After a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich it’s clear Arsenal need further recruits to challenge amongst Europe’s finest.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of gossip out there and Jonathan Kaney has dug through the lot to bring the latest news and his views!
Veteran midfield trio to leave next summer (Evening Standard)
The Evening Standard reports that Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky will not be offered new contracts at the end of the season and will be allowed to move on.
While no final decision has been made, Gooners can understand that it’s a tough judgment for Arsene to make. All three players are not first team regulars and are arguably no longer the standard of player the club needs as backup. Flamini was particularly poor against Sheffield Wednesday; Arteta is no longer the player he was, and Rosicky hasn’t kicked a ball for us this season due to injury.
However, all three players are an important part of the dressing room – Arteta in particular is club captain, Flamini is a dressing room favourite, and Rosicky is Wenger’s most experienced player.
It will ultimately come down to the business we do in the January and summer transfer windows, but it could well be time for him to bite the bullet and bring in the likes of William Carvalho and Grzegorz Krychowiak to start a new midfield generation.
Arsenal lead chase for Yarmolenko (Metro)
Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Andriy Yarmolenko after Dynamo Kiev’s manager admitted he’s powerless to stop the forward making a move away.
Yarmolenko has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners, Everton and Chelsea over the past year, but reports are suggesting that Arsenal have moved ahead of their rivals to sign the 26-year-old Ukrainian due to their injury crisis on the wings.
Kiev boss Serhiy Rebrov has confirmed that he would be unable to stop the Ukrainian forward from leaving the club for North London, and the tricky winger who has creative flair in abundance and a wicked left foot would be an excellent signing for the Gunners.
Southampton rival Arsenal for Quintero (Mirror)
The Mirror reports that Southampton are set to battle Arsenal for 22-year-old Porto attacking midfielder Juan Quintero.
The Colombian international is currently on loan at French club Rennes and is a thought to be a long-term target for both clubs after missing out on him last January.
Quintero has been likened to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi in the past and is an undoubted talent. Gooners will have to wait and see if Arsene takes a risk on him or moves for a more established winger.
Arsenal plot swoop for unhappy Chelsea starlet (Metro)
Arsenal are waiting in the wings to sign Chelsea 19-year-old starlet Charley Musonda according to the Metro.
Musonda is one of Chelsea’s most highly rated young talents. However, the Belgian is thought to be frustrated with the lack of opportunities young players get at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal and Monaco are thought to be monitoring his situation and weighing up with a £10m move for him.
Arsene Wenger can spot talent a mile off, and if he is keen to snatch him from Chelsea, then the Belgian would be wise to move to the Emirates where he would get much more opportunity than at Stamford Bridge.