Arsenal are gearing up to face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on Sunday
Arsenal are preparing for the first north London derby of the season as the Premier League returns this weekend. The Gunners entered the third international break of the season as the table toppers and will stay there whatever happens across Saturday and Sunday.
Despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland earlier this month, their lead over second-placed Manchester City remained. The Gunners are now firmly aiming to win the Premier League title after three consecutive second-placed finishes in the last three years.
Arsenal have garnered praise for their squad depth this season. However, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been called on to sanction the loan of one star who has been out of the first team this season.
In other news, Arsenal could be set to make a handsome profit through a former player. Mirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest Arsenal news.
Arteta told to make move
Arteta has been told that he should sanction the loan departure of Ethan Nwaneri, with the youngster's development being hampered by a lack of minutes this season.
The teenager was the Premier League's youngest ever player when he made his debut in 2022 and has continued to shine when given the opportunity. However, the arrival of the likes of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze has pushed Nwaneri, who scored nine times across 37 appearances last season, further down the pecking order.
It is understood that Arsenal would be open to letting the 18-year-old head out temporarily. Ex-Gunner Lauren insists it will be good for Nwaneri - and potentially for Arsenal's other teenage star, Max Dowman - to leave the Emirates on loan.
He said: "First of all, youngsters have to play to able to develop and improve his qualities. We know about his qualities. A young player needs to play if he is to develop. At this moment of time, it’s very difficult for him to pop up into the team because there is a top player now.
"There are more good players in the last third so for him it’s more difficult, and it’s the same with Dowman. It’s not a bad idea to go on loan and then to play the games that you need to develop. Maybe he might come back. It’s not the end of the world. I believe it could be a good option for a youngster to move along and then come back later on."
Gunners in line for profit
Arsenal are in line for tidy profit as former right-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy attracts interest from a number of elite Italian clubs. The England U21 international left the Gunners for Genoa in August 2024 in a deal worth an initial £1.75million plus a further £1.75m in bonuses.
Norton-Cuffy has caught the eye in Serie A, playing every minute of Genoa's league campaign to date. His displays have been said to have made forced Inter Milan and Juventus to sit up and take notice.
If Norton-Cuffy was to make a switch, Arsenal would be due an undisclosed cut of the fee after they negotiated a sell-on clause with Genoa.
Current Italian champions Napoli have also been credited with an interest amid unconfirmed reports that Antonio Conte's side have already seen a verbal offer worth in the region of £8.8m turned down.
Norton-Cuffy spent time on loan at Lincoln City, Rotherham United, Coventry City and Millwall before moving to Genoa. There was also interest from a series of French and Bundesliga clubs when he made the decision to depart the Gunners in 2024.