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Here’s the latest on the Marc Guehi → Arsenal situation (January 2026 transfer window):
Declan Rice has told Arsenal why they should snap up Marc Guehi before Liverpool and Man City
Arsenal are reportedly in the running to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in the January transfer window and Declan Rice has already given Mikel Arteta a big hint as to his suitability for the Gunners
Marc Guehi is out of contract in the summer and is reportedly being eyed by Arsenal
Arsenal are said to be among a host of clubs vying for the signature of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. And Declan Rice has already hinted at one reason why he’d be a good fit for the Gunners.
England defender Guehi was on the brink of a move to Liverpool last summer before the deal fell through, leaving his future up in the air. The 25-year-old’s contract is set to expire in 2026 and Palace boss Oliver Glasner has conceded that he could depart Selhurst Park this month if a suitable offer comes in.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all reportedly keeping a close eye on Guehi. However, current league leaders Arsenal, who extended their lead at the top after a goalless draw with Liverpool on Thursday, have also reportedly thrown their hat into the ring. And Gunners ace Rice has already revealed a characteristic of Guehi’s that would surely pique Arteta’s interest.
In 2023, Rice was asked to describe each of his England team-mates with a single word for their social media channels, and his response when Guehi’s name came up was quite revealing.
Before Guehi, Rice was asked about Brighton’s Lewis Dunk, whom he described as “intelligent.” But when it came to Guehi, Rice said: “To be fair, I didn’t know he was coming. Intelligent.”
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Rice’s commendation suggests that not only is Guehi a clever player, but he would have ordinarily been considered the most intelligent member of the squad over Dunk. This is a trait that Arteta values highly.
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Discussing former midfielder Jorginho back in 2023, Arteta was quick to praise the Italian’s footballing intelligence. The Spaniard remarked: “The detail he can go into, to understand what is happening, not individually, but what’s actually happening in life, in the game, is really impressive.
Rice described Guehi as
“You use him because he is always there, when he’s on the bench, like another coach. Every time I look behind, he’s there – it’s great that he is living the game.”
Moreover, when quizzed in 2024 about how Rice, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino would combine in midfield, Arteta highlighted intelligence as a key quality.
He stated: “There’ve been a lot of new units recently… and I think they can play well together. Three very intelligent football brains. They like to play for others. You have players who can hold the ball in tight spaces and can play for others. Martin is exceptional in his timing and high press.”
Arteta clearly prizes a smart footballer, and according to one of his star players, Guehi fits that description perfectly. Reports suggest a £40million bid could tempt Palace to part with him come January.
However, the Gunners may face stiff competition from title challengers City in pursuit of his signature, with Palace boss Glasner making it abundantly clear that should a substantial offer arrive, Guehi would be free to depart if he so desires.
“I’m not naive,” said Glasner. “If a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen. There will be a threshold where the club has to say it will happen – as long as Marc says ‘I want to leave’, because the final decision is always with the player.”
Mikel Arteta could start 16-year-old in third-ro
Arsenal are expected to rotate when they travel to take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
It is the first of four away games in four competitions in the space of nine days and Mikel Arteta is set to make use of the strong squad available to him.
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That could mean a first start for Eberechi Eze since the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace last month, while Noni Madueke is also in contention to come into the side.
Arsenal hope to have Kai Havertz in the squad but he is not believed to be ready to start, so Gabriel Jesus will likely lead the line unless Arteta opts to keep trying to play Viktor Gyokeres into form.
The Gunners will again be without Riccardo Calafiori, with Arteta confirming that this match will be “too early” for him.
Piero Hincapie is also a major doubt, having gone off against Liverpool with a suspected hamstring injury. He was due to undergo scans on Friday.
“We have to see the extent of what happened to Piero,” Arteta said.
“He could not carry on in the second half, so I don’t know exactly what it is.”
That leaves Myles Lewis-Skelly as the obvious starter at left-back and there could be an opportunity for 16-year-old Marli Salmon if Arteta decides to rest one of Gabriel or William Saliba.
Kepa will start in goal, as he has been doing in the Carabao Cup, and the likes of Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino are options in midfield.
Ethan Nwaneri will hope for some minutes, even off the bench. He has not featured since the win over Club Brugge a month ago.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Injured: Calafiori, Mosquera, Dowman
Doubts: Hincapie, Havertz
Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday, January 11, 2026
How to watch: TNT Sports
Venue: Fratton Park
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Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Portsmouth: Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera latest
Arsenal will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglers Portsmouth.
The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Thursday’s underwhelming goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
While their five-game winning league run came to an end, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in the Championship standings.
Piero Hincapie
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.
Kai Havertz
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Match fitness
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
Riccardo Calafiori
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.
Cristhian Mosquera
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.
Max Dowman
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.
ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST
Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.
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Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.
The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club
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There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.
With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.
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