Premier League LIVE: Saka set for ‘more than two months’ out, Postecoglou on Tottenham injury woes, Amorim admits Man United job is vulnerable

Sunday, December 29

Monday, December 30

Wednesday, January 1

Saka woe

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka has had surgery on his hamstring.

The Gunners star forward suffered the injury during the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace, and Arteta has now confirmed how long Saka will be out.

It's not good news for Arsenal because the England international is set for a minimum of two months on the sidelines.

This means he will play no part in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup or Champions League until March at the earliest.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, he said: “Bukayo Saka will be out for many, many weeks… probably more than two months.

“He underwent surgery. Now it depends... how the scar tissue starts to heal, the mobility of that”.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich - FULL TIME

That's the end of the game, and it's three points for Arsenal, which is all that matters.

The Gunners are now second, six points behind Liverpool at the top of the table, and they look like the closest challengers.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game in the first half when he converted Leandro Trossard's brilliant cross.

Apart from that, Mikel Arteta's side created very little despite dominating the majority of the ball.

Meanwhile, the Tractor Boys can take a lot of heart from their defensive performance, which was much better than some of their other displays this year.

Kieran McKenna will want his team to create more opportunities, but the fight and work rate was there.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich - Chances

Okay, Martin Odegaard looks absolutely fine.

Jurrien Timber finds him on the right of midfield, and he drives into the box.

He leaves a few Ipswich players in his wake, jinks in on his left and lashes in a strike.

It looks destine for the back of the net but takes a nick off an Ipswich player.

From the corner, Odegaard chips the ball to Declan Rice, and he connects with a sweet volley that Dara O'Shea blocks brilliantly.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

Well, that isn't something Arsenal fans want to see.

Martin Odegaard is down and needs medical attention on his ankle...

The Norwegian missed a large chunk of the season with an ankle injury picked up on international duty.

The captain is up for now, but that is one to monitor.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich - Chance

Wow, you don't see that every day!

Declan Rice swings a magnificent corner into the area that is begging to be put away.

Gabriel Magalhaes, the man who is often so reliable in these scenarios, gets away from his marker.

He watches the ball onto his head and makes contact from three yards, but he actually head wide.

Brighton 0-0 Brentford - FULL TIME

The game that had no chance of ending 0-0, has ended goalless - of course.

Brentford are still without an away win in the Premier League this season, but it was a much-improved performance from the Bees.

In the first half, they had Mark Flekken to thank for keeping them in the match, but in the second, they were better and carved out some chances.

Unfortunately, neither side could find a winner, and the spoils are shared between the two.

But the home side were fortunate not to end the game with ten men when Joao Pedro avoided a red card for a wild elbow in Yehor Yarmoliuk's direction.

Luckily, for both men, he made no contact, so couldn't be sent off.

Duran Duran

Aston Villa have confirmed their appeal to get Jhon Duran's red card overturned has been rejected.

The striker was sent off during the Villans' 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park on Boxing Day.

He was adjudged to have stepped on Fabian Schar on purpose when the visitors were 1-0 down.

Anthony Taylor immediately sent him off, much to the confusion of Duran, who then booted a water bottle in frustration before a member of the coaching staff escorted him away.

And he's set to sit out the next three league games with his ban being upheld.

In a statement, the club said: "Aston Villa can confirm that our decision to appeal Jhon Durán’s red card in our match with Newcastle United has been rejected. The player will now miss our next three matches."

Brighton 0-0 Brentford

Joao Pedro, you lucky boy!

The striker avoids a red card for a wild elbow in the direction of Ukrainian Yehor Yarmoliuk.

The intent from the forward is clear, but he makes no contact with the substitute.

Therefore, he can't be dismissed.

Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich - HALF TIME

That's the end of the first 45 minutes, and the Gunners are in control of this one.

They've totally dominated possession and have the lead through Kai Havertz.

The German got on the end of Leandro Trossard's cross - a delivery that Bukayo Saka would have been proud of.

Havertz diverted the effort into the top corner, and from there, Ipswich have barely been able to get the ball, never mind create anything.

But Kieran McKenna will be pleased his side are only 1-0 down and still in the contest.

NO GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich

Gabriel Jesus thinks he's continued his hot streak, but it's ruled out.

Leandro Trossard sees the Brazilian make a great run down the left of the box.

He picks him out with a wonderful pass and Jesus somehow squeezes the ball home from an impossible angle.

However, he's just offside, so he'll have to wait to see if he can add more goals.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Ipswich - Kai Havertz

THERE IS THE OPENER!

Gabriel Martinelli's cross is cleared as far as Leandro Trossard.

He beats Ben Johnson on the outside and delivers a stunning ball into the box.

Kai Havertz beats his man to the ball and diverts it into the top corner.

The Emirates breathes a sigh of relief.

All 11 of Havertz's last goals have now been scored in London.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

The home side are frustrated as they see their team massively over-complicate a situation.

The move starts with a straight ball down the middle of the pitch that Gabriel Jesus collects.

He plays it into Leandro Trossard, who should shoot, but he plays into Martin Odegaard.

He can't get a shot away either, and the visitors get men back behind the ball and snuff out the danger.

Arsenal 0-0 Ipswich

We are underway at the Emirates in the final game of the Boxing Day fixtures.

Arsenal are looking to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the table with a win over Ipswich.

The Gunners are without Bukayo Saka, which is a huge blow, but Mikel Arteta's side still have plenty of options at their disposal.

Meanwhile, Ipswich are looking for their first win over Arsenal in over 40 years.

Brighton 0-0 Brentford - HALF TIME

That's the end of the first 45 minutes, and the home side will be wondering how they aren't in the lead.

Fabian Hurzeler's side have dominated from start to finish and found Mark Flekken in top form before he was withdrawn.

The Bees have actually found the back of the net through Yoane Wissa, but the striker was offside before he scored.

As a result, they haven't had a shot on target yet.

Brighton 0-0 Brentford

Big blow for the Bees, with Mark Flekken unable to carry on.

The Dutchman picked up a groin issue when re-adjusting to deal with a deflected cross.

That means a Premier League debut for 6ft 4 Hakon Valdimarsson.

Brighton 0-0 Brentford - Chance

It's back to Brighton dominating, and Mark Flekken has just pulled off another great save.

Brajan Gruda has started very well, and he does well to find Matt O'Riley.

The Danish international plays a one-two with Joao Pedro, and takes a touch into the box.

He drives in a low shot that Flekken does very well to reach and tip wide.

NO GOAL! Brighton 0-0 Brentford

This man is on fire, but it's not going to count!

After being dominated for the opening ten minutes, the Bees find the back of the net through Yoane Wissa.

However, the striker was just offside in the build-up to the goal, and it stays 0-0.

In truth, it's a shame because the finish once he was in was sublime.

Brighton 0-0 Brentford - Chances

This has been an electric start from the home side, and they could have two goals already.

First, Mark Flekken gifts possession to Carlos Baleba.

He feeds a pass in for Joao Pedro, who cleverly lays a pass to Julio Enciso, and he bends a shot off the post.

Flekken then redeems himself with a strong stop to deny a low Baleba strike.

No goalkeeper in the Premier League has now made more saves this season than Flekken's 82.

Brighton 0-0 Brentford

There is one name on the Brighton bench who we haven't seen in a long time, Solly March.

The winger is a huge fans' favourite at the Amex and has endured over a year of injury hell.

But after 434 days since his last match, he's back on the bench for the first time this evening.

And the supporters immediately make it clear that they are excited to have him back.

Chants of 'Solly, Solly March' echo around the stadium in the early exchanges.

Brighton vs Brentford - Kick-off

The visitors get us underway on the south coast.

Brentford are yet to win away from home in the Premier League this season, while Brighton haven't won in their last five.

This included a 3-1 defeat to bitter rivals Crystal Palace here earlier in December.

But these are two exciting teams, and this should be a great game.

Arsenal vs Ipswich: Team news

And onto our final offering of the festive period, as Arsenal host Ipswich.

This match is live on talkSPORT, with Hugh Woozencroft serving as your host.

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew.

Of course, there is no Bukayo Saka for the Gunners, who has suffered a nasty hamstring injury.

He is set for several weeks on the sidelines.

In his place, Leandro Trossard comes into the team, and Declan Rice replaces Thomas Partey.

For Ipswich, Kieran McKenna is without his captain Sam Morsy, who is suspended.

Kalvin Phillips gets the chance to stake his claim, but in better news, Liam Delap is back.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli, Jesus

Subs: Neto, Tierney, Partey, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Calafiori, Nwaneri

Ipswich: Muric, Johnson, O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Szmodics, Cajuste, Phillips, Hutchinson, Delap

Subs: Walton, H Clarke, J Clarke, Burns, Chaplin, Taylor, Al-Hamadi, Townsend, Broadhead

Brighton vs Brentford: Team news

We have two live offerings for you this evening on the talkSPORT network.

First up on talkSPORT 2 with Alex Crook an former West Ham striker Dean Ashton, we have Brighton taking on Brentford at the Amex.

That one is set to kick-off in under an hour, and we have the team news.

Brighton have made two changes from the team that drew West Ham 1-1.

Matt O'Riley replaces Mats Wieffer in midfield, while Georginio also misses out for Julio Enciso.

Meanwhile, the Bees are still looking for their first away win of the season and have been forced into one change from the 2-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Kristoffer Ajer is injured, so Mads Roerslev comes in at right-back.

Brighton: Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Baleba, O'Riley, Gruda, Enciso, Mitoma, Pedro

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Igor, March, Adingra, Georginio, Moder, Minteh, Ayari

Brentford: Flekken, Roerslev, Collins, Mee, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa

Subs: Valdimarsson, Carvalho, Yarmoliuk, Meghoma, Konak, Maghoma, Kim, Yogane, Arthur

Waiting

talkSPORT understands that Wolves forward Matheus Cunha will find out his FA punishment later on today.

The Brazilian forward was charged with improper conduct following the Old Gold's 2-1 defeat to Ipswich earlier this month.

That proved to be Gary O'Neil's final game as the board pulled the trigger and dismissed him.

But Cunha got involved in some ugly scenes at the end of the game, which saw him remove the glasses of an Ipswich backroom staff and also throw an elbow at the same person.

Cunha wasn't sent off, which has allowed him to play in the Old Gold's wins over Leicester and Man United.

The Brazilian played a huge role in both wins, but he's set for a ban.

It was reported earlier today that he was set to miss five matches, but the account proved to be fake.

McAtee in demand

Manchester City could struggle to keep hold of James McAtee in January.

The midfielder has been left frustrated by his lack of playing time this season.

Despite City's poor form, McAtee has played just two minutes in the Premier League.

According to The Telegraph, the 22-year-old now favours an exit from the Etihad Stadium next month.

Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brentford and Crystal Palace are all said to be interested in McAtee.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Fiorentina and Bologna are also potential suitors.

McAtee previously spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.

He currently has just over 18 months remaining on his City contract.

United eye goalkeeper

Manchester United are reportedly targeting a move for Belgium under-21 international Senne Lammens.

The goalkeeper is being seen as a viable long-term option to replace Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

According to The Telegraph, United have sent scouts to watch the Antwerp stopper.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are also amongst the clubs tracking the 22-year-old.

Goalkeeper has emerged as a position for United ahead of the upcoming transfer windows but it is not a January priority, the report adds.

Lammens joined Antwerp from Club Brugge last summer on a deal until 2027.

He has since established himself as the club's first choice between the sticks.

So far this season, Lammens has conceded just 21 goals in 20 Pro League appearances, keeping five clean sheets.