Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go top

Mesut Ozil inspired Arsenal to reclaim top spot in the Premier League, at least for 24 hours, as they won their first league meeting with Bournemouth. After a tense opening, Ozil's corner was met with a firm header by defender Gabriel for his first goal in English football. Ozil made it 2-0 after the break from a slick one-two with Olivier Giroud. Bournemouth showed plenty of spirit, but could not find their way through as Arsenal closed out the victory. With Leicester not playing until Tuesday, Arsenal leapfrog them into top spot by one point. Bournemouth, meanwhile, slip to 16th and remain only three points from danger as their six-match unbeaten run came to an end.

Arsenal in talks about signing Basel midfielder

Arsenal are in talks with FC Basel about signing their central midfielder Mohamed Elneny. The 23-year-old Egypt international joined the Swiss club in 2013 and has won the league title in each of his three seasons there. The fee would reportedly be in the region of £5m and Elneny would require a work permit. He is eligible to play in the Champions League after Basel failed to qualify for this year's group stage. Elneny featured in Basel's home victory over Chelsea in the 2013-14 competition. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to strengthen in central midfield after Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla suffered serious knee injuries, while Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta have also had spells on the sidelines. However, Elneny is seen by Wenger as a long-term part of the squad and not merely a stop-gap, were he to join the north Londoners.

Southampton 4-0 Arsenal

Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as they were thrashed by Southampton at St Mary's. Saints full-back Cuco Martina marked his first league start with a stunning goal, curling in from 30 yards out. Play media Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Southampton wanted it more - Arsene Wenger Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott missed free headers, before Shane Long finished from close range and Jose Fonte headed in the third. Striker Long struck the post with three minutes remaining, but managed to add a fourth through the legs of Petr Cech. It could have been even worse for the visitors. Virgil van Dijk had a header ruled out for offside, while Dusan Tadic's dipping strike was pushed away by Cech.

'Former Arsenal and England coach dies aged 80'

 Former England international and coach Don Howe has died at the age of 80. The full-back played for West Brom and Arsenal, earning 23 England caps, before establishing himself as a renowned coach for club and country. Howe helped Arsenal to a league and FA Cup double in 1971 and spent four years as West Brom boss before returning to the Gunners as coach and manager. He also coached under former England managers Ron Greenwood, Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables. Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick said Howe had been "enduring a long battle with illness", but added it was still a "shock to learn the news".

Arsenal 'can go all the way' to Premier League title

Arsenal are set up to win the Premier League title this season, according to goalkeeper Petr Cech. Arsene Wenger's side are two points behind leaders Leicester and have lost only once in 11 league games. "The squad is very strong and once we have everybody available, the manager can use every player the way he likes," Cech, 33, told  Football Focus. "That will be to our advantage and we'll be able to go all the way." FA Cup holders Arsenal finished third last season, 12 points behind reigning champions Chelsea, and have not won the title since the 2003-04 campaign. Play media Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Arsenal stars play Christmas jam This term, the Gunners have suffered numerous injury problems, with Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky all still sidelined. But Cech, who arrived at the Emirates in a £10m deal from Chelsea in June, says Arsenal's form shows the strength their squad, and that they can only improve.

Arsenal hold on to beat Man City

Arsenal moved to within two points of surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City with victory over Manchester City at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners - without a title triumph since 2004 - showed the sort of impressive drive, cutting edge and resilience that will lead manager Arsene Wenger to believe Arsenal can finally end that barren spell. Play media Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Wenger praises Gunners' togetherness City dominated early possession but Kevin de Bruyne wasted a good chance and Theo Walcott punished the visitors with a right-foot finish from 20 yards in the 33rd minute. Eliaquim Mangala's dreadful clearance allowed Mesut Ozil's 15th assist of the season as he set up Olivier Giroud for an angled finish in first-half stoppage time. Yaya Toure's clever shot from outside the area set up a tense finale which saw both Toure and substitute Wilfried Bony waste chances to equalise.

Champions League draw: Arsenal face Barcelona

Arsenal will face holders Barcelona in the Champions League last 16. Chelsea have been drawn against Paris St-Germain for the third consecutive season, while Manchester City face Dynamo Kiev. Roma versus Real Madrid and Juventus, last year's beaten finalists, against Bayern Munich are two of the standout matches in the draw. First legs are scheduled to take place on 16-17 and 23-24 February. Return legs are on 8-9 and 15-16 March. The winners of each group, including Chelsea and Manchester City, are at home in the second legs, while Arsenal will host their first leg. Barcelona v Arsenal is a repeat of the 2006 final, which the Spanish champions won 2-1 thanks to two late goals in Paris.

Champions League draw: English clubs to learn Euro fate on Monday

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City will learn who they face in the last 16 of the Champions League when the draw is made in Switzerland on Monday. Chelsea and Manchester City will be in pot one having qualified as group winners, meaning either could face French champions Paris St-Germain. As Group F runners-up, Arsenal are in pot two and potentially face either Real Madrid or Barcelona. The draw takes place at 11:00 GMT at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon.