Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has raised concerns over the availability of goalkeeper David Raya for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Manchester City.

Raya was sidelined due to injury on Wednesday as the Gunners secured a 2-1 victory against Girona, ensuring automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16.

With Raya unavailable, Neto made his first Arsenal appearance after joining on a season-long loan from Bournemouth last September. The 35-year-old had a difficult start, allowing former Tottenham Hotspur forward Arnaut Danjuma to open the scoring for Girona in the 28th minute. However, Arsenal bounced back with a penalty from Jorginho in the 38th minute and a well-placed left-footed goal by teenager Ethan Nwaneri.

Arteta remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Raya’s injury, simply stating: “He certainly could not play and he’s injured and that’s it. We’ll see how it improves.”

When questioned about Neto’s ability to step in long-term, Arteta responded: “Yes, that’s why he’s here—to fulfill that role. He has been doing it for over 20 years in his career.

“I’m very pleased that he got to play. It’s been nearly eight months since his last competitive game, and that’s not easy, so I’m happy that he stepped up, and we secured another win.”

Meanwhile, ESPN reported earlier that Arsenal’s bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was rejected. The deal is further complicated by reports that Al Nassr is closing in on an agreement for Villa forward Jhon Durán. Despite this, Arsenal is considering whether to make an improved offer.

Arteta, when asked about potential transfers, said: “You know, I cannot talk about any of that. My confidence is in the incredible people working at this club to always look for ways to improve. Let’s see what happens.”

Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel has fueled speculation about his future with an emotional gesture following his team’s Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava. The young star has been linked with a potential move to the Premier League, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham all reportedly interested.

Transfer Talks Intensify

With just days remaining in the January transfer window, discussions are ongoing regarding Tel’s next move. Chelsea is reportedly pushing for a permanent deal, whereas Manchester United prefers a loan arrangement.

Tel, who has seen limited playing time in recent weeks, was included in Bayern’s starting lineup on Wednesday for the first time since November. After being benched in Bundesliga victories against Wolfsburg and SC Freiburg, as well as Bayern’s Champions League defeat to Feyenoord, he got a rare opportunity to start.

The 18-year-old played 62 minutes before being substituted for Kingsley Coman. With Bayern’s final match before the transfer deadline set for Saturday against Holstein Kiel, many believe this may have been Tel’s last appearance for the German giants.

Emotional Farewell?

Following Bayern’s 3-1 triumph, a video circulating on social media captured Tel engaging warmly with the fans. He approached supporters, applauded them, and even gifted a lucky fan his training coat. He also took pictures and shook hands with several attendees before heading back onto the pitch.

When asked by Sky Germany if this was his final match for Bayern, Tel responded, “I don’t know.” While it could simply be a gesture of appreciation, the ongoing transfer rumors suggest it may have been a farewell.

What’s Next?

As the transfer deadline nears, Tel’s future remains uncertain. With multiple Premier League clubs in the race, fans eagerly await Bayern’s decision on whether to let their young talent leave. Will Manchester United secure a deal, or will Chelsea win the race for his signature? The coming days will be crucial in determining the next chapter of Mathys Tel’s career.

Liverpool have already secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages, prompting manager Arne Slot to rest several senior players for their upcoming clash against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

Slot Defends Squad Rotation Ahead of PSV Clash

Arne Slot has dismissed the notion that his second-string squad must prove themselves in their Champions League outing against PSV Eindhoven. With Liverpool already assured of a top-two finish in their group, the manager opted to leave 12 key players behind as a youthful 21-man squad traveled to the Netherlands for their final group-stage match.

Liverpool’s place in the round of 16 is confirmed, and a draw against PSV would secure the top spot ahead of Barcelona. Consequently, first-team regulars such as Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, and Mohamed Salah have all been given a rest. Joe Gomez, who recently returned to training following a month-long absence, was not considered, while Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones remain unavailable due to injury.

Opportunity for Young Players to Shine

With several stars missing, the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton, Wataru Endo, and Harvey Elliott are expected to feature. Additionally, forward Federico Chiesa is set to make his first start since September. However, Slot insists that the match is not a test for the younger players but rather a strategic move to manage the workload of his regular starters.

“The players don’t need to prove themselves,” said Slot. “We are aware of their abilities, but we have an incredibly busy schedule, and those who stayed behind could have played. However, we must think long-term. Throughout the season, we’ve ensured that key players get a break every few weeks, especially during League Cup or FA Cup games, to maintain their freshness.”

Slot on Champions League Format and Liverpool’s Approach

Slot also weighed in on the revamped Champions League format, emphasizing that Liverpool’s final group-stage position has little bearing on their knockout stage fate. While PSV still needs to secure their play-off spot, Liverpool’s standing in the competition remains unaffected.

“I took some time to understand this new Champions League format, but I’m now completely sure that finishing first or second doesn’t really matter,” Slot explained. “We’re guaranteed to face one of the teams ranked 15th to 18th in the round of 16, and from there, it all depends on the draw. We can’t drop to third place, so the league standings won’t change. That said, we will be going out to win because, as a wise man once told me, nothing good ever comes from losing a game.”