Aston Villa have rejected a formal offer from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins, sources have told ESPN. Arsenal want to sign a forward before Monday's transfer deadline and are pursuing alternative options after accepting Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to leave RB Leipzig this month.

Arsenal have the chance to bolster their ranks before the end of the window Arsenal have fallen short in the Premier League title over the past couple of years. Mikel Arteta’s side weren’t able to match the firepower of Manchester City.

Michael Oliver is set to referee in the Premier League this weekend, despite facing death threats in the aftermath of Saturday’s red card controversy at Molineux. Oliver showed a straight red card to Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly during the Gunners’s 1-0 victory over Wolves,

MICHAEL OLIVER WILL not referee the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City on Sunday after being at the centre of a controversial incident involving the Gunners last weekend. Oliver is regarded as one of the world’s top officials but has faced threats and abuse since his decision to send off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly in a match at Wolves last Saturday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was pleased that Myles Lewis-Skelly 's red card was rescinded but criticised the abuse aimed at referee Michael Oliver by fans. The 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly has escaped a three-match suspension after the FA overturned Oliver's decision to send him off in Saturday's 1-0 win at Wolves.