SETTABLOID – Page 128

Arsenal Set to Renew Contract Talks with Thomas Partey

Arsenal is set to commence talks regarding a contract extension with Thomas Partey and his representatives.

This was reported by TBR and it is firmly believed that Partey might be extending his time at Arsenal beyond this summer, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign. Last season, Partey was heavily involved with a potential move to Saudi Arabia, but the move never materialized and he remained with Arsenal, making only 16 appearances for the club, as his campaign was blighted heavily by injuries.

Arsenal expected to offer Partey a two-year contract extension

With Partey, 31, currently set to leave the club on a Bosman next summer, it has been reported that Arsenal will be offering him a two-year contract extension, that will keep him at the club till he’s 33.

Arsenal has signed Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad to be Declan Rice’s long-term partner in the middle of the park, so Partey might find his game time limited and would be deployed in the pitch like Jorginho, coming on to see out games, or featuring in the lower tier fixtures, when the likes of Rice or Merino need a rest.

With the Ghanaian midfielder happy at Arsenal and the club willing to extend his contract beyond this season, this renewal should be pretty straightforward.

ARSENAL REJECT APPROACH FOR £45MILLION STRIKER AHEAD OF JANUARY WINDOW

IMAGE CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has addressed speculation surrounding Gabriel Jesus’ future at the club, following rumours of a potential return to his boyhood team, Palmeiras. Despite limited game time this season, Arteta has expressed confidence in the Brazilian forward’s ability to make a significant impact moving forward.

Jesus has played just a handful of minutes this season, with Arsenal’s attack often led by versatile options like Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard. Injuries have hampered Jesus’ campaign, and his return to fitness comes as speculation grows about a possible move back to Brazil.

According to reports from Brazil, Palmeiras recently contacted Arsenal to inquire about Jesus’ availability. The rumours intensified when Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga made a playful reference on social media. Veiga posted a photo of himself holding a boot to his ear like a phone, captioning it: “Gabriel Jesus, what’s up? lol.” The lighthearted post alluded to Jesus’ signature “hello, mom” celebration, sparking further conversation among fans.

However, Arteta has shut down talk of an exit, insisting that Jesus remains a key part of his plans. “100 percent,” Arteta said when asked if Jesus could still have a big impact this season. “One of the biggest things in this sport is mental toughness. Kai [Havertz] showed incredible resilience last season, and Gabi looks just as determined to contribute.”

“And when you are surrounded by people who love you, wanting to put in everything that they can to help you and make you better, and people are little bit patient as well, and you see that that person is so willing after everything he’s doing. Gabi looks like he really wants it so that’s the best start.”

To reinforce his faith in the forward, Arteta included Jesus in the starting lineup for Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Raheem Sterling and Jorginho were also named in the XI, with Thomas Partey filling in at right-back due to injuries in defence. Jesus repaid Arteta’s trust with a solid performance, contributing to the Gunners’ crucial victory.

BUKAYO SAKA BREAKS ROBERT PIRES IMPRESSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

Arsenal surprisingly went a goal down against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. However, it was Bukayo Saka who once again made the difference for his side.

Seven games into the Premier League season and Bukayo Saka has only not recorded a goal contribution in one game, which came against Leicester City last week.

Arsenal’s number seven added three more goal contributions (1 goal & 2 assists) to his already impressive tally to secure the Gunners all three points against Southampton.

Saka leads the Premier League assists chart with seven in as many games this season. As soon as Arsenal were trailing, he was the player his teammates looked to, to get them back into the game. Once again, Saka delivered.

In Martin Odegaard’s absence, the 23-year-old is currently the player with the captain’s armband, and it seems the responsibility has taken his game to another level over recent weeks.

As per TNT Sports on Instagram, the two assists on Saturday took Bukayo Saka’s overall tally to 42 assists in the Premier League. This feat means he has now registered more assists than Arsenal legend Robert Pires, in 13 less games.

The Arsenal legend racked up 41 assists across 189 appearances, while Saka has now recorded 42 assists in 176 games for the Gunners.

Robert Pires was a key player during Arsenal’s Invincibles season in 2003/04. He ended his career in North London with two Premier League titles and two FA Cups.

Bukayo Saka still has a way to go in terms of major trophies if he wants to be remembered on the same level as the Frenchman. However, there’s no doubt Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are on the right path to achieving that with Saka at the heart of it.

Arsenal could revert to one of their old tricks as they reportedly set their sights on bringing yet another Barcelona wonderkid to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners’ have developed a clever habit over the years of bringing in promising young players and developing them themselves. The north Londoners have done just that on various occasions down the years.

William Saliba is perhaps the best current example, having joined Arsenal at the age of 18. After time both at the club and out on loan, the Frenchman has now established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Likewise, Gabriel Martinelli swapped Ituano in Brazil for the Emirates at the same age and has become a vital cog in Mikel Arteta’s first-team players.

Arsenal have now been linked to another emerging young talent in the form of 18-year-old Barcelona winger, Arnau Pradas. The youngster has impressed at U19 level in Spain this season, scoring two goals in six games.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that the Gunners are interested in the teenager, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the current season, meaning Arsenal could get him in January for next to nothing. The publication also claims that the club’s interest has the ‘ok’ of Arteta, who is said to be aware of the youngster.

If Arsenal are successful in bringing Pradas to the Emirates, it would offer similar parallels to their move for Cesc Fabregas, who joined from Barcelona 21 years ago for just £2.25million. Although the dynamics of that move were slightly different to any involving Pradas, there are clear similarities in the Gunners reportedly attempting to pinch one of La Masia’s own for what would likely be a knockdown price, given his contract situation.

If Pradas goes on to have a carry anything like Fabregas, he won’t have done half bad. At the age of just 16, Fabregas became Arsenal’s youngest-ever player, before going on to make 303 appearances for the club, scoring 57 goals and bagging 95 assists.

Arsenal sold Fabregas back to Barcelona in 2011 for a staggering £25.4million – more than ten times the amount he was purchased for. He returned to the Premier League in 2014, this time wearing the blue of Chelsea in a reported £30million deal.

He made 198 appearances for the Blues before signing for Monaco in 2019. Fabregas then went to Como in 2022, retiring the very next year. While Arsenal are well-equipped in terms of forwards at present, with Saka tearing it up on the right and loanee Raheem Sterling making his presence known on the opposite flank, Arteta may be looking at the bigger picture.

Saka will be thirty by the time Pradas reaches the age of 25 – arguably when many players reach the prime of their career thanks to maturity and experience, and the Spaniard could well be looking out for the future successes of the club – especially given current left-winger Leandro Trossard is 29.

The 11 Arsenal players confirmed for international duty as Arteta sweats on further injury scare

David Raya and Bukayo Saka are two of Arsenal's international attendees among nine others

Arsenal see their strong and unbeaten start to the Premier League season interrupted yet again by the international break. The second of three breaks before the new year, the next in November, Arsenal sit joint on points with Manchester City and after four wins in a row, Mikel Arteta would surely like to be cracking on with things.

That said, Kai Havertz pulling out of action with Germany perhaps does give some time with some players to get a much-needed rest. The same can be said for Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney who remain out of action and recovering from injury.

It leaves Arsenal with 11 players leaving for their respective nations. football.london rounds up exactly who is leaving over this next fortnight and who they will be facing with some returning much sooner than others.

England

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have both been called up for duty with the England national side. The Three Lions will play Greece at Wembley before travelling to Finland on Sunday, allowing plenty of time to return in the week before the game against Bournemouth – which is good news for Mikel Arteta.

Ben White is indeed out injured although there has been no indication that his situation has changed. Lee Carsley did address the question in the last break but indicated he has not been made aware of a difference in stance from White.

Spain

David Raya has been called up to the Spain squad and could begin to establish himself as the new number one. Unai Simon is not with the team after undergoing surgery on a wrist issue so Alex Remiro and Robert Sanchez are with Raya for the games against Denmark and Serbia.

Interestingly, despite only just returning from injury last week, Mikel Merino has also been called up by Luis de la Fuente. Clearly seen as an integral part of the group, Merino’s move to Arsenal will help him push for a starting spot in the line-up.

Brazil

Gabriel Magalhaes’ brilliant form for Arsenal means that it is no surprise that he has been brought into the team. Dorival Junior will hope his threat from set pieces can be transferred to the Selecao for their matches with Chile and Peru.

After goals against Leicester City and Southampton, Gabriel Martinelli also returns to the squad which will come as a big boost. Gabriel Jesus however is not with the team again and will have to wait until as late as Thursday next week for his compatriots to rejoin him in north London with their final game not until Wednesday leaving very little time to reintegrate before the next Premier League game on Saturday.

Italy

Riccardo Calafiori has been called up by Italy for their games against Belgium and Israel in the Nations League. There is however still no place for Jorginho who started against Southampton at the weekend.

Poland

Jakub Kiwior may not be a regular starter for Arsenal but he has begun to get some more minutes for the Gunners. After being stopped from leaving in the summer despite some transfer interest, he has started against Bolton and came on in several recent fixtures including at half-time against PSG to help see out the European clash and has since been called up by Poland for their Nations League games with Portugal and Croatia.

France

It is completely unsurprising that the current top centre-half in the Premier League, William Saliba, has been called up by France. Didier Deschamps’ side take on Israel and Belgium in their Nations League matches but will do so without Antoine Griezmann who has since retired from international football.

Ghana

The African Cup of Nations qualification process has created an interesting scenario where Ghana will play Sudan twice, home and away, in the space of five days. Thomas Partey is indeed fit and will play for the Black Stars as Arsenal again hope for an injury-free break for their midfielder-turned-right-back.

Belgium

Leandro Trossard has returned to the Belgium squad for their games against Italy and France. After Domenico Todesco said that his omission last time was part of the chance to give other young player opportunities, his form for Arsenal is unable to be ignored.

Trossard has been critical despite his red against Manchester City. Scoring against Leicester before an assist in the game with PSG.

Why William Saliba is happy to reject any club in the world to stay at Arsenal – Fabrizio Romano

William Saliba’s performances for Arsenal over the past two seasons have seen him attract plenty of attention from some of the biggest clubs in world football, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain included.

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger recently revealed his admiration for the Arsenal star. During an appearance on The Inside Scoop podcast, Rudiger was asked to name his top three defenders in the world right now. The German replied: “Saliba, and I like Gabriel from Arsenal as well.”

He then went on to hint that Saliba could one day move to Real Madrid if he continues playing the way he is: “I am not scaring anybody but at the end of the day, it’s clear, if he keeps doing what he’s doing.”

This follows reports in the last few weeks that Florentino Perez wants to bring Saliba to Madrid, while PSG were also said to be preparing an £83m bid after the two sides clashed in the Champions League – although it wouldn’t take an expert to tell you Arsenal would reject that sort of number fairly quickly.

Fortunately for the Gunners and their fans, though, the Frenchman doesn’t see his future anywhere but at The Emirates. At least that’s according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who on Sunday provided an update on Saliba’s future.

Update on William Saliba’s Arsenal future

“I can say there is absolutely nothing going on with Saliba and any other club,” Romano wrote in his Daily Briefing. “Back in the summer we had rumours about Saliba and PSG, and about Spanish clubs, but the reality is that he never considered leaving Arsenal. He extended his contract in summer 2023, and he remains very happy with life at the club, it’s fantastic for him there.”

The reporter also revealed exactly why the defender is so happy, pointing to the ambition of the club, something which is sure to be music to the ears of fans in north London: “Saliba can see the ambition under manager Mikel Arteta, and he can see how important he is in the project.”

Arsenal’s incredible duo could be even more important than Gabriel & Saliba

Romano wrote in his Daily Briefing that it’s only natural for Saliba to be given praise from other defenders, but that he would see it as a “compliment” and “nothing more than that”.

Jurrien Timber also loving life at Arsenal

Saliba isn’t the only Arsenal defender who is currently loving life in North London. Jurrien Timber is too. Timber, 23, joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023 from Ajax, but was forced to sit out the majority of his debut season at The Emirates with injury.

Jurrien-Timber-Arsenal

This term, however, he’s been a regular feature in the Gunners’ defence, having made seven appearances so far in all competitions, including starting five of Arsenal’s seven Premier League matches.

Speaking to the press before Arsenal’s recent 2-0 win over PSG in the Champions League, the Dutchman revealed his joy at finally being able to play regularly for the Gunners.

“It helped a lot being comfortable with the team, me getting to know them and them getting to know me,” he explained. “I just wanted to stay involved, I was looking at them from a distance, it was amazing to see them and I wanted to be a part of that. Now I’m part of it and I’m really grateful.”

Arsenal star Leandro Trossard touted for shock exit by Belgian media

Arsenal star Leandro Trossard could be a bout to spring a huge surprise on the Gunners and leave in search of more minutes.

The Belgian was the subject of a bid from Saudi Arabia hours after the transfer deadline earlier this season, which Arsenal rejected out of hand. In response to the interest, Arsenal began preparing a new bumper contract for the star, who has been a phenomenal signing for manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal news: Mikel Merino assessment made as Gunners get Martin Odegaard injury update

Arsenal’s flying start continued on Tuesday night with a comfortable victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Europe.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both struck before half-time at the Emirates Stadium, with French champions PSG posing few problems to Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal now have four points from their first two games in Europe after a goalless draw with Atalanta, and also remain unbeaten in the Premier League and EFL Cup.

Tuesday’s match also brought a long-awaited debut for Mikel Merino, The Spanish midfielder was injured in his first training session after his summer move from Real Sociedad, but replaced Thomas Partey during the second half.

With captain Martin Odegaard still sidelined, Merino could have an important role to play in the coming weeks. Both players are in focus as Mirror Football brings you the latest from around the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta impressed with Merino

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was finally able to hand Mikel Merino a debut on Tuesday, and spoke about how impressed he has been with the Spaniard. “Really good, because he joined us and first session he got injured,” the manager began.

“He had only one session with us, he was ready, he was really willing to be part of this today and obviously with the injuries and changes we had to make, we believe that he was the player that could help us in that phase. I think he’s done really well.”

Reflecting on the win in a wider sense, he said: “I think it raises the confidence and belief that we can compete with any team at that level in European competitions, with the style of games that are very different to the Premier League. I think we showed a lot of maturity in the way we played.”

Odegaard to miss internationals

While the Gunners wait to learn when Martin Odegaard might be fit to return, Norway know he won’t be available for the upcoming international break. Arsenal’s captain, who also skippers his national side, was injured during a UEFA Nations League match in September.

“He is far from being in the squad,” Norway manager Stale Solbakken said of Odegaard. “We will have to see how far he gets during this international break. It is possible that he will come, but it depends a little on his rehabilitation. I have not spoken to him in the past four or five days.”

How impressed have you been with Arsenal’s displays without Odegaard? Have your say in the comments section

Norway were already without Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb, who suffered a broken leg in August. “That both Oscar and Martin are out at the same time – it would be naive to say that it doesn’t have a meaning,” Solbakken said,

Solbakken’s side have four points from their first two Nations League games at home to Austria and away to Kazakhstan. Their next two matches see them host Slovenia before travelling to Austria on October 13.

Debutant refflects on Gunners bow

Mikel Merino has opened up on the injury which delayed his Arsenal debut, and the delight in finally making up for lost time. It was really tough mentally to be honest,” the former Real Sociedad star said.

“To come in here, you want to have a nice few days to show everybody what you are capable of, to show why they have put faith in you and then the first thing that happens is you break your scapula.‌

Riccardo Calafiori had a moment of genius against Southampton that Arsenal fans might have missed

Arsenal full-back Riccardo Calafiori delivered another brilliant display in the 3-1 win over Southampton just before the upcoming international break.

Calafiori played in a familiar left back role for Arsenal, advancing into midfield when he saw fit at the Emirates Stadium.

It was something of a makeshift back line for the Gunners given that both Jurrien Timber and Ben White weren’t risked by Mikel Arteta.

Thomas Partey impressed at right-back and was joined by Arsenal’s familiar and formidable centre-back pairing.

Calafiori earned an 8.5/10 for his performance, another stellar display by the Italian.

However, one moment of genius by Calafiori during Arsenal’s second half comeback may have even been missed by fans in the stadium.

Pundit names two wingers he thinks are better than in-form Saka

Bukayo Saka is widely regarded as a world-class player, but pundit Jamie O’Hara does not share that view.

Saka has been in outstanding form for Arsenal, continuously improving with each game. He is also a key figure for the England national team, playing a pivotal role for both club and country.

As one of Arsenal’s leaders, Saka is highly reliable and has been instrumental in the team’s strong performances in both the Premier League and Europe this season.

Recently, he broke Robert Pires’ record for the most Premier League assists by an Arsenal player, and with plenty of time ahead of him, Saka has the potential to set many more records at the club.