Here are your Arsenal morning headlines for Thursday, 1 October.
Arsenal handed Aouar deadline
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has given Arsenal until the end of the week to make a satisfactory offer for midfielder Houssem Aouar.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with the 22-year-old, who is expected to leave the French club along with Barcelona-bound Memphis Depay.
The Gunners are expected to return with a second bid after seeing their initial offer of £32million turned down.
Speaking at Lyon’s unveiling of new signing Lucas Paqueta from AC Milan, Aulas said: "From Friday evening, when Rudi [Garcia] will choose his squad vs Marseille, there will be no departures. We could see ourselves lose two players.
“We know that three big clubs are interested in him, two in the short-term, one in the long-term.
"Not much has happened. All the clubs can’t give us financially what Lyon wants."
Aouar the final piece in Arteta’s puzzle
Aouar’s creativity and big-game mettle make him the perfect candidate to complete Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal rebuild, argues football.london Arsenal correspondent James Benge.
Aouar last season repeatedly demonstrated his ability to create opportunities in open play, while he often made a decisive input in the final third.
Whereas Dani Ceballos can be a calming influence in the Arsenal midfield, the Frenchman would be a player capable of driving the Gunners higher up the pitch, using his vision and technique to prise teams apart.
Arsenal have been following Aouar’s progress for a long time, and having shone for Lyon in last season’s Champions League, it is clear he can elevate Arteta’s side and strengthen the north Londoners’ title credentials.
Liverpool game presents Arteta with Saliba chance
Arteta has the chance to kick-start William Saliba’s Arsenal career by handing the defender his first competitive start against Liverpool, believes football.london’s Art De Roche.
Arsenal face the Reds at Anfield tonight, just four days after falling to a 3-1 defeat at the same venue in the Premier League.
And while Arteta has spoken about how patience is key to Saliba’s progress at the club, it is time for the Spaniard to show his faith in the young Frenchman.
“Looking at the game itself, Liverpool aren't likely to field their potent front three and even if he is to be tested by Jota, there has to be a starting point for everyone,” writes De Roche.
“Furthermore, looking through a pure footballing lens, having not played since September 18, if not used at Anfield, there's potential for Saliba not playing a match for an entire month.”
