Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Vlahovic verdict, Nketiah twist, Aubameyang latest – Football.London

Saliba Arsenal’s sensational centre-back?

Could William Saliba yet have a future at Arsenal? One of his opponents, certainly thinks so.

Former Gunners striker Stephy Mavididi was staunch in his praise of the young Frenchman, comparing him to the very best defenders in Ligue 1.

“”That guy’s a player. He’s hands down one of the best defenders in the league, hands down,” he told LiveScore. “I think he’ll walk back into the Arsenal team next season. When I played against him I thought ‘How is this guy not playing at Arsenal?!’

“He’s one of the best centre-backs I’ve faced. Everyone can talk about Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Jerome Boateng, but he’s up there. He’s the one that surprised me the most.”

You can read the full story here

Gary Neville right all along on Aubameyang

Was Gary Neville right all along about Aubameyang?

Here is what he said earlier this season: “There’s always a little bit of a bug between Arteta and Aubameyang, I know he’s the captain but he leaves him out and it feels like something a bit awkward.

“It’s going to cause a problem and I bet if he could get a bit of money for him and get someone else they would.”

You can read the full story here.

All or Nothing release date

An official release date has not been provided for Amazon’s ‘All or Nothing: Arsenal’ series as of yet.

However, based on when previous series on Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City were released, the highly-anticipated series is expected to come out shortly before the next season, around August 2022.

Read more HERE.

Nketiah chance

Ian Wright has claimed that Eddie Nketiah didn’t take his chance to make it as an Arsenal starter and will likely leave this summer.

Now, it looks like he wants to leave, and he probably will. And he has missed the chance. There was a chance there.’

Aubameyang cost

According to The Times, Arsenal paid Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang a lump sum, believed to be around £7 million, to terminate his £350,000-a-week contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Aubameyang’s first words

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has spoken about his move to Barcelona after officially being unveiled by the Catalan giants.

Read what he said HERE.

Vlahovic verdict

Fiorentina chief executive Joe Barone has criticised Dusan Vlahovic and his agents for their role in the Serbian’s move to Juventus.

Barone said: “My managers went to England to deal with foreign clubs, but they [Vlahović’s camp] always said no. They probably already had an agreement with Juventus and perhaps even as a free agent.

“His agents had the intention of expiring and ruining Fiorentina as is often happening now. They wanted to make themselves rich on our skin.”

Wilshere admission

Former Arsenal midfielder has thanked the north London club for allowing him to train with the rest of the first team squad.

Speaking to the club’s website, he said: “Arsenal is home. When I was low they gave me an opportunity to come back and train and I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

Isak admission

Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak remained coy when asked about a potential move to Arsenal.

When asked about the Gunners’ interest, he told Mundo Deportivo: “I am not talking about other clubs.

“I am a Real player, I work here and this is my club. My work is on the pitch, and as I told you before, there are other people who work outside.”

Pepe claim

Arsenal icon Ian Wright has admitted he would like to see more from Nicolas Pepe.

I’d like to see something from him. When you watch him in the Africa Cup of Nations, where I think the defender is even harder with them guys, with how athletic, how good and how intelligent they are.

You’ve got to do a lot more, and when you watch him, he’s done it! Why aren’t we getting that out of him?

If that means playing him in a False 9, or playing him in a position where he’s just free and gets on the ball and runs at people.

Ferdinand’s verdict

Rio Ferdinand delivered his honest verdict on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Barcelona.

“So I wish him good luck, because I think for both parties Aubameyang needed to leave. For his sake, for his footballing sake, but also for Arsenal’s sake”, Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five YouTube channel.

“You don’t want it as a club, a player hanging around who’s not really wanted at the football club by the manager.”

Ozil’s message

Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil wishes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang well following the Gabon international’s exit from the Emirates Stadium.

Writing on Instagram, Ozil said: “All the best bro.”

Martinelli’s time?

Arsenal icon Alan Smith has claimed that it could be Gabriel Martinelli’s time to step up and play centrally now Aubameyang has left the club.

“It might just be Martinelli’s time”, Smith said.

“So far, he has been given a chance on the left and he has taken that chance. In order to be given an opportunity to play through the middle you have got to show you are in good form, you are fully fit and you are playing with confidence. He has done that so this could be a good time to move him inside.”

Aubameyang’s farewell message

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered an emotional farewell message to Arsenal following his move to Barcelona on deadline day.

Writing on Instagram, he said: “I have always been 100 per cent focused and committed on doing everything I can for this club which is why leaving without a real goodbye hurts — but that is football.

“I’m sad I did not get the chance to help my teammates in the last few weeks, but I have nothing but respect for this club and truly wish all my guys and the fans all the best and many successful years in the future!”

Aubameyang confirmed

Arsenal officially confirmed yesterday evening that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left the club my mutual consent.

The former Gunners captain, who was stripped of the armband in December, is expected to join Barcelona.

However, a move is not quite official yet, with football.london understanding that Barca still have to sort out some formalities with La Liga over the free transfer.

READ MORE HERE

Umtiti move

According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal explored the possibility of bringing Samuel Umtiti to the club on loan in January.

However, a move never materialised, but the Gunners could apparently go back in for the French centre-back in the summer transfer window.

Umtiti signed a new contract with Barcelona last month as the France international reduced his salary, but he could look to leave at the end of the season with game time proving to be an issue at the Nou Camp.

Saka contract talks

Arsenal are set to offer Bukayo Saka a contract extension at the end of the season, football.london understands.

Saka has recently been linked with a shock move to Liverpool, but the Gunners are determined to send a ‘hands off’ message to their rivals by rewarding him with a fresh deal.

The 20-year-old sees his current contract with the north London club expire in the summer of 2024.

READ MORE HERE

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