Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Wednesday, August 5.
Crystal Palace overtake Arsenal in the race for free agent
Crystal Palace have marched ahead of Arsenal in the hunt for Ryan Fraser, according to The Daily Mail.
Fraser, 26, decided to leave Bournemouth earlier this summer following the conclusion of his contract at the club. He rejected the chance to sign a short-term extension and see out the season with the Cherries, amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
The report states that Arsenal are no longer first in the queue for his services, however, with Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace leading the race. The Gunners are believed to be in the market for a winger this summer with press reports indicating they are in discussions with former Chelsea wideman Willian.
Said Benrahma transfer latest as Brentford boss makes admission amid Chelsea, Arsenal interest
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has remained coy on speculation linking Said Benrahma with a move to the Premier League.
The Algerian has been in stunning form for the Bees this season, notching 17 goals and ten assists in 46 games. That has understandably seen him linked to a clutch of top-flight teams including Arsenal and Chelsea.
There was hope that Brentford could hold onto the tricky attacker if they achieved promotion, but a defeat to Fulham on Tuesday put an end to that dream.
“Nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow but I do know one thing - we’ll have a very strong side going into the Championship next season," said Frank.
Frank has already acknowledged that the club will need to sell at least one player to adhere to the club’s transfer strategy, but that candidate has not been selected amid reported interest in a number of the club’s players.
Speaking before the final, Benrahma told Sky: “I am not thinking about [my future] at all at the moment, I am trying to put that to one side.”
Arteta wants three signings
Mikel Arteta has his eye on a trio of new faces for Arsenal that includes Thomas Partey, Philippe Coutinho and Willian, according to reports.
Both Partey and Coutinho are understood to be long-term targets for the Spaniard, while their pursuit of Willian has opened up recently after it was confirmed the Brazilian would be leaving current club Chelsea after failing to agree a new deal.
Reports state that Arsenal have offered the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger a three-year deal at the Emirates.
The Times are reporting that Arteta has created a three-man wish-list to bolster the centre of his midfield ahead of the 2020-21 Premier League season. The top of that group is Partey, with the Spaniard keen to add greater tenacity to the middle of the park.
