More stories

  • in

    Arsenal star Bukayo Saka second-youngest to reach 20 Premier League goals after Liverpool double with forgotten man No1

    ARSENAL star Bukayo Saka has become the second youngest player to ever score 20 Premier League goals for the club.Saka was on target on Sunday against Liverpool at the Emirates as he scored a brace and reached that major milestone at the age of 21 years and 34 days.
    Arsenal star Bukayo Saka became the second youngest player to score 20 Prem goalsCredit: Getty
    Nicolas Anelka is the youngest player to ever score 20 Prem goals for ArsenalCredit: Reuters
    The winger put together a man-of-the-match performance to lead the Gunners to a 3-2 victory over the Reds.
    Only one player has ever been able to net as many times at a younger age for the North Londoners, according to Opta.
    And that is Nicolas Anelka who registered 20 Premier League goals by the time he was 20 years and 41 days old.
    Anelka joined Arsenal from Paris Saint-Germain in 1997 and registered a total of 28 goals and 12 assists in 87 appearances.
    Read More on Arsenal
    The legendary striker was so impressive at Highbury that he was signed by Real Madrid in 1999.
    The former France international only spent one year at Real and went on to join a raft of different clubs, including Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool where he played on loan.
    Saka burst onto the scene at Arsenal in 2018 while under former manager Unai Emery and has since been established as one of the club’s biggest stars.
    The England international has been playing a major role in the Gunners’ flying season that has seen them climbing to the top of the table with eight wins and only one loss in their first nine matches.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    The 21-year-old has already registered three goals and four assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season.
    That takes his total tally to 26 goals and 33 assists in 142 appearances at Arsenal. More

  • in

    Arsenal confident Bukayo Saka will join Gabriel Martinelli in signing new long-term contract thanks to ‘love for club’

    ARSENAL are confident that Bukayo Saka will follow Gabriel Martinelli’s lead and commit to signing a new contract, according to reports.Martinelli, 21, revealed yesterday that he wants to stay with the Gunners long-term after their brilliant start to the season.
    Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are happy at ArsenalCredit: Rex
    Saka, also 21, has less than two years left to run on his deal and has attracted plenty of interest.
    But the Gunners reckon that, like Martinelli, he is in it for the long haul.
    Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claims that Arsenal believe Saka’s “love for the club” will see him commit – having been locked in talks over a new deal since February.
    Should the situation continue to rumble on, however, Manchester City and Liverpool would both love to pounce.
    Read More Arsenal Stories
    Saka has scored three goals and laid on four assists in nine Prem appearances so far this term.
    His pal Martinelli has four goals and two assists – and told Arsenal fans exactly what they wanted to hear over the weekend.
    The Brazilian said: “We are talking about a contract so let’s see what happens. But of course I want to stay.
    “I think this is my best season at Arsenal and I am so happy for this moment.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    “Everyone can see our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game.
    “I am so happy to be playing alongside players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
    “You can see the understanding we have together but we have a lot of time to improve. We have great quality and I think we can do more.” More

  • in

    Man Utd and Arsenal in Youri Tielemans blow as Barcelona consider move to sign Leicester star on free transfer

    BARCELONA are reportedly plotting a free transfer swoop for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.The Belgian international, 25, only has nine months remaining on his contract and looks unlikely to pen an extension after refusing offers already.
    Barcelona are plotting a free transfer swoop for Youri TielemansCredit: Rex
    He will be free to negotiate and agree a pre-contract agreement with any clubs outside of England from January 1.
    He was linked with a host of clubs over the summer, with both United and Arsenal keen.
    However, now Spanish publication Sport claims Barcelona are eyeing a swoop next summer.
    The Nou Camp giants have been interested in Tielemans for months.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    And SER are claiming that Xavi and his coaching staff are big fans of his.
    Now they are planning a move to sign him on a free transfer come the end of the campaign.
    Despite their insistence on keeping him in the summer, Leicester could decide to cash in on the ace come winter rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the campaign.
    Leicester chiefs are understood to want to recoup at least some of the £40m they splashed out to sign him in 2019.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    He has previously indicated that he wants to leave Leicester for a team competing in the Champions League.
    The Foxes lost Wesley Fofana to Chelsea last month, while stalwart Kasper Schmeichel left for Nice.
    Brendan Rodgers’ side sit second bottom of the Premier League after picking up just four points from their opening nine games. More

  • in

    Chelsea ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang breaks silence after video emerges of ex-Arsenal man slamming Mikel Arteta

    PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has broken his silence after a video emerged of the ex-Arsenal man criticising Mikel Arteta. The striker, who left the Emirates after falling out with the manager, said the Gunners boss “can’t deal with big characters”.
    Aubameyang is now at Chelsea, and will face Arteta’s Arsenal next monthCredit: Getty
    The relationship between Arteta and his star striker deterioratedCredit: Rex
    Their public falling out saw Aubameyang stripped of the captaincy before having his contract ripped up so he could join Barcelona.
    He has since returned to the Premier League after joining Arsenal’s rivals Chelsea.
    A short video emerged earlier this week that saw Aubameyang directly criticise his old boss.
    But he sought to play down his comments and said he made them when he still had “bad feelings” in him.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    The 33-year-old tweeted: “Aware there is a video out that was recorded just after I arrived at Barca.
    “At the time I still had a lot of bad feelings in me – Arsenal are doing great things this season and I wish all my old guys well, just not on November 6 [when Chelsea host Arsenal].
    “Now full focus on tomorrow.”
    In the video, the forward can be seen sat in a room where at least two other people are present.
    Most read in Football
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    Aubameyang then begins critiquing Arteta’s management skills and says: “Big characters and big players…he can’t deal with it.
    “He needs some young players who don’t say anything. They listen.”
    Another voice accuses Arteta of not “having good people skills”.
    The video is just the latest sign that relations between the manager and player had completely deteriorated.
    It was revealed in All or Nothing: Arsenal how Arteta would note down Aubameyang’s indiscretions.
    He said: “I have everything documented, with the dates, the times, the conversations, how it happened, why it happened . . . because of if one day it’s needed.
    “[Aubameyang] has been late, apart from all the [other] issues, many times.
    “The club has got a tradition. When you get paid that much . . . ” 
    Read More on The Sun
    The Gabonese international arrived at Arsenal in 2018 and scored 68 goals in 128 appearances before his departure.
    Since joining Chelsea, he’s scored twice with the goals coming in his last two appearances. More

  • in

    Arsenal interested in Manuel Locatelli transfer after Juventus loan with midfielder costing £35m from Sassuolo

    ARSENAL are interested in signing Manuel Locatelli from Juventus, according to reports.But the midfielder would cost a minimum of £35million.
    Manuel Locatelli could be on his way to ArsenalCredit: Reuters
    Juventus beat off competition from Arsenal to sign the Italy star in 2021.
    The transfer came in the form of an initial two-year loan deal – with Juve having to pay £35m to make it permanent next summer.
    Reports in Italy suggest that Massimiliano Allegri and Co have not been overly impressed by Locatelli, however, and could opt to let him leave.
    Arsenal remain interested in the 24-year-old and could look to tempt him into joining this time around.
    Read More Arsenal stories
    According to Il Bianconero, Juve would demand at least the £35m they have to pay Sassuolo in order to consider selling Locatelli.
    And they could even look to charge a bigger fee in order to try and make a profit.
    Arsenal are claimed to have already made enquiries to Juve regarding Locatelli’s availability.
    And it’s even been suggested that they could offer Albert Sambi Lokonga in a swap deal.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Locatelli has made 52 appearances for Juventus since making the switch.
    He has made nine appearances this season, including in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at AC Milan.
    The former Milan ace played 56 minutes against his old team before being hooked for Leandro Paredes. More

  • in

    Gabriel Martinelli CONFIRMS he will sign new long-term contract extension at Arsenal after red-hot start to the season

    GABRIEL MARTINELLI has delivered the news that all Arsenal fans want to hear by declaring that his long-term future remains at the Emirates.The brilliant Brazilian international has emerged as one of the hottest young players in world football since being called “the talent of the century” by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
    Gabriel Martinelli impressed against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    And after ripping Klopp’s defence to shreds during Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 win, Martinelli declared: “Of course I want to stay at Arsenal.”
    That will be music to the ears of manager Mikel Arteta, who is desperate to secure Martinelli’s signature on a lengthy new contract.
    Arsenal paid just £6million to sign the 21-year-old forward from Brazilian minnows Ituano in 2019 but know his value has rocketed in the past year.
    His current deal expires in 2024 and though there is an option for the club to extend that by another year they want to reward the 21-year-old’s performance with a lucrative pay rise to keep him out of the clutches of envious rivals.
    Read More Arsenal stories
    Martinelli confirms: “We are talking about a contract so let’s see what happens. But of course I want to stay.
    “I think this is my best season at Arsenal and I am so happy for this moment.
    “Everyone can see our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game.
    “I am so happy to be playing alongside players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    “You can see the understanding we have together but we have a lot of time to improve. We have great quality and I think we can do more.
    “Gabby is a great guy, not just on the pitch but off it as well. He is always trying to help me. He is only 25 but he has a lot of experience and everyone loves him.
    “It’s an amazing opportunity to be at a big club like Arsenal with so many good players.
    “Of course we dream about winning the title, but we leave all that talk to our fans. We are only thinking about the next game and trying to win again.”
    It was Martinelli’s first minute goal which set Arsenal on their way to arguably their biggest win of the season on Sunday as they regained their place at the top of the table.
    The Gunners remain a point clear of Champions Manchester City and already 14 points ahead of a Liverpool team who finished 23 points above them last season.
    Read More on The Sun
    “It was an amazing atmosphere in the dressing-room after Sunday’s game,” Martinelli says.
    “Everyone was hugging each other because we all knew that it was going to be such a tough game but we deserved the victory and we are all so happy.” More

  • in

    Arsenal star Charlie Patino in contract dilemma with no talks over new deal as England face fight to keep midfielder

    ARSENAL and England are facing a fight to hold onto rising star Charlie Patino, according to reports.The 18-year-old scored on his Gunners debut last December in the 5-1 League Cup win over Sunderland.
    Patino is impressing on loan at BlackpoolCredit: Getty
    Arsenal and England face a fight to keep the highly rated midfielderCredit: Getty
    Patino went on to play a second time for Arsenal last term but was a part of a side that fell to a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest.
    The England youth star was then shipped out on loan to Championship side Blackpool to help with his development – and it has done just that.
    Patino has played nine times for Blackpool this term and has started their last four league games.
    He has impressed playing in a No8 role and is extremely popular at Bloomfield Road.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Despite impressing, Patino faces an uncertain future with Arsenal, with his contract expiring next summer, according to The Athletic.
    The Gunners do have a two-year option to extend, however that needs to be exercised prior to a set date in the months ahead and talks are yet to take place.
    Should Arsenal fail to meet the date, the option will expire and they would have to renegotiate with Patino.
    And should he decide to leave the Emirates he wouldn’t be short of options.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    England are also facing a fight to keep Patino.
    The England U20s star holds a Spanish passport via his father and he was monitored by scouts during the last international break. More

  • in

    Arsenal ‘keen on Club Brugge striker Ferran Jutgla transfer as back-up to Gabriel Jesus to help Premier League charge’

    ARSENAL are keen on adding another striker to their ranks to back up star man Gabriel Jesus and help maintain their Premier League title charge, reports say.The Gunners have taken 24 points from an available 27, edging out defending champions Manchester City at the top of the table by one point.
    Jutgla has landed himself on Arsenal’s radarCredit: Rex
    And Mikel Arteta’s men secured a HUGE victory over usual title contenders Liverpool on Sunday, winning 3-2 at the Emirates and extending their points lead over the Reds to 14.
    Summer signing Jesus has been Arsenal’s focus point in attack, netting five and assisting three in nine league games.
    And according to Todofichajes, the Gunners would like to sign another young striker to deputise Jesus, and Club Brugge’s Ferran Jutgla has landed himself on the North London club’s radar.
    The 23-year-old has scored eight goals and assisted five in 14 games across all competitions this season.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    Two of those have come in the Champions League against Porto and Atletico Madrid.
    His form has helped edge the Belgian club closer to reaching the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since the 70s.
    Jutgla’s goal-scoring prowess may also force Spain manager Luis Enrique’s hand and land him a first senior Spain call-up, which would see him make his debut at the World Cup next month.
    The Spaniard joined Club Brugge from Barcelona in the summer for £4.5million.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    But the report states his departure would “hardly cost £9.7m”.
    Arsenal are expected to be active in January with a midfielder also a priority. More