Arsenal have £46m bid 'rejected' as Mikel Arteta faces transfer reality

Arsenal will hope to put their recent woes behind them and claim a first Premier League victory in four games when they visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta's side are winless in their last three Premier League outings having lost to Bournemouth and Newcastle United either side of a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

The Gunners are currently trailing the Blues on goal difference ahead of this weekend's meeting, but know victory at Stamford Bridge will lift them back into the Premier League's top-four.

But you already knew all that, didn't you?

Here, football.London takes a look at some of the Arsenal news and rumours you might have missed in recent days.

Arsenal have bid rejected for Aston Villa star man

Arsenal have reportedly had a £46m bid rejected for Aston Villa ace Jhon Duran after his scintillating start to the season.

The 20-year-old Colombia international has been in inspired form for Unai Emery's side and has netted eight goals across 16 appearances in all competitions, including a winner against Bayern Munich last month.

Reports in Colombia claim that the Gunners have seen a big-money move for Duran rejected by the Villa Park outfit.

Duran only signed a new deal with Villa last month and, therefore, it is claimed Arsenal's offer was swiftly rejected.

FL says: It is no surprise that Arsenal's reported bid for Duran has been rejected.

After all, he has not only been the best player at Aston Villa, but perhaps in the entire Premier League this season.

And despite a recent wobble for Unai Emery's side, who have lost their last three games, they will have big ambitions for the season ahead, to which Duran will be instrumental.

Ex-defender launches scathing attack on Gunners

Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has launched a scathing attack on his old club, insisting it is unacceptable for the Gunners to look so tired so early in the season.

Arteta's side are currently on a poor run of form and saw their recent Premier League woes compounded when they were defeated at Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

However, Gallas believes the energy levels his old side are currently showing are unacceptable.

Speaking to Prime Casino, he said: "I still believe it's between those three clubs: Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.

"Mikel Arteta has to find the solutions to get his team winning again, but, and I’ve said this before, Arsenal are missing that striker who can make the difference. I've been saying this for a long time; I’ve been saying it for years.

"I still believe that when you want to win the league, you need to have one of the best strikers in Europe. That is the first problem that Arsenal have. The second problem is that some players are not at the same level they were last season.

"I know it's not easy to repeat the same things year after year, because when you’re competing for the Premier League title, trying to be the best, you lose a lot of energy.

"I could understand Arsenal’s levels dropping if they won the league last season, I wouldn’t like it, but I would understand it because that can happen to successful teams.

"It’s unacceptable for Arsenal’s players to look tired at this time of the season. Liverpool won the Premier League; they won the Champions League. They dropped off last season, and you can understand why, because maybe the players had heard the same things from Klopp for too long. You forgive them that because of what they won, Arsenal don’t have that excuse.

"Arsenal have won absolutely nothing! Nothing. Why are they tired? Their arms don’t ache from lifting trophies. Explain to me why they are tired. Liverpool, they don’t look tired, they look like they’re ready to fight for the title."

FL says: Gallas is right. And it is well known that Arsenal's lack of ruthless finishers has cost them the chance to win trophies in recent seasons.

The Gunners boasted the best defence in the Premier League last season but were unable to compete with the firepower of both Manchester City and Liverpool. This season it is no different, and recent 1-0 defeats have outlined the Gunners' desperate need for a centre-forward.

It is for that reason that it is no surprise they have reportedly bid for Duran.