10am Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Thomas Partey transfer LATEST, Gunners ‘optimistic’ of signing Willian, Ozil update – The Sun

July 23, 2020

ARSENAL proved their consistency is inconsistency by following up wins over Liverpool and Man City with a wretched defeat at Aston Villa.

But the Gunners are in an FA Cup final next weekend against Chelsea, but first must finish the Premier League season strongly against Watford on Sunday.

Off the pitch we have the latest on the Thomas Partey transfer saga and updates on the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.

Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…

LUCKY NO7
Bukayo Saka is set to be given the No7 shirt at Arsenal, according to reports.
The English winger, who turns 19 in September, currently wears No77 at the Emirates.
And Mikel Arteta is ready to give him the coveted jersey number, which has been unoccupied since Alexis Sanchez vacated the shirt over two years ago.
PREM CYBER ATTACK
A Premier League club nearly lost £1million when it was targeted by cyber criminals during a transfer deal.
Hackers infiltrated a club director’s email account as negotiations took place to sell a player to a European team.
He was conned into revealing his username and password in a phishing attack.
Using the details, the crooks nearly succeeded in getting the £1million payment diverted to their own account.
They failed only because the club’s bank clocked the dodgy transaction and blocked it.
GIVE YOURSELVES A CHANCE
Arsenal’s alarming lack of creativity has been laid bare as stats reveal they are the fifth-worst in the Premier League for chances created.
The Gunners dropped to tenth after a disappointing 1-0 away loss to relegation battling Aston Villa.
Arsenal had just six shots throughout the game, with none on target.
Mikel Arteta’s side have created just 288 chances this season – 18th placed Watford have made 290.
They have scored 53 goals throughout the league campaign but conceded 46.
Mesut Ozil has currently created their most amount of chances this term with 52.
HONEST TONY
Tony Adams has added to the criticism of Arsenal's £72m signing of Nicolas Pepe.
Pepe has underwhelmed following his summer switch from Lille last year, but has managed eight goals in 40 games this season.
But Adams said: “I was very against Pepe to be honest with you because we had Saka coming through, we’ve got Eddie [Nketiah], Reiss Nelson, Martinelli.
“We’ve got a lot of kids that need to play and to go and buy [Pepe for] £72m, I thought it could have been used in different areas.”
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still hopeful of a summer move to Barcelona, according to reports.
The 31-year-old is a key figure at the Emirates, having banged in 25 goals in all competitions this season.
But with just a year left on his contract, the Gunners could be under pressure to sell the Gabonese star if they cannot agree an extension.
And according to Sport, Barcelona could turn their attentions towards Aubameyang as their hunt for a new striker intensifies.
In other news, Atletico Madrid have reportedly decided to get rid of Arsenal target Thomas Lemar this summer.
The Frenchman, 24, failed to register a single goal or assist in 29 appearances this season.
Mundo Deportivo claim Diego Simeone has finally decided to “throw in the towel”.
The Spanish side plan to cut their losses on Lemar – who joined them from Monaco for £63million.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's alarming lack of creativity has been laid bare as stats reveal they are the fifth worst in the Premier League for chances created.
Mikel Arteta's side have created just 288 chances this season – 18th placed Watford have made 290.
They have scored 53 goals throughout the league campaign but conceded 46.
Mesut Ozil has currently created their most amount of chances this term with 52.
WILL I NEVER
Arsenal are “optimistic” about signing Willian from Chelsea this summer, according to reports.
The Brazilian has failed to reach an agreement with the Blues to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
And the Gunners are hoping to land themselves a bargain when his deal expires.
ESPN's Bruno Vicari claims sources at Arsenal are “very optimistic” about signing the 31-year-old.
GUNNER IMPROVE
Liverpool assistant manager Peter Krawietz has named Arsenal, Chelsea and Brighton as three clubs he expects to excel next season.
Speaking to Goal.com and SPOX, he said: “I see first and foremost some teams that are in the process of developing their footballing skills.
“What has happened at Chelsea over the course of the season makes it clear that they will be a really good side.
“Arsenal, too, despite the difficult season, have already seen that they will benefit from the work under Mikel Arteta in the future.
“Or Brighton, although they were in the relegation battle, they still took a very football-orientated approach to the game.”
'CRYING OUT FOR STABILITY'
Tony Adams has urged Arsenal to sign a player like Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz this summer.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, he said: “We need a holding midfield player like Douglas Luiz.
“Maybe a bit stronger and a bit taller, like a Gilberto or Manu Petit.
“We are crying out for stability and resilience.”
ZEN MASTER
Ex-Arsenal winger Andrey Arshavin has revealed his desire to become president of Zenit St Petersburg.
The Russian, who has led a colourful life since leaving the Emirates in 2013, has thrown his hat into the ring for the role during an interview in his native country.
The 39-year-old told newspaper Fantanka: “Even 14-15 years before the end of my sports career I wanted to be the president of Zenit, because it’s a status.
“I love football, and running the main team in St. Petersburg and now in the country, is cool.”
WHAT A MES
Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil is worth £10-15million, claimed Danny Mills.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the ex-England star said: “If Ozil is going to leave, and the reports are that he's on £300,000+ per week, no one is going to pay £50million for Ozil.
“You are almost going to have to give him away.
“You know, £10-15million. And pay a massive chunk of his wages and that eats into the budget.”
GUNNER IMPROVE
Arsenal fans are still venting their anger on Twitter following the defeat to Aston Villa.
The Gunners failed to register a single shot on target during Tuesday's showdown at Villa Park.
And as a result, the club's strikers haven't heard the end of it.
STAT ATTACK
Arsenal's alarming lack of creativity has been laid bare as stats reveal they are the fifth worst in the Premier League for chances created.
Mikel Arteta's side have created just 288 chances this season – 18th placed Watford have made 290.
They have scored 53 goals throughout the league campaign but conceded 46.
Mesut Ozil has currently created their most amount of chances this term with 52.
But the German has played 23 times this season but not made a single appearance since the restart in June.
GUNNER MAKE IT?
Reiss Nelson is optimistic he will be fit for the FA Cup final clash against Chelsea.
The 20-year-old missed the defeat to Aston Villa after he suffered a groin injury.
But Football.London claim he plans to return to full training next week.
He is expected to miss the clash against Watford, but should be fit to face the Blues.
HE'S A KEEPER
Tony Adams has claimed Emi Martinez could save the Gunners a lot of money this summer.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, he said: “What we've missed is a couple of central defenders and a keeper.
“We may have found one actually [in Martinez] and saved ourselves a lot of money.”
ON LE MOVE
Atletico Madrid have reportedly decided to get rid of Arsenal target Thomas Lemar this summer.
The Frenchman, 24, failed to register a single goal or assist in 29 appearances this season.
Mundo Deportivo claim Diego Simeone has finally decided to “throw in the towel”.
The Spanish side plan to cut their losses on Lemar – who joined them from Monaco for £63million.
Since his arrival in 2018, he has a record of just three goals in 67 games.
FAN'S VIEW
Gooners fan Dave Seager gives his take on how Mikel Arteta can make his ideal 4-3-3 system work
The last seven days have certainly taken Arsenal fans through a wringer of emotions.
From the highs of beating “the best two sides in Europe”, reaching an FA Cup Final, to losing to one of the worst teams in the Premier League.
It is easy to get angry but the results reveal a lot about the nature of the current squad and what our young coach needs to do in the next transfer window.
When able to play on the counter against equal or better teams, with an organised defence and a pacey attack Mikel Arteta’s team has progressed and can more than compete.
However, faced with an inferior side but playing with a disciplined well organised deep defensive line, his team struggle to break down the likes of Villa…
Read the full piece here.
AUBA THE MOON
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still hopeful of a summer move to Barcelona, according to reports.
The 31-year-old is a key figure at the Emirates, having banged in 25 goals in all competitions this season.
But with just a year left on his contract, the Gunners could be under pressure to sell the Gabonese star if they cannot agree an extension.
And according to Sport, Barcelona could turn their attentions towards Aubameyang as their hunt for a new striker intensifies.
The LaLiga giants have made no secret of their desire to acquire a new forward this summer.
LAC BELIEF
Alexandre Lacazette admits a lack of game time at Arsenal made him “unhappy”.
He told Canal Plus: “At Arsenal, yes [it has been his hardest season]. The injury hung around longer than I thought (to his ankle) and it affected me.
“Afterwards, I had this period without scoring, so certainly it wasn’t easy for me, but I still learned a lot this season, because mentally it was not easy. The difficulties this season are going to serve me well in the future.
“Certainly, it is not nice to be on the bench. At the same time, in my life I have had moments that were a lot more complicated and I did not doubt myself.
“It wasn’t really doubt, it was more unhappiness, like every player who is on the bench and wants to play.”
GREAL DEAL
Tim Sherwood has claimed that the price Arsenal paid for Nicolas Pepe means Jack Grealish should be worth £170million.
As quoted by Birmingham Live, he said of the Aston Villa skipper: “He creates a melee. Lots of players come around him and he releases the ball. You didn't see the Arsenal players do that.
“I saw them paying £70 million for Nicolas Pepe. £70 million? Nicolas Pepe? If he's £70 million, Jack Grealish is (worth) £170 million.”
UP FOR THE CUP
The FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea will take place on August 1 on BBC and BT Sport with Anthony Taylor as referee.
The Blues booked their spot in the Wembley showdown by thumping Manchester United after Arsenal battled past Man City.
Now it has been confirmed the Londoners will go head-to-head on August 1 at 5.30pm.
The game will be shown live on BBC One and BT Sport 1.
Taylor has been named as referee for the game after previously overseeing the 2017 showdown between the same teams, which Arsenal won 2-1.
Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will be Taylor's two assistants.
NOT LAC-KING IN STARS
Alexandre Lacazette has hailed the emergence of Arsenal’s bright young talents such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
He told Canal Plus: “They are very good youngsters, humble and working everyday.
“I think they are the future of the club because we know that these days clubs need their youngsters.
“They are working, improving – Saka and Martinelli have had very good first seasons. And Joe Willock and Reiss [Nelson] help us with the small playing time that they have, which makes it not always that easy for them.”
CONFIDENCE IS KEY
Alexandre Lacazette has claimed that Arsenal missed out on the top four this season due to a lack of ‘confidence’ in the side.
He told Canal Plus: “We lacked rigour at key moments in the season.
“We lacked on confidence as a team, because each time we were lacking, whether it was a player at the back or a player up top, who affected the team to the slightest extent.”
THE WRIGHT STUFF
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Mesut Ozil’s career at the club is over whether he is sold this summer or not.
He told Premier League Productions: “I think that he’s gone.
“It’s all about attitude. The thing is when you look at Dani Ceballos he had an attitude problem, Mikel turned him round and now he’s in the team.
“Matteo Guendouzi – they’re talking about him having a problem – he’s not in the team.
“Mikel’s given people the opportunity to get into the team if their attitude is right but at the minute their attitude is not right.
“Arsenal need him [Ozil] of course but I believe that he’s somebody that’s gone from Arsenal whether he stays or Mikel gets rid of him, we’re not going to see much of him.”
ART OF WAR
Jamie Redknapp has claimed Arsenal must spend big in the summer.
Prior to Arsenal's defeat at Villa Park, a plane was flown over the stadium with the banner, “Back Arteta Kroenke Out”, and Redknapp has insisted he wasn't surprised.
He told Sky Sports: “The board have to act, I'm not surprised with that plane, you have to back this manager. If you believe this is the right man, you have to back him.
“Arsenal is a huge club, players want to be in London, playing for clubs like this, but they have to see they are ambitious, they want to win things because right now they are behind the top four.”
GET THE REDDIES OUT
Jamie Redknapp has urged Arsenal to splash the cash following their disappointing defeat away at Aston Villa.
He told Sky Sports: “They are way off the top four. One issue he has to deal with is Mesut Ozil, he'll be off this summer I'm sure.
“He is on an awful lot of money, if you feel the player isn't right then you have to bite the bullet and let them go.
“Auba (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) you need to get him a new contract, don't want to get in another situation.
“Players like him are hard to find. I like Arteta. I look at that Arsenal back line, they will make mistakes. They need to throw money at the problem.
“He wants to play with better players, he will want to know who is coming in, yeah he gets on with his mate (Alexandre) Lacazette and he speaks highly of (Bukayo) Saka, he is ambitious and he wants to look at the players coming in.
“He is coming to the twilight of his career, he'll be saying right I want to win something.
“Another problem they have got is (Dani) Ceballos, I really like him, will they get him back? Credit Arteta, when he first came he looked silky. If you lose him and Auba then you have problems.”

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