having come through the Brazilian club's academy.

The 70-cap Brazil international told Brazilian sports TV programme Arena SBT: “My year at Arsenal was a bit complicated. I really couldn’t adapt to the club. I wasn’t happy there.

“To make it very clear too, it wasn’t the club that wanted me to leave. I wanted to leave the club. I expressed my feeling, said I wasn’t happy.

"I said I wanted to look elsewhere, another place to play. And so there was this decision to leave.

"There are things in life that money can’t buy, money doesn’t pay for.

"You have joy, happiness, peace, a solid family. I think this is the most important thing for me."

XHAKA LUCKY TO BE OUT ONLY 3 MONTHS

Mikel Arteta says Granit Xhaka is lucky he only faces three months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The Arsenal midfielder suffered ligament damage in a freak collision with Lucas Moura during the club’s 3-1 North London derby win on Sunday.

But Gunners boss Arteta claims the way the Switzerland star’s leg crumbled under the weight of Tottenham winger Moura’s body suggested the damage could have been worse.

Arteta said: “It's obviously a significant injury but he probably escaped an even worse injury than he could have had from the action because that action for the cruciate ligament is a tricky one.

"It's what it is. His mentality is top. He knows what he needs to do now. Hopefully, he can escape surgery as well.

"That is something that is really, really important and after that start preparing himself in the best possible way because time flies."

He also remarked: “Obviously, it's really bad news personally for Granit.

"He's had a couple of incidents already this season with Covid, with suspension and now with long-term injury.

ARTETA COMPLETES BUNCH OF FIVE VS BRIGHTON

Mikel Arteta is Arsenal's FIFTH manager in their last five home league games against Brighton.

It is an indication of how busy the revolving managerial door at the Gunners has been in recent years - and the Seagulls' long absence from the top flight - that the Spaniard is part of that surprising statistic.

The five-man list was highlighted in a tweet by @Orbinho, who shares interesting facts about Arsenal with about 95,000 followers on his timeline.

The Gunners analyst pointed out the group is made up of Terry Neill in 1983, Arsene Wenger in 2017, Unai Emery in May 2019, and Freddie Ljungberg in December 2019.

Arteta completed the list when he took charge of a 2-0 home win for the Gunners in May 2021.

GUNNED DOWN BY A MOCK OF SEAGULLS

Brighton have fanned the flames ahead of their clash with Arsenal by tweeting a snap of Neal Maupay doing a mock ‘crying’ celebration.

The pic nods to last year’s fiery meeting between the two sides that ended in a scrap with Gunners midfielder Matteo Guendouzi grabbing Maupay by the throat.

Brighton snatched the three points back in June 2020 after the French striker bagged a winner deep into injury time.

That sparked fury among the Arsenal players who were out for revenge after Maupay had earlier been involved in a nasty clash with Berd Leno.

The keeper was taken off on a stretcher with an injury so bad BT Sport refused to show it.

Guendouzi then had to be led from the pitch after sparking a melee when he throttled the Brighton forward after the final whistle.

Arsenal make the trip to the Amex on Saturday with both sides coming off the back of positive results recently.

ART OF WINNING

Mikel Arteta has been nominated for Manager of the Month for September.

The Gunners got off to a poor start in the Premier League, losing their first three to Brentford, Chelsea and Man City.

But the Gunners turned it around and won their next three against Norwich, Burnley and Tottenham.

Arteta faces stiff competition from Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Graham Potter and Dean Smith.

KIT MONEY TO BURN

Burnley shirts are the cheapest in the Premier League while Tottenham fans are forced to cough up £25 more for a replica shirt.

Clarets supporters appear to get the best value, while Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool followers pay more than 50 PER CENT extra.

Burnley’s £45 shirt is the best value in England’s top flight with Brentford (£48), Crystal Palace (£50), Norwich (£50) and Brighton £52 completing the cheapest five list.