Mikel Arteta has welcomed back his Arsenal squad from their two days off on Tuesday but some players are still yet to return as they continue working back from injury

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Kai Havertz as the German fights to return from second major injury of the year

Arsenal’s players have returned to training at the Sobha Realty Training Centre after being granted a couple of days’ recovery following the victory over Wolves. The emotional victory courtesy of Bukayo Saka’s two deliveries has been widely criticised with internal reflection and self-criticism understood to have took place in the wake of the final whistle.

It was a performance which did not reflect the club’s standing in the Premier League and Champions League tables and certainly not that of a side with ambitions to win the biggest honours. There have however been some mitigating circumstances for Mikel Arteta, particularly the injuries facing the group at present.

As such, while many of the squad are thought to be involved in the sessions, some are still working their way back to fitness and as such their efforts remain inside with the physio and rehabilitation team.

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Kai Havertz is not ready to join the main group, however, the Arsenal manager confirmed, is back outside on the pitch, which comes as a real positive. The German forward has been missing since he injured his knee on the opening day at Manchester United.

“He is doing really well, he is doing stuff on the pitch, Arteta admitted in early December. “But I think he needs some time.” Martin Zubimendi was not involved in the session either, although it’s understood the club are managing his load.

Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Max Dowman and now Ben White, however, are the four players working on getting involved again in training. Gabriel is the closest of the group; however, he is expected to still have to wait until after Christmas before he can rejoin the squad unless he manages to take a big step this week.

Dowman (ankle), Mosquera (ankle), and White (hamstring), however, are not expected to rejoin the group until the New Year. Riccardo Calafiori is now re-eligible to play at Everton after serving a one-match suspension against Wolves.

Marli Salmon, the 16-year-old defender who made his competitive debut against Club Brugge in the Champions League, is also working with the first team. While Christian Norgaard, who started at centre-half in Belgium, could also again become more in focus following the injury of White, William Saliba thankfully made his return in the win on Saturday night.

Despite continued interest from Saudi Pro League clubs and persistent rumours of record-breaking offers, sources close to the club insist Liverpool’s stance is unchanged: Salah remains central to their sporting project. The Reds view the 32-year-old not only as their talisman on the pitch but also as a leader in the dressing room and a global icon for the club.

Under the current management structure, Liverpool are focused on building a competitive squad capable of challenging on all fronts, and selling their most reliable goal scorer would contradict that ambition. Salah continues to deliver elite-level performances, regularly deciding big games and maintaining his status as one of the Premier League’s most decisive attackers.

While Saudi clubs are prepared to offer eye-watering wages, Liverpool believe Salah’s value to the team far exceeds any transfer fee. Commercial impact, goals, assists, and experience at the highest level all factor into the club’s refusal to entertain bids.

For now, the message from Anfield is simple and strong:

Mohamed Salah is going nowhere.

Mo Salah: Liverpool have ‘no intention’ to sell in January

Liverpool “fully intend” to keep hold of Mohamed Salah beyond the January transfer window, with a positive update regarding his future being offered by a senior journalist.

Salah is now off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, but doubts remain over whether the 2-0 win over Brighton was his final Reds appearance.

Speaking to NBC Sports, the reliable David Ornstein has claimed that Liverpool want to retain his services, rather than sell him next month.

“As I understand it, Liverpool fully intend to keep Mo Salah,” Ornstein said.

“They want him to remain, not only in the January transfer window but beyond, until at least the end of the season.

“He’s under contract until the summer of 2027 and Liverpool feel that they showed their intentions very clearly by renewing him at great expense back in May.

“I think their view would be this has been brought about by Salah and his desire to be guaranteed regular football, and that’s not something that any club, certainly not Liverpool, despite the legendary status of Salah, are going to be willing to deliver.

“And that seems to be at the heart of this, at the centre of discussions, which Arne Slot said began before Leeds.

“So this wasn’t the great shock to Liverpool that some have made out – what was surprising was that he spoke out after Leeds and that forced them to act.

“However, they still feel the ball is in his court to decide what he wants to do here.

“If he really does want to go, is he going to come forward with some proposals?”

Summer exit the best outcome for Liverpool and Mo Salah?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Few Liverpool fans will want to see Salah depart in this manner, in terms of its abrupt nature, so this is a positive update.

The 33-year-old isn’t quite the player he was, and his form this season has been poor, but he still has much to offer after AFCON.

A summer exit does arguably feel like the best outcome for all parties, however, allowing Liverpool to cash in on Salah.

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If Arne Slot can’t guarantee regular starts as age catches up with the Egyptian, he may feel that it is the right time to move on.

A January departure would be a hollow way for one of the best-ever Liverpool careers to end, and hopefully, the clear-the-air talks with Slot have helped matters.

Salah may not have made up his mind yet, with his focus on international commitments, but the Reds have seemingly made their stance clear.

Saudi’s Stance on Selling Newcastle to Fund €10bn Liverpool Takeover Revealed

In a football world buzzing with transfer rumours and billionaire-backed ambitions, one of the most provocative claims to surface recently has been the suggestion that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could sell Newcastle United to bankroll a sensational €10 billion takeover of Liverpool FC. But insiders and analysts say the reality is very different from the headlines.

PIF Owns Newcastle — But Isn’t Selling

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth arm, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), currently owns a majority stake in Newcastle United, having completed a controversial takeover in October 2021. Since then, the fund has increased its share — reportedly holding roughly 85 per cent of the club — and playing a central role in the club’s strategic direction and investment decisions.

Despite social-media rumours and viral posts claiming that PIF is ready to sell Newcastle to finance a €10 billion deal for Liverpool, those reports are not backed by confirmed evidence from major outlets — and both the Saudi group and Newcastle United have not signalled any intention to divest the club.

In fact, PIF officials continue to portray Newcastle as a long-term strategic investment, with the club’s increasing financial and competitive profile seen as an asset rather than something to be liquidated.

Why the Rumours Started

The speculation largely stems from broader conversation about Middle Eastern capital entering elite European football. PIF’s dramatic purchase of Newcastle transformed the Magpies into one of England’s wealthiest clubs, prompting commentators to wonder whether the fund might later pivot towards even bigger assets — such as a bid for a historic giant like Liverpool.

Some rumours even suggest that PIF might consider selling Newcastle to unlock capital for a fresh acquisition in the Premier League. But experts caution that such a move would be financially and politically expensive — and there’s no substantive indication of formal interest or negotiations underway.

Practical and Regulatory Barriers

For PIF — or any investor — to buy Liverpool FC, they would first have to negotiate with current owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which has repeatedly expressed its desire to retain control or secure the right buyer. Independent of ownership, Premier League and European football financial rules also impose scrutiny on major changes of ownership and large financial transactions, particularly when tied to cross-club transfers or consolidation of elite teams.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Saudi owners appear focused on building long-term sporting strength and commercial growth at St James’ Park, rather than offloading the club for short-term gains.

Wider Context: Sports Investment Strategy

Saudi Arabia’s approach to football investment is part of a wider strategy that has seen the kingdom expand its influence globally — from domestic league spending to strategic overseas acquisitions. While the idea of buying one of England’s most iconic clubs captures headlines, insiders remind fans that such deals involve complex negotiations, valuation considerations, and league approval processes far beyond simple capital flow.

For now, the narrative that PIF will sell Newcastle to fund a €10 billion Liverpool takeover remains speculation, not confirmed strategy. Without official statements from the fund or credible reporting of active talks, the claim should be treated as rumour rather than fact.

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In summary:

PIF owns Newcastle United and has shown no credible intention to sell.

Claims about selling to fund a €10 billion Liverpool takeover are just online speculation, not confirmed.

Any major shift like selling Newcastle or attempting a Liverpool bid would require complex deals, regulatory approval, and mutual agreement with Liverpool’s current owners.

If you’d like, I can also break down how likely a Liverpool takeover is in general — including potential buyers and obstacles — in a follow-up analysis.