Here is your morning Arsenal digest on Sunday, January 15.
Nketiah's physicality improvement
Arsenal frontman Eddie Nketiah has spoken about the improvements he has made to his physicality in recent times. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the North London Derby, Nketiah said: “It’s something I’ve really worked on over the last couple of years, mostly in the dark but it’s come to light now.
“The robustness of the Premier League is really high. You’re always playing against big, physically strong centre-backs, so, for me, I felt like, coming through, the difference between the U23s or the U18s, was that physicality.
READ MORE: Arsenal table third Mykhaylo Mudryk bid as major January transfer edges 'closer'
“Being able to have the frame to do the things I was doing at youth level – taking the ball, holding the ball, turning – you need that level of competitiveness in terms of strength.
“Adding that has allowed me to show more sides to my game. I can still get bigger. I’m only 23 and that will come naturally as well. But it’s something I’ve consciously worked on and it’s paying dividends at the moment.”
Evra's prediction
Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has backed Arsenal to win in today's North London Derby over Tottenham Hotspur. "[Arsenal] should beat Tottenham, I don't see why they can't win," Evra told the Metro.
"It's a derby, anything can happen, the wrong decision and injustice, but I just don't see why they can't win. They have to be careful of Tottenham because Conte and the players are really hurt.
"It's going to be a big game but when you look at what's going on with both sides at the moment you have to give credit to Arsenal. They have to win every game if they want to win the title, and they can."
Read the full story here.
Mudryk U-turn
According to multiple reports, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk which will see the Blues pay a £62million fee up front with a further £26million available in add-ons.
Shakhtar Donetsk also released a statement that Chelsea are close to agreeing a transfer for Mudryk after a meeting between Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov.
The 22-year-old looked destined for a move to Emirates Stadium, but a rapid swoop from Todd Boehly and co. has been executed which has the winger "very close" to signing for the Blues.
Despite numerous hints at his preference being Arsenal, the winger has made a huge U-turn and is now open to joining the Blues, set to sign a seven-year contract and travelling to London for his medical, as revealed by The Athletic.
Read the full story here.
READ NEXT:
Everything Mykhaylo Mudryk has said about Arsenal as Chelsea 'agree' transfer with £88m 'hijack'
Shakhtar make major Mykhaylo Mudryk Chelsea transfer announcement with agreement 'very close'
Pep Guardiola makes Thomas Partey 'key' claim amid Rodri, Casemiro and Fabinho comparison
Tony Adams names the one Arsenal player who reminds him of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Mudryk transfer, FA charges, Jesus and Tottenham vs Arsenal
