A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta admits it is ‘too soon’ for one player to return from injury at Wolves and Granit Xhaka comments on the title race.
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is impressing the Arsenal transfer department
Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise is impressing the Arsenal transfer department as Mikel Arteta considers a move. That is according to The Guardian, which reports that the 22-year-old is a possible target for the Gunners as Arteta wants to sign a player to help Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal are scouting Olise ahead of the summer market as the Emirates Stadium natives are keen to add another wide option. But the London-born France talent is also drawing interest from Manchester United and Man City among others as his release clause is set to be active.
Olise can leave Selhurst Park for £65m as his release clause comes into effect at the end of this season. The winger has only started in nine of his 13 Premier League appearances so far this term due to three hamstring injuries. Yet Olise has still scored six goals and three assists.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Olise’s transfer from Crystal Palace, here.
Mikel Arteta admits it is ‘too soon’ for Jurrien Timber to return from his ACL injury
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that it is ‘too soon’ for Jurrien Timber to return from his ACL injury. The 22-year-old has not featured since he sustained the injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest. He played just 50 minutes before needing surgery.
Timber has missed seven months while he recovers but he is now showing positive signs in training at London Colney. Arsenal will also give Timber a run out with their Under-21 team to further advance the Dutchman’s rehabilitation ahead of any potential return this season.
“It’s too soon,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “He’s gonna play a game with the 21s and after that we will see better. He looks really good in training but it’s that last big step. Everyone else is all good.”
Read the top five updates Arteta shared in his pre-Wolves press conference, here.
Granit Xhaka issues his verdict on Arsenal’s chances in the Premier League title race
Bundesliga champion Granit Xhaka believes Arsenal still have a ‘big chance’ to win their first Premier League title in 20 years this season. The midfielder left the Gunners last year to join Bayer Leverkusen and has helped Die Werkself to win their very first German top-flight title.
Xhaka played an instrumental role in Arsenal’s unsuccessful bid to win the Premier League title last season. The 31-year-old offered seven goals and seven assists in 37 games as their hopes ended with games to spare. Now, Arsenal could face back-to-back unsuccessful bids.
Their 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa last Sunday has left Arsenal two points behind three-time defending champions Manchester City. But Mikel Arteta can lead the Gunners back to the top of the table if they beat Wolves on Saturday with the Citizens playing in the FA Cup.
Arsenal have six games left in the Premier League term, including Saturday’s trip to Wolves, so Xhaka is confident that it is still there to play for. The Gunners are only two points behind Manchester City and they also still boast the best goal difference in the top-flight at plus-49.
“This is part of the game,” he said, via Ryan Taylor. “I think it was 10 or 11 games unbeaten. When you lose one game, it doesn’t mean you lost everything already. There are six games left in the Premier League and there is still a big chance to get the Premier League title.
“I wish them all the best, for sure, because I am still supporting them. I am still in contact with the staff and players, and also still watching the games.”
Read more about what Xhaka has said about Arsenal and the title race, here.