A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta looks to rival Newcastle United for the transfer of Ruben Neves and receives an update on Martin Odegaard’s injury.
Arsenal hijack Newcastle’s interest in Neves’ transfer
Wolves only sold Neves to Saudi Arabian side, Al-Hilal, in June. Yet the midfielder might soon be on his way back to the Premier League. That’s because talkSPORT claims that Arsenal are now preparing to hijack Newcastle’s interest and target the 26-year-old’s transfer in January.
Neves moved to the Middle East for £47m but was of interest to Arsenal before the transfer. Gunners sporting director Edu is a long-term fan of the Portuguese and believes he can help Arteta replace Thomas Partey. Arsenal are keen to get a new option due to his injury issues.
Any opportunity to now sign Neves in January would appeal greatly to Arsenal and Edu with Newcastle facing difficulties. All Premier League clubs will vote next week on blocking teams loaning players from within their ownership group, which will impact the Toon and Al-Hilal.
Read more about Arsenal hijacking Newcastle’s interest in Neves’ transfer, here.
Seaman admits why ‘Arsenal are surprising me’ this season
Gunners icon David Seaman has admitted that Arsenal are ‘surprising me’ so far this season. The legendary former England goalkeeper has revealed on his Seaman Says podcast that he did not expect Arteta’s side to start the term so strongly given how they have been playing.
“Arsenal are surprising me, if I’m honest, because we’re not playing as well as we did last season,” Seaman admitted. “But we’re getting the results.”
Arteta has overseen eight wins and three draws in 12 Premier League games so far this term at Emirates Stadium. Only Newcastle have beaten Arsenal so far thanks to Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal. While the Gunners top their Champions League group after four fixtures.
Read more about Seaman’s ‘honest’ admission about Arsenal this season, here.
Norway boss offers Arsenal an update on Odegaard’s injury
Arsenal have been without Odegaard for the Gunners’ last three fixtures in all competitions. The 24-year-old had initially returned from a hip injury to play as a substitute away to West Ham United in the Carabao Cup. But he returned to their sidelines as they visited Newcastle.
The Daily Mail has since noted that Odegaard missed Arsenal’s defeat at St James’ Park plus subsequent matches against Sevilla and Burnley owing to concussion. The Gunners captain took a blow to the face in training at London Colney before Arsenal travelled up to Tyneside.
Arsenal expect Odegaard will return for selection when they return to action at Brentford on November 25. Norway boss Stale Solbakken has also now given a further update on his star playmaker’s injury. But the coach notes he never expected Odegaard will feature this month.
“The club is so reserved, so I don’t know how much to say about it,” he admitted, via TV2. “But I have known so much about the injury that I have never really planned with Martin.
“We took him out of the squad because then there was a hope that he could play the match against Sevilla or Burnley at the weekend. But when it became clear early in the week that he probably wouldn’t make it, we haven’t planned with him.”
Read more about what Solbakken has had to say on Arsenal star Odegaard’s injury, here.
Arsenal are now open to offers for Partey’s transfer
As well as looking to replace Partey in January, Arsenal are now actively open to offers to sell the 30-year-old. That is according to football.london, which claims that the north Londoners welcome any enquires for the midfielder. His exit would help to raise funds for his successor.
Arsenal are ready to part with Partey as the Ghanaian will enter the final year of his contract next summer. He is also now sidelined until the New Year after undergoing a procedure on a thigh injury. It is Partey’s second injury this season after a mix of a thigh and groin problem.
Read more about Arsenal welcoming offers for Partey’s transfer in January, here.
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