Arsenal news LIVE: Gunners ‘eye’ £52.5m Milinkovic-Savic deal, Asensio BLOW, Ndicka linked, Balogun updates
ARSENAL are reportedly lining up a sensational deal that would bring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to the Emirates, with Albert Sambi Lokonga and £52.5million going in the other direction.
The Gunners' lack of depth in the squad was exposed during their disappointing 1-1 draw against Southampton.
And Arsenal are 'willing to do anything to secure the services of Milinkovic-Savic who could be the solution to their problems.
Mikel Arteta is also said to be interested in Real Madrid's Marco Asensio, but the starlet could sign a new contract.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates...
Baptism of fire
Unai Emery faces a brutal first five Aston Villa matches after taking over the reins following Steven Gerrard's sacking.
Emery is believed to have agreed a three-year deal but will not be in charge for Saturday's clash against Newcastle as he is yet to receive a work permit.
It means his first game is likely to be the November 6 clash against Manchester United.
He will then face a tough trip down to Brighton before the World Cup break kicks in.
And the former Arsenal boss will not find life any easier when Prem action returns as Liverpool are the visitors to Villa Park on Boxing Day.
If that was not bad enough, Villa then travel to North London to take on Tottenham on New Year's Day before the Black Country derby against Wolves three days later.
Had To Gue
Matteo Guendouzi has revealed the reasons behind his Arsenal exit.
He was banished from the Arsenal squad in the summer of 2020 following his infamous spat with Brighton's Neal Maupay, while he also admitted he didn't enjoy the best relationship with Mikel Arteta.
He told BeIN Sports: "Journalists used (the Maupay incident) to say that we had a bad relationship and that’s why I stopped playing and left Arsenal.
"Not at all. It’s a gesture like many on the pitch. There’s a lot of tension sometimes, a lot of problems on the pitch. In any case, it has nothing to do with all that.
"It’s true that I didn’t have the best relationship with (Arteta)... He preferred other players and I respect that decision
"That’s why, afterwards, I also decided to leave because I was still young, I needed playing time to continue to progress. The most important thing when you’re young is to play."
Arsenal suffer Asensio blow
Real Madrid star Marco Asensio is set to sign a new contract with the club, which will come as a blow to Arsenal's transfer pursuit of the attacking midfielder.
The Spaniard, 26, has been linked with a move to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham since bursting onto the scene at Los Blancos in 2016.
According to , however, Real want to hold showdown talks with Asensio's representatives to extend his stay in Madrid - including a bumper pay rise.
Previous reports suggested Asensio wasn't happy with his bit-part role in the team - but he appears to have changed his mind after a string of opportunities off the bench.
Patino proving a Tangerine dream
Charlie Patino endeared himself further to Blackpool with a match-winning performance in the West Lancashire derby at the weekend.
The on-loan Arsenal midfielder scored and provided an assist as the Tangerines took the bragging rights against fierce rivals Preston in a 4-2 win.
The 19-year-old's second goal for the Bloomfield Road club came when he slammed home from 20 yards to put Blackpool 2-1 in front on Saturday.
And afterwards, teammate Jerry Yates paid tribute to the young Gunner.
“He’s sensational. He deserves all the credit," he said.
“He’s only young, but the way he has took to the Championship is unbelievable. He’ll be a top, top player."
Jesus: The goals will return
Gabriel Jesus has vowed to rediscover his scoring touch after extending his run without a goal to five games.
The striker has been a shrewd signing from Manchester City with his all-round game a key reason for Arsenal's electric start to the season.
However, he has only struck five times in 14 appearances, and his profligacy in front of goal was felt for the first time as the Gunners dropped points in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton.
When asked to outline the reasons for his slow scoring return, Jesus replied: “I don’t know, I really don’t know. If I knew, I would tell you! But the only thing I can do is keep trying, keep fighting, keep improving.
"I am here to score goals, I am here to help the team with the goals. I understand that. Of course, the goals are coming back soon.”
Xhaka's new lease of life
Granit Xhaka has won over the Arsenal fans that used to boo him, and is playing with a 'new lease of life', according to one of the club's former greats.
Nigel Winterburn has revealed his delight at the Swiss midfielder's resurgence after his playing days at the Emirates looked over.
“A lot of Arsenal fans used to be unhappy with Granit Xhaka and his performances," the ex-left-back .
"But he's a player who does a lot of work that goes very unnoticed and there's always one or two players in a team that do that.
“At times he was a little bit rash, but he changed positions slightly towards the end of last season, and now this season, he’s playing slightly more advanced.
"He has a new lease of life and he seems to be enjoying his football.
"Did I ever think he would be captain again? No, I didn't. But that shows great courage from the manager and from Xhaka. He’s really shown his worth to the team.
"But he's a huge player within the squad and he seems to have a big influence on a lot of players.
“At this point in time, I'm absolutely delighted for him that he's shown he has great mental strength to turn things around and it's great that we are talking about him in such a positive way.”
Ex-refs disagree on penalty shout
Mark Halsey and Dermot Gallagher disagreed on whether Arsenal should have got a penalty versus Southampton.
Gabriel Jesus collided with Duje Caleta-Car but nothing was given.
Gallagher said to Sky Sports it was "clumsy" but not a penalty, just a "tangling of legs".
But Halsey believed the decision "highlighted the inconsistency of decision-making by officials".
Gunners scoring more than Messi
Alexandre Lacazette has netted seven goals in Ligue 1 this season for Lyon.
Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun has also scored seven times - the youngster is on loan at Reims.
Lionel Messi has scored six times meaning two players with Arsenal links are ahead of the footballing legend in the league's scoring charts - who would've predicted that.
Patino impresses at Blackpool
Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino is out on loan at Blackpool.
And the talented midfielder is loved by his new club, who chant his name and he's swiftly become a fan's favourite.
Patino, 19, has been hailed as "sensational" by his teammate Jerry Yates.
He added: "“He deserves all the credit. Hearing the fans singing his song for 90 minutes I bet is surreal to be honest."
Guendouzi makes bold claims
Matteo Guendouzi further explained that his incident where he had an altercation with Neal Maupay was not the nail in the coffin regarding his Arsenal career.
He said: "Journalists used this excuse to say that we had a bad relationship and that’s why I stopped playing and left Arsenal [the Maupay incident].
"Not at all. It’s a gesture like many on the pitch. There’s a lot of tension sometimes, a lot of problems on the pitch. In any case, it has nothing to do with all that."
Guendouzi was rarely used after this incident but he claimed he put in a lot of "great performances" under Mikel Arteta.
Guendouzi explains why he left Arsenal
Matteo Guendouzi has explained why he felt he had to quit Arsenal.
He revealed his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta was not good and he did not want to sit on the bench.
The Marseille star said: "It’s true that I didn’t have the best relationship with him [Arteta].
"Beyond that, I always tried to work, always gave the maximum of myself in training and in matches. I still play a few matches with him, I still did great performances.
"He preferred other players and I respect that decision.
"That’s why, afterwards, I also decided to leave because I was still young, I needed playing time to continue to progress. The most important when you’re young is to play."
Credit: AFP Ramsey tips Arsenal for title
Former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey believes his old side have what it takes to win the Premier League title.
Ramsey told the Mirror: "I know Mikel [Arteta] from playing with him in my time at Arsenal.
You could always tell that he was going to become a manager one day.
"I got asked about this just as he moved to Arsenal, but I always knew that it would be a great decision for them.
"Now you're seeing him thrive, really, and Arsenal have produced some really good performance this season already.
"Obviously there's still a long way to go, but right now - at this moment - I'm really happy as an ex-Arsenal player and a fan still. For the fans, as well, it must be a really exciting time."
Official: Emery joins Villa
Unai Emery has become the new Aston Villa manager after they paid the £5.2million release clause in his contract.
He has left Villarreal after guiding them to the Champions League semi-final last season.
He has previously managed Arsenal, Sevilla and PSG.
The Spaniard, 50, replaces the sacked Steven Gerrard and will join on November 1 meaning he will NOT be in the dugout this Saturday against Newcastle.
Emery expected to accept Villa job
Unai Emery is set to become the new Aston Villa manager after they paid the £5.2million release clause in his contract.
Journalist claims that sources inside Villarreal, the club Emery is currently managing, are expecting him to walk away from the LaLiga side.
Talks are in their final stages, according to reports.
Emery managed Arsenal for a season and a half from 2018 to 2019.
Jesus reveals ref chat
Gabriel Jesus has revealed what he said to referee Robert Jones after he was denied a penalty.
The striker was bundled over after a coming together with Duje Caleta-Car.
Jesus told Arsenal's website what he said to the referee: "I don’t like to talk about the referee’s decisions, I just want to talk about our performance but sometimes it can change the game.
"I spoke with him straight after and he said: 'If you go down before, maybe I can give a penalty'.
But I think I was fair. I tried to hold, tried to keep standing, tried to finish the action but at the end he grabbed me and it was impossible, so I go down normally. But that is not the reason why we didn’t win the game."
Trossard wanted
Arsenal are keeping an eye on Leandro Trossard of Brighton, according to reports.
He has entered the last year of his contract and the Seagulls have the option for an extension but the Daily Mail claim the Gunners and Chelsea are both keen on signing the Belgian.
Trossard recently said that his future “completely depends on which club” comes in for him.
Arsneal desperate for Lazio ace
Arsenal are reportedly "willing to do anything" to land Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
That includes having youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga as part of a package deal with £52.5million.
Milinkovic-Savic, 27, is a wanted man as his contract expires at the end of next season.
The Serbian midfielder is set for crunch talks with the Serie A side to discuss his future.
He has netted four times and assisted seven in 15 games this season for the third-placed team.
Lazio are said to have slapped a whopping £105m price tag on their prized target.
Elneny coaches youngsters
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny took time out of his day to visit the club's Under-16 side.
Elneny coached a session, according to
He has been applauded by Gunners fans.
Emery to make Villa decision
Ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery is set to choose between Aston Villa and staying at Villarreal.
suggest that Villa are prepared to pay his £5.2million release clause.
Emery has just one year left on his contract at the LaLiga side who want for him to stay.
Winterburn says new players making the difference
Ex-Arsenal star Nigel Winterburn has said the additions that Mikel Arteta made to the squad and the fact he was given time to build his squad has resulted in the Gunners' great start to the season.
He told : "Arsenal's form this season is down to combination of Arteta’s coaching, as well as the signings of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus as well as William Saliba in essence.
"Last season, not being in European competition was ideal. it gave Arteta a lot more time to work with his players and now we're seeing the benefit of that.
“Arteta now completely has a team that he wants.
“We're now seeing the benefits of three quality players coming in, but also seeing the benefits of the time Arteta has had to work with the team.”
Xkaha praised by ex-Gunner
Granit Xhaka has been praised by former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn.
Speaking to , Winterburn said: “A lot of Arsenal fans used to be unhappy with Granit Xhaka and his performances.
"But he's a player who does a lot of work that goes very unnoticed.
“At times he was a little bit rash, but he changed positions slightly towards the end of last season, and now this season, he’s playing slightly more advanced.
"He [Xhaka] has a new lease of life and he seems to be enjoying his football.
"Did I ever think he would be captain again? No, I didn't. But that shows great courage from the manager and from Xhaka. He’s really shown his worth to the team.
“There will still be some that will prefer not to see him with the armband. But he's a huge player within the squad and he seems to have a big influence on a lot of players.
“At this point in time, I'm absolutely delighted for him that that he's shown he has great mental strength to turn things around and it's great that we are talking about him in such a positive way."
Credit: AFP
Emery back in Premier League?
Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has been made the heavy favourite by the bookies to take over at Aston Villa.
Steven Gerrard was sacked as manager last week and Emery appears the most likely to replace him.
Emery guided Arsenal to a Europa League final before getting sacked and he was ridiculed by some Gunners fans.
However the Spaniard enjoyed success at Sevilla and PSG.
He is currently in charge of Villarreal - they made the Champions League semi-final last season in a shock run - but Emery may now leave.
Correct Decision?
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has claimed that official Robert Jones made the correct decision to not award Arsenal a penalty versus Southampton.
He analysed refereeing performances over the weekend and watched Gabriel Jesus' incident with Duje Caleta-Car.
Gallagher called it a "tangle of legs", "untidy" and "clumsy" but still sided with the referee that it was not a penalty and it was just a coming together not a foul.
Credit: Getty Arsenal want Liverpool star in shock move
Arsenal are one of a number of Premier League clubs monitoring Liverpool star Naby Keita's contract situation, according to reports.
claim the Gunners, Chelsea and Tottenham could all be interested in signing him on a free transfer.
Keita is set to leave Anfield at the end of the season when his deal expires.
Gunners Xmas schedule revealed
Arsenal face a horror fixtures list after being given all night-time starts in the Boxing Day and New Year TV slots.
Footy chiefs have finally confirmed telly fixtures for the day after Christmas.
The Gunners face a horror list after being given night-time starts in ALL THREE rounds of fixtures.
26th December - West Ham (H) 8pm KO - Amazon Prime
31st December - Brighton (A) 5:30pm KO - Sky Sports
3rd January - Newcastle (H) 8pm KO - Sky Sports
