Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Friday, January 15.
Pellegrini’s Sokratis request
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has reportedly told his current club to sign Arsenal defender Sokratis this month.
Former Manchester City and West Ham United boss Pellegrini is currently in charge of the Spanish side and reports suggest that he has personally requested to sign Greek defender Sokratis from the Gunners this month.
La Razon are reporting that Betis want to sign a new centre-back and striker this month, with Sokratis’ contract at the Emirates Stadium expiring later this season.
Sokratis is currently out of favour at Arsenal and is likely to leave in either this month’s window or in the summer.
Pablo Mari update
Arsenal are set to be without defender Pablo Mari for the next few games after a calf injury.
Mari was absent for last night’s game against Crystal Palace and will not return in time to face Newcastle United on Monday night.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta did not put an exact date on when Mari will return but he is expecting to be without him for the next few matches.
"He had a calf injury as well Pablo in training yesterday,” said Arteta. “I think he will miss a few matches. So yeah it’s another one that we will lose."
Mourinho proven right over Tierney
Arsenal legend Ian Wright’s comments on last night’s 0-0 draw with Palace support Jose Mourinho’s early prediction on defender Kieran Tierney.
Wright claimed that the Gunners need the absent duo of Tierney and Martinelli to secure three points at the Emirates Stadium.
Those quotes support what Mourinho was full of praise for Tierney back in 2019.
“Tierney is like a young Nacho Monreal,” Mourinho told Sky Sports back in August 2019.
"He is the same kind of profile. He’s reliable, looks a good character, looks a great personality.
“He looks a little like someone from a previous generation in some aspects.
“He has a humble way of behaving and I like his profile.”
