Here is your Arsenal morning digest on Saturday, June 12.
Gunners open Tierney contract talks
Arsenal have opened talks with left-back Kieran Tierney over a contract extension at the Emirates Stadium, football.london understands.
Tierney has been integral for the Gunners since signing from Celtic for £25million in the summer of 2019.
His form at times last season was outstanding and Mikel Arteta wants to reward the Scotland defender with improved terms on his existing deal.
Now, Edu is set to offer a new contract for the Arsenal board to sign off.
Read the full story here.
Aubameyang's classy gesture to Saka
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's leadership style may not be traditional, but it certainly is effective judging by Bukayo Saka's latest comments on his nickname.
Arsenal captain Aubameyang has given the Saka the nickname 'little chilli' that is the hallmark of the Gabon forward's different kind of leadership.
"It started from Auba," Saka said when talking about how his London Colney pseudonym had come about.
"He said it in French. We're doing one finishing drill one time in training and he kept saying it, and I kept scoring, I was shooting with so much power and he was calling me little chilli in French [ petit piment ].
"I didn't know what it was. I asked him after and he told it means little chilli. From then on he kept calling me it and then it became a thing, and now it's a big thing, a lot of people call me it, and make it my nickname.
"He got me the nice chain he promised he would get me if we won the FA Cup.
"It started from Auba, it's a show of how great a character he is and how important he is for me and I'd say for the team in terms of the happiness and the vibes in the dressing room. I love it. It's unique."
Read the full story here.
Bayer chief delivers Tapsoba update
Edmond Tapsoba will not be leaving Bayer Leverkusen this summer, according to the club's director Rudi Voller.
Tapsoba has been linked with a move to Arsenal recently, with the Gunners reportedly looking at bringing a new defender to north London.
However, Voller has insisted Leverkusen do not want to sell the centre-back over the coming months.
Speaking to BILD, he said: “We have to see what can be done after this difficult year without spectators with the economic pressures created by the pandemic.
“I can say about Tapsoba: like Florian Wirtz and Moussa Diaby, he extended his contract for the long term. Basically, we have no intention of making any of these players – unless an immoral offer comes along.
“But that won’t happen this summer. We want to have a little more fun with these players.”
