Ex-Arsenal defender William Gallas has given his seal of approval on Riccardo Calafiori’s move to the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s smart spending this summer has placed Arsenal in a strong position to challenge for the Premier League title once again. One of the most notable transfers for the Gunners was that of Euro 2024 stand-out star Calafiori, reports the Mirror.
His stellar performances at the Euros in Germany, and also with former club Bologna, convinced Arteta’s team to splash out £42million for him to move from Serie A to the Premier League. Gallas has revealed how he spoke with one of his Italy-based former team-mates, sharing how Calafiori is rated as one of Italy’s finest defenders right now – and he is even drawing comparisons to the legendary Paolo Maldini.
Arsenal have a generational talent in Ethan Nwaneri. Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and a number of current first-team players have spoken highly of the teenager and there’s a special excitement around him.
Nwaneri has been at the club since he turned nine and has been a predominant player in the youth teams. By the age of 14, he was appearing for the Under-18s. Now, still yet to turn 18, the midfielder has played 28 times for the Under-21s – scoring 11 times and assisting five – and 23 times with the Under-18s.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has finally provided an update on the severity of Martin Odegaard’s injury after the Gunners skipper missed Sunday’s North London derby with over Tottenham.
Odegaard was left on crutches after Norway’s Nations League clash with Austria last week, forcing him to sit out of the last Premier League game. Question marks over the extent of his injury had been unclear with slim hopes that he could be fit for Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
Gabriel Magalhaes has been one of the standout performers for Arsenal so far this season, but it doesn’t seem as if he’s set to be rewarded right now.
Arsenal have a number of players attracting interest from other clubs around Europe, which is expected when you’re arguably one of the best clubs in the world.
Gabriel Magalhaes is currently attracting interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain amid his current contract situation.
It has been claimed that Arsenal have already opened talks with the defender over a new deal at the Emirates, but there are contrasting reports.
At just 26 years of age, Gabriel still has his best years ahead of him, so Mikel Arteta won’t want to waste any time in tying him down to a new and improved deal.
Inter Milan, Napoli and Juventus are all tracking Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of the January transfer window, and he is open-minded to the idea of a move.
The North London club are expected to demand at least £25 million for the 25-year-old, and manager Mikel Arteta has accepted he might lose the player in the New Year.
Inter have identified the Arsenal star as their number-one target for January, but both Napoli and Juve will battle them for his services as they look to bring him back to Serie A.
Tomiyasu has yet to feature for the Gunners this term after a knee injury in July saw him miss out on the squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.
Arsenal have been handed a massive injury boost ahead of their Champions League game against Atalanta on Thursday as Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has returned to training.
The Gunners star picked up an injury during the international break in a match against France, missing the game against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday as a result.
However, Calafiori is expected to be available for selection tomorrow and should also be part of the Arsenal contingent for their trip to face Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal resume Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City, and they will be looking to leave with all three points and move to the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday but could have scored more had Gabriel Martinelli squared the ball to Bukayo Saka instead of attempting to score when through on goal.
His effort was saved, but Arsenal would have grabbed the opener earlier had the Brazilian passed to his teammate, who had an empty goal in his front, and Ian Wright wants him to do better going forward.
Arsenal defender William Saliba believes he is among the best players in the world but admits he is still missing one key element to be considered the undisputed ‘best defender in the world’—major silverware.
The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the standout players in the Premier League over the past two seasons, playing a pivotal role in Arsenal’s 2022-23 title challenge.
After spending several loan spells away from the club, Saliba has solidified his place in Mikel Arteta’s side and developed a strong defensive partnership with Brazilian teammate Gabriel.
Arsenal fans were left fearing the worst over the international break as club captain Martin Odegaard appeared to pick up an ankle injury while away with Norway.
The club captain has been an influential player ever since making the initial loan switch from Real Madrid permanent – which has reflected in him earning the armband.
As a result, Odegaard’s performances locked down the advanced midfield position as his own and subsequently pushed Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira elsewhere.
In hindsight, sanctioning both exits may be a slight mistake from Mikel Arteta, who is now facing a nightmare situation in his squad.
The Arsenal boss confirmed that Odegaard suffered ankle ligament damage that will keep him out for a period of time.
That can rule the 25-year-old out of action for anywhere from a few weeks to whole months, coming as a huge blow.
It means he is set to miss the Champions League clash with Atalanta before a crucial Premier League tie with Manchester City.
Arsenal fans left devastated by Martin Odegaard injury update
Taking to social media, one supporter said: “I’ve always thought Odegaard was a point of failure for us.
“He leads the press, is the main playmaker, drops into the first phase to help build play and is good for 10 goals a season too. Some fans take him for granted with all he does. Let’s see how we balance this creativity now.”
“Odegaard has ligament damage?!!!! it has never been more over,” another fan said, while one other pointed out: “Odegaard is one of the biggest factors on how we’re able to smoother teams. Underrated presser by the masses by the way people speak on him.”
Another fan tried to look on the bright side, comparing the situation of Manchester City’s last season, saying: “Big big miss without Odegaard but let’s see how we fare without him. City were fine last season without KDB [Kevin de Bruyne], so if we’re as good as we say we are, we can weather this storm. Low block games might be the tough ones for sure.”
Continuing that theme of looking at the positives, another added: “Naturally it’s hard to digest the Odegaard news but look how we performed vs Spurs.
“Arteta will have the lads fired up and we have more than enough options to cope. I truly believe in this coach and this group to deliver. It’s going to be special.”
How Arsenal will cope without Martin Odegaard
So with Odegaard now set to be on the sidelines for a while, attention will turn to how best to replace him in the team.
In the North London Derby, the star’s presence wasn’t missed as much as other games may have done, as Arsenal’s chance creation came from counter-attacking opportunities and set-pieces.
For that reason, similar could occur in the game against Manchester City, though that’s not to downplay the abilities of the Norwegian.
Where it will be tricky is those games against lesser opposition, who are more inclined to drop deep and invite pressure.
Without his magic on the ball and his pressing ability off of it, it may be tougher against that level of team, which is a good majority of the division.
Opting for the likes of Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling are not bad options though – even if they aren’t natural replacements in that position.
It will be a challenge for Arteta and his team, but one they can use to motivate them to cope without their captain.
Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has opened up on leaving the London club last summer. The midfielder joined Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal last July.
The Swiss international brought an end to his seven year stay in England. Xhaka made over 297 appearances for Arsenal scoring 23 goals. The 31-year old won two FA Cups and two Community Shields with the gunners.
Xhaka’s time seemed to be coming to an end when Mikel Arteta was named head coach in 2019. Xhaka was even booed by the Emirates crowd. He managed to play 36 Premier League games in his final season at the club.
Arteta even convinced Xhaka to stay when the midfielder was looking for a way out of the club in January 2020. Xhaka eventually agreed and continued his career in England. The Swiss international told this to The Athletic in an interview:
“Mikel told me he wanted me to stay. But I wasn’t sure. I remember speaking to my dad at the time. He told me, ‘Let’s go’. For the first time ever, he told me to run away. He said there was no future for me at Arsenal.’
“I could not imagine myself playing for Arsenal again. I said to him, ‘I just want to be somewhere where the fans don’t boo me’. But he was so convincing. For the first time in my life, I took a decision without talking to my family first. I got up and said, ‘OK, I’ll stay’. We embraced and, from that day on, I returned to training and it was like nothing ever happened.”
Despite their relationship, the two had to part ways; with Xhaka going to Germany and Arteta staying at Arsenal – where he recently signed a new contract until 2027.
What Granit Xhaka said about leaving Arsenal
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder says leaving Arsenal was a fresh start after what he endured at the tail end of his career at the Emirates. Xhaka was speaking on an Amazon documentary (quotes via BILD) following Bayer Leverkusen’s successful season:
“It was pure relief for me. I said: ‘Yes! It’s not just me who feels that way, but the family too’,” Xhaka explained.
“I was lucky enough to be booed in 2019. As captain at Arsenal. In front of 60,000 fans. I say lucky because that made me brutally strong.
“I’m grateful that I got out of there. Because it was a black day for my family, my wife and my parents. I think it was even harder for them than it was for me.”
Xhaka has been hugely successful since leaving England. Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga, going unbeaten, they also won the DFB-Pokal and recently won the DFL-Super Cup in August.
