12pm Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Partey given 3/10 on first game since move, Aouar’s brother ‘BLOCKED Gunners’, Ozil – The Sun
ARSENAL are reportedly in talks with Mesut Ozil about mutually terminating his contract, but the midfielder is said to want £13m to leave the club.
Meanwhile the Gunners' failure to meet the demands of Houssem Aouar's brother and agent are reported to be the main reason the Lyon star didn't join.
Follow ALL of the Gunners latest transfer news, updates and reaction below…
- Daniel Brookes
PARTEY POOPER
Thomas Partey recived a 3/10 rating in his first match since becoming an Arsenal player.
The Ghana international joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in a £45million move on transfer deadline day.
But after a 3-0 loss with his national side last night, one Ghanaian outlet rated the midfielder's performance a shocking 3/10.
Joy Online, which calls itself 'Ghana's most comprehensive website', wrote: “Clearly, Partey was still elated by his dream move as he struggled to show the world why Arsenal signed him.”
Partey will link up with his new Arsenal teammates next week and could be in line to feature against Manchester City next weekend.
- Daniel Brookes
OZIL REJECTS SAUDI MOVE
Mesut Ozil has turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
Journalist Duncan Castles believes the German rejected the move due to his ties to Turkey and the country's difficult relationship with Saudi Arabia at present.
The 31-year-old has been completely frozen out by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta since the foobtall resumed in June and he was left out of the Gunners' Europa League squad.
Earlier this week, Ozil offered to pay the salary of Arsenal's famous mascot Gunnersaurus to save him from redundancy.
- Daniel Brookes
ARTETA WANTS MORE SIGNINGS
Mikel Arteta is hoping for further additions to his Arsenal squad in January.
Football London reports the Spaniard is hoping to add a centre-forward and a 'flexible' forward to improve the Gunners' attack when the transfer window reopens.
Red Bull Salzburg pair Patson Daka, 22, and Dominik Szoboszlai, 19, are reportedly of interest to the north London outfit.
The report adds Arteta is happy with current back-up Eddie Nketiah but is keen to improve his options up front.
- Daniel Brookes
SALIBA TO STAY IN LONDON?
New centre-back signing William Saliba could be set for a loan spell in the Championship with two London clubs interested.
Talksport's Alex Crook claims Saliba, 19, is a target for both Brentford and Watford in the second tier.
Crook said: “Mikel Arteta clearly feels he isn't ready for the Premier League.”
Saliba saw a potential return to France with Stade Rennais and former club Saint-Etienne fall through during the international transfer window, meaning he can now only be sent on loan to a domestic team.
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
The Gunners are reportedly set to re-open talks to rip up Mesut Ozil's bumper £350,000-a-week contract.
MailOnline reports Arsenal will make another approach to the outcast midfielder in order to get him off their wage bill in January.
It is understood the Gunners have contacted Ozil in the last fortnight about coming to an agreement over the final nine months of his deal.
But they have been unsuccessful in brokering a solution with the former Real Madrid star – who turns 32 on October 15.
A major stumbling block is that Ozil is believed to want the full £13million left on his contract in order to walk away.
Elsewhere, Houssem Aouar's move to London collapsed due to a disagreement with the midfielder's agent and brother rather than his club Lyon, according to reports.
ESPN via Football.London claim that while the Gunners did have a bid rejected by Lyon they were preparing to go back in with an offer that probably would have been accepted.
However they gave up after hearing Brahim Aouar's demands for commission despite the fact that the France midfielder had his heart set on joining.
And finally, Jack Wilshere says he would like a crack at LaLiga or Serie A after his contract with West Ham was terminated this week.
Wilshere has been left in the wilderness as a free agent after agreeing to have the final year of his contract paid up by the Hammers having played just 19 times in two years.
The 28-year-old has spoken with former England team-mate Steven Gerrard about a move to Rangers – but admits he fancies doing something few of his contemporaries have done by playing on the continent.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Wilshere said: “I'm open to anything really. I think I want to try something different, I'm leaning towards that.
“Maybe LaLiga, Italy, something a little bit different and not many English players have done.”
- Joe Brophy
IN THE NIC OF TIME
Nicklas Bendtner has admitted he became distracted by the lifestyle that came with the money after sharing a story of the time he lost heavy at a London casino.
The ex-Arsenal striker told the Guardian: “I’m way too drunk to sit at a table.
“That much I get. But roulette is a different matter. Red, black, red, black. How hard can it be?
“After 90 minutes I’ve lost £400,000. Money I don’t have. My bank account is overdrawn and I’m bankrupt if my luck doesn’t turn. I stagger into the loos and splash water on my face. Then I find a cashier and get another £50,000 of chips.”
“I became too fond of the lifestyle that came with the money. I want to go back in time and hit that young lad on the head with a hammer.
“Make him understand what a chance it is. That he has something special – something he has to look after.”
- Joe Brophy
FINE ART
Mikel Arteta has lifted the lid on his plans during the international break.
He told the club's website: “We've worked hard for the last four days and now the players are going to have three days off.
“I need three days off a little bit!
“I don't know if I will be completely off, but we'll be away from the training ground a little bit, disconnect, spend time with the family and get our minds more relaxed. It's been challenging and demanding but we've had a lot of joy and good moments as well.”
- Joe Brophy
WIL TO WIN
Jack Wilshere has claimed that he just wants to be happy when finding a new club after leaving West Ham.
He told talkSPORT: “I was in this position when I left Arsenal. What I learnt from that is take your time and make sure it's right for you.
“I’m not saying I have regrets going to West Ham because in my head things would have turned out differently but that's football – but this time I'm going take my time and find something that suits me
“I just want to be happy and be playing football again. Honestly, I can’t tell you the last time, probably when I signed for West Ham, the first three games before I picked up an injury. That was probably the last time I was happy playing football.
“I just want to be happy, going back on the pitch, get a smile on my face, play 20-30 games a season where I'm an important player for a team.
“Obvoiously it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to and I was frustrated about that but that's football.”
- Joe Brophy
ADIOS AMIGO
Jack Wilshere says he would like a crack at LaLiga or Serie A after his contract with West Ham was terminated this week.
Wilshere has been left in the wilderness as a free agent after agreeing to have the final year of his contract paid up by the Hammers having played just 19 times in two years.
The 28-year-old has spoken with former England team-mate Steven Gerrard about a move to Rangers – but admits he fancies doing something few of his contemporaries have done by playing on the continent.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Wilshere said: “I'm open to anything really. I think I want to try something different, I'm leaning towards that.
“Maybe LaLiga, Italy, something a little bit different and not many English players have done.”
- Joe Brophy
LEIC IS MORE
Leicester were the ONLY club to vote against proposals to charge fans an extra £14.95 to watch Premier League games in the coming weeks.
Premier League sides – who have just spent £1.24BILLION in the transfer market – have agreed to put 15 matches behind an extra paywall.
Leicester fans welcomed news of their club turning down the offer but, like many others, were left fuming with the decision.
Twitter user Amar wrote: “Absolute farce the price for them but at least you stood up for us, shame other clubs didn’t join.”
While Ella commented: “As the only voters against it I think Leicester's games should be free.”
And another fan tweeted: “Absolute joke.”
- Joe Brophy
BOX TO BOX
Football fans are set for a different kind of live match experience if they decide to shell out £14.95 to watch a single Premier League game on TV.
The controversial announcement was made on Friday, allowing punters to still view every game while they remain banned from grounds.
But for matches not being screened by either Sky or BT, fans will have to dig into their pockets and shell out nearly £15 on a pay-per-view basis via Sky Sports and BT Sport Box Office.
And the new format will also take a different style on the screen too.
Games on will begin broadcasting just ten minutes before kick-off.
And there will be NO pundits for analysis before, during or after.
However, there will still be the usual full Sky Sports nine-camera coverage, giving fans every view needed for an enjoyable experience.
And all games will have commentary too.
- Joe Brophy
BOX SETS
Premier League games to be shown on Box Office for £14.95 have been revealed.
Top flight bosses announced today that a total of nine games from now to the end of October will be on Sky Sports and BT Sport PPV channels.
And the first one to be shown for a fee will be Chelsea's clash against Southampton at 3pm on Saturday, October 17 on BT Sport Box Office.
- Joe Brophy
SAK RACE
Mikel Arteta has claimed that the sky is the limit for 19-year-old Bukayo Saka.
He told the club's website: “Absolutely [it's been crazy] and this is down to all the good work that is being done at Hale End with him, with all the coaches, all the education that he's been through here and then the type of character and player that he is.
“The way he's maturing, the way he's assimilating everything that's happened to him in the last few months is remarkable. Physically he has evolved. He looks a little bit older.
“But then how he's able to read the game, the situation that happens to him, how he resolves the situation, how long it takes to make those decisions.
“His communication has improved a lot towards his team-mates as well because he feels more part of the team, he's integrated, he feels important in the team I think.
“Then what he's able to do with the ball in the final third when things get a little bit difficult, and how he approaches those moments is probably the biggest part of his game.
“What I like about him is that he's very versatile, he's really intelligent and that he adapts and has a lot of courage to play the game. It doesn't matter which position he plays, he acts exactly the same way. He's so willing to learn and ask the right questions that he can set his own limits.”
- Joe Brophy
WIZARD OF OZ
Martin Keown has also urged Mesut Ozil to cooperate on an exit with Arsenal.
He told talkSPORT: “Nobody will be happy with this, nobody wants to see the back of Ozil.
“We want him to play football, but right now the best option for everyone is for him to leave and go quietly.
“He can be fantastic somewhere else. He needs to look at himself right now and I don’t think he is.
“It’s that oxygen when you play, you can breathe when you play and he can’t breathe at the moment.
“Isn’t there enough money in the bank now? It’s a short career and he’ll look back thinking he was denied the opportunity to play, but he hasn’t played his part to change that.”
- sstreet
BROTH-AOUAR-LY LOVE
Houssem Aouar's move to London collapsed due to a disagreement with the midfielder's agent and brother rather than his club Lyon, according to reports.
ESPN via Football.London claim that while the Gunners did have a bid rejected by Lyon they were preparing to go back in with an offer that probably would have been accepted.
However they gave up after hearing Brahim Aouar's demands for commission despite the fact that the France midfielder had his heart set on joining.
- Joe Brophy
BIGGER MES
Martin Keown has urged Mesut Ozil to leave Arsenal.
He told talkSPORT: “One assumes that Arteta would’ve given him an opportunity and he’s not really happy with Ozil’s work ethic.
“He’s not someone the others can learn off. I actually think he’s got a good heart, because of what he does for charity, but when he questions giving up a percentage of his wage which affects everyone else, I don’t think it’s his place to do that. He needs to fall in line.
“If you think of the money it’s costing Arsenal… £18million-a-year, that the equivalent of the interest payments when they took out a loan on the Emirates Stadium.
“That’s how restrictive that has been. They need to cut their losses and pay him off.
“It sends a message to the group, creates a new culture, and allows them to move on, because at the moment it’s become unhealthy.”
- Joe Brophy
WHAT A MES
Arsenal are reportedly set to re-open talks to rip up Mesut Ozil's bumper £350,000-a-week contract.
MailOnline reports Arsenal will make another approach to the outcast midfielder in order to get him off their wage bill in January.
It is understood the Gunners have contacted Ozil in the last fortnight about coming to an agreement over the final nine months of his deal.
But they have been unsuccessful in brokering a solution with the former Real Madrid star – who turns 32 on October 15.
A major stumbling block is that Ozil is believed to want the full £13million left on his contract in order to walk away.
- Joe Brophy
BOX OFFICE
Football fans are up in arms over the Premier League's decision to charge £14.95 to watch games.
Gary Neville slammed the top flight for its 'really bad move' while others proclaimed 'football is dead' after the announcement.
Another person wrote: “£14.95 to watch it on ‘box office’. Glad to see where the clubs priorities lie. They should be doing everything to get fans back in grounds. And doing everything to keep fans involved & engaged until they can. Football is dead.”
A fellow user fumed: “If you’re a Newcastle United fan: season ticket already paid for. Pubs closed in the north east so can't watch football there. £14.95 per game on PL PPV.
“Scandalous lack of consideration for fans already going through it.”
- Kiro Evans
BACKLASH
Fair to say the reaction to the Premier League's pay-per-view television scheme has been unanimously negative.
This pretty much sums it up from an Arsenal fan:
- Kiro Evans
'SO SPECIAL'
Bukayo Saka has been reflecting on a special night for him as he made his England debut.
- Kiro Evans
MES-Y
Rumours are continuing to gather pace that Arsenal want to rip up Ozil's bumper £350,000 contact.
MailOnline reports Arsenal will make another approach to the outcast midfielder in order to get him off their wage bill in January.
It is understood the Gunners have contacted Ozil in the last fortnight about coming to an agreement over the final nine months of his deal.
But they have been unsuccessful in brokering a solution with the former Real Madrid star – who turns 32 on October 15.
A major stumbling block is that Ozil is believed to want the full £13million left on his contract in order to walk away.
- Kiro Evans
COMING UP
The Prem is back next week, and Arsenal will be looking to build on a great start with their next few matches.
First up it's a difficult trip to Manchester City in Saturday's evening game. Pep Guardiola's side showed they are beatable at the Etihad after Leicester tore them apart but it will still be a huge challenge for the Gunners.
Next they go to Rapid Wien on Matchday One of the Europa League, before returning to domestic action with a home game against Leicester.
All roads lead back to Europe next as they host Irish side Dundalk, before they face a trip to Old Trafford a few days later.
- Kiro Evans
TV BOOST FOR FANS
PREM clubs are today poised to agree to non-televised matches being available to all fans, Martin Lipton writes.
But supporters will have to pay to watch with the matches only available through a special subscription service.
Ever since the Prem’s restart in June, all matches have been available through one of the Prem’s four broadcast partners – Sky, BT, Amazon prime and the BBC.
With fans locked out, the clubs felt they had no option to ensure supporters were able to watch their teams in action.
But there are concerns that the two main broadcasters’ patience over the loss of their prized exclusivity is not boundless and that there could be a knock-on impact with the companies demanding a further rebate.
Prem clubs already face having to pay back £330m over the next two seasons as a result of the pandemic and a further cut in income would be a savage blow.
- Kiro Evans
WHERE WILL HE GO?
William Saliba will almost certainly be heading on loan to the Championship, but where exactly is still unclear.
Watford and Brentford are two clubs most heavily linked to the him, but look out for Swansea and Bournemouth as well.
All four clubs are tipped to be in contention for promotion this season and could pose a great challenge for the 19-year-old, with the second-tier known for its physicality and unpredictability.
Clubs can still do domestic deals until a second deadline day on October 16.
Saliba was linked with a loan to Ligue 1 leader Rennes, but the deal could not be concluded before the initial deadline day of October 5.
- Kiro Evans
MUCH EDU ABOUT NOTHING
Arsenal technical director Edu has revealed how he broke the news to Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastahopolos that they would not be playing for Arsenal this season, writes Mark Irwin.
Edu and manager Mikel Arteta organised face-to-face meetings with the out of favour duo to explain why they were not in the club’s 25-man Uefa squad.
He said: “We needed to manage the number of foreign players in the squad because we are only allowed to have 17 on our list.
“I talked to Mikel about the players who were probably going to be left out and we discussed how to treat that challenging situation.
“The way we did it was to sit down with the players concerned and to be open with them and I also spoke to their agents.
“The only way to do that was face-to-face and to clearly explain why Mikel has made that decision. And I think we did it quite well.
It's the latest twist to the Ozil drama at Arsenal, following a week which saw him wade into the Gunnarsaurus debate and reports suggesting the player and club may mutually decide to terminate his contract.
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