A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Bukayo Saka admits Mikel Arteta upset their winger and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr messages Gabriel Jesus after thrashing RC Lens.
Merson thinks Toney would ‘love to’ play with Jesus at Arsenal
Gunners icon Paul Merson claims Brentford star Ivan Toney would ‘love to’ play next to Jesus at Arsenal. The Brazil striker left the Magic Man in awe with his performance against Lens on Wednesday night. He scored once and assisted another to help to their comfortable 6-0 win.
Lens fell behind in the 13th minute at Emirates Stadium when Kai Havertz prodded in Jesus’ knock-down header. Jesus then turned goalscorer after 21 minutes to extend Arsenal’s lead. He remained composed in Les Sang et Or’s area to drill the ball home in the bottom corner.
What Jesus displayed in the Champions League proved to Merson that Toney could fit nicely beside the 26-year-old at Arsenal. The Brentford forward is a transfer target for Mikel Arteta ahead of the January window. But Sky Sports reports Toney would cost the Gunners £100m.
“I think Jesus is a dream to play with,” Merson stated on Sky Sports. “If you’re an Ivan Toney, you’d love to play with him. He’s a team player but he won’t get you the goals to win the Premier League on his own.”
Read more about what Merson has had to say on Toney playing with Jesus at Arsenal, here.
Saka admits he’s ‘not really’ happy with Arteta after Arsenal’s win
Hale End hero Saka has admitted that he was ‘not really’ happy with Arsenal manager Arteta after their 6-0 win against Lens. The 22-year-old scored a goal and assisted another in the Champions League tie. But Arteta took Saka off in the 66th minute to offer the winger a rest.
Saka had hoped to play the full 90 minutes this Wednesday, having only done so twice since the middle of September. Arteta has either replaced the winger by choice or due to an injury in 10 of his 12 starts since beating Everton. So, he was not that happy to go off against Lens.
“Not really,” Saka told TNT Sports, via quotes by BBC Sport. “I wanted to play 90 minutes. I understand his decision. Now, I’m focused on Wolves. I want to do my best in that game.”
Read more about what Saka has had to say on Arteta’s substitution in Arsenal’s win, here.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr messages Jesus after scoring vs Lens
Real Madrid talent Vinicius Jr sent Jesus a two-word message on Instagram after the Arsenal forward scored against Lens. His effort took the 64-cap Brazil striker to five goals so far this season. While assisting Havertz saw Jesus pen his second of the campaign over 13 outings.
Jesus has only scored one of his haul during Premier League games ahead of Arsenal facing Wolves this Saturday. He has further recorded both of his assists, alongside four goals, in the Champions League. But the injury-hit striker’s UCL exploits impressed compatriot, Vinicius.
Following Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Lens, Jesus posted on Instagram: “Job done. Amazing team performance.” To which, Vinicius – who has played nine games with the forward for Brazil – responded: “Joga muito.” The Galactico’s reply translates from Portuguese into ‘play a lot’.
Read more about what Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr has messaged Arsenal’s Jesus, here.
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