Sky Sports: Arsenal have launched £25m bid to sign Kieran Tierney

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14-07-2019

As per the latest reports emerging out of Sky Sports, the Arsenal have approached Celtic with an improved offer for Kieran Tierney in the region of £25m.

The North London club had failed in their earlier attempt to sign the left-back after Celtic rejected their initial bid of £15m. Napoli are also interested in the signature of the Scotsman but it appears that the London club has the edge over the Italians.

Tierney is under contract with the Scottish Champions till the year 2023 and is currently recovering from a hernia problem that hampered the way his season panned out.

What has made his move to the Emirates club seem more and more likely is the fact that Celtic have signed another left-back in Boli Bolingoli.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is interested in bringing the left-back to solve the defensive crisis that is present in the Gunners squad at the moment. If there was one reason as to why the club failed to get back into the Champions League it would be due to the failings of the backline.

It is good that Emery realizes that this needs to be changed and is looking at getting the right kind of players. At present, Arsenal have two players who can play in the left-back position in the form of Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac.

But the only problem with the two is that they are not as consistent as they should be. The fact that Monreal can also play in the center of defense is probably another reason why Tierney is being looked at.

Tierney is a fantastic modern full-back who is great at attacking but does not forget his defensive duties. This is very important for the team that Unai Emery is trying to build. He likes to make use of the full-backs to create width and help further the attack.

What makes the Scot perfect for this role is that he is incredibly quick and he also has high levels of stamina. It would be a great deal for the Gunners to get a player such as Tierney and for that to happen, they will have to give Celtic what they are looking for.

Arsenal move to hijack Tottenham’s bid for Roma attacker Nicolo Zaniolo

By

Nithyanand

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14-07-2019

As per the latest reports coming from Italy, Arsenal and Tottenham are going head to head in the race for the signature of Roma attacker Nicolo Zaniolo.

La Gazzetta dello Sport(via Calcio Mercato) reports that apart from the two London clubs, Juventus are also in the hunt for the player.

The price that is being quoted by Roma is in the region of £40m [€45m] and the Emirates club are willing to pay that amount to beat their rivals.

Zaniolo joined the capital side from Inter Milan last summer and went on to have a real breakout season as his performances were very impressive. The player scored 6 goals and contributed 2 assists but it was his manner of playing that was the most notable aspect of the youngster’s playing time.

Tottenham were interested in bringing the attacker to North London and Corriere dello Sport reported last week that Spurs had tabled an opening offer worth £20m in cash plus Toby Alderweireldin exchange for the midfielder.

However, they now face some serious competition from their bitter rivals. The one factor that could complicate a deal is the fact that Zaniolo does not really want to leave the Italian capital and move to the English capital.

If a move was to happen, there is only way it is going to take shape and that would be as a result of the attacker getting a big pay raise from any of the London clubs that are after him. There is a suggestion that the Gunners might be looking at Zaniolo as a replacement for Aaron Ramsey who left the club to join Juventus on a free. The departing Welshman has left a huge void in the club and it is necessary to fill it as soon as possible.

Zaniolo has quickly become one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the world and bringing him to the Emirates would be a real statement of intent. And the fact that the Gunners would beat their arch rivals to the signature of a player would make the deal even sweeter.

Arsenal might find it a little difficult to generate the funds needed for Roma to agree to a deal but it is surely going to be an investment that will be worth the price that they pay. Whatever the case may be, Arsenal need to move quickly to secure a deal.

Jack Wilshere believes Rob Holding could become Arsenal’s next captain

By

Nithyanand

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14-07-2019

With current Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny refusing to travel with the team for their pre-season tour of the United States, there are going to be repercussions going far and beyond.

One of those would be the change of captain’s arm-band as Koscielny is expected to be stripped of the captain’s role.

Former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere thinks that young center-back Rob Holding would be the right man to replace the 33-year-old French defender.

Wilshere who left the Gunners in the summer of 2018 was speaking to Football London, and he said:

‘Rob Holding was playing so well before he got injured and will be a great addition to their defense once he’s fit again.

‘I really think he could be a potential Arsenal captain of the future.’

Holding was one of the most impressive members of the Arsenal squad last season but his season was cruelly cut short due to an injury that he suffered in an away game against Manchester United. The long-term effect of the injury meant that the center back did not play any game after that.

This was especially disappointing for manager Unai Emery as Holding was a key component in the 4-man back-line that the team used so successfully in the middle part of the season. His reading of the game coupled with great passing ability meant that he was the perfect foil for whoever happened to be his partner.

There is no doubt that he will have a huge part to play in whatever Arsenal are trying to do next season. Getting back into the Champions League is going to be the most important objective for the squad and Holding will play a big part in that endeavor.

The situation with Koscielny is one that the club would definitely have tried to avoid but they have to face the fact that it is happening now. Getting a solution to this as quick as possible is needed and the club should be looking at all possibilities before making a decision.

Holding is an extremely talented player and in his short time at the club has shown some genuine leadership qualities. If the club were to reward him with the captaincy they should stick with him.

Arsenal table £42m bid to complete transfer deal for Dani Ceballos

By

Nithyanand

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14-07-2019

Arsenal have started negotiations with Real Madrid regarding a move for their midfielder Dani Ceballos, according to reports in Express.

The Express(via Spanish publication Eldesmarque) claim that the North London club have officially launched a bid in the region of £42m.

Ceballos is on his way out of Real Madrid as he is looking to move in search of first-team football which is something that he has not been getting in Spain.

Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also in the hunt for the midfielder but it is the Gunners who have gone one step ahead of them and submitted an actual offer.

The reason that the Emirates club are behind a player like Ceballos is due to the club looking for a replacement for Aaron Ramsey who recently left for Juventus on a free.

The club really needs to replace both the attacking as well as defensive input that was being provided by the Welshman and they feel that Ceballos is the player that can do that particular job.

The Spaniard made his name at Real Betis before making a move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2017. His time at the Bernabeu has not really gone as well as the midfielder would have liked it to go.

The path to the first team has been blocked by more established players that are set to continue starting for the club. Ceballos is also not in the plans of Real manager Zinedine Zidane and is, therefore, looking elsewhere to ply his trade.

Getting a player of his profile would be certainly beneficial to the Gunners as he would add a new dimension to their midfield. He is great on the ball and can pick out passes both long and short.

Apart from this, there is a defensive side to his game that is not often talked about. He is quick to read any attacks that may develop and snuff out passes through the lines.

If the Gunners were to beat the interest of Spurs and get a player as highly rated as Ceballos, it would put the club in good stead. While the fee being quoted is large, it is what will have to be paid for a player of such quality.

The real reason Arsenal rebel Laurent Koscielny went on strike

By

Nithyanand

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14-07-2019

Arsenal’s captain Laurent Koscielny created ripples through the entire squad as he refused to travel with the club for their pre-season tour of the USA.

ESPN are now reporting that the French defender was willing to commit for two more years with the Gunners with his current contract ending next year but an offer was not forthcoming from the club.

This created doubts about whether the North London club really wanted to keep him. Arsenal are looking for £10 million to let go of the center back but ESPN are reporting that there are no firm offers for Koscielny at the moment.

On the contrary, L’Equipe are reporting that the 33-year-old wanted his contract to be terminated this season as he wanted to leave the club on a free and join Ligue 1 side such as Bordeaux.

Despite the fact that his contract was ending only next summer, he was counting on the club to end his contract now. As per French publication L’Equipe, a source from the French club Bordeaux told them:

‘I think that he wants to come. On our side, in any case, it is work that we have put in for a long period of time.’

If the captain had wanted to leave then a more amicable solution could and should have been found but the fact that it has reached this stage does not look good for the club. Koscielny is the Gunners’ longest-serving player and has given the club a lot.

But to look at the situation from the club’s point of view, it makes sense that they are looking to get a fee for the player instead of letting him go on a free. As it is, the North London club do not have a large transfer budget to speak of and they will be looking to get any and every amount of money that is possible.

The actions of the center back has gotten a very divisive response with many people criticizing the way he has conducted himself. Whatever your opinion on this issue may be, there is no denying the fact that it has become messy. It would be in the best interests of the club to find a solution as soon as possible and one that will benefit all parties involved.

Arsenal still confident of signing William Saliba, despite Tottenham’s hijacking attempt

By

Nithyanand

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13-07-2019

If the latest reports are to be believed, Arsenal remain confident that the club can complete a deal for French center back William Saliba.

The Guardian reports that the North London club are set to beat any interest that Tottenham might have in the defender. Spurs have tried to hijack a deal for the Frenchman at the last minute to prevent Saliba from going to the Emirates.

The report states that Tottenham offered St-Étienne a better deal than the Emirates club. Although the transfer fee is similar to what Arsenal offered, the Champions League runners-up but with better add-ons.

If earlier reports were to be believed, the Gunners had agreed on a deal that was worth around £27m but that deal may be in jeopardy now. The deal for the center back did include a clause that would send the player back on loan for the next season.

Reputed BBC journalist David Ornstein also confirmed the same:

‘Negotiations between Arsenal, Saint Etienne and Saliba were in their very final stages – much of it already in the hands of lawyers to agree wording of contracts etc – but Tottenham have reignited their interest and are now pushing hard to get the deal completed.’

It would not look good for the club if their arch-rivals were to nick in front of them and get a deal done for Saliba. Given the history that exists between both the clubs, it will not be a surprise if both the clubs fight it out till the end of the transfer window.

Saliba who is 18 is thought to be one of the most promising defenders to emerge out of France and it would be a major coup for the club if they manage to get him. But the way the payment would be structured is what is thought to be pushing the deal in favor of Tottenham.

They are willing to pay more of the amount upfront and that would suit Saint-Etienne better whereas the Gunners would want to pay less this summer and pay the majority of the deal when Saliba would actually join the Gunners.

A deal like this is less about the player and more about the power balance between Arsenal and their rivals. Saliba is a great talent for the future and the Gunners should try their best to get him to the club.

Arsenal in pole position to sign Dani Ceballos this summer

By

Nithyanand

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13-07-2019

Arsenal are now in pole position ahead of Tottenham to win the signature of Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, as per the latest reports in Marca.

Marca claims that although there have been reports of Tottenham opening discussions with Real London, the North London club are still favourites to sign the Spaniard this summer.

The Sun are reporting that the Emirates club are hoping to sign Ceballos on an initial season-long loan deal and that could be ideal for us as Emery only has a tight budget to work from this summer. AS claim the midfielder is valued at £45m.

Ceballos is thought to be a replacement for Aaron Ramsey who joined Juventus on a free transfer at the end of the last season. The Spaniard joined the Spanish giants in the summer of 2017 but has not really been able to hold down a place of his own in the Real team.

His journey has been complicated with the presence of players such as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. And with Real manager Zinedine Zidane informing Ceballos that he is no longer part of the team’s plans, the midfielder is looking for opportunities elsewhere.

The Spaniard feels that he is not playing as many matches as he should be and it is understandable given that he is still a very young player. He turns 23 in less than a month and will be hoping that he can find regular playing time at another club.

If he were to come to the Emirates, he will surely fit into the way the Gunners set out to play. He could be the perfect foil for both Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka. Apart from being excellent on the ball, he is an underrated tackler.

This is one aspect of his playing style that does not get mentioned a lot. But for those who have seen him play, they know that there is a lot of steel beneath that silk.

Not having Champions League football will put Arsenal at a bit of a disadvantage but manager Unai Emery really wants the player. If the club is able to get Ceballos on a loan deal with an option to buy, it would be a very good deal. Arsenal need to strengthen if they want to get back into the Champions League and this is one way to do it.

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is expected to return from injury ahead of schedule

By

Nithyanand

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10-07-2019

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is expected to return to action sooner than it was first expected, according to reports in the Guardian.

The Spaniard who injured his cruciate ligament in January was one of the most important members of the Arsenal squad before his injury. Bellerin is targeting a return by the end of September.

The defender underwent surgery in Spain and the prognosis given to him was in the region of nine months but now his recovery is going faster than what the medical staff anticipated.

The 24-year-old could well return in time for the game against Aston Villa on the 22nd of September. The youngster was in fine form for the North London club before his untimely injury against Chelsea in a 2-0 home win on the 19th of January.

He was instrumental in Arsenal’s excellent mid-season form and with him in the side, the Emirates club would have had a better chance of finishing in the top four. His absence showed how crucial he was to the way manager Unai Emery had set up the team.

A lot of the Arsenal attacks were through the right-hand side and Bellerin’s pace and passing was key to what the club was trying to achieve on the pitch. The Gunners were lucky that Ainsley Maitland-Niles was able to replace Bellerin and perform quite well but it is clear that right-back is not the youngster’s preferred position.

Arsenal start their pre-season tour of the USA on the 16th of July and it will give the manager a chance to see how the squad is shaping up for the upcoming season. Emery is sure to give a lot of youngsters a run out especially due to the fact that many players are away on international duty.

The North London club will have to do without Bellerin in the initial stages of the season and that is a blow for sure. But the good news is that the Spaniard will be back soon and he is sure to shore up the Arsenal defense.

Arsenal will be trying their best to get back into the Champions League as this will be their third consecutive season in the Europa League. And Bellerin will definitely have a big role to play in the team’s success.

Arsenal agree 5-year contract with William Saliba

By

Nithyanand

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09-07-2019

Arsenal have reportedly completed the signing of talented young French center back William Saliba from Saint-Etienne.

Though the news has not yet been confirmed by any of the clubs involved, Yahoo Sports France have tweeted about the deal. This is what they had to say:

https://twitter.com/YahooSportFR/status/1148555396841447424

‘William Saliba (ASSE) will commit to Arsenal. 5-year contract. Ready for Sainté next season.’

But fans will have to be a little patient in order to see Saliba turn out for Arsenal as he will be sent back on loan to Saint-Etienne for the next season.

This news was given further credence with Mohamed Boufasi who works for RMC Sport giving more details about the move for the youngster. He said:

“William Saliba to Arsenal is essentially complete. #Arsenal and ASSE have reached an agreement of around €30M. Whilst both clubs are still discussing transfer bonuses, the player has already agreed with Arsenal.’

William #Saliba to Arsenal is essentially complete. #Arsenal and ASSE have reached an agreement of around €30M. Whilst both clubs are still discussing transfer bonuses, the player has already agreed with Arsenal. #RMCsport

— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) July 8, 2019

The fee seems a little high for a player who turned 18 earlier this year but given the amount of potential that Saliba has, it is understandable why Saint-Etienne were holding out for so much.

The French side wanted their man back on loan for another season and the North London club have begrudgingly agreed to that. One good thing about the current deal is that Arsenal will only have to pay a small fee this season as he will not be coming to the Emirates.

According to reports in Evening Standard, the bulk of the £25m fee will have to be paid next season when Saliba will actually turn out for the Gunners. The youngster is thought to be one of the most exciting defensive talents to come out of France in the recent past. There are some suggestions that he could develop in the same way as Raphael Varane.

Saliba becomes the second signing for the Gunners after they recently confirmed the arrival of another exciting talent in Gabriel Martinelli. While fans of the club will surely be happy with such arrivals, they will be hoping that the Gunners are also looking at more experienced players who can immediately make an impression for the first team.

The logic behind sending Saliba back on loan would be to let him develop in an atmosphere where he is comfortable. Hopefully, Arsenal get a more rounded player and one that can help their defense immensely.

Arsenal to pay part of Ozil’s salary, desperate to offload star this summer

By

Nithyanand

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09-07-2019

Fenerbahce are ready to make a move for Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil as per latest reports coming out of Turkey.

As per reports in Turkish outlet Fanatik(via Mirror) it is said that the Turkish giants are confident that they can secure the signing of the German on a loan deal.

It further claims that Fenerbahce are will be willing to pay £8m of the £13.5m that the midfielder earns annually. The North London club will be paying the remaining amount of his wages and that should facilitate the deal and push it over the line.

Ozil did not seem to be much in the plans laid out by manager Unai Emery last season as he ended up playing in only 24 games throughout the season.

The plan that has been thought of by the Turkish club has one complication and that is the fact that the German loves his life in London and is not keen on moving from there. But there is a suggestion that the Emirates club will be looking at moving him on as his contract is one that puts a lot of pressure on the financial resources of the club.

Ozil who recently got married to Turkish beauty queen Amine Gulse will be looking to prove many people wrong and show that he can still perform at the highest level. Arsenal will want to get back into the Champions League as soon as possible and it will be a big help if they have someone like Ozil firing on all cylinders.

Manager Unai Emery has a tough task ahead of him especially given the way the season ended for Arsenal. Three consecutive defeats in the Premier League and adding to the Europa League final loss to that makes for grim reading.

But fans will be hoping that if the manager chooses to put his faith in a player like Ozil, it will bring Arsenal back into the European elite.

The German has shown in the past that he can be highly influential and it is time for him to showcase that once again. If he were to move away on a loan deal, fans will surely wish him the best of luck but it would be nice to have some clarity as soon as possible.