Arsenal
‘You never know’: Martin Odegaard speaks out on his Arsenal future
Martin Odegaard has revealed that he’s still unsure about his Arsenal future with the midfielder’s loan deal expiring at the end of the season. The 22-year-old has become a regular presence in the first eleven since joining the Gunners in January, chipping in with two goals in 18 appearances. Ahead of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday, the midfielder was asked by Sky Sports about his future. “You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Every time you step onto the pitch you want to do as well as you can, and you want to try to win.” SL View Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is believed to be interested in signing Odegaard permanently this summer. However, his hopes of getting a deal over the line are likely to rest on where they finish in the Premier League this season. The Gunn...
Southampton confirm Ryan Bertrand will leave for free at the end of this season
Southampton have confirmed that defender Ryan Bertrand will leave the Saints this summer when his contract expires and will be available on a free transfer. The Englishman has spent seven years on the south coast, racking up an impressive 240 appearances for the club. In that time, Bertrand has also featured in a Carabao Cup final and two FA Cup semi-finals, while helping Southampton achieve their highest ever Premier League table finish. In a statement on their website, Southampton thanked Bertrand for his contribution to the Saints. “Southampton Football Club can today confirm that Ryan Bertrand will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season,” the statement read. “Everyone associated with Southampton would like to thank Ryan for his contribution to the history of ...
Mikel Arteta criticises negative media coverage after brave win over Chelsea
Mikel Arteta defended his players following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea claiming that his comments before the game had been misrepresented. In a tightly contested London derby, the Gunners got the win thanks to a goal from Emile Smith-Rowe. Though the Blues attacked constantly, Arteta’s team were able to withstand the onslaught and secure the three points. Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, the boss made it clear that he wasn’t happy with how his comments had been portrayed. Arteta said: “Nothing is broken. Inside, nothing is broken. They [the media] try to put things on me that I never said. You can see the spirit of the team from the first minute. “It doesn’t matter whether we’re playing seventh, eighth, ninth. You can never doubt their efforts and how much they are trying.” And w...
Report: Arsenal staff are under the impression that five senior players want to leave the club
An in-depth “special report” has been published today by The Athletic regarding the current situation of Arsenal. Some comments from Arsenal insiders were interesting, particularly regarding Mikel Arteta’s approach to press conferences. His comments have raised concerns among some club members, with many feeling that “too much of what Mikel says publicly is not true”. The summer transfer window will be absolutely crucial for Arsenal. They are unlikely to operate on a high transfer budget, but massive rebuilding work is needed. The report claims that Arsenal staff are under the impression that at least five senior players — David Luiz, Willian, Bernd Leno, Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin — want to leave the club. Arsenal fans probably won’t...
Arsenal to compete with Manchester City to sign defender with 19 international caps
Arsenal could compete with Manchester City to sign Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand during the summer transfer window, Goal.com claims. Bertrand has been with the Saints for seven years, but he looks set to head for the exit door after negotiations over a new contract broke down. The 31-year-old will be available on a free transfer when his deal expires next month, and the Gunners are among the top contenders to secure his services. Sportslens view: The Gunners were linked with a move for Bertrand in January, but a deal failed to materialise before the deadline. As a result, the north London club have had to cope with just one specialist left-back in the first-team squad in Kieran Tierney. Cedric Soares and Granit Xhaka played there recently when the Scot was nursing a knee ligament inj...
‘Prowess of Yaya Toure’, ‘Yaya esque’ – Some AVFC fans react to links with Everton target
Aston Villa have been linked with Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa ahead of the summer transfer window. The defensive powerhouse is set to leave Craven Cottage at the end of the campaign after their relegation to the Championship, and there would not be shortage of suitors for his signature. Arsenal and Everton are also keen on Anguissa who has proven himself as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the bottom half of the table, and more clubs will likely join them and Villa in the coming weeks. Dean Smith’s side could do with more verve in the middle of the park, and the Cameroonian definitely has what it takes to be a quality addition to the squad. Villa fans would be pleased to have Anguissa at their club next season, and here is how some of them have reacted to the links on T...
Premier League duo join Everton in pursuit of Andre-Frank Anguissa
Premier League duo Arsenal and Aston Villa have joined Everton in tracking Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa, who could be available this summer. The Cameroon international has played 33 games during the campaign, impressing in both offensive and defensive phases of play. Everton were recently linked with a move for Anguissa, with the Mirror suggested that Carlo Ancelotti was considering a move for the midfielder. The Mail have now backed that up in a separate report but have also suggested that Arsenal and Aston Villa are monitoring Anguissa’s situation. It is said that Everton would need to sell before purchasing Anguissa, which could give their rivals the upper hand. It is also claimed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to play a double defensive midfield p...
Everton reportedly want England international midfielder on Man Utd’s radar
According to Sportsmail, Everton have shown an interest in signing Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer, but they view him as a right-back. The Toffees want to bring in another player in the position with Seamus Coleman already in the twilight of his career. Everton have been linked with Norwich City right-back Max Aarons, but recent reports claim they no longer see the player as an option as he does not fit the profile they are looking for. Atletico Madrid star and England international right-back Kieran Trippier has also been linked with a move to Goodison Park, but landing him this summer will not come easy. Arsenal are looking to cash in on Maitland-Niles and are said to be open to selling him for £20 million. Everton are not the only team keen on the West Bromwich Albion loane...
Rio Ferdinand picks three players that Arsenal must build around
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has named three players that Arsenal must build their team around. Although it has been a frustrating season for the Gunners, the emergence of some promising youngsters has undoubtedly been positive news. When discussing the state of the London club on his YouTube channel FIVE, Ferdinand highlighted three players that have been shining lights this season. “The only good thing to come out for Arsenal are Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney this season. “They’ve been top – they’ve been the best players, and that’s what he’s (Mikel Arteta) got to build around going forward.” Ferdinand also praised Joe Willock, who has spent the second half of the season on loan at Newcastle United. “Even Joe Willock has gone to Newcastle and kept...
Celtic finally set for windfall as Arsenal reportedly eye £25m 51-goal hitman
Arsenal are weighing up a move for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Telegraph Sports. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his attack, and while it appears that he has missed out on Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard, another Frenchman and former Hoops star is now on his radar. Dembele is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid, but he has not scored or assisted in six appearances across the La Liga and Champions League. Injury and fitness issues have hindered the 25-year-old from impressing, and whether Diego Simeone’s side will be keen to activate the option to buy him for around £30 million remains to be seen. Dembele’s form has not stopped Arsenal from casting glances at him, though, and he is available for £25 million this summer. Celtic a...
Steve Bruce makes Joe Willock admission as Newcastle transfer decision looms
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that the Magpies will look to sign Arsenal youngster Joe Willock this summer. Willock joined Newcastle on loan in January, having been tipped as a player with top potential. Having scored in his first game against Southampton, that goal was a sign of things to come. Despite Newcastle then going seven games without a win, Willock continued to impress with the Magpies. The Englishman has also stepped up his performances in recent weeks, with four goals in his last four games, including one last-gasp goal against Liverpool. Bruce has now confirmed that the club will look to sign Willock permanently this summer. “All of us would love to [make it permanent],” Bruce explained to talkSPORT. “He’s 21, a midfield player, and he’s got five goals since the ...
Southampton confirm Arsenal target to leave club on free transfer
Southampton have confirmed that Arsenal and AC Milan target Ryan Bertrand will leave the club for free this summer. Bertrand has spent the last six years of his career on Southampton’s books, scoring eight goals in 240 appearances, but he will walk through the St Mary’s exit doors at the end of the 2020-21 season after failing to reach an extension agreement with the club. The Saints have announced the 31-year-old’s departure, thanking him for his sterling contribution to their cause while insisting he will always hold a special place in the heart of the club’s supporters. “Southampton Football Club can today confirm that Ryan Bertrand will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season,” a statement on the club’s official website read. “Bertrand was a key part of the te...