A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Erling Haaland rues a decision the Gunners have made and Mikel Arteta receives an injury boost before facing Manchester City.
Arsenal star Gabriel hopes to face Man City after his injury scare
The Gunners head to Etihad Stadium for a top-of-the-table Premier League match on March 31 following the international break. And Arteta could have Gabriel Magalhaes available for Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City with the centre-half ‘hopeful’ about overcoming his injury.
That is according to football.london, which reports that Gabriel is trying to face the Citizens, despite withdrawing from the Brazil squad. He has stayed back at London Colney to manage an inflamed Achilles, which Arsenal do not believe is a major issue, and is striving to recover.
Gabriel has started in each of Arsenal’s last 18 Premier League matches since sitting on their bench against Sheffield United in October. The 26-year-old has also struck four goals during that period. His brace against Crystal Palace also helped to start an eight-game winning run.
Read more about the latest update on Arsenal defender Gabriel’s injury situation, here.
Arsenal to rival Barcelona for the free transfer of Adrien Rabiot
Arsenal are now interested in rivalling Barcelona for the free transfer of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot. That is according to Tutto Juve, which reports that the 28-year-old is still yet to agree to new terms at the Allianz Stadium to stay put beyond June when his deal expires.
The France international has been in Turin since he quit Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in 2019. Now, Rabiot may return to England after a brief spell in Manchester City’s academy in 2009. Arsenal and Newcastle United are showing the most interest in the Premier League.
But Rabiot also has Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on red alert as he would like a move to La Liga. Juventus have not given up hope of convincing the midfielder to sign a new contract at the Serie A side. Yet it will be hard for the Bianconeri to reach an agreement on fresh terms.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in a transfer for Juventus midfielder Rabiot, here.
Erling Haaland thinks Martin Odegaard would improve Man City
Manchester City striker Haaland admits Arsenal and Norway captain Martin Odegaard would improve Pep Guardiola’s squad. But the Norway sensation knows it is a moot point, given his compatriot signed a new contract at Emirates Stadium in September that runs to June 2028.
“Yes, I think so,” Haaland has outlined, via VG. “There’s a good player, and a player that plays for our rivals. He’s just signed a new contract, so it’s not a topic. But, at City, we have a lot of [the] best players in the world.”
Odegaard has led Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table this term with six goals and six assists. Only Bukayo Saka (13), Kai Havertz (8) and Leandro Trossard (7) have more goals than the playmaker there. Odegaard also sits second to Saka (8) for assists so far this term.
Read more about what Manchester City’s Haaland has said about Arsenal’s Odegaard, here.