Arsenal transfer news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta threatened to AXE star man Granit Xhaka if he didn’t make important change

      by

      ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta says Granit Xhaka adapting to a more advanced role was a “necessity” and revealed he threatened to AXE him if he didn’t.The Swiss star, 30, has been one of Arsenal’s standout stars this season.
      Arteta threatened to give Xhaka the axe if he didn’t adapt to a new attacking roleCredit: Getty
      Arteta convinced an unhappy Xhaka to stay at Arsenal in 2020 when an exit looked likelyCredit: Reuters
      Arsenal sit top of the Premier League at Christmas after 14 games and five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City.
      And on a personal level, Xhaka has gone from zero to hero under Arteta, having previously been stripped of the club captaincy in 2019 and being widely disliked after gesturing back at booing fans against Crystal Palace.
      Boss Arteta was the man to convince Xhaka to stay put in 2020 with the midfield intent on heading for the exit door.
      He is also the man that has revolutionised Xhaka into a competent player in the final third.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Xhaka has four goals and three assists to his name this term and was told if he didn’t adapt to a new attacking role, he faced being axed.
      Arteta told Sky Sports: “I think it was a necessity [change in role].
      “I think the squad wanted to evolve to another level and be more dominant and have more resources in the final third to attack and to score more goals.
      “We needed to make that change.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      “I spoke to him at the end of the season and said, ‘I need to unlock something in your brain because you’re so comfortable and confident playing in this area that you have forgot what is actually going to win us the game and the team now demands somebody here, so unless you unlock that I’m going to have to do something about it’.
      “He took it straight away. He’s a very intelligent player, he came to pre-season fitter than ever, slimmer than ever, and he knew that if we wanted to take the team to a different level we had to change his role. He knew that was coming.
      “We believed he has those qualities, those qualities were there to be exploited and they were hiding.
      “The team needed those qualities very much.
      “As I said, he is extremely intelligent, he has the physical capacity to constantly threat and occupy those spaces and recover his position quickly enough to have the balance we need.
      “He’s been really consistent, the way he trains, the way he practises, to evolve to the demands we want for the team.
      “He’s a special person. He’s very straight, he’s very honest, he’s very loyal and he’s very passionate about what he does.
      “So when you have someone like that you want to help him, you want to protect him, you want him to fulfil the talent he has.
      “He’s made some mistakes and he’s learnt from it, but he has always faced adversity and difficulty and he’s never run away from it.
      “This is what all managers wants from their players.
      “You know you can count on him, he will fight and break walls for you. This is what we expect from our players.”
      Arsenal are back in action on Boxing Day at the Emirates against West Ham.
      Read More on The Sun
      The Hammers sit one point above the drop zone and under fire manager David Moyes has admitted it’ll be a difficult trip to the North London outfit.
      He said on Arsenal: “They have got a really good set pattern, but also it has got flexibility and it is quite difficult to look at and understand.”
      Xhaka’s Prem stats this season More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Gabriel Jesus arrives at Arsenal training centre on crutches as Arteta admits club are considering replacement transfer

      by

      GABRIEL JESUS was snapped arriving at Arsenal’s training centre on crunches as Mikel Arteta conceded the club may need to think about replacements. The Brazilian striker is expected to spend some time on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury in the World Cup.
      Jesus said he was ‘progressing’ in an Instagram update to fansCredit: Instagram / @dejesusoficial
      Mikel Arteta is aiming to take Arsenal to their first Premier League title since 2005Credit: Getty
      His knock has left some Arsenal fans fearing their title charge might be derailed after the Gunners raced into a five point lead before domestic football paused.
      Jesus has proven to be an integral part of Arteta’s side following his summer transfer from title rivals Manchester City.
      The 25-year-old limped off during Brazil’s shock World Cup group stage defeat against Cameroon earlier this month.
      Arsenal have since confirmed Jesus has undergone an operation on his right knee but have not put a timescale on his return.
      READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
      He posted a picture of himself on crutches on Instagram as he continues to fight his way to fitness.
      The forward added the caption “progressing” with prayer hand emojis.
      Meanwhile, his manager has conceded the Gunners may need to dive into January’s transfer window to cover for Jesus.
      Speaking to the media ahead of Arsenal’s Boxing Day clash with West Ham, Arteta said: “With Gabi it’s difficult to put a time frame. I never gave a date. I said that we don’t know.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “It’s going to take some time for sure. He’s gone through surgery and that tells you the extent of the injury.
      “We will be in the market always active and we will assess the biggest opportunities that we have.”
      The World Cup came at the worst possible time for the in-form London club.
      Arsenal had won seven of their last eight Premier League games and have not lost since an early September trip to Old Trafford.
      That result might have been different too if Gabriel Martinelli’s goal had stood, with VAR this week admitting the decision was a mistake.
      Manchester City’s shock defeat to Brentford last month allowed Arsenal to open a five point lead in the table.
      Difficult fixtures against Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United await the table toppers in January. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal transfer blow as Wolves confident of signing £40m Brazil star Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid

      by

      ARSENAL look set to lose out on Brazil star Matheus Cunha with Wolves confident of landing the forward, according to reports.Julen Lopetegui is looking to bring reinforcements into Molineux after taking over as boss of the Midlands club.
      Cunha has been heavily linked with a Premier League moveCredit: Getty
      The Spaniard has a big job on his hands with misfiring Wolves propping up the Premier League table heading into the World Cup break.
      But the club look to have gotten a boost as the Mail indicates they are closing in on Cunha.
      The striker is out of favour at Atletico Madrid and had been linked with a Premier League move.
      Arsenal were among several English clubs linked with the 23-year-old.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      But it now appears very likely Cunha will be heading to Wolves.
      The proposed deal will reportedly be an initial loan with an obligation to buy worth up to £40million.
      Leeds and Everton were also believed to have been jostling for the star but positive negotiations has swung the deal in Wolves’ favour.
      If complete, he will be the first signing of Lopetegui’s reign.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Cunha has only struggled to hold down a place in Diego Simeone’s Atletico team since signing for the Spanish club in 2021.
      Wolves fans will be hoping he can bring some goal threat to their side.
      The Wanderers are the only top-flight side yet to reach double figures for goals.
      Diego Costa has failed to find the net in his six Premier League appearances while £15m summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic sustained a serious injury only weeks after his move.
      Lopetegui won his first game in charge on Tuesday as Wolves edged past League 2 Gillingham in the EFL Cup. More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal star Cedric Soares’ loan transfer to Fulham under threat over Portuguese defender’s huge wage demands

      by

      CEDRIC SOARES’ Arsenal wages could scupper a loan move to Fulham next month.The Cottagers have held talks with the right-back’s representatives over a switch to West London next month with boss Marco Silva keen to sign his compatriot.
      Soares could be heading across the capital if his wage demands are metCredit: Getty
      But the former Southampton man’s weekly wage of around £75,000 is proving a stumbling block.
      Silva is keen to add to his squad next month following a strong start to the season which left the promoted side ninth ahead of the restart on Boxing Day.
      No official approach has been made to the Gunners so far, with Mikel Arteta also yet to decide whether he would sanction Cedric’s departure.
      The Arsenal boss has already described his squad as “short” this season.

      Ben White has often played at right-back with Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu struggling with a number of niggling injuries this season.
      Arsenal are thought to want an obligation to buy included in any loan deal for the 31-year-old should it go ahead.
      Should Fulham decide against a move, Spanish side Villarreal and German club Bayer Leverkusen are also keeping a keen eye on the Portugal international.
      Cedric first joined the Gunners on loan from Southampton in 2020 before making the switch permanent on a free transfer following the end of his contract on the South Coast.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      The former Sporting Lisbon full-back has made just two sub appearances from the bench in the Premier League so far this season, playing a total of 28 minutes in the league.
      Cedric can also be deployed at left-back, meaning Arteta may want to keep him around as cover.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko has struggled with calf injuries during his first season at the club and the Arsenal boss does not want to be caught short as he pushes for the title.
      Marco Silva is looking to bolster his squad after a good start to the seasonCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Nketiah can’t replace Jesus at Arsenal warns Emmanuel Petit who also reveals how Nkunku can shine at Chelsea

      by

      ARSENAL legend Emmanuel Petit claims Eddie Nketiah isn’t ready to replace injured star Gabriel Jesus because he is “still young”.Jesus picked up a knee injury while playing with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup and went under the knife with the Gunners fearing he could be out for three months.
      Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit doesn’t think Eddie Nketiah can replace Gabriel JesusCredit: PA
      Emmanuel Petit suggested Arsenal should turn to the January transfer windowCredit: Rex
      Manager Mikel Arteta needs a replacement for the striker, who was vital in the North Londoners topping the Premier League table with five goals and six assists in 14 matches.
      Nketiah is Arteta’s most obvious choice to play as a centre-forward but Petit claims this responsibility comes “too soon” for the 23-year-old.
      The France great suggested Arsenal will have to turn to the January transfer window as they are “short of options”.
      Speaking to Mega Casino, Petit said: “I think Arsenal have a very good squad with a very good mentality. Arteta and his staff are doing a very good job.
      Read More on Arsenal
      “Even Edu. I was not convinced by Edu initially, but the job he has done over the last two transfer windows has convinced me. He has taken the right decisions and he has a vision. It seems like everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.
      “What happened with [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang shows you how fragile a dressing room can be – even your own captain can be a danger! To get rid of him was a strong decision and Arteta and Edu obviously have a clear idea of what they want to do at the football club. On the pitch, you can see that the players are really buying into Arteta.
      “The first eleven is of exceptional quality but the depth on the bench isn’t as good as it needs to be and if you want to compete with Manchester City, Liverpool, you need more and you need to be clever in the transfer market, especially when you’re without a player like Jesus.
      “Ben White is fit, but mentally, we have no idea. We also don’t know about the other players coming back from the World Cup. Arsenal definitely, and even Arteta has said it, are short of options. They need more players.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “Nketiah is a good player but he is still young. He is gaining experience all the time, but you can’t replace Jesus with Nketiah and expect the same results. It is too soon for him. If you put him in and expect that, that is not fair on the player, but his time will come.”
      Petit also claims Chelsea are dealing with issues up front, but the ex-Blues ace believes RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku can solve them.
      Nkunku is expected to link up with Graham Potter’s squad in July after a reported deal with Leipzig that cost £53million.
      The striker will be facing the famous No9 curse at Stamford Bridge but Petit believes he could still emulate Didier Drogba’s success, even though they are not the same.
      The ex-Barcelona star claims the France international, who missed the World Cup due to a leg injury, can shine because he will be well up for the challenge.
      Petit added: “He is a very good player. Will he be a hit? You know, just like I know, there is a striker’s curse at Stamford Bridge! I hope he will break the curse.
      “I hope he can follow in the same footsteps as Drogba. He is not the same type of player as Drogba, but he has so much quality. He exploits spaces with his speed. He has great technical quality too and he is clinical when he is in front of the goal.
      “He was the best player in the Bundesliga, which is a big achievement, especially when you don’t play for Bayern [Munich] or [Borussia] Dortmund, the last player to do that was Kevin de Bruyne!
      Read More on The Sun
      “It was so sad that he couldn’t go to the World Cup, but he has a big career in front of him. He has the hunger to succeed. He hasn’t been at the biggest club in the Bundesliga, so when he goes to Chelsea, that will be a step up for him.
      “He will want to prove that he deserves to be there. I think he is ready to take the next steps in his career and he is ready to handle the pressure and expectation that comes when you’re playing as a striker for Chelsea.”
      Emmanuel Petit believes Christopher Nkunku can be a success at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal open to making striker transfer in January to replace injured Gabriel Jesus with Mykhaylo Mudryk targeted

      by

      ARSENAL are open to signing a new striker to ensure their title bid doesn’t fall flat.The Gunners currently top the Premier League Christmas tree by five points but have seen their firepower decrease thanks to an injury to Gabriel Jesus.
      Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus for a prolonged periodCredit: PA
      Mikel Arteta hasn’t ruled out delving into the transfer market to maintain the Gunners’ fire powerCredit: GETTY
      Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli are in line to fill in for Jesus, although manager Mikel Arteta is refusing to rule out dipping into the transfer market to help alleviate the problem.
      The Spaniard said of Jesus’ injury: “It’s a huge blow for us, obviously.
      “He’s such an important player: he’s brought something very different to the team and it’s impossible to replace him.
      “But we have other players, other alternatives and we’ll try to get that sorted.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “The transfer window is another option.
      “I think [Jesus] is a unique player but Eddie [Nketiah] has incredible qualities as well for the way we want to play.
      “We have other alternatives in that we can play Martinelli up front as well.
      “We are currently a little bit short in terms of upfront positions but getting Emile [Smith Rowe] back is going to be a big one.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Shakhtar Donestk youngster Mykhaylo Mudryk was on the north Londoners’ radar in the summer and is still wanted by Arteta.
      The Ukrainian club’s deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini told TVPlay: “Today, Mudryk has been told, like all other players, to present himself for the training in Antalya on the 9th of January.
      “There is interest from Arsenal, I cannot deny it.”
      He added: “Many clubs have taken an indirect interest in Mudryk, without an official offer.
      “There have been a lot of phone calls.
      “I believe that today the Italian teams find it difficult to take a profile like this, both for what it is worth and for the lack of courage in investing in such a profile.”
      Shakhtar will demand a minimum of £85million for the 21-year-old forward.
      Arsenal will resume their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day, welcoming West Ham to the Emirates.
      Arsenal are interested in signing Shakhtar Donestk ace Mykhailo MudrykCredit: REUTERS More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Erik ten Hag reveals phone call with Lisandro Martinez which persuaded him to seal Man Utd transfer over Arsenal

      by

      ERIK TEN HAG has opened up on the phone call that saw Lisandro Martinez join Manchester United instead of Arsenal.Following Ten Hag’s Ajax exit, Martinez was always destined to leave the Dutch side last summer.
      Lisandro Martinez signed for Manchester United last summerCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta’s Gunners wanted to bring him to North London, making him a priority transfer target.
      Martinez, 24, had been all set to sign for Arsenal, but even as the deal edged closer he pined for a move to United.
      Prior to completing a mooted Gunners switch, he phoned his old mentor Ten Hag.
      Revealing all about the conversation, the 52-year-old told  Voetbal International: “Whether I found it difficult to get Martinez away from Ajax?
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “I had such a good time there, how we experienced the process together.
      “From scratch we brought Ajax back to the European top. That project has been so dear to me.
      “But Martinez himself wanted to leave Ajax anyway. If we hadn’t taken him, he would have gone to Arsenal.
      “They wanted him anyway, he was top priority there. Licha (Martinez) called me at one point: ‘Coach, listen, I’m leaving Ajax anyway. I can sign with Arsenal, but if you want me, I’m going to Manchester United.’
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      Martinez worked with Erik ten Hag at AjaxCredit: Getty
      “Then I thought: ‘I shouldn’t shoot myself and United in the foot either’. He really wasn’t staying in Amsterdam, that was out of the question. Then we struck and it all worked out.”
      Argentina World Cup hero Martinez subsequently completed a £55million switch to United, swiftly becoming a fan favourite at Old Trafford prior to his success in Qatar.
      Arsenal, meanwhile, elected not to sign a new defender – instead giving forgotten man William Saliba a chance.
      The Frenchman has been a revelation for the Gunners, playing a huge role in seeing them enter the World Cup break top of the Premier League.
      In addition to Martinez, United also reunited Ten Hag with Ajax winger Antony.
      After a protracted transfer saga, the winger joined the Red Devils in an eye-watering £85.5m deal.
      Antony eventually completed a huge summer transfer to Man United to reunite with Ten HagCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal prepared to wait and steal Youri Tielemans on free transfer but risk losing Leicester midfielder to rivals

      by

      ARSENAL will attempt to sign Youri Tielemans on a free transfer when his Leicester contract expires in June, according to reports.The Gunners were heavily linked with a swoop for the Belgian midfielder throughout the summer transfer window.
      Arsenal want to sign Youri Tielemans on a free transfer next summerCredit: Getty
      But, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu were reluctant to pay Leicester’s £30million asking price.
      Arsenal are still understood to be interested in tempting the Foxes ace to the Emirates, but according to Football.London they will wait until his current contract runs down.
      Tielemans will become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of June unless he is sold for a cut-price fee during the January transfer window.
      He could also have the opportunity to agree a pre-contract deal with a European club from next month, putting Arsenal’s plans to sign him at risk.
      Read More on Arsenal
      The Gunners will be able to begin negotiations with Tielemans after the final game of the Premier League season.
      Leicester are already preparing for the midfielder’s departure with a number of potential replacements lined up.
      The Foxes have previously been linked with a move for out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.
      And they have also expressed an interest in signing Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi from Angers.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Leicester are understood to be willing to pay up to £39.5m for the World Cup superstar.
      The Foxes are expected to attempt to sign him next month with Angers open to the prospect of a deal.
      However, the French side will want to keep him on loan until the end of the 2022-23 season. More