A round-up of the latest Arsenal news with an update on the injury to captain Martin Odegaard and Mikel Arteta’s efforts to replace Thomas Partey in the transfer window.
Norway boss ‘worried’ about the injury to Arsenal’s Odegaard
Norway boss Stale Solbakken admits he is ‘worried’ about the injury that has kept Odegaard out of Arsenal’s recent games. The 24-year-old has sat out the last two games after missing the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Sevilla this Wednesday. He has struggled to overcome a hip injury.
Odegaard suffered the blow at Sevilla last month and watched Arsenal beat Sheffield United 5-0 from their bench. He briefly returned from the injury to score as a late substitute against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup. But Odegaard’s ongoing absence troubles Solbakken.
“We are worried about Martin because he is very doubtful for the matches,” Solbakken told Nettavisen after naming Odegaard in his side. “He has an injury that doesn’t seem to let go.”
Read more about Solbakken’s concerns for Arsenal captain Odegaard’s injury, here.
Arsenal identify Monaco’s Fofana as a successor for Partey
Arsenal have identified AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana as a possible replacement for Partey at Emirates Stadium. That is according to 90min, which reports that Arteta is eager to find a long-term successor for the Ghanaian. But Manchester United also appreciate Fofana.
Fofana has caught the eye of many Premier League sides, including Liverpool and Newcastle United, in Ligue 1. Teams have taken notice of his efforts with Les Monegasques with the 24-year-old out of contract next year. But Monaco want to trigger a 12-month option to extend.
Suitors like Arsenal and Manchester United do not have Fofana atop their shortlists but are monitoring his situation at Monaco. 90min’s report also follows claims by TuttoMercatoWEB that Partey has told Arsenal that he wants to leave in January with Juventus eyeing a swoop.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in the transfer of Monaco midfielder Fofana, here.
Arteta faces punishment by The FA after his rant at Newcastle
The FA is still exploring if Arteta should be punished for his post-match rant about VAR after Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal at Newcastle United. The Spaniard was furious with the officials’ decision to give a goal as Arsenal lost 1-0 at St James’ Park after many VAR checks.
Arteta told Sky Sports after Arsenal lost to Newcastle that it was a ‘disgrace’ that VAR Andy Madley let Gordon’s goal stand. He did not find conclusive proof if the ball had gone out of play, if Gordon was offside and did not feel Joelinton shoving Gabriel Magalhaes was a foul.
Arsenal also came out in full support of Arteta and issued a statement calling out ‘yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors’. Now, The Times reports that The FA has written to both Arsenal and Arteta requesting their observations before deciding on any punishments.
Read more about The FA’s letter to Arsenal and Arteta after the Newcastle defeat, here.
McCoist issues his verdict on Saka getting into Manchester City’s XI
Rangers legend Ally McCoist does not feel Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka would get into the Manchester City XI. Instead, the Scotland hero claims Declan Rice is the only Gunners player who could lay claim to a spot in Pep Guardiola’s side. He feels the midfielder can rival Rodri.
McCoist sees little between the merits of what Rice offers Arsenal and what Rodri provides Manchester City. But Saka would not get into the Citizens’ line-up against all Premier League wingers. Instead, Liverpool dynamo Mohamed Salah would edge Saka for a spot in the side.
“Saka, he’s not getting in before Salah,” McCoist told talkSPORT (08/11, 07:40). “I think Rice is getting in. When Rodri doesn’t play last night, Declan Rice gets in. And I don’t think there would be an awful lot between Rodri and Declan Rice, to be honest with you.”
Read more about McCoist’s view on Saka and Rice getting into Manchester City’s XI, here.
Xhaka admits why he ‘cried tears of joy’ after leaving Arsenal
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has now admitted that he ‘cried tears of joy’ after leaving Arsenal this summer. The 31-year-old joined the Bundesliga side for £21.5m this July after seven years in north London. He left Arsenal after 52 goal involvements in 297 outings.
Xhaka had arguably the best season of his Emirates Stadium career in what proved to be his farewell campaign. Arteta giving the Switzerland skipper greater freedom to push forward sparked nine goals and seven assists. But Xhaka was desperate to return to the Bundesliga.
“I also cried for joy at times,” Xhaka said, via quotes by Bild. “For example, when I made my transfer here to Leverkusen, I also cried tears of joy because I really wanted to go back.”
Read more about Xhaka’s honest comments on his transfer from Arsenal, here.
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