A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta admits the Gunners have two injury ‘doubts’ for their game at Manchester United and weighs up a Chelsea target.
Arsenal weigh up a transfer for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
Arsenal are now weighing up rivalling Chelsea for the transfer of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford amid doubts over Mikel Arteta buying David Raya after his loan. That is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that it is no longer certain that the Gunners will use the buy clause.
Raya moved to north London in August on a season-long loan with a £27m option for Arteta to buy the Brentford ace. But the 28-year-old may return to the Bees, even after he won the Golden Glove on 15 clean sheets in 30 Premier League games after ousting Aaron Ramsdale.
Now, Pickford has emerged as an alternative stopper Arsenal could sign instead of Raya with Everton likely needing to sell the 30-year-old to avoid a third PSR breach. Chelsea have long been the favourites to sign the England international but Arteta admires his skill on the ball.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Pickford’s transfer from Everton, here.
Kieran Tierney admits ‘the chances are’ he will leave Arsenal this summer
Outcast defender Kieran Tierney has admitted that ‘the chances are’ he will leave Arsenal in the summer transfer window. Mikel Arteta cast the Scotland international aside last August after signing Jurrien Timber to fill a versatile role, so let Tierney join Real Sociedad on loan.
Timber emerged as Arteta’s favoured alternative for Oleksandr Zinchenko after joining from AFC Ajax. The natural centre-half sustained an ACL injury on his Premier League debut that has delayed Arteta’s plans. But Arsenal can also turn to Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Zinchenko also ousted Tierney as Arsenal’s first-choice at left-back in 2022/23 after joining from Manchester City. He featured in 27 and started 26 of their Premier League fixtures that season. While Tierney also managed 27 appearances in 22/23, he only started in six fixtures.
Arteta even let Tierney join Real Sociedad on a season-long loan deal after Timber sustained his ACL injury. The 26-year-old has started 11 of his 16 La Liga appearances this term due to injuries. Now, Tierney admits his Arsenal career is likely over, despite his contract until 2026.
“There is every chance,” Tierney told The Athletic. “Look at the squad depth in that position now. They have Zinchenko, Timber, Tomiyasu [and] Kiwior. Four players can play there. So if I go back and it’s the same as before then I’m not silly, I know the chances are I’ll be leaving.”
Read more about what Tierney has had to say about his future at Arsenal, here.
Mikel Arteta admits Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu are injury ‘doubts’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu are ‘doubts’ for Sunday’s trip to Manchester United through injury. The former suffered a gash to his left leg in last Saturday’s 3-0 win against AFC Bournemouth, while the latter has missed training.
Saka managed to play 86 minutes against the Cherries after receiving treatment following a questionable challenge by Ryan Christie. Tomiyasu also played the full 90 in north London in back-to-back Premier League fixtures for the first time since November after his calf injuries.
Arteta has not confirmed why Tomiyasu has since missed training ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Manchester United. But he remains hopeful of having the 25-year-old plus Saka available at Old Trafford. Arsenal will allow both players Saturday’s training session to prove their fitness.
Arteta said in his Friday press conference: “We have a few doubts that tomorrow can resolve because we have another training session. So we will have to wait and see. There are doubts over the names that you discussed.”
Read more about what Arteta had to say about Saka and Tomiyasu’s injury situations, here.
