SETTABLOID

Declan Rice and Gabriel send injury messages after another Arsenal star undergoes surgery

Arsenal seemingly cannot escape injuries at the moment with Reiss Nelson the latest to undergo surgery in order to fix a muscular issue. The 25-year-old joined Fulham on loan this past summer but has not featured since their win over Brighton back in December after suffering a hamstring injury.

When asked how long he could miss, Fulham boss Marco Silva said: “Reiss Nelson is going to be longer. Difficult to say when he’s going to be back. Probably around 10 weeks.” With his estimated return date gradually approaching, Nelson was closing in on a comeback until he suffered a new problem.

“Reiss Nelson got another injury in the other leg two days ago,” Silva revealed ahead of Fulham vs Nottingham Forest. “It looks serious again, it’s a big blow for us.” Silva was seemingly proven right in that verdict as Nelson posted an update to social media from a hospital bed.

Chelsea ‘preparing’ €100m bid for ‘untouchable’ Barcelona star to fill problem position

Chelsea are planning a HUGE bid for Barcelona star Jules Kounde in the summer as Enzo Maresca’s side aim to bolster their defensive options, according to reports from Spain.

The Blues got off to a flying start this season but their form has dipped dramatically and they’ve now dropped to sixth in the Premier League table.

Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in a league game since December – highlighting their need for more solid players at the back.

According to a stunning report from Spanish outlet Sport, Chelsea are preparing to launch a mammoth bid for Barcelona ace Kounde.

The report claims that the Blues are willing to splash an eye-watering €100m (£83m, $105m) on the 40-time capped French international.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, for their part, are said to consider Kounde ‘untouchable.’

However, given the Catalans’ ongoing financial issues, a bid of €100m would no doubt have to be considered if it arrived.

‘It was amazing’… Hansi Flick left impressed by Barcelona trio’s La Masia footage

FC Barcelona have a rather rich history of relying on their youngsters to always aid the first team. No matter the age, any player that proves himself to be capable enough can get a big opportunity. Even this season, Barcelona has clearly been dependant on their youth and for good reason.

owever, their performances and high level should not take away from the fact that these players are still just youngsters. The expectations may be extremely high, but these youngsters are still at a stage where they are learning and growing with each passing game.

Even recently, as highlighted by SPORT, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick shared an interesting story during his press conference ahead of the crucial La Liga game against Rayo Vallecano at the Montjuic Stadium:

How will Barcelona line up against Rayo Vallecano in a monster La Liga match?

After a rare full week of rest and training in beautiful Catalonia, Barcelona are back in action for a rare Monday night La Liga game when they meet Rayo Vallecano at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.

Barça are the last of the three title contenders to play this weekend and the two Madrid teams shockingly dropped points in their matches on Saturday, which means the Catalans can finally reclaim top spot in the table for the first time in two months with a win. But it won’t be easy against a Rayo side that hasn’t lost in the league since the beginning of December and always makes life hell for Barça, home or away.

Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Monday’s battle

Defense

Flick gave three days off to his squad after a very busy January and start of February, allowing his group to recharge and get ready for a crucial run of games in all competitions over the next few weeks. Barça will have another free week after this one, so it’s hard to expect any rotations and the coach is likely to pick his strongest available team.

Possible XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)

Arsenal ‘reach four-year agreement’ with confirmed Real Madrid target after big salary promise

Arsenal are increasingly confident of signing Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi despite rival interest from Real Madrid, according to reports.

The Gunners have been in regular contact with the Spaniard’s entourage over the past few months, with negotiations understood to be at an ‘advanced’ stage.

Real Madrid have held talks of their own, however, and haven’t given up on hijacking Arsenal’s pursuit of Zubimendi, with the race still in the balance.

It’s claimed that the Gunners are prepared to ‘double’ Zubimendi’s wages and have ‘reached an agreement on a four-year contract’ with him.

However, ‘despite the financial and sporting incentives on offer, the 26-year-old remains cautious about the move and is seeking assurances on non-football-related matters before committing to the transfer.’

The report alludes to the fact that Zubimendi has spent his entire career with Sociedad and has a deep-rooted connection with the club, so he is still considering whether to say goodbye to the San Sebastian-based side.

Our sources state that Madrid’s representatives are actively ‘trying to convince’ Zubimendi to ‘reject’ Arsenal and head to the Bernabeu instead, so the race is far from over yet.

Alexander Isak ‘verbal agreement’ hands Arsenal £83m transfer lifeline after injury blow

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak reportedly has a verbal agreement with the club to leave for a new challenge amid interest from Arsenal.

The Gunners will be looking to add a centre-forward to their ranks in the summer transfer window having found goals hard to come by without a recognised striker. Kai Havertz has been the first choice centre-forward this season bagging 15 goals but he is now out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring injury in a huge blow.

Last summer, Arsenal created a profile for the ideal striker as they looked to add to their attack. Isak fit that bill but an approach was not made.

This season, the Swede has shown Arsenal why they should have tried to sign him. The forward has scored 19 goals in 29 appearances this campaign and it appears the Gunners would be interested in bringing him in, should the opportunity arise.

According to Sport, that opportunity could be just around the corner. They claim that Isak has a verbal understanding with Newcastle that should a bid of £83.3m or more be submitted in the summer, he would be allowed to explore that opportunity.

The Catalan outlet explains that Barcelona are interested in the forward but currently do not have the finances available to complete such a deal. Liverpool are also mentioned as a possible suitor and could be a serious challenger to Arsenal should they win the Premier League as they have not spent heavily since Arne Slot was appointed.

Why Arsenal gem Ethan Nwaneri’s masterclass in 2-0 win v Leicester City should actually worry Martin Odegaard

Ethan Nwaneri continues to show that he is destined for the very top in an Arsenal shirt as he starred for his boyhood club in their crucial 2-0 victory against Leicester City.

Setting up Mikel Merino’s first goal, Ethan Nwaneri proved to be a real difference-maker from the right-wing and deservedly garnered praise for his latest heroics.

Merino lauded Nwaneri’s showing against Leicester as he described the 17-year-old as an “amazing player” after reflecting on how the pair combined for the eventual winner on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Michael Owen felt Nwaneri outperformed Merino against Leicester as the pundit claimed that the teenager was “the best player on the pitch.”

Even Joe Cole expressed his admiration towards Nwaneri as he dazzled at the King Power Stadium and looks like a real top player already for one of the best teams in the world.

As the Englishman shone for Arsenal, Martin Odegaard should have every reason to be concerned as the youngster showed that he has all the attributes to even take his spot one day.

Odegaard is a phenomenal player and remains one of the Gunners’ most important players.

But in Nwaneri, it is clear to see that Arsenal have a player who is much more of a match-winner than the Norwegian international.

Unlike Odegaard, who is more of a connector on the pitch, the highly-rated wonderkid is a player that turns games around by producing moments of magic that only the very best attacking players do — as exemplified by his exceptional assist for Merino’s headed goal.

Nwaneri, who has been compared to Cesc Fabregas is similar to the World Cup winner in the respect that he matches skill and productivity — already scoring an incredible seven goals across all competitions for the North Londoners this season.

Mikel Arteta lauded Odegaard’s display against Leicester as he proved once again that he has the ability to dictate the tempo of games — a habit that Nwaneri still lacks and one that is developed by several midfielders over time.

But quite often this campaign and over the past few years, when Arsenal have lacked an X-factor barring Saka to bail them out of games and the former Real Madrid playmaker has failed to step up — not due to his own inadequacies but because he is the type of player that who sets the stage for the other protagonists to shine.

Perhaps the best example in recent memory is that Odegaard, in terms of his profile and not his actual quality is similar to David Silva while Nwaneri is more reminiscent of Kevin De Bruyne.

While Silva also won games singlehandedly for Manchester City, his job was was to emerge as a match-winner while pulling the strings while De Bruyne would terrorise teams in the final third due to being a player who can especially change games in specific moments — as demonstrated by Nwaneri’s stunning goal against Girona in the Champions League recently.

Why Martin Odegaard pushed Mikel Merino right after his second goal during Arsenal’s 2-0 win vs Leicester City

Mikel Merino emerged as Arsenal’s unlikely saviour as he came off the bench to score a clinical brace during their 2-0 victory against Leicester City.

Previously, Merino expressed his desire to play up front and the former Real Sociedad midfielder was granted his wish by Mikel Arteta as he looked the part as an emergency striker.

Mikel Merino showcased his seemingly natural instincts as a goalscorer, patiently waiting for his chance as soon as entered the pitch.

The Spaniard’s patience was rewarded, with Ethan Nwaneri listening to Merino’s advice and delivering a pinpoint cross in the lead-up to his first goal.

Leandro Trossard also spotted a free Merino inside the box, who scored a tap-in after a simply brilliant delivery from the Belgian in what was a deserved win for Arsenal.

The European Championship winner would have been delighted after the triumph as he has had a difficult return to the Premier League so far.

Martin Odegaard pushed Mikel Merino to celebrate during Leicester City vs Arsenal

Troy Deeney questioned Merino’s quality despite him scoring the winner in Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Brentford.

Jamie Carragher doubted whether Arsenal needed Merino as one of their summer signings.

But as all top players do, Merino did his talking on the pitch against Leicester and after scoring his second goal, Martin Odegaard pushed his teammate to do his trademark celebration in front of the fans.

The Pamplona-born dynamo proceeded to listen to Odegaard, with his celebration especially having a special meaning as it is inspired his father and former Osasuna star Angel Merino.

Interestingly, Arsenal had concerns about signing Merino when they initially deliberated over whether to make a move for him.

However, Mikel Arteta pushed to complete his countryman’s signing.

Arteta clearly seems to back Merino, as demonstrated by the fact that he was confident that the box-to-box midfielder could do a job as a centre-forward.

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s latest win, the man of the moment revealed his manager’s bold prediction as well.

Arsenal plan blockbuster £83m bid for Haaland-like striker Mikel Arteta is craving

Arsenal are ready to make a massive bid for Benjamin Sesko in the summer transfer window, with a report in Spain revealing how much the Gunners are planning to offer for the RB Leipzig star to beat Barcelona to his signature, while the Italian media claims that there are three other strikers that the north London club are keeping tabs on.

Sesko is one of the best strikers in Europe and has been in fine form this season. The 21-year-old RB Leipzig star has scored 15 goals and given four assists in 31 matches in all competitions. During the 2023-24 campaign, the youngster found the back of the net 18 times in 42 appearances. Sesko also provided two assists in those games.

The Leipzig striker has been compared to Manchester City and Norway international star Erling Haaland because they have similar stature with electrifying pace. They are also very good in the air, two-footed and have great technique.

Speaking previously about his former Red Bull Salzburg teammates comparing him to Haaland, Sesko said: “Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy.

The north London club made an approach to RB Leipzig and were told that the striker was not for sale.

Although Arsenal decided not to make an official bid for Sesko in the middle of the season.

Mikel Merino hails “amazing” Ethan Nwaneri after Leicester City vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta promised Nwaneri game time regardless of whether Arsenal had signed another attacker and it seems like the Englishman is giving his manager every reason to back him.

While the injuries to crucial attacking players such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are devastating for the Gunners, the youngster is showing that he is ready to step in the wake of their absences.

As Mikel Merino was quizzed about his thoughts on Nwaneri after his match-winning cameo against Leicester, the Arsenal midfielder heaped praise on his teammate and revealed that he has always advised the young technician to cross the ball into him.

Merino told TNT Sports: “Yes, he’s an amazing player, every time I do an interview, you guys ask me for him but it’s natural because he’s such a talent. Luckily for him, today he crossed the ball, I’ve been talking to him the whole season that I needed those kinds of balls when I’m arriving inside the box. And he has such a wonderful left foot that he put it right on my head and I could only score.”

Nwaneri will appreciate Merino’s praise and it is telling that he is an avid listener by how he took the former Real Sociedad dynamo’s advice and found him in space with a brilliant cross for the first goal.

Mikel Arteta has highlighted Nwaneri’s versatility and that was on display against Leicester as he impressed as a right-winger despite being a natural number 10; all signs that emphasise how mature he is.

Arsenal’s number 53 has plenty of admirers within the first-team and it is wonderful to see him live up to the lofty expectations.