ONLY 15 months after they won the league and three years after they reached the Champions League final for the third time in four years, it is already hard to fathom a way back for Manchester United after their humbling 4-0 defeat to League One MK Dons.

Barcelona have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign Thomas Vermaelen on a five-year contract.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes Arsenal are still benefiting from the feel-good factor of winning the FA Cup and thinks the triumph could spur the team on to more success this season.

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is on the verge of a £15million move to Barcelona.

Arsene Wenger admits Manchester United are one of the clubs trying to sign Thomas Vermaelen but the Arsenal boss would prefer to see the defender move abroad.

Arsene Wenger admits Manchester United are one of the clubs trying to sign Thomas Vermaelen but the Arsenal boss would prefer to see the defender move abroad.

Having been battered from pillar to post for his failures in last summer’s transfer window, Ed Woodward’s promise of a fluid budget for the new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal represents a rigid dichotomy between the approach under David Moyes, even if such grand promises could easily become the sword Woodward falls upon.

Belgium 1 Russia 0

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thomas Vermaelen will be assessed ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup final clash with Hull.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thomas Vermaelen will be assessed ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup final clash with Hull.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere could feature at Norwich for Sunday’s final Barclays Premier League fixture having recovered from a fractured foot suffered while on international duty with England.

Arsenal 1 West Brom 0

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey missed out for the final Barclays Premier League home game against West Brom with a minor thigh problem.

Arsenal 3 West Ham 1

Arsenal 2 Swansea 2

Arsenal 2 Swansea 2

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Arsenal have Kieran Gibbs back in their first XI and record signing Mesut Ozil on the bench for the Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Arsene Wenger has hit out at being forced to justify handing his Arsenal stars two days’ rest this week.

Juan Mata has been handed his first Manchester United start for their Barclays Premier League encounter with Cardiff – and Robin van Persie returned too as David Moyes’ men looked to kick-start their season.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is doubtful for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Tottenham following illness and an ankle problem.

Arsenal 2 Cardiff City 0

Premier League leaders Arsenal will be without striker Olivier Giroud (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (calf) for the New Year’s Day game against Cardiff.

Defender Per Mertesacker has urged Arsene Wenger to spend in the transfer window so Arsenal can last the distance as the Barclays Premier League title race hots up heading into 2014.

West Ham 1 Arsenal 3

Santi Cazorla was Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s only change for the London derby with West Ham.

Arsenal will be without midfielder Jack Wilshere as he completes a two-match suspension during Thursday’s game at West Ham.

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

Arsenal will check on the fitness of full-back Bacary Sagna (hamstring) ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen will still be at the Emirates Stadium when the January transfer window closes.

Arsenal will have midfielder Mathieu Flamini back from suspension for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Marseille at the Emirates Stadium.

Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal will have forward Theo Walcott back from two months out following abdominal surgery for the visit of Southampton.

Defender Phil Jones has claimed Manchester United’s critics have been desperate for the Old Trafford outfit to fail this season.

Robin van Persie returned to the Manchester United starting line-up as David Moyes’ men took on the Dutchman’s former club Arsenal.

Arsenal will have midfielder Mikel Arteta back from a one-match suspension for tomorrow's Premier League game against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

It says it all about the two clubs’ respective approaches to youth development that Chelsea’s least experienced player in tonight’s Capital One Cup tie will have played in a Champions League final, while Arsenal’s has made just a solitary professional appearance for his club.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

Arsenal will rest midfielder Mathieu Flamini following a concussion for Tuesday night’s Champions League Group F clash against Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium.

Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal expect Mesut Ozil to have recovered from a knee injury in time to face Norwich tomorrow.

Arsenal club captain Thomas Vermaelen has hinted he may seek a move away from the Emirates Stadium if first-team opportunities remain hard to come by.

West Brom 1Arsenal 1AET (Arsenal win 4-3 on pens)

French winger Serge Gnabry has taken Theo Walcott's place in a late change for Arsenal against Stoke.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger named an unchanged starting XI for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke, where club-record signing Mesut Ozil made his home debut as the Gunners aimed to go top of the table.

Sunderland 1 Arsenal 3