Good evening, here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Thursday October 8.
Details of Torreira's Atletico deal emerge
Lucas Torreira looks to have a limited future at Arsenal after signing on loan for Atletico Madrid - but it’s a simple loan according to his agent, with no option to buy.
Arsenal had offered Torreira on a permanent deal to the La Liga side, as part-exchange for Thomas Partey but Atletico were only willing to sign the Uruguayan on loan, with no option to buy beyond the end of 2020/21.
SportWitness carry quotes from Torreira’s agent, speaking to TMW, revealing that he could have joined any of three Serie A sides instead, with agreements in place for all of them.
“There was an agreement with Fiorentina, Roma and Lazio, but Lucas Torreira only wanted Atletico Madrid,” he said.
Now his future is all down to how much he earns the trust of Diego Simeone.
Four big names left out of Europa League squad
Arsenal will compete in Europe’s second competition again this year, but a handful of names won’t be included in their plans.
Homegrown rules mean Mikel Arteta had a decision to make on who to leave out, and there isn’t much surprise with the two seniors omitted.
Mesut Ozil is out of favour under Arteta and Sokratis Papastothopoulos is well down the list of defenders to play, so neither are in the squad list.
In addition the injured Gabriel Martinelli is left out as he continues his recovery, while young French defender William Saliba is also overlooked.
There was much fanfare about the defender returning after a year with Saint-Etienne, but he’s now likely to join a Championship side on loan and isn’t in Arteta’s immediate plans.
The next two deals for Arsenal to strike
Good moves though they undoubtedly made, Arsenal’s transfer work couldn’t possibly be completed in a single window this year, as finances and the need to balance ins and outs came into play.
There are clear indications, though, as to where Arsenal will be looking now for the next two moves from Edu.
A creative midfielder is the first requirement, as the chase of Houssem Aouar showed, and a striker to succeed Alexandre Lacazette is the other.
It’s interestingly noted that names from outside Europe’s top five leagues have been pursued and suggested as potential candidates, including Dominik Szoboszlai, Odsonne Edouard and Patson Daka.
