Arsenal transfer news

FORMER Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reunited with some club legends earlier this week for a night out in London.The Frenchman, 72, was pictured with Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell, Martin Keown, Gilberto Silva and former Gunners chief David Dein.
Gilberto posted this picture on InstagramCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
A group of Arsenal legends reunited in London this weekCredit: Getty
Wenger was in attendance for Dein’s book launchCredit: Getty
Each member of the group played an integral role in Arsenal’s invincible era during the 2003-04 Premier League campaign.
Wenger’s side went on an incredible run of 49 games unbeaten and they are still the only team in Prem history to achieve such a feat.
The picture – which was posted on Instagram by Gilberto – also included Sky Sports presenter Geoff Shreeves.
Everyone involved was in attendance at the launch of Dein’s autobiography – ‘Calling the Shots: How to Win in Football and in Life’.
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Also at the event were Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Kolo Toure, Jens Lehmann and Lee Dixon.
Each player took to the stage at the Cambridge Theatre in London to reflect on their time at Arsenal.
Wenger – who managed the club for 22 years – spoke out about his departure in 2018 and why he has not returned since.
He said: “I haven’t been there. I think after 22 years, I had arrived at the end of the road, and people wanted a change.
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Wenger admitted that he hasn’t returned to Arsenal since leaving in 2018Credit: Getty
“Then I must say, I was always loyal to the club, and turned many clubs down, because I felt my life was definitely linked to the club.
“The club chose a different direction, that I understand completely.
“And sometimes you need to change completely to have a new start and not me.
“My presence there could have been a problem. So I thought I’d stay away completely, and give the club a chance to rebuild a new connection with a new manager.” More

OLYMPIACOS have made headlines around the world with some stunning last-gasp signings.The club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis had already been very busy rebuilding Nottingham Forest with a whopping 22 new arrivals joining the Premier League newbies.
This is how Olympiacos may line up this season with all their stars
Olympiacos made headlines after signing ex-Real Madrid team-mates Marcelo and James RodriguezCredit: Reuters
But Marinakis wasn’t finished there, as he’s signed 15 new players for Olympiacos, and saved the best for last.
The Greek champions has already made headlines around the world when they landed Real Madrid legend Marcelo, who received a fiery hero’s welcome at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.
The Brazilian put pen to paper on a one-year deal, with the option to extend for another one.
But Marinakis, who has been an Olympiacos fan since childhood and has been aspiring to win a European title since taking over in 2010, didn’t stop there.
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The Greek businessman followed it up with Marcelo’s ex-Real team-mate James Rodriguez, who signed up as a free agent on a similar deal.
The star duo join ex-Atletico Madrid ace Sime Vrsaljko as well as Nottingham Forest loanees Josh Bowler and Hwang Ui-jo.

And according to Gate7 International, there might be an even larger Real reunion as goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been offered by Paris Saint-Germain, but a deal seems very hard to complete.
Olympiacos manager Carlos Corberan has a big roster to deal with, which means he has many key decisions to make such as the formation.
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Ex-Huddersfield manager Corberan seems to prefer a 4-2-3-1 system, which would certainly see Navas starting if he also joined – if he didn’t then Tomas Vaclik would definitely remain No1.
Vrsaljko, who had been dealing with injury upon his arrival, could start at right-back with Marcelo on the other side.
Ex-Arsenal ace Sokratis Papastathopoulos could line up at centre-back alongside Pape Abou Cisse, who has been previously linked with Newcastle, Everton, Leicester, Arsenal and Liverpool.
However, the likes of Kostas Manolas, Panagiotis Retsos and Ousseynou Ba are also gunning for those positions.
Former Sunderland star Yann M’Vila may link up with Hwang In-beom in midfield with Pep Biel, who registered a whopping 18 goals and 15 assists in 47 matches with Copenhagen last season, at No10.
English talent Bowler could start in the right wing with James on the other side, while Youssef El Arabi – famous for registering a total of three goals in four matches against Arsenal – could lead the line.
Macelo joined Olympiacos on a one-year deal with the option to extendCredit: EPA
James Rodriguez has joined Olympiacos as a free agent on a similar dealCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun More

ARSENAL are set to go back in for Mykhaylo Mudryk after being put off by Shakhtar Donetsk’s asking price in the summer, according to reports. The Gunners looked close to landing the winger in the weeks before the window shut.
Mykhaylo Mudryk has impressed both domestically and in Europe this seasonCredit: Getty
Personal terms had reportedly been agreed as Mikel Arteta looked to secure a potential star of the future.
But the move never came about – and it seems price was an issue.
Fabrizio Romano suggested Shakhtar were asking for more money than Arsenal were willing to pay.
However, the transfer insider added the London club have not ended their pursuit.
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Speaking about the Ukrainian player, he told CBS’ Football Podcast: “I think in the future there is a chance for Arsenal, but not only Arsenal.
“In August, they had some conversations with the agents of Mudryk, but then, when they knew about the price tag, way more than €30m [£26m], they decided not to bid.”
Mudryk is a rising star in Europe and showcased his talent to British audiences yesterday with a well-taken goal against Celtic.
The 21-year-old cancelled out an own goal which gave the Scottish side the lead as he got in behind full-back Josip Juranovic.
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He then lifted his shot over Joe Hart to make it 1-1.
Mudryk also scored last week as the side from Ukraine destroyed RB Leipzig 4-1.
In a boost for Arsenal fans, the winger also admitted earlier this month that he “can’t say no” if the club came in for him. More

ARSENAL return to Premier League action this weekend with the opportunity to get back to winning ways against Brentford.The Gunners last Premier League fixture – now almost two weeks ago – was the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United, where a lack of clinical finishing ultimately cost them their 100 per cent record.
This is how Arsenal could line up to face Brentford
Thomas Partey has been spotted back in Arsenal trainingCredit: Getty
But looking ahead to their visit to the Gtech Community Stadium, Arsenal will be fully rested and have some big players returning from injury.
Defensive midfielder Thomas Partey could make his return to the squad after resuming training following a thigh injury.
Brentford have already proved themselves to be a threatening side this season, with their 4-0 humbling of Manchester United on matchday two laying down a big marker.
And Arsenal will need to bring the full breadth of their squad to bear to claim victory and consolidate their top four push.
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SunSport predicts a return for most of the players rested in their 2-1 win away at FC Zurich.
Aaron Ramsdale should return between the sticks after Matt Turner’s debut had some shaky moments.
William Saliba and Gabriel will form the heart of defence, but full-back will provide the biggest selection dilemma for Mikel Arteta.
However, we predict Takehiro Tomiyasu will make his first start in the Premier League in favour of Ben White, while Oleksandr Zinchenko will play at left back to offer Arsenal control down the left side.
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Partey and Granit Xhaka will resume their midfield partnership, with club captain Martin Odegaard in his usual more advanced role.
The front three will also be a return to familiarity, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all playing.
Brentford will not be pushovers, and the in-form new England star Ivan Toney will need to be kept in check throughout the match.
Arteta’s side have already overcome tough away tests against the likes of Crystal Palace, but Brentford’s more direct style has caused them problems in the past.
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Earlier this week, Arsenal released their 25-man Premier League squad which they will persist with up until at least the January transfer window.
There were no shock omissions but there was one shock inclusion with the naming of George Lewis. More

ARSENAL have released their 25-man Premier League squad and it’s not short of surprises.Manager Mikel Arteta didn’t make any shock omissions but there are some surprise picks involved.
Arsenal have revealed their full Premier League squad for the seasonCredit: Getty
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta included a couple of surprise additionsCredit: Getty
One of them is 22-year-old George Lewis, who has been added to the main list even though he has yet to make a senior appearance.
Lewis joined the Gunners in 2020 from Norwegian outfit Fram Larvik and has since been playing for the Under-21s.
The winger started strong with the reserves as he scored in a friendly against rivals Tottenham before adding another goal and assist in his first three competitive games of the 2020-2021 season.
But a couple of injury setbacks prevented him from having a further impact.
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That also cost him a loan move that would have helped him gain more first-team football experience.
However, Lewis was still offered a new contract this summer and signed a one-year deal.
The 22-year-old can’t be included in the Under-21 list so this could be his final chance with the North Londoners.
Lewis is joined by fellow Arsenal academy ace Matt Smith, 21, in the main squad.
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Midfielder Smith, who has played as captain in the Under-21 side, is also still waiting for his first senior appearance.
Other key players, such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli are on the Under-21 list.
Here is who Arteta named for his Premier League squad this season:
Cedric Soares, Gabriel Magalhaes, Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Rob Holding, George Lewis, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Matt Smith, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Matt Turner, Ben White, Granit Xhaka, Oleksandr Zinchenko More

LIVERPOOL and Arsenal turned Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland down when he started out at Molde because they thought he was a “target man”.Haaland has been on fire at City ever since his £51million move from Borussia Dortmund as he has already registered a staggering 12 goals and one assist in eight matches across all competitions.
Liverpool and Arsenal had the chance to sign Manchester City star Erling HaalandCredit: Rex
But things could have turned out differently as the Reds and the Gunners were offered the star striker when he was 17 years old and starting out in Norway.
That is according to Molde’s former chief scout John Vik, who claims English clubs, such as Liverpool and Arsenal, were strongly advised to snatch the Norway international before it was too late.
But none of them listened to Vik, who worked under former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the time, because they thought he was too big for a centre-forward
Now, the former scout insists they must all be “kicking themselves” amid the Norwegian’s ongoing success.
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Vik told The Athletic: “I think they [English scouts] looked at him as a target man because he was so big.
“I kept telling them, ‘He’s not a target man – if you’re going to judge him that way, you’re going to be disappointed’, I remember one occasion when the team were out in Spain.
“I was with some of my colleagues from Premier League clubs and I remember saying, ‘I have to repeat myself, guys, don’t judge him as a target man, you have to look beyond that. He runs in between, he chases space, he’s fantastic in the box, he’s that kind of player’.
“I was thinking to myself, ‘Am I the guy who is getting it wrong? Am I seeing this the wrong way?’.
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“But there has always been this perception with some English clubs that a striker needs to look a certain way, and that a centre-half needs to look a certain way, and you need a certain frame for a certain role.
“When they were seeing a big striker like Erling, they were seeing a target man and I think they forgot to look at what else he could do.
“Liverpool could have got him. Arsenal could have got him. Everyone was there to watch him but these clubs were seeing a No9 who was tall and broad and, ‘Oh, he’s going to be a target man’.
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Erling Haaland attracted interest when he started out at Molde as a youngsterCredit: Getty
Liverpool and Arsenal turned Erling Haaland down because they thought he was a “target man”Credit: Getty Images – Getty
“I couldn’t for the life of me see why they had narrowed him down that way. I didn’t like him with his back towards the goal and, at the time, he couldn’t really head the ball.
“I liked it when he turned round, when he chased into pockets, when he ran between the lines, his movement in the box.
“He didn’t want to hold the ball up, he just wanted to turn and go. There will be a lot of clubs kicking themselves because we can all see now what he is good at.” More

ARSENE WENGER has broken his Arsenal silence and backed Mikel Arteta’s team to launch an unlikely title challenge.The most successful manager in the club’s history has never been back to the Emirates since his brutal sacking in 2018 and has steadfastly refused to comment on the team he left behind.
Arsene Wenger has backed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to lead a Premier League chargeCredit: Reuters
But now the 72-year-old Frenchman has opened up on the current state of play and cannot hide his admiration for the job being done by Arteta.
Wenger said: “I would say they are moving in the right direction. I honestly think there is no weak position in the team… they are young, promising players and they have bought well this year.
“There is no completely dominating team this season and Arsenal has a chance with the potential that is there.
“We used to be in the top four and why not again? You cannot even rule out the fact that they can fight for the title and hopefully they can do it.”
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Wenger, who won three league titles and seven FA Cups during his 22-year Arsenal reign, was speaking at an evening with David Dein to help the club’s former vice-chairman promote his new book, Calling The Shots.
And even though Arteta has led Arsenal to the top of the table after replacing Unai Emery three years ago, Wenger is not planning to return to the Emirates any time soon.
He added: “I haven’t been there since 2018.
“After 22 years as manager, maybe I arrived at the end of the road and people wanted a change. 
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“The club had chosen a different direction and I can understand that completely. Sometimes you need to have a completely new staff and my presence there could have been a problem.
“So I stayed away completely to give the club the chance to rebuild a new connection with a new manager.
“That’s why I never talked about Arsenal and never came back to the Emirates because I didn’t want to be a presence that is maybe not good for the club.
“But I still feel that my life is definitely linked with Arsenal so now I support them from my TV and I am also very busy travelling the world for Fifa.”
Yet Wenger, who is now Fifa’s chief of global football development, is understandably proud of the work he did alongside Dein at Arsenal.
He said: “Even above the trophies, the most important thing you generate at the club is values. On that front, David and I were on the same wavelength.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has enjoyed a strong start this seasonCredit: Getty
“I look from the distance of time and we both left the club in good shape. We were the first to build a new training centre, the first to build a new stadium and the first to pay back the debt.
“When I arrived in the Premier League, all the ownership was English. Today we have 58 American people who own football clubs in Europe.
“You would not have believed that 25 years ago. European football is now in the hands of American people who back then didn’t even know the rules.
“Football has changed. It has become of worldwide interest and the Premier League is the place where you have the biggest love for football and also the economic power.
“They have created a world brand that makes everyone want to come to England, but there is a threat because the other countries will not remain silent and the clubs will respond.
“This summer, the net spending on transfers in England was £1.4billion. The rest of the other four big leagues was less than £200million. The difference in financial power is absolutely huge.” More