Gunners fans excited over Partey links
According to The Guardian, Arsenal have opened talks with Thomas Partey’s representatives over a potential signing in the summer transfer window.
However, as per the same report, Atletico Madrid are willing to double Partey’s current wages to try and persuade him to stay in the Spanish capital.
This has not stopped Gunners' supporters from getting excited about the possibility of bringing the defensive midfielder in, though.
One fan said on Twitter: “First permanent signing under Arteta, make it happen @Arsenal.”
Another said: “The things I’d do to see Thomas Partey in an Arsenal shirt man. He was reportedly “desperate” for the move last summer until Atletico tied him down to a new deal. If it’s about money and wages, we are holding the cards.”
And another said: “We must bid for him now before he changes his mind to stay in Spain. £46 million is not too much to bid, we can for a top midfielder, one of the best defensive midfielders at the moment. Come on Arsenal.”
Fabregas reveals player he’d sign for Arsenal
Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has revealed the one player he would sign if he was the manager of his former club.
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Fabregas was hypothetically referring to who he would sign if he was the boss of two of his former teams, Arsenal and Chelsea.
“Cristiano (Ronaldo) is 35 and Leo (Messi) is going to turn 33, they are older. For youth, talent, desire and mentality, I would sign (Kylian) Mbappe,” he said.
“The thought of having him for 10 years up front for my team, I would go for him. Then there are players like Neymar and (Erling) Haaland, but due to his goal-getting and his speed, Mbappe reminds me of Thierry Henry.
“I saw him from in-behind and it was a delight when you have him a long pass into space.”
The French forward has scored 18 times in 20 Ligue 1 appearances this season for his current team Paris Saint-Germain.
Van Persie opens up on shock Campbell advice
Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has revealed that his former team-mate Sol Campbell played a big part in the Dutchman becoming a deadly forward.
Campbell, who is renowned as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League era, gave van Persie some advice about his play in the attacking third whilst using his defensive expertise.
When asked about what improved his goalscoring form for the Gunners, Van Persie said this to the High Performance Podcast : “By talking to Campbell, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and all these guys.
“Sol told me once, he said: ‘Robin, the way you play, it’s a dream for a defender like me’, and I said: ‘Why? Tell me why!’, he said: ‘Because you want every ball to your feet. You have to force me to make a choice to close you down or to follow you. You have to make runs in behind’.
“Then I came up with the rule: okay, out of three actions at least one of them has to be in-behind because I have to hurt defenders because Sol Campbell told me he doesn’t like it. So, I was constantly asking myself questions and listening to players who were better than me.”
