Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mykhaylo Mudryk £21m deal AGREED, Gunners ‘reignite’ Gakpo interest, Wilfried Zaha boost

FULL-TIME: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

Arsenal’s perfect start continues.

Five wins from five.

Score update: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

GOAL!

Martinelli puts Arsenal back in front in the 76th minute

The Brazilian started the move which found Saka on the left.

The 20-year-old then picked out Martinelli at the back post who keeps his cool to volley past Martinez.

The keeper may feel he should have done better with that one, but Arsenal fans won’t care. The Emirates is bouncing.

Score update: Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa

It’s now 1-1 at the Emirates in the 73rd minute.

Douglas Luiz has scored, from a corner, again.

VAR took a look but it was awarded to the Midlands team.

Martinelli a reported target for AC Milan

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has emerged as a shock target for AC Milan as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Rafael Leao.

It has been claimed that the Blues are in talks with the Serie A champions with Thomas Tuchel desperate to bolster his attack.

And according to Calciomercatoweb, Milan have already identified who they want to replace the 23-year-old with should they sell him this window or in the future.

Brazil international Martinelli is on the Rossoneri’s radar with the 21-year-old to be their No1 target.

With the player tied down at the Emirates until 2024, Milan are said to believe they have a chance at prising the youngster away from North London.

It has even been said that Milan feel as though an offer in the region of £43million could be enough to secure his services.

Despite whispers from Italy, there is no suggestion from Arsenal that they intend to allow Martinelli to leave anytime soon.

GOAL! – Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa

Gabriel Jesus puts Arsenal in front right on the half hour mark!

It’s a gift for the Brazilian.

Martinelli sets Xhaka free down the left who flashes a ball across goal. Martinez fumbles the ball right into the path of Jesus who was alert to tap home.

It’s a howler from the ex-Arsenal goalkeeper, but that goal had been coming.

Saints last minute rush for Gakpo

Southampton are reportedly set to win the race for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.

Radio Solent claim the Saints have beaten Manchester United and Arsenal to the Dutch winger after striking a £25million deal with his club.

Gakpo, 23, had been strongly tipped to move to England before tonight’s Dutch transfer deadline.

But Southampton have appeared from nowhere to snatch a deal at the last moment.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are flying high after beating Chelsea 2-1 last night.

And they have now agreed a £25m deal with PSV for Gakpo’s signature.

Score update: Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa

I have no idea how this is still scoreless.

Arsenal have bombarded the Villa goal.

Here come the players!

Both sets of players emerge from the tunnel to a lively Emirates stadium.

Handshakes are made before the players take their positions on the field.

Arsenal warmed up in their new Jamaican inspired training kit before the game.

Follow SunSport’s live blog for updates here.

Arsenal are the most injury-prone Prem team this DECADE

The Gunners are flying this season and let’s hope things stay that way.

But data has revealed that Arsenal are the most injury prone Premier League team.

With 2,347 games missed due to injury, the Gunners come top of the Prem for matches missed over the past decade.

The North London club have spent 270 games more on the dressing room table than any other team – and 735 more than local rivals Tottenham.

The research from BonusCodeBets also revealed Phil Jones is the most injury-prone player in the top flight over that span with 205 games missed…

… but only missed five games more than former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby.

Gerrard mixes up Villa XI for Gunners clash

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard makes four changes from the side that lost 1-0 to West Ham at the weekend.

Mings, Buendia, Bailey and Ramsey all start at the expense of Douglas Luiz, Ings, Chambers and Coutinho who drop to the bench.

A big statement from the man in charge.

Arsenal starting XI vs Aston Villa

Mikel Arteta picks a similar side to the barnstorming Arsenal team who have taken 12 points so far.

However, Lokonga starts for the Gunners next to Xhaka.

Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus

Saints go marching in for Maitland-Niles

Southampton have agreed a loan deal to sign Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, writes Jack Rosser.

Maitland-Niles, 25, has long been tracked by Ralph Hasenhuttl and the deal includes an option to buy at the end of the campaign.

The Gunners academy graduate has also extended his contract at The Emirates to June 2024, having initially been out of contract at the end of this season.

The Saints have been keen to bring in cover in the full-back positions since Tino Livramento suffered an ACL injury in the final weeks of last season.

Maitland-Niles spent the second half of last season on loan with Jose Mourinho at Roma.

Arteta may still go all out for Tielemans

Tielemans, 25, is understood to be ready to move on because he wants to play in Europe again after Leicester missed out for this season.

According to Sky Sports, the Foxes would accept around £25million for the FA Cup-winning hero and club-record signing.

Leicester play Manchester United tomorrow night, with the full-time whistle blowing just an hour before the transfer window closes.

It is understood Newcastle and Arsenal have not submitted an official bid yet.

The Gunners were tipped to go all out for Tielemans earlier in the window – with Manchester United and Liverpool also linked.

Mikel Arteta might be tempted to make a move, though, following injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.

Newcastle join Arsenal in race for Tielemans

Newcastle are rivalling Arsenal for the signature of Youri Tielemans, according to reports.

The Leicester midfielder’s contract at the King Power expires next summer.

And with the Foxes open to selling the 52-cap Belgian star, the Toon are now in the race.

According to the Daily Mail, Eddie Howe wants to land two new midfielders before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.

As well as a holding midfielder, it is thought the Magpies boss wants to make a last-ditch swoop for Tielemans.

Arteta Anniversary

On this day in 2011, both Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker joined Arsenal as players.

Eleven years on and the Spaniard is leading the team through a new era.

And the German centre-back is currently in charge of the academy.

Shakedown in midfield tonight?

Arsenal take on struggling Villa tonight as they look to continue their winning run.

Mikel Arteta has made few changes to the line-up this season but after Thomas Partey picked up a knock Mohamed Elneny came in to face Fulham.

But now the Egyptian is out injured so there could be a chance for Albert Sambi Lokonga or Emile Smith Rowe come into the team with Martin Odegaard moving into a deeper role.

Perhaps there is a first start for summer signing Fabio Vieria.

Arsenal vs Villa countdown

Arsenal are looking to continue their hundred per cent record and remain top of the table as they take on Aston Villa at the Emirates TONIGHT.

The Gunners were made to sweat as they came from behind to grind out a 2-1 win at Fulham on Saturday after an error from their former goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

And they could hardly be hosting their opponents at a better time, with Villa woefully out of form and boss Steven Gerrard under pressure.

The Villans lost a dull game at home to West Ham at the weekend, to add to away defeats against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

Injury woes

Arsenal players suffering injuries is nothing new and the latest midfield treatment room crisis adds to the Gunners’ perhaps cursed central midfield position.

Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are currently unavailable as is Oleksandr Zinchenko, who can play in midfield.

BonusCodeBets have investigated Arsenal’s injuries in the Premier League era and found who the most injury prone players are and how many games they’ve missed.

1. Santi Cazorla – 138
2. Abou Diaby – 136
3. Danny Welbeck – 123
4. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 118
5. Jack Wilshere – 90
6. Aaron Ramsey – 86

Saints to sign AMN

Southampton are closing in on a deal to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The transfer will initially be a loan move but it will include an option to buy.

The Gunners academy graduate played just 472 minutes for the club last season before being loaned out to Roma.

Maitland-Niles can play at full-back and in midfield making him a useful addition to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Superstar Saka

Bukayo Saka, who turns 21 on 5th September, has registered 16 Premier League assists in his career

Only three players have more Premier League assists before they turned 21: Cesc Fabregas (38), Wayne Rooney (22) and Michael Owen (18).

Saka is integral to Arsenal and he seemed to hint a wanting to commit his long-term future to the club despite interest from Liverpool and Man City.

Check out what he said HERE.

Team News

Arsenal will be without Reiss Nelson, Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko – all of who are injured.

Mohamed Elneny is also out so there is a big problem in central midfield that needs solving.

For Aston Villa, Coutinho limped off in their loss to West Ham but he is expected to be fine.

Diego Carlos and Tyrone Mings are out so ex-Arsenal man Calum Chambers could start.

Young striker Cameron Archer has a hip issue and may miss out.

Gerrard wants to ruin Arsenal feel-good factor

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has stressed the difficulty of tonight’s game versus Arsenal but he wants his side to stop the Gunners’ 100 per cent winning record.

Gerrard said: « Arsenal were in this situation themselves 12 months ago when they didn’t start the season very well.

« They’ve started this season very well and they’ve got a top manager and top players. They’ve had an opportunity to build a really exciting team there.

“We’ll focus on trying to get the right result. They’ve started with a 100 per cent record but for me, that’s a fantastic opportunity and a big challenge for me and my players to go and try to ruin that. »

Arteta on Villa

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said this ahead of tonight’s clash versus Aston Villa.

« I watch the Premier League teams and know how physical they are. Every game here is a battle for everybody, and we don’t expect anything different.

« Villa are a top team, they have a big squad, top quality players and a good manager, and we expect a difficult game again here on Wednesday.

“Since we played each other they haven’t changed that much.

« We’ll play towards the games and prepare as well as possible, but they’re a really physical team with a lot of presence, who are really good at using the box and it will be tough. »

Sutton echoes Merson’s comments

Pundit Chris Sutton has also praised Arsenal and singled out Martin Odegaard too.

He said: « Arsenal are absolutely flying. It was good how they came from behind to beat Fulham.

« They were maybe not at their absolute best but it was a good fightback by them and I love what Gabriel Jesus brings to them.

“Martin Odegaard has also stepped up. He is leading by example and bringing goals and performances.

Merson heaps praise on Odegaard

Paul Merson has hailed the performances of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

The Norweigan has been fantastic in the No.10 role for Mikel Arteta’s side chipping in with goals and assists on top of his hard work.

Merson said: « Odegaard is someone who has impressed me at the start of the season.

« He’s a very good footballer and has got a proper footballing brain – I can’t understand how Real Madrid let a player of his calibre go for as little as €30 million!

« He’s led by example so far and looks set to be a key player for the Gunners this season. »