A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta identifies the club’s top target but could lose a growing talent to Bayern Munich in a discount transfer this summer.
Mikel Arteta has a fully-fit Arsenal squad for the first time vs AFC Bournemouth
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will have a fully-fit Arsenal squad for the first time in his tenure at home to AFC Bournemouth this Saturday. The Spaniard has confirmed that Jurrien Timber is, finally, able to return from his ACL injury to leave the London Colney treatment room empty.
Arsenal have not enjoyed a fully-fit first-team since Unai Emery oversaw a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves in October 2019. Injury problems have plagued Arteta’s tenure since he took over in December 2019. But Timber is now in a position to earn his first appearance since August.
Timber underwent surgery after sustaining an ACL injury 50 minutes into his Premier League debut as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest. Arteta was also without Gabriel Jesus at the time, and has since seen Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko miss spells.
But a fully-fit Arsenal team will greet Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium as Arteta confirmed Timber is free of his injury. The 22-year-old has ramped up his recovery in recent weeks with matches for the Gunners’ Under-21 team against Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool in the PL2.
“Yes, everybody is fit and available,” Arteta said in his press conference this Friday. “So, now it’s a headache to make the right selection. [A] good headache.”
Read more about what Arteta has said about Arsenal’s latest injury situation, here.
Bayern Munich could poach Arsenal gem Chido Obi-Martin due to a contract loophole
Bayern Munich could poach Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin on the cheap this summer owing to a contract loophole. That is according to The Telegraph, which reports that Der FCB are one of the European squads monitoring the 16-year-old as he enjoys a prolific campaign.
Denmark U17 prospect Obi-Martin is breaking records at Arsenal but the Gunners are at risk of losing him. English clubs must wait until a player turns 17 years old before they can sign a professional contract under FA rules. But European clubs are not restricted in the same way.
Arsenal have spoken to Obi-Martin’s representatives to signal their desire to offer him a pro deal after his birthday this November. But as he has an EU passport, Bayern Munich and the European teams keen can sign the forward for FIFA’s set compensation sum in the summer.
Read more about Obi-Martin’s situation at Arsenal amid interest from Bayern, here.
Mikel Arteta marks Newcastle star Alexander Isak as Arsenal’s top striker target
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has identified Newcastle United star Alexander Isak as his top striker target for the summer transfer window. That is according to The Independent, which reports that Arteta is intent on signing a centre-forward who would complete his first-team.
The Magpies are extremely loath to sell the 24-year-old and also intend to offer him a fresh contract. But the Toon are in a tricky place regarding FFP and much will also hinge on if Isak agitates to go. The Gunners’ own FFP issues meant Arteta could not sign a striker in January.
Arteta now wants Arsenal to prioritise a deal for Isak this summer as he sees plenty of value in the Sweden international. He also sees signing the striker as a signal of the club’s intent as a big club, given Newcastle’s want to keep a player who has 23 goals in 36 games this term.
Read more about Arteta’s interest in Newcastle striker Isak’s transfer to Arsenal, here.