Here are the Arsenal evening headlines on Wednesday September 9.
Guendouzi returns as Arsenal set to miss out on Aouar
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has seemingly recalled France Under-21 midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi to first-team training ahead of the new season this weekend.
Guendouzi had been left out of Arteta’s squad for the final few games of the season, following an incident with Brighton’s Neal Maupay in June following the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium.
The return of the 21-year-old comes amid reports that Arsenal are set to lose out on Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Houssem Aouar . The French midfielder – who recently tested positive for coronavirus – impressed throughout last season’s UEFA Champions League campaign, but does not appear to be making an imminent switch to North London.
Arteta has stated that each player has a clean slate ahead of the new season, which could mean Guendouzi, given his training return, may feature in Arsenal’s early season fixtures.
Leno has competition for No. 1 shirt
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno may not find himself a shoo-in as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper this season. Football.london report Emiliano Martínez is close to agreeing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium following a stellar end-of-season period through June and July.
Martínez deputised for an injured Leno, much to the dismay of Arsenal supporters, but the Argentine has largely won the fanbase round, and it appears club officials too.
Leno managed just seven clean sheets last season and conceded two or more goals on 15 occasions in the league. While Arsenal’s defensive woes cannot be attributed entirely to Leno, Martínez’s introduction saw an uptick in form at the back.
27-year-old Martínez has attracted interest from a string of Premier League clubs, but could make back-to-back appearances for the Gunners this weekend against Fulham, after starting in the Community Shield victory over Liverpool.
Summer signing pushing for first-team call-up
One of Arsenal’s low-key summer acquisitions George Lewis has hit the ground running at the club, scoring two goals already for the U23s side.
Lewis netted in a friendly against Tottenham’s U23 squad, as well as scoring in an EFL Trophy outing at Ipswich Town yesterday evening.
The Rwandan-born attacker has been dubbed as an extremely talented prospect, but very raw, which may be hindering his chances of breaking into the first-team set-up at present.
Having spent his formative years at Trømso IL – a club who fall within the Arctic Circle – and provincial Norwegian sides, Lewis will be relishing the opportunity to pull on Arsenal colours. Should he continue his good form, the 20-year-old will no doubt be on Mikel Arteta’s radar.
