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High wages, the lack of Champions League revenue and Kroenke’s parsimony are making the Gunners uncompetitive

It was the news that Arsenal supporters had longed to hear and it was delivered with an uncharacteristic flourish by Ivan Gazidis. The date was 6 June 2013 and the club’s then chief executive told a group of journalists that Arsenal’s austerity era – necessitated by the move to Emirates Stadium in 2006 – was over.

Related: Unai Emery says Arsenal can forget top four if they lose to Chelsea

• ‘In counterattacks, at set pieces, it is clear they are good’
• Klopp dismisses speculation of Anfield return for Coutinho

Jürgen Klopp has said Liverpool must heed the warning of Crystal Palace’s recent victory at Manchester City to avoid a similar shock against Roy Hodgson’s side.

Related: Liverpool v Crystal Palace: match preview

Carry on then, Marouane. After some suggestions this week that Marouane Fellaini might be on his way out of Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Friday press conference went the other way. Instead Solskjær offered what newspapers like to call “a vote of confidence” in the gangling Belgian utility-menace, talking up Fellaini’s continued presence through this, his sixth year as a Manchester United player.

It isn’t hard to see why some said his time was up. Under Solskjær Fellaini has played three minutes in the Premier League. His basic footballing presence has seemed at odds with a more mobile, fluid style. Plus there is of course a wider symbolic aspect to all this.

• Striker will join initially for six months from Juventus
• Maurizio Sarri also hopes to sign a midfielder this month

Gonzalo Higuaín is expected in London over the next 48 hours to undertake a medical and complete the formalities of his move to Chelsea from Juventus, initially on a six-month loan, with Maurizio Sarri still keen for the striker to be joined by a midfielder at Stamford Bridge.

Higuaín, who has spent the first half of the season on loan at Milan, has said his goodbyes to his Rossoneri teammates having pushed to be reunited with Sarri, under whose stewardship he scored 36 goals for Napoli in Serie A two seasons ago.

West Ham’s resolve to keep Marko Arnautovic has been tested by a €40m (£35.2m) offer from Guangzhou Evergrande.

The Premier League club are furious with Arnautovic over behaviour that has led to the striker being dropped for the game at Bournemouth and apologising to his teammates, but are likely to hold out for a third bid from the Chinese Super League side, who had previously offered €35m.

Huddersfield Town have identified Borussia Dortmund’s second team manager, Jan Siewert, as their preferred choice to replace David Wagner. Talks have taken place between the clubs with Dortmund looking for a €300,000 compensation package before releasing the 36-year-old.

Related: Huddersfield’s sporting director follows David Wagner out of club

• Solskjær’s side have not gone behind in his six games in charge
• Manchester United host Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday

Ole Gunnar Solskjær believes his management of Manchester United will face a different test when a game is finally lost but is confident he and the players will respond.

Related: Football transfer rumours: Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United?

• Fifth-placed Arsenal are six points behind Saturday’s visitors
• Emery wary of threat of Eden Hazard in Emirates showdown

Unai Emery accepts that Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via Premier League position will be over if they lose to Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Related: Arsenal’s era of austerity is not over yet: Emery must make do and mend | David Hytner

• Tottenham look for striking solutions after Harry Kane injury
• Academy product Kazaiah Sterling could take place on bench

Mauricio Pochettino has said he could use Dele Alli as a false nine at Fulham on Sunday, as he wrestles with the dilemma of how to replace the injured Harry Kane and the absent Son Heung-min. The Tottenham manager stressed that Fernando Llorente was also in his thoughts for the lead striker role, even though the Spaniard has started only one Premier League game in his 18 months at the club.