11am Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Joan Jordan LATEST, Isco 'loan talks', Bissouma recommendation, Rekik UPDATE
ARSENAL beat Brighton to record back-to-back victories and ease the pressure on Mikel Arteta.
Meanwhile the Gunners look set to be busy in the transfer market and we've all the latest on Joan Jordan, Isco and Diego Costa.
Follow all the latest from the Emirates below…
- Giacomo Pisa
LOAN EM' OUT
Mikel Arteta has revealed that there will be a number of outgoings this January, with players set to be sent out on loan.
Sead Kolasinac is reportedly one of the first names to go, with Schalke closing in on a loan deal for the left back.
Arteta said: "Well, we have a large squad. We knew that. A lot of things that should have happened in the summer we could not accomplish them for different reasons.
"There are a lot of players that are going to go on loan. They are going to leave. And that’s the priority at the moment because we cannot sustain the numbers that we have in certain positions.
"We are looking to do that. And then we will see if we have the right opportunities in the positions that we need some more help we are working with the club to try to address them."
- Giacomo Pisa
ROGER THAT
Arsenal have reportedly joined Liverpool in the race for highly rated Roma defender Roger Ibanez.
Calciomercato claim Arsenal have enquired about the availability of the 22-year-old, while Liverpool have also been previously linked.
Brazilian defender Ibanez is currently on loan at Roma from Atalanta, and is said to be worth around £35million.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are keen to shore up at the back, with Arsenal defenders David Luiz and Skhodran Mustafi likely to leave in the summer, and Sokratis also close to the Emirates exit door.
Liverpool meanwhile are in the midst of a defensive nightmare with injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, but Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and PSG are all reportedly keen on Ibanez.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Giacomo Pisa
IN FOR ISCO
Real Madrid midfielder Isco is still on the radar of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, with a six-month loan deal the ideal scenario, according to reports.
A loan deal would mean the Gunners do not have to spend a large amount of money in January, although there are doubts as to whether Isco will be allowed to leave Madrid.
Despite struggling for game time at Real, Isco has featured in ten La Liga games this season, and according to Goal, Los Blancos bosses have not yet made their mind up on what to do with the 28-year-old.
The signing of Isco would be a major coup for the Gunners, who are crying out for a spark in midfield to help fire them up the table.
Credit: EPA
- Giacomo Pisa
SMITH-ROWE TO STAY
20-year-old Arsenal attacker Emile Smith-Rowe is set to remain at the Gunners in January, and not look for a loan move.
Smith-Rowe's Europa League performances have earned him a place in Mikel Arteta's last two Premier League starting line ups, with the Gunners winning both games.
There were reports of Smith-Rowe heading out on loan in January in search of consistent starts, but CBS claim that Smith-Rowe will now stay in North London.
Arsenal are still on the look out for a creative midfielder, but Smith-Rowe's emergence has brought a breath of fresh air to the Gunners midfield.
- Giacomo Pisa
LACA REPLACEMENTS
Mikel Arteta has identified two strikers as possible replacements for Alexandre Lacazette.
Despite netting the winner against Brighton last time out, CBS Sports state the Gunners are uncertain on Lacazette's long term future at the Emirates.
Red Bull Salzburg's Patson Daka, and Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard are reportedly two strikers the Gunners are keen on.
Edouard has previously been linked with a move to the Gunners, after a stellar campaign last season.
Seven goals in fourteen games this season for the 22-year-old is not as prolific as he was last campaign, but perhaps rumours of a move have affected his form.
22-year-old Zambia international Daka meanwhile has eight goals in eight games in the Austrian Bundesliga this season.
- Giacomo Pisa
SEE YA SEAD
Arsenal left back Sead Kolasinac is reportedly on the verge of exiting the Emirates, and has agreed a loan deal with Bundesliga side Schalke.
Football London reports that 27-year-old Kolasinac will join bottom of the table Schalke on a six month loan deal, without an obligation to buy.
Kolasinac has barely featured for the Gunners in recent months, as Kieran Tierney has firmly established himself as first choice left back.
The Bosnian left back will return the side he left in 2017 to join the Gunners.
Credit: Reuters - Giacomo Pisa
ARTETA EYES SABITZER
Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
North London rivals Tottenham are the other team interested in the 26-year-old, but ESPN report Arsenal are willing to rival Spurs for his signature.
The Gunners are linked with a host of midfielders across Europe, as Mikel Arteta is desperate to find a creative spark in the middle of the park.
Sabitzer is reportedly worth around £45million, and has three goals and an assist in nine Bundesliga games this season.
Credit: Reuters - Josh Graham
GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Leon Bailey has put Arsenal and Manchester United on red alert by joining Will Salthouse’s Unique Sports Management Agency.
The Bayer Leverkusen star has been linked with moves to both teams as well as Tottenham.
Everton are also said to have sent scouts to watch the winger.
Jamaican international Bailey is valued around £40million and will be represented by his dad Craig Butler’s Phoenix Sports Management and Salthouse’s USM, according to the Mail.
Meanwhile, Rob Holding insists Arsenal are targeting a place in Europe after turning around their season with back-to-back victories.
He said: “Fingers crossed we can climb the league and get back into European places and push on.
“These two wins are a massive confidence boost for us.
“We went through that really rough patch, but as soon as we got a win it gave us a lift.
“Now we’ve got another win and hopefully now we can go on a bit of a run, pick up points and climb up the table.”
Finally, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes the Gunners can aim for sixth place as their ‘best’ hope after a sudden turnaround in form.
He told talkSPORT: “They won’t get in the top four, they’re too far behind and they’ve given themselves too much of a hill to climb.
“I know the other teams above them are slipping up as well but I just can’t see it.
“There’s four better teams than Arsenal at the moment. For me, sixth place is probably the best they can get.”
- Anthony Chapman
SEAD AND DONE
Schalke have reportedly approached Arsenal over a deal to re-sign Sead Kolasinac.
Sky Germany claims the left-back is wanted on loan at his old side.
Kolasinac is eager for a deal to go through.
And he is even willing to take a pay cut in order to leave the Emirates next month.
- Anthony Chapman
MORE PREM COVID Q&A
CAN’T THEY JUST MAKE UP THE GAMES?
It’s not that easy. The delayed start means the Prem season, normally spread over 34 weekends, is actually being played over 32, with two extra midweek dates scheduled.
But there is far less wriggle room after European games meant midweeks were unavailable until the middle of December.
Prem fixture planners have set aside three “catch-up” dates – March 2, April 20 and May 19 – but there is still not enough room if teams go deep in Europe and the domestic cups.
YES, BUT WHAT ABOUT EXTENDING THE SEASON?
No can do. Unless there is a Europe-wide shutdown, the Prem must finish on May 23, to give players time to prepare for the delayed Euro 2020 starting in June.
The Europa League and Champions League Finals are the following week, too.
SO WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIES OF INFECTIONS?
Being unable to complete the full season is the Prem’s worst fear, especially as clubs would have to confirm “curtailment rules” allowing a points per game calculation.
They were already split on how many matches need to be played for the season to be deemed legitimate – and are now LESS likely to reach agreement.
- Anthony Chapman
YOUR FOOTY COVID QUESTIONS ANSWERED
WILL THE PREM SHUT DOWN?
Not if League chiefs can avoid it, for many reasons.
Scheduling is the main one, but they also risk losing yet more millions in TV company “rebates”, on top of the £340m the clubs have to pay back for LAST season.
BUT WHY ARE GAMES BEING CALLED OFF?
Prem rules actually say that postponement requests “will not be granted” if a club has 14 or more senior players available.
But the League Board can exercise discretion “on a case by case basis” and both City’s trip to Everton and Spurs’ game with Fulham were postponed over fear of the virus being passed on to the opposition dressing room.
THAT’S TWO GAMES. SO WHY ARE PEOPLE CONCERNED?
City and United started the season a week late, because of their Euro exertions in the summer.
So City are now two games behind, as are Aston Villa, who were due to play United on the opening weekend.
Now Newcastle, Everton, Burnley, Spurs and Fulham are also a game shy of schedule.
- Anthony Chapman
PARLOUR GAMES
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes the Gunners can aim for sixth place as their 'best' hope after a sudden turnaround in form.
He told talkSPORT: "They won't get in the top four, they're too far behind and they've given themselves too much of a hill to climb.
"I know the other teams above them are slipping up as well but I just can't see it.
"There's four better teams than Arsenal at the moment. For me, sixth place is probably the best they can get."
- Anthony Chapman
TAKING THE IS
Isco is reportedly set to snub Arsenal for a summer switch to Sevilla.
AS claims the playmaker will be allowed to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after making just three starts under Zinedine Zidane.
Bernabeu chiefs are said to be holding out for a transfer fee worth between £13million and £18m.
And they also expect Sevilla to meet Isco’s £7m annual salary in full, freeing up space in the wage budget for a potential new Galactico signing.
- Anthony Chapman
BLOCK-BUSTER YEAR
We all know 2020 has been a year like no other – but we can still rely on sport to provide a sense of normality with explosive bust-ups galore.
From boxing heavyweights to fighting team-mates to Jurgen Klopp over and over again, the last 12 months have certainly delivered.
So SunSport takes a look back over some of the most bonkers, bizarre and brutal clashes of the year…
SEE THE MOST EXPLOSIVE ROWS OF 2020 HERE
- Anthony Chapman
BAIL OUT PLAN
Leon Bailey has put Manchester United and Arsenal on red alert by joining Will Salthouse's Unique Sports Management Agency.
The Bayer Leverkusen star has been linked with moves to both teams as well as Tottenham.
Everton are also said to have sent scouts to watch the winger.
Jamaican international Bailey is valued around £40million and will be represented by his dad Craig Butler's Phoenix Sports Management and Salthouse's USM, according to the Mail.
- Anthony Chapman
KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Rio Ferdinand has tipped young guns Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka to get Arsenal firing with their 'scary relationship'.
He told FIVE: "I watched Martinelli at Bournemouth away last season.
"Him and Saka together, they have a link up and a relationship that's already there that I think in years to come will be a scary relationship. Scary!
"They work so well together. And Tierney as well backing it up.
"But Martinelli, I have to say is going to be a tremendous footballer. Top player."
- Anthony Chapman
HOLD ON
Rob Holding insists Arsenal are targeting a place in Europe after turning around their season with back-to-back victories.
He said: “Fingers crossed we can climb the league and get back into European places and push on.
“These two wins are a massive confidence boost for us.
“We went through that really rough patch, but as soon as we got a win it gave us a lift.
“Now we’ve got another win and hopefully now we can go on a bit of a run, pick up points and climb up the table.”
- Anthony Chapman
FROM SUNSPORT’S MARTIN BLACKBURN
Manchester City will re-open their training ground on Wednesday afternoon after the latest round of Covid tests came back negative.
Monday night’s game at Everton had to be called off amid fears the virus had spread through Pep Guardiola’s squad.
But they can now continue planning for Sunday’s game at Chelsea – along with next Wednesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Manchester United.
A City statement read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that first team training will resume at the CFA this afternoon.
“The full Covid 19 bubble underwent testing on Tuesday and results so far have revealed no new positive cases.
“Safety remains our number one priority and the club will continue to proceed with great caution."
- Kostas Lianos
ART OF THE GAME
Emile Smith Rowe revealed what Mikel Arteta told the dressing room at half-time before Arsenal beat Brighton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium thanks to Alexandre Lacazette's goal.
Smith Rowe was so outstanding on the pitch that many believe Arteta won't need to sign a new midfielder in the January transfer window.
But the 20-year-old claims the Gunners boss' team talk was critical as he explained to them how the game was going to open up in the second half and why it was important to maintain faith.
Smith Rowe told the club's official website: "Mikel told us the game would open up in the second half so we just tried to keep the belief, the confidence and you could see we started to create more chances. Laca got the goal that helped us."
GETTY IMAGES – GETTY - Kostas Lianos
NO KO-VID BREAK
As mentioned below, today's Premier League clash between Tottenham and Fulham has been postponed after the Cottagers returned a number of positive COVID-19 tests on Tuesday.
However, the Premier League remains determined to keep the season going despite the latest coronavirus spike which led to a record 18 cases among players and staff, with a total of 1,479 people tested.
Therefore, there are currently no plans for a two-week ‘circuit breaker’ as discussed by a few clubs.
This is the third Premier League match that gets postponed following Newcastle vs Aston Villa in early December and Monday's game between Manchester City and Everton
- Kostas Lianos
CORONAVIRUS POSTPONEMENT
The Premier League clash between Tottenham and Fulham has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Cottagers' side.
It is understood that the game, which was scheduled for Wednesday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been called off.
This comes after the Premier League announced there were 18 coronavirus cases among players and staff, with a total of 1,479 people tested.
This marked the highest number of positive results since weekly testing started.
- Kostas Lianos
PARTEY BOYS
Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell believes his former club should consider signing Brighton ace Yves Bissouma in the January transfer window.
Bissouma impressed against the Gunners on Tuesday's clash at the Amex Stadium which saw Mikel Arteta's men winning 1-0.
Campbell believes the Mali midfielder would be the perfect partner for Thomas Partey in midfield.
The Arsenal great told Amazon Prime: "I think Arsenal could do with a player like him, for sure.
"I think Thomas Partey needs a partner in the midfield with energy and I think that he would fit that bill perfectly."
- Kostas Lianos
SOK MOVE
As mentioned below Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been linked with a move away from Arsenal with Fenerbahce posing as a likely destination in January.
Sokratis has been omitted from the Gunners' Premier League and Europa League squad and thus a transfer would make sense.
During the summer the Greek centre-back was linked with a reunion with fellow countryman Kostas Manolas at Napoli.
There were also rumours in Greece that he would be returning to his country to join Olympiacos as a replacement for Ruben Semedo, who was linked with a move to Benfica.
However, Semedo stayed put as did Sokratis who has only made one appearance in the EFL Cup all season
- Kostas Lianos
COSTA SNUB
Arsenal have received yet another transfer boost amid reports suggesting they are interested in signing Diego Costa.
Costa left Atletico Madrid on Tuesday after both parties agreed to terminate his contract.
The Gunners are among rumoured clubs which are keeping tabs on the star striker.
The north Londoners may have to enter a bidding war with Premier League rivals Tottenham and Wolves.
But they receive a boost following news that Atletico have taken steps in order to make sure the ex-Chelsea star doesn't join another La Liga side.
And Tuttosport claim AC Milan have ruled out a bid for Costa even though they are looking for another striker to provide cover for Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Kostas Lianos
WHAT A MES
As we all know, history has a funny way of repeating itself and that's exactly what could happen at Arsenal.
The Gunners are reportedly interested in Isco, who replaced Mesut Ozil at Real Madrid in 2013 when the German playmaker moved to the Emirates.
And should the attacking midfielder move to north London then he will be taking Ozil's place again.
However, Arsenal are facing a rocky road ahead in their bid to sign the Spain international as he seems more keen to go to Sevilla and reunite with former Spain under-20s manager Julen Lopetegui
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