Here are your Arsenal morning headlines for Saturday, October 3.
Arteta understands players’ state of mind ahead of deadline day
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up about the difficulties that are coming for his club over the coming days with deadline day fast-approaching on Monday.
The Gunners remain keen to add to their squad with Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey still their main targets, however current players have also been linked with moves away from the club.
Lucas Torreira has been heavily linked with a loan move to Atletico Madrid, while defender Sead Kolasinac has received interest from Bayer Leverkusen.
Centre-backs Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi have also garnered interest from Serie A clubs.
Arteta said : “I do understand [players' minds being elsewhere] because I’ve been in that position.
"You try to be very focused but you leave the training ground and you get a phone call from the agent, a phone call from another manager, a phone call from another owner. Your head is spinning.
“You have a family, you’re thinking about moving to another country, different cities, so all this is part of your daily life.”
Gunners start Europa League run with Austrian task
Arsenal have discovered their schedule for the Europa League group stage.
The Gunners were drawn in a group with Rapid Vienna, Dundalk and Molde, with the group stage starting later this month.
Mikel Arteta's first game will be on October 22 with a trip to Rapid Vienna , just five days after they face Manchester City at the Etihad.
The fixture schedule sees two blocks of matches taking place over a three-week period.
That means the Gunners host Irish champions Dundalk at the Emirates a week after their opening game of the tournament.
Molde then travel to London on November 5, with the Gunners starting the second block of matches with a trip to Molde on November 26.
Rapid will then travel to the Emirates on December 3 for the final group stage home match.
Arsenal blow as Zidane meets with Aouar
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has reportedly held talks with Arsenal target Houssem Aouar.
The Gunners are yet to make an offer Lyon view as acceptable for the 22-year-old midfielder, with Real now believed to be in the hunt for the French international.
According to L’Equipe, as reported by Get French Football News , Zidane has spoken to Aouar recently and that the player would be motivated by a move to the Spanish giants.
Lyon would entertain the offer of a loan, with an obligation to buy next summer – which would come as a blow to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has prioritised the signing of the player.
