Our opinion on the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip, including updates on Bukayo Saka and the Gunners’ plans to reinforce midfield
Mikel Arteta will be hoping Arsenal can pick up from where they left off when they lock horns with Bournemouth after the international break. The Gunners have won each of their last four games across all competitions, and they remain unbeaten in the Premier League since April.
Arsenal will be keen to extend that streak when they face Andoni Iraola’s side at the Vitality Stadium next week. As it stands, just one point separates Liverpool at the top of the table from Manchester City and the north Londoners.
With Arne Slot’s side set to face Chelsea at Anfield, Arteta will be looking to narrow the Reds’ advantage – and possibly claim top spot. So, that being said, football.london have rounded up the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip.
Arsenal hijack Man City swoop
According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal have joined Manchester City in the race to sign Samuele Ricci from Torino. The 23-year-old midfielder continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League following his impressive performances in Serie A.
The report states that the Italian club are anticipating offers in the region of €50m (£42m) for Ricci when the transfer window opens again in January. It’s said that the Torino playmaker is ‘firmly’ on the Gunners’ radar, meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to bolster their options after Rodri suffered an ACL injury.
football.london says: “Whoever signs Samuele Ricci in January could win the Premier League! Arsenal and Manchester City are both looking light in midfield, so recruitment in the upcoming window could prove decisive.”
Napoli director issues Osimhen update
Mauro Meluso has provided an update on Victor Osimhen’s future following the striker’s failed move to the Premier League in the summer. As quoted by London World during the Palermo Football Conference, the Napoli director said: “He had received an important offer even before I arrived at Napoli.
“But Aurelio De Laurentiis (the club’s chairman) didn’t consider it because he thought about the club’s good. He may have made wrong decisions but did them to keep Napoli competitive.”
Then, on Osimhen’s loan move to Galatasaray, Meluso added: “It was a last-minute solution so he would not lose the first three months of the season. We will see in January.”
football.london says: “I would have liked to see Arsenal take a risk and sign a big name striker in the summer. Whether it was Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres, the Gunners need an orthodox frontman to lead the line. With so many games in the calendar these days, a world-class frontman would be game-changing when their backs are against the wall.”
Arsenal dealt major injury blow
Arsenal were dealt a major blow during England’s clash against Greece in the Nations League. Bukayo Saka appeared to suffer a hamstring problem at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night, adding to Mikel Arteta’s long list of injuries.
The Gunners winger, who was replaced by Noni Madueke, was seen clutching his thigh moments before Vangelis Pavlidis fired the visitors ahead. Kai Havetz, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney are all currently receiving treatment at London Colney.