Arsenal latest: Mikel Arteta eyes £52m transfer as defender dropped on international duty

Arsenal have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League as they prepare to visit Fulham. The Gunners, currently a single point ahead of second-place Liverpool, have amassed an impressive 16 points from seven games at the start of this top-flight campaign.

However, they face a tough challenge when they travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday evening. Liverpool, their title rivals, are set to face Manchester United on Sunday providing Arsenal with the chance to increase their lead at the top if they can secure victory over Marco Silva's side. Despite boasting the league's best defence, having conceded only three goals all season, there are reports that Mikel Arteta could be considering a £52million German star to bolster his defensive options. Express Sport provides all the latest news from the Emirates, including a boost during the international break and a Premier League title prediction.

Arsenal interested in Nathaniel Brown

Despite having the best defence in the top flight, the Gunners are reportedly considering a young left-back. Currently, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori are the main players in that position with Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie also able to fill in.

But according to German outlet BILD, Arsenal are showing interest in 22-year-old Nathaniel Brown. Brown, who currently plies his trade for Eintracht Frankfurt, has been a revelation this season. Born to an American father and a German mother, he earned his first senior Germany call-up this month and made his debut against Luxembourg last week.

His impressive performances for Frankfurt have reportedly caught the attention of both Real Madrid and Manchester City, with his transfer fee expected to exceed £52m.

Mikel Arteta receives a fitness boost

Both Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes headed out on international duty with Brazil last week. Despite playing 90 minutes in a 5-0 victory over South Korea last Friday, Gabriel was rested during Brazil's 3-2 defeat to Japan on Tuesday, much to Arteta's relief.

With a crucial match against Fulham looming, Arteta will be grateful that Carlo Ancelotti decided to drop the 27-year-old. Martinelli starred in the loss, meanwhile.

The Gunners have been plagued by injuries recently, with captain Martin Odegaard the latest casualty. His return is anticipated in mid-November, making the fitness of key players like Gabriel all the more important.

Patrick Vieira delivers title verdict

Patrick Vieira won three Premier League crowns with Arsenal. The club legend believes his former team has the quality to win the title this year.

In an interview with Sky Sports, he confessed: "I don't know if it's a good year or not because the Premier League is really competitive.

"But I think Arteta made a really strong statement by bringing those players in in the summer. On the field, so far, they're doing really good games.

"I believe that Arsenal is a part of those few teams that can win the Premier League. I think you will have to count on Arsenal to be competitive and to be there to fight until the end because the players they managed to bring in will put the quality of the team on a different level."