A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta provides an update on Gabriel Martinelli ahead of hosting Brighton and the Gunners target a new striker’s transfer.
Mikel Arteta confirms Gabriel Martinelli’s return for Arsenal vs Brighton
The Emirates Stadium outfit will welcome Martinelli back from his illness when Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion this Sunday. He was unavailable to manager Arteta on Tuesday night when the Gunners drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven. But the attacker has resumed full training.
Arsenal opted against taking Martinelli to the Netherlands after he had to skip their training session at London Colney on Monday. Arteta decided against risking the 22-year-old for a tie carrying zero consequences. Arsenal had already secured the top spot in the Group B table.
Martinelli has been a constant in Arteta’s starting line-up whenever fit at Arsenal this season and will now return against Brighton. The Spaniard has confirmed the nine-cap Brazil winger, who has also scored four and assisted three goals over 19 games, has overcome his illness.
“Martinelli is feeling good,” he noted, via quotes by football.london. “He’ll be in contention.”
Read more about Martinelli and Arsenal’s full injury list ahead of hosting Brighton, here.
Arsenal could offer Charlie Patino to Salernitana for Boulaye Dia
Arsenal are showing an interest in a transfer for Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia and may also offer Charlie Patino in part-exchange. That is according to claims by the Italian newspaper Le Cronache, via Salernotizie, which reports that the Gunners have added Dia to their shortlist.
The 27-year-old is Salernitana’s prized asset and is due to be at the centre of a tug-of-war in January. Arsenal hope to get the edge in any fight for Dia’s transfer by offering Patino to the Serie A team. The swap deal would even see the Gunners send €13m (£11m) to Salernitana.
Patino has attracted interest from Juventus with his form on loan to Swansea City this term after scoring three and assisting four goals in the Championship. But Arsenal are considering capitalising on Patino’s promise to land Dia, who has scored four goals in 11 Serie A fixtures.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in a swap deal for Dia involving Patino, here.
Mikel Arteta has got ‘no problems’ with Leandro Trossard at Arsenal
Arsenal coach Arteta has ‘no problems’ with Leandro Trossard and is still willing to trust the 29-year-old. That is according to Dean Jones, who reports that Arteta still respects what the Belgian offers with the Gunners. He also likes that Trossard is accepting of his rotational role.
Trossard earnt just his 10th start from 19 appearances across all competitions this season as Arsenal drew with PSV Eindhoven. The tie followed the winger featuring as a late substitute in Premier League games at Luton Town and Aston Villa. He featured for 26 and 20 minutes.
Arteta has limited Trossard’s involvement in recent weeks after starting the forward in their engine room against Brentford and Wolves. The 30-cap dynamo also featured as a striker as Arsenal met Newcastle United and Burnley. He scored and assisted in the win over Burnley.
Read more about Arsenal manager Arteta’s position on Trossard, here.
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