Here is your Arsenal morning digest for Monday, September 21.
Sane praises Arteta's coaching methods
Leroy Sane scored on his Bayern Munich debut this weekend, but he developed into an elite winger at Manchester City where he worked with current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard was heralded for his coaching work as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, and Sane, who benefitted greatly from Arteta’s work, improved markedly during his time in Manchester.
And Melissa Reddy of The Independent recounted an interview with Sane in which she asked him about his work with Arteta.
“I interviewed Leroy Sane recently and asked him about Mikel Arteta because he was a massive influence on him at Man City,” she told the Kelly and Wrighty show.
“Sane said, 'he was the one who pulled me aside and gave me the tactical tweaks to better my game but, more important than that, he understood I was a very young player coming with a lot of expectations'.
“Coming to a new country, with a different culture, a different language, at a club where success is just expected because of the money and such.
“On a psychological and personal level, he really helped, he was so invested in Sane becoming a better player, growing as a person.
“He said, 'Arsenal have made a great decision for the success of the club and the health of the club, the health of the players involved.”
Aouar and Partey interest presents a problem
Arsenal need reinforcements in central midfield and, of the many players they have been linked with this summer, two seem to be the club’s current priorities: Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid and Houssem Aouar of Lyon.
They are very different players, though.
Partey is a more bruising, defensive-minded option that would provide structure and discipline to the Gunners midfield. Aouar, on the other hand, is much more creative; an excellent dribbler and progresser of play, he is impactful in a more offensive role.
Arsenal’s respective interest in both, however, presents Arteta with somewhat of a problem: of the two, which would be the more valuable signing?
There are sound arguments on either side and, such is Arsenal’s lacklustre midfield group, they require both.
But Graham Ruthven for football.london considered the conundrum for Arteta and you can read his full piece here.
Lyon president issues Aouar update
Arsenal’s pursuit of Aouar will continue into the final weeks of the summer transfer window.
And this weekend, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas provided an update on the long-running saga.
Aulas was asked whether he believes Auoar will secure a switch to Arsenal this summer. “No I don't think so, no offer yet,” he said.
“It seems that Arsenal don't want to, or can't invest the price for Houssem, who is our best player.”
Earlier in the window, Lyon sporting director, Juninho, confirmed the Gunners were interested in Aouar and held discussions regarding a potential swap deal with Matteo Guendouzi.
“Houssem Aouar is really well-liked by Arteta,” he said. “There were some discussions for [Matteo] Guendouzi, who is also a good player. He was brought up during the discussion.
“But we don't need his profile, we were very clear. If it is like that, we are not interested at all, we cut the conversation, that is where things ended.”
