Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta told player needs 'some minutes' as axed star nears transfer - The Mirror

Mirror Football brings you two stories surrounding Arsenal following their mid-week Champions League clash

Arsenal will turn their attention back to the Premier League following their mid-week Champions League fixture against Club Brugge. Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side responds well to the agonising 2-1 defeat they suffered last weekend in the away trip to Aston Villa, where they conceded in the 95th minute.

The Gunners remain first in the Premier League but they will know their position is a precarious one, having seen their six-point lead cut down to just two with Manchester City and Villa now lurking right behind them. Victory at home against Wolves on Saturday is therefore vital if Arteta wants to end Arsenal’s 21-year title drought.

Fixtures will come thick and fast for an already injury blighted team over the course of the festive period, with the January transfer window also set to open. And Mirror Football now takes a look at two of the top stories involving the title favourites.

Gabriel Jesus plea

Gabriel Martinelli heaped praise on compatriot Gabriel Jesus this week while pleading for the Arsenal striker to be awarded some minutes on the pitch following his return to action. Jesus is back training with the first team fold after suffering an ACL rupture in January 2025.

Jesus, 28, was a key member of the team in his first season at the Emirates Stadium following his £45million move from Manchester City in 2022, before injuries and a lack of form hampered his career.

But Martinelli is backing Jesus to be an important player for the Gunners this season. He said of Jesus’ return ahead of the game against Club Brugge: “It’s really good, I love him!

“I always say that he is one of the best strikers in the world. I’m really happy to have him back.

“It’s great to have him back, not just on the pitch but off it too because you spend less time with the team when you are injured.

“He’s great to play with, he loves to link up and rotate. I hope he gets some minutes in the next game and can show his talent.

“He’s so experienced. He’s played so many games for City, for us, for Brazil. And he’s still so young, I say that to him. It’s really good to have him back, I’m really happy and I hope he can show his talent.”

Tomiyasu's new adventure

Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is reportedly nearing a transfer to Ajax. Tomiyasu left the north Londoners in July as a free agent after persistent injury problems, having managed just six minutes of first-team football last season.

The 27-year-old recently underwent knee surgery for the second time in three years. But despite not playing in 14 months, Ajax are now closing in on the Japan international, with Fabrizio Romano claiming on Wednesday the agreement is in its final stages.

It’s claimed that Tomiyasu, who signed for Arsenal from Bologna in 2021 for £17m, will be offered a short term contract until June, with the possibility of it being renewed at the end of the season.