A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta receives a fresh update about Gabriel Martinelli’s injury and the Gunners tell a ‘top-level’ player to seek a transfer.
Smith Rowe wants to prove his future is at Arsenal
Hale End product Emile Smith Rowe refuses to believe that his career for Arsenal is over and wants to prove himself to Arteta. That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports the 23-year-old is desperate to find a way back into the Spaniard’s plans and be valuable to the Gunners.
Smith Rowe does not see any writing on the walls at Emirates Stadium to feel that he needs to consider a transfer this summer. Instead, he wants to use the remainder of the season to show Arteta what he can still produce. The playmaker has seldom appeared so far this term.
Arteta has so far only afforded Smith Rowe two starts during 10 Premier League outings that total 228 minutes. He has left the three-cap England playmaker on their bench 11 times and been without him through injury seven times. While Smith Rowe only has one assist to date.
Read more about Smith Rowe’s stance on agreeing to transfer away from Arsenal, here.
Arsenal tell Nketiah to seek a transfer amid PL interest
Arsenal have told Eddie Nketiah that the striker is free to seek a transfer amid interest from multiple Premier League clubs. That is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham are weighing up deals for the out-of-favour attacker this summer.
Arteta has personally identified Nketiah as a player the Gunners can cut loose to boost their budget in the off-season. Arsenal also considered his departure in January but could not get a replacement at the time. Nketiah also wants to stay at the club but Arsenal want the cash.
Crystal Palace are confident that they can convince Nketiah to leave Arsenal during the next transfer window. The Eagles have also done the most work to position themselves amid any race for his signature with the striker, whom Arteta called ‘top-level’, keen to stay in London.
Read more about Arsenal telling Nketiah that he can leave the club in the summer, here
Martinelli could return from injury at Manchester City
Arteta might welcome Martinelli back from a foot injury when Arsenal visit Manchester City on March 31. That is according to James McNicholas of The Athletic, who notes that the 22-year-old sustained a deep cut to a foot during their away 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United.
Arsenal’s medical team helped Martinelli off the pitch at Bramall Lane during his 25th game of the Premier League season. He had also penned the Brazilian’s sixth goal of the term and his fourth assist, as well. But Martinelli will now miss the Selecao’s March international ties.
Martinelli had not missed a top-flight fixture since suffering a hamstring injury in September before missing Saturday’s 2-1 win against Brentford. Arteta had further started the nine-cap dynamo in 23 of his 25 appearances but could welcome Martinelli back at Manchester City.
Read more about Arsenal’s hope for Martinelli playing away to Manchester City, here.
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