A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Gary Neville doubts Mikel Arteta’s view on a key Emirates Stadium ace and Garth Crooks criticises a Gunner after an ‘edgy’ display.
Arsenal prepare an opening offer for the transfer of Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal are preparing their opening offer to beat Juventus to the transfer of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. That is according to TuttoJuve, which reports that the Gunners are ‘ready to rout’ the Bianconeri in their battle for the 25-year-old’s services when the window opens.
Zubimendi can leave the Anoeta over the off-season as the Spaniard has a release clause for bids of €60m (£51.5m). But Arsenal hope to show the five-cap anchor their intent to seal his signature by offering €50m (£43m), which would even blow Juventus out of any bidding war.
As much as Juventus admire Zubimendi, Arsenal can pay Real Sociedad sums far exceeding the Turin side’s budget. The Gunners’ imminent bid also has the north London natives at the front of the queue for his transfer. But Arsenal will still have to convince Zubimendi to move.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Zubimendi’s transfer from Real Sociedad, here.
Gary Neville questions Mikel Arteta’s view on Declan Rice’s Arsenal role
Gary Neville believes Mikel Arteta has shown he does not see Declan Rice as a No6 after the Arsenal boss recalled Thomas Partey and Jorginho. The Manchester United legend has even claimed that Rice lacks the ‘discipline’ and ‘intelligence’ to be an elite defensive midfielder.
Arsenal paid a club-record fee to sign Rice from West Ham United last summer after proving himself as one of the Premier League’s best midfield anchors. He dominated the Irons’ core with his world-class reading of the game, positional awareness, tackling ability and passing.
Rice has also been a pivotal part of Arteta’s squad this season, with starting roles in 36 of his 37 Premier League appearances. But the 25-year-old has shifted into the left-hand side of their engine room since Partey returned from his injury, with Kai Havertz playing as a striker.
Neville believes the box-to-box responsibilities in the left-hand side of Arsenal’s midfield suit Rice better. The position allows the 50-cap England anchor the ability to influence every part of a game. But, above all, Neville feels Arteta has shown he just does not view Rice as a No6.
“Rice is not that position,” Neville told Sky Sports. “That’s been established this season, that Partey or Jorginho have had to come in. Rice can’t play that position very well, he’s better on the left [as an No8]. That’s been established by Mikel Arteta.
“That [No6] position is a different level of intelligence. I’m not saying Declan Rice is not an intelligent football player – I think he’s a sensational player and how he’s improved has been unbelievable – but I don’t think he can play in that position with real discipline.”
Read more about what Neville has had to say about Rice’s position for Arsenal, here.
Garth Crooks felt Gabriel Magalhaes was ‘edgy’ at Manchester United
Garth Crooks has picked William Saliba as the one Arsenal player in his Team of the Week for BBC Sport. But he felt Gabriel Magalhaes was ‘edgy’ at Manchester United on Sunday as the Gunners won 1-0. Leandro Trossard (20’) scored the only goal of the meeting at Old Trafford.
Saliba stood out to Crooks for maintaining his composure throughout the encounter. But he did not see the same coolness from Gabriel, who Crooks felt was feeling the pressure of the title race. It was the first time for ‘quite a while’ that he felt the centre-half has looked nervy.
Arsenal registered their 18th clean sheet in 37 Premier League games this season thanks in part to Saliba denying Alejandro Garnacho. The Frenchman was the epitome of coolness as he made a precise, last-man tackle. Yet Crooks felt the same could not be said with Gabriel.
“I must say, and for the first time for quite a while, I saw a little edginess in Gabriel’s game,” Crooks told BBC Sport. “That was understandable given a Premier League title is at stake.
“But I didn’t see so much as a flicker of tension from Saliba. The Frenchman was yet again as solid as a rock and portrayed increasing nerves of steel the longer the game went on.”
Gabriel still played a key role in only Arsenal’s second win at Old Trafford since 2006 next to Saliba. The Gunners’ £27m Brazilian had the measure of Rasmus Hojlund in a physical battle and forced Manchester United’s forward to unsuccessfully try and impose himself on Saliba.
Read more about what Crooks has had to say about Saliba and Gabriel, here.
