Welcome to our football.london The Arsenal Way daily news round-up. Maybe not the first, we've definitely done transfer round-ups before, and European round-ups, so I guess in some ways it's not that new at all.
Anyway, we thought we would enter the world of football in a broad and roundabout manner for you and have some fun with some of the stories and captions doing the daily rounds.
Arteta eyes £13.5m midfielder as Partey cover
Arsenal are reportedly interested in the signing of Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho, according to Fichajes.
The report claims that Mikel Arteta is inclined to sign the Portugal international on a short-term deal until the end of the season due to growing concerns regarding Thomas Partey's fitness.
Carvalho, who is valued at £13.5 million by Transfermarkt, has featured eleven times this season for the Spanish side, guiding them to fifth in La Liga under the tenure of former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Our view: I can't say I'm an avid watcher of Carvalho but when I have seen him play for Portugal at Euro 2020 and World Cup he has seemed a solid number six who would bring a level of protection to Arsenal's defence, technically and physically.
From what I've read about him though he seems to be a player who was tipped for big things and has since not quite reached the heights fans thought he would.
I do think Arsenal should target a holding midfielder of greater pedigree if they were to sign one, especially if Arteta wants to target a Champions League return.
Gunners have secret Guendouzi lifeline
French football journalist Romain Canuti has reported that Arsenal have a special clause in Matteo Guendouzi's loan deal with Marseille that allows the midfielder to be recalled.
Guendouzi, who initially joined the Gunners in 2018 from Lorient for around £7 million, was sent on a season-long loan to the Ligue 1 side that included an €11 million (£9.3m) obligation to buy clause in the deal, as reported by French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter.
Speaking on the Le Phoceen podcast via French outlet Le 10 Sport, Canuti said: "There is a clause that allows Arsenal to get him back just in case.
"And Arteta made a statement not so long ago saying 'We'll see for Guendouzi, we'll make a point later'."
Our view: Personally, even if Arsenal do have a clause, I can't see Arsenal recalling Guendouzi because that would then mean Arteta is with a player who could disrupt a healthy team morale for the sake of six months before, what I think, is an inevitable Guendouzi exit anyway.
Although, in doing so, it could secure the north Londoners a greater windfall, so who knows.
Arsenal eye Lacazette replacement from Real Madrid
Arsenal face competition from a host of Serie A side for the services of Luka Jovic from Real Madrid, according to Fichajes, as the Gunners prepare for Alexandre Lacazette's potential departure.
football.london understands that the 30-year-old striker has no intention of extending his contract with Arsenal upon its conclusion at the end of the season.
With Lacazette's future at the Emirates all but confirmed, the Gunners have seemingly launched their interest in the 23-year-old striker.
Fichajes reported that Jovic is currently earning close to €9 million (£7.6m) per season at Real Madrid and Arsenal would only consider welcoming the Serbian if he took a wage cut.
Our view: I definitely think signing Jovic would be worth the risk - there has got to be a player still in there that Arteta can unlock.
His seriously impressive goal tally with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018/19 was no mean feat and I think Arsenal could hit gold with him if he returns to previous form.
But, I worry that he wouldn't fit Arteta's style of play considering how well Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did with his electric pressing from the front.
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