A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta and Edu react to RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko pulling a U-turn and target the transfer of a Tottenham Hotspur flop.
Thierry Henry doubted Bukayo Saka would become the ‘outstanding’ player he is
Highbury legend Thierry Henry has admitted that he nor Arsenal truly expected Bukayo Saka would become the player he is today. But the France icon firmly believes the England winger is an ‘outstanding’ talent now the 22-year-old is adding more goals and assists to his output.
Saka was the top scorer at Emirates Stadium across all competitions and also in the Premier League this season. He offered 20 goals with 16 in 35 top-flight appearances along with nine of the winger’s 14 assists. Just Martin Odegaard also had double-digit goal and assist tallies.
Only six players also recorded a greater goal contribution rate than Saka during the 2023/24 Premier League term. But Saka also impresses Arsenal legend Henry with his all-round work on the wing. The Hale End hero is not shy to get involved defensively as well as in the attack.
Henry told World Beaters: “I knew about Bukayo for a very long time since the academy, and I don’t think anyone thought he was going to be what he became.
“There was a lot of hope but what he’s been doing has been outstanding. He’s so humble, the way he sees the game, defending well, attacking well, clever, the way he uses the ball. Now, he’s adding goals and assists to his game.”
Read more about what Henry has said about Arsenal star Saka, here.
Arsenal target Tottenham Hotspur flop Marcus Edward’s transfer
Arsenal are showing interest in targeting a transfer from Sporting CP for Tottenham Hotspur flop Marcus Edwards. That is according to O Jogo, which notes that the Gunners and Spurs have cast their eyes on his availability with the 25-year-old no longer key for Ruben Amorim.
Edwards lost his manager’s trust during a turbulent 2023/24 campaign that only yielded six goals and nine assists. Now, Sporting do not rule out selling the former England U20 winger, who has never hidden a desire to return to England and play in the Premier League one day.
Tottenham let Edwards leave in 2020 having only featured once at the senior level during an EFL Cup tie. Now, A Bola has also reported that Spurs and West Ham United are interested in possibly bringing the forward back to England with Sporting willing to sell for €20m (£17m).
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Edward’s transfer from Sporting, here.
Mikel Arteta does not view Benjamin Sesko’s transfer U-turn as the end of the world
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu do not view Benjamin Sesko pulling a U-turn on his transfer from RB Leipzig as the end of the world. That is according to the Mirror, which notes the 21-year-old’s agent is now telling his suitors that Sesko is staying in Saxony.
Elvis Basanovic has informed Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United that Sesko has opted to reject a transfer to continue his development in Germany. He ended the Bundesliga term on fire with 11 goals and two assists in 16 games. So, Sesko feels he is better served staying.
Sesko’s Premier League suitors were prepared to pay RB Leipzig his £55m release clause for a transfer, with Arsenal leading the race as his preferred destination. But he has now agreed to stay put. Yet Arteta does not believe signing a world-class striker is the be-all and end-all.
Read more about Arteta’s feelings after Sesko rejected a transfer to Arsenal, here.