Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Wednesday, December 9.
Arsenal suffer Dominik Szoboszlai blow
Arsenal have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Dominik Szoboszlai, who could be set to be on the move in January.
The Hungary international has flourished for RB Salzburg this season, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 629 minutes of league action. He has attracted attention from throughout Europe and in a blow to Arsenal’s chances, it is now said that he would prefer a move to Italy.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport via Inside Futbol reports that Szoboszlai would rather move to the Serie A than the Premier League. AC Milan, Inter, Juventus and Napoli have all been named as interested parties.
Earlier this week, Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch revealed that he expects Szoboszlai to move on this January.
Robert Pires reveals coaching offer
Robert Pires revealed that his voluntary offer of coaching at Arsenal was rejected by the club, adding that he believes the Gunners should invite more former players to aid with the current team.
Pires is considered one of Arsenal’s greatest players, playing a key role in the side’s early-noughties success under Arsene Wenger. However, his offer to coach was not met with much enthusiasm, which he says points to a larger problem at the club.
“I don't understand why the club doesn't rely on former players,” Pires told Canal Plus. “I volunteered for a job at Arsenal and they told me that they were not interested.”
The likes of Steve Bould, Per Mertesacker and manager Mikel Arteta were all former players, while Freddie Ljungberg was an assistant coach last term and temporarily managed the team after Unai Emery’s departure.
Jamie Carragher sends message to Arsenal board
Jamie Carragher says that Arsenal must be patient with Arteta, despite growing pressure on the Spaniard after a slow start to the season.
Arsenal have suffered their worst start to a campaign since 1981/82, but Carragher believes that the club must wholly back Arteta after a range of changes in the management structure of the club in recent years.
“I really like Mikel Arteta,” he said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football. “There’s a lot of nonsense around the club - bringing players, buying players.
“I think some signings were a joke. In terms of bringing Willian in, [David] Luiz in, Cedric [Soares] in. Is Kia Joorabchian making signings at the club?
“Mikel Arteta has brought in [Thomas] Partey and Gabriel [Magalhaes]. They look like Arsenal's two best players at this moment, certainly early stages this season.
“They've had four managers and three CEOs since 2018. Just stick with Arteta. But there’s going to be a lot of pain for Arsenal.”
