A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Gary Neville names three ‘problem’ players and manager Mikel Arteta hears about a £70m price tag for a January transfer target.
Mikel Arteta backs Declan Rice to hit ‘other levels’ at Arsenal
Gunners head coach Arteta thinks Declan Rice can reach ‘other levels’ at Emirates Stadium after a brilliant start to his north London career. The midfielder has been sensational for the Spaniard since securing his club-record transfer from West Ham United back in the summer.
Rice has been a mainstay of Arteta’s engine room, offering Arsenal the complete package on numerous occasions. The West Ham product transitioned with ease from London Stadium in the off-season to emerge as one of the Gunners’ leaders, perfectly directing Arteta’s visions.
Arsenal relish the leadership that Rice brought from three years with the captain’s armband at West Ham. He first served as their vice-captain from 2020 before assuming the role full-time in 2022. Yet Arteta feels Rice has ‘much more’ to achieve after a great start for Arsenal.
“When they put the price tag, you have to carry that and it is not easy,” Arteta noted, via the Mirror. “He has done it in a brilliant way. He is a really humble guy. And the way that he wants to learn and take positive criticism is really powerful.
“He has other levels to go. I love his presence on the pitch. He’s there and he’s got something special. I felt it when I played against him, that’s why I was mad to sign him. You get a feeling about players and I wanted him to be part of our team.
“He is playing more as a deeper role in the last few weeks. But playing as a No8, he can be an incredible player. He can be a centre-back if he needs to step in if we need to. He has shown that he has an eye for goals when he is in the opponent’s box, he is a real threat.
“That is something that can be developed. His leadership skill, the way that he will naturally grow in the team and club in the years to come. There is much more from him.”
Read more about what Arteta has had to say about Rice at Arsenal, here.
Gary Neville names Bukayo Saka as one of Arsenal’s ‘problem’ players
Manchester United icon Neville believes Bukayo Saka is one of three ‘problem’ players who might cost Arsenal the 2023/24 Premier League title. He feels the winger plus Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are not showing the sort of on-field bonds needed to be champions.
“At Arsenal is an emerging front three that could be great,” Neville told Sky Sports. “But they don’t combine a lot together. That’s a real problem.
“The best front threes involve their centre-forwards and the wide players. They play and bounce it off them. It is difficult for defenders to deal with them when front players link. Martinelli, Jesus and Saka, I don’t see them linking up a lot.”
Read more about what Neville has had to say about Saka, Jesus and Martinelli, here.
Juventus set their price tag for the transfer of Federico Chiesa
Arsenal are interested in securing a transfer for Juventus star Federico Chiesa but could face rivalling many Premier League sides. That is according to TuttoJuve, which cites the Gunners alongside Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur as chasing Chiesa’s transfer.
The quartet are emerging as the most likely teams to target the forward’s signature in 2024. But Juventus are loath to let Chiesa leave Turin, so will demand bids of around €80m (£70m) to consider selling. The Bianconeri and Chiesa are also preparing to discuss a new contract.
Chiesa has agreed to speak with Juventus in the coming months about a new long-term deal with the Old Lady. His present terms are set to expire in 2025 but both parties agree that he warrants fresh terms. Yet the 26-year-old is only likely to pen a new contract to June 2026.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Chiesa’s transfer from Juventus, here.
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