Arsenal identify 'perfect' William Saliba replacement as Viktor Gyokeres sold Arteta project

Arsenal will return to Premier League action tomorrow when they welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta's men look to return to winning ways.

Before the international break, the Gunners failed to win in each of their previous four league games. After losing to Bournemouth in October, only two points were picked up from fixtures against Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea.

The visit of Forest this weekend presents an opportunity to return to winning ways before it's too late. To make sure they remain within a shout of being crowned champions of England, Arteta could turn to strengthening his squad in January.

Following the festive period, which sees the north Londoners play 10 times, the window will reopen for business. Despite there being over a month until it does, a number of players are already being linked.

Here, football.london takes a look at the latest transfer news and gossip around Arsenal.

Saliba replacement identified

Arsenal have a gem on their hands in William Saliba. The France international is one of the best defenders in European football, leading to interest from Champions League holders Real Madrid.

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Should he leave the club, the Gunners will be well-equipped in replacing him. According to TBR Football, RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba is respected and viewed as a long-term replacement for Saliba. The report states that 'every top English club' have scouted the 21-year-old but he will cost, at least, his £80million release clause.

football.london says: "Planning for potential exits of star players is vital and something Arsenal have got wrong in the past. Should Saliba, for whatever reason, leave in the future, the Gunners must make sure they are not short and have someone in mind. Lukeba is one of the most promising defenders in Europe and could be the perfect solution."

Gyokeres sold Arsenal project

Viktor Gyokeres has been told to choose Arsenal's project over Manchester United by ex-Gunners star Anders Limpar. Gyokeres is a man in-demand at the moment after scoring for fun with Sporting CP and Sweden.

Limpar has been advising Gyokeres, who could be available for £63m in the summer, since his Brommapojkarna days and in an interview with FotbollDirekt, he revealed how he has discussed his career with the striker. "I know Gyokeres very well personally, I was a bit of a mentor for him when he played for Brommapojkarna, he and Ludwig Augustinsson," he said.

So, I've talked a lot about professional life with him," adding with conviction, “He's a fantastically hardworking forward who scores a lot of goals." He added: "If we at Arsenal [were to] buy Gyokeres, then he will definitely call me. But then to see Gyokeres at Arsenal, that would be crazy.

"His work rate, he runs like a madman. When it doesn't work out for Viktor, he works his way into the game with uncomfortable runs. When other top forwards aren't doing well, they don't work so hard for the team, they save their energy, Viktor never saves his energy. When things are a bit slow, he works his way into a game with runs, that's why it has gone so well."

football.london says: "Plenty of different factors go into the decision-making in every transfer. If Gyokeres has been told by a trusted individual to go to Arsenal, that could be pivotal, right? Possibly, but there are more pressing factors that could decide his future. Will he start? Will he be successful? How does the manager view him in his plans? Whilst what Limpar is saying is good, Arsenal will have to sell the project themselves to land him."