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.
Arsenal the only club in for Vlahovic
The Gunners have been heavily linked with Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic after it had been reported that the club was interested in signing him.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has followed on from these reports and spoke on the situation to Radio Bruno in Italy: “In June, someone like Vlahovic, even if one year from the deadline, could be worth as much as fifty million.” He said.
“To date, only Arsenal have come forward but Vlahovic’s agents have not even answered the phone.”
With Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette’s contract set to expire in the summer, Arsenal have been heavily linked with numerous strikers.
Our take: Whilst Vlahovic is certainly a quality player, it seems that he is not too interested in a move to north London, so the Gunners should look elsewhere for a player who will be determined to join the club.
Leno set to stay
Despite being replaced in the starting line-up by Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal have no intention of selling backup goalkeeper Bernd Leno according to The Athletic.
It was not expected for Ramsdale to claim the number one shirt at Arsenal so soon, but his excellent performances have pushed Leno to the bench which raised questions over his future.
The German himself was not too pleased about losing his place “There was no clear reason why I was out, but it had nothing to do with my performance. He [Arteta] is the trainer, he decides. Of course, it’s difficult for me," he told SportBild via Sport Witness.
Our take: Arsenal do not have a backup goalkeeper if the club was to sell Leno, which is why it is imperative that we keep him at the club until he decides to leave.
Holding to reclaim a place in the team
Rob Holding has reportedly impressed Mikel Arteta in training, which could see him regain his place in the team according to The Athletic.
The English defender hasn’t made a Premier League start since the second game of the season in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea in August.
Arsenal’s £50 million summer signing Ben White in addition to Gabriel Magalhaes have occupied the two centre-back spots, and the Gunners have been thriving since the creation of the partnership.
Holding is determined to force his way back into Arteta’s Premier League side and has also impressed some Arsenal coaches with his intensity in training at London Colney this term.
Our take: Rob Holding is certainly a useful backup central defender and he shouldn’t be viewed as a starter at Arsenal despite his determination to get back into the team.
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