A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta targets the transfer of a second Aston Villa midfielder and David Raya makes a new admission about Aaron Ramsdale.
Ian Wright ‘wants to watch’ Arsenal gem Charlie Patino at Swansea
Gunners icon Ian Wright has promised Charlie Patino he will go and watch the Arsenal gem whilst on loan to Swansea City. The 20-year-old secured a move to the Championship team for the 2023/24 season in August. He has since emerged as a pivotal part of the Jacks’ side.
Patino has featured in 17 of the Welsh outfit’s 21 second-tier fixtures since leaving Emirates Stadium this summer. He has also started in 13 matches and has even contributed to seven goals to date. The midfielder boasts three goals and four assists through 930 minutes so far.
Life at Swansea started superbly for Patino as the Arsenal academy product recorded three assists in his first four Championship games. His form suffered a dip in October as he earned a red card for two bookable offences. But the prospect is now getting his term back on track.
Wright is eager to see Patino’s progress in person and has promised the Arsenal gem he will attend a Swansea game this season. The Jacks are next in action on Friday night at home to Preston North End, before then visiting promotion contenders Southampton on Boxing Day.
“When you speak to players, even like on Insta you can link with players, like someone like Charlie Patino,” the Arsenal legend told his Wrighty’s House Podcast. “I’ve been promising Charlie. I want to go and watch him.”
Read more about what Wright has had to say about Arsenal prospect Patino, here.
Arsenal are interested in Jacob Ramsey’s transfer from Aston Villa
Arsenal are now showing an interest in a transfer for a second Aston Villa midfielder in Jacob Ramsey. That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports that the Gunners are now mulling a move for Ramsey alongside his teammate, Douglas Luiz, as Arteta bids to improve his core.
The Emirates Stadium recruitment staff rate Ramsey highly and have proposed the 22-year-old as a suitable target. He also made his first start of the 2023/24 Premier League season at Brentford last Sunday. Ramsey had missed most of the campaign after suffering a foot injury.
A recurring injury kept Ramsey from all but two of Aston Villa’s opening 12 top-flight games. The England U21 talent was an instrumental and influential part of their plans last term with 35 appearances. He further recorded six goals and seven assists after starting in 31 games.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Ramsey’s transfer from Aston Villa, here.
David Raya makes an honest admission about Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal goalkeeper Raya admits he hopes Ramsdale considers him as a ‘top, top’ player and teammate. The Spaniard believes his England counterpart is just that and that they are both pushing each other to higher levels amid their fight to be Arteta’s No1 at Emirates Stadium.
Raya has emerged as Arteta’s undisputable No1 since ousting Ramsdale between their sticks in September. His performances are yet to justify the position, however, having delivered an array of worrying displays. But Arteta has blindly stuck with Raya despite all of his problems.
Yet despite their rivalry, Raya believes he and Ramsdale have established a good relationship since he joined Arsenal. The on-loan Brentford stopper also respects what Ramsdale offers and the 28-year-old admits he hopes the 25-year-old values what he offers as a teammate.
“He is a top, top goalkeeper and a top, top teammate,” Raya said, via quotes by The Sun. “I hope he can say the same about me! We are teammates [and] we are fighting for one position. That’s the only problem being a goalkeeper.
“There is only one that can play and I am just there to help the team as much as possible. We have a good relationship, especially as we push each other in every training session. That is going to make us better and it is going to make the team better.”
Read more about what Raya has had to say about Ramsdale at Arsenal, here.
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