Arsenal transfer news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch ice-cool De Bruyne dodge bottles thrown from crowd and give Arsenal fans cheeky wink after Man City heroics

      by

      KEVIN DE BRUYNE laughed and winked at Arsenal fans hurling bottles at him as Manchester City completed a crucial victory.City’s ice-cool opening scorer reacted contemptuously when abused by home supporters following his late substitution at the Emirates.
      Kevin de Bruyne gave home fans a wink as Man City closed on a victory that put them top of the Prem on goal difference
      De Bruyne was having none of it if supporters hoped to intimidate him
      And he topped it off with a wink as Pep Guardiola’s men leapfrogged the Gunners at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory.
      City fans on social media were delighted with his response.
      One said: “He knows they hate him and he loves it.”
      Another summed up: “Walking off the pitch with a smirk and doing a little wink as Arsenal fans throw empty bottles at him.”
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      A third posted “Absolute beauty” and a fourth wrote “LMAO”.
      De Bruyne kept his eyes on the home fans during the whole incident as he walked casually round the corner flag – despite a handful of bottles being thrown towards him.
      The Belgium playmaker didn’t even break his stride or his stare when he swayed his head back to avoid one of the missiles.
      And he rounded off his swaggering stroll with a smile and a wink.
      Most read in Football
      KDB had punished Takehiro Tomiyasu’s poor backpass with a 24th minute breakthrough.
      But Bukayo Saka deservedly equalised with a penalty after City keeper Ederson impeded Eddie Nketiah after the ball had gone past him.
      Guardiola’s champs, though, upped the power after the break.
      And Erling Haaland set up Jack Grealish to put City in front before sealing victory himself with an emphatic two-touch finish.
      It puts City on the Prem summit on goal difference, although the Gunners still have a game in hand. More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      How Arsenal could line up with Declan Rice & Lautaro Martinez with Gunners to splash cash in summer transfer spree

      by

      ARSENAL could have a new look next season with the club set to spend big once again this summer.The Gunners have splashed the cash in recent years to help Mikel Arteta build a side capable of challenging for the title.
      Mikel Arteta could bolster two key positions
      Declan Rice is Arsenal’s top summer transfer targetCredit: Getty
      The Gunners could reignite their interest in Lautaro MartinezCredit: Alamy
      And they are prepared to loosen the purse strings once more to land West Ham star Declan Rice.
      The England international could be off as he is unwilling to extend his contract, which expires in 2024.
      That means West Ham could choose to cash in before his value depreciates, though the Hammers are demanding £100m to let him leave.
      Despite that, a host of clubs are believed to be interested in the midfielder including Manchester United and Chelsea.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      The Gunners have reportedly made Rice their top summer transfer target and are willing to spend £80m to lure him to The Emirates.
      If he joins Rice could slot in nicely alongside Thomas Partey, who has impressed this season.
      Arsenal may also look to strengthen their attacking options with Gabriel Jesus’ injury highlighting a lack of depth upfront.
      One player the North Londoners could reignite their interest in is Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Arteta is a fan of the Argentina international and he fits Arsenal’s style of play.
      The 25-year-old was valued at £51million last summer so Arsenal opted to sign Jesus instead, with Martinez also believed to have been keen on staying at Inter.
      Martinez’s arrival would offer Arteta greater flexibility and could even see Jesus played out wide, a role he occasionally fulfilled at Manchester City. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal vs Man City combined XI based on transfer fees shows major difference between the two title contenders

      by

      A COMBINED team of Manchester City and Arsenal based on which players cost more to sign shows a chasm between the title contenders.The two Premier League toppers face off at the Emirates on Wednesday evening in a game that could be massive in terms of the title race.
      Only Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey would make it in from ArsenalCredit: Getty
      £100m Jack Grealish is the most expensive player in the teamCredit: Getty
      Both sides are likely to make minimal changes to their starting XIs after the weekend’s matches.
      Pep Guardiola will be happy with his team following the 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
      The boss will also be boosted as Erling Haaland returned to training ahead of the match against Arsenal after he picked up a knock against the Villans.
      Mikel Arteta could swap out the struggling Gabriel Martinelli for Leandro Trossard after he netted his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw against Brentford.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      If a combined team were to be assembled with only the most expensive player in each position, the side would cost £611.3million.
      The most expensive player on the pitch is likely to be Jack Grealish who set the Citizens back £100m when they signed him from Villa.
      In fact, in a side made up of both sides based on transfer fees, there would only be two Arsenal players involved.
      Oleksandr Zincenko would take up the left-back spot after he joined the Gunners from City last summer for £32m.
      Most read in Football
      A team made up from Arsenal and Man City’s most expensive players would cost £611.3million
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      And Thomas Partey would partner City’s Rodri in holding midfielder as Arsenal paid £45m for him.
      The rest of the team would be made up of players from the Etihad Stadium outfit.
      Ederson at £34.9m was slightly more expensive than Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale who cost £30m when he joined from Sheffield United.
      The defence would see Aymeric Laporte (£57m), Ruben Dias (£64.5m) and Kyle Walker (£50m) join Zinchenko.
      Ben White could have had a spot in the team as he cost £50m, but Walker was chosen as his transfer happened first.
      The attack is made up entirely of players from City with Riyad Mahrez (£60m), Kevin De Bruyne (£54m), Jack Grealish (£100m) and Erling Haaland (£51.4m) all more expensive than Arsenal’s options.
      Arsenal star boy Bukayo Saka is not under consideration as the club did not pay a fee for their academy player.
      The combined team shows a major difference between the two club’s philosophies as City have spent much more to assemble their title-contending team – whereas Arsenal – while spending big – have also brought through some kids and uncovered cheaper gems. More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal in pole position for Martin Zubimendi transfer as Real Sociedad midfielder’s release clause is revealed

      by

      ARSENAL are in pole position to sign Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi in the summer, according to reports.The Gunners looked at the 24-year-old in January when they were keen to add another midfielder to their ranks.
      Arsenal are keen on Martin ZubimendiCredit: Getty
      But Arsenal opted for a low cost signing in Chelsea’s Jorginho to help sustain their push to win the Premier League with Mikel Arteta’s men sat top.
      Zubimendi was said to not be keen on a mid-season move away from Spain either.
      However, according to Sport, a summer transfer cannot be ruled out, with the player betting on Arsenal if they activate his £52.9million release clause.
      Barcelona have also registered an interest in the player.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      The Nou Camp club are keen to find legend Sergio Busquets’ long-term replacement, with the Spaniard fitting the bill.
      Summer signing Franck Kessie has failed to impress thus far after joining for FREE from AC Milan.
      However, Arsenal are in “pole position” ahead of Barca to sign the midfield maestro.
      Spanish journalist Eugenio Mateo Serrano told Calciomercato.it: “I do not think so. Xavi needs another player instead of Busquets.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      “The number one pick is Martin Zubimendi, from Real Sociedad.
      “But it’s also difficult because Zubimendi wants to play in the Premier League, and for me Arsenal are in pole position.” More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      OnlyFans star and boxer Astrid Wett sends cheeky message to Jorginho after he quits Chelsea for Arsenal

      by

      ONLYFANS star Astrid Wett aimed a cheeky dig towards Arsenal after failing to win either of their last two matches. The Gunners have picked up a loss and a draw in their two most recent matches, a run which has coincidentally come after ex-Chelsea star Jorginho joined the club.
      Arsenal have not picked up a win since Jorginho’s arrivalCredit: Getty
      A fact Onlyfans star Astrid Wett jabbed at onlineCredit: Instagram / @wettastrid
      Astrid is an avid Chelsea fanCredit: Instagram / @wettastrid
      The OnlyFans star has over 340,000 followers on her main Twitter pageCredit: Instagram / @wettastrid
      She previously had a spat with fellow OnlyFans star turned boxer Elle BrookeCredit: Instagram / @wettastrid
      And Astrid, who is a Chelsea fan, trolled Arsenal over transfer.
      Taking to her Twitter, she shared an image of her sipping a glass of wine and captioned her post: “1 draw and 1 loss for Arsenal since agent Jorginho joined that club, just saying….”
      However, given that Arsenal sit top of the league and Chelsea are languishing down in ninth place, Gunners fan decided not to take the jab lying down.
      One fan replied: “[£]600mil spent and can’t win a game?”
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      A second said: “You lot are currently sat ninth and dropping points for fun. No where near Arsenal 😭😭🤣🤣.”
      A third commented: “Warra (what a) Europa league qualification for Chelsea that is😭😭.”
      A fourth remarked: “Didn’t you draw to bottom table west ham after spending [£]320 mil?”
      “Taunting first positioned Arsenal is what I never expected from this ninth [placed] club,” added a fifth.
      Most read in Football
      Astrid shared the jibe on her secondary Twitter account, though her main has 342,000 followers.
      She was previously was on the end of embarrassment as she was snubbed for a kiss by YouTuber-turned-boxer and Prime drink founder KSI during a boxing match weigh-in.
      Astrid also tried her hand at boxingCredit: Getty
      She was snubbed by KSI at the weigh-in for the fight against Keeley ColranCredit: Twitter @misfitsboxing
      And came out on top as she forced Keeley to quit inside two roundsCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘That was not understanding your job’ – Arteta blasts ‘unacceptable’ VAR after blunder in Arsenal draw with Brentford

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA fumed after Arsenal were issued an apology following VAR controversy against Brentford. Official Lee Mason came under fire when he failed to spot an offside in the build up to Brentford’s leveller at the Emirates on Saturday.
      Mikel Arteta fumed after Arsenal were issued an apology following VAR controversyCredit: Getty
      Mason supposedly forgot to draw the lines to determine if Christian Norgaard was offside as he was looking at another incident in the build-up to Brentford’s leveller in the 1-1 draw.
      It left Ivan Toney to score what could be a killer equaliser to Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes come the end of the season.
      The refereeing body, the PGMOL, wrote to Arsenal to apologise citing human error, and Howard Webb called an emergency meeting with all officials.
      But a seething Arteta said: “We ended the game with a huge anger and disappointment because that wasn’t a human error, that was not understanding your job and that is not acceptable.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      “That cost Arsenal two points and that’s not going to be restored.”
      Mason currently only works on VAR after retiring as an on-pitch official, but he has been stood down from his duties this weekend.
      The 51-year-old was not included in the Premier League’s list of appointments for the upcoming round of fixtures.
      Arsenal dropped points for the second game in a row after defeat to Everton the week before.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      And despite having a game in hand over champions and second-placed Manchester City, the gap is now narrowed to only three points.
      After the match, Arteta raged: “I just looked back and it is offside. Have they explained why it wasn’t allowed? No.
      “It is frustrating but they will probably give an explanation later in the week. Today we haven’t got one.
      “You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules.
      “Suddenly you change the rules and then you have to change your principles. So tell us before so then you don’t hold the line that high.
      “Because you’re always going to have an advantage if you get blocked. You cannot block if you are offside.”
      VAR missed Brentford’s offside More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Most prolific loan goalscorers ever as Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun outshines Mbappe… but he’s not No1

      by

      ARSENAL academy graduate Folarin Balogun has emerged as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe this season.The 21-year-old is currently enjoying a successful loan spell in France with Reims.
      Folarin Balogun is the top goalscorer in Ligue 1Credit: Getty
      And his red-hot form has seen him rack up an impressive total of 15 goals in 22 league games, making him the top scorer in Ligue 1.
      He has outscored the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Alexandre Lacazette and Wissam Ben Yedder so far this season, leaving many Arsenal fans excited for his return to north London.
      Balogun has already established himself among the highest-scoring on-loan strikers of all-time.
      Those who have achieved similar success include the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Emmanuel Adebayor and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      Read More on Football
      SunSport has looked back on some of those memorable loan spells from the past decade to see how Balogun compares.
      Duvan Zapata – 23 goals (2018/19)
      Duvan Zapata scored 23 goals for Atalanta during his loan spellCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In July 2018, Sampdoria agreed to loan Zapata to Serie A rivals Atalanta for two seasons.
      The Colombia international scored 23 goals in 37 league appearances during his first season in Bergamo – only Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella netted more.
      Atalanta finished third in the table that season, 16 points above Sampdoria in ninth.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Following his two-year loan, Zapata signed a permanent contract with the Black and Blues and has been with the club ever since.
      Bafetimbi Gomis – 20 goals (2016/17)
      Bafetimbi Gomis scored 20 goals for MarseilleCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Gomis was loaned out by then-Premier League club Swansea to Marseille in 2016.
      By the end of his season-long loan at the Stade Velodrome he had netted 20 goals in 31 Ligue 1 games, making him one of the league’s top scorers.
      He is now playing for Turkish Super Lig club Galatasaray.
      Paco Alcacer – 18 goals (2018/19)
      Paco Alcacer joined Dortmund permanently after his successful loan spellCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Alcacer joined Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan in August 2018 after falling out of favour at Barcelona.
      By the end of the 2018/19 campaign he had scored 18 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances – only Robert Lewandowski scored more.
      Dortmund chiefs were so impressed by his form that they decided to sign him on a permanent deal midway through the campaign, so in February 2019 the German giants signed him for around £20million.
      Alcacer now plays for Sharjah in the UAE Pro League.
      Emmanuel Adebayor – 17 goals (2011/12)
      Emmanuel Adebayor joined Tottenham on loan after leaving ArsenalCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
      In 2011, then-Manchester City star Adebayor was loaned to Tottenham – just two years after leaving Arsenal.
      The striker scored 17 times for Spurs to help them to a fourth-place finish, but his parent club went on to win the Premier League.
      He eventually signed a permanent deal with the Lilywhites before moving across London to Crystal Palace in 2016.
      Adebayor now plays for Togolese club AC Semassi.
      Romelu Lukaku – 17 goals (2012/13)
      Romelu Lukaku spent a season on loan at West Brom from ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Lukaku joined West Brom on loan from Chelsea in August 2012, one year after signing for the west London club from Anderlecht.
      He scored 17 goals in 35 games for the Baggies, but despite his impressive form he was loaned out again the following season.
      On the final day of the 2013 summer transfer window, Lukaku joined Everton on another season-long loan.
      During his time at Goodison Park he scored 15 goals in 33 appearances.
      As a result, the Toffees signed him for a club-record fee of £28m the following summer.
      Following his time at Everton, Lukaku enjoyed spells with Manchester United and Inter Milan respectively before returning to Chelsea for a club record fee of £97.5million in 2021.
      But after falling out of favour he returned to Inter Milan on a season-long loan last summer.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 16 goals (2011/12)
      Aubameyang scored 16 goals in less than six months for St EtienneCredit: AFP – Getty
      In January 2011, Aubameyang joined St Etienne on a six-month loan from AC Milan.
      He scored 16 goals for the French side during that short space of time and his loan was subsequently extended for the following season as a result before he signed on a permanent basis.
      The striker then shot to stardom at Borussia Dortmund before joining Arsenal in January 2018.
      But, three years later his contract with the Gunners was terminated following a series of disciplinary breaches.
      Read More on The Sun
      In February 2022, he joined Barcelona on a free transfer but returned to London to join Chelsea just seven months later.
      He has since fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and is expected to leave during the summer transfer window. More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Dream Team gaffers would be wise to consider ditching Gabriel Martinelli in current form – so would Mikel Arteta!

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA’S consistent team selections have been a key feature of Arsenal’s title challenge this season.The Spaniard has remained fiercely loyal to his first-choice XI to date and understandably so, given the Gunners are currently top the table with 51 points.
      However, he now has a decision to make in regards to the left wing – one shared by a considerable chunk of Dream Team gaffers.
      Gabriel Martinelli’s (£3.2m) flying start to the campaign was a key factor in Arsenal establishing themselves as genuine title contenders this term, something few would have predicted in the summer.
      The 21-year-old scored three goals in his first five games as Arteta’s troops burst out of the blocks with five consecutive wins.
      And the Brazilian commenced the post-World Cup restart in similar fashion with two goals in his first two outings having returned from Qatar.
      Martinelli has seven goals and three assists this seasonCredit: GETTY
      However, his form has tailed off slightly in recent weeks, as evidenced by his Dream Team returns – two points from five games represents a significant drop-off from an asset who averaged almost five points-per-game throughout the first quarter of the season.
      Martinelli’s dip in form has coincided with Leandro Trossard’s (£3.7m) arrival at the Emirates and the Belgium international has looked lively in a red shirt so far.
      The 28-year-old scored Arsenal’s goal against Brentford on Saturday four minutes after replacing Martinelli and plenty of fans are calling for the January signing to start ahead of his younger team-mate for Wednesday night’s massive fixture against Manchester City at the Emirates.
      It’s a big call for Arteta because his consistent team selections have largely been justified but with the Gunners having now failed to win in three games he will surely be tempted to make adjustments.
      Most read in Dream Team
      A few 25-minute cameos may even do Martinelli some good.
      He made his name as an impact substitute and so reverting to that role for a few weeks may help him rediscover the form he exhibited at the start of the season.
      Many Arsenal fans want Trossard to start ahead of Martinelli on Wednesday
      Arsenal have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola’s side but defeat in midweek would put the two sides level on points – there’s no denying the significance of the fixture.
      Arteta has more reasons to remain loyal to Martinelli than Dream Team managers, who don’t have to worry about things such a team cohesion or player morale.
      The youngster is now the 12th-best asset in his position having previously peaked at fourth among forwards.
      Gaffers will be hard pressed to find a like-for-like replacement at the same value but with the top-bracket forwards providing so many points – Harry Kane (£8.2m), Marcus Rashford (£6.1m), etc – a restructure seems wise.
      Martinelli may well be a smart option again later in the season but his returns in recent weeks have simply been way below par. More