Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus expects "another war" with Crystal Palace at the weekend, after the Arsenal forward led the charge with a second-half hat-trick in a 3-2 comeback win to reach the League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Raheem Sterling has made just two Premier League starts and two more in the League Cup since joining Arsenal on loan from Chelsea in August and manager Mikel Arteta said he intends to give the forward more minutes over the busy festive period.
Arsenal will be without defender Ben White for a few months after he underwent knee surgery but they are hopeful he will return before the end of the season, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.
Manchester City and Arsenal have led the way in the last two Premier League title races but both teams have hit a slump heading into the weekend when their squad depth will be put to the test as they aim to reel in leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal, who have only two wins from their last six games, hogged possession and had 21 goal attempts to Inter's seven at the San Siro, where the winner came via a controversial penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Liverpool enjoyed a perfect day as they came from behind to beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 and Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal both suffered defeats on Saturday.
Arsenal's serene start to the season has hit stormy waters in the past week and Mikel Arteta's side know they can ill-afford to lose at home to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Arsenal wanted to provoke Manchester City into a war during last weekend's Premier League clash but the champions are ready for the challenge, City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.
Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo scored two goals apiece as holders Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield on Wednesday to cruise into the fourth round of the League Cup in another solid performance from Arne Slot's side.
But for Raya saving Mateo Retegui's 51st-minute penalty and then somehow springing across his goal to claw out the same player's headed rebound effort, Arsenal could have begun their group games with a damaging defeat.
Solanke signed from Bournemouth in a deal worth up to 65 million pounds ($85.47 million) but after making his debut against Leicester City he missed the next two games with an ankle injury.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard could face several weeks on the sidelines after injuring his right ankle during Norway's Nations League victory against Austria on Monday, according to the Norwegian team doctor.
Although the deal was not completed before Friday's 11 p.m. deadline, a deal sheet was submitted for a two-hour extension which allowed Arsenal to sign Sterling, who made 81 appearances for Chelsea but has not played in the new campaign.
Financial details about the transfer were not disclosed by either club, but English media reported Palace paid around 30 million pounds ($39.38 million) for the 25-year-old.
If Arsenal are going to end their 20-year wait for a Premier League title, they are going to need contributions from every squad member this season and Leandro Trossard again proved his worth off the bench in Saturday's win at Aston Villa.
It was a 2-0 defeat by Villa in north London in April that effectively cost Arsenal the title as late goals by Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins put the race in Manchester City's hands.
Despite possessing the meanest defence in the top flight last term, one problem position was left-back, with Arsenal moving quickly to reinforce that area in the transfer market, bringing in Italy's Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he has such a strong relationship with the club that he does not expect there to be any obstacles in signing a contract extension.
Midfielder Mohamed Elneny will leave Arsenal at the end of the season after eight years at the Premier League club, the Egypt international said on Friday.
Arsenal have at least taken the Premier League title race to the final day of the season but the omens are not good for Mikel Arteta's team if they are to stop Manchester City making history.
