Arsenal are top of the Premier League with four wins from as many matches but there was some controversy around their most recent match
Ezri Konsa and Dan Ballard battling in Sunderland vs Arsenal
Arsenal were unhappy with a penalty award in their win at Sunderland(Image: MI News/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
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The games are coming thick and fast for Arsenal in the lead-up to the international break. Mikel Arteta is expected to ring the changes for a Carabao Cup meeting with Ipswich Town, just days after the Gunners saw off the challenge of Sunderland in the Premier League.
That trip to Wearside didn't pass without incident. Arsenal survived a contentious penalty call after David Raya pushed Enzo Le Fee's effort onto the post, with Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka going on to punish Sunderland late on.
We have seen the fallout from that decision continue into the new week but there is plenty more to talk about. While Arteta's team showed their strength in depth on Saturday, speculation over their future plans continues.
We've got an update on one eye-catching transfer link, as well as the latest on the Gunners' conversations with Pro Ref. Here are our lines from around the Emirates Stadium.
Howard Webb has serious questions to answer as Pro Ref's new era begins with huge controversy
Gunners embark on Pro Ref talks
Arsenal's frustration with the refereeing on Saturday has prompted the club to open talks with Howard Webb, head of officiating body Pro Ref, according to football.london. The frustration surrounds a decision to award a penalty against Ezri Konsa after a tussle with Dan Ballard, a call which was upheld despite the presence of VAR.
"I'm so upset, it is unacceptable at this level, unacceptable. It can change the course of the season," Arteta told TNT Sports after the match. "I've seen it 10 times to make sure and I said 'it is not possible it is penalty'. It is a judo roll. That's what it is.
"This cannot happen. In my view. I have been involved in football for 27/28 years. It's not a penalty in any game, in any game, in any context in any league."
Paz deal and Real Madrid option
Nico Paz playing for Como
Nico Paz has attracted attention with his displays for Como(Image: Marco Canoniero/Shutterstock)
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Arsenal are considering a January swoop for Como star Nico Paz, according to The Sun. However, the Argentina star's former club Real Madrid could yet stand in their way.
The 22-year-old delivered 12 goals and seven assists last season to help Como reach the Champions League for the first time. He set up two of his team's four goals as they beat RB Leipzig in Europe last week and scored his first goal of the new season in a Serie A win at Genoa.
Paz joined Como for a little over £51m in 2024 but Real Madrid have an option to bring him back to the Bernabeu for the best part of £70m in summer 2027. This leaves Arsenal with a potential battle for one of European club football's rising stars, who scored once in eight appearances for Los Blancos before moving to Italy.
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