Our opinion on the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip – including updates on Martin Odegaard and the Gunners’ proposed market plans.
Mikel Arteta only has a day or so on the training pitches before Arsenal return to action. After cruising past Bolton Wanderers into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup – on Wednesday night – the Gunners must begin preparations for their clash against Leicester City in the Premier League.
Arsenal will welcome the Foxes to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, knowing a win will keep their title dreams alive. Last weekend, Manchester City scored a dramatic late equaliser against the north Londoners – as they dropped crucial points which could prove costly.
In other news, Edu appears to have already lined up his first deal of the January transfer window. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded-up the latest Arsenal news following the Gunners’ win against Bolton;
Arsenal want to sign Liverpool target
According to German publication SportBILD – as relayed by Sport Witness – Arsenal are “fully committed” to the idea of signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The 21-year-old midfielder, who sees his contract at the Bay Arena expire in June 2027, has been linked with a move to Liverpool for some time as he continues to impress in the Bundesliga.
The report states that the Gunners could be prepared to meet his £125million asking price. SportBILD reckon that Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Wirtz since he was a youngster earning his stripes at Cologne, while the north Londoners remain “huge admirers” of his talents.
It’s said that the Germany international initially ruled out a move to the Premier League, but that’s reportedly no longer the case. The German publication claims Wirtz wants to join a team who can, potentially, help him towards win the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.
football.london says: “Florian Wirtz would be an absolutely superb signing for Arsenal. I don’t think he would be a replacement for Martin Odegaard either, as he’d join the Norwegian as an eight, with Declan Rice in the six.”
Odegaard offers up injury update
Martin Odegaard provided an update on his ankle injury in the matchday programme, previewing Arsenal’s clash against Bolton. As quoted by the official club website, the Gunners skipper wrote: “It was a bad twist to my ankle, and I damaged some ligaments there, but it’s part of football and now I’m just trying to recover as quickly as I can.
“I’m moving forward, making progress and I’m feeling more positive every day. I’m working hard and, now, my only thought is to get back as soon as possible. I’m at the Sobha Realty Training Centre basically every day now, and I’m working hard and doing everything I can do to get better.
“I have to be careful not to push it too much, but at the same time do what I can to make sure I come back as strongly and quickly as possible. I’m trying to support the team in a different way now, if I can’t be on the pitch. That’s my [current] situation and I have to make the best out of it.”
football.london says: “Mikel Arteta will be keen to get Martin Odegaard back in action as soon as possible – he’s such a big miss! With that being said, though, Arsenal shouldn’t rush him back. He needs ample time to rest.”
Arsenal discover fourth round opponents
Arsenal have been drawn away to Preston North End in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after sweeping past Bolton 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur will host Manchester City and Chelsea will play either AFC Wimbledon or Newcastle United.
The remaining Carabao Cup fourth round draw is as follows: Brentford vs Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton vs Stoke City, Manchester United vs Leicester City, Brighton vs Liverpool and Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace. Those ties will take place during the week commencing Monday, October 28.
football.london says: “While Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a title-challenging outfit, he also needs to crown his hard work with some more silverware. Whether it’s the Premier League, the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup, the Gunners should be looking to compete on all fronts. They need to start winning trophies.”