Arsenal are flying high at the top of the Premier League table after an impressive 2-0 win away at Wolves.
Whatever happened at the Molineux, Mikel Arteta’s side went into the game knowing they would be top at Christmas after Manchester City ’s shock home defeat by Brentford.
But the hard-fought victory in the Midlands mean the Gunners boast a five-point advantage over Pep Guardiola's side during the World Cup break and Christmas Day. The game was not without its talking points, Arteta had to respond quickly to Granit Xhaka falling sick five minutes into the game.
The Arsenal boss discussed the Switzerland international's early withdrawal and how a sickness bug may have impacted more than just Xhaka.
Mirror Football has taken a look at the main headlines and talking points surrounding the Gunners on Sunday, November 13.
Arteta explains Xhaka sub
Arteta has revealed that Xhaka's early substitution in Saturday's 2-0 win at Wolves was due to a stomach bug going around the Arsenal dressing room.
"He's okay. We had a few boys with some tummy issues but I'm delighted that we adapted to those circumstances and managed to win the game," the Spaniard explained.
"He wasn't feeling good, he was sick and he could not carry on. Unfortunately, we have another four players with the same symptoms. So, I don't know what exactly happened."
The World Cup break could be coming at a positive time for Arsenal if this sickness bug has infected as many players as Arteta claims.
Gunners to participate in ‘transfer speed dating’
Arsenal are one of many Premier League clubs preparing to send representatives to a ‘transfer speed dating’ event in Berlin during the pause in league action because of the Qatar World Cup.
The Gunners are expected to send their loan managers to the event which will take place from November 14-16.
Clubs will have the opportunity to hold 12-minute conversations with other sides to thrash out deals and has been likened to speed dating because of the similar format.
Some of the other English sides expected to attend the event, which is put on by online marketplace TransferRoom, include Aston Villa, Newcastle, Leicester, West Ham and Brighton as well as European titans such as Juventus, Roma and PSV Eindhoven.
Arteta’s side are expected to strengthen in January, but there may even be some surprise outgoings.
Arteta opens on Saka’s rough treatment
Bukayo Saka has been on the end of some eyewatering challenges in recent weeks and it has at times seemed like a coordinated effort from the opposition to try and thwart his influence.
The England international may certainly feel like he is a target and actually picked up a yellow card himself during last Sunday’s win away at Chelsea for lashing out with a firm tackle of his own after Marc Cucurella clattered him one too many times.
However, speaking before the trip to the Molineux, Arteta seemed to suggest there are things Saka could do himself to try and solve the issue.
“There is a part we can do better and we have to be more intelligent,” the Gunners boss said. “I cannot tell you what. It’s with things he needs to do on the pitch from a tactical perspective.
“You can say that he needs the referees to protect him at certain points. But then it becomes about the timing, the decision making, the space that you have generated before that action and the understanding and knowledge of what is going to happen before it happens.
“Listen, let him play, let him do what he is doing. He is doing extremely well, let the referees do their job and let's carry on.”
