Arsenal have made a strong start to the season but are still in the market for new signings, with one star's future at the club also in doubt as two European giants circle
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta could lose an Arsenal star in January
Arsenal are counting down the days until they return to Premier League action following the international break.
Mikel Arteta's side saw their faultless start to the season ended by a 3-0 battering against Brighton and have been forced to stew over being outclassed on the south coast for three weeks before they can return to action. The Leeds clash is not a straightforward task and the Spaniard has a number of injury problems to account for.
Looking forward, there's considerably more than Saturday's encounter with Leeds to consider. The Gunners clearly have additional squad construction to complete after offloading three attackers during the summer while recruiting just one replacement. And speculation is mounting over the future of Noni Madueke. Here, the Daily Star Sportlooks at the latest Arsenal news.
Madueke pursued by two clubs
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke could leave Arsenal in January(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal winger Noni Madueke is attracting interest from both Atletico Madrid and Juventus, with a January departure potentially in the pipeline.
The 24-year-old, acquired from Chelsea for £50million last summer, has endured limited playing opportunities thus far this campaign.
He has featured in merely two Premier League matches to date, both as a substitute, accumulating a mere 27 minutes of action. His sole starting appearances have come in the Community Shield and Arsenal's League Cup third-round success against Ipswich last month.
That marks a dramatic shift from this period last year, when Madueke had featured in four of Arsenal's first five league fixtures before a knee problem sidelined him.
Despite his limited opportunities, Juventus and Atletico are both weighing up a swoop for the winger, who was left out of Thomas Tuchel's most recent England squad. According to The Telegraph, any January move would involve a loan arrangement rather than a permanent switch.
Madueke still has nearly four years left on his Arsenal deal, meaning the Gunners face no urgent need to sell him. Nevertheless, should Arteta continue to sideline the former PSV star, a temporary departure could provide him with the consistent game time he requires while enabling Arsenal to review matters next summer.
Fabregas 'given green light' to join Arsenal
FROSINONE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Cesc Fàbregas Coach of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between Frosinone Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Benito Stirpe on September 20, 2026 in Frosinone, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
Cesc Fabregas has been pulling up trees at Como(Image: Ivan Romano, Getty Images)
Cesc Fabregas has essentially been handed the all-clear to return to Arsenal should he choose to pursue the management position at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners legend has performed miracles since assuming control of Como in 2024 and reportedly possesses a clause in his deal permitting him to depart for former sides Barcelona, Arsenal or Chelsea without requiring a substantial compensation fee.
Como president Mirwan Suwarso refused to dismiss the clause's existence when questioned about it, instead maintaining that Fabregas - who also holds a minority stake in the club - will be free to progress his career whenever he deems appropriate. "He doesn't need a clause to go anywhere he wants," Suwarso told Piers Morgan's Football Uncensored show.
"In a business like this, he's a friend more than anything else. He can go wherever he wants, whenever he wants.
"I could even say if tomorrow he calls me and says, 'Hey, I want to go to Leverkusen'. I would say if that's something you want to do then go. I don't need any compensation."
Having spent the majority of his playing days at Arsenal, it's hardly surprising that Fabregas would be touted for the managerial position at his old club. His standing has only enhanced since transitioning into management, with the Spaniard steering Como to Serie A promotion in 2024 before leading them to their best-ever league placing of fourth last campaign and Champions League qualification for the first time in the club's existence.
Nevertheless, there's scant justification for Arsenal to contemplate a managerial switch while Arteta remains successful. The Spaniard displays no indication of wanting to depart either, suggesting a Fabregas homecoming to north London might need to be postponed. For the time being, at any rate.