Hello and welcome to football.london’s live Arsenal blog on Saturday!
It’s matchday and Mikel Arteta will be looking to secure a third win in a row when he takes his side to Elland Road to face Leeds in the late kick-off.
A 2-0 win against West Ham on Wednesday night saw the Gunners leap into fourth place and the prospect of European football returning to the Emirates is starting to cause a buzz.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be nowhere to be seen in West Yorkshire, however, as Arteta confirmed he would once again be left out of the matchday squad after his recent disciplinary issues.
We will have all the latest build-up to the game as well as any transfer news that breaks from the Emirates.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Calvert-Lewin verdict
Arsenal legend Alan Smith has claimed to Sky Sports that reported target Dominic Calvert-Lewin wouldn’t be an ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s side.
I wouldn’t say Calvert-Lewin is an ideal fit for Arsenal. In many ways he’s an old-fashioned centre-forward and he loves balls being swung into the box and there’s not many better at getting his head to the ball and attacking it.
That’s not particularly Arsenal’s game. It can be when they get the full-backs forward and you can imagine Kieran Tierney whipping in crosses from the left towards him.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Edu mistake
Paul merson has highlighted a huge blunder made by Arsenal technical director Edu, which has cost the club £54.5million.
READ MORE HERE.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Leeds predictions
Michael Owen and Mark Lawrenson have both had their say on who will win between Arsenal and Leeds United this afternoon.
The former Liverpool pair disagreed on their predicitons for the Elland Road clash.
READ MORE HERE.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Ramsdale impact
Arsenal legend Bob Wilson has hailed Aaron Ramsdale’s impact since joining from Sheffield United back in August.
I must admit, when we signed Ramsdale – player of the season for Bournemouth but relegated, then player of the season for Sheffield United but relegated – I did wonder if bad things still came in threes.
But he has been a terrific influence on the team. The day he signed for Arsenal, he asked to see David Seaman as quickly as possible because he wanted to understand what it means to play for the club.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Martial warning
Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has warned Arsenal to stay away from Manchester United frontman Anthony Martial.
He turns up for one game but then misses three games. You could have another Pepe on your hands, I’d stay away from that if I was Arsenal.
He’d probably be sulking if he went to Arsenal after being at Man United. I just don’t see that one happening.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Aubameyang latest
According to The Sun, Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showed up at the club’s London Colney a full hour and a half before any of his teammates yesterday.
The Gunners forward will be hoping to find a way back into Mikel Arteta’s plans after being relieved of his captaincy duties following a disciplinary breach.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Kulusevski latest
Arsenal are keen to sign reported January transfer Dejan Kulusevski and have stormed into pole position in the race to sign the Juventus star, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.
The Gunners have been linked with the Swedish international in recent weeks, with a number of reports claiming that his future is away from the Serie A giants.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Arteta’s AFCON claim
Mikel Arteta has admitted he has his reservations on the Africa Cup of Nations if player welfare cannot be guaranteed.
I would like them to guarantee the welfare of our players, and if that is not the case obviously we are not going to be comfortable.
I think not only Arsenal but any club that has to allow players to go on those duties.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Duo near impressive record
Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have assisted each other for six Premier League goals, two-shy of the record involving players 21-years-old or under, held by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rooney and Ronaldo assisted each other on eight occasions before the latter turned 22.
The Arsenal duo will hope they can move closer to breaking that today as Mikel Arteta’s side take on Leeds United.
Louie Chandler
Aubameyang ‘banished’
It has emerged that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly been told to train on his own after being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy.
The situation is expected to remain as such until the player returns from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Read the full story here.
Louie Chandler
Dusan Vlahovic latest
Dusan Vlahovic wants his next club to be competing for the Champions League next season, says Eurosport.
The Fiorentina striker has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, making the need to finish in the top four even greater if the Gunners wish to land him.
Read more here.
Louie Chandler
Martinelli compared to Aguero
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has been compared to a young Sergio Aguero by former Chelsea midfielder and pundit Joe Cole.
The Brazilian has been in scintilating form for the Gunners as of late, receiving a lot of praise.
Read more here.
Louie Chandler
Good morning!
Welcome to football.london’s live Arsenal blog!
We will have all the latest for you from Elland Road as well as any juicy Gunners gossip.
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