Arsenal transfer news

ARSENAL have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka.The centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season.
Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign Evan NdickaCredit: Getty
And according to Il Romanista Arsenal have reached an agreement with the Frenchman to join on a free transfer.
The Gunners reportedly fended off interest from Roma to land the centre-back.
The Italian side were considering a January move for Ndicka but the 23-year-old wants to see out the season with Frankfurt, who have qualified for the Champions League knock-out stages.
Ndicka has impressed in European competition and helped Frankfurt win the Europa League last season.
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He has made 162 appearances for the Bundesliga side since joining from Auxerre in 2018.
The Gunners were linked to Ndicka last year but may have had to stump up £19million to sign the defender.
Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United have also been previously linked to the former France Under-21 star.
Mikel Arteta is believed to be keen on a left-sided centre-back and Arsenal turned to Ndicka after missing out on Lisandro Martinez, who signed for United last summer.
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Arsenal also failed to land Calvin Bassey, who opted for Ajax.
Despite that the North London outfit have the joint-best defence in the Premier League with William Saliba and Gabriel earning plaudits for their performances. More

MIKEL ARTETA produced a blast from the past as he tested out Arsenal’s flair for the future.The Gunners boss wowed fans with a magical piece of control as the ball spiralled out of play during the 3-0 win over Lyon in the Dubai Super Cup.
Mikel Arteta gave guidance to his Gunners in Dubai not just with words but also with his touch as they prepare for the Prem returnCredit: Getty

And with Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City ahead of the Premier League return at Christmas, one fan said: “That’s a top of the table touch.”
Gabriel Magalhaes, Eddie Nketiah and Fabio Vieira put the smooth-looking Gunners out of sight before Arteta brought on his youngsters for the second period.
And in one nonchalant moment the Spaniard showed his 2011-2016 stint as a midfield stylist at the Emirates should never be out of mind.
As the ball came spinning towards him from a great height, he kept his left foot planted as he stretched his right leg behind him to take it down with his heel.
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Awed observers on social media posted comments like: “Arteta ball” and “Centre mids never lose it”.
He was also labelled “super Mikel” and one misty-eyed marveller noted: “Someone that was a midfield maestro. El Capitano.”
One player who aims to inherit Arteta’s mesmerising mantle is Fabio Vieira.
The Portuguese starlet bagged the third and finest of Arsenal’s first half salvo against Ligue 1 Lyon.
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Magalhaes headed the opener and Nketiah drilled the second into the bottom corner.
Then Vieira curled the type of curler into the far corner that might have left some observers wondering if he deserved a place at the World Cup.
But injuries have undermined the 22-year-old’s debut season in the Prem since arriving from Porto. More

MIKEL ARTETA has hinted that he could dip into the January market following Gabriel Jesus’ surgery.The Arsenal striker returned from the World Cup with Brazil following a knee injury and quickly went under the knife.
Gabriel Jesus picked up a knee injury while at the World Cup with BrazilCredit: Getty
Mikel Arteta has suggested that Arsenal could look to sign a replacement in JanuaryCredit: AFP
Arteta is still not clear how long it will take for the former Manchester City striker to be fit again, saying the club are taking it “day-by-day” at the moment.
Jesus bagged five Premier League goals in the first half of the season, helping to fire the Gunners to the top of the table going into the break.
But there are fears his injury could derail any hopes Arsenal have of a sustained title tilt.
Arteta said: “We know that he needed some intervention in the knee and we have to take it day by day, week by week and see where that takes us.
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“What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much.”
Asked whether it would alter his January planning, Arteta said: “What we can do after that when we know the timescale better and we know when we can have him back we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions.
“I feel my squad is really good, and unfortunately we’ve had injuries, but we will see what we can do to be stronger.”
Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli could be an option through the middle as a stop-gap, while former England Under-21 striker Eddie Nketiah has scored two goals in two mid-season friendlies this month.
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Arteta said: “We look at the squad and see what the options we have with the players we have available.
“There are things we can try, we have the need to do so.”
Arsenal have been monitoring Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk, but could be forced to move for a more natural striker following the Jesus news.
The Gunners are currently in Dubai as part of a warm-weather training camp with friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan, as part of the Dubai Super Cup alongside Liverpool, thrown in.
Gabriel, Nketiah and Fabio Vieira were all on the scoresheet on Thursday as Arsenal blew away a Lyon side which was spearheaded by former Gunner, Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal also won a penalty shootout, with one being held after every game out here regardless of the score, thanks to four spot-kick saves from third-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein. More

FANS have been left bemused after Arsenal and Lyon held a penalty shootout despite the game ending 3-0 to the Gunners.The North London side took on the Ligue 1 side in a friendly match in order to boost fitness ahead of the return of the Premier League.
Arsenal had to beat Lyon twice, first in the game and then on a penalty shootoutCredit: Reuters
Eddie Nketiah and Fabio Vieria were among the scorersCredit: Getty
Clubs have been on break during the World Cup in Qatar but are now gearing themselves back up.
Arsenal are taking part in the Dubai Super Cup, in which they will also face Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked impressive as they fired three goals past a strong-looking Lyons side at the Al-Maktoum Stadium.
Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah were enough to give their side the victory.
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Arteta did give plenty of youngster’s run outs in the game with Marquinhos, Taylor Foran and Amario Cozier-Duberry all getting minutes.
Despite the convincing win, the two sides still held a penalty shootout, as the Arsenal official Twitter account posted: “Penalty shootout up next for an extra point.”
This left fans confused as one tweeted: “Why penalty shootout?”
A second added: “We win by three goals to none, yet we still go to penalties?”
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A third wrote: “What is the point in a shootout if you won 3-0.”
A fourth said: “I know it’s only a friendly but what sort of rule is this.”
The Dubai Super Cup awards three points for a win and two points for a draw.
There are also penalty shootouts held after each game, with another point available for the winners.
Arsenal went on to win the shootout 2-1, with goalkeeper Karl Hein making four saves. More