ARSENAL have been beaten by Everton after a heartbreaking last-minute rocket from Damarai Gray.
On the transfer front, reports suggest that the Gunners are eyeing up a swoop for Toffees frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
While Raheem Sterling is said to find the idea of a move to Arsenal "extremely attractive".
Dejan Kulusevski continues to be linked to the Premier League, with North London rivals Spurs and Arsenal said to be interested.
And it's Nottingham Forest up for the Gunners after the FA Cup third round draw was made at Wembley.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Arsenal were rocked as Demarai Gray's stunning 92nd minute strike sealed a comeback 2-1 win for Everton.
Rafa Benitez had been feeling the heat after an awful winless run.
But Mikel Arteta's men were unable to hold on to their first half lead as the Toffees battled back for victory.
The game was also overshadowed by an unsavoury moment which saw Takehiro Tomiyasu booted in the face by Ben Godfrey – but the Toffees man escaped a red card for his actions.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka made an incredible return from a knee injury to START at Everton.
The Switzerland midfielder was expected to be ruled out well into the New Year.
He picked up the problem after being clattered during the North London Derby back in September.
But he returned to full first-team training earlier this week, after stunning medics with his recovery.
And he made a surprising comeback away at the Toffees in midfield.
Finally, Arteta hinted he is open to helping Manchester City legend Yaya Toure earn his coaching badges.
Arteta said: "He has my number because we’ve spent some years together at City.
"He is a player I appreciate a lot so he can call me and ask me the question.
"He has the experience, expertise and has won a lot in the game.
"He can add value to other players, for sure."
- Anthony Chapman
VERDICT
Mikel Arteta took over at Arsenal while in the Everton stands.
But not much has changed two years on.
It was Rafa Benitez who was under pressure before tonight… but now Arteta could be in line for the axe…
READ THE VERDICT HERE
- Anthony Chapman
‘OUTRAGEOUS’
Man Utd legend Gary Neville has claimed Ben Godfrey purposely studded Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu in the FACE.
He said on Sky Sports' coverage of Everton's 2-1 win: "As a professional, he 100% means that.
"I can see why VAR has said it is accidental, we couldn't prove it but as a professional he meant it but I can see why it is not a red."
- Anthony Chapman
RATINGS
Takehiro Tomiyasu was the pick of a bad bunch as Arsenal were beaten 2-1 at Everton.
Aaron Ramsdale stood no chance with the Toffees' goals while Thomas Partey put in a poor showing.
SEE THE RATINGS HERE
- Anthony Chapman
FT – EVERTON 2 ARSENAL 1
Arsenal were left rocked as Demarai Gray's 92nd minute strike sealed a comeback win for Everton.
Rafa Benitez had been feeling the heat after an awful winless run before tonight.
But Mikel Arteta's men were unable to hold on to their first half lead as the Toffees battled back for victory.
READ OUR REPORT HERE
- Anthony Chapman
BOOT IT
Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu suffered cuts to his face after being studded on by Everton's Ben Godfrey.
The incident was referred to VAR but Godfrey was not judged to have committed a red card offence.
- Anthony Chapman
FOR BLIMEY
Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest in January's FA Cup third round tie.
The Gunners will be looking to get the better of the Championship outfit and book their place in the next stage.
- Anthony Chapman
GOODISON EMBARK
Everton fans planned to stage a mass-walk out in the 27th minute of their home clash with Arsenal – in protest at the club's board.
But only a smattering of supporters actually took part in the walk-out.
Instead, many others opted to chant 'Everton, Everton', getting behind their team against the Gunners.
- Anthony Chapman
XHAK BACK
Granit Xhaka made an incredible return from a knee injury to START for Arsenal at Everton tonight.
The Switzerland midfielder was expected to be ruled out well into the New Year.
He picked up the problem after being clattered during the North London Derby back in September.
But he returned to full first-team training earlier this week, after stunning medics with his recovery.
And he made a surprising comeback away at the Toffees tonight, starting in Mikel Arteta's midfield.
- Anthony Chapman
TEAM NEWS
Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Mina; Allan, Doucoure; Gray, Townsend, Gordon; Richarlison
Arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
- Anthony Chapman
FOUR REAL
Arsenal star Thomas Partey admitted he needs to improve as he gave his first year at the Emirates a low grade of just FOUR out of 10.
Partey said: "I give myself four [out of 10], because there are moments I can really hurt the other team but there are also moments where I allow myself to lose focus and that's when everything goes down.
"This is when you realise that you have to get better. I have to learn from the bad parts and try to do better.
"I think they demanded more and personally I know I can give more. I have to keep working and at the end I will get the results.
"From the defence to the attack, I can help the team a lot.
"I have to read more of the game. Now I am having a lot of continuous games, it is normal that some games, or some moments in the games, I will be down.
"With more games, with more confidence, I will be able to get to where I want to be.”
- Anthony Chapman
ART OF THE DEAL
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hinted he is open to helping Manchester City legend Yaya Toure earn his coaching badges.
Arteta said: "He has my number because we’ve spent some years together at City.
"He is a player I appreciate a lot so he can call me and ask me the question.
"He has the experience, expertise and has won a lot in the game.
"He can add value to other players, for sure."
- Anthony Chapman
ANOTHER WAY
Here's another way Arsenal could look against the Toffees…
- Anthony Chapman
XHAK BACK?
Granit Xhaka could make a shock return for Arsenal tonight.
Is this how the Gunners will line up against Everton?
- Anthony Chapman
HAA LA LAND
Jamie Carragher has revealed that Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland will join him on Sky Sports for Monday Night Football.
The 21-year-oold ace will provide analysis on Arsenal's away clash against Everton at Goodison Park as both teams look to get back to winning ways.
Carragher tweeted: "Delighted this man Erling Haaland will make his debut on #MNF tonight!"
- Anthony Chapman
JUMP THE GUN
Folarin Balogun are set to loan out Folarin Balogun in January, according to reports.
The young forward is highly-rated by the North Londoners, and was handed a new contract until 2025 last season.
But he has struggled for game time this term, opening the door to a temporary move.
According to The Athletic, there is a 'huge' amount of interest in the 20-year-old.
But the Gunners are yet to decide on his destination.
- Anthony Chapman
BALLON COR
Lionel Messi is already joint-favourite to retain his Ballon d’Or trophy next year.
BetVictor has the PSG star at 5/1 for the 2022 title alongside Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.
Liverpool’s Mo Salah and Man Utd’s Cristiano Ronaldo are both 6/1.
2022 Ballon d’Or odds:
- Robert Lewandowski 5/1
- Lionel Messi 5/1
- Mohamed Salah 6/1
- Cristiano Ronaldo 6/1
- Kylian Mbappe 8/1
- Erling Haaland 10/1
- Kevin De Bruyne 10/1
*Odds according to BetVictor and correct at time of writing
RAM RAID
Aaron Ramsey’s agent David Baldwin is working on a January transfer amid interest from Newcastle, according to reports.
Nicolo Schira claims the former Arsenal star has his heart set on a Premier League return this winter.
Ramsey is surplus to requirements at Juventus.
But with a move back to the Emirates off the table, it appears his only option is a relegation dogfight with the Toon.
ARTFELT MESSAGE
Mikel Arteta says he does not have a problem with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — despite hauling him off against Manchester United.
Arteta said: “I can guarantee you that there is not a rift with Auba.
“I have to respect the opinion of these people but I can tell you that I have the relationship I want with him.
“When I make decisions with 15, 20 minutes left or in the starting line-up, it is done with only one intention, to get the best out of the team.
“You are always concerned when your main striker isn’t scoring, but Auba is trying his hardest.
“He is aware of how much we need him as a team to score goals and at the moment they’re not coming.
“But the rest of the things we’re asking him to do, he is trying his best.”
NEXT UP
Let's take a look at Arsenal's next five matches, starting with tonight's clash against Everton…
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- Dylan Terry
GAME READY!
Arsenal take on Everton at 8pm this evening. They can move back into fifth place in the Premier League table with a victory.
- Dylan Terry
SMITH ROWE STAT
A little Emile Smith Rowe stat following his goal at Old Trafford on Thursday night…
- Dylan Terry
ARTETA ON EVERTON
Ahead of tonight's game, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discussed the Gunners' opponents Everton – a club he knows only too well.
"[They are] a team that wants to put things right and win, and on Monday night at Goodison I know what I am going to expect under the lights with the fans they have so it will be a tough game," he said.
"There are a lot of teams that are going through that [poor form] because this is a league has become that competitive that the moment you lose a game or two, the pressure is coming for everybody.
"It is no different there, obviously it's a very special place to go back there because I had some amazing years there, so I'm looking forward to it."
- Dylan Terry
ON THE RA-DAR
Arsenal may be set for a bidding war over Zenit St Petersburg ace Sardar Azmoun.
According to 90Min, Everton have joined the battle to sign Azmoun ahead of the January window.
The Toffees are interested in the forward, who has previously been linked with a move to the Gunners.
The Iran international’s current deal with Zenit runs out in the summer, which means he can start talking with other clubs next month.
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