A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as the Gunners pull a U-turn over a senior star’s contract and Mikel Arteta is hailed for changing a 24-year-old by his national manager.
Arsenal pull a U-turn over a new contract for Juventus target Jorginho
Arsenal have now abandoned their negotiations with Jorginho about a new contract for the Italy midfielder at Emirates Stadium. That is according to Calciomercato, which reports that the Gunners had offered the 32-year-old new terms to fend off firm interest from Juventus.
The Bianconeri believe Jorginho would be the ideal Bosman signing with his contract ending in June. Juventus would love the chance to sign Jorginho as he would conduct their core. He is also now considering the move after Arsenal pulled their offer of a new one-year contract.
Jorginho signed an initial 18-month deal to join from Chelsea in January 2023 which features an option for another year. But Arsenal presented the midfielder Arteta calls ‘unbelievable’ a new single-year deal with an option through to June 2026. Yet that deal is now off the table.
Read more about Arsenal’s latest stance on awarding Jorginho a new contract, here.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann hails Kai Havertz’s growth at Arsenal
German boss Julian Nagelsmann believes Kai Havertz has developed ‘very well’ since joining Arsenal from Chelsea in July 2023. The tactician thinks Arteta has changed the 24-year-old for the better with how Havertz now plays, both as a striker and when running in from deep.
Havertz has featured in 27 of Arsenal’s 28 Premier League fixtures so far this season and has started in 20. He also boasts eight goals plus three assists thanks to scoring once in each of the Gunners’ last four games. The Germany star also scored once in the Champions League.
Chelsea never saw Havertz play as well as he is playing under Arteta at Arsenal this season. The 6 ft 3 ace had his best term in front of the net at Stamford Bridge in 2021/22 with seven goals in 29 games. He also had seven in 35 last term but Nagelsmann sees clear progress.
“[Havertz] has developed very well,” Nagelsmann said in his pre-game press conference. “He has a lot of recognition from the coach and the club. I think very highly of him as a player and as a person. He has good deep runs and very good pace.”
Read more about what Germany boss Nagelsmann has said about Arsenal’s Havertz, here.
Ethan Nwaneri has agreed his first professional contract at Arsenal
Hale End gem Ethan Nwaneri is set to sign his new contract at Arsenal ‘very, very soon’. That is according to Charles Watts, who reports that the midfielder has agreed to pen fresh terms in north London. The Gunners had to wait until he turned 17 to agree to a professional deal.
Nwaneri is now away on international duty with the England Under-17s whilst they continue their Euro U17 Championship qualifying campaign. But Arsenal will announce his new terms soon after Nwaneri’s return to the club having just celebrated his 17th birthday on Thursday.
Emirates Stadium chiefs sought to get Nwaneri to sign his first professional contract as he is one of the brightest prospects in Arsenal’s academy. Arteta also handed the teen his second senior appearance to date in the Gunners’ 6-0 drubbing of West Ham United this February.
Read more about what Watts has had to report about Nwaneri’s contract with Arsenal, here.