Here are your Arsenal morning headlines for Sunday, 18 October.
Gunners opted against Lille signing
Arsenal were considering signing Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare as an alternative to Thomas Partey this transfer window, according to reports.
According to The Athletic, via football.london, a full scouting report had been carried out by the club on Soumare and he was seen as an alternative to signing the Ghanaian.
However, the club eventually paid the £45million release clause for Partey on the final day of the transfer window.
Arsenal fans enraged by Walker challenge
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal fell to a narrow defeat at Manchester City on Saturday with a penalty incident right before half-time proving crucial in the match.
City defender Kyle Walker challenged Gabriel Magalhaes with a high boot inside the area, not making contact with the ball and falling into the area of possible foul play.
As highlighted by football.london, the decision not to award the visiting side a penalty left Gunners fans infuriated.
An equalising goal may not only have proved pivotal for the result but could have spurred Arsenal on in the second half, but Walker’s challenge went unpunished.
Murphy praises Partey signing
Pundit Danny Murphy has praised Arsenal’s summer transfer window and picked out new arrival Partey for particular praise.
The Gunners landed the Ghanaian by triggering his release clause at Atletico Madrid on the final day of the transfer window.
He made his debut as a substitute in Saturday’s narrow defeat to City, and could prove to be a significant addition at the club.
“I think Arteta’s recruitment in the summer was also hugely impressive. I think Partey will be huge and it’s an area that the club has been vulnerable in for quite some time,” Murphy told the Football Index podcast, as per the sportreview.com.
“He will provide the athleticism and tenacity in midfield that they have been missing in the middle of the pitch.
“I’m glad Ceballos is back again on loan and he shows a lot of attacking intent with his passes.
“Gabriel has also slotted into central defence and he looks like the real deal in the Premier League already.”
