A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta targets Jarrad Branthwaite and Eddie Howe issues a warning about a transfer for striker Alexander Isak this summer.
Arsenal have one concern about a transfer for Everton star Branthwaite
Arsenal are monitoring Jarrad Branthwaite but have one concern about rivalling Manchester United over the defender’s transfer from Everton. That is according to 90min, which reports that Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign a centre-back to improve their depth in the position.
Branthwaite has caught the eye of the Emirates Stadium natives having played a pivotal role in the Blues’ efforts to avoid relegation. He started this season as Sean Dyche’s third-choice central defender but quickly ousted Michael Keane to become a mainstay of their backline.
England boss Gareth Southgate also included Branthwaite in a senior international squad for the first time this March. But Arsenal do not view signing a new centre-back as a priority, so Everton valuing Branthwaite at in excess of £70m may prevent them from eying his transfer.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in a transfer for Everton star Branthwaite, here.
Howe issues a ‘huge’ warning about a transfer for Newcastle striker Isak
Arsenal are interested in signing Alexander Isak this summer but Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has issued a ‘huge’ warning regarding the striker’s future. The Magpies coach is very loath to lose the 24-year-old, and fears selling him would set the Toon back a long way.
Mikel Arteta has marked Isak as his top striker target as Arsenal identify their transfer goals for the off-season, per The Independent. Reports by The Sun even note that Arsenal are set to bid £100m for Isak to try and fend off rival interest from Tottenham Hotspur in the striker.
Howe, however, expects Isak and Bruno Guimaraes will stay at St James’ Park in the summer given their importance there. The former is still in contention to win the Golden Boot award this season, while the latter has been a near ever-present part of the Magpies’ engine room.
“I’m planning for them to be here,” Howe said, via quotes by the Mirror. “All my planning is with them in the squad. We don’t want to sell our best players. That is hugely important for us. It will knock us back some considerable distance because we would have to start again.
“There is no weakness in the club to say we are going to sell anyone. There is no desire from anyone at the football club to sell our best players.”
Read more about what Howe has had to say about Isak amid Arsenal’s interest, here.
Mpanzu picks Odegaard and De Bruyne as his toughest opponents
Luton Town ace Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu views Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City as the toughest players he has faced this term. The 30-year-old believes the midfielders are both ‘world-class’ and are thriving with their club and countries.
Mpanzu has recorded his first campaign as a Premier League player this season after helping the Hatters clinch promotion. The 30-year-old has also seen first-hand what Odegaard gives Arsenal and a brief taste of what De Bruyne offers with Manchester City over their meetings.
Rob Edwards named Mpanzu as Luton’s captain as Arsenal won 4-3 at Kenilworth Road back in December. Odegaard assisted Declan Rice’s 97th-minute winner that night, and he scored Arsenal’s opening goal after 24 minutes to pip the Hatters 2-0 at Emirates Stadium this April.
Mpanzu played 88 and 53 minutes over Luton’s defeats to Arsenal but he has only played 13 against Manchester City. Yet despite De Bruyne also only being on the pitch for four of those minutes at Etihad Stadium this April, Mpanzu leans towards the Belgian for his toughest foe.
“Either Martin Odegaard or Kevin De Bruyne,” he told Sky Sports. “[They are] quality, world-class players. They are doing well for their clubs and their countries, so one of those two.
“I would probably say Kevin De Bruyne just a little bit. He can pass, he can score, he has got the vision, he can make runs off the ball, he is doing well with [Erling] Haaland [and] he is setting each other up. So, Kevin De Bruyne, yeah.”
Read more about what Mpanzu has said about Odegaard and De Bruyne, here.