Mikel Arteta has given an update on the fitness of Jurrien Timber after the defender missed Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.

Set-piece goals from centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães got the job done for the Gunners in their final match before opening their 2024/25 Premier League campaign at home to Wolves on Saturday.

However, eyebrows were raised when fans noticed Timber was once again left out of the matchday squad.

Timber has endured a tough time at Arsenal since arriving from Ajax for £38m (per Sky Sports) last summer, playing just five competitive matches as a cruciate ligament tear derailed his 2023/24 campaign.

The 23-year-old has clocked up 125 minutes during pre-season in games against Bournemouth and Man Utd, but has now missed the Gunners’ last three matches.

Naturally, Arteta was asked about Timber’s absence after the win over Lyon on Sunday.

“It’s fine. He’s been doing some individual work, that’s clear now,” Arteta said (via the Arsenal official website). “So we expect him to be ready to train with the group in the next week, because he has no reaction. So quite positive.”

Takehiro Tomiyasu is another Arsenal defender on the treatment table, failing to appear at all for the Gunners in pre-season due to a knee injury.

Unfortunately, the outlook for the Japan international is not as positive as that of Timber.

“Yeah, I think it will take weeks on that one, unfortunately,” said Arteta. “He’s going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it’s going to take a few weeks.”

The post Mikel Arteta gives Jurrien Timber update after defender misses Arsenal friendly appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has reflected on his decision to leave Arsenal after spending 16 years at the club. 

Maitland-Niles is a product of the Arsenal youth system and went on to make 132 appearances for the club across all competitions between 2014 and 2023, winning FA Cup and Community Shield titles.

However, Maitland-Niles was never truly able to establish himself as a regular starter at the Emirates Stadium and following loans with West Brom, Roma and Southampton, joined Lyon upon the expiry of his Arsenal contract last summer.

The 26-year-old played 29 times across all competitions last season to help Lyon climb from a relegation battle into sixth place in Ligue 1 while also reaching the Coupe de France final — losing 2-1 to PSG.

Maitland-Niles was back in London on Sunday as Lyon took on Arsenal in the Emirates Cup, with the Gunners winning 2-0 thanks to goals from centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.

Speaking before that match, Maitland-Niles recalled how leaving Arsenal when he did was the correct decision for his career.

?? Friendship with Laca
? Penalty king
?? French lessons

We spoke to Hale End graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles ahead of his Emirates Stadium return ?

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 11, 2024

“I’m very mature in my mind and I understand how football works,” Maitland-Niles told Arsenal’s official website.

“Sometimes it’s time to let go of a club that has been so dear to you and you had so many years with. So it was more of a process of trying to move on, both for my family and myself.

“Obviously my contract expired anyway, so I had to find something that was concrete and solid and I felt like Lyon was the best fit.”

The post Former Arsenal star reflects on leaving the club – “Sometimes it’s time to let go” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal have shown that they’re going to be a force from set-pieces again this season with two first-half goals from corners against Lyon in today’s friendly at the Emirates Stadium.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have both headed in corners for the Gunners, as we saw from the two towering centre-backs on so many occasions last term.

Watch below for Saliba’s opening goal, with the Frenchman powering home in typical fashion…

??| GOAL: SALIBA OPENS THE SCORING FOR ARSENAL!

Arsenal 1-0 Lyon

pic.twitter.com/DUFa55s9vV

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 11, 2024

Pictures from Foot Direct

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

That made it 1-0, and it wasn’t too much longer before we saw a similar trick, with Gabriel arriving at the far post to nod in Declan Rice’s cross into the box…

??| GOAL: Gabriel Magalhaes DOUBLES the lead!!

Arsenal 2-0 Lyon

pic.twitter.com/t2uYUudCnM

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 11, 2024

Arsenal fans will hope Mikel Arteta can continue to make his side a real force on set plays, with the north London giants often using them as something of a secret weapon.

This can be hugely useful for teams when other tactical plans aren’t quite working, so this looks really promising from Arsenal so far.

Lyon arguably aren’t the toughest opponents and it will be a different story once the competitive Premier League football gets going again, but these initial signs look good for Arsenal.

The post Arsenal show they’re set-piece masters again with two first-half goals vs Lyon appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Arsenal and Man Utd forward Alexis Sanchez returned to Italian side Udinese after 13 years away from the club.

Now 35 years old, Sanchez played 33 times across all competitions for Inter last season, scoring four times and helping the club win the Serie A title, before departing at the end of his contract.

That came after a successful year in France with Marseille — who he joined from Inter for one season — scoring 18 times in 44 appearances across all competitions.

Sanchez last played for Udinese between 2006 and 2011, scoring 21 goals in 112 games across all competitions, and rejoins the club on a two-year deal. Udinese won just six of their 38 Serie A games last season, but picked up 19 draws to help them finish 15th on 37 points, two points clear of relegation.

A L E X I S 7??

???? #ForzaUdinese #AlèUdin #Udinese #Sanchez pic.twitter.com/aul8N04bko

— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) August 10, 2024

A 166-time Chile international, Sanchez left Udinese in 2011 for Barcelona and won multiple honours with the Blaugrana — including the 2012/13 La Liga title — during a 141-game, 47-goal spell before joining Arsenal in 2014.

At the Emirates, Sanchez would score 80 goals in 166 appearances, winning two FA Cups and a Community Shield, before leaving for a more modest spell at Manchester United between January 2018 and the summer of 2019.

Sanchez is Udinese’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window, alongside Lorenzo Lucca, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Damian Pizarro, Jesper Karlstrom, Iker Bravo and Goncalo Esteves.

The post Former Arsenal and Man Utd forward returns to old club 13 years after leaving appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal director Edu is said to have teased to the club’s fans that they won’t be disappointed with the summer transfer window this year as long as they’re patient.

Watch the video clip below as Sky Sports News have reported on what Edu said, with the Gunners chief seeming optimistic about the players they could bring in to the Emirates Stadium by the end of the window…

"Be patient, you won't be disappointed at the end…"

Will Arsenal do more business in the Transfer window? ?? pic.twitter.com/23kHhkkMqv

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 11, 2024

Arsenal have only signed Riccardo Calafiori so far this summer, and one imagines fans will be keen for them to bring in more new additions if they are to close the gap with reigning champions Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side ran City really close last season and one imagines they’ll be the main two title contenders again in 2024/25, but Edu would do well to keep on strengthening if possible.

It will surely be a long and difficult season, so Arsenal might not have the best squad depth right now, certainly in comparison to the players Pep Guardiola has at his disposal at the Etihad Stadium.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

We’ll have to see if Edu was talking about anyone in particular, or if there’s still not really anything particularly advanced for the moment.

The post Arsenal chief Edu drops teasing transfer hint during conversation with fans appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly on alert for a potential transfer move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes, whose future at the Bernabeu is now in doubt due to the arrival of Kylian Mbappe this summer.

The Brazil international has shone during his time with Los Blancos, though it could now be that much harder for him to play regularly as both Mbappe and Endrick will now be competing for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s front three as well.

Rodrygo has been valued at around €110m (£94m) by Transfermarkt, while Arsenal’s interest has been reported by Spanish outlet Cadena SER.

The Gunners need a new striker as an upgrade on the unconvincing and injury-prone Gabriel Jesus, while Eddie Nketiah looks increasingly likely to leave the Emirates Stadium for a move to Marseille.

Rodrygo transfer looks like just what Arsenal need

Arsenal came so close to winning the Premier League title last season, and arguably the only thing missing from Mikel Arteta’s side is an out-and-out goal-scorer who can contribute 20-25 goals a season.

Rodrygo looks like he could be that kind of player for AFC, giving them more of a natural goal threat in the box than they’ve had from Jesus and other players who’ve had runs playing up front, such as Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

It surely won’t be cheap for Arsenal to sign a big name like Rodrygo, but it could be a worthwhile investment for the 23-year-old, who already has great experience of winning major trophies for one so young.

Rodrygo could improve even further under the expert guidance of Arteta, who has worked wonders with another former Real Madrid player in Martin Odegaard, with the Norway international notably another who found himself on the fringes of the first-team with the Spanish giants before really launching his career in north London.

The post Arsenal ready to pounce for potential £94m transfer as star faces uncertain future appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Wolves are mulling over including Dan Bentley in a part exchange deal to sign Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale.

Wolverhampton Wanderers want to reinforce their goalkeeping position before the start of next season and they have their eyes set on Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale. According to a report from Football Insider, Wolves are considering using Dan Bentley in a deal to bring the English international to the club.

David Raya’s arrival at Arsenal saw Ramsdale get reduced to the bench. He played a backup role last season after being their number one for years. The 26-year-old has no intentions of sitting on the bench next season and he is pushing for a move away from the club.

While he still has two years left on his deal at the North London club, they are not looking to stand in his way. Mikel Arteta’s team are ready to sanction his departure but they want in excess of £30 million to sell the English goalkeeper. With his future at the club uncertain, the Gunners have been looking to sign Dan Bentley from Wolves to be their second choice. The 31-year-old was a part of their academy back in the day and they feel he could be a great addition to their team.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Aaron Ramsdale needs a fresh start

While Wolves are ready to sell Jose Sa and replace him with Ramsdale, the £30 million asking price could prove to be very difficult for them. With the Gunners keen on Bentley’s signature, Wolves are thinking about making him a part of their deal. While Arsenal would welcome the addition, it is unlikely to have any effect on the asking price.

The North London club’s initial offer of £50,000 for Bentley was turned down. While they were planning to make a fresh £300,000 offer, with Wolves looking to make him a part of the Ramsdale deal, it will be interesting to see how things pan out.

The post Premier League side plot part-exchange deal to sign 26-year-old Arsenal ace appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly increasingly nervous about missing out on Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino due to Liverpool now making progress on the transfer of his teammate Martin Zubimendi.

Merino has been a top target for the Gunners for much of this summer, while he’s also been linked with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at points, though with most sources now claiming the Emirates Stadium would be his preferred destination.

According to reports in Spain, however, Liverpool’s pursuit of Zubimendi now has Arsenal worried as it remains to be seen if Sociedad will be ready to sell both these important players in one window.

Liverpool are believed to be ready to pay Zubimendi’s release clause in full, and are just working to persuade the Spain international to move to Anfield after he’s previously shown a reluctance to move abroad.

It seems things might be moving in the right direction for LFC, though, with Arsenal now worried it could cost them the Merino deal.

Merino transfer: Arsenal to up their bid in response to Liverpool’s Zubimendi pursuit

It’s now claimed Arsenal are ready to make an improved offer for Merino imminently as they fear Liverpool getting to Zubimendi first.

It will be interesting to see if the north London giants can get this over the line, with other midfield targets of theirs also getting away from them this summer, with Douglas Luiz moving to Juventus and Amadou Onana joining Aston Villa.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Bruno Guimaraes has also been linked but looks set to stay at Newcastle, so Merino now looks the best option and is available for a decent price due to being in the final year of his Sociedad contract.

Arsenal were previously thought to be offering around £17m for the 28-year-old, but it might be that something closer to £25m will be needed to finally get this deal done.

The post Arsenal increasingly NERVOUS as Liverpool make progress on €60million transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

As the 2024/25 Premier League season comes into view, Arsenal are still no closer to moving on Eddie Nketiah.

The 25-year-old is known to have agreed personal terms with French footballing giants, Marseille, but as of this moment, the Gunners have steadfastly refused to sell.

It’s a game of brinkmanship that could come back to bite Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar, should Marseille decide to back out of the deal.

Arsenal’s Nketiah demands could derail deal

According to The Athletic (subscription required), the North Londoners have made a specific demand which, if met, will finally see Nketiah swap the English top-flight for Ligue Un.

The Gunners will allow their player to move on loan as long as Marseille commit to paying a €30m fee upon completion of the loan deal.

That’s significantly more than the €20m that the French club have already offered for Nketiah, and puts the ball firmly back in Roberto De Zerbi’s court.

Just how badly does Marseille’s Italian manager want the player?

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Alternatively, De Zerbi can sit tight and take things right to the wire of course.

There doesn’t appear to be much appetite for Nketiah from elsewhere, so if we’re going into the final hours of the window and there’s still no likelihood of an agreement, will Arsenal decide to come closer to Marseille’s valuation?

It’s a real cat and mouse situation at the moment with the player stuck right in the middle.

Clearly, Nketiah sees his future away from the Emirates Stadium, though he may be forced to sit through another few barren months in North London if both clubs can’t find an acceptable middle ground.

The post Another twist in the Eddie Nketiah story as Arsenal insist significant demand is met appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This article was originally published on Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive articles via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io

—

West Ham will only move for Trippier if Wan-Bissaka deal breaks down

Talks with Aaron Wan-Bissaka continue for West Ham and he remains their priority for the right-back position, although it is a complicated deal to get over the line.

Despite the rumours, I’m not aware of talks for Arnau Martinez, and Kieran Trippier will only be an option if the Wan Bissaka deal falls through.

There’s no imminent move for Vladimir Coufal either from what I heard.

Chalobah will take his time and choose the best option

On Trevoh Chalobah’s situation, Crystal Palace are interested but it’s the same with clubs from abroad.

Chalobah will take his time to decide what will be the best opportunity for him.

What I’m told too is that Crystal Palace also have Lacroix on their shortlist, a player that’s really appreciated by Glasner.

So, a decision will be made once Marc Guehi’s future is clarified as talks with Newcastle are still ongoing, not done yet.

De Gea has a verbal agreement with Fiorentina

The former Manchester United goalkeeper, finally back after more than almost 13/14 months with no activity on the pitch, is gonna play in Serie A.

Let’s wait for the signature because we know that with agents it’s always kind of dangerous on the market, but the verbal agreement is in place.

David said yes to Fiorentina. One year contract plus one year option, €2m net salary plus €1m in add-ons.

Good luck to David, after a long time out of the game for him.

Arsenal continue working on Nketiah and Merino deals

I also wanted to mention what’s going on at Arsenal, because we know that they are busy with the situation of Eddie Nketiah after selling Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham.

It was kind of a tense situation with Marseille because they had an agreement with the player. Nketiah wants to go to Marseille, he’s open to joining and attracted by the project.

But the negotiations were really tense in the recent days because Marseille had a new bid rejected and so they started exploring other options.

What they are doing now is to renegotiate again with Arsenal for Eddie Nketiah.

What I’m hearing is that they presented a new proposal in the last 24 hours, but now they want to close the deal only at their conditions – because they already spent other money in other positions.

Remember that Arsenal are also working to close the deal for Mikel Merino.

He hasn’t been called up for Real Sociedad’s next game because they say that he’s not 100 percent fit, but we know the transfer is behind this story because Mikel Merino has an agreement with Arsenal.

The contract is already agreed. The player said yes. He knows that Mikel Arteta wants him. This is the reality.

Arsenal have been closing in on the deal since last week, but they need to agree on the payment structure, payment terms, so a work in progress.

Barca pushing for Nico but Athletic are relaxed

Lots of questions still regarding Nico Williams, and as I wrote on Substack yesterday guys, no changes…

Barça keep calling Nico’s agent, but at the moment Athletic Club remain completely confident and optimistic to keep him at the club.

They are sure that Nico will end up staying. Barça have a dream and they are trying to make it a reality, but Athletic are currently relaxed.

Still chances for Ivan Toney to find a new club

I think there’s still a chance for a move to happen this summer for Ivan Toney.

There could be movements in the next days and weeks, but there’s nothing imminent so far.

We have to see about which clubs have a concrete interest, because about 10 different clubs have been rumoured to be interested in him this summer.

I don’t want to put out names without any concrete updates but, for sure, it’s still an open situation.

Richarlison’s focus won’t change Tottenham’s plans for Solanke

There are no changes to Tottenham’s plans on signing Dominic Solanke, despite Richarlison wanting to stay.

Solanke remains the priority target.

Richarlison is fully focused on Spurs and Tottenham were already aware of this so his situation doesn’t change the plan to bring in more players.

It’s never easy to negotiate with Bournemouth but Spurs are trying.

More Stories / Latest News

Former Everton chief executive drops West Ham points deduction verdict after £110m signings

Aug 12 2024, 0:18

Chelsea in shock talks for former player to return after collapse of £34.5m transfer

Aug 11 2024, 23:38

Chelsea’s €40m transfer falls through after major problem finalising contract

Aug 11 2024, 22:54

Chris Smalling could be on the move this summer

Roma are looking for a new centre-back and Smalling could leave in the case of a good proposal for both Roma and the player.

Jadon Sancho’s situation is still wide open

I wanted to finish by mentioning Jadon Sancho. It’s important to say that his situation too remains open.

He is 100 percent part of the Man United team, but in case of a formal proposal in the next three weeks, there could still be movement for Jadon Sancho.

Man United could be open to doing business and the player could also be open to the move, so it all depends on the proposals.

Now, everything is okay, but PSG and others have been making contact with Sancho’s agents.

Still no bid but the situation is one to watch until the end of the window.

The post Transfer news: Trippier not West Ham’s priority, Sancho situation open and more appeared first on CaughtOffside.