Info Arena

Mikel Arteta's side mostly held their own at Anfield but lacked any cutting edge in attack against the defending champions as new striker Viktor Gyokeres continues to flop. Arsenal fell to their first defeat of the season as they lost 1-0 to Liverpool on Sunday. The Gunners were beaten by Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick on a day when they also lost William Saliba to injury. The Gunners suffered a massive blow inside the opening five minutes when Saliba was forced off following a coming together with Hugo Ekitike. They did not let it effect them, however, as they largely kept the home side at arm's length, while Noni Madueke forced Alisson Becker into a save after a corner fell to him on the edge of the box. Neither side was willing to take too many risks in what was a low-octane affair for long periods. Liverpool thought, however, that they had taken the lead on the hour mark when Ekitike netted from close range, only for the linesman's flag to rule the goal out...

Liverpool have agreed a £125m fee with Newcastle to sign Alexander Isak. Sources close to the deal have told BBC Sport that an agreement for the Sweden international to join the Anfield club is now in place. Isak will undergo a medical on Monday ahead of signing a six-year deal at the club. Liverpool had an original £110m offer rejected earlier this month but they are now set to land their first-choice target of the summer.  Details to follow....

The Blaugrana were indebted to their goalkeeper for earning them a point as they were routinely sliced through by their hosts at Vallecas Barcelona's perfect start to the new La Liga season was ended on Sunday as Hansi Flick's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano. Lamine Yamal had given the defending champions the lead from the penalty spot, but they were pegged back in the second half amid what was an unconvincing performance. Joan Garcia had to be alert to save from Andrei Ratiu after Vallecano worked an early opening, while at the other end Raphinha wasted two good opportunities, first shooting wide when he should have passed to Ferran Torres before then failing to find the Spain striker with the goal gaping. Instead, it was left to Yamal to open the scoring, albeit in controversial circumstances. The teenager was felled in the penalty area, though the contact was minimal. However, with VAR offline, the decision could not be reviewed and Yamal stepped up to net fro...

Chelsea have made contact with Sporting for striker Conrad Harder, having asked Bayern Munich to make a permanent offer for Nicolas Jackson. On Saturday the Blues withdrew permission for Jackson, 24, to have a medical at Bayern for an initial £13m loan move, just after Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury. They also contacted Harder and Sporting to sound out a potential move after Delap's injury in the 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday. On Sunday Jackson remained in Germany and is keen to leave Stamford Bridge, but because of the change in circumstances Bayern are being asked to re-negotiate for a permanent deal to help fund a new striker at Chelsea. What are Chelsea's striker options? Signing Harder and selling Jackson is the preferred option of three potential scenarios, with manager Enzo Maresca worried Delap will be out for "six to eight weeks". Any deal is contingent on both agreeing a fee and convincing the 20-year-old one-cap Denmark international to move to Ch...

www.informatarena.blogspot.com DR Congo striker Wissa has called on Brentford to "keep their word" and let him leave before the transfer deadline, accusing the club of "unduly standing in his way" of a move to Newcastle United. With two days of the transfer window remaining, the striker is furious the west London club are refusing to sell him to Newcastle, who have had two offers rejected - the latest being £35m guaranteed, plus a further £5m in add-ons. In a statement on social media on Sunday, Wissa said he had "repeated promises" from the club he could leave this summer if they received a "reasonable offer" and says he has this "in writing". He now says Brentford have "significantly changed its position, going against what was communicated" and is now publicly asking to go, adding that being made to stay will "tarnish" his four years at the club. Wissa has made clear he wants to leave for St James' Park and ha...

Manchester United are not giving up in their pursuit of Senne Lammens, with the club making an improved offer after initially failing to agree personal terms with the Belgian goalkeeper. With just days left in the transfer window, the Red Devils are pushing to add depth with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir struggling as Ruben Amorim continues to reshape his squad at Old Trafford. Manchester United have returned with a fresh offer for Lammens after talks stalled earlier in the week, as per The Telegraph. The Belgian stopper also has an approach from Galatasaray, but Royal Antwerp are resigned to losing him this summer. A medical could take place immediately if terms are finalised, with the fee expected to be upwards of £20 million ($27m). Lammens has been identified as the main candidate to challenge Onana and Bayindir after inconsistent spells from the pair under Amorim. Manchester United want to strengthen their goalkeeping unit to avoid repeating costly mistakes from last season and s...

Chelsea have signed Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United for £40m. The 21-year-old has signed a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge that runs through to 2032. "It's an incredible moment for my family and I to join this great club," Garnacho told Chelsea's club website. "I can't wait to get started. I watched the Club World Cup and to join the world champions is special – we're the best team in the world!" The forward becomes Chelsea's ninth arrival of the summer and fifth attacking addition after Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevao and Jamie Gittens. 'Maresca gets his man' The signing of Garnacho is deemed important by Blues manager Enzo Maresca. The Italian revealed at an August news conference that his two transfer priorities were to sign a central defender and a left winger capable of providing competition for Gittens. The club only approved one of his requests, adding an attacker, and instructed Maresca to work with th...