Arsenal are fielding enquiries for a 'frustrated' star in their squad ahead of the looming January window, and Premier League rivals Man City are one of the clubs keen.
Arsenal play Aston Villa in crucial Premier League title clash
Arsenal travel to the Midlands this Saturday to take on an in-form Aston Villa — a fixture that could prove pivotal in the early title race.
The Gunners arrive in pole position atop the table, buoyed by a recent 2–0 win over Brentford that extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to a remarkable 18 games.
Arsenal's unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham
Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Brentford
Villa have surged into third thanks to a stunning 4–3 victory over Brighton in midweek, their sixth consecutive win across all competitions, so Unai Emery's side will be no pushovers.
Historically, the matchup has been a tight affair. Across all competitions, the two clubs have met over 200 times — with Arsenal holding a slight edge.
However, in recent seasons, Villa have shown that they can be a thorn in Arsenal's side.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts
The Villans completed a league double over Arsenal in 2023–24, including a 2–0 win in April that derailed Mikel Arteta's title hopes and handed the Premier League crown to City.
Arteta will be fully aware of the danger they pose, especially on home turf, with Villa reigning victorious in five of their last seven home league games while boasting the joint-third best home record in the division.'
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Arteta is waiting on a definitive update.
To trot out the old cliché, every game is like a cup final for Arsenal right now, so Arteta will need every man at their very best against a Villa side flying high on confidence.
The north Londoners' strength in depth, following a near-£270 million summer spend, has paid dividends amid the club's injury woes.
It has even allowed Arteta to rest some key personnel amid the hectic festive calendar, like he did against Brentford, with right-back Ben White getting a rare start ahead of first-choice Jurrien Timber.
The Englishman has barely been given any game time this season thanks to Timber's form, with an update now emerging on his future ahead of January.
Ben White 'frustrated' at Arsenal as Man City make January enquiry
As per TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, White — once a regular starter — is growing 'frustrated' with his limited minutes.
BEN WHITE
The 28-year-old has made only a handful of appearances so far this season, prompting concern about his long-term future at the club.
That frustration hasn’t gone unnoticed beyond North London. City, now exploring options at right-back, have reportedly marked White as a strong candidate to reinforce Pep Guardiola's squad.
The Sky Blues are said to be one of a few clubs who've made enquiries, alongside Marseille, Como and Atlético Madrid, but Arsenal's stance is pretty clear.
Arteta, alongside club management, are poised to reject any proposals for White in the January window, even amid mounting interest. This is because they don't want to weaken the squad in any way shape or form amid their title challenge.
ben-white-arsenal
From White’s perspective, the situation is increasingly uncomfortable.
Once viewed as a defensive mainstay, he now finds his opportunities severely curtailed, and media sources suggest he's unwilling to spend extended periods on the sidelines.
As things stand, White remains at Arsenal, but the coming months could prove pivotal.
If this current trend continues, and if City or other suitors persist, the defender's exit may well be one to watch in the summer instead.