Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League and are set to meet Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next month as Mikel Arteta looks to keep their trophy hopes alive
Arsenal will be hoping to welcome back some key players when they return to action following the international break. Bukayo Saka is set to return from a hamstring injury next month, while Gabriel Martinelli also recently came back from injury.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit second in the Premier League, but only have a slim chance of overturning Liverpool’s 12-point gap at the top of the table. As a result, much of their focus will be on the Champions League.
Arsenal have never won the tournament before and will have to defeat holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals next month to keep their hopes alive. Here, Mirror Football has taken a look at some of the latest news from the Emirates.
READ MORE: Mikel Merino asks Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for more money – ‘I have two roles to play’READ MORE: Jonathan David sends Arsenal and Liverpool transfer message as he speaks about future
David sends message
Lille striker Jonathan David has downplayed suggestions he is set for a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal among the clubs who have been credited with an interest in his services.
David has scored 23 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions so far this season and is out of contract at the end of the season. Arsenal are one of several clubs who are said to be considering a move, but the 25-year-old has suggested he may prefer a move to Spain.
“I grew up watching a lot of La Liga,” he told Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on the It’s Called Soccer! podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet . “I wouldn’t say that would be my preferred league, but it’s a league I enjoyed watching more so [than others]. One day, I would like to play there. But will that happen? I don’t know. I’m not opposed to anything. We’ll see where the future takes us.”
Al-Nassr want Gabriel
According to a report from talkSPORT, Al-Nassr are eyeing a move for Arsenal star Gabriel and are ready to offer him a bumper salary.
Gabriel’s current contract is due to expire in 2027 and the report states that the Gunners are preparing to open talks with the defender over an extension. However, Al-Nassr are hoping to tempt the Brazilian with the offer of a salary of around €20million (£16.8m).
Arsenal are said to be ‘unlikely to consider offers worth less than £100m’ for the defender and it remains to be seen where Gabriel’s future lies.
Merino cracks “two roles” joke
Mikel Merino has joked he wants a pay rise as he is now fulfilling “two roles” for Arsenal, with Arteta using the midfielder as a makeshift striker.
Merino has scored four goals in seven games as a forward and when asked if Arsenal no longer need to sign a new striker because of his success, he replied: “The question is for Arteta and the new sporting director.”
Andrea Berta is expected to become Arsenal’s new sporting director and when pushed on his potential arrival, Merino added: “Andrea Berta? I don’t know if it is official and so I don’t know anything. But I will do one thing: I will ask him for an attacker’s contract, they earn more and now I have two roles to play.”
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