Arsenal will be looking ahead to the return of the Premier League this weekend with a good chance of returning to the top of the division
The long international break is nearly over and nobody will be happier than Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners entered the international break full of confidence and with momentum on their side. Now Arteta will be keen for that positivity to continue on the other side despite him now sweating over the fitness of the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
In our latest look at the media headlines, we delve deeper into what appears to be a perfect suggestion from Manchester United icon Roy Keane and a bizarre transfer message Neymar was sent at the weekend.
Keane urges England to hire Guardiola
Following England’s 3-1 win over Finland, Keane urged the English FA to battle for Pep Guardiola considering his contract is set to expire at Manchester City at the end of the season. Guardiola has been the thorn in Arsenal’s side in recent years as he pipped them to the title twice.
Unsurprisingly the winger laughed off this request before insisting he was back in reference to his injury having now healed.
What FL says: There may have been a time pre-Saudi Arabia move where Neymar joining the club would have been a huge coup. But it is a sign of the times when this sort of thing is treated more as a joke than an event to be excited over. Arsenal and Neymar’s respective fortunes have passed each other by in recent years and thankfully for the Gunners, the only way is up at the moment.
What FL says: Should Guardiola leave City at the end of this season, it would almost immediately open up the title race and give Arsenal a perfect opportunity to be the dominant force in the Premier League. Arteta’s side are in the perfect position to become the new powerhouse in the division as City would enter a big period of transition. Perhaps that is what the Gunners need to end the Manchester club’s reign of terror.
Neymar receives surprise Arsenal demand
Brazilian superstar Neymar was at the boxing this weekend in Saudi Arabia where he bumped into promoter and Arsenal supporter Frank Warren. In a clip on TNT Sports socials, Warren jokingly tells the camera that Neymar will be leaving Al Hilal to move to the Premier League and join the Gunners.