In a mesmerizing second-half performance, West Ham United secured their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over their Premier League counterparts, Arsenal.
The Hammers took the lead in the first half, thanks to an own-goal by Ben White, who inadvertently headed the ball into his own net from Jarrod Bowen’s corner. The second half saw West Ham strike again, this time with a stunning goal from Mohammed Kudus just five minutes in.
On the hour mark, Bowen added the third goal for West Ham, unleashing an unstoppable rocket into the net for his seventh goal of the season across all competitions.
Despite a late consolation goal by Arsenal‘s substitute, Martin Ødegaard, scored with virtually the final kick of the game at London Stadium, West Ham’s brilliant performance in front of a record-breaking crowd of 62,154 secured their place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
This marks the second time in three seasons that West Ham has reached this stage.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has disclosed that he shares a strong bond with Chelsea counterpart Mauricio Pochettino and regards him as a “father figure.”
Although they are presently coaching rival teams in the Premier League, they were once teammates at Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta had a loan spell at PSG from Barcelona early in his professional career back in 2001, and it was during this period that he joined forces with Pochettino.
Despite Pochettino being a decade his senior, the Gunners boss has opened up about their close relationship.
Pochettino and Arteta spent a season and a half as teammates before Arteta’s move to Rangers. Nevertheless, they crossed paths once more when Arteta signed for Real Sociedad, while Pochettino returned to Espanyol.
Arteta has since flourished as a coach, with his Arsenal side delivering strong performances in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Pochettino has earned recognition as a respected manager through his tenures at Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, and PSG before his recent appointment with Chelsea in the summer.
Arteta has hailed Pochettino as a key influence on his career, alongside the likes of Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff and Arsene Wenger.
“Then one of the ones I have to say was Mauricio Pochettino because he was the first professional captain I had and he was like a father figure for me when I arrived at PSG,” he told Football365.
“We signed almost the same day and we all landed in the same hotel, five or ten minutes away from the training ground. We could not speak French; we were there by ourselves and we spent three months in that hotel together every single day.
“So we built a really strong relationship. He was 30 or 31 years old; I was 17/18 and he just put me under his arm, carried me and protected me. It was a joy to have someone like that.”
Arteta’s Arsenal is set to take on West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday,while Chelsea will be facing Blackburn in their upcoming fixture.
Arsenal striker, Eddie Nketiah, showcased his brilliance by securing his very first Premier League hat-trick as Arsenal continued their impressive performance, defeating Sheffield United 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, October 28.
Nketiah left a significant mark on the match.
He initiated the scoring with a clever touch, capitalising on Declan Rice’s precise pass to exploit Sheffield United’s defence.
The former England U-21 player extended Arsenal’s lead with a powerful strike that found the back of the net’s roof, leaving Paul Heckingbottom’s struggling team in a precarious position.
This UK-born Ghanaian forward, who has already accumulated five league goals this season, had a spectacular afternoon, sealing it with a remarkable long-range shot from 25 yards out.
It’s important to note that Nketiah remains eligible to represent Ghana, as his only appearance for England was in a friendly match.
Nevertheless, considering his remarkable goal-scoring exploits, it may not be long before Nketiah secures a competitive England debut.
Regrettably, fellow GhanaianThomas Partey was absent from the squad due to injury.
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has announced that Thomas Partey will be sidelined for “several weeks” due to a muscle injury sustained on Monday, October 23.
After a 30-day absence caused by a groin injury, Partey returned to action, playing 16 minutes in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City. He subsequently participated in both of Ghana’s international matches against the USA and Mexico during the break, and he was listed as an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
The 30-year-old was expected to start in Arsenal’s Champions League match against Sevilla but sustained the injury on the eve of the game.
Speaking in anticipation of Arsenal’s 5-0 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday, Arteta confirmed that Partey would be unavailable for several weeks.
“He’s got a muscle injury and we are expecting him to be out for a few weeks,” said Arteta.
“We don’t really know the extent of it and he has more tests today but he picked up that injury in a training session with the last kick of the ball before Sevilla, so very unfortunate,” he added.
Thomas Partey has featured in four games for Arsenal this season.
Arsenal’s head coach, Mikel Arteta, has officially announced that Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will be sidelined for several weeks due to a muscle injury he suffered.
During Arsenal’s commendable 2-1 victory against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, October 24 in Spain, the Black Stars’ deputy captain was notably absent from the squad.
This season, the defensive midfielder has participated in just five matches.
Fortunately, with the arrival of English midfielder Declan Rice, Arsenal has been able to secure some wins, a departure from previous seasons.
According to Arteta, he said, “He has got a muscle injury. We expect him to be out for a few weeks. He has more tests today. He picked it up in the last training session, the last kick on the ball before Sevilla”, according to Daily Telegraph reporter Sam Dean.
Partey made a return from a previous injury to contribute to Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City just before the international break.
While on international duty with the Ghana national team, he played a role in their 2-0 and 4-0 losses to Mexico and the United States in October.
However, concerns about Partey’s injuries have left many football fans uncertain about his future with the club. Fans have called on Arteta to sell him and find a suitable replacement to fill his position.
Ghanaian lawyer and businessman, Gabby Otchere-Darko, along with Arsenal fans, extended their congratulations to Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey after he and his partner, Janine Mackson, unveiled the gender of their forthcoming baby.
Thomas Partey and Janine Mackson made this joyous revelation during a brief ceremony with close family and friends.
They shared a video of this special moment on their social media accounts, triggering an outpouring of well-wishes from fans and acquaintances, including Gabby Otchere-Darko, a close friend of Partey, who retweeted the video with the message: “Congrats to @Thomaspartey22 and Janine! Wishing for you a lovely, healthy, and happy family life together!”
Numerous Arsenal fans also joined in to celebrate the occasion, expressing their delight for the impending addition to the Partey family and sending their best wishes to the couple.
Although Thomas Partey and Janine have maintained a degree of privacy regarding their relationship, they have shared a few photos of their time together on social media, reflecting their happiness.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has expressed his feelings of “suffering and hurt” following his displacement from Arsenal’s starting lineup in favour of David Raya.
However, he emphasised that he maintains a positive relationship with his teammate.
Ramsdale had been Arsenal’s primary choice in goal since joining the team in 2021, playing in all 38 Premier League matches last season.
Nevertheless, he found himself on the bench for the north London club’s most recent four league games, with David Raya taking his place.
Raya had arrived on loan from Brentford in August.
“I think because it’s one of the first times it’s happened with the situation, it has been difficult,” Ramsdale told reporters.
“Whether it is me or David who plays, we need to be able to just focus and play but at the same time, it’s a strange, big headline. We have to deal with it and that is what we are doing. If we didn’t get on it, it wouldn’t work. We work professionally really well together.
“There’s days where I come in and I’m down because of the situation and he picks me up and for whatever reason there might be a day where he’s down and even though I’m suffering and hurting for not playing, I have to stand up and be able to push him.”
Aaron Ramsdale has been named on the substitutes’ bench for Arsenal’s last four league matches, with head coach Mikel Arteta selecting David Raya in his place. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Ramsdale was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this month’s friendly against Australia and Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, but the 25-year-old did not feature in either game.
“For me, I need to get back into my club team to keep getting picked [for England] and keep giving the manager a headache because if I’m not, then that’s an easier decision for him,” Ramsdale added.
“It is a worry; it is the first time I have found myself in this situation.”
Arsenal, who are second in the Premier League, travel to face Chelsea on Saturday.
This move sees Liverpool joining Chelsea and Arsenal in the pursuit of the talented forward, as reported by The Sun.
Jurgen Klopp reportedly instructed scouts to observe the 24-year-old during his international duties with Nigeria, where they faced Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.
The Liverpool manager is keen to have potential attacking options lined up for the January transfer window, particularly due to uncertainties surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future.
It’s worth noting that Liverpool is bracing for potential advances from Saudi Arabia, which tested the club’s resolve in the summer in their bid to retain Egyptian international Salah.
Salah has been a key player, tallying six goals and four assists in 10 appearances across all competitions this season, underscoring his significance to the club.
This underscores Liverpool’s need to have a strong replacement ready should Salah depart in January.
Nonetheless, securing Osimhen’s services won’t be a straightforward task.
While it appears he is on his way out of Napoli due to disagreements with manager Rudi Garcia and public ridicule by the club’s social media channels, competition from Arsenal and Chelsea adds complexity to the transfer equation.
The report suggests that Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, is eager to acquire a proven No. 9 to strengthen their squad as they aim for a renewed Premier League title challenge.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, which has struggled for goals this season, underscores their need for added firepower upfront.
Juventus may consider extending the contract of midfielder Weston McKennie, as reported by Calciomercato.
Despite being on the brink of leaving the club during the summer, the United States international has become a valuable asset for the Italian team, making eight appearances in Serie A, six of which were starts.
While McKennie’s current contract with Juventus runs until June 2025, his improved performances have prompted discussions of a potential new contract for the 25-year-old.
Arsenal could reportedly part ways with midfielder Jorginho in the upcoming January transfer window, just a year after his £10 million move from Chelsea.
The 31-year-old is not a regular starter in Arsenal’s midfield, and with his contract set to expire in the summer, the club may consider a transfer for a nominal fee.
Juventus, now under the technical direction of former Napoli chief Cristiano Giuntoli, is said to be interested in reacquiring the former Napoli midfielder in Serie A.
The captain of the England U-21 squad suffered a thigh injury during their 9-1 victory over Serbia in a Euro qualifier. During the second half of the match, he reported a dead leg, which prompted manager Lee Carsley to substitute him.
“There are a few bumps and bruises and we will monitor Cole, but we will not be taking any chances,” Carsley told reporters after the match. Cole Palmer has become a key player in Mauricio Pochettino’s team, and the Argentine manager is surely hoping for a swift recovery from his injury.
With Palmer in the lineup, Chelsea has achieved three consecutive wins, a notable improvement for the season. He even scored a goal in the 4-1 victory against Burnley, and Chelsea fans are eager to see him return to fitness before the crucial match against Arsenal.
To aid his recovery, Palmer will be absent from the upcoming Euro qualifier against Ukraine on Monday, with the aim of regaining fitness for the Premier League clash againstArsenal on October 21.
In August, Balogun made a move to Monaco, a deal valued at up to €40 million ($42 million), and has enjoyed a quick start with three goals in his initial five games. Although he had an unusual pair of penalty misses against Nice, his team currently holds the top spot in Ligue 1.
During an exclusive interview with ESPN in Monaco, Balogun was questioned about his discussions with Arteta upon his return from a loan spell at Reims.
He stated that “he didn’t really say much; he just said that when I came back, he just said well done, and he encouraged me to keep going.
“Then me coming back in a preseason, it was just more about me seeing whether I fit into his plans and seeing if I could continue to play some games.
“He said that he would try to get me involved as best as he could, but of course he also told me that the people higher up were making decisions on me and seeing what would be best for me. So the conversations between me and him were good, but it was more about the club, what they wanted to do.”
During the summer, ESPN reported that Balogun had a strong desire to secure first-team playing opportunities, especially after a successful loan spell at Reims, where he netted an impressive 21 league goals.
United States forward Folarin Balogun has emphasised to ESPN that the decision surrounding his departure from Arsenal last summer was beyond his control.
In August, he made a switch to Monaco in a deal valued at up to €40 million ($42 million) and made a swift impact by scoring three goals in his initial five games. Despite a couple of rare penalty misses against Nice, his team currently leads in the Ligue 1 standings.
During an exclusive interview with ESPN in Monaco, Balogun was questioned about his discussions with Arteta upon his return from a loan spell at Reims. He stated:
“It [his future up in the air] wasn’t something that made me feel anxious; it was just more a case of seeing what wanted to be done,” Balogun added. “It was out of my hands; that’s how I felt. It wasn’t something I could control.
“The only thing I could do was just turn up to train and work hard. So I did that. And then, after training, I enjoyed being back in London. I saw my friends and caught up with my family.”
The 22-year-old has been called up the USMNT squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Ghana.
Once again, Arsenal’s physiotherapist, Simon Murphy, has been seen in the company of star midfielder Thomas Partey, who is currently with the Ghana national team, the Black Stars, gearing up for their international friendly matches on October 15 and 18.
GhanaWeb reported the presence of Simon Murphy and Thomas Partey at the Black Stars camp in anticipation of Ghana’s friendly encounters against Mexico and the USA.
Murphy donned Black Stars training attire and actively engaged in the training session, underscoring Arsenal’s commitment to monitoring Partey to prevent any potential injuries during his international duty.
Partey recently recuperated from an injury that sidelined him for several weeks, a setback that contributed to Arsenal’s loss to RC Lens in the Champions League.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tkiuvHFbSoQ
However, the 30-year-old made a timely return to feature in Arsenal’s crucial match against Manchester City, where his impressive long ball played a pivotal role in securing a narrow 1-0 victory.
Given Partey’s integral role for Arsenal this season, Mikel Arteta is keen to safeguard the Ghanaian player against any injury risks that could impact the club’s performance in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Arsenal is scheduled to face Chelsea immediately after the international break in the Premier League, and Arteta is determined to have Partey fit for that fixture.
In the absence of Andre Ayew, Partey is expected to captain the Ghanaian squad in their matches against Mexico and the USA.
Notably, Simon Murphy had previously accompanied Partey in Ghana’s camp back in March, during the preparations for their 2023 AFCON Qualifiers against Angola.
A single strike from Gabriel Martinelli, which took an unfortunate deflection off Nathan Ake, proved sufficient to settle this high-stakes Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium.
Given Arsenal’s previous season disappointment in missing out on the title to City, their jubilation was understandably intense. However, their post-match celebrations seemed to push the boundaries.
As the City players made their way towards the tunnel, seasoned defender Kyle Walker turned back to address Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, who had previously worked at the Etihad Stadium from 2019 to 2021.
This confrontation escalated into a heated exchange of words, with the prolific striker Erling Haaland also becoming involved.
It took the intervention of staff members from both teams, along with Bukayo Saka attempting to play the role of peacemaker, to defuse the situation.
Pep Guardiola was not involved in the post-game spat but claims to know what went on and why. He told reporters afterwards: “I know what happened but I won’t say anything. They [Arsenal] know it.”Gary Neville, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports, said of the incident: “Football players don’t like set-pieces on the training pitch, let alone the opposition set-piece coach having a go.”
Ex-Arsenal winger Theo Walcott added on the potential reasons for Walker and City losing their cool: “We always look at Man City as being very professional and not reacting in situations and that’s where I feel like a nerve has been hit here. He’s definitely caught it there.”
Guardiola’s team has now experienced consecutive Premier League losses for the first time since December 2018.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, who remain undefeated, find themselves tied on points with Tottenham at the summit of the league table.
Ghana international Thomas Partey will be part of the Arsenal squad that takes on RC Lens in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, October 3.
The Black Stars midfield enforcer, after weeks of layoffs, has finally resumed full training with his teammates.
On Monday, when he trained with his teammates, he was given a heartwarming welcome and showed massive love.
According to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, “Thomas [Partey] has progressed really well in the last two weeks. He’s training with us now”.
With Thomas Partey now back in good shape and displaying sharp form, there’s a likelihood that he might see some playing time in the UEFA Champions League match against RC Lens on Tuesday night.
Arsenal enters the Group B fixture as the group leaders, following their convincing victory over PSV in the initial game.
While it’s not the ideal expectation for Thomas Partey to start the match, as he’s gradually reintegrated into the squad, there is a possibility that he could be substituted into the game at some point.
Ghanaian-born player raised in the UK, Charles Sagoe Jr made his debut for Arsenal during their victory over Brentford in the EFL Cup.
The forward received his inaugural senior start in the 1-0 triumph and delivered a reasonably impressive performance.
He represents one of the promising talents that Arsenal aims to integrate into the first-team roster in the coming years.
Following his debut, Sagoe shared his joy on social media, emphasising that the moment would be etched in his memory forever.
“It’s a dream come true to have made my professional debut with Arsenal last night. It’s a proud moment for me and my family and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. Thank you for your support!”
Charles Sagoe played for 68 minutes in the match before being substituted for Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal secured the victory with an early goal by Reiss Nelson.
In the upcoming round of the competition, the North London team will be hosting West Ham United.
Arsenal twice took the lead against their arch-rivals Tottenham at Emirates Stadium. First, Bukayo Saka’s play forced an own goal from Cristian Romero, and then Saka himself converted a penalty.
However, the game ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Spurs’ Son Heung-min scored a brace, with Jorginho gifting him the second goal. After Saka’s penalty, the Italian midfielder hesitated on the ball in the midfield, allowing James Maddison to steal it and set up Son for the equaliser.
Despite his error, Jorginho appreciates the Arsenal supporters for standing by him during the match.
Jorginho has posted on Instagram about potentially costingArsenal two precious points, with fans taking to chanting his name rather than getting on his back: “A painful mistake today, but seeing how everyone reacted after my mistake to support and lift me up—my team-mates, coaches, staff and you Arsenal fans—it gives me even more motivation to work harder and harder because all of you deserve the best version of myself.
“Thank you so much for the support of the Arsenal family.”
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will be absent from Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, September 24, 2023.
Partey has been sidelined due to an injury that occurred during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League on August 25, 2023.
The 30-year-old has been diagnosed with a groin injury, and there is currently no specific timeline for his return to action.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, speaking ahead of the Sunday fixture at the Emirates Stadium against Tottenham, confirmed that Partey has not yet fully recovered and will miss the game.
He told the press ahead of the game at the Emirates: “We are still assessing him (Gabriel Martinelli), so let’s see if he can make the game or not.Thomas [Partey] for sure is out and the rest are hopefully available.”
Tottenham haven’t won at the Emirates since 2010 in the league but the Lilywhites have had a bright start to the campaign, sitting second in the league table with the same points as Arsenal, who sustained a league challenge last season.
Thomas Partey was a headline-grabbing player in the game last season, scoring a splendid goal that set Arsenal on the path to victory.
Unlike the previous season, where his absence cost the Gunners, the arrival of English midfielder Declan Rice has eased the burden.
Rice’s impressive life at Arsenal has been marked by incredible displays that have excited the crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
It is expected that Partey will be fit for Arsenal’s next Premier League match.
Former West Ham star Joe Cole has showered praise on Mohammed Kudus for his exceptional performance in the club’s recent 3-1 Europa League triumph against TSC Backa Topola.
Kudus, who made his first start since his £38 million summer move from Ajax, played a crucial role in West Ham’s remarkable comeback win.
His determined effort at the back post directly contributed to the equalising goal, and he later found the net with a header from a James Ward-Prowse corner at the London Stadium.
Cole has expressed his belief in Kudus as a valuable addition to David Moyes’ squad, underscoring the team’s heightened goal-scoring potential.
“He [Kudus] looked like he was happy and settled,” Cole said on TNT Sports.
Following his impressive brace on Thursday, Kudus has now notched up an impressive total of five goals in his last two European matches.
Before making the switch to West Ham, the talented midfielder had already showcased his prowess in European competitions while playing for Ajax. In a notable display, he scored a remarkable hat-trick in the Europa League qualifiers against Ludogorets Razgrad.
During his time at Ajax, Kudus left a lasting mark in European competitions, finding the net nine times in just 18 appearances.
As West Ham gears up to take on Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday, it’s highly likely that Kudus will be vying for a spot in the starting lineup in thePremier League clash.
Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, has officially extended his stay with the club, committing to a fresh five-year contract that binds him to Arsenal until 2028.
This significant renewal comes as his previous agreement, valued at £120,000 per week, was set to conclude in 2025.
With his signature on the new deal, Odegaard, the Danish international, is set to take on the prestigious title of the club’s top earner.
The 24-year-old has appeared in 92 Premier League games for the Gunners thus far since arriving at the club from Real Madrid in 2021 for €35 million plus add-ons.
He has 25 Premier League goals to his name and 14 assists.
Speaking to Arsenal.com after signing the new deal, Odegaard said, “Signing a new contract was a really easy decision for me for lots of reasons.
Mainly what we are doing right now as a club is special, and I want to be a part of that. I’m really excited for what’s to come here. I’ve found a place where I can be really settled and call home.
“My story is a bit different, maybe, as I moved arounddifferent clubs since I was 16. At Arsenal, since the first day, I’ve felt great and this is definitely my home now. I just want to say thanks to everyone working at the club and, of course, our fantastic supporters. I will continue to give everything to bring success to this club in the years to come.”
The midfielder will be next seen in action on Sunday when Arsenal face rival Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby.
Gabriel Jesus has revealed his “secret agent” role in convincing “his brother,” Oleksandr Zinchenko, to join Arsenal.
Both players departed from Manchester City to join Arsenal last summer, with Jesus being the initial transfer. Following that, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu visited Zinchenko’s residence to negotiate his transfer.
Jesus told a news conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven: “I was in Manchester, at home with my family and I was supposed to come to London the day after and come in by car.
“Edu just texted me and said they were going to Zinny’s house; if I want to come to join them to talk with Zin, then I come by plane. So I say, ‘OK.’ I went there and talked with him. He was surprised.
“If I helped a little bit and he took the decision to come, I am happy because I like him as a player, as a person. I treat him as a brother and I am very happy he came. He is playing good, playing every time and more than this, he is very happy, so I’m happy for him.
“I just said ‘Zina, you have to take a decision like I did and I am happy with this.’ He was a little bit ‘I don’t know, I need to talk with my wife first’ but he took the decision [to come]. I think if you ask him, it was the right decision.”
Pushed on how Zinchenko has described him as a “secret agent,” Jesus joked: “Yeah, he can give me some percent [of the money]!”
Arsenal is growing increasingly confident about reaching an agreement for a contract extension with midfielder Martin Ødegaard, according to sources from ESPN.
The 24-year-old’s current contract is set to expire in 2025, but negotiations for a new deal are progressing positively. It is anticipated that Ødegaard will extend his commitment to the club for at least another two seasons.
Furthermore, Ødegaard is expected to receive a substantial wage increase from his current £120,000-a-week salary to better reflect his performance and elevated status since joining the club in January 2021.
The Norwegian international initially arrived at Arsenal on a six-month loan from Real Madrid before completing a permanent transfer in the summer of 2021 for a fee of approximately £30 million ($37 million).
Ødegaard was named Arsenal captain last summer and has scored 26 goals in 110 appearances for the club.
He refused to be drawn on his contract situation when asked earlier this week while on international duty with Norway, who he also captains.
Ødegaard said: “I don’t have much to say, apart from the fact that I am very happy at Arsenal and I hope I can be there for a long time.
“Beyond that, I have no comment right now. Now, it is the national team that is in focus.”
Last month, the Ghanaian international suffered a groin injury just before the international break, causing him to miss Arsenal’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United and Ghana’s matches against the Central African Republic (CAR) and Liberia.
Despite his absence, Ghana secured a spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be held in Ivory Coast next year, with a 2-1 win over CAR at the Baba Yara Stadium.
In an international friendly, Ghana also triumphed 3-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium under the guidance of Chris Hughton.
Partey remains optimistic about returning to play in October, but Arsenal will closely monitor his progress and won’t rush his comeback.
Vinai Venkatesham, who has been with thePremier League club for over a decade, will be leaving his position in the summer of 2024.
Arsenal has officially confirmed that Venkatesham will step down at the conclusion of the ongoing season.
He initially joined the club in 2010 as the head of global partnerships and gradually worked his way up within the Premier League club. Venkatesham assumed the role of CEO in 2018 but has now decided to conclude his tenure with the Gunners.
“This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge,” he told the club’s official website. “Now is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain focused until my last day and support a seamless transition.”
Arsenal has expressed gratitude to Venkatesham for his dedicated service to the club and will now turn its attention to the process of finding his replacement at the Emirates Stadium.
“The Board is fully supportive of Vinai’s desire to pursue his next challenge. While it is business as usual with everyone focused on the season ahead, we’d like to take this moment to thank him for his contribution and long service. Vinai will always be part of the Arsenal family and always be welcome back at Emirates Stadium,” said co-chair Josh Kroenke.
“Change and succession is something the club is well prepared for. The Board remains committed to our strategy and will address leadership change as we continue to drive the club forward.”
Declan Rice has clarified that his decision to join Arsenal was driven by his desire to work under manager Mikel Arteta, whom he trusts to guide and shape his career.
Rice emphasised that he has full confidence in Arteta’s ability.
Despite interest from other clubs such as United, Chelsea, and City, the opportunity to collaborate with the Spanish coach proved irresistible for the English star.
Speaking to Joe Cole on Channel Four before the Three Lions played Ukraine, Rice was asked why he chose to move to the Emirates and replied: “I have to say the manager, Mikel.”
“From the moment that I met him, I knew he was the one that I wanted to take care of for the next part of my career and I just had that gut feeling that Arsenal would bet on the club even though there was other interest.
“No there has not been a big jump up in quality at Arsenal; towards the end of my time at West Ham, the players we had were unbelievable. But I would say the difference is that the way I’m having to play now is much more advanced (up the pitch).”
Rice has been a consistent presence in the starting lineup for Arsenal throughout the current season. He even found the net in the thrilling 3-1 victory overManchester United just before the international break.
Rice is expected to represent England in their match against Scotland on Tuesday, as the two teams face off in an International Friendly to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the oldest recorded international fixture in football history.
Arsenal’s forward, Kai Havertz (24), shared on Thursday that he remains composed despite the challenging beginning to his time in north London after his high-profile transfer from Chelsea.
Speaking during an international duty press conference in Wolfsburg before Germany’s friendly against Japan on Saturday, Havertz informed the media that he’s actively focused on the process of fitting in with his new team.
“I think so far in my career I had phases here and there where things were a little bumpy – and of course I know that you (media) after four matchdays will just point out the negatives, and a lot of bad stuff will be written,” he said.
“It’s not the first time I’ve come to a new club and so I know that it can take a bit longer and so I am relaxed about it.”
Kai Havertz, having not scored or provided any assists in his initial four Premier League matches for Arsenal, has faced criticism that led manager Mikel Arteta to offer his support.
Following his decision to substitute Havertz after 56 minutes during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Fulham in late August, Arteta acknowledged that the forward had already made positive contributions but conceded that the finishing touch was lacking.
“In a lot of situations, he should have scored a lot of goals already this season. That’s the thing that is missing there,” said Arteta.
Arsenal, who finished runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League last season to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in six seasons, have three wins and a draw so far this season.
“It’s only my second month there, so that’s why I’m relatively relaxed,” added Havertz.
Ilkay Gundogan has explained the reason why he declined an opportunity to join Arsenal during the summer transfer period.
Gundogan left Manchester City, who won three trophies, at the end of last season to join Barcelona, who are the champions of La Liga, for free.
Arsenal gave Gundogan a contract for two years and wanted him to join their team, along with many other clubs.
The 32-year-old midfielder recently revealed that he rejected offers from other teams because he always wanted to join Barcelona, which had been his dream since he was a child.
When asked if he would have signed a longer contract with City if they had offered him more than just one year, Gundogan told BILD that he would have if he’s being truthful. And a lot of people don’t know this: Ultimately, it wasn’t about just one or two years.
The running time was not an issue. The city had to wait for a while until the talks became more serious.
If this had happened a bit earlier, things would have turned out differently. So, in the end, everything turned out perfectly and it happened at the best possible time. As a child, I really wanted to play soccer for FC Barcelona.
Gundogan has played in all four of Barcelona’s La Liga matches this season. He has given two assists, but he is still closely watching Pep Guardiola’s team.
‘I have watched almost every game of my old club on TV,’ Gundogan said.
I went to Manchester again before the season started and had a goodbye party with Riyad Mahrez. All the players also came to the party. That was a really nice farewell. And you will definitely stay in touch with your former colleagues and coaches.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commended his team’s mental fortitude following their dramatic 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
However, he emphasised the need for his team to secure wins earlier in matches rather than relying on late “magic moments.”
The win was sealed with Declan Rice’s goal in the 96th minute, and Gabriel Jesus added a third in the closing seconds, following Captain Martin Odegaard’s equaliser after Marcus Rashford’s opening goal.
“I love the mentality of the team—the determination, the eagerness to win,” Arteta said. “The team was very dominant and deserved to win the game, but the margins with this team are so small and it could have gone in a different way.”
Arsenal were held by Fulham the previous week after beating Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace by one-goal margins. They return to action on September 17 against Everton.
“The margins that we have in the later stages of the games are not big enough,” he added. “That’s something that we have to improve because you notice a lot of anxiety and you have to wait for a magic moment at the end. We don’t want to rely on that.”
Midfielder Rice, who joined from West Ham United for a club record 105 million pounds, scored his first Arsenal goal and said he felt no added pressure because of his transfer fee.
“I can’t control the price,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve been playing well at West Ham for a few years and I gave everything there. Since then, I’ve tried to block it out and do what I do best.
Manchester United fans find themselves in a split over whom to support as Jadon Sancho responds to Coach Erik Ten Hag’s explanation for omitting him from the match-day squad against Arsenal.
In the aftermath of Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal in their league fixture, Ten Hag, clearly disheartened by his team’s performance, shared his thoughts on Jadon Sancho.
He justified his decision to exclude the winger from the squad by pointing to Sancho’s subpar performance during training sessions.
“On his performance on training, we didn’t select him,” Ten Hag said when asked about Sancho’s absence from the travelling squad.
“You have to reach that level every day at Manchester United. You can make choices in the front line, so in this game, he wasn’t selected,” the coach said.
However, in a sharp response on social media, Jadon Sancho denied the claims made by his coach.
“Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people to say things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week. I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time, which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and am grateful to do so, which I know every week is a challenge. I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!”
While some believe that Ten Hag was wrong in giving out his player, others defend the coach, claiming that Sancho has not proven himself in matches since joining the Red Devils.
— KWESI PLUG ????????✌️???? (@Kwesi_Plug) September 4, 2023 Scapegoat? We all know your performances are poor, what scapegoat?
— Lατιf (@iLatif_) September 3, 2023 I like this from Sancho but it’s quiet concerning from the manager and player to be having a go at each other through media/social media
— Aidan Walsh ???? (@AidanWalshMUFC) September 3, 2023 Ten Hag might be the problem
— Mod (@CFCMod_) September 3, 2023
Disrespected Cristiano Ronaldo and slandered his name.
Disrespected De Gea and replaced him with a downgrade in the form of Onana.
Tried to use Maguire as an escape goat but failed.
Now disrespecting Jadon Sancho and telling lies about him.
TEN HAG is a FRAUD.
— ???????????? Ä????????????????™️ ???? (@Lil_Aziiz) September 3, 2023 Erik ten Hag is always looking for a scapegoat every season. Too bad he had to make those silly comments to the press.
— Uncle Wilson. (@iam_wilsons) September 3, 2023 We dey behind you ❤️
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta anticipates that Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey will be sidelined for a “couple of weeks” due to a groin injury he sustained during training.
Arteta, however, expressed concern about the severity of the injury.
As a result of this injury, the 30-year-old was unable to participate in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Additionally, he is expected to miss Ghana’s crucial final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic.
Although Thomas Partey was present in Arsenal’s recent training images, reports from England suggested that he could be sidelined for several months.
However, speaking before Arsenal’s match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta clarified that the midfielder would likely need only a few weeks to recover.
“It doesn’t look good. We need a few more tests but he felt something in training and I think he will be out for a couple of weeks.
“He had the capacity to play in various positions and today was a game for him to play in a different position but he is not available.”
On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Ghana is set to host the Central African Republic in their ultimate Group E match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Chris Hughton’s squad currently topsGroup E with nine points, holding a one-point lead over Angola and a two-point advantage over the Central African Republic. Madagascar occupies the bottom spot in the group with two points.
The Black Stars require just one point from this match to secure their qualification for the tournament scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast next January.
Contrary to earlier reports suggesting a three-month absence, it now appears that Thomas Partey’s injury might keep him out for just six weeks, with Arsenal expecting him to return after the October international break.
The Ghanaian midfielder suffered an upper leg muscular issue during training, prompting further tests that revealed groin damage.
Initial speculation indicated a potential three-month recovery period, but new information from England, as reported by the Mail Sports on September 4, 2023, suggests that Partey could be back in action after six weeks.
Thomas Partey had been a starter in Arsenal’s first three matches of the 2023/2024 season but missed their 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
In his absence, Declan Rice performed exceptionally well, earning the Man of the Match award and scoring a goal.
The match saw a familiar scenario reminiscent of the 2022/2023 season, with Marcus Rashford scoring for United in a splendid counter-attack.
Arsenal quickly responded, as Martin Odegaard netted a goal after an assist from Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli.
The real drama unfolded during eight minutes of injury time when Declan Rice scored from close range after a failed corner clearance.
Gabriel Jesus sealed the victory with his first goal of the season, capitalising on a break as United pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey’s legal representative, Gabby Otchere-Darko, tweeted on September 4, 2023, that Partey is in recovery and will soon return to the field.
Erik ten Hag is confident that his players are prepared for the upcoming battle against Arsenal, and Manchester United is eagerly anticipating Sunday’s highly-anticipated showdown.
While Manchester United has accumulated six points from their initial three Premier League matches, their performances have been less than stellar.
They narrowly defeated Wolves 1-0 in their Old Trafford opener and suffered a 2-0 loss to Tottenham.
In their most recent outing at Old Trafford, they had to come from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.
As last season’s Premier League runners-up, United understands that they must elevate their performance at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday when they face Arsenal, who finished third in the league last year.
“It’s one of the biggest games in the Premier League and we are really looking forward, of course, to that fight,” the United boss said. “It’s really always interesting games, intense games.
“I think it is two teams who really play offensive football, the right intentions, I would say.
“The audience is always the big winner of that game, so really looking forward to have that game.”
Manchester United is heading to the capital with three new signings who are now eligible to play.
Altay Bayindir, a goalkeeper from Fenerbahce, joined the team on Friday after Dean Henderson’s departure to Crystal Palace. Tottenham’s left-back Sergio Reguilon also arrived on a season-long loan, and the return of Jonny Evans to the club on a one-year contract was recently announced.
All three players were registered in time to be available for the match against Arsenal. However, Sofyan Amrabat, who arrived on loan from Fiorentina with an obligation to buy, was not eligible to play.
The deadline day signings have strengthened a squad that will be competing on multiple fronts this season. Manchester United was recently drawn into a Champions League group that includes Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen, and Galatasaray.
“We need the depth to go into the four competitions,” Ten Hag said.
“But also our players, most of them international players for their nations, so they will go all over the world.
“We have to cover that. We have to be prepared for that situation, that we always can put a competitive team on the pitch.”
Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, and Tyrell Malacia are still unavailable for the upcoming match against Arsenal.
In addition to these players, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Tom Heaton are also sidelined due to injuries. However, the new summer signing, Rasmus Hojlund, has been cleared to make his debut after recovering from a back problem.
Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, and Tyrell Malacia are still unavailable for the upcoming match against Arsenal.
In addition to these players, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Tom Heaton are also sidelined due to injuries. However, the new summer signing, Rasmus Hojlund, has been cleared to make his debut after recovering from a back problem.
“I think he is ready to start,” Ten Hag said of the Denmark striker, who arrived from Atalanta in a deal that could reach £72million.
“I think for every player there is a big spotlight. At United you have to perform, so in every position and with every player.”
Prominent global online betting and gaming brand, Betway, has unveiled a new partnership deal to become the Official Global Betting Partner of Arsenal’s men’s team.
This multi-year agreement marks the latest addition to Betway’s football portfolio, which includes partnerships in the English Premier League as the Principal Partner of West Ham and the Official Global Partner of Brighton, in addition to collaborations with clubs in La Liga and the Bundesliga.
Under this new partnership, Betway aims to enhance the overall supporter experience by orchestrating global activations and producing exclusive content across various social media platforms.
Notably, Betway’s branding will be prominently displayed on advertising boards at the Emirates Stadium, which has a capacity of 60,000, during all domestic matches in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, thereby increasing its visibility among Arsenal fans worldwide.
Arsenal has cultivated a strong connection with Africa over the years, captivating fans across the continent with their attractive brand of football and signing numerous African talents.
As part of this partnership, Betway will provide comprehensive Code of Conduct and Responsible Gaming training to all players and staff at the club.
This training will outline regulations and educate individuals about the potential harms of gambling, as well as the available tools and support.
This initiative complements Arsenal’s existing efforts, working in collaboration with the FA and PFA, to support players in this crucial area.
Anthony Werkman, CEO of Betway Group, said:
“Having built one of the most exciting and enviable global sport sponsorship portfolios of any industry, I am absolutely thrilled to announce our new partnership as the Official Global Betting Partner of English Premier League side, Arsenal.
“We’re excited to work together to deliver great content and experiences for Arsenal’s huge global supporter base and Betway will also be working with the club to ensure the partnership follows industry marketing protocols and important responsible gambling practises.
“We look forward to supporting them on their journey both domestically and in Europe this season and beyond.”
Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal, said:
“We are pleased to announce Betway as our official global betting partner. It is the latest of a number of global brands to join our family of partners in recent weeks, a further sign of our commercial strength as a club. We are excited to work with Betway to bring more experiences to our supporters across the world, and promote the importance of responsible gambling.”
Beyond Football, Betway has built an enviable portfolio of sponsorships in a wide array of sports that include Tennis, Cricket, Horse Racing, the NBA and the NHL.
Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Magalhaes will play enough for Arsenal this season. He also said Gabriel knows why he hasn’t played in the team at the beginning of the new Premier League season.
Last year, the 25-year-old played in 48 matches for Arsenal. However, in their first two Premier League games this season, he has been a substitute instead of a starter.
Gabriel was supposed to play again in the game against Crystal Palace on Monday night after Jurrien Timber got injured. But instead, Arteta chose to keep Ben White playing with William Saliba in the middle of defense, and Thomas Partey started as the right-back.
Gabriel has been rumored to potentially join the Saudi Pro League, but Arteta strongly insists that he plans to play Gabriel extensively for Arsenal. Arteta also believes that Gabriel comprehends the reasons behind not starting in matches this season.
Gabi will play many games, and I am confident that he wants to increase the level of competition and help the team improve their performance. He wants them to become stronger, more dominant, and win more games. “That’s why we’re all here,” Arteta said.
Arteta discussed the upcoming Fulham game and the transfer window in Saudi Arabia during the press conference before the match.
When asked if he has told Gabriel the reasons, Arteta said yes, especially because Gabriel has played a lot of minutes and games with us in the past year.
I don’t know if he gets it, but I explained it to him.
I believe he knows why, but whether or not he agrees is another matter.
However, the most effective way to accomplish it is when you play. Simply inform me of my mistakes and errors, I am willing to accept criticism.
Martin Keown took a swipe at Aaron Ramsdale after Arsenal had a terrible start against Fulham in their London derby on Saturday.
The Gunners wanted to continue their perfect start to the season, but they had a really bad beginning when Bukayo Saka made a mistake and gave Andreas Pereira a chance to shoot from far away.
The ex-Manchester United player surprised Ramsdale by scoring a goal when he was not prepared, and the ball went into the goal past the goalkeeper who was trying to scramble back to his position.
This is not the first time that Arsenal’s No. 1 goalkeeper has made a mistake in their game against Sporting Lisbon. Pedro Goncalves from Sporting Lisbon took advantage of Ramsdale’s position in last year’s Europa League match.
After another bad start in a home game at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s team received criticism from Keown. Keown mentioned that this was a common problem last season when Arsenal didn’t make the most out of their chances to win the title.
David Raya, who recently joined Arsenal from Brentford, is eager to play his first match for the team.
Ramsdale is too far away from the goal, he does this frequently and I don’t know why, and Pereira shoots at the side of the goal that is closest to him.
Ramsdale is now under more pressure because Arteta approved the signing of David Raya, a former Brentford player who joined the team on a loan for a year.
Arteta said it was necessary to sign Raya, but Gary Neville is worried that having two goalkeepers of similar skill could be a problem for Arsenal this season.
“I believe you should have a definite first choice and then a definite second choice, that’s what I think,” he said to Sky Sports.
I have had different situations at Manchester United. Sometimes we have a clear best goalkeeper and a second best. Other times, we have two goalkeepers who are pretty equal in skill.
The issue is that when a goalkeeper makes a mistake, as they often do, people start wondering if another goalkeeper will be chosen for the next game.
Mikel Arteta was very happy with Fabio Vieira’s performance in the second half against Fulham. He acknowledged that not granting the Portuguese player more opportunities to play this season was indeed his own error.
After a disappointing first year at Arsenal since his £35million transfer from Porto, Vieira might have thought that his opportunities to play in the first team would decrease even more with the arrival of Kai Havertz and the return of Emile Smith Rowe, who had recovered from his injury.
The 23-year-old player was absent in both of Arsenal’s opening matches against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. He also began the game on the bench against the Cottagers.
Vieira came onto the field instead of Kai Havertz, 10 minutes into the second half. Arsenal was still losing the match, as Andreas Pereira scored in the first minute. The home crowd was surprised, but Vieira played really well for Arsenal.
The Portuguese player, who represents the Under-21 national team, earned a penalty for Arsenal. This allowed Bukayo Saka to score and bring the score level. The same player then set up Eddie Nketiah for what seemed like the winning goal, but Joao Paulinha scored a late goal to change the outcome.
Arteta said he should have done more after Arsenal didn’t win against Fulham.
Arsenal is the first team ever in Premier League history to let the opposing team score a goal in the first minute in three different matches within the same year.
Last season, Bournemouth scored a goal on their own field very quickly, in only 9. 11 seconds This happened more than once, so it became a common happening for them.
Arsenal was losing in the game, but they were able to make a great comeback and win with a goal by Reiss Nelson in extra time.
Southampton scored first in their game at the Emirates because Arsenal made a mistake and gave the ball away to Carlos Alcaraz, who took advantage of it. This happened when both teams were still competing for the title.
The Arsenal goalkeeper made a mistake again on Saturday. He was not in the right position and Pereira took advantage of that to score a goal, completing a hat-trick that Mikel Arteta’s team didn’t want.
Ramsdale’s location was cruelly exposed by Pereira, much to the chagrin of Martin Keown, while Bukayo Saka shared responsibility for his poorly directed backpass.
He noted that this was a common occurrence at the conclusion of the previous campaign, when Arsenal failed to capitalise on their leads in the title battle.
Ramsdale is so far off his line—I have no idea why he does this so frequently—and Pereira scores into the near post.
Arsenal‘s sporting director, Edu, is about to receive the biggest amount of money since he joined the club as Monaco is ready to pay £40 million to sign Folarin Balogun.
The Ligue 1 team has reached an agreement with the Gunners to pay a certain amount of money to sign the American player who did very well in France last season while playing with Reims on a loan.
Balogun went back to his original team during the summer. He wanted to try and get a spot in Mikel Arteta‘s main team.
However, Balogun’s chances of playing regularly in the first team were unlikely because players like Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, and Kai Havertz were ahead of him in priority.
The 22-year-old player was not part of the pre-season matches and sometimes practiced separately from the main team in the past few weeks. Arteta wants to reduce the number of players in the team.
Chelsea and Tottenham are interested in a player who scored 21 goals last season. However, the player, Balogun, is not keen on joining a rival team in the Premier League at the moment, according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal would only have considered selling the Hale End academy graduate if they were offered a lot more money than what Monaco is giving them.
Despite Chelsea’s evident requirement for a new forward dueto Christopher Nkunku’s prolonged injury, the team will explore alternative sources to find a new striker.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said it’s a tough situation because our two strikers, Nkunku and Broja, are injured for tonight’s game against Luton Town.
Finding the right profile at the moment is a challenging task. We are currently trying to add more players in this area.
However, the club finds this task difficult. Definitely, they are putting in a lot of effort to include more players.
‘If it can not happen, we have to wait until Nkunku and Broja are prepared and we receive assistance from Mason [Burstow]. ’
Arsenal Football Club has unveiled its third kit for the 2023-24 season, brought to life in collaboration with adidas.
The design draws inspiration from the club’s away jersey of the 1982-83 season. This particular season saw Arsenal secure a 10th-place finish in the First Division while making it to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Featuring a mineral green base, complemented by collegiate navy shoulders, and an off-white stylized crest and sponsor logos, the collaboration between the German kit manufacturer and the Gunners has revived a cherished classic for the modern era.
Notably, the garments have been crafted from 100% recycled materials, highlighting a commitment to sustainability.
In a promotional short film showcasing the kit, summer signings Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber, along with injured Lionesses captain Leah Williamson, are showcased against recognizable landmarks in the vicinity of the Emirates stadium.
Inigo Turner, the design director for football apparel at adidas, expressed, “Given the depth of Arsenal’s kit archive, looking to the past is always an inspiring place to start when designing something for the supporters of today.”
Europe never looked so good 😮💨
Introducing the new Arsenal x @adidasfootball 23/24 third kit 👇
“The iconic green away shirt from the 1982-83 season was a one-off and this modern-day expression of this classic blends fashion and football seamlessly.
“As these worlds continue to collide, we’ve looked to create a kit that is, first and foremost, primed for performance offering the best for the athlete, while also being an eye-catching fashion statement that supporters are proud to wear at matches and away from the stadium.”
The new kit is set to be debuted by Arsenal Women when they travel to play Bristol City in the Women’s Super League on October 22.
Arsenal’s new third kit takes inspiration from the 1980s
But it could be worn by Mikel Arteta’s side as early as next month, although that is dependant on who they draw in the Champions League group stage.
The draw for the European competition will take place on August 31.
The third kit is available from today via adidas stores, Arsenal Direct, Arsenal stores, selected retail outlets and online.
Theo Walcott, at the age of 34, has declared his retirement from the game of professional football.
After a 23-year career in which he made 397 Premier League appearances, Walcott hangs up his boots.
“I’m going to put my boots away for good. I won’t lie; it’s quite worrisome,” Walcott added.
“I’ve only known football since I was 16 or maybe younger, so it’s scary. I want to explore new things because I feel like I missed out on a lot growing up.
“Things [usually] revolve around football for me. I just feel like I want to experience life.”
Walcott won two Community Shields and three FA Cups during his 13 years with the Gunners.
He gained notoriety in 2006 when, at the age of 17, he was unexpectedly chosen for Sven Goran Eriksson’s England World Cup squad.
For England, Walcott made 47 appearances over the course of a ten-year international career, scoring eight goals.
Walcott believes he had offers from other clubs to continue playing but that his “heart isn’t committed” to it. Walcott, a free agent who made 20 Premier League appearances and scored three goals for Southampton last season as the club was relegated, claims he received offers from other clubs.
“I’ve received offers from top Championship teams and from abroad. Although there have been some Saudi offers, Walcott remarked, “I don’t see myself playing there.
Nothing against the money or the league, but if I’m not playing football from the bottom of my heart, it’s unfair to the clubs and unfair to me. Walcott, 16, scores Saints’ first FA Cup goal as they defeat MK Dons.
Before joining Southampton in 2000, Walcott was a young player for Newbury and Swindon Town.
As a 16-year-old making his Saints debut in 2005, he scored against Leeds United to become the team’s youngest ever goal scorer.
Before joining Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in 2006, Walcott made 21 appearances and scored four goals for the Saints.
He scored 108 goals in 397 games for the Gunners before making a £20 million transfer to Everton in 2019.
Before returning to Southampton two years later, Walcott played 85 appearances for the Toffees and scored 11 goals throughout that time.
Due to the impending departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham has emerged as the newest team to be connected with Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun.
The Premier League team Fulham is getting ready to trade Mitrovic to the Saudi club Al-Halal this summer despite the fact that he has 111 goals in 206 games for them.
After Fulham attempted to impose a £52 million price tag on him in order to thwart the move, the 28-year-old Serbian international reportedly declared he would never play for them again.
The Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal, though, is reportedly close to agreeing to a deal to sign Mitrovic, and it is anticipated that they will shell out more than £40 million to do so.
Given that the new season has already begun, Fulham will urgently seek a replacement for Mitrovic, who has been a goal machine for the club.
According to the Daily Mail, Fulham is now mulling a bid for Arsenal striker Balogun, with the Gunners hoping to fetch £50 million for the 22-year-old.
Last season, Balogun made an impression while on loan at the French club Reims, scoring 21 goals in 37 Ligue 1 games.
Numerous teams have expressed interest in him, most notably Inter Milan, who have been connected to Balogun all summer. However, the Italians are hesitant to spend £50 million on him.
Balogun and Monaco had a “initial agreement” to return to the club, but Arsenal rejected their offer to bring Balogun back to Ligue 1.
Balogun is a player that West Ham and even Arsenal’s rivals in north London, Tottenham, are reportedly interested in signing.
Timber, who recently joined the club fromAjax just last month, made his competitive debut during the 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
However, his appearance was cut short in the early stages of the second half, fueling speculation about a potential severe knee injury.
The confirmation has now come in, revealing the unfortunate truth.
The right-back, Timber, is set to undergo surgery for the injury, plunging him into a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
As a consequence, he is expected to be sidelined for several months, with the likelihood of missing the entirety of the 2023–24 season.
“Further to detailed assessments with consultant specialists since Saturday, we can confirm thatJurrien Timber has sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,” said the club in an official statement. “Jurrien will undergo surgery in the coming days and will be out of action for a period of time.”
Writing on social media, the player said: “Gutted to share that my injury is more serious than expected, especially after the warm welcome I’ve received. I wanted to repay you on the pitch, which will not be possible for the forthcoming period.”
While the player will undoubtedly be eager to make a swift return to the field, it’s probable that his season has concluded prematurely. Arsenal’s priority will be to avoid hastening his comeback in order to prevent any potential setbacks or relapses.
Mikel Arteta has emphasized that his Arsenal team isn’t burdened by the pressure of being anticipated to contend for the Premier League championship, expressing that “this is where we want to be.”
The Gunners came remarkably close to clinching their first Premier League title since the 2003/04 Invincibles season in the previous term.
Although they held the top position on the table for a significant portion of the season, a late stumble allowed Manchester City to surpass them and secure their third consecutive title.
With enhancements made to the squad through the acquisitions of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber and the potential addition of David Raya, Arsenal is anticipated to be in the mix once again.
Despite the potential pressure associated with such expectations, Arteta views them as more exhilarating than concerning, as he embraces this level of anticipation.
“I think it’s excitement. This is where we want to be. The competition for this year,, you see a lot of movements that they make,” he said via football.london.
New signings obviously swell the squad somewhat, giving Arteta more options, the lack of which hindered Arsenal down the stretch last season.
He highlighted the importance of making sure every player feels important no matter their role, along with the importance of having players that want the team to do well in any scenario.
“I think you have to treat everybody with the sense that they’re important, and to do that, you have to play matches,” he said.
“It tells you a lot about a human being what your contribution is when you’re not playing. I want players to have the feeling that they’re happy when the team wins regardless.”
Gabriel Jesus recently stated that due to surgery to address a knee issue, he would miss the start of the season.
He claims that his recuperation is progressing well and that he might return to play soon, but he will undoubtedly miss the first game.
“It’s a bit early still. He’s doing really well since his operation. Hopefully he can start to do some stuff next week,” Arteta added.
He has a number of forward options to choose from; Kai Havertz started up top in theCommunity Shield, and only Jesus and Mohamed Elneny are confirmed to be out of the picture this week.
The manager is raring to get off on the right foot and wants the fans to see a proper opening fixture in an Emirates opener.
“We love playing in front of our people. We have created an incredible atmosphere, and the boys and everybody, I think, can’t wait to be there tomorrow ready for the kick-off and to put on the performance that they deserve and that we want to do,” he said.
Arsenal are satisfied with their early transfers ahead of the new Premier League season, but the club has not ruled out any more business before the window closes, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.
Arsenal signed Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber for a total of over 200 million pounds in the close season, which allowed them to play a part in pre-seas
The north London side, who finished runners-up in the league last season, are also linked with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale, but Arteta kept his cards close to his chest.
“We have no news on any incomings,” Arteta told reporters ahead of Saturday’s league opener at home against Nottingham Forest.
“At the moment we’re not planning to do anything but the window obviously is very unpredictable,” he added on any further transfer business.
“Things can happen, things we probably don’t wish. But we’re happy with what we’ve got.”
Arsenal has a bloated roster, with players expected to leave before the transfer window ends on September 1.
Nonetheless, Arteta emphasised the importance of strengthening the squad as the club prepares to compete in the Champions League this year.
“We’ve been trying to increase the depth of the squad and the quality as well, the ability to be more flexible and have more interactions with players that can make us better, that’s the whole point of it,” he said.
When asked if he could keep the whole squad happy with intense competition for places, Arteta said: “Football is a collective sport, and only 11 players play, and there are another 11 players, most of the time, are not happy with the situation.
“It’s how they deal with that, how they accept their role, because it’s going to change. Every three days, we’ll have a game.
“That tells you about their professionalism, when they play or not, what is your contribution to the team … I want players that feel happy when the team wins, regardless (of if they play or not).”
Arteta confirmed striker Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined after undergoing a knee procedure, but Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jorginho have recovered from muscle injuries to be available.
USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner’s transfer to Nottingham Forest has been successfully finalized for a fee of £10 million.
In response, Arsenal is poised to secure David Raya as his replacement. Turner has committed to a four-year contract with Nottingham Forest, binding him to the club until 2027. Having spent just one year at Emirates Stadium, the 29-year-old departs Arsenal on a permanent basis, as he was unable to displace Aaron Ramsdale as the first-choice goalkeeper.
While Turner was present on the bench when the Gunners defeated Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, he only managed to make seven competitive appearances for Mikel Arteta’s squad during his time there. Now, however, he is set to assume the role of the primary goalkeeper at the City Ground.
Turner told Forest’s official website after his unveiling on Wednesday: “It feels great to be here. It’s something I’m really looking forward to. It’s a great challenge and a great step in my career. When I heard that there was interest to bring me here, it just felt right for my family. It felt right when my agent spoke to me about it and it feels like the right move for me right now.
“The manager and the backroom staff, everything about the club has a little sparkle to it. It’s felt right from the start, and I’m happy it’s got done. I’m looking forward to making a connection with my teammates, the fans, and the city. I’m grateful to be here and can’t wait to get things started.”
As Arsenal aims to secureBrentford’s goalkeeper David Raya, valued at £30 million ($38 million), Turner’s departure from the club coincides with this move.
Allegedly, Raya has already consented to a transfer to the Emirates.
In the upcoming season, Raya is anticipated to contend with Ramsdale for the primary goalkeeper position in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, rendering Turner’s presence unnecessary.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, in response to receiving a booking for mimicking a yellow card gesture, has asserted that he “cannot change in three days” and has refrained from offering any apologies.
In the 2023–24 season, Arteta became the inaugural Premier League manager to be penalised under the new regulations that emphasise strict actions against those who vocally request cautions from referees and engage in confrontations with them.
Referees have been instructed to be vigilant in curbing such behaviours. Despite Arteta’s knowledge of these guidelines prior to a Community Shield encounter against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, his caution in the first half for gesturing a yellow card motion towards Stuart Attwell indicated that he may not have fully internalised these directives.
Arteta told reporters afterwards, when asked about the new rules that he has already broken: “I cannot change my behaviour in three days. It’s a very difficult thing to do, and next time we cannot ask him to say, Okay, tomorrow we play with no offsides’ and the linesman says, What is he doing?’.
“We try our best, and I try my best. I understand the rules, and I understand where they’re coming from. But we can get frustrated there because sometimes we don’t know what part of the technical area we are. But it’s fine, we will adapt.”
Following Arsenal’s penalty victory over City, Arteta appeared to be in high spirits. The Gunners capitalised on yet another new directive that involves extended stoppage time. In the 101st minute, Leandro Trossard’s deflected equaliser found the net.
The decision to prolong matches significantly beyond the traditional 90-minute mark has garnered a varied range of reactions.
Arteta is a fan, with the Spaniard saying: “At the end, it’s about effective time. I think it’s really good to do that because it was going too far I think and now teams are going to have to think twice. Now we have to be prepared to play 100 minutes because it’s going to happen every single week.”
Arsenal, with silverware already under their belt, are set to open their 2023–24 Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Previously, the Spanish goalkeeper was available for transfer, but the initial demands from his club were deemed unrealistic by potential suitors. However, as the transfer window edges towards closure, Brentford has adjusted their asking price to approximately £30 million, which is a reasonable offer, especially considering Raya’s contract concludes next summer.
Having garnered interest from various Premier League teams, the goalkeeper made the decision not to extend his contract with Brentford.
All things considered, Brentford seems content with profiting from the goalkeeper’s transfer.
Arsenal has secured the services of a goalkeeper who has a more prominent reputation in England compared to his home country. Nonetheless, Raya has recently earned a call-up to the Spanish national team.
While challenging Aaron Ramsdale for the established number-one position, the Spaniard presents manager Mikel Arteta with a welcome selection dilemma.
Inter currently hold the leading position in the pursuit of theUSMNT forward, following Arsenal’s dismissal of a €30 million (£26 million/$33 million) bid from Monaco on Monday.
As the transfer deadline day draws nearer, Arsenal might consider reducing their initial asking price of €50 million (£43 million or $55 million) to €40 million (£34 million or $44 million).
Meanwhile, the Serie A champions are actively exploring alternative options for a striker, a statement confirmed by the club’s sporting director, Piero Ausilio.
However, it’s worth noting that Inter has ruled out the possibility of re-acquiring Romelu Lukaku.
Speaking to Sport Mediaset, Ausilio said: “We’re looking for someone who can score goals. Balogun? He is one of the possibilities, but we’re not just following him. Lukaku? I’m not interested.”
In case Inter miss out on Balogun, they have identified Udinese forward Beto, who is valued at €30 million, and Porto’s Mehdi Taremi, who is also wanted by Tottenham if Harry Kane leaves for Bayern Munich.
Alvaro Morata’s name was also on the club’s shortlist, but the Spaniard is close to extending his stay at Atletico Madrid.
Simone Inzaghi’s side will be next seen in action in an international friendly against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday.
Arsenal has turned down an initial offer from Monaco for their USMNT striker, Folarin Balogun, according to football.london.
During their encounter in the Emirates Cup last week, where Arsenal emerged victorious on penalties, Balogun was absent due to a thigh injury.
Following the game, Monaco formally made an offer for the American international, but it was rejected by Arsenal.
Balogun has already demonstrated his potential in French football, having scored 22 goals during his loan stint with Stade de Reims last season.
Monaco is eager to bolster its attacking options after Swiss forward Breel Embolo sustained an ACL injury in pre-season. They are just one of several teams showing interest in Balogun.
Inter Milan is also an admirer of the 22-year-old, though it remains uncertain whether they have the financial capacity to afford him, given competition from other clubs in Germany and the Premier League.
Despite Gabriel Jesus being sidelined for a few weeks due to knee surgery, Arsenal is reportedly open to letting Balogun go if the right price is offered.
“The plans with Flo don’t change at all, but unfortunately with Gabby, we’re not going to have him,” Mikel Arteta said after the win over Monaco last week. “We have other options to play with different qualities of players, and we will adapt.”
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