SETTABLOID

Arsenal could be without three of their main attacking players for their clash at Bournemouth at the weekend.

Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have all picked up injuries in one way or another since the Gunners’ last outing against Southampton on October 5. Havertz played the full 90 minutes against the Saints and scored his sixth goal of the season in the 3-1 comeback victory.

It was a surprise, then, when the 25-year-old pulled out of the Germany squad for their Nations League fixtures due to a knee injury. The German Football Association said last Sunday: “Kai Havertz will miss the upcoming international matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands due to knee problems.

Arsenal are drawing up a new contract for William Saliba as they look to stop the France star from even considering a huge transfer to Real Madrid.

Arsenal are pushing to try and secure the Premier League trophy from Manchester City and have yet again found themselves in a title race. They have some key players who have grown into some of the best in the world, and defender Saliba can certainly be included in that list.

His supreme talents have made him a wanted man and Real Madrid are very keen to add him to their world-class squad, having made contact with his agent recently. It would be a monstrous deal and would have to be a record sale for Arsenal to even consider his exit. Sources at the Emirates have now made their stance very clear.

Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams has reiterated his desire to remain at the La Liga club after links of a potential transfer to Arsenal.

The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for Williams during the summer transfer window, with Liverpool and Chelsea also mentioned as potential suitors on the rumour mill. Arsenal added six new players to their squad during the summer, with David Raya being joined by Riccardo Calafiori, Raheem Sterling, Mikel Merino, Neto, Lucas Nygaard and Tommy Setford in moving to the Emirates Stadium.

Williams’ reputation grew after he starred for Spain on their way to winning Euro 2024 in Germany in the summer. Despite the links of a potential move away from Bilbao, Williams has remained at the La Liga club and has almost four years left to run on the contract he signed last December.

Arsenal will see their Premier League title challenge resume this weekend as they make the trip to the south coast to face Bournemouth. The Cherries were on the end of a rout in last season’s clash but with Andoni Iraola having now recovered his side’s form, they will be a much sterner test.

That said, Arsenal are dealing with something of an injury crisis as Bukayo Saka was added to the growing list of Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and others. Mikel Arteta will be hoping not to have to deal with any further problems as his players complete their last international responsibilities.

Despite the relative frustration over the team’s status, there are reasons to be positive, in fact, there are threads which should give Arteta some boosts toward his hopes of the title.

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.

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.

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.

Mikel Arteta has been dealt a huge injury boost ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Bournemouth. The Gunners will face Andoni Iraola’s side at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam.

Arsenal head into the tie off the back of a dramatic 3-1 win over Southampton, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka finding the net after falling behind. As for the Cherries, they’ll be eager to return to winning ways after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Leicester City.

Bukayo Saka appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during England’s clash against Greece in the Nations League on Thursday night. The Gunners winger was seen clutching the back of his thigh moments before Vangelis Pavlidis fired the visitors ahead.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice had a difficult outing against Greece last week, but he made amends with a much improved display against Finland on the road.

The Gunners ace had 86 touches with a passing accuracy of 96 percent. He caught the eye with his forward runs and eventually scored in the 84th minute from an Ollie Watkins cross.

Aside from his goal, the 25-year-old made four recoveries while winning 100% of his tackles. He also won three duels and lost possession on only five occasions.

Rice has had a mixed start to the season for club and country, but his latest showing should please the Gunners, who need more from him in an attacking sense.

Martinelli was accompanied by the national team doctor at the hotel after revealing some discomfort in his tendon during training.

It has since been confirmed that the winger has an ‘edema in his right calf’. He is doubtful to face Peru tomorrow, having trained with a tape on the area hampering him.

The Gunners are already without Martin Odegaard with an ankle problem. Bukayo Saka suffered a hamstring injury scare last week, but he could be fit for the Bournemouth game.

Martinelli’s absence would be a big blow for the Gunners. Hopefully, the club’s management will be in contact with the Brazil coaching staff to ensure that he is not risked against Peru.

The 23-year-old had an average 2023/24 season by his high standards, but his fortunes have changed lately. He registered four goal contributions in three league games before the break.

He has started to replicate his performances from the 2022/23 season and Arsenal can’t afford to lose him for a period of games. We would prefer that he does not play tomorrow.

The centre-back signed for Arsenal in 2019 as a fresh-faced teenager when Unai Emery was in charge, but it wasn’t until the 2022/23 Premier League season that he would make his debut

The powers that be at the London club, including manager Mikel Arteta, felt that it was right for Saliba to spend several spells out on loan.

That did him the world of good because, fast forward to the present, and Saliba is now one of the best defenders in the world.

There are suggestions that Real Madrid are interested in Saliba, with Darren Bent admitting that the champions of Europe usually get who they want.

The former Premier League striker added that it’s ‘very rare’ for Real Madrid to ‘properly go after a player’ and then not get them.

Arsenal are not worried about Real Madrid’s interest in William Saliba and think the Frenchman is set to stay at the Emirates.

The 23-year-old has been a revelation since returning from his loan spell at Marseille ahead of the 2022/23 season. He made 33 appearances in his first full campaign with the Arsenal senior squad before missing the last eight weeks with a back problem – an injury that proved to be pivotal in their Premier League title bid.

Arsenal have started the campaign in fine fettle and have conceded just seven goals in 10 matches this season, with Saliba’s defensive performances catching the eye once again. Los Blancos are among those interested in signing the France international, who has until 2027 left on his contract.