ARSENAL will reportedly battle Liverpool for the signing of Aston Villa ace Douglas Luiz.
The Gunners saw THREE bids rejected by Villa on deadline day and now they could face competition from the Reds in landing their top midfield target come January.
Meanwhile, UEFA have confirmed Arsenal's Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven is POSTPONED after the death of the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth's funeral has become the focus for national police forces, including the Met and it has put a strain on the level of officers available to monitor safety at football grounds.
However, the Gunners' Premier League fixture this weekend against Brentford WILL go ahead but it has been moved from 2pm to 12pm.
How to get free bets on football – the 17 best bookies to claim rewards and bonuses
Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates Stadium…
Champions League action tonight
Arsenal may not be playing until Thursday, but there is a host of European action on tonight.
Here are the Champions League ties which have just got underway.
Henry hails ex-Arsenal man Balogun
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has praised Folarin Balogun for his decision to join Reims during the summer transfer window.
Balogun, 21, signed for the Ligue 1 side on a season-long loan last month.
The striker has already made an impression in France, scoring five goals and assisting two in just seven appearances.
He earned his first award last week after being named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month for August.
And Arsenal icon Henry believes the young star will only improve during his time in France.
Arsenal's next five games
Here are Arsenal's next five games.
Boehly wants All-Star match
Todd Boehly wants a North vs South Premier League All-Star game – and reckons it would boost the football pyramid.
The American said: "Ultimately I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports and really starts to figure out, 'Why wouldn't we do a tournament with the bottom four teams? Why isn't there an all-star game?'
"People are talking about more money for the pyramid… the MLB all-star game in Los Angeles this year made $200m [£173m] from a Monday and Tuesday.
"You could do a North vs South all-star game in the Premier League and fund whatever the pyramid needed very easily.
"Everyone likes the idea of more revenue for the league. There is a cultural aspect that is real and evolution will come. The nice thing about the Premier League is you own the worldwide rights."
Giroud backs Arsenal to finish in top four
Former Arsenal star Olivier Giroud has referred to the club as "my Gooners" as he backed Mikel Arteta's men to finish in the top four this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports in Monza at Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, Giroud opened up on Chelsea' sacking of Thomas Tuchel before discussing Arteta's side.
He said: "It’s part of football. It’s sad. I think Thomas has done a great job for Chelsea.
"I’ve also been watching my Gooners. I think it’s going to be another interesting year for them."
Pressed on whether Arsenal will finish in the top four, he remarked: "Yes, definitely. I hope so."
Blockbuster day of sport in December
England fans could be treated to an incredible Saturday of live sport with Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury AND a crunch World Cup match.
Joshua has accepted Fury's challenge to step into the ring for a 'Battle of Britain' heavyweight showdown on December 3.
That could take place just a few hours after England have booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Three Lions three group games are on November 21, 25 and 29.
And should they finish second in Group B behind Wales, United States or Iran, Gareth Southgate's side will play the winner of Group A at 3pm UK time on December 3.
Partey set for Arsenal return
Arsenal have been given a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s clash at Brentford.
That’s because Thomas Partey has returned to full training following a thigh injury.
The midfielder, 29, had missed Arsenal’s last three games against Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester United.
But CBS Sports claim Partey could be back in Arsenal’s XI when they travel to Brentford this weekend.
Arsenal set for fixture congestion
Arsenal are facing a fixture backlog after suffering a second postponement in the space of five days.
Thursday’s Europa League game against PSV Eindhoven is definitely off following discussions with UEFA and the Metropolitan Police.
Arsenal's trip to the Brentford Community Stadium was given the green light because it is a Category Three match in security terms.
But the Gunners are struggling to find a slot to reschedule the PSV match, which must be played before the final Europa League group games on November 3.
The next two weeks are out of the question because of an international break.
And the only week after that which does not already have European commitments has a full midweek of Premier League fixtures.
Wenger backs Arsenal for title tilt
Arsene Wenger has broken his Arsenal silence and backed Mikel Arteta’s team to launch an unlikely title challenge.
The most successful manager in the club’s history has never been back to the Emirates since his brutal sacking in 2018 and has steadfastly refused to comment on the team he left behind.
But now the 72-year-old Frenchman has opened up on the current state of play and cannot hide his admiration for the job being done by Arteta.
Wenger said: “I would say they are moving in the right direction. I honestly think there is no weak position in the team… they are young, promising players and they have bought well this year.
“There is no completely dominating team this season and Arsenal has a chance with the potential that is there.
“We used to be in the top four and why not again? You cannot even rule out the fact that they can fight for the title and hopefully they can do it.”
This weekend’s Premier League fixture list
Friday 16 September
20:00 Aston Villa v Southampton (Sky Sports)
20:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham
Saturday 17 September
12:30 Wolves v Man City (BT Sport)
15:00 Newcastle v AFC Bournemouth
17:30 Spurs v Leicester City (Sky Sports)
Postponed Brighton v Crystal Palace
Sunday 18 September
12:00 Brentford v Arsenal (Sky Sports)
14:15 Everton v West Ham (Sky Sports)
Postponed Chelsea v Liverpool
Postponed Man Utd v Leeds
Arsenal vs Man City in doubt
Arsenal may have to postpone their top of the table clash with Manchester City next month – to accommodate their re-arranged fixture with PSV Eindhoven.
The Gunners have been forced to call off their Europa League fixture against the Dutch club on Thursday due to concerns of policing following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
They now have to find an alternative date or face forfeiting the game – and with the World Cup looming they are running out of options.
PSV forfeit unlikely, say Arsenal
Arsenal are optimistic they won't have to forfeit their postponed Europa League clash against PSV Eindhoven.
The Gunners' group stage match with PSV had to be rearranged due to lack of police resources as forces have been redeployed to work on The Queen's state funeral on Monday.
The North Londoners were scheduled to take on the Dutch side at the Emirates on Thursday but had to be called off just like other London fixtures.
That has created quite the headache for Arsenal as there there is no available date to play the game before the group stage is due to end on November 3 before the World Cup.
UEFA regulations dictate that Mikel Arteta's side must find a new date to stage the fixture or forfeit the game.
According to the Evening Standard, however, Arsenal are confident they can find a solution to the matter as they continue negotiating with the relevant authorities.
Balogun showing a 'refreshing mindset', says Henry
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video, Henry said: "I’m really happy for him because in general English players don’t go abroad.
"Normally players are loaned either to another Premier League side or in the Championship.
"He’s a very English-style player who likes to run down the channels but he was missing something, which was his finishing.
"He’s now starting to score goals regularly and I’m happy for that – happy he has gone abroad.
"It’s especially so considering he is a Londoner, in general Londoners struggle to leave London.
"When I heard he was coming to France, it made me think he has a refreshing mindset."
Henry praises Flo
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has praised Folarin Balogun for his decision to join Reims during the summer transfer window.
Balogun, 21, signed for the Ligue 1 side on a season-long loan last month.
The striker has already made an impression in France, scoring five goals and assisting two in just seven appearances.
He earned his first award last week after being named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month for August.
And Arsenal icon Henry believes the young star will only improve during his time in France.
Prem showdown at noon
Arsenal yesterday confirmed that their clash with Brentford on Sunday will go ahead.
The fixture was under threat due to the policing issues surrounding the weekend’s games.
But it will now start two hours earlier than scheduled, at noon.
Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven postponed
Arsenal’s Europa League clash with PSV Eindhoven – which was scheduled to take place on Thursday – has been postponed due to policing issues.
An official statement read: “UEFA today announced that the UEFA Europa League tie between Arsenal FC and PSV Eindhoven, originally to be played on Thursday 15 September, has been postponed with a new date to be communicated in due course.
“This is due to the severe limitations on police resources and organisational issues related to the ongoing events surrounding the national mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Partey's significant injury history
Partey is now into his third season at the Emirates following a £45m move from Atletico Madrid.
But previous injury woes means Partey has missed 36 matches for the Gunners.
More on Partey's return
The Ghana international took on a starring role in the Gunners’ opening three games – wins over Crystal Palace, Leicester and Bournemouth.
And his presence in Arsenal’s side will be a huge boost to Mikel Arteta following the 3-1 defeat to United earlier this month.
An injury to fellow midfielder Mo Elneny saw Albert Sambi Lokonga play next to Granit Xhaka at Old Trafford.
Arteta had been hoping to land another powerful midfielder on deadline day.
But he was left empty-handed when Aston Villa rejected a £23million bid for Douglas Luiz.
Injury boost for Gunners
Arsenal have been given a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s clash at Brentford.
That’s because Thomas Partey has returned to full training following a thigh injury.
The midfielder, 29, had missed Arsenal’s last three games against Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester United.
But CBS Sports claim Partey could be back in Arsenal’s XI when they travel to Brentford this weekend.
Kane ‘tempted’ by Bayern switch
Tottenham striker Harry Kane is reportedly “tempted” by the prospect of a transfer to Bayern Munich.
Kane, 29, was linked with a move to Germany throughout the summer window, but Arsenal's North London rivals refused to sell him.
Club chief Oliver Kahn has already confirmed that Kane is the priority target.
Although a move did not materialise before deadline day, the German giants are still eager to lure him to the Allianz Arena.
And according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg, Bayern Munich are already in talks with Kane’s representatives over a potential transfer NEXT summer.
Legends meet up
Arsenal legends Arsene Wenger, Pat Rice, Ian Wright, Lee Dixon and Thierry Henry were at Cambridge Theatre last night for the release of David Dein's Autobiography.
Gunners icons Jens Lehmann, Gilberto Silva, Davor Suker, Martin Keown, Kolo Toure and Anders Limpar were also in attendance for the former owner's book launch.
Flo so happy, says Henry
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has leapt to the praise of in-form striker Folarin Balogun.
The 21-year-old is on loan at Ligue 1 club Reims, where he has five goals in six games.
Henry told Amazon Prime Video Sport France: “I’m really happy for him because in general English players don’t go abroad.
“Normally players are loaned either to another Premier League side or in the Championship.
“He’s a very English-style player who likes to run down the channels but he was missing something, which was his finishing.
“He’s now starting to score goals regularly and I’m happy for that – happy he has gone abroad.
“It’s especially so considering he is a Londoner, in general Londoners struggle to leave London.
“When I heard he was coming to France, it made me think he has a refreshing mindset.”
Arsenal juggle options
The Gunners are struggling to find a slot to reschedule the PSV match, which must be played before the final Europa League group games on November 3.
The next two weeks are out of the question because of an international break.
And the only week after that which does not already have European commitments has a full midweek of Premier League fixtures.
The most likely scenario is that Arsenal will seek to postpone their top of the table Premier League game against Manchester City scheduled for October 19 and play PSV the following evening.
But that would still require the agreement of both the Premier League and City.
Prem chiefs are already struggling to find a space in a tight fixture list to reschedule all the games which were called off last weekend.
With absolutely no breathing space before football shuts down for six weeks for the World Cup in Qatar, the earliest potential opportunity for another round of games would be some time in January.
Gunners face moving schedule due to postponed fixtures
Arsenal are facing a fixture backlog after suffering a second postponement in the space of five days.
But the Gunners did have good news after their clash with Brentford was given the go ahead to take place on Sunday at midday.
Thursday’s Europa League game against PSV Eindhoven is definitely off following discussions with UEFA and the Metropolitan Police.
The decision was taken due to the severe limitation on police resources and organisational issues surrounding the many thousands of people heading to London to mourn the Queen.
With 3,000 PSV fans due to travel from Holland for a match which was classed as Category One by the police, it was clear that there would not be sufficient officers in attendance at the Emirates.
Arsenal's trip to the Brentford Community Stadium was given the green light because it is a Category Three match in security terms.
Showdown at noon
Arsenal yesterday confirmed that their clash with Brentford will go ahead.
The fixture was under threat due to the policing issues surrounding the weekend's games.
But it will now start two hours earlier than scheduled, at noon.
Wonderkid Ramazani snubbed Man Utd deal for Almeria transfer & became a star
Celtic boss Postecoglou on Brighton shortlist after impressing OFF pitch
Kamara in tears over speech problems after Soccer Saturday exit
How fake footballer conned Champions League side into £15k-a-month deal
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
