Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Maitland-Niles ‘AGREES’ Roma move, Vlahovic battle, Coutinho UPDATE
ASHLEY MAITLAND-NILES has agreed to join Jose Mourinho’s Roma on loan, according to reports.
Club sporting director Tiago Pinto is claimed to favour an initial six-month loan deal, with the option of making it a permanent transfer.
A four-year contract has been touted, although negotiations for a future permanent fee are yet to progress
Meanwhile, boss Mikel Arteta has compared Arsenal’s young generation to the one he came through with at Barcelona’s iconic La Masia academy.
The Spanish manager came through at Barcelona alongside Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta.
Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, Charlie Patino and Emile Smith Rowe are all Arsenal starlets that have made waves this season.
The Gunners are also looking to sign Fiorentina’s Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, 21, according to reports with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang heading for the Emirates exit.
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Aubameyang enjoys Christmas despite ousting
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pushed aside his Arsenal woes to pose and share a sweet family Christmas photo.
The striker is currently in Gunners exile after being banished from the first-team fold by boss Mikel Arteta.
But he chose Christmas Day to take to social media for the first time since being dropped.
Posing in matches pyjamas alongside his partner and kids in front of a stunning tree, he captioned it with: “Merry Christmas #Familyfirst.”
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Arsenal’s continuing captaincy curse conundrum
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks set for a January exit after falling out with Mikel Arteta.
But he wouldn’t be the first serving Arsenal captain to meet a sticky end…
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Mikel hails Arsenal’s Norwich victory
Mikel Arteta says he was hugely impressed with Arsenal’s dismantling of Norwich at Carrow Road.
Arteta beamed: “It’s a very satisfying result because in this festive period we have to keep performances to a high level.
“We looked really sharp and committed. It’s a big win for us. I am really pleased. The amount of chances we create is pleasing.”
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Arteta loving top four push
Mikel Arteta admits he is enjoying Arsenal’s push for Champions League football.
Speaking after Sunday’s 5-0 win at Norwich, he said: “That’s what we’re here for – to enjoy it. And if the players enjoy it, people will enjoy watching them.
“The direction of the team, how we are growing, the understanding between the players, the unity and the support from our supporters in every ground is very much linked with the way we want to play.
“I am very pleased with that as well. In general, collectively and individually, we had big performances against Norwich so I am very happy.”
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Arsenal vs Wolves ‘called off’
Arsenal’s Emirates clash with Wolves on Tuesday is reportedly set to be the latest Premier League game called off because of Covid-19.
An outbreak of cases combined with several injuries to Wolves’ players is likely to see the fixture pushed back to the new year.
The Premier League have accepted Wolves’ request to postpone the game, according to the Athletic.
It’s the second festive Wolves fixture to be pulled after their Boxing Day game vs Watford was also pulled because of case numbers in the Hornets’ squad.
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Arsenal’s fine collection of silverwear
Arsenal boast an impressive array of trophies.
Can Mikel Arteta add to the cabinet this season?
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Maitland-Niles joining Roma on loan
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is reportedly on the verge of a loan move to Roma.
Di Marizo claims the Arsenal outcast will team up with Jose Mourinho next month on a temporary basis.
However, Roma are then likely to make the deal permanent next summer.
And Maitland-Niles will become their third English ace after Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling.
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Arsenal verdict after Norwich win
Kieran Tierney enhanced his credentials to become the next Arsenal captain with a mature performance at Carrow Road.
The fans already love him and Tierney would be the ideal man to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Mikel Arteta’s new skipper.
READ THE VERDICT HERE
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Saka ‘stamp’ leaves fans fuming
Norwich fans were left fuming after Bukayo Saka escaped punishment for what was perceived as a deliberate ‘stamp’ in their game against Arsenal.
It all happened in the 52nd minute, when the England international, 20, was involved in an incident with on-loan Manchester United defender Brandon Williams.
But VAR and the officials deemed that Saka unintentionally landed his studs on the full-back’s thigh and ruled it wasn’t worth a look.
One fan raged: “Var is so obviously corrupt. Clear stamp by saka and mclean clearly pulled back”.
Another added: “Absolutely disgraceful stamp from Saka on Brandon Williams. Can’t believe that’s not been reviewed for a red card. The boy is out of control.”
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Arsenal player ratings vs Norwich
Bukayo Saka produced a Boxing Day masterclass as he dismantled Norwich with two goals.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard showed he can be Arsenal’s main man in midfield with a fine playmaker’s display.
READ THE RATINGS HERE
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FT – Norwich 0 Arsenal 5
A brilliant display of goalscoring saw the Gunners cruise to victory at Carrow Road.
Bukayo Saka scored twice in the rout against Norwich, with Kieran Tierney, Alexandre Lacazette and Emile Smith Rowe also on target.
READ THE REPORT HERE
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70′ – Norwich 0 Arsenal 3
The Gunners are clear at Carrow Road after bagging a third goal.
And it’s from none other than Bukayo Saka, who netted his second of the game in the 67th minute.
FOLLOW THE LAST 20 MINS HERE
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HT – Norwich 0 Arsenal 2
The Gunners did indeed double their lead before the break.
Kieran Tierney pounced in the 44th minute to give his side a resounding lead.
And as things stand, Arsenal are just three points off third-place Chelsea.
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30′ – Norwich 0 Arsenal 1
Half an hour gone at Carrow Road and Arsenal lead 1-0 thanks to a 6th minute strike from Bukayo Saka.
Can the Gunners double their lead before the break?
FOLLOW THE ACTION HERE
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Arsenal are in the house
The Gunners have arrived at Carrow Road ahead of their clash with Norwich at 3pm.
Stay right across the action on SunSport.
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Arsenal trio test positive for Covid
The Gunners have confirmed that a further three players have tested positive for Covid-19 and are missing from today’s team.
Mikel Arteta was already without Albert Sambi Lokonga, Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers after their tested positive.
And they have been joined by Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric Soares and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The their absence, Ben White fills in at right-back, with Ron Holding in at centre-half.
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Norwich City XI vs Arsenal
Dean Smith has named his starting XI for this afternoon’s clash with Arsenal.
Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour starts, while Man United ace Brandon Williams is at left-back.
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Arsenal XI vs Norwich announced
Mikel Arteta appears to have named Ben White at right-back for this afternoon’s match, with Takehiro Tomiyasu absent from the matchday squad.
There’s also no place for Emile Smith Rowe in the starting XI, with the attacking midfielder left on the bench yet again.
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Man Utd in for ex-Arsenal ace
Emi Martinez is reportedly on Manchester United’s list of potential goalkeeping targets.
The Argentina international, 29, has shone for Aston Villa ever since joining them from Arsenal in September 2020.
And his consistent displays have caught the eye of the Red Devils.
The Daily Star claims United have ‘watched him closely’ several times and believe that he could be a future No1 at Old Trafford.
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Arsenal target in superb form
Gunners target Dusan Vlahovic has been in sensational form this season for Fiorentina.
Feast your eyes over his incredible stats, ahead of what is set to be a fascinating January window.
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Gunners boss eyeing top four
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is determined to make additions to his squad in the January transfer window.
The Gunners spent big last summer with £50million Ben White and £30m Aaron Ramsdale arriving.
Arsenal spent £150m in total with Nuno Tavares, Martin Odegaard, Sambi Lokonga and Takehiro Tomiyasu also coming in.
And although the newcomers have helped Arsenal into fourth Arteta is not completely happy with his squad, according to The Express.
He said: “If you can tweak what you need to in that period, which is not easy, it would be really helpful.
“We are working on that to see the necessities we can have and whether we can find the right solutions.”
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Gabriel backs namesake to shine
Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhaes reckons there is even more to come from in-form Brazilian compatriot Gabriel Martinelli.
He told Sky Sports: “He has many great traits in a player.
“I’m sure it’s just the beginning and he will make many Arsenal fans happy.
“And he will make us happy as well.”
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Pundit on potential Arsenal target
The Gunners should target Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong if the LaLiga giants want to make a deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to former star Kevin Campbell.
He told Football Insider: “I would like De Jong, if you don’t mind. I would love to see him at Arsenal.
“I cannot see them moving him on because he has been phenomenal for them, he really has.
“He is the one player who really fit into Mikel Arteta’s squad. He would fit in effortlessly. I think he’d be brilliant beside Thomas Partey.
“Would they want to do that deal? Barca want another striker now [Sergio] Aguero has retired. There is room for Aubameyang.
“Listen, at the end of the day, if they want to do business and Aubameyang wants to go – do the business. Create some room on that wage bill.”
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Serie A hot property tracked
Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic may price himself out of a Premier League move with the striker reportedly demanding £200,000-a-week.
The Serbian is being tracked by the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea after netting 18 goals in 22 games this term.
But according to the Daily Star, the 21-year-old may price himself out of a big money January move after demanding a huge £200k-a-week contract AFTER TAX.
Fiorentina are only willing to part ways with the striker for £70million too.
Although in a boost to Vlahovic’s potential buyers, Manchester City have already ruled out a potential move.
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Feliz Navidad to all Gooners
Feeling good after yesterday, Gooners?
Emile Smith Rowe appeared to have a fun Christmas!
But will the England international be back in the starting XI this afternoon against Norwich?
We’ll have all the action here on SunSport.
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