Home Blog Page 73

Arsenal in talks to agree transfer deal for 21-year-old midfielder

Arsenal Stadium

Arsenal are close to adding another exciting talent to their ranks in the form of French midfielder Pape Gueye, according to reports in French Outlet Jeunes Footeux(via Express).

The report states that the North London club are on the brink of agreeing a €6million(£5m) fee with Le Harve for the 21-year-old star and the youngster is expected to become Mikel Arteta’s first permanent signing.

The French outlet further claimed that the likes of AC Milan and Fiorentina have been tracking the youngster, but the Gunners have stepped up their interest and are close to sealing a deal.

Gueye has been an integral member of the Ligue 2 side for a while now, but he only has around 18 months left on his contract, so the French club might be looking to cash in on the midfielder.

Recent reports in Daily Mail have claimed that Arteta is keen on bringing a box to box midfielder and Gueye fits that bill. Gueye is tipped for a bright future having come through the Le Harve youth system.

He’s already been handed the captains armband despite his young age and has been described as a mix of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba(as per Estadio Deportivo).

The last time Arsenal went to the second division of France was to sign Matteo Guendouzi who came from Lorient. He has gone on to become a real success story at the Emirates and fans will be hoping that the same happens with Gueye as well.

The youngster will be added to the already existing crop of talented young players that Arsenal have at the moment. It is good to know that the club are actively pursuing targets and not waiting for the summer to arrive.

Since the days of Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have had a knack of going for talented French youngsters and that seems to be the case as well. If Gueye is able to play on the lines of a Patrick Vieira, he will have proven to be an astute signing.

Unai Emery blames players attitude for poor Arsenal reign

Unai Emery Arsenal

Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery who departed the club not too long ago has finally opened up on his tenure at the Emirates.

The Spaniard’s 18-month reign came to and end when he was sacked by the club in November after a run of seven games without a win.

Unai Emery feels that he was turning things around at the North London club before being sacked. Speaking to France Football, he said:

“Arsenal was a club on a downward slope for two years before I arrived. We stopped this fall and even began to rebuild the club with the Europa League final and fifth place in the league

“But we lost our four captains: [Laurent] Koscielny, [Petr] Cech, [Aaron] Ramsey and [Nacho] Monreal. They were personalities that we missed this season to stay on the right track, and some stars did not have a good attitude and asked for more than what they were giving back.

“Taking all of that into account, we needed time to succeed with our transition to a new Arsenal, which is what I wanted.”

The first campaign under Emery showed a lot of promise but it fizzled out right at the business end of the season. Losing 4-1 to Chelsea in the Europa League final was a crushing blow that prevented the Emirates club from reaching the Champions League.

They lost their way in the final weeks of the Premier League and after a string of disappointing results, ended the season in 5th place. The 2019/20 season did not go to plan for Emery despite the club bringing in some quality players.

And based on his comments, it seems he would have liked more time with the squad to bring the Gunners back to their former glory. But the Spaniard wasn’t afforded that opportunity, so it’s time to look ahead.

The team have become defensively more solid which is good sign and it seems players trust the new man in charge as can be seen by the comments made by Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette.

Now, the hope of the fans will be that the club can finish the season by challenging for a Champions League spot. Arsenal are also in the hunt for a trophy with FA Cup and Europa League campaigns still alive. It remains to be seen if Arteta will be able to claim a trophy in his first season as a manager.

Mikel Arteta heaps praise on Arsenal youngster

Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praises on Gabriel Martinelli and feels the forward’s mentality is one of the best aspects of his game.

The North London club signed the Brazilian from Ituano in the summer and he was expected to play a bit-part role for the club this season.

However, the youngster has been one of the most impressive members of the squad this season scoring 10 goals and notching up 2 assists.

Speaking at the club’s training camp in Dubai, Arteta was full of praise for the 18-year-old striker. According to Express, he said:

“For me the biggest thing is his hunger, his attitude and his willingness. After that he is obviously a player that is a threat on goal. He can finish, he can run in behind and he is a fighter.

“But his biggest attribute is his personality. Every time he is on that pitch he doesn’t care about what type of game it is. He just wants to win and do his best every single day in training and in games.”

Arteta’s comment about Martinelli is a testament to how well the youngster has done since joining the club. It is not always easy to adapt after moving to a new country and the fact that the youngster has managed to do it so quickly is very impressive.

And his performances have not gone unnoticed outside of Arsenal as he has been earmarked by Real Madrid as a potential summer transfer.

Martinelli can play through the middle and on the wings as well where his work rate will help safeguard the full-back also. He has been a regular starter under Arteta and is expected to take to the field against Newcastle United.

As with any talented youngster, he needs to be managed well so that he can fulfill his potential. From what fans have seen so far, it is clear that he has what it takes to reach the very top.

It will be exciting to see what Arteta has in store for him. Martinelli will be looking to continue his good form and help Arsenal finish the season on a strong note.

Alexandre Lacazette could leave Arsenal this summer

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette could leave the club when the transfer window re-opens, according to reports in the Daily Mail.

The French international has struggled this season scoring just 5 times and clocking up only 2 assists. Recent reports in Sun have indicated that Mikel Arteta might put the striker on the market if he can persuade Aubameyang to stay.

The Daily Mail are now reporting that if the 28-year-old does leave the club in the summer, he would favour a move to Spain.

Express are further claiming that Atletico Madrid could reignite their interest in the forward, given that Diego Simeone was keen on signing the Frenchman before his move to Arsenal.

Lacazette was voted as the Arsenal player of the season by fans last season but this campaign has seen him struggle to find that scoring touch. His lackluster performances in front of goal is probably one of the reasons for the Gunners struggles upfront this season.

Also, him starting in the No-9 slot has seen captain and top goal scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pushed to the wing. The Gabonese forward likes to play centrally and that’s where he is most effective.

Despite his struggles this season based on his past performances for the club, there is enough to suggest that Lacazette might find the net sooner rather than later.

Arteta has a decision to make about Lacazette’s future. If he does feel that it is best to move him on, then the summer would be a good time to do so.

Arsenal’s next game is against Newcastle United in the Premier League and the Frenchman will get a chance to finally end his goal drought under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners will hope that the Frenchman will get his goal-scoring form back as they look to get back in contention for the Champions League spots, which looks a tough task given that they are currently 10 points behind 4th-placed Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta provides update on Arsenal’s new signings

Arsenal completed two signings in the January transfer window and both of them were brought in to strengthen the defense.

When Arteta made the decision to bring in these players it would have been evident that he won’t be able to call on the duo immediately.

Mari doesn’t have any injury concerns but hasn’t had any game time since the end of December following the conclusion of the Brazilian season. So he might need some time before getting match fit.

Cedric on the other hand picked up an injury one week before his move to the North London club. Southampton revealed that the defender will be out for 3 weeks, which will put him on schedule to return after the winter break.

When queried about the progress of the defensive duo, Arteta sounded optimistic about their availability. Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, he said:

“With Pablo (I am optimistic) a little bit more than Cedric, but we have to go step by step. He is a new player and I am sure he is very excited and wants to prove everything in three days, so we have to manage him wisely.”

It is doubtful whether they can make it to the Newcastle game, but Arteta will be hoping that both the players will be fit in time for the Europa League game against Olympiacos. It is one sure shot way of getting into the Champions League so the team will have to put up a strong showing.

Having players such as Cedric and Mari will help solidify Arsenal’s defense. The Gunners defense has been all over the place since the start of the season, and that would have been Arteta’s main priority while taking charge.

And on the basis of what we have seen so far, the team is getting better at being organized and keeping the opposition attack at bay. The training camp in Dubai will be a nice break for the entire squad as they can relax and enjoy some of the warm weather.

Fans will be hoping that when they come back, they can start firing and finish the season on a strong note. Both Mari and Cedric will want to play a part in helping the team achieve that.

Former Arsenal player slams Unai Emery, reveals thoughts on new boss Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta

Former Arsenal player Emmanuel Petit has claimed that the team were going nowhere under ex-boss Unai Emery and outlined how things are changing under Mike Arteta.

The North London club’s form has improved under the Spaniard but the club still find themselves in 10th place in the League table, 10-points behind 4th placed Chelsea.

Petit feels that Arteta’s appointment has brought about a positive change in the player’s mentality. Speaking to Paddy Power, he said:

“When Mikel Arteta took over at Arsenal, the team was sick on the pitch and in the dressing room. They were losing shape and blindly going nowhere.

“They were weak. Now, after several weeks of the Arteta regime I’ve seen different things happening in terms of intensity, togetherness and work rate off the ball.

“The mentality is different and some players are getting back to form, like Granit Xhaka. I’m very pleased with how he has played and the mentality he has shown. They haven’t been winning as many games as they’d like but they also haven’t been losing.”

This can be evidenced by the fact that the Gunners are unbeaten in the new year although there have been too many draws. However fans might be happy that the team are not losing as often and the defense has solidified up to a certain extent although there’s still a long way to go.

Their next match is against Newcastle United and they will look to get back to winning ways. The Champions League spots are not yet out of reach but they soon will be if Arsenal don’t start winning

The team is now in Dubai for a training camp and Arteta will be looking to make the squad even more familiar with his tactics. Hopefully the short break will make the players feel refreshed and they will come back raring to go.

Petit also spoke about how the fortunes of the attack and defense has changed. He added:

“The first priority when Arteta took over was to stop the team conceding stupid goals, and he has done that. But in the meantime they’re suffering a bit up front – I think if they keep playing like this that, sooner or later, they’re going to win games.”

Based on what Arsenal have been like under Arteta, there are indications that the team is getting better. Becoming defensively solid would have definitely been a priority for the new man in charge and it is a great sign that he has managed to do that.

If the Gunners are able to finish the season on a strong note, it will bode well for the next season. Having spent some time with the players, fans will be hoping that Arteta can push them to greater heights.

 

Mikel Arteta criticised for treatment of Arsenal midfielder

Lucas Torreira

Arsenal’s game against Burnley ended in a 0-0 draw and what was notable during the game was the choice of midfielders that manager Mikel Arteta picked.

Lucas Torreira had started Mikel Arteta’s first six games in charge, but Matteo Guendouzi was preferred to play alongside Granit Xhaka for the Turf Moor trip.

This move has elicited some criticism from former Arsenal player Kevin Campbell who spoke about Arteta’s decision. Speaking on AFTV’s Kevin Campbell Show(as per Daily Star), he said:

“Where was Torreira?, If you believe in your players, play them. There’s enough big lumps at the back to be able to go and head the ball. There’s only one ball, go and head it.”

“Look, for me, these moves don’t make sense, to leave him out and put him on the bench and then bring him on in the second half. Why?

“There’s going to be more pressure in the second half with them putting balls in the box.”

Though Torreira didn’t start the game, he was brought on in the second half for Bukayo Saka who suffered an injury. The youngster was playing as a left-back and his injury meant that Granit Xhaka dropped into that role and Torreira was now playing with Guendouzi in the middle.

The Uruguayan has been a lively presence in the Arsenal midfield ever since he moved to the Emirates. His tenacity and ball-winning skills are crucial to the way the North London club play. His defensive commitment also allows Xhaka to play with a lot more freedom.

Right now, the team is in Dubai for a training camp which will hopefully rejuvenate them. When they come back, they will face quite a fight to get back into the Champions League spots as they trail 4th placed Chelsea by some distance.

If the Gunners are to somehow claw their way back into the reckoning, players such as Lucas Torreira will have to play a bigger part. Perhaps the Burnley game was just Arteta testing out combinations and maybe the next time, the Uruguayan midfield dynamo will be back.

Arsenal will next play Newcastle United at the Emirates and they need to get back to winning ways if a serious challenge for the Champions League spots is to be made. Arteta will be aware of this so it will be interesting to see how he moves his team around.

Ian Wright criticises Arsenal forward for not trying hard enough

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has criticized Nicolas Pepe for not showing enough desire in performances so far this season.

The North London club signed the winger for a club-record fee of £72m, but things haven’t really worked out in his favour so far. Though he has shown glimpses of his brilliance, it has not come through consistently enough.

Ian Wright who was talking on the BBC Radio Five Live show took notice of the fact that the Gunners need more from the forward, he said:

“We definitely need more out of him, I’d like to see him play more and getting the creative players ramming the ball down his throat to get him taking on players.

“In Arsenal’s current state in respect of money we cannot afford to pay that kind of money for somebody and three managers now are not really sold. That can’t happen, we’re not in that luxurious position. Whatever happens we’ve got to get a tune out of Pepe and quick. Three managers have benched him.

“I’m not seeing enough movement from him, not seeing enough hunger from him to want to make something happen and he needs to start doing that because questions are starting to be asked.”

It is always tough for a player to move to a country and instantly hit the ground running, but when a player arrives with this kind of a price tag he is expected to start showing his worth instantly.

But based on the bits and pieces that he has shown, the manager will be hoping that he can do it on a more consistent basis. He is still young and might take time to properly adapt to the surroundings and show the tricks, flicks and goals that made Arsenal splash the cash on him.

Now there is a two week break and the Gunners are off to Dubai for a training camp. This will be a good opportunity for the winger to show manager Mikel Arteta what he is made of.

There is a lot of pressure on Pepe being the record signing but he has to put that behind him and focus on his game.

Once he starts contributing on a more regular basis, the pressure will automatically melt away. A lot of football is still to be played and Pepe is sure to have a part to play in it.

Barcelona confirm interest in signing Arsenal forward

Aubameyang

It has not been too long since the January transfer window ended but it seems some clubs have already started drawing up plans for the upcoming season with Barcelona certainly being one of them.

The Spanish club are reportedly targeting the potential signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and this was confirmed by their sporting director Eric Abidal.

Speaking to Sport(via Metro), he said:

“I know him (Aubameyang). He has a profile that has depth. He is important, and in his team he is decisive.

“It is good to bring this profile of player who can be in the market and can help you. We’ll see what will happen.”

The 30-year-old’s contract is up at the end of next summer and the forward has still not signed an extension with the North London club.

The report in Metro further claims that Barcelona tried to make a move for the forward in January but that was not entertained by Arsenal. That makes sense as the club would have not have had enough time to find a suitable replacement.

It would be ideal for the club to let the forward leave in the summer if he is not keen on signing the extension. Although we haven’t heard Aubameyang’s version yet, what will make the fans happy is the fact that the club’s captain has recently revealed his love for the club.

Ever since he made his move two years ago, he has been the North Londoner’s standout player. He has won the Premier League Golden Boot and is the team’s leading scorer this season. The fact that he was made the captain is proof of how integral he has become to Arsenal.

Perhaps the reason that might make Aubameyang want to move is the desire to play in the Champions League. If that is the case, the Spanish club would certainly be a great option. We will have to wait until the summer to see what happens with this possible transfer.

If the striker was to leave, he can do so with his head held high as the forward has given his best whenever called upon. But if the North London club are serious about keeping him, they will have to get his contract situation sorted as soon as possible.

Arsenal settle for a draw against Burnley

Arsenal Stadium

Arsenal against Burnley used to be a match that would have been decided before the teams even stepped on the pitch.

However, with Arsenal struggling big time Burnley proved more of a challenge for the North London club than they have used to with a disappointing match finishing goalless at 0-0.

Both teams were somewhat disappointing on the day, with David Luiz calling Burnley’s playing style as ‘anti-football’ and Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta complaining about Burnley’s pitch saying “conditions were difficult”.

In the first half, Arsenal looked as if they could score two or three, but the finishing on display was poor, with the normally sharp Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missing a clear opportunity in front of goal after a great long ball by David Luiz and failing to convert a similar chance after being played through by Granit Xhaka.

It was only Burnley’s equally poor finishing that enabled the Emirates club to stay in the game. As per usual, Bernd Leno was key in Arsenal keeping the single point.

In the second half, there were a few more chances for the North London side coming from Hector Bellerin who ignored Lacazette for an attempt at goal himself and from Aubameyang who’s shot just brushed the outside of the post in one of the closest attempts for the Gunners in the whole match.

Arsenal once again got lucky after Burnley’s Rodriguez had a shot that hit the crossbar late in the game but was just inches from a goal.

At the end of the day, Arsenal didn’t deserve a win and were quite lucky to even get a point. This game does not look good for their chances of moving up the table in the last stage of the Premier League.