Arsenal NEWS: Gunners lead by EIGHT points, Abraham LINKED, Gunner breaks Ligue 1 RECORD & more

Good morning Arsenal fans

Mikel Arteta has praised Gabriel Martinelli for his reaction in the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.

The Brazilian opened the scoring for the Gunners, just days after missing a penalty in the shootout defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last-16.

“The reaction that he had after missing a penalty (was great),” Arteta told NBC,

“There is always a question mark, but he showed. I asked him yesterday how he was and (he said): ‘I want to be in the team. I want to do it again.”

Bukayo Saka reserved special praise for Rob Holding for his performance against Crystal Palace.

The English centre back was drafted into the first team after William Saliba’s injury against Sporting Lisbon.

And Saka has revealed how he reacted when he saw Holding back in the dressing room after their 4-1 win.

He said: “I gave him a big hug when he came into the changing room because he deserves it. He was magnificent. We need that, you know, when he’s coming in to stay at the level that we’ve been playing.”

Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba’s injuries.

Both were injured against Sporting Lisbon and missed Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace.

“The doctor is assessing [Tomiyasu]. We have one assessment and I think they need to have another assessment tomorrow. It’s not looking good,” Arteta said in a press conference after the game.

“Tomi is not one to exaggerate things. He was really concerned straight away and we are concerned.

“We hope Willy [Saliba] is going to be better news. Again we have to wait to tomorrow to get a better picture.”

Folarin Balogun has become the youngest player to score 17 goals in his first season in Ligue 1 since 1956.

The young Gunner, on loan to Reims, found the net against Marseille on Sunday.

Hassan Akesbi was the last player to achieve that feat 67 years ago.

Incredibly, he has his eyes on Glenn Hoddle’s record of 18 goals – the most scored by an Englishman in Ligue 1.

Roma have cut their asking price for Tammy Abraham in half, reports suggest.

The Italians had previously been claimed to want £66million for his signature.

But now, according to Calciomercato, an offer of more than £35m could be enough to secure his services.

That is just under half of the earlier figure reported by Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Arsenal have been credited with interest in the former Chelsea striker in the past.

A lot is being made of the Kim Kardashian curse.

The reality TV star was at the Emirates on Thursday to see Arsenal crash out of the Europa League to Sporting Lisbon.

Now, she was at the Parc des Princes tonight – to cheer on the home team PSG against Rennes.

Alas, it was a poor night for Lionel Messi and Co who fell to a shock 2-0 home defeat.