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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Arsenal news: Aubameyang to Barcelona, Martinelli decision, £15m transfer, Lacazette's reply

It's four days since Arsenal's draw against Burnley in the Premier League.

And supporters still have just over a week until the team is back in action when they welcome Newcastle United - a side fresh off reaching the FA Cup fifth round - to north London.

The Gunners' plan for the first ever Premier League winter break is well documented as Mikel Arteta's side will spend four days in Dubai for a spot of warm-weather training.

Art de Roche on Arsenal's Europa League squad

Having drawn their last four league games in succession - a sequence of results which means Arsenal remain 10 points off the final Champions League spot - the hope is that the break rejuvenate the squad.

Lucas Torreira, David Luiz, Pablo Mari and Nicolas Pepe are among those already in Dubai and those left in the UK will be joining up with their teammates shortly.

With that said, here's all the news from around the Emirates Stadium over the past 24 hours.

Barcelona confirm Aubameyang stance

Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal has confirmed that the club will be in the market for a striker this summer, amid links to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window.

An injury to Luis Suarez has left the La Liga giants short of options in attack and there was talk of the Arsenal captain filling the void.

As things turned out, Aubameyang stayed put and Barcelona's search for a striker ended in failure.

However, Abidal has vowed to make amends in the summer.

"It is logical that in summer a 'nine' will come. It is a necessity. We know that Suarez will come back strong, but you have to bring a top player in the summer," he told Sport.

"We do not know if it will be young or experienced. We only look at the talent and adaptation they may have. We must think that some top players have come and have not adapted well."

Martinelli award

Gabriel Martinelli is Arsenal's player of the month for January.

The 18-year-old scored netted twice in five appearances for the Gunners in all competitions last month - against Sheffield United and Chelsea - whilst also impressing in FA Cup matches against Leeds United and AFC Bournemouth.

As a result, he has claimed the player of the month award for the second time this season.

Martinelli received 49 per cent of the vote from supporters, putting him ahead of Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka, who finished second and third respectively.

His goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was his standout moment, with the teenager running 67 yards to equalise for the ten-man Gunners in the London derby and fans have been waxing lyrical about the Brazilian.

Full story.

Lacazette's brilliant Instagram response

Shkodran Mustafi is giving away an Arsenal shirt after receiving brilliant support from fans in recent weeks.

To enter the competition, fans had to 1. like the post, 2. follow his account and 3. tag two friends in the comments section.

As spotted by an Arsenal supporter on Reddit, seemingly eager to win himself a Mustafi signed shirt, Lacazette got involved by brilliantly tagging Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sead Kolasinac in the comments.

Mustafi will announce the winner on Friday and Lacazette is likely to be with the defender in Dubai when this happens.

The Gunners squad will spend four days in Dubai for some warm-weather training as Mikel Arteta's side look to recharge their batteries and finish the season strongly.

£15m transfer

Turkish Football are reporting that Arsenal are set to sign Feyenoord's 19-year-old midfielder Orkun Kokcu.

The Turkey Under-21 international has been a regular for the Dutch club in the Eredivise this season and is attracting plenty of interest.

According to the report, the Gunners have already started the process of trying to complete the deal, with a £15million transfer fee being reported.

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