Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Friday, September 11.
Arteta issues positive Aubameyang contract update
Mikel Arteta has issued a positive update on the contract negotiations involving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The forward is yet to sign a new deal at the club but Arteta says he is “really optimistic” about Aubameyang signing a contract extension soon.
Speaking ahead of the new season, Arteta’s comments will undoubtedly excite Arsenal supporters who are eager to see their star man extend his stay in north London.
He said : “I can say I’m even more confident than at the end of last season. I’m really optimistic.
“I think they [Arsenal fans] can be pretty relaxed."
Aouar links answered in ‘complicated’ market for Arsenal
Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has been widely linked with a move to Arsenal in this transfer window.
However, Arteta believes that a “complicated market” has stopped any real progress on a number of transfers. When asked specifically about Aouar earlier today, the Gunners boss was quick to shut down that discussion.
“I don’t want to talk about players at other clubs," he said .
“A very strange mini pre-season with factors that are difficult to control. Today is the first time we had the full squad to train.
"Towards the market, we bought Willian and Gabriel, two very good recruitments but a very complicated market so far.”
Barcelona set to get creative with Bellerin offer
La Liga giants Barcelona are reportedly set to get creative as they look to sign Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin in this transfer window.
The 25-year-old has been linked with both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this week and, according to Spanish publication Marca, Ronald Koeman’s side could offer players plus cash for his services.
Given that the Catalan side are believed to have little in the way of transfer budget this summer, they could look to offload some players in return for Bellerin.
While it is not yet known who those players could be, several high profile names are expected to be surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou.
