Sport nationMikel Arteta gave ‘brutal’ response to star player, Alexis Sanchez during phone call
Many Arsenal fans will have love to have him
Mikel Arteta gave ‘brutal’ response to Alexis Sanchez during phone call over Arsenal return
Mikel Arteta has displayed his ruthless attitude to transfers by denying former teammate Alexis Sanchez the chance to return to Arsenal.
Arteta and sporting director Edu are working to complete deals in the important transfer window at Arsenal in years as the Gunners look to build on the success of last season.
While they were pipped to the Premier League title by eventual Treble winners Manchester City, Arsenal made huge progress last season under Arteta.
And the Spaniard will be determined to sign the reinforcements needed to ensure the club remains in the hunt for trophies next season.
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Arsenal are in advanced negotiations to sign Declan Rice from West Ham and Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
But there is one transfer that definitely won’t be happening this summer.
Reports in Chile claim former Arsenal forward Sanchez has attempted to secure a move back to the Emirates.
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Sanchez scored 80 goals in 166 games for the north London club between 2014 and 2018 before moving to Manchester United as part of a swap deal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading the other way.
The 34-year-old is now playing his club football for Marseille and has impressed in French football, scoring 18 goals in 44 games in his first season.
He is out of contract at the end of the month and could move on a free transfer this summer, although both the player and club have the option to extend his deal by a further year.
Arteta’s ‘brutal’ phone call with Sanchez
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Chilean media outlet La Tercera claim Sanchez recently phoned his former Arsenal teammate Arteta to make a pitch for him to return to the North London club.
Ahead of facing Tottenham with Marseille in the Champions League last season, Sanchez said: “I have great affection for Arsenal and great memories from my time there, and beating Spurs, every time it was very special.
“These are memories I hold close to my heart and cherish.”
However, Arteta has reportedly told Sanchez that he will not be in his transfer plans for the coming season in a phone call described as ‘brutal’ by The Mirror.
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It is the kind of ruthless mentality that Gunners fans will want to see from their club moving forward, with sentimentally taken out of the equation when considering signings and what is best for the club.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez, Football, Premier League, Marseille, Transfers, Mikel Arteta
Rory O’Callaghan
Arsenal announce 13 players are leaving the club as Mikel Arteta continues squad overhaul
Rory O’Callaghan
Published 11:10, 16 June 2023 BST
| Last updated 11:31, 16 June 2023 BST
Arsenal announce 13 players are leaving the club as Mikel Arteta continues squad overhaul
Arsenal have confirmed 13 players will leave the club this summer across various men’s and women’s teams after coming to the end of their contracts.
Arsenal made the announcement with a club statement on Friday morning, first confirming players in the men’s first team, U23 and U18 squads whose current contracts will officially end on June 30, 2023.
The most high-profile player leaving the club is defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has made 132 senior appearances for the club.
Maitland-Niles spent last season on loan at Southampton, who finished bottom of the Premier League.
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The England international had already confirmed in April that he would leave Arsenal at the end of his contract.
He told The Athletic: “It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now (at Arsenal).
“It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I’m looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton.
“I’m just fully focused on trying to help us stay up and stay positive on a day-to-day basis and win games.
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“When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I’ll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand.
“Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I’ll be more than happy to stay.”
Arsenal also confirmed Zach Awe, Joel Idehom, George Lewis, Matt Smith and Tom Smith will be leaving the club at the end of the month.
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Reiss Nelson is also out of contract at the Emirates at the end of June but negotiations are ongoing over a new deal for the winger.
Nelson made 18 senior appearances for Arsenal last season, scoring three times.
In addition to those players already named, Arsenal also confirmed four scholars will leave the club this summer; Kaleel Green, Alexandar Kovacevic, Tino Quamina and Mathaeus Roberts.
Meanwhile, three departures from the women’s team were also announced, with Mana Iwabuchi, Rafaelle Souza and Fran Stenson leaving this summer.
“Any further developments regarding players extending their contracts; joining/re-joining us; or leaving us will be officially communicated as soon as they are confirmed,” read the club statement.
“We thank all the above players for their contributions to the club during their time with us.
“You will always be part of the Arsenal Family and we wish you all the best of health, happiness and success in your futures.”
Arsenal announce 13 players are leaving the club as Mikel Arteta continues squad overhaul
Arsenal have confirmed 13 players will leave the club this summer across various men’s and women’s teams after coming to the end of their contracts.
Arsenal made the announcement with a club statement on Friday morning, first confirming players in the men’s first team, U23 and U18 squads whose current contracts will officially end on June 30, 2023.
The most high-profile player leaving the club is defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has made 132 senior appearances for the club.
Maitland-Niles spent last season on loan at Southampton, who finished bottom of the Premier League.
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The England international had already confirmed in April that he would leave Arsenal at the end of his contract.
He told The Athletic: “It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now (at Arsenal).
“It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I’m looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton.
“I’m just fully focused on trying to help us stay up and stay positive on a day-to-day basis and win games.
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“When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I’ll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand.
“Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I’ll be more than happy to stay.”
Arsenal also confirmed Zach Awe, Joel Idehom, George Lewis, Matt Smith and Tom Smith will be leaving the club at the end of the month.
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Reiss Nelson is also out of contract at the Emirates at the end of June but negotiations are ongoing over a new deal for the winger.
Nelson made 18 senior appearances for Arsenal last season, scoring three times.
In addition to those players already named, Arsenal also confirmed four scholars will leave the club this summer; Kaleel Green, Alexandar Kovacevic, Tino Quamina and Mathaeus Roberts.
Meanwhile, three departures from the women’s team were also announced, with Mana Iwabuchi, Rafaelle Souza and Fran Stenson leaving this summer.
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“Any further developments regarding players extending their contracts; joining/re-joining us; or leaving us will be officially communicated as soon as they are confirmed,” read the club statement.
“We thank all the above players for their contributions to the club during their time with us.
“You will always be part of the Arsenal Family and we wish you all the best of health, happiness and success in your futures.”
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Arsenal, Football, Ainsley Maitland Niles, Premier League, Transfers, Mikel Arteta
Rory O’Callaghan
Arsenal can solve Mikel Arteta dilemma with deal for Ivan Fresneda after Ben White claim made
Ryan Smart
Published 17:10, 06 June 2023 BST
| Last updated 17:10, 06 June 2023 BST
Arsenal can solve Mikel Arteta dilemma with deal for Ivan Fresneda after Ben White claim made
Arsenal could solve a reported Mikel Arteta dilemma by signing Ivan Fresneda from Real Valladolid this summer.
The 18-year-old Spain youth international was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in January, with Arsenal submitting a £13 million bid in the last days of the transfer window.
But Fresneda turned down approaches from the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in order to stay with Valladolid.
He could not help them avoid relegation from La Liga, however, with the club’s fate confirmed after a 0-0 draw to Getafe on the final day of the season.
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Spanish outlet Relevo claim that Fresneda’s release clause had risen to €40 million as a result of playing in the fixture, due to a variable in his contract that would increase the clause if he featured in 22 league games this season.
But the same report claims the clause has now halved as a result of Valladolid’s drop to the second tier, which may re-ignite Arsenal’s interest.
And a move for the Spaniard could create a major boost for Arteta
How Fresneda can solve Arsenal dilemma
Throughout the 2022/23 campaign, Arteta moved Ben White from centre-back to right-back, with the England international transitioning into a back three when required when Arsenal were defending.
It was a role he kept for the entire campaign ahead of Takehiro Tomiyasu, although the Japan defender missed the final two months of the campaign and the end of pre-season through injury.
According to The Sun’s Mark Irwin, who carries a report of Arsenal’s renewed interest in Fresneda, White proved to be a ‘surprise success’ through his switch to full-back, although Arteta is said to be ‘unsure’ if his long-term future remains in the position.
The 25-year-old is a natural centre-back, and played in the position throughout spells at Newport, Peterborough, Leeds, Brighton and his first season at Arsenal.
Signing Fresneda would provide competition on the right side of defence for Tomiyasu, and potentially allow Arteta to move White back into central defence to provide competition for William Saliba and Gabriel instead of signing a new centre-back.
Such a decision may allow Arsenal to commit more money towards a new midfielder, with the Daily Mail claiming the club will launch a £90 million bid for West Ham star Declan Rice after the Hammers contest the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy / Cesar Ortiz/PRESSIN / AP Photo/Jon Super / Pedro Fiuza/ZUMA Press Wire
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Ben White, Transfers, Mikel Arteta, La Liga
Ryan Smart
Bukayo Saka’s transfer value rises by more than £160m in four years as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta proved right
Joe Adams
Bukayo Saka’s transfer value rises by more than £160m in four years as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta proved right
Bukayo Saka’s transfer value has risen by more than £160m in the last four years, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta predicted his astonishing rise back in 2021.
Saka recently penned fresh terms at the Emirates last month, keeping him at the club until 2027.
His wages are expected to more than quadruple after journalist David Ornstein revealed he would receive nearly £15 million per year thanks to bonuses and other add-ons.
It is no surprise when considering his electric form this season, helping Arsenal to a second-placed finish in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old notched 14 league goals and provided a further 11 assists, establishing himself as one of the key figures behind Arteta’s title bid.
In turn, his transfer value has risen by an eye-watering €188.8m euros (£162m), according to CIES.
Saka was worth just €7m in 2019, as per Transfermarkt. But CIES estimate he is now worth €95.8m.
However, Arteta predicted his meteoric rise back when he was just starting out at Arsenal, stating he could become a “complete player”.
What did Arteta say about Saka?
Speaking after Arsenal’s 3-1 Premier League win over Southampton back in 2021, Arteta praised the England international, but insisted there were still areas of his game that needed improvement.
“Bukayo is doing really well and is always asking to train more and improve in areas that he can do better,” said Arteta
“That was certainly one, at producing the final bit in the box to score or assist, and he’s doing that much more often.
“He’s able to do that with the work he has put in and the intelligence he’s shown on the pitch, and with the capacity he has to understand the game from different positions. He becomes a really complete player.”
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