Catch all the latest Arsenal news, including updates on Gabriel Martinelli, Raheem Sterling and Perry Groves’ defence of Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal are expecting a summer of ups and downs, twists and turns as they look to navigate their way through the summer transfer window with more success than the last.
Mikel Arteta will have reflected upon last summer’s transfer business as a key factor in coming up short in their trophy quest again this campaign.
Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori will prove to be excellent acquisitions for the Gunners but the much-needed sparkle and firepower wasn’t purchased in attacking areas.
Andrea Berta now has the chance to change the narrative around the Emirates Stadium and has already been making movements.
So, with that being said, here’s a look at the latest news ahead of another big day.
Barcelona interested in signing Gabriel Martinelli
According to Spanish news outlet SPORT, Barcelona are interested in bringing Gabriel Martinelli to the Spanish giants this summer.
Barcelona’s main transfer target is Marcus Rashford however, there are concerns over whether the club can afford the Manchester United star’s wage demands.
Should that deal fall through, Martinelli is on their list of alternatives alongside Luis Diaz of Liverpool and Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich.
The Gunners may have to sell one of their star players this summer in order to fund their recruitment drive and comply with PSR rules, Martinelli could be the man they choose.
Read more on Barcelona’s Martinelli interest.
Raheem Sterling’s son signs for Arsenal academy
Arsenal’s academy has had a season to remember with the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, alongside stand-out performances from Max Dowman and Marli Salmon.
Unfortunately, it has been the opposite for Raheem Sterling and following his horrific loan spell, he is expected to return to parent club Chelsea this summer.
However, Sterling has left a parting gift for the club after it was revealed on his partner’s Instagram account that his son has signed for the Arsenal U9 side.
Thiago will now follow in the footsteps of the likes of Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka in receiving his footballing education at Hale End.
Read more on Sterling’s son joining Arsenal’s academy.
Perry Groves launches defence of Mikel Arteta
Thierry Henry criticised Arteta for a lack of silverware again this season but former Gunners star Perry Groves has launched a strong defence of the Arsenal manager.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Groves stated: “I don’t agree with [Henry] that we didn’t compete once [with Liverpool]. It sounds better, for the point he was trying to make. But there was a time where there was a seven or eight point gap and we still had Liverpool to play [in May].
“But what happened was, Liverpool, especially when they drew against Everton when [James] Tarkowski scored the last-minute [equaliser], Arsenal fans were [celebrating] that they’d dropped points. But then Arsenal didn’t capitalise on that, they didn’t go on a run where you have to win four or five on the trot to put them under pressure.
“So I’d agree if [Henry] said we didn’t put them under the pressure we should have, but it was still competing.”
Read more as Groves defends Arteta.
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