Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Raheem Sterling message, Gabriel Jesus prediction, Rabiot twist

It's matchday!

Arsenal flew to Portugal yesterday evening ahead of this evening's Europa League clash against Sporting CP.

Meanwhile, the FA are investigating the Gunners' celebrations following Reiss Nelson's last-gasp winner against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. That win restored Arsenal's five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after second-placed Manchester City had won earlier in the day.

With all of that being said, keep today's football.london blog locked as we bring you all the latest transfer rumours, team updates and injury news LIVE from the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta has revealed his plans for Thursday night's Europa League tie with Sporting CP, addressing how he intends to balance the midweek action and a title race.

It comes after several players have been in and out of the squad in the past fortnight with knocks and strains.

Although the Spaniard did play it coy on revealing who would be available for the game, he did explain the juggling act between domestic and continental football he has to do.

"We have one team and we have to play the games with the best possible players to win it," he said in Portugal.

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Martinelli has been tested across a number of different positions by Arteta. And, judging by the Brazilian's latest claim, he could be coming for Aaron Ramsdale's spot between the sticks!

"I don’t mind. If I am on the team, I can play as a goalkeeper - I don’t mind," Martinelli said. "Of course. If I am a No9 or on the wing, I always try to do my best and help the team, and score or assist. I am happy to play as a No9 or on the wing. It is up to Mikel. Wherever he wants to play me, I’ll play."

Gabriel Martinelli has regained his form for Arsenal at the perfect time as Mikel Arteta faces an attacking injury crisis. The Gunners are currently in Portugal to face Sporting CP in the Europa League last-16 before they return to Premier League action at Craven Cottage on Sunday against Fulham.

The Brazilian international was on press conference duty ahead of Arsenal's clash where he gave a simple response when asked how he regained his form.

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Arsenal have completed preparations ahead of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Sporting CP. Mikel Arteta's side go into the match on Thursday evening in fine form, with the Gunners currently top of the Premier League.

The Europa League campaign has been equally as successful so far, with Arsenal finishing top of their group and therefore avoiding the knockout round play-offs which saw Barcelona exit the competition at the hands of Manchester United. Arteta is taking nothing for granted, however.

Arteta faces a number of team selection decisions but he has already revealed one Arsenal star he will use in the clash.

Arsenal return to Europa League action on Thursday evening in Portugal as they take on Sporting CP in a last-16 first leg encounter. The Premier League title likely remains as the priority for Mikel Arteta and his players, but the Europa League presents a great opportunity for the club to win a major trophy.

Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah are all doubts for the European clash with Mikel Arteta coy to give updates on the group. Given the timing of his return, the Europa League could be used as the perfect way to get Jesus back to full speed, building up his game time slowly and carefully.

However, the clash could come too soon for him and Arsenal may have also hinted that the same can be said for Trossard and Nketiah.

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Arsenal were surprisingly linked to Chelsea star Raheem Sterling in recent weeks despite the England international only moving from Manchester City last summer.

Since his move to Stamford Bridge, Sterling has struggled for consistency, but his crucial goal against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League could kickstart his Blues career.

Former Chelsea and Liverpool man Glen Johnson has now provided his take on the intriguing transfer rumour.

Speaking to betfred, he said: “I don’t believe he would go to Arsenal so quickly after joining Chelsea but he does have to find some form somewhere.”

“I believe he can do more and that’s only because I rate him so highly and if he was playing as well as we know he could, then I’m sure he’d have no reason to feel worried about any of the new signings that have come to the club..”

“He could be at risk of losing his place in the starting eleven if one of the new signings, in Raheem’s position, comes into form.”

Arsenal have been told Juventus star Adrien Rabiot, who will see his contract expire at the end of the season, is a better fit for them than Manchester United.

Speaking to DAZN BET, former Champions League winner Florent Malouda believes his fellow frenchman is better suited to the Gunners as opposed to United.

He said: "Adrien Rabiot would make a good signing. He’s match fit and he’s playing a lot. But I think he’d be better suited to Arsenal than Man Utd. Although he would be a great signing for anyone with his abilities, he can play in many different positions.

"But it’s important that he has a connection with the coach, that he’s being used well. He’s very talented. You can see for France, he’s doing a lot of work, a lot of dirty work to compensate for the attacking players and he helps to balance any team. He’s a talented player."

Barcelona have slashed their asking price for Ansu Fati amid interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

According to Sport, club president Joan Laporta is intent on raising funds where possible and openly admitted the sale of an attacker is possible.

“We can’t rule out the sale of an attacking player in the summer. “When Memphis Depay left us, we could have signed a forward, but the economic reality is very difficult and we can't rule out the sale of an attacker”.

Mikel Arteta faces many difficult Arsenal decisions for their Europa League last-16 clash against Sporting CP. Not only are a number of his key players major doubts for the clash but the Spaniard has to also decide if he must rest any first-team stars with the Gunners' ongoing Premier League title battle with Manchester City his priority.

Kieran Tierney, Leandro Trosssard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus are all doubts for the clash with illness, fresh injuries and lack of match fitness all possible reasons for their potential absence.

On top of those four key decisions there will likely be other team selection dilemma's plaguing the mind of Arteta, but Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has told his former teammate exactly what to do.

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What was the secret to getting your form back?

Keeping working hard. I always try to do my best, on and off the pitch. That’s what I did. Kept working hard.

Do you prefer playing as No.9 or out wide?

I don’t mind. If I am on the team, I can play as a goalkeeper. I don’t mind.

Gabriel Jesus being back, is that a big boost?

For sure, a big one. He is a great guy and a great player. I have said it many times, but for me he is one of the best in the world. For sure, he is going to help us a lot in the next few months.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about Kieran Tierney's desire to play more first-team football ahead of Thursday evening's clash against Sporting CP.

The Scottish international had been one of the first names on Arteta's teamsheet until this season, with summer arrival Oleksandr Zinchenko displacing him in the Spaniard's preferred starting line-up this season, and has recently been linked with a move to Newcastle among other clubs. Tierney has played just 20 minutes of Premier League action since the turn of the year, but he continues to be the consummate professional according to Arteta.

"Very good because we talked and we discussed the situation and we had a very similar opinion about that", the Gunners boss told football.london when asked how the talented left-back has reacted to being left out for such a long period of time. "He knows his role – under me he’s played a lot, more than any other player probably compared to the previous players at the club in the last three years and he understands the situation and he needs to challenge the situation."

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Is Jesus in contention?

News on the squad will be tomorrow. We have brought a few players and you will see tomorrow who is available.

What about Nketiah, Trossard and Tierney?

Let’s see how they evolve. Obviously we’ve had a few issues in the last few days and I am trying to accommodate everybody and get everyone in the best possible condition for tomorrow.

What do you make of Sporting CP?

Their strength is the idea of the manager which is very clear. He has been very successful over the past years. We watched many of their matches vs Tottenham and vs the big teams in Portugal. They are a very competitive team with a clear game plan. We need to be at our best to win this match.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has responded to speculation linking him with the Real Madrid job.

Former Chelsea man Carlo Ancelotti is the current Madrid manager, although recent reports from Spain have claimed that Los Blancos are eyeing up Arteta as a potential successor to the legendary Italian. But Arteta has claimed that his complete focus remains on life at the Emirates Stadium.

"It’s things that managers or players can’t control what is written," the Spaniard said when asked about the links to the Bernabeu. "What I can tell is that I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here and extremely proud and grateful to do what I’m doing in this football club. That’s it."

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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Arsenal's transfer priorities likely lie away from Napoli striker Victor Osimhen considering the Gunners already have a plethora of centre-forwards at their disposal. “Speaking of Italian clubs, Victor Osimhen, I received many questions every single day about the Nigerian striker who is doing incredible in Serie A and in the Champions League with Napoli,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“The reality, we’ve had Arsenal links in the past 24 hours, but from what I understand Arsenal have different kinds of priorities at this moment on the market. Midfielder, probably a winger, let’s also see what they’re going to do in the defensive positions. For Osimhen at the moment the fee is going to be crazy.”

Yaya Toure has claimed that he would go to Arsenal matches just to watch holding midfielder Thomas Partey play.

Speaking about Partey to talkSPORT, Toure said: "Yeah he's brilliant, it's really nice to see. I think now every weekend when Arsenal have to play, I have to be honest, I would go just to watch him. He's just unbelievable."

Arsenal are interested in signing Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, according to Italian outlet CMW.

It is claimed that the north London outfit are willing to include right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu plus a fee of around £27 million to try and bring the Brazilian centre-back to the Emirates

Hello and welcome along to today's Arsenal liveblog.

Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest transfer rumours, team news and injury updates ahead of tonight's match against Sporting CP!