Official: Arsenal make announcement that exciting midfielder has signed new deal with the club

By

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03-08-2018

Arsenal have always had a history of promoting and nurturing young talent as we have seen many cases of that over the years.

Every year, we can see some player who appears to be on the verge of having a breakout season. And yes there have been many who did not live up to their potential but one player that seems ready to burst on the scene is Emile Smith Rowe who has just extended his contract with the Gunners.

He has been very impressive in all the games during the preseason as he has shown just exactly what he is capable of. The last season was one where he put his stamp on the youth teams and he was expected to make a mark on the first team as well.

While it is hard to see him becoming a regular for the first team, it is very possible that he will have a big role to play for the team.

His finest moment as an Arsenal player came in the preseason match against Atletico Madrid where he scored a goal and what a goal it was. Smith Rowe took control of a loose ball and dribbled past a couple of players then hit a curling shot that left the keeper with no chance.

Speaking to the Arsenal website, manager Unai Emery had a lot of positive things to say about the youngster. He said:

“I am pleased with Emile’s contribution so far this pre-season. He is working very hard and has lots of potential. I look forward to working with him and the other young players and helping them to develop as Arsenal players.”

It is clear to see the regard in which he is held at the club by everyone so we can expect Smith Rowe to have a lot of opportunities this season. He will surely play a part in the cup competitions.

The important thing for Arsenal is that they do not let the pressure get to the youngster. The last thing that the Gunners will want is for Smith Rowe to feel burnt out and lose focus. The early signs seem to be promising and we can trust the management to take care of the player.

Announcement next: Arsenal forward completes medical at new club, signs three-year deal

By

Nithyanand

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03-08-2018

Arsenal have been involved in a lot of deals this transfer window but there have been some moves that have gone under the radar.

This is more to do with the players that have left the club. The player in question here happens to be striker Chuba Akpom who is all set to join the Greek club PAOK.

And as per reports emerging from Greece, the only thing that is holding up the deal is the paperwork that has to be completed. The transfer will be a permanent one, worth between £1m and £2m, depending on different sources.. He’ll sign a three-year deal with his new club, with a €8m release clause.

Akpom is one player that never seemed to establish himself at the club with the few chances that he was given. When he first burst on to the scene, there were high hopes for the youngster.

His spell with the Gunners has been punctuated by a series of loan spells at different clubs. It has appeared for a long time that he did not have what it took to become a mainstay for the Gunners.

Earlier in the transfer window, there were suggestions that he was to join the Belgian side Sint-Truiden but things have turned to be a little different than we first thought. Akpom impressed during his spell at the Belgian club and it looked like that was enough to secure a deal for him.

But, PAOK swooped in at the last moment and have convinced the player and the Gunners about a move to Greece. This is good for Akpom as a change of scenery is probably what he needs for his career to really take off.

The fee that is being quoted is said to be somewhere around £2m and if you think about it, is not that much. But any little amount that is gotten will boost the funds that the Gunners have.

This also represents a reduction in the wage bill for Arsenal and that is definitely a good sign. It is sad to see players like Akpom who have been at the club for such a long time to leave this way but it is for the best.

Arsenal ready to agree £22.3m transfer deal to let 26-year-old star leave, Unai Emery not keen

By

Nithyanand

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02-08-2018

Arsenal seem to be done with buying players as far as this transfer window is concerned. Now, their focus seems to have shifted towards selling players in order to recoup some of the funds that has been spent this summer.

One such player who could be on the move is defender Shkodran Mustafi who is a target for the Turkish club Galatasaray as per reports in Turkish Football.

The Gunners are willing to let him go for a sum that is thought to be around £22.3m [€25m]. Unai Emery is not keen on the player and selling him will go some way in recovering some of the expenditure that the club has made in recruiting five players.

The report further states that the North London club have snubbed a loan offer from Galatasaray and the club have informed the interested parties that they plan to sell the defender on a permanent deal.

Arsenal have gotten two players for the defense in the form of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund respectively. The signing of the Greek Sokratis is interesting as the Gunners have required someone to be at center back since the retirement of Per Mertesacker and the long-term injury suffered by Laurent Koscielny.

If Mustafi were to leave, it would appear that the Gunners are a little short when it comes to the center back area. But this is not the case as they do have some good backup. This primarily comes in the form of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding.

And to add to this, there is already another promising defender in the Arsenal ranks in the form of Konstantinos Mavropanos. Alternatively, the Gunners could also get another player may be at a cheaper rate than what Mustafi would be sold for.

The German has not been the most reliable defender for Arsenal in recent times as he has been a little too error-prone. This is not a good thing to have for a club that is trying to get back into the Champions League and win trophies as well.

There is only around a week left in the transfer market so if any move were to happen, it will have to happen very quickly. The Gunners have been quite smart about their transfer business so we can trust them to make the right decision about Mustafi.

French striker to visit Arsenal’s training ground, after Gunners held transfer talks with agent

By

Nithyanand

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26-07-2018

It appears that Arsenal are done with the transfer of players as far as the midfield and the defense is concerned.

Now, their focus seems to have shifted to deal with the attacking needs of the squad. One player that they have picked out is Nabil Alioui, a young striker who plays for AS Monaco if reports in Metro are to believed.

The reports states that the young striker will visit Arsenal’s training ground next week after Gunners held positive talks with his representatives.

The youngster has not yet signed professional terms so it has given other teams the chance to nab him from Monaco. Alioui who is just 19 is rated as one of the best up and coming strikers in his homeland.

We all know how much the Gunners like to sign a young French player and if the reports are anything to go by, Arsenal will be getting one more after they brought in Matteo Guendouzi earlier in the window.

The Gunners have been very active in the transfer window having signed five players so far and you would be forgiven if you thought that they were done with bringing in more players. But, it appears that their business is far from done and when you think about it, five does not seem much when other clubs are signing more than 10 players in one transfer window.

Also, if a new player is to be brought in, there is a real possibility that a player will be leaving the club. There are several names being linked with a move away from the Emirates such as Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

It is possible that manager Unai Emery became familiar with Alioui during his time in France and he recommended the youngster to the scouting department. Even if he does come to the club, it is hard to see him to become a starter and he will have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Having numbers in the squad is always helpful when you are competing in four competitions the way the Gunners will be doing next season. Based on scouting reports, Alioui seems to be a very exciting talent and it would benefit Arsenal if he did come.

Unai Emery predicts £350,000-a-week midfielder to have a ‘big season’ with Arsenal

By

Sri Aswin

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26-07-2018

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has backed midfielder Mesut Ozil to have a ‘big season’ with the Gunners following a frustrated summer for him at the international stage.

Ozil recently announced his retirement from national team duty citing racism and disrespect as the prime reasons and he has since joined up with his Gunners’ teammates for the pre-season tour of Singapore.

Speaking ahead of International Champions Cup game versus Atletico Madrid, Emery said that he respects the midfielder’s decision to call time on his national team career and the club will do their best to help him through the difficult period.

The Spaniard added to praise the 29-year-old for his qualities on the playing field and feels the midfielder will have a game-changing influence during the first season post the Arsene Wenger era.

“He has experience, he has quality and he has a great mentality and we are going to help him feel good and to show his quality with us. ‘I am sure he is going to have a big season with us,” he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

The £350,000-a-week star has only recently linked up with his teammates for pre-season training and judging by this, he may earn just a minor role during the upcoming fixture against Atleti.

Nevertheless, there are exciting times ahead for the current squad with new signings likely to lay their mark on how the club’s season paves next term.

Four of Arsenal’s five summer signings have reported for the pre-season tour of Singapore with Lucas Torreira the only player absent. The Uruguayan is expected to join his new teammates shortly after their return from the Far East.

Arsenal in talks with club to agree transfer deal for £36m star, Unai Emery wants midfielder

By

George

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26-07-2018

In the latest update to the Arsenal transfer window, it’s reported that Unai Emery is locked into negotiations with Sevilla for midfielder Steven N’Zonzi.

Various sources are reporting that the Gunners may have to settle for the players €40m (£36m) release clause, although the North London side are attempting to negotiate this down to fit into the club’s somewhat depleted budget, according to reports in Mirror.

Some fans are wondering whether the Gooners really do need to sign another midfielder given the arrival of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi who are both defensive midfielders like N’Zonzi.

It is important to note that key players Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere have both departed the side this season and that in the Premier League, sometimes squad depth can be the difference between a successful season and an unsuccessful one.

It looks like Arsenal are the favourites to sign the midfielder, who seems to be looking for a move away from Spain. With this, there is a serious challenge from Italian side Roma, who will be competitive bidders to take the Frenchman.

N’Zonzi has made an impressive 37 appearances for Emery’s old club, scoring 2 goals and grabbing 1 assist in the process, playing as an overtly defensive player.

Standing at an impressive 6 foot 4, the player will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the box on both ends of the pitch.

With Arsenal’s transfer budget almost entirely spent already, there may be a few players who may depart yet to raise cash for the transfer.

Some who look like possible candidates to leave include Shkodran Mustafi, who has suffered from some heavily varying performances over his last few seasons with the Arsenal.

Given the arrival of Sokratis, Lichtsteiner and the large competition within the squad in the position, it looks very likely a defender or two may leave soon if the deal for N’Zonzi will go ahead.

Deal agreed in principle with £40,000-a-week World Cup star, Arsenal tell player he can leave

By

Nithyanand

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25-07-2018

Much of the focus of Arsenal’s transfer activity so far, has been focused on the incoming players and not much on those that have left the club.

There have been a few departures in the form of Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere who left on a free as well as Per Mertesacker who retired. And as per reports in Turkish Football, another name will be added to that list with David Ospina set to move to Besiktas.

The report states that the £40,000-a-week star has agreed personal terms with Besiktas and the North London club have already told player’s representatives that he can leave the club this summer.

The Turkish club have seen their first choice keeper make a move to Fulham so that has led them to look for a replacement. And the 29-year-old World Cup star’s name seems to be the leading choice as far as the press are concerned.

With Arsenal having signed Bernd Leno this summer, there seems to be no way for Ospina to become the first choice at the Emirates. So in that sense, it makes sense that he will be looking for a move elsewhere as he is more likely to get regular playing time.

Earlier in the transfer window, there were reports that linked Petr Cech to other clubs such as Napoli but the veteran keeper preferred to stay with the Gunners.

And with keepers such as Emiliano Martinez and Matt Macey also vying for a place, it appears that Ospina had no choice but to move. If a move is made, it will help the Gunners raise some funds for another prospective signing if they are to make one.

New manager Unai Emery has spoken about the possibility of bringing in another player so some players leaving the club seems an inevitability at the moment. The Colombian has been a reliable keeper for the Gunners whenever he has been called upon and he has certainly helped Arsenal with their quest for trophies.

If Ospina does leave, Arsenal are not in a situation where they have go out and look for a replacement. So, selling the player will increase the funds that they can play around it and also lessen the amount of wages at the club.

€40m star tells club he wants to leave, as Arsenal begin negotiations to agree transfer deal

By

Nithyanand

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25-07-2018

Arsenal appear to be locked in a transfer saga involving the French midfielder Steven N’Zonzi as it looks like this deal with drag on until the end of the transfer window.

The latest news indicates that the player is trying to force a move away from Sevilla and move to the Emirates, according to reports in Foot Mercato.

The report claims that the 29-year-old told Sevilla that he wants to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal being his likely destination. It further states that Unai Emery is keen on reuniting with the player.

Earlier, there were reports saying that N’Zonzi’s father was convinced that the Gunners would be making a move for his son while others claimed that the North London club are negotiating terms to sign €40m star. These reports seem to further solidify the idea that a move is really on the cards.

The Gunners have already been very active in the transfer window having signed five players so far and two them happen to be midfielders. So it would appear that they do not really need to go out and get another one to add to their ranks.

Given the fact that N’Zonzi and Arsenal’s new manager Unai Emery have worked together in the past seems to be the biggest reason as to why a deal is one the cards. Perhaps the manager feels comfortable with the player and what he will be able to offer and it seems that he is one of the driving forces behind the deal.

Both the Frenchman and Emery were successful during their time in Spain as they won the Europa League in their season together. The fee that is being quoted by Sevilla seems to be the stumbling block that is preventing the deal from being completed.

Arsenal do not want to pay the release clause of €40m as they are looking to lower the asking price. But if both the player and the club are keen on completing the deal, there is a real possibility that a deal will be completed.

If the Gunners do manage to get N’Zonzi into their team, it will certainly add a lot of quality to a side that is already filled with talented players. There are only a few days remaining in the transfer window so it will be interesting to see what Arsenal end up doing.

Player’s father confirms Arsenal will make offer to agree transfer deal for €40m-rated star

By

Nithyanand

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24-07-2018

A quick look at the Arsenal squad will tell you that the Gunners are pretty well stocked when it comes to their midfield.

And given the options that they have, it seems a little surprising that they will be after another midfielder.

But it seems that they are in the market for Steven N’Zonzi and reports from Spain seem to be claiming that the player’s father is sure that Arsenal will make a move.

According to Spanish journalist Jose Manuel Garcia, the player’s father has claimed that the North London club will soon submit an offer to sign the midfielder. N’Zonzi has a €40m release clause in his contract.

At the moment, there does not seem to be much to suggest that a move will be made official but the transfer window is known to throw up surprises at a regular interval.

Arsenal have gone ahead and bought two midfielders in the form of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. The former is expected to be a starter so it will be interesting to see what happen if and when N’Zonzi does join the club.

The Frenchman will not want to be a backup for the team given that he has just won the World Cup with France. So, if the Gunners manager Unai Emery does choose to get N’Zonzi, he will have quite a selection headache to deal with.

And if a deal is to be made, it has to be done soon because the more the transfer window goes on, it will be harder to reach a conclusion with Sevilla. The Frenchman has worked with Emery earlier when he was the manager of the Spanish team as both of them won the Europa League during their time together.

Emery made it clear that the door is not closed with regards to signing a player so there is definitely a possibility that the Gunners will go in and get their target.

Arsenal fans will surely be happy with what the club has done in the transfer window so far and anything else they do will be seen as a bonus. And for N’Zonzi to come to the Emirates, there may be a few players leaving the club in order to generate the funds needed.

€50m midfielder finally reacts to Arsenal transfer links, as reports claim an offer was made

By

Nithyanand

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24-07-2018

Even though the transfer window is about to come to an end, the rumors of players being linked to Arsenal does not seem like stopping any time soon.

One of them happens to be Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich who according to many reports, is a target for the Gunners.

There were some reports claiming that the North London club have made a €50m offer for Coman but now he has come forward with an update.

When the Frenchman was asked about a move to the Emirates, he had this to say as per Sport1:

“That’s not true. I’ve had no contact with Arsenal.

I’ve just extended my contract here at Bayern and I’m planning to stay for many more years.”

That does sound like it is pretty conclusive in the way that Coman has framed his reply. But, it could also be a case of him not wanting to attract too much attention as clubs generally like to be a little low key about their transfer dealings.

Coman has not helped the speculation as his activity on social media seemed to suggest that he was indeed on his way to becoming a Gunner. So, it promises to be an exciting period in whatever time there is remaining in the transfer window.

The reason for Arsenal looking at signing the Bayern Munich player is because they are looking for someone that can be fast and direct and also play on the wings. The Gunners do not really have a player like that apart from Reiss Nelson.

If they were to add a player like Coman to their ranks, it will give them another weapon to use and maybe that will allow new manager Unai Emery to play around with the formation. He has qualities that are a little different from the ones that the existing squad has.

Coman will have a point to prove after he was left out the French team that went to Russia and won the World Cup. If he does choose to come to Arsenal, it will be a real challenge for him. And perhaps this will motivate him to reach greater heights as a player.