A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta addresses Bukayo Saka’s injury
ahead of facing Burnley and has found the Gunners’ top target for a January transfer.
Arteta addresses Saka’s injury before Arsenal host Burnley
Burnley travel to Emirates Stadium this Saturday but Arteta might be without Saka following the Arsenal winger’s latest injury. The 22-year-old limped off during the Gunners’ 2-0 win at home to Sevilla in the Champions League. He felt some discomfort during the final stages.
Arteta took off Saka with five minutes remaining after scoring and assisting in their UEFA tie. He set Leandro Trossard up to break the deadlock before later hitting a composed goal. The forward now faces a late fitness test to face Burnley with Arteta giving Saka any opportunity.
“B had to leave the pitch because he was in quite a lot of pain,” Arteta admitted on Friday, via quotes by Sky Sports. “He didn’t train yesterday. Let’s see if he can make it tomorrow.”
Read more about Arteta’s injury updates ahead of Arsenal hosting Burnley, here.
Arsenal make Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz their top target
Arsenal have now marked Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz as their absolute top target for a transfer in January. That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Gunners will attempt to strengthen Arteta’s engine room after news that Thomas Partey is out until 2024.
Partey missing the rest of this year through injury has convinced Arteta to revive his interest in Luiz. Arsenal love what the Brazilian is producing at Villa Park and have long wanted to get a deal done. But the Villans are hugely ambitious, as well, so will do everything to keep him.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Luiz’s January transfer from Aston Villa, here.
Arteta marks Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic as his top striker target
Arteta is also looking to improve Arsenal’s attack in January after injury problems for Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah this season. Football Transfers reports that the Spaniard considers Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic as the Gunners’ main striker target as he is still a huge fan.
Vlahovic rejected a transfer to Emirates Stadium to join Juventus from Fiorentina in January 2022. He has since scored 27 and assisted seven goals in 72 appearances for the Old Lady. But despite his previous opposition to the switch, Arteta still wants Vlahovic to join Arsenal.
Jesus is the Gunners’ main striker currently but has only scored four goals through 11 games this term. He has missed several games after requiring knee surgery this summer and is now out with a hamstring injury. While Nketiah has five goals in 16 of a potential 18 games so far.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Vlahovic’s January transfer from Juventus, here.
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