Reliable sources reporting that Arsenal's attempts to sign a forward before the transfer deadline have failed, with mooted deals for David Villa and Steven Jovetic being dead rubbers.

The Italian transfer window has closed, and it is believed that Fiorentina rejected the bid for Jovetic due to not being able to sign a replacement in time. The David Villa deal has been well documented, and it appears that Barcelona are forcing him to stay put, basically, because they can. What lovely fellows.

Apparently, Arsenal aren't planning a sordid party, they're looking for cover. After a day of silence only a few whispers have emerged. Two are left-backs, the other a goalkeeper.

Not exactly pulse-racing stuff, but I think Arsenal fans would take a dead cat on a stick at the moment.

Bong

Valenciennes are believed to have offered Arsenal their Cameroonian left-back Gaetan Bong after Kieran Gibbs was injured last night. Arsenal are pondering the offer, but nothing else appears to have come of this as yet.

In recent years, people have seen this tie as a battle between two Premier League has-beens.  However, tonight’s match will see both teams desperately attempt to shake of this tag and get back to championship winning form.

Our last match against Liverpool earlier this season ended 2-0 with Santi Cazorla and Podolski scoring the goals.  However, I would not anticipate such an easy game today.  Although both teams have been showing similar form in the league in recent weeks, last weekends loss at Oldham will have seriously hurt Liverpool’s pride.

Brendan Rogers will want to steady the ship with a win at Arsenal tonight and will be heavily reliant on the in form Luis Suarez to gain three points.  If Suarez is Liverpool’s key man, then Jack Wilshere is certainly Arsenal’s.

Arsenal have announced that they are freezing ticket prices for next season just hours before the January transfer window is prepared to slam shut.

"This season the Club introduced new pricing categories which created 90,000 cheaper tickets at £25 as part of its drive to provide more tickets at affordable prices.

"In addition it continued the policy of offering prices at £10 for adults and £5 for children for home Capital One Cup ties.

"The price freeze applies to all match ticket prices including season tickets in both General Admission and Club Level. Club Level season ticket renewals will begin on February 12."

Arsenal have been boosted by the news that captain Thomas Vermaelen will return from injury to face Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The Belgian missed out on the Gunners’ 3-2 FA Cup triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend with an ankle knock, but is now back in contention for the Reds visit to the Emirates Stadium.

His comeback is now likely to cause a selection dilemma for Arsene Wenger, as he is forced to choose two from Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.