Pep Guardiola makes Premier League title admission as Arsenal identify missing piece transfer

Arsenal are back in Premier League action this afternoon (Sunday) as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (4.30pm kick-off).

The Gunners will be looking to bounce back from what has been a disappointing last couple of results. A 1-0 loss against Newcastle last weekend was followed by a 1-0 Champions League loss against Inter on Wednesday night, despite a good performance.

Arsenal take on a Chelsea side who are pushing for the top four under new manager Enzo Maresca. The Blues drew 1-1 with Manchester United in their last Premier League outing.

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For Arsenal, they know a win will bring them to within two points of title rivals Manchester City ahead of the third international break of the season. The break will again see members of the squad jet off to represent their nations.

Ahead of the game against Chelsea, there has, as ever, been stories doing the rounds. With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at just a couple and also given our own thoughts.

Arsenal reignite transfer interest

Arsenal have reportedly made an approach to Sporting CP for centre-back Ousmane Diomande ahead of the January transfer window. The 20-year-old has been one of the key players under Ruben Amorim and has established himself as one of the most highly-rated defenders in Europe.

According to the Portuguese outlet Record, via the Metro Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Diomande for the last year and remain interested after seeing an offer turned down last summer. The centre-back is reported to have an €80 million (£66 million) release clause in his contract, although Sporting could potentially accept a lower price.

FL says : Diomande looks to be a really promising prospect, but the problem Arsenal could face is the game time they can offer. If they do get anywhere near the £66 million release clause, then he would be expected to be a starter.

But it’s unlikely he would currently get in the side ahead of either William Saliba or Gabriel. However, given his age, he could be seen as an ideal understudy for the pair - meaning they could have real strength in depth, at centre-back at least, to mount a real title charge.

Pep Guardiola sends title warning

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has warned his side that results have to change if they are to win their fifth Premier League title in a row ahead of Arsenal. City fell to a shock 2-1 loss against Brighton on Saturday evening - their fourth defeat in a row in all competitions.

That result came as a boost to Arsenal’s title hopes ahead of Sunday’s trip to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. After the defeat, Guardiola admitted that things need to change quickly for his team.

"We are not able to do 90 minutes right now. We played a really good first half and moments in the second half. We lost again so clean our heads, international break and hopefully our players come back fit,” he told BBC Match of the Day.

"We have to try and win games again. We were not able to sustain the rhythm in the second half. Four [defeats] in a row. We have to change things quick. The schedule becomes tough but it is going to happen when the players come back. Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it.”

FL says : Man City’s bad run of form has certainly come at a good time for Arsenal, and Guardiola’s admission that maybe ‘another team’ deserve the title this year could be used as extra motivation to Mikel Arteta’s side.

After finishing behind City for the last two seasons, Arsenal will hope that they can take advantage of the slight doubt that may be creeping in at the Etihad Stadium.