Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hailed the performance from his squad in the first half of the season and opened the door for new recruits in the January window.
The Gunners head into Saturday's clash with Wolves, the final game before the World Cup, top of the Premier League and a tally of 34 points at this stage of the season has only once not resulted in title triumph at the end of the campaign (Newcastle United 1996-97).
Arteta's side have already exceeded early expectations this season, with a top-four challenge being the objective, but a lack of depth within the squad could be problematic as the season progresses.
Arsenal have been linked with major moves when the market reopens, with reports suggesting a bid in excess of £50million has been made for Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhalo Mudryk, while interest in Orlando City's Facundo Torres and Palmeiras' Danilo is also rumoured.
While Arteta did not delve into specifics, he confirmed activity in the market is on the agenda.
"Some of the players and the experience they have is not the biggest, but we have competed in an impressive way up to now with the numbers we have," he said on Friday.
"Of course, we can improve the team, we will always be looking to do that as a club. This window is unpredictable, especially with the World Cup in the middle. We will have a look and will try to make the squad stronger.
"We will be active because you don't know what will happen in the World Cup, touch wood, everyone will be ok."
Arsenal have not been afraid to splash the cash under Arteta and [technical director] Edu, having forked out a reported £80m to sign Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White, and the Gunners boss was asked whether the inclusion of the pair in England's World Cup squad proves they made the right decision.
"We pick the players that we believe have the qualities and personalities to be helpful and successful at our club," he added.
"If they are valuable to the national team as well, in this case England, then it is much better."
The Gunners have a number of players set to compete at the World Cup, including Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu, with Arteta predicting glory for one of his squad.
"One of my players will win the World Cup, I hope so," said the Spaniard.
On This Day in 2009 – Emmanuel Adebayor fined for celebration against Arsenal
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor was fined £25,000 and handed a suspended two-match ban by the Football Association for his celebration against former club Arsenal on this day in 2009.
Adebayor was punished after he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of visiting Gunners supporters after he scored in the 80th minute of a Premier League match.
The then 25-year-old had already served a three-match suspension for violent conduct in a separate incident during the 4-2 victory at Eastlands on September 12.
https://x.com/ManCity/status/1701543676080783846?s=20
The Togo international appeared at Wembley and admitted a charge of improper conduct at a FA regulatory commission hearing.
Adebayor’s acceptance of his behaviour was taken into account, but also the conduct of Arsenal supporters, who were also criticised for their personal abuse of Adebayor following his departure from the club the previous summer transfer window in a £25million deal.
“In reaching its decision the commission took into account his admission of the charge, public apology and the extremely provocative nature of the abuse he received,” read a statement from the FA.
“However, the commission also stated that players have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a proper manner and that such celebrations are unacceptable and have the potential to cause a serious public order incident.”
Adebayor went on to play for Real Madrid before switching to Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham in August 2012 following a loan spell.
His Premier League career continued with Crystal Palace before stints in Turkey at Basaksehir and Kayserispor, and he finished playing at Paraguayan Primera Division outfit Olimpia Asuncion.
Ali Al-Hamadi’s goalscoring ability was never doubted by Johnnie Jackson
Johnnie Jackson never doubted the goalscoring capabilities of Ali Al-Hamadi, whose impressive hat-trick proved decisive in AFC Wimbledon’s 4-1 win over Tranmere.
The Iraqi international bagged his first career treble, leading the charge as AFC Wimbledon came from behind to pick up their first home win of the Sky Bet League Two season and move into the play-off places.
Prior to Saturday’s contest, Al-Hamadi had found trouble converting his chances and his goal tally for the season sat at just one.
However, Jackson insisted that it was an inevitability that the 21-year-old would find his shooting boots for Wimbledon.
Jackson said: “I always said it was coming, but no one said it more than him.
“No one here was worried about him scoring goals because you’re seeing how well he’s playing, seeing how many chances we’re creating for him as a team, how many he’s creating for himself by his own devilment.
“We knew they’d come for him. It’s ironic how in one week you get one, and then the next week you go and get your hat-trick.
“Delight for Ali, it’ll do him the world of good.”
For Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins, the heroics of Al-Hamadi only brought frustration as his side’s wait for a point on the road this season continues.
Rovers had snatched an early lead through Connor Jennings, but after Armani Little brought AFC Wimbledon level, it all went wrong for the visitors.
Defeat leaves Tranmere in the relegation zone, where they started the day, having won only two of their first 10 games this season.
However, Adkins has nonetheless found encouragement by the start his team made to the game.
He said: “We started both halves really, really well. The first half especially.
“Our intensity, our passing, our movement, our identity, our understanding of what we wanted. For the first 20 minutes, it was spot on.
“And then goals changed the complexion of the game.”
A key moment of the game came eight minutes after the interval, when Josh Turnbull saw red after a rash challenge on Isaac Ogundere.
The challenge was right under the nose of Adkins, who understood referee Daniel Middleton’s decision to dismiss Turnbull.
“It’s a thunderous challenge going in, committed,” Adkins added.
“We want committed challenges going in, but I think in the climate of today, maybe a follow through is just enough [to be a red card].
“It’s a fraction harsh, but the referee had a decision to make and we went down to 10 men.”
Scott Lindsey not taken by surprise as Crawley’s stunning start continues
Crawley boss Scott Lindsey is not surprised his side are up to second in League Two after they beat rock-bottom Sutton 3-0.
After suffering their worst campaign since promotion to the EFL last season, there has been a transformation at the Broadfield Stadium and the Reds are now boasting their best start since coming up in 2011.
An early goal from Adam Campbell sent the hosts on their way and Laurence Maguire and Danilo Orsi added further goals in the second half as Crawley recorded a fourth straight league win.
“We expect good results because of the work we put in,” Lindsey said.
“Within the group, we felt we could do what we’ve done.
“We feel we will always score goals but we do need to be stingier at the back.
“This was our first clean sheet since the opening day and we have spoken about us needing around 20 over the season so we need to do better.
“We know that football can kick you in the teeth.
“So we must remain professional and I will not allow us to get complacent.”
Sutton manager Matt Gray felt the turning point of the game arrived when Crawley added their second goal from a free-kick which he was convinced should have gone the way of his bottom-of-the-table side.
“I’m not happy with that as it was a blatant free-kick to us,” Gray said.
“But we should have taken one of our many chances to go in level or ahead at half-time.”
Sutton, who lost keeper Dean Bouzanis to a hip injury shortly after the break, have now lost eight of their last nine league games, but Gray is convinced results will soon turn.
He added: “Over the last two weeks I’ve been pleased with the performances and I was in parts today.
“A little bit of fortune would be nice. A couple of decisions going for us, and a bit of rub of the green will help turn it.
“I was disappointed with the second goal today, our disallowed goals and the penalty shouts.
“We need to make sure we get that result and we can kick on from there.”
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