Arsenal face Brighton in their penultimate Premier League fixture of 2025 on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners went into Christmas top of the table but will need all three points at home against the Seagulls with Manchester City ramping up the pressure in the title race.

Mikel Arteta’s men then take on Aston Villa on Tuesday, having suffered an agonising defeatwhen the two sides faced each other at Villa Park just weeks ago. Arsenal are still in with a chance of winning all four competitions they are involved in this season after the penalty shootout Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace in midweek.

Yet, despite their closest rivals seeking reinforcements it is believed the Gunners are set to have a quiet January transfer window, as Mirror Football takes a look at two of the latest stories surrounding Arsenal.

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Antoine Semenyo’s first choice destination this January was reportedly Arsenal. The Bournemouth winger is reportedly set to join Manchester City, with Arsenal’s title rivals expected to fend off interest from Manchester United and Liverpool to successfully trigger his £65million release clause early next month.

It comes as a blow to Arteta’s side, especially considering the latest reports claim the 25-year-old Ghanaian would have happily chosen Arsenal over City, given he has supported the Gunners from a young age. The Athletic reports that the in-form forward’s ‘first-choice’ was Arsenal if they had entered negotiations.

But while the north Londoners held an appreciation for Semenyo, a move for the player would have had to wait until the summer of 2026, given how heavily they spent last summer. Ultimately, Semenyo’s urgency to move on this January before his release clause expires is a key factor in his likely transfer.

Liverpool are also understood to be admirers of the player, while Chelsea made tentative enquiries for a player who already has eight Premier League goals this season. United, meanwhile, made a hard play to sign the standout Cherries star but there was always an acceptance that a deal would be hard, given his desire to immediately compete for the game's top prizes.

Gabriel Martinelli has revealed how he supported fellow Arsenal forward and compatriot Gabriel Jesus during his recovery from an ACL injury. Jesus spent the majority of this year rehabilitating after suffering an ACL rupture in January.

The striker made his long-awaited return against Club Brugge in the Champions League earlier this month, admitting he ‘mentally collapsed’ and had ‘300 bad days’ due to his absence from the football pitch. But Jesus was fortunate that fellow Brazilian Martinelli drew on his own injury experiences to support him.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Martinelli said: "I had some things with my meniscus as well a few years ago and I know it's not easy to be out for that long. When I had the opportunity to be around him, I was there.

“I tried to be with him to talk because I know it's a hard time, even though he's older than me, I tried to be close to him as well. He's one of the guys that when I was so young, I watched him on the TV playing for Palmeiras in Brazil.

"It's just three years difference, but he went to the first team so quick when he was 16. I was 12 or 13 and I was watching him, so I always tell him that. It's really good to have him back and hopefully in the next games he can score and do well."