ARSENAL are licking their wounds after a 2-0 defeat to bitter rivals Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday.
We've the very latest on matters in the transfer market, including the latest on Houssem Aouar and Mesut Ozil's future.
Follow all of the latest Gunners news, gossip and updates below…
- Marc Mayo
KWIK-E-MART
Gabriel Martinelli returned from injury for the reserves last night.
And the Brazilian wrote of his 'great feeling' at getting back on the pitch after the trip out.
- Marc Mayo
WASH IT OFF
Mesut Ozil is reportedly now leaning towards a move to DC United – where he can better manage his business activities.
The German has been frozen out at the Emirates after he was excluded from the club's Premier League and Europa League squads.
According to DHA, Washington DC's United are the latest to offer the 32-year-old a fresh proposal.
It is claimed Ozil is 'most serious' about a move to America over anything else as it could offer him the chance to expand his off-field ventures.
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS,
Dominik Szoboszlai is set to leave RB Salzburg in January, his manager has confirmed.
Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch believes the winger is destined for a move soon with Arsenal, RB Leipzig and Tottenham all linked.
He told CBS Sport: “He’s likely to leave in Winter, that’s the reality,” Marsch said about Szoboszlai.
“He’ll have so many suitors, we went through this with Erling [Haaland] last year.
“But in the end, I’m so happy for him and I want him to show everyone how good he is.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly set to battle it out for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie who could set them back £45million.
Calciomercato reports the North London rivals are both interested in the £50million-rated Ivorian midfielder who has impressed in Serie A.
Kessie’s partnership with former Gunner Ismael Bennacer in the middle of the park has helped the Rossoneri storm to the top of the Italian league.
The 23-year-old’s current contract runs until June 2022 but Milan are hopeful of securing a renewal with the player said to be happy at the club.
And finally, Gabriel Martinelli made his playing return for Arsenal’s U23s in the defeat to AFC Wimbledon in Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy second-round match.
And finally, Brazil starlet Martinelli completed 45 minutes before being taken off against the League One side.
Ryan Longman, Paul Osew and Joe Pigott all bagged to send the Dons through to the last-16 with Arsenal out.
The young Gunners actually finished the game with nine men, with Tim Akinola and Saliba both receiving their marching orders for second yellow cards.
- Joe Brophy
OUT OF POCKET
Garth Crooks has claimed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had 'Willian in his pocket' during Tottenham's 2-0 win over Arsenal.
He told BBC Sport: “What has become increasingly obvious is that here is another Mourinho player. Hojbjerg is looking like the real deal in a side that is more interested in being solid than pretty football.
“To be fair, Tottenham’s style of play at home against Arsenal wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be under Mourinho. In fact, Hojbjerg had Willian in his pocket for much of the game. If these performances continue like this, I might get to like Mourinho.”
- Joe Brophy
ROYAL RETURN
Danielle Carter says she would not wish the injury woes of her final two Arsenal seasons on her “worst enemy”.
And the pacy Reading ace aims to force her way back into England contention when Sarina Wiegman takes over from Phil Neville.
Carter, 27, told TalkSPORT 2: “You definitely wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy. Complete bad luck.
“Both were contact injuries so they could have happened to anybody at any time.
“There was not necessarily anything I could have done differently. It was meant to be and it happened.
“Dealing with that mentally was tough. The second time it happened I knew I was in the last year of my contract at Arsenal.
“It was more difficult to accept knowing that I wasn’t going to be able to play for a new contract.
“That was difficult to take mentally, it had happened. And it was just a case of trying to stay strong as I wasn’t going to give up.”
- Joe Brophy
WHAT THE HEC
Kevin Campbell slammed Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin for being afraid to tackle.
He told Football Insider: “The debate has been out on Bellerin for a while now. His defensive qualities come into question against the big teams.
“I am yet to see a dominant full-back display from Bellerin. I know he is very good going forward but I do not see him as a defender. He is a converted winger.
“As a full-back, your first job is to defend and let’s not even talk about the foul throws. It is getting ridiculous. He is a professional footballer. It is not on.”
- Joe Brophy
WIL POWER
Alan Shearer has hailed long-term Arsenal target Wilfried Zaha following Crystal Palace's win over West Brom.
In his Premier League of the week, the Newcastle icon said: “He was everywhere, forcing an own goal from the right wing, scoring brilliantly from the left and netting another in the middle.”
- Joe Brophy
WILL I NEVER
Gabriel Martinelli returned from injury coincided with a William Saliba red card as Arsenal U21s fell to a 3-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon.
Brazil starle Martinelli completed 45 minutes before being taken off against the League One side.
Ryan Longman, Paul Osew and Joe Pigott all bagged to send the Dons through to the last-16 with Arsenal out.
The young Gunners actually finished the game with nine men, with Tim Akinola and Saliba both receiving their marching orders for second yellow cards.
- Joe Brophy
KOP ON
Kia Joorabchian has hit back at Jamie Carragher after the Sky Sports pundit suggested the super-agent was making the signings at Arsenal.
As quoted by the Mirror, he said: “First and foremost, I understand Jamie's job was saved by Gary Neville when he had that very bad incident and I understand he wants to protect this brand by making comments that are not correct.
“I'm very surprised because Jamie is one of the people that monopolises Sky Sports commentary. Sky Sports producers pay a lot of money to him – hundreds of thousands, so I can't understand why he doesn't check his facts before he speaks.
“The fact is I had nothing to do with the signing of Willian. If Jamie had bothered to check with Mikel [Arteta] or [technical director] Edu, they would have said Mikel presented three different times to convince Willian to be his number one signing at Arsenal. He had an opportunity to stay at Chelsea and to go to two other Premier League clubs. [Inter] Miami made him a very nice offer. Mikel convinced him to stay.
“Furthermore, David Luiz was in the same situation. Mikel spent a lot of time in lockdown to speak to him and persuade him to stay. Gabriel was on the list of at least three other clubs.
“But the main point is – why do Sky pay Jamie Carragher so much money to talk rubbish? Surely he has the contacts through Sky or himself to make a phone call to Edu or even sky to put a question in through the press department. Why make an assumption that is going to create an atmosphere that is very bad throughout the club?”
- Joe Brophy
WHAT A MES
Micah Richards has expressed his sympathy for Mesut Ozil.
He told 5 Live: “I feel for Ozil a little bit. I feel for the fact that he really thought he was going to get a real chance in this team and then he didn’t.
“Now, he’s sat at home, watching his team not create any chances.
“Now it is like ‘we’re not creating chances and we’ve got one of the best creators sat at home. Surely they’ve got to sort out their differences…
“What would you rather do? Put him in and try to create or just lose anyway?”
- Joe Brophy
GIFT OF GAB
Gabriel Martinelli made his playing return for Arsenal’s U23s tonight.
The starlet was named in the side to face AFC Wimbledon in Tuesday's Papa John’s Trophy second-round match after spending the last six months out injured.
Martinelli was joined in the starting XI by William Saliba and looked back to his sprightly self.
Martinelli had been sidelined since June with a knee injury picked up on the training field.
- Joe Brophy
GUNNER REGRET IT
Alan Smith believes Mikel Arteta made a mistake with deals for David Luiz and Willian.
He told The Evening Standard: “I was surprised when he re-signed David Luiz, and I was surprised when he brought Willian into the club.
“That’s costing a lot of money in wages, and it would have been nice to have gone for youth rather than a couple of players that have achieved everything really they need or want to in the game. I thought that was a mistake by him.”
- Joe Brophy
HARE BRAINED
Christian Eriksen is being "humiliated" by Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte, his ex-Denmark manager claims.
Arsenal have been linked with former Tottenham midfielder Eriksen, who has played just six minutes of Inter's last four Serie A games.
Rosenborg manager Age Hareide, who bossed Denmark from 2016 until April this year, said: “First of all, I think it's a shame for Christian.
"But I also think it's completely wrong that Conte is keeping him out so much."
Hareide believes it was "humiliating" for Eriksen to be used so late as second-placed Inter eased home against mid-table Bologna.
FCInter quote him as saying: "In my opinion, he is good enough to play for Inter.
"He proved to be an important player, both for Denmark and for Tottenham in the Premier League, where he was a key player.”
- Joe Brophy
FAN'S VIEW
SunSport's David Seager writes: "Mikel Arteta can hide behind a thinly-veiled layer of positivity all he wants – but he must know Arsenal are seriously struggling.
"After all, the table doesn't lie… and the Gunners sit 15th after the 2-0 North London derby loss against Tottenham.
"Arteta needs to take a long, hard look at his tactics and find something that works before this weekend's clash with Burnley.
"While Dundalk may not provide the sternest test in Thursday night's Europa League draw, the boss could – and should – use the trip to experiment."
Click HERE for the five things Arteta MUST do to save Arsenal's season…
- Joe Brophy
AUBA THE TOP
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has finally broken his silence following Arsenal’s derby defeat to Tottenham.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Aubameyang Pierre-Emerick (@auba)
- Joe Brophy
ICYMI
Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly set to battle it out for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie who could set them back £45million.
Calciomercato reports the North London rivals are both interested in the £50million-rated Ivorian midfielder who has impressed in Serie A.
Kessie’s partnership with former Gunner Ismael Bennacer in the middle of the park has helped the Rossoneri storm to the top of the Italian league.
The 23-year-old’s current contract runs until June 2022 but Milan are hopeful of securing a renewal with the player said to be happy at the club.
- Marc Mayo
ON THE MARSCH
Dominik Szoboszlai is set to leave RB Salzburg in January, his manager has confirmed.
Jesse Marsch believes the winger is destined for a move soon with Arsenal, RB Leipzig and Tottenham all linked.
He told CBS Sport: “He’s likely to leave in Winter, that’s the reality,” Marsch said about Szoboszlai.
“He’ll have so many suitors, we went through this with Erling [Haaland] last year.
“But in the end, I’m so happy for him and I want him to show everyone how good he is.”
NINTCHDBPICT000622182863Credit: EPA - Marc Mayo
TAH BABES
Arsenal target Jonathan Tah has opened the door on a move to the Premier League.
Fulham and Leicester have also been linked with the 24-year-old Germany international, who has told Goal of his ambitions.
The Bayer Leverkusen star said: “The Premier League appeals to me, it has always been like that. I always had the feeling that my style of play would suit England well.
“The physicality of the league and the need to think quickly are qualities that suit my game. Opinions differ as to which league is the best in the world – for me it’s the Premier League.”
- Marc Mayo
BREAKING
Great news out of Wolves as Raul Jimenez has been discharged from hospital.
The striker suffered a fractured skull in a collision with David Luiz in Arsenal's game with Wolves last month.
- Marc Mayo
TIP OF THE ICE-BERG
Mikel Arteta was handed a tactical ‘lesson’ by Jose Mourinho on Sunday.
That is the view of former assistant Freddie Ljungberg, who told MNF that Spurs exceeded his expectations.
The Swede said: "I haven't recovered yet, it was tough but Mourinho gave us a lesson in how to play a tactical game.
"It was interesting but it still hurts. I thought Spurs, I didn't think they would be that far ahead or top of the league to be honest.
"But you look at Mourinho, he's got them inspired, his players are all doing what he wants them to do, which I think is the hardest thing when you play the kind of football he does. Hats off to him, they're doing really, really well."
- Marc Mayo
PAT'S BACK
Patrick Vieira is poised for a quick return to management – just days after being sacked by French club Nice.
The Arsenal legend got the chop last Friday after the Ligue 1 side lost its fifth game on the trot.
However Vieira is now favourite to take charge of fellow top-flight outfit Nantes.
Coach Christian Gourcuff is on the brink of losing his job following Sunday's humiliating 4-0 home loss to lowly Strasbourg.
And widespread reports in France claim World Cup winner Vieira has been earmarked to replace him.
Former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc was also in the running for the Nantes job.
Credit: EPA
- Marc Mayo
WHAT A MES
Micah Richards has expressed his sympathy for Mesut Ozil.
The Arsenal playmaker continues to be outcast by Mikel Arteta while the team struggles to produce offensively.
And Richards told 5 Live: “I feel for Ozil a little bit. I feel for the fact that he really thought he was going to get a real chance in this team and then he didn’t.
“Now, he’s sat at home, watching his team not create any chances.
“Now it is like ‘we’re not creating chances and we’ve got one of the best creators sat at home. Surely they’ve got to sort out their differences…
“What would you rather do? Put him in and try to create or just lose anyway?”
- Marc Mayo
ART TO TAKE
Mikel Arteta is down as 7/2 third-favourite to be the next Premier League manager given the sack.
Coral make the Spaniard the least-fancied manager of the Big Six.
Here are the top five bookies’ favourites for the sack:
- 7/4 Chris Wilder
- 2/1 Slaven Bilic
- 7/2 Scott Parker
- 7/2 Mikel Arteta
- 5/1 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
GUNNER BE SPECIAL
Vinai Venkatesham recently visited Arsene Wenger over a return to Emirates Stadium.
But the talks were reportedly centred around attending a tribute, rather than coming back as manager.
insiders claim that there is a 'bitterness' between the Frenchman and the club, regarding the way his tenure fizzled out.
According to the Mail, chief exec Venkatesham sought to assure Wenger that he is always welcome at the Emirates.
But Mail sources revealed that the Frenchman doesn't plan on ever returning, while the current owners remain in place.
One Gunners employee told them: "He’ll never go back. That’s how badly let down he feels he was by the board."
TIME TO MOVE?
Arsenal target Isco has reportedly put his house up for sale.
The Real Madrid midfielder is linked to a host of clubs, including the Gunners and Everton.
According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, he is already looking towards his exit and is seeking valuations for his property in the La Moraleja area of Madrid.
Source: Read Full Article
