Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners 'PUSHING' to sign Rabiot, Saliba contract issues, Edu's cryptic post – latest | The Sun
ARSENAL are pushing to sign World Cup 2022 finalist Adrien Rabiot according to reports.
Rabiot, 27, saw his move to Manchester United breakdown last summer but it has now been claimed that the Gunners want to sign him instead.
Meanwhile, Rabiot's French compatriot William Saliba is reportedly having contractual issues.
It has been reported that Arsenal are not offering a wage his representatives consider commensurate with the long deal the club want to tie him down to.
And Gunners fans believe that Edu's cooking post means that there will be incoming transfer this January.
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- Tony Robertson
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal look set to lose out on Brazil star Matheus Cunha with Wolves confident of landing the forward, according to reports.
Julen Lopetegui is looking to bring reinforcements into Molineux after taking over as boss of the Midlands club.
The Spaniard has a big job on his hands with misfiring Wolves propping up the Premier League table heading into the World Cup break.
But the club look to have gotten a boost as the Mail indicates they are closing in on Cunha.
The striker is out of favour at Atletico Madrid and had been linked with a Premier League move.
Arsenal were among several English clubs linked with the 23-year-old.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will extend Charlie Patino’s contract for a further two years.
The youngster was out of contract next summer and attracting interest from top teams including Barcelona.
Arsenal have now moved to prevent Patino’s immediate exit by triggering a two-year extension clause.
But that still doesn’t solve the ace’s long-term future, with Patino wanting a pay rise and promises of a role in the first team.
- Dylan Terry
Petit doubts Nketiah quality
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit fears Eddie Nketiah is not ready to replace the injured Gabriel Jesus.
He said: "Arsenal definitely, and even Arteta has said it, are short of options. They need more players.
"Nketiah is a good player but he is still young. He is gaining experience all the time, but you can’t replace Jesus with Nketiah and expect the same results.
"It is too soon for him. If you put him in and expect that, that is not fair on the player, but his time will come."
- Dylan Terry
Arteta reveals tactical conversation with Xhaka
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Granit Xhaka adapting to a more advanced role was a "necessity" and revealed he threatened to AXE him if he didn't.
The Gunners boss told Sky Sports: "I think it was a necessity [change in role].
"I think the squad wanted to evolve to another level and be more dominant and have more resources in the final third to attack and to score more goals. We needed to make that change.
"I spoke to him at the end of the season and said, ‘I need to unlock something in your brain because you’re so comfortable and confident playing in this area that you have forgot what is actually going to win us the game and the team now demands somebody here, so unless you unlock that I’m going to have to do something about it’.
"He took it straight away. He’s a very intelligent player, he came to pre-season fitter than ever, slimmer than ever, and he knew that if we wanted to take the team to a different level we had to change his role. He knew that was coming.
"We believed he has those qualities, those qualities were there to be exploited and they were hiding. The team needed those qualities very much."
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal's next five games
Here are Arsenal's five upcoming matches as they prepare to return to action following the World Cup break:
- West Ham (H) – December 26
- Brighton (A) – December 31
- Newcastle (H) – January 3
- Oxford United (A) – January 9 (FA Cup)
- Tottenham (A) – January 15
Arsenal vs West Ham details
Arsenal vs West Ham will take place on Boxing Day – Monday, December 26.
Emirates Stadium will play host to the clash.
The game will kick off at 8pm UK time.
Arsenal's clash with West Ham will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video.
You can live stream the action from the Amazon Prime Video app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
You can watch the game for free by signing up to an Amazon Prime Video free trial, which is valid for 30 days.
Premier League fixtures
Here are the first set of Premier League fixtures following the World Cup.
December 26
- Brentford vs Tottenham – 12.30pm
- Southampton vs Brighton – 3pm
- Leicester vs Newcastle – 3pm
- Crystal Palace vs Fulham – 3pm
- Everton vs Wolves – 3pm
- Aston Villa vs Liverpool – 5.30pm
- Arsenal vs West Ham – 8pm
December 27
- Chelsea vs Bournemouth – 5.30pm
- Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest – 8pm
- Leeds vs Manchester City – 8pm
Arsenal trophy cabinet
Arsenal resume their domestic campaign at the top of the Premier League table.
It may well be the Gunners' best chance of winning a 14th top-flight title since they claimed their 13th back in 2004.
But will they add to their trophy cabinet before the summer?
Ten Hag reveals Martinez rejected Arsenal
Erik ten Hag has lifted the lid on how he persuaded Lisandro Martinez to reject Arsenal and join him at Manchester United.
The former Ajax boss told Voetbal: “Martinez himself wanted to leave Ajax anyway. If we hadn’t taken him, he would have gone to Arsenal.
“They wanted him anyway, he was top priority there. Licha (Martinez) called me at one point: ‘Coach, listen, I’m leaving Ajax anyway. I can sign with Arsenal, but if you want me, I’m going to Manchester United.’
“Then I thought: ‘I shouldn’t shoot myself and United in the foot either’. He really wasn’t staying in Amsterdam, that was out of the question. Then we struck and it all worked out.”
Arsenal in for Man Utd's summer target Rabiot
Arsenal are allegedly “pushing” to sign ex-Man Utd transfer target Adrien Rabiot from Juventus next month.
The midfielder, 27, has shone over recent weeks as he helped France to reach a second consecutive World Cup Final.
Unfortunately for him and his compatriots there was heartbreak in store as they were defeated 4-2 by Argentina in the showpiece on Sunday.
However, big things could still be on the horizon for Rabiot as he appears to be finally closing in on a move to the Premier League after his failed switch to Manchester United last summer.
Repubblica are claiming Arsenal are now pushing to sign Rabiot in the January transfer window.
The playmaker’s contract expires in June and he is allowed to discuss terms with teams outside of Italy from January 1.
- Dylan Terry
Richarlison in race to be fit for North London derby
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has confirmed Richarlison faces up to four weeks out with a hamstring injury.
The Brazilian striker picked up a knock at the World Cup.
Richarlison had to be substituted just before the end of normal time in the quarter-final penalty shootout defeat to Croatia.
And he returned to Tottenham duty nursing a hamstring problem.
Initial reports claimed he was facing as much as six weeks out of action. But Conte has confirmed the 25-year-old is set to be sidelined for three to four weeks after having a scan this week.
He faces a race to be fit for the North London Derby clash against Arsenal on January 15th, which is just over three weeks away.
Richarlison will be working hard to return in time for the North London derbyCredit: Reuters - Dylan Terry
Soares' loan to Fulham threatens to collapse
Cedric Soares' Arsenal wages could scupper a loan move to Fulham next month.
The Cottagers have held talks with the right-back's representatives over a switch to West London next month with boss Marco Silva keen to sign his compatriot.
But the former Southampton man's weekly wage of around £75,000 is proving a stumbling block.
Silva is keen to add to his squad next month following a strong start to the season which left the promoted side ninth ahead of the restart on Boxing Day.
No official approach has been made to the Gunners so far, with Mikel Arteta also yet to decide whether he would sanction Cedric's departure.
The Arsenal boss has already described his squad as "short" this season.
- Dylan Terry
Arteta hints at Saliba featuring this weekend
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on when defender William Saliba will return for Arsenal duty.
The defender had been in Qatar for the World Cup with France and suffered heartbreak after losing the final to Argentina.
The Gunners return to competitive action on Boxing Day as they face West Ham at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
While they will certainly be without star striker Gabriel Jesus after he picked up a knee injury at the World Cup, Arteta has suggested that Saliba could feature in his team.
He said: "Everyone is here, they were all fine. Some came earlier than expected and they were buzzing to be back and part of it.
"I feel a really good energy around the place. They have got straight away into the rhythm and what we want.
"They are in a really good place. Obviously a huge blow with Gabriel Jesus and his injury and we’ll miss him for a period of time.
"The season has challenges, that’s a challenge we have to overcome, but if you’re going to be at the top there’s going to be those challenges."
- Dylan Terry
Woods admits she was suspended from school
TalkSPORT presenter and Arsenal fan Laura Woods admitted she was suspended from school as a child for a "combination of naughty things".
The brilliant ITV football host revealed one of her "strikes" came after she snuck "into the boys' toilet".
When asked what she was like at school, Woods said: "I got suspended [at school] for a combination of lots of naughty things.
"I climbed out of a window, but it was on the ground level. I climbed out of the window, I don't know why.
"I climbed out the window during Spanish class, they closed the window behind me and then I would wave to my teacher through the window.
"But I'd do it without her noticing. That was the crux of it, like get out before she notices. And that got me in a lot of trouble, just generally being like, fairly naughty in general.
"We went into the boys' toilet, and that was apparently really naughty as well. So those were all kind of strikes that led up to me being suspended."
Credit: Getty - Dylan Terry
Arsenal suffer blow in Cunha race
Arsenal look set to lose out on Brazil star Matheus Cunha with Wolves confident of landing the forward, according to reports.
Julen Lopetegui is looking to bring reinforcements into Molineux after taking over as boss of the Midlands club.
The Spaniard has a big job on his hands with misfiring Wolves propping up the Premier League table heading into the World Cup break.
But the club look to have gotten a boost as the Mail indicates they are closing in on Cunha.
The striker is out of favour at Atletico Madrid and had been linked with a Premier League move.
Arsenal were among several English clubs linked with the 23-year-old.
- Dylan Terry
UK and Ireland's Euro 2028 bid in jeopardy
The UK and Ireland's joint bid for Euro 2028 is in crisis mode due to Casement Park needing "a miracle" to be ready in time.
The venue, located in Belfast, is threatening to drag the joint UK/Ireland Euro 2028 bid down, with Uefa unconvinced about redevelopment plans for the site.
And ex-Irish FA president and former Fifa vice president Jim Boyce says it will be a tough task for it to be ready to host games at Euro 2028.
Boyce told The Irish Sun: "While Northern Ireland are joining in the bid to host Euro 2028 with England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, the chances of Casement Park being ready are slim. There is little chance.
"The government in Northern Ireland are not even meeting at the minute, the money hasn’t been released, there hasn’t been a brick laid at Casement Park.
"My honest opinion is that it would take a miracle for Casement Park to be available for European Championship matches to be played in 2028."
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal supporters excited after Edu posts
Arsenal fans are convinced sporting director Edu is cooking up something special for the January transfer window.
The Gunners legend, 44, has posted similar videos ahead of the transfer window and fans are convinced it's a good sign as he cooks what looks to be king prawns.
One fan said: "Edu cooking from kitchen means something special. We're moving mad in January."
Another added: "BREAKING NEWS!!! FRESH FROM THE FIRE. EDU IS COOKING FOR JANUARY!!!!! SOUND THE ALARM FOLKS."
Mikel Arteta is in the market for a player or two – but admits it's important to land the right player.
His team sit top of the Premier League after 14 games played and five points clear of title rivals Manchester City.
- Anthony Chapman
Two more years for Charlie
Arsenal will extend Charlie Patino's contract for a further two years.
The youngster was out of contract next summer and attracting interest from top teams including Barcelona.
Arsenal have now moved to prevent Patino's immediate exit by triggering a two-year extension clause.
But that still doesn't solve the ace's long-term future, with Patino wanting a pay rise and promises of a role in the first team.
- Anthony Chapman
Vieira can make huge impact
Mikel Arteta has been urged to give Fabio Vieira more starts in the second half of the season.
Mikael Silvestre told bettingexpert: “He’s not a starter but he’s just arrived and went through injuries.
“He’s learning about the club, his teammates and I think during the second part, he should play more and more.
“He’s shown the few times he’s played that he has what it takes to play under Mikel Arteta.”
- Anthony Chapman
Smith Rowe can lift Gunners
Emile Smith Rowe’s return from injury can fire Arsenal to the title.
Former defender Mikael Silvestre told bettingexpert: “Yeah he’s a very good player. I like him a lot. A very good academy product.
“He’s experienced and knows exactly what the manager wants.
“It’ll be excellent for Arsenal when he’s back.”
- Anthony Chapman
Cedric’s Arsenal exit could collapse
Cedric Soares’ move to Fulham is in danger of collapsing.
That’s because the Cottagers are refusing to meet his £75,000-a-week wages.
Marco Silva is keen on loaning the right-back from Arsenal.
But Fulham can’t afford his wages and now face a tense wait to see if a deal can still go through.
- Anthony Chapman
Stars line up for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on when Arsenal's World Cup stars are expected to return.
He said: "Everyone is here, they were all fine. Some came earlier than expected and they were buzzing to be back and part of it.
"I feel a really good energy around the place. They have got straight away into the rhythm and what we want. They are in a really good place.
"The season has challenges, that’s a challenge we have to overcome, but if you’re going to be at the top there’s going to be those challenges."
- Anthony Chapman
Gunners 'pushing' for Rabiot deal
Arsenal are reportedly looking to wrap up a deal for France and Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
La Repubblica claims the playmaker, who almost joined Man Utd in the summer, will not be renewing his Juve deal.
It means Rabiot can leave on a free at the end of the season.
United are still keeping tabs, but it's Arsenal who now lead the race, and Mikel Arteta could even land Rabiot next month for a small sum.
- Anthony Chapman
Arteta reveals Xhaka axe threat
Mikel Arteta admits he was ready to axe Granit Xhaka unless the midfielder adapted his game at Arsenal.
Arteta said: "I spoke to him at the end of the season and said, ‘I need to unlock something in your brain because you’re so comfortable and confident playing in this area that you have forgot what is actually going to win us the game and the team now demands somebody here, so unless you unlock that I’m going to have to do something about it’.
"He took it straight away. He’s a very intelligent player, he came to pre-season fitter than ever, slimmer than ever, and he knew that if we wanted to take the team to a different level we had to change his role. He knew that was coming.
"We believed he has those qualities, those qualities were there to be exploited and they were hiding. The team needed those qualities very much.”
- Anthony Chapman
Life’s a beach for Gunners
Arsenal stars took part in a fun beach shooting challenge as they warm up for the return of the Premier League.
Shirt sponsor Emirates invited the Gunners to take part in the event following the club's mid-season training camp in Dubai.
Stars Eddie Nketiah, Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard and academy star Nathan Butler-Oyedeji stepped up to take on the challenge.
The players may be used to playing on grass, but their skills were truly put to the test on the sandy beach.
Arsenal stars Eddie Nketiah, Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney in brilliant beach shooting challenge
- Anthony Chapman
Nketiah not ready to star
Emmanuel Petit fears Eddie Nketiah is not ready to lead Arsenal's attack in place of crocked Gabriel Jesus.
He said: "Arsenal definitely, and even Arteta has said it, are short of options. They need more players.
"Nketiah is a good player but he is still young. He is gaining experience all the time, but you can’t replace Jesus with Nketiah and expect the same results.
"It is too soon for him. If you put him in and expect that, that is not fair on the player, but his time will come."
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