06 September 2023 , 03:00
809
0
After Sunday's dramatic 3-1 win over Manchester United, Arsenal head into the international break as one of only six Premier League teams still unbeaten.
Manchester City, West Ham, Tottenham, Brentford and Liverpool are the others not to have lost a top-flight game this season, with Arsenal sitting fifth on 10 points from a possible 12. Mikel Arteta will be content with the Gunners' start, having beaten Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Man Utd, as well as drawing against Fulham.
But now, Arsenal have got to wait until September 17 for their next fixture. The Gunners travel to Everton at Goodison Park - three days before the start of their Champions League campaign at home to PSV.
In the meantime, 16 Arsenal stars have jetted off with their countries and could be in action over the next two weeks before the Gunners' trip to Everton. Declan Rice, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale are all with England ahead of matches against Ukraine and Scotland.
Here is the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Wright on Havertz
Ian Wright has urged Kai Havertz to calm down and show more composure in front of goal after the German missed a gilt-edge chance against Man Utd.
Havertz, who signed from Chelsea for £65m in June, has failed to find the net in four Premier League appearances so far and squandered an excellent opportunity to score on Sunday. The ball made its way to Havertz inside the area, but the forward slashed at it and the chance was missed.
"He needs these kinds of things to happen for him," Wright told Premier League Productions. "He has obviously taken his eye off the ball. I am thinking 'this is what he needs (a goal)'.
"He needs to settle himself down. There is a lot of talk about him. It's a great touch. A great touch! But he has just slashed his foot at it. Instead of just watching it. Anything on target and you score.
"I think, at the moment, that's how it's going for him. It came off Anthony Martial's hand to get to him, so I can't complain about that.
"At the same time, it's the kind of chance you hope he takes so he can start to get himself going at Arsenal – I haven’t seen that for a long time. The Arsenal fans are still waiting for it to happen for him."
Kai Havertz in action for Arsenal against Manchester United on Sunday (Getty Images)Arsenal made Neto enquiry
Arsenal made an enquiry to sign Wolves winger Pedro Neto during the summer transfer window.
According to The Telegraph, the Gunners enquired about Neto's availability over the summer after being long-term admirers of the Portuguese star. It is not clear whether Arsenal made any sort of bid for Neto, or if Wolves were ready to entertain offers.
Neto has grabbed three assists in four matches this season and set up both goals in their 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday. In total, the 23-year-old has struck 11 times in 115 games for Wolves.
Saha praises Rice
Former Man Utd striker Louis Saha believes Declan Rice could be the difference in Arsenal's title bid. Rice, 24, scored the all-important second goal in the Gunners' 3-1 success over Man Utd.
Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes
"Declan Rice is a good player who is very strong and very committed, you can see that he is playing with a smile on his face and with the type of players you'd enjoy playing with," Saha told Paddy Power. "He can provide something that Arsenal didn't have last season.
"Imagine if he scored more decisive goals like on the weekend, it’s very important for any player, but especially for new players. He could be the difference for Arsenal in the title race if he keeps going like this.
(AFP via Getty Images)"Rice is going to go from strength to strength because Arsenal are such a good side, and the manager seems to really understand what the players need.
"I hope for him and for Arsenal that they can keep this momentum going, it was a very good goal for him to score the winner in the 95th minute, it's the type of scenarios you dream about. Sunday was Arsenal’s day, but another day it could’ve gone to Manchester United, because it was a tight game."