A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou claims a target was ‘smart’ to reject the Gunners and Thomas Partey’s heir is found.
Arsenal view Amadou Onana as Thomas Partey’s ideal replacement
Club chiefs at Arsenal now see Belgium and Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as the ‘ideal’ replacement for Thomas Partey. That is according to the Mirror, which reports that it is very likely that the Gunners look to offload their Ghana international during the summer market.
Partey enters the final year of his contract in N5 on July 1 and faces an uncertain future with Arsenal. He has sustained frequent injuries and struggled to boast consistent form since the 31-year-old joined from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. So, the club could strive to cash in.
Onana has emerged in Arsenal’s shopping list as the ‘ideal’ target to replace Partey after the 22-year-old helped Everton avoid relegation from the Premier League again. He has been in a fight for survival every year so far since joining the Toffees from LOSC Lille in August 2022.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Everton’s Onana replacing Partey, here.
Ian Wright thinks England should play Bukayo Saka as a left-back at Euro 2024
Highbury hero Ian Wright believes Gareth Southgate should consider moving Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka to left-back to offer the England XI ‘balance’ at Euro 2024. Moving the 22-year-old across the field would also allow Chelsea forward Cole Palmer to come into their line-up.
England left Wright questioning Southgate’s side after labouring to a 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday. It was enough to reach the knockout rounds as the winners of Group C. But the manner of the Three Lions’ tired display sparked questions about what changes are needed.
Wright particularly thinks England need more balance as only centre-back Marc Guehi (115) penned more touches than Kieran Trippier (113) at left-back. Saka only took 44 touches over his 71 minutes on the field – just three more than half-time substitute Kobbie Mainoo took.
“I read a stat about Kieran Trippier being our second most player with touches and passes,” Wright told ITV1 (25/06, 22:09). “I am feeling how are we going to get Palmer into the team if that’s the case.
“If that’s the case, how naturally left-sided Saka is, maybe can you put Saka at left-back and put Palmer on the right wing? Simply because we need to get some balance and get some fluidity in the game.”
Read more about what Wright has said about Arsenal star Saka and Euro 2024, here.
Ange Postecoglou thinks Benjamin Sesko was ‘smart’ to reject Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou thinks Benjamin Sesko was ‘smart’ to reject a transfer to Arsenal. The 21-year-old had emerged as a top target at Emirates Stadium this summer. But the Slovenia striker decided to stay with RB Leipzig and signed a new contract.
Arsenal coveted a potential deal for Sesko after he scored 14 goals in 31 Bundesliga outings, including 11 goals in 2024 alone. Such was the extent of the Gunners’ interest in a move for the striker that Arsenal were ready to pay Sesko’s £55m release clause in his previous deal.
But Postecoglou claims another year with RB Leipzig, having only moved to Saxony in 2023, was Sesko’s best option. The Spurs boss appreciates the potential the Radece native has so far shown. Yet Sesko still has room to grow, so should strive to develop at Die Roten Bullen.
“I think a big club would have looked at him this year, and it’s a smart move for him to stay there for another year,” Postecoglou told ITV. “I think there’s still some development in him. But [he has] really good attributes for a striker position, for sure.”
Read more about what Postecoglou has said about Sesko and Arsenal, here.