NICO WILLIAMS TRANSFER RUMOURS SWIRL
Arsenal News

NICO WILLIAMS TRANSFER RUMOURS SWIRL

Nico Williams, who has attracted interest from Arsenal and Barcelona, insists that the ongoing speculation around his future won’t distract him this season. Despite a summer filled with transfer rumors, the Athletic Club winger remains focused on his current team and personal growth.

Williams was heavily linked with a move after his impressive performances for Spain during their Euro 2024 triumph. Both Arsenal and Barcelona expressed strong interest in signing the 22-year-old, whose contract includes a €58 million (£48.5 million) release clause. However, Williams decided to stay with Athletic Club, taking the prestigious No. 10 shirt, a sign of his growing importance to the team.

ARSENAL HIT WITH MARTINELLI INJURY BLOW
Arsenal News

ARSENAL HIT WITH MARTINELLI INJURY BLOW

Arsenal have been dealt another injury setback during the international break, with Gabriel Martinelli facing a new fitness concern while on duty with Brazil. The winger, who has been a key player for Arsenal this season, picked up a calf problem while preparing for Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers.

Martinelli had been recalled to Dorival Junior’s Brazil squad for the qualifiers against Chile and Peru, joining club teammate Gabriel Magalhaes after being left out of the previous international matches in September. His recall came as a reward for his impressive form at Arsenal, where he has featured in every match across all competitions this season, contributing both goals and assists. His latest contribution was a goal in Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback win against Southampton, further highlighting his importance to the team.

RAMSDALE EXPLAINS ARSENAL EXIT
Arsenal News

RAMSDALE EXPLAINS ARSENAL EXIT

Aaron Ramsdale has opened up about his departure from Arsenal, stating that he left because he “didn’t want to win trophies” without playing an active role. The 26-year-old goalkeeper joined Southampton in the summer, after finding himself relegated to a bench role following the arrival of David Raya.

Ramsdale initially joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021 for £26 million and quickly became the first-choice goalkeeper. Over two seasons, he made 89 appearances, showcasing his skills and contributing significantly to Arsenal’s defensive efforts. However, the dynamic changed when Raya arrived on loan in 2023, and later made his move permanent, pushing Ramsdale out of the starting lineup.

Reflecting on his decision to leave Arsenal, Ramsdale explained to Football Focus, “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me. I just wanted to play football. As a kid, I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench.” His passion for playing the game and his desire to be on the pitch drove him to seek regular playing time at Southampton, a club that offered him the opportunity he was missing at Arsenal.

Ramsdale’s career path has always been marked by his determination to play. As a young goalkeeper at Sheffield United, he opted to go on loan rather than remain as a backup, gaining valuable experience in competitive matches. This proactive approach to his career continued at Arsenal, where he made an immediate impact. During his debut season at the Emirates, Ramsdale earned the Premier League’s Golden Glove award, keeping 16 clean sheets in league play and 20 in total across 41 appearances. His contributions were instrumental in Arsenal’s runner-up finish in the league and their strong run to the Champions League quarter-finals. Between 2021 and 2023, Ramsdale also made his mark on the international stage, earning four caps for England.

Despite his successes, Ramsdale found himself in a difficult position at Arsenal. With Raya taking over the starting role, he played just 11 matches in his final year at the club. Unwilling to settle for a place on the bench, Ramsdale made the difficult decision to move to Southampton, where he could pursue his passion for playing week in and week out. “Getting out and playing was my aim, so I’m lucky I found myself here at Southampton,” he said.

Ramsdale’s return to the pitch is set to be an emotional one as Southampton prepares to face his former club on October 5. His desire to play, rather than merely collect trophies from the sidelines, underscores his commitment to the sport and personal growth as a player. For Ramsdale, the move to Southampton is not just about finding playing time; it’s about staying true to the reasons he fell in love with football in the first place.

MERINO SEES INJURY AS A BLESSING AFTER IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Arsenal News

MERINO SEES INJURY AS A BLESSING AFTER IMPRESSIVE DEBUT

Mikel Merino believes that the injury he suffered in his very first training session with Arsenal turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The summer signing made his long-awaited debut for the Gunners in their 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain, coming off the bench in the second half to play the final 25 minutes in place of Thomas Partey.

Merino, who joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad for over £30 million in August, had to wait patiently for his first appearance after a freak collision with center-back Gabriel left him with a shoulder injury. The setback was mentally tough for the Spaniard, but he now views the situation as an opportunity that has allowed him to get up to speed with Arsenal’s style and tactics.

SAKA CONFIDENT ARSENAL WILL WIN PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE
Arsenal News

SAKA CONFIDENT ARSENAL WILL WIN PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE

Bukayo Saka believes Arsenal are ready to deliver the Premier League title this season, following a statement-making performance in Europe against Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners impressed in their Champions League home opener on Tuesday night, securing a 2-0 win with first-half goals from Kai Havertz and Saka, signaling their potential to challenge the best teams on the continent.

The victory over PSG is one of the defining moments of Mikel Arteta’s near five-year reign at the Emirates, showcasing Arsenal’s remarkable progress under his guidance. It comes after a disappointing goalless draw with Europa League holders Atalanta, demonstrating the Gunners’ ability to rebound and prove they can topple Europe’s elite. Saka’s role in the triumph further underscores his belief that this could finally be the year Arsenal break their long domestic title drought.

RAYA DOUBTFUL FOR LEICESTER
Arsenal News

RAYA DOUBTFUL FOR LEICESTER

Mikel Arteta has revealed that David Raya remains a doubt for Arsenal’s Premier League match against Leicester City on Saturday. The goalkeeper missed Arsenal’s recent Carabao Cup victory over Bolton due to a thigh injury, and his availability for the weekend is still uncertain.

Raya was absent from the squad during the Gunners’ third-round cup tie at the Emirates Stadium, a game in which Arsenal triumphed over Bolton. With backup goalkeeper Neto cup-tied, Arteta was forced to turn to 16-year-old Jack Porter, who made history as the youngest player ever to start a game for Arsenal. Now, as Arsenal gears up for their league encounter with Leicester, Arteta has stated that the club will make a final decision on Raya’s fitness closer to match day.

ODEGAARD EYES QUICK RETURN
Arsenal News

ODEGAARD EYES QUICK RETURN

Martin Odegaard admits he feels fortunate to have “got away with” his recent ankle injury, as the Arsenal captain works towards a return to full fitness. The Norwegian midfielder has been sidelined since suffering ligament damage while on international duty in early November, leaving a notable gap in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Initial concerns about the severity of Odegaard’s injury had Arteta hinting that the midfielder could be out for an extended period, potentially beyond the upcoming international break. However, Odegaard has now provided a more hopeful update on his recovery, indicating that the injury wasn’t as severe as initially feared. This news offers some optimism to Arsenal fans as they await the return of their influential captain.

RAYA SAVE WAS INCREDIBLE
Arsenal News

RAYA SAVE WAS INCREDIBLE

Mikel Arteta admitted David Raya’s astonishing double save against Atalanta was the best he has seen in his career. The Spanish goalkeeper ensured Arsenal avoided defeat in their Champions League opener by keeping out a penalty and the rebound from Italy striker Mateo Retegui, saving the Gunners from a potential setback.

Early in the second half, after Thomas Partey was beaten for pace by Ederson and pulled the Brazilian back, referee Clementin Turpin pointed to the spot. The pressure was on, but Retegui’s moment was thwarted by the brilliance of Raya. The Arsenal keeper first dived to his right to beat out the penalty, an already crucial save. But what followed left everyone in awe. As the ball looped up, Retegui, poised for a simple header into an open net, found himself denied once again. Raya, displaying remarkable agility, got back on his feet and launched himself left to claw the ball away from the goal line, leaving Atalanta stunned and Gunners fans celebrating.

ODEGAARD OUT FOR FORESEEABLE FUTURE
Arsenal News

ODEGAARD OUT FOR FORESEEABLE FUTURE

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to miss significant playing time after suffering a serious ankle ligament injury while on international duty with Norway. Initial assessments suggested a three-week absence, but further scans have revealed the injury is more severe than first feared.

Odegaard injured his ankle in a nasty fall during Norway’s recent match, prompting concern for both club and country. After undergoing multiple scans and consulting specialists, it was confirmed that the damage to his ankle ligaments will keep the 25-year-old out for the foreseeable future. Although Norway’s team doctor initially predicted a shorter recovery time, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta indicated that the situation is more complex and that Odegaard’s return to the pitch is uncertain.

EDU: ARTETA’S NEW DEAL BRINGS STABILITY TO ARSENAL
Arsenal News

EDU: ARTETA’S NEW DEAL BRINGS STABILITY TO ARSENAL

Arsenal sporting director Edu believes Mikel Arteta’s new contract will bring much-needed stability as the club looks to achieve new heights. Arteta signed a contract extension on Thursday, committing his future to the Gunners until 2027. His previous deal was set to expire at the end of the current season, but both sides were confident of reaching an agreement.

Since taking charge of Arsenal in 2019, Arteta has had a transformative impact on the club, winning the FA Cup in his first season and leading the team to consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League over the past two campaigns. Arsenal now has its sights set on winning the league title for the first time since 2004, and Arteta is seen as the man to lead them to that goal.