ARSENAL have reportedly agreed terms with Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, dubbed the Ukrainian Neymar.
A £21m deal is said to be close to being agreed with the exiled Ukrainian side, with Mudryk seen as the perfect replacement for Nicolas Pepe.
Arsenal could also be willing to pounce on PSV winger Cody Gakpo, according to reports, with Southampton's concrete offer being knocked back.
And if all else fails, then Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha is back on the watch list as it has been claimed that a deal between the Eagles and Chelsea is now very unlikely.
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OUT: Alexandre Lacazette (released), Nuno Tavares (loan to Marseille)
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- Alex Cole
Arsenal vs Villa countdown
Arsenal are looking to continue their hundred per cent record and remain top of the table as they take on Aston Villa at the Emirates TONIGHT.
The Gunners were made to sweat as they came from behind to grind out a 2-1 win at Fulham on Saturday after an error from their former goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
And they could hardly be hosting their opponents at a better time, with Villa woefully out of form and boss Steven Gerrard under pressure.
The Villans lost a dull game at home to West Ham at the weekend, to add to away defeats against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
- Alex Smith
Injury woes
Arsenal players suffering injuries is nothing new and the latest midfield treatment room crisis adds to the Gunners' perhaps cursed central midfield position.
Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are currently unavailable as is Oleksandr Zinchenko, who can play in midfield.
BonusCodeBets have investigated Arsenal's injuries in the Premier League era and found who the most injury prone players are and how many games they've missed.
- Santi Cazorla – 138
- Abou Diaby – 136
- Danny Welbeck – 123
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 118
- Jack Wilshere – 90
- Aaron Ramsey – 86
- Alex Smith
Saints to sign AMN
Southampton are closing in on a deal to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The transfer will initially be a loan move but it will include an option to buy.
The Gunners academy graduate played just 472 minutes for the club last season before being loaned out to Roma.
Maitland-Niles can play at full-back and in midfield making him a useful addition to Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.
- Alex Smith
Superstar Saka
Bukayo Saka, who turns 21 on 5th September, has registered 16 Premier League assists in his career
Only three players have more Premier League assists before they turned 21: Cesc Fabregas (38), Wayne Rooney (22) and Michael Owen (18).
Saka is integral to Arsenal and he seemed to hint a wanting to commit his long-term future to the club despite interest from Liverpool and Man City.
Check out what he said HERE.
- Alex Smith
Team News
Arsenal will be without Reiss Nelson, Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko – all of who are injured.
Mohamed Elneny is also out so there is a big problem in central midfield that needs solving.
For Aston Villa, Coutinho limped off in their loss to West Ham but he is expected to be fine.
Diego Carlos and Tyrone Mings are out so ex-Arsenal man Calum Chambers could start.
Young striker Cameron Archer has a hip issue and may miss out.
- Alex Smith
Gerrard wants to ruin Arsenal feel-good factor
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has stressed the difficulty of tonight's game versus Arsenal but he wants his side to stop the Gunners' 100 per cent winning record.
Gerrard said: "Arsenal were in this situation themselves 12 months ago when they didn’t start the season very well.
"They’ve started this season very well and they’ve got a top manager and top players. They’ve had an opportunity to build a really exciting team there.
“We’ll focus on trying to get the right result. They’ve started with a 100 per cent record but for me, that’s a fantastic opportunity and a big challenge for me and my players to go and try to ruin that."
- Alex Smith
Arteta on Villa
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said this ahead of tonight's clash versus Aston Villa.
"I watch the Premier League teams and know how physical they are. Every game here is a battle for everybody, and we don't expect anything different.
"Villa are a top team, they have a big squad, top quality players and a good manager, and we expect a difficult game again here on Wednesday.
“Since we played each other they haven't changed that much.
"We’ll play towards the games and prepare as well as possible, but they’re a really physical team with a lot of presence, who are really good at using the box and it will be tough."
Credit: Getty - Alex Smith
Sutton echoes Merson's comments
Pundit Chris Sutton has also praised Arsenal and singled out Martin Odegaard too.
He said: "Arsenal are absolutely flying. It was good how they came from behind to beat Fulham.
"They were maybe not at their absolute best but it was a good fightback by them and I love what Gabriel Jesus brings to them.
“Martin Odegaard has also stepped up. He is leading by example and bringing goals and performances.
- Alex Smith
Merson heaps praise on Odegaard
Paul Merson has hailed the performances of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
The Norweigan has been fantastic in the No.10 role for Mikel Arteta's side chipping in with goals and assists on top of his hard work.
Merson said: "Odegaard is someone who has impressed me at the start of the season.
"He’s a very good footballer and has got a proper footballing brain – I can’t understand how Real Madrid let a player of his calibre go for as little as €30 million!
"He’s led by example so far and looks set to be a key player for the Gunners this season."
- Alex Smith
Merson predicts
Ex-Arsenal star turned pundit Paul Merson has predicted the Gunners to beat Aston Villa tonight but he believes it will be a tough game.
The Midlands based side are in poor form with pressure building on boss Steven Gerrard.
Merson told Sportskeeda: "I think Arsenal will win this, but it’ll be a slightly harder game than what they would expect.
"Aston Villa are really struggling at the moment and have Manchester City to come after this one, so Steven Gerrard will definitely be feeling the pressure.
"There’s a lot going wrong with his team at the moment and he doesn’t know his best XI, which is a worrying sign if you’re a Villa fan."
- Alex Smith
Bellerin nears LaLiga move
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is nearing a transfer to Barcelona or Real Betis.
The Spaniard spent last season out on loan at his boyhood club Betis and has just entered the final year of his contract in North London.
Consequently, the Gunners want to offload him before he becomes a free agent.
Bellerin, 27, is hoping Arsenal let him go for free anyway so they get his £110,000-a-week wages off the books as Betis cannot afford to pay a fee for him.
Other reports suggest he will head to Barca and they are finalising a deal for him.
- Alex Smith
Auba robbery horror could impact transfer
Ex-Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reportedly had his jaw broken when four armed burglars broke into his house on Saturday.
The striker tried to protect his family and was hit with an iron bar, claim The Athletic.
As a result, the 33-year-old Barcelona star needs surgery after the terrifying ordeal.
This could jeopardise his proposed move to Chelsea.
Credit: AFP - Alex Smith
Eleven years ago today
On this day in 2011 both Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker joined Arsenal as players.
Eleven years on, the Spanish midfield is now, of course, manager.
And the German centre-back is currently in charge of the academy.
- Alex Smith
Zaha committed to Palace
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has responded to speculation suggesting he could leave the club.
Arsenal and Chelsea have both shown an interest in him in the past.
Zaha said: "It's not been difficult at all [to remain focused].
"I've just been focused on Palace and every game. So it's not been difficult at all.
- Alex Smith
Dan the man
Arsenal have reportedly lodged a £20million bid for Palmeiras midfielder Danilo.
The Gunners have injury concerns to fight in midfield amid problems with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.
As a result, Danilo could come in to ease squad depth problems, Mikel Arteta has wanted a new central midfielder all summer despite the addition of Fabio Vieira.
- Alex Smith
Newcastle in for Maitland-Niles
Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles is reportedly wanted by Newcastle.
The 24-year-old's chances at the Emirates Stadium appear limited and he is open to a move having been loaned out during the second half of last season to Roma.
Southampton and Bournemouth have shown an interest in him this summer too.
- Alex Smith
Tielemans bidder
According to reports, a mystery club had bid £19million for Youri Tielemans.
The Leicester ace has just a year remaining on his contract and the club are thought to be open to selling him if a good enough bid comes in.
The Foxes supposedly want more than £19million but with time running out they may have to accept lower.
Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool have all been linked with him in the past.
- Alex Smith
Mudryk offered five-year deal
Arsenal have offered Mykhaylo Mudryk a five-year deal, according to reports.
Journalist Nico Schira claims the Ukrainian has agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
And that the transfer is worth £25million with Mudryk "one step away" from Arsenal.
Credit: Getty - Alex Smith
Arsenal eye two additions.
The Express are reporting that Arsenal could be set to make two signings before the deadline.
Winger Myhaylo Mudryk and central-midfield Julian Weigl could both head to the Emirates.
Weigl is available for just £13million from Benfica.
The Gunners need to pay £25million for Mudryk and are supposedly £10million short in their valuation.
- Alex Smith
Saka hints at new deal
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has hinted that he might sign a new contract at Arsenal.
The 20-year-old is still one of the lowest paid players at the club despite being a key member of the Gunners' best starting XI.
He has attracted interest from Man City and Liverpool in the past but Saka suggested he could want to commit his long-term future to Arsenal.
Arteta is supposedly confident he will stay and Saka stated: "I share his confidence."
He continued: "I really feel at home at Arsenal. I feel the love from my team-mates, from the coaches and from the fans.
“The manager is always there for me and the different bits of advice he gives me are special.
“The atmosphere at the Emirates is getting better and better and I can feel the energy boost from the crowd every time I play.
- Alex Smith
Rotation
It isn't just the injuries in midfield that could force Mikel Arteta into changes this evening.
With the game not long after the demanding victory over Fulham, rumours suggest squad rotation could be behind some personnel switches.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has been kept out the side by Ben White but he could be in line for a rest tonight allowing the right-back to come in.
- Alex Smith
Midfield Debate
Arsenal take on struggling Aston Villa tonight as they look to continue their winning run.
Mikel Arteta has made few changes to the line-up this season but after Thomas Partey picked up a knock Mohamed Elneny came in to face Fulham.
But now the Egyptian is out injured so there could be a chance for Albert Sambi Lokonga or Emile Smith Rowe come into the team with Martin Odegaard moving into a deeper role.
Perhaps there is a first start for summer signing Fabio Vieria.
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning Arsenal fans
It's game day folks.
Arsenal are looking to continue their hundred per cent record and remain top of the table as they take on Aston Villa at the Emirates TONIGHT.
Arsenal could potentially make changes for their midweek clash against Aston Villa – with the clash against Manchester United looming.
Key men could be rested as they take on Steven Gerrard’s struggling team.
Mikel Arteta’s first XI were unchanged for the first three league games of the season but injuries have hit the squad.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have joined the hunt for Manchester United target Cody Gakpo as they look to prise the winger away from PSV.
But Southampton, Newcastle and Leeds are also all believed to be in the race for his signature.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is reportedly being targeted by Bournemouth and Southampton.
It's claimed the south coast clubs are both interested in signing the full-back but have yet to table an offer for his services.
- Alex Cole
Positive Elneny injury update
There is cautiously optimistic news coming out of the Emirates about Mohamed Elneny’s injury.
The Egypt star picked up a knock in Saturday’s win over Fulham and it was initially feared he may face an extended period on the sidelines.
But the club’s medical staff now hope the midfielder’s recovery period will be weeks rather than months.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal v Villa preview
Arsenal are looking to continue their hundred per cent record and remain top of the table as they take on Aston Villa at the Emirates.
The Gunners were made to sweat as they came from behind to grind out a 2-1 win at Fulham on Saturday after an error from their former goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
And they could hardly be hosting their opponents at a better time, with Villa woefully out of form and boss Steven Gerrard under pressure.
The Villans lost a dull game at home to West Ham at the weekend, to add to away defeats against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
Source: Read Full Article
