Gustavo Varela
Gustavo Varela
Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday for a Premier League clash with Liverpool, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm GMT.
The Gunners sit second in the table on 21 points, level with Manchester City, while Liverpool are fourth on 15 points.
Mikel Arteta’s side will be looking to end a long wait for a league victory at Anfield, having not won there since September 2012, when goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla secured a 2-0 triumph. Arsenal have since gone 13 consecutive league visits without a win.
Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, head into the contest on a five-game winning run in all competitions, including Wednesday’s penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. A win on Sunday would cut Arsenal’s lead over them to just three points.
READ MORE: Arsenal make contact with Brazilian striker ahead of January
The Gunners, meanwhile, arrive after suffering a Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood Town on penalties, with Max Dowman sent off during the contest.
Arsenal could receive a boost ahead of the trip, as Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis returned to training on Friday and could be available. However, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba remain sidelined.
Away from the weekend’s fixture, Arsenal’s recruitment plans have also come into focus, with the club reportedly showing interest in Monza striker Gustavo Varela ahead of the January transfer window.
According to Calciomercato, the Gunners have made enquiries about the 21-year-old, who has enjoyed an impressive start to the Serie A season.
Varela has scored eight goals in eight league appearances, placing him level with Antonio Raimondo at the top of the scoring chart. He has also added two goals in the Coppa Italia.
Varela is the second-youngest player in Serie A history to score at least eight goals in his first eight appearances. Only Otello Torri, who achieved the feat in the 1936-37 season, was younger.
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Monza signed Varela for an initial €2m, with up to €1.5m in add-ons. The striker spent last season on loan at Gil Vicente, where he scored seven goals in 33 appearances.
Calciomercato expects Varela to attract significant attention during the January transfer window, with several offers potentially reaching Monza.
The outlet values him at around €15m, while Calciobox reports that the Italian club have set a €30m asking price.
Inter have sent scouts to watch Varela on several occasions, while Napoli are also interested in the striker. Tuttomercatoweb journalist Niccolò Ceccarini has reported that Arsenal are the most interested Premier League club.
Benfica, meanwhile, hold a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights, although reports differ on whether the Portuguese club also have a buy-back option.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal