Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Sunday, June 14.
Edu lays out advantages for keeping Luiz
Arsenal technical director Edu believes that keeping David Luiz would be a positive given the defender’s leadership skill, amid contract talks with the ageing centre back.
The Brazilian’s contract is due to expire at the end of the month but the Gunners have not yet exercised the option to extend his current deal by another year.
At the age of 33, Luiz is nearing the end of his career at the elite level and Arsenal are believed to be in negotiations with the defender’s representative over a new deal that would see his weekly wage decrease.
Nevertheless, Edu believes that keeping Luiz at the club would be a positive for Mikel Arteta’s squad.
"David is more experienced and very used to the league," Edu said. "He's a guy who can really help in the day-to-day on and off the pitch, as he's been doing.
"I already knew him well because I got to be with him at the national team when I was a co-orindator and it went very well."
Arsenal reportedly set for swap deal with Roma
The Gunners could be open to the idea of signing Justin Kluivert from Roma in a swap deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan who has impressed in Serie A since his loan move.
Arsenal and Roma are said to both be interested in agreeing a swap deal involving Kluivert and Mkhitaryan, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport .
A permanent move away from North London for Mkhitaryan would signal the end of a disappointing spell at the Emirates Stadium since moving in a deal that saw Alexis Sanchez move the other way to Old Trafford.
However, Arsenal could benefit from the swap deal by signing a younger replacement in Kluivert who has scored seven goals and registered two assists in all competitions this season.
The report also notes that Arsenal may be open to the idea of signing the 21-year-old for around £31million, rather than agreeing a swap deal with Roma for Mkhitaryan.
Arsenal legend heaps praise on Martinelli
Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has stated how happy he is to see Gabriel Martinelli being given a chance to shine in the Gunners’ first team.
The Brazilian forward moved to the Emirates Stadium last summer and reached double figures for the season shortly before football was suspended in March.
Early promise shown from the 18-year-old has led to many Arsenal fans wanting to see much more of the striker on the pitch and Silva believes that the forward can continue to get better under Arteta.
"I'm pleased that Arsenal have Brazilian players. I think it's fantastic after some of the Brazilian players that followed us not quite hitting the heights but now Martinelli and David [Luiz] are at the club,” said the former Arsenal midfielder.
"David made the transition from a rival and joined Arsenal, a club that needs no introduction. Then you have Martinelli, a promising youngster not just for Arsenal, but he's being talked about in Brazilian football and he made a very good start. He's doing well and shown his bravery.
"He wore the Arsenal shirt as if he were still playing with his friend at his previous club. I'm pleased that Arsenal managed to get the deal done and he's in a good position to follow in the footsteps of all the Brazilian players that Arsenal have had."
