Here is your Arsenal morning digest for Tuesday, October 20.
Arsenal failed in bid for Portuguese wonderkid
Sporting CP wonderkid Joelson Fernandes was the subject of a bid from Arsenal this summer, according to his father and agent.
The forward was also linked with the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus and Manchester City, and it has now been claimed the Gunners lodged an £18million offer.
The 17-year-old opted to pen a new three-year deal in the Portuguese capital, but Arsenal's interest was real.
"It had to be a thoughtful decision, because my wish as a father and agent, on the day that Joelson Fernandes leaves Sporting, is to be friendly and through the big door, but not through the back door," Eusebio Mango Fernandes told Guinea Bissau news outlet O Democrata, as per football.london.
"It was an extremely difficult and very complicated process, because there were tough moments in the negotiations for Joelson Fernandes to stay at Sporting.
"My wish was always for him to stay at the club, but due to his quality as a footballer, he had calls from several European clubs.
"Despite these very tempting offers, as an agent, I ended up dispensing with these invitations despite knowing that I needed those millionaire offers, but I thought that in life money isn’t everything, because we must be aware that there’s a word called 'gratitude', for that, we are grateful to Sporting for what they gave."
Fans call for Aubameyang to be handed central role
Arsenal fans have called on Mikel Arteta to deploy captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a central striker.
The Gabon star has been used in a role coming in from the left of an attacking trident but has been ineffectual in recent weeks.
And a Twitter post from fan blog account LTArsenal argued, as per football.london: "Aubameyang at Arsenal in the league since 2018/19:
"Expected goals per game playing from the left - 0.36. Expected goals per game playing centrally - 0.65
"Don't be fooled by his actual numbers from the left, xG catches up over time. Has to return to CF, cannot stress it enough.
"Please go and watch Aubameyang's goals from the left. Goals against Newcastle, Everton (2nd goal), City (1st goal), Liverpool (shield), Fulham, Palace, Watford, etc,
"The quality of his finishes were incredible, but also not sustainable. He seldom got clear-cut chances."
The post had a series of positive responses from Gunners fan, in concurrence of the suggestion role change.
Arteta backed to bring success to Arsenal
Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has backed Arteta to lead the club to success and has praised his work to date.
The Frenchman, who made 43 first-team appearances for the Gunners between 2008 and 2010, has been impressed by the Spanish coach's philosophy and impact within the dressing room.
“As soon as Arteta arrived, the mood at Arsenal was positive," said Silvestre, speaking exclusively to 888Sport and highlighted by football.london.
"Everybody was happy with the training regime and the changes being made: his philosophy and how he was taking charge of the sessions.
"You can see the players are convinced and they are applying themselves to that philosophy. It takes time but they are on the right track by keeping Aubameyang and adding quality to the squad. I think they should end up in the top four.
“I can’t single out one individual. They all try to build from the back and for that you need to be courageous to take the ball from your goalkeeper.”
