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Josh Holland

Arsenal news: Pep Guardiola delivers honest title verdict as La Liga star hints at reunion

Here is your Arsenal morning digest on Saturday, November 5.

Guardiola delivers Arsenal Premier League title verdict

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has named Arsenal as his side's "number one" rivals for the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners have been the surprise package this season and currently find themselves top of the table after collecting 10 wins in 12 games. Mikel Arteta's side have been City's main threat to their ambitions of retaining the Premier League title for a fifth time in six seasons with Liverpool struggling to match the form from previous campaigns.

Arsenal have lost just once in the league this season and sit two points above Guardiola's men going into this weekend's round of fixtures. City's dominance since the Spaniard arrived in 2016 has seen them average 92 points each season and last missed out on lifting the title in 2020 after falling short against a Liverpool side who were firing on all cylinders.

Guardiola said: " Nobody knows what will happen after the World Cup, in the transfer window and how players will come back.

"The first candidate right now is Arsenal. Why? They are top of the league. The gap to the rest is close."

READ NEXT: Paul Merson sends Mikel Arteta clear Premier League warning ahead of crunch Chelsea clash

Nelson in 'good position' over future

Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is 'in a good position' regarding his future in north London and doesn't need to make any decisions over a new contract just yet, according to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth.

The Hale End graduate has featured just four times for the Gunners this season and has contributed towards three goals - all coming off the bench against Nottingham Forest last weekend. With Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli preferred ahead of him by Arteta, the winger faces an increasingly uncertain future.

He will be eligible to begin pre-contract talks with foreign clubs in January over a free transfer at the end of the season if he fails to pen an extension at London Colney. Whilst there has been no concrete interest linking with a move away, his long-term future will be at the forefront of his mind across the next few months.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth has insisted Nelson finds himself in a strong position regarding his future and could depart if he is not given regular game time this season. He said: “It’ll be really, really interesting to see what happens in the next few months – whether talks are underway, whether he actually wants to stay, whether he actually sees his long-term future at Arsenal or whether he’s just going to see out the season and then weigh up all of his options.

La Liga star hints at Arsenal return

Yunus Musah has hinted at a possible return to north London after being linked with a return to Arsenal. The American has caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs after his performances with Valencia.

Musah, 19, joined the Gunners at the age of nine in 2012 after moving from Italy. The New York-born midfielder progressed through the youth teams at Hale End before making 18 appearances for the Under-18s alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka, Charlie Patino and Folarin Balogun.

Musah has attracted interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus. However, the Gunners have been handed a huge hint in the player's preference over his future in an interview with CBS Sports.

With a believed €100 million (£87m) release clause attached to his current deal, Musah was asked whether he would consider a return to the Emirates. "You never know," he said. "I had a great time at Arsenal developing there, I still have friends there, the coaches were great, being an Arsenal player, in general, is great.

"I loved playing for Arsenal. I’ve nothing against the club and if one day it turns out to be that it’s time to go back then it’s possible.

"For now I’m really happy at Valencia and I’m looking forward to carrying this season on in the same way we’re doing now."

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