MARTIN ODEGAARD could sign for Arsenal in days with Real Madrid keen to sell.
The Norwegian has been left without a squad number as his number 21 shirt has been handed to Rodrygo.
But some sources still claim that James Maddison is the club's top target if a deal can be done.
Meanwhile Andre Onana of Ajax has come back into the Gunners' thinking after a deal for Aaron Ramsdale fell through.
FABULOUS BINGO: WIN A SHARE OF £250K
⚽️Dream Team 2021/22 – pick a team now for the chance to win £100k!⚽️
Stay up to date with all the latest news from the Emirates in our rolling blog…
- Anthony Chapman
MADD FOR IT
James Maddison reportedly remains Arsenal's top target over Martin Odegaard.
The AFC Bell claims Mikel Arteta is eager to sign Leicester's playmaker this summer.
That's despite reports linking the Gunners with a fresh move for former loan star Odegaard.
The Norwegian appears to be out of Carlo Ancelotti's plans at Real Madrid.
And it now remains to be seen if either Maddison or Odegaard ends up at the Emirates.
- Anthony Chapman
WHEREVER I MAY ROME
Tammy Abraham has reportedly opted to join Roma over Arsenal.
Gianluca Di Marzio claims the Chelsea misfit is ready to sign for Jose Mourinho's Italian outfit in a £34million deal.
Abraham has 'definitely said yes' to Roma and will undergo a medial shortly.
That's despite interest from the Gunners, who are searching for more firepower.
- Anthony Chapman
STRIKE OUT
Arsenal could reportedly be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for next weekend's clash against Chelsea.
The duo missed Friday's defeat to newly-promoted Brentford due to illness.
But football.london claims they are in danger of also being sidelined for the Blues' trip to the Emirates.
That could see Folarin Balogun get another shot up top, with Eddie Nketiah another option for Mikel Arteta.
- Giacomo Pisa
“I CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT I’VE JUST WATCHED”
Former Arsenal man Paul Merson was not happy with the Gunners’ showing last night.
Mikel Arteta's side slumped to a 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Brentford in what was a dismal performance from his side.
And Merson said on Sky Sports: “It scared me last night, it scared me watching.
“When you’re watching on the TV, you only see six or seven players when they’re on the TV because there’s not enough space to show the whole pitch and the team.
“But what I watched last night was mind blowing.
“When I came back into the lounge after and sat down I was like ‘I cannot believe what I’ve just watched, I cannot believe what I’ve just watched.'”
- Giacomo Pisa
ANDRE STILL ON?
Arsenal are yet to throw in the towel on their rumoured pursuit of Cameroon international Andre Onana, SANDRA BROBBEY reports.
It is claimed the Gunners are still making enquiries about the Ajax goalkeeper’s availability, according to Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness.
Arsenal, who face a tough clash with Chelsea next, are reported to have asked for information about Ajax ace Onana.
It is claimed the stopper, 25, who is serving a nine-month ban from football for a doping violation, is keen to call time on his career with the Dutch champions.
And it is thought that Mikel Arteta’s side may still be in the running for the Cameroon ace who could cost around £7.7million with Ajax reportedly keen not to lose him for free next summer as he enters the final months of his contract.
- Giacomo Pisa
TOLI-GO?
Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso.
That's according to Calciomercato, who are reporting that the German giants would take Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin in a straight swap for the Frenchman.
Bellerin has been linked with a move away from North London all summer, with the 26-year-old an unused substitute in yesterday's defeat to Brentford.
And 27-year-old Tolisso is set to leave Bayern this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, with Arsenal and Manchester United both linked with a move for the midfielder.
But with Bayern willing to to take Bellerin in a swap deal it means the Gunners would not have to fork out any cash for a deal, a move that suits Mikel Arteta's side after already spending a combined £75million this summer.
- Giacomo Pisa
WILLOCK'S FAREWELL
Joe Willock took to Instagram yesterday in a touching farewell post to Arsenal after sealing a £25million move to Newcastle.
The 21-year-old has been part of the Arsenal for the last 15 years but his time in North London has come to an end.
He heads back up to the North-East where he enjoyed a very productive loan spell in the second half last season, scoring eight goals in 14 games for the Magpies.
And on Instagram, Willock tagged Arsenal before saying:
"Thank you for making a young boys dream come true. I’ve been at Arsenal for 15 years and I’ve been a fan my whole life.
"I came to Arsenal at 5 years of age with a dream and love for the club and you gave me the opportunity to fulfil them dreams. To all the managers, staff and players I want to say thank you for making me who I am today.
"This iconic club will always have a special place in my heart but It’s my time to move on and continue to show the world what I can do.
"Arsenal Family thank you for everything
JW28 ❤️" - Giacomo Pisa
NEXT UP
Things don’t get much easier after last night, Arsenal fans.
A home tie against West Brom in the Carabao Cup is sandwiched between two mouthwatering clashes against Chelsea and Manchester City.
How many points would you take from the next for league games?
- Giacomo Pisa
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Mikel Arteta could be WITHOUT Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for next week’s clash against Chelsea.
The pair missed out last night in the Gunner’s 2-0 defeat to Brentford due to illness, but according to football.london they may also be forced to sit out of the second game of the season.
That’s if they fail to fully recover in time, in which case Arteta will have to once again trust Folarin Balogun and Gabriel Martinelli with starts against London rivals Chelsea.
- Giacomo Pisa
SHIRT SORTED
Martin Odegaard will re-take the number 11 shirt should he return to the Emirates this summer.
That's according to La Defensa, via the Daily Cannon, who reported that the 23-year-old took the number 11 rather than the number 10 in January for his loan spell so he could have the number back in case of a return to the Emirates.
The number ten shirt was available at the time, but it's reported that Odegaard knew the number was going to Emile Smith-Rowe in the summer, so he chose not to take it.
But for the Gunners to get their hands on the Norwegian, they'll reportedly have to part with £42million.
That's according to journalist Lucas Navarette, who also claims that Odegaard's seriously debating a move away from the Bernabeu in order to secure first team football.
- Giacomo Pisa
PRICELESS EMILE
Emile Smith-Rowe was linked with a move away from the Emirates earlier this summer, before news died down on that front.
And Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has claimed selling Smith-Rowe would have been a catastrophe.
The 21-year-old was one positive to an otherwise very poor Arsenal performance, with Neville saying on Sky Sports:
"There was talk of him going to Aston Villa at one point this summer. They can’t let him go. His energy, his quality, was absolutely fantastic.
"That link up with Tierney down the left. He was a shining light for Arsenal who you talk about wanting the ball. He was one of the positives for Arsenal tonight."
- Giacomo Pisa
MISSING MARTIN
Martin Odegaard has been left out of Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid squad for tonight's La Liga opener against Alaves.
And he's not even been registered for Los Blancos' La Liga squad squad.
The 23-year-old Norway international is said to be close to sealing a move to North London, and Ancelotti hasn't done a great job of dismissing rumours – blaming a technical issue for Odegaard not being registered.
In his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti said: "Like Vallejo’s issue, the fact of the non-registration is not a technical issue, but a circumstance of the moment, because we did not have the possibility to register everyone.
"It may be that tomorrow this changes. The final list is September 2.
"Odegaard has done well. I have spoken with him and I have told him that in the midfielder position there is a lot of competition, because we have eight very important players in this position. Nothing else.
"Like Ceballos and Vallejo, it is not a definitive dismissal. I had to register only two and I have chosen Jovic and Bale for the match. It is momentary."
- Giacomo Pisa
SHEARER SPEAKS
Alan Shearer is the latest pundit to criticise Arsenal for last night's showing against Brentford.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live:
"Arsenal just looked underprepared for all of what was thrown at them and they just couldn't handle it.
"Brentford were amazing and they deserved to win the game and get three points. I know Arsenal had some big players missing and they could have made a huge difference, but they still had the same old problems.’
"Defensively, they looked so poor and I was a bit surprised with Arsenal, because you know what is coming, just get ready for it, and they weren’t."
- Giacomo Pisa
WANTED IT MORE
The team tracking stats from yesterday's game, courtesy of Opta, suggest Brentford wanted the three points more than Arsenal did.
The Bees covered more distance, made more sprints and spent less time walking than the Gunners did last night.
- Giacomo Pisa
MATCH REWIND
Sorry to do this to you Arsenal fans, but here are the highlights from last night's 2-0 defeat against Brentford if you can stomach them.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Arsenal Official (@arsenal)
- Giacomo Pisa
LAC OF INTEREST
Alexandre Lacazette has been linked with a move to rumour, should Jose Mourinho's bid to sign Tammy Abraham fail.
Roma General Manager has been in London this week to discuss a deal for Abraham, with reports also suggesting he was in contact with Lacazette's representatives as a Plan B for the Serie A side.
But the Frenchman's agent has put those rumours to bed.
Jeremy Sutter of Score Agencies told LaRoma24: "No, there are no ongoing negotiations with Roma for him [Lacazette].
"I have not had any contact [with Tiago Pinto]."
Getty Images - Giacomo Pisa
DEADLINE DAY
Jose Mourinho has set TODAY as the deadline for Tammy Abraham to move to Roma, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.
A £34million fee has been agreed between Roma and Chelsea, but personal terms have proved to be a stumbling block.
There's said to have been progress on that front today, but it's not yet clear if everything has been ironed out as of yet.
And if a deal can't be agreed and Roma pull out of negotiations, Arsenal will face no opposition in their pursuit of the 23-year-old.
The Gunners are in the market for a new striker and have been linked with Abraham all summer.
He's also said to be keen on a move to the Emirates, having supported the club as a child.
- Giacomo Pisa
PHONE A FRIEND
Roma remain determined to sign Tammy Abraham with Jose Mourinho personally contacting the Chelsea striker to convince him to join.
The Blues are reportedly ready to cash in on the academy graduate after a long spell out of the side under Thomas Tuchel.
Arsenal and Atalanta have been linked with bids but Serie A giants Roma have pulled ahead in the race to snap up the 23-year-old.
Giallorossi general manager Tiago Pinto flew into London last week for talks over a £34million transfer, which may include a buy-back option.
Also throwing his weight behind the deal is Jose Mourinho. The Roma boss has personally called Abraham to try and persuade him to make the move to Italy, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Mourinho managed Chelsea during his days in the youth team and they both first joined the club in 2004, albeit when Abraham was eight years old.
- Giacomo Pisa
ATTACKING THIRDS
Arsenal's main attacking threat came down the left hand side last night at the Brentdord Community Stadium.
Almost half of the Gunners' play came down the left hand side through Gabriel Martinelli who started on that side, despite the 20-year-old not enjoying his best performance.
Martinelli then moved up front when Balogun was replaced, with Saka moving to the left and looking like making things happen when he came on.
It wasn't enough though, as the Gunners only managed to muster four shots on target over the 90 minutes.
- Giacomo Pisa
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Bukayo Saka was welcomed onto the pitch last night with a standing ovation from both Arsenal and Brentford fans.
The 19-year-old was subject to vile racist abuse after missing a penalty in England's Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
But he was given an ovation by Spurs fans in the Mind Series clash between the sides last week, and had the same reception yesterday when he came onfor Folarin Balogun after 59 minutes.
- Giacomo Pisa
GUNNERS MISERY
It's early days yet, but performances like last night's will not help the Gunners add to their stacked trophy cabinet this season.
Mikel Arteta's side are in a period of transition after last season's dismal 8th placed finish, but how long will it be before questions start to be asked about the Spaniard's tenure?
- Giacomo Pisa
MORGAN RAGE
Arsenal season ticket holder Piers Morgan did not hold back with his scathing criticism of Arsenal's performance against Brentford yesterday.
Via his Twitter account, the columnist and TV presenter said: “This is pathetic.
"We’re being bullied off the park by a team of players who’ve never performed in the Premier League.
“Even by Arteta standards, a new low. I can’t do this for the next nine months.”
- Giacomo Pisa
MARTIN'S MOVE
Talks are progressing between Arsenal and Real Madrid regarding a deal for Martin Odegaard.
That's according to ABC, who suggest a fee could be agreed in the coming days.
Los Blancos are said to want an initial £34million with an extra £8.5million in add-ons for the 22-year-old, with the Gunners wanting to pay an initial £25million plus add-ons.
The Spanish giants are also reported to be eager for a buy-back clause to be included in any deal.
The Norwegian international is keen on a return to North London after a successful loan spell last season, and knows game time in Madrid would be limited under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
- Giacomo Pisa
OUTBOUND AZEEZ?
Highly rated Arsenal youngster is said to be a loan target for a number of Football League clubs.
League One Portsmouth, as well as a number of Championship clubs are said to be interested, according to Portsmouth.co.uk.
However, the Gunners aren't keen on letting the 18-year-old leave even if it is just on loan.
Mikel Arteta is prepared to give the midfielder first team experience this season, and Arsenal chiefs staying at the Emirates would be best for his development.
- Giacomo Pisa
SHINING LIGHT
It may have been a dismal night last night for Arsenal, but Gunners fans will be excited by Emile Smith-Rowe.
The 21-year-old carried on his impressive form from last season yesterday, and was not shy to pick up the ball and try to make things happen when perhaps some of his teammates weren't.
The new Arsenal number ten saw plenty of the ball and looked to drive forward with positive intent at every opportunity.
He looked like he could be in for a big season.
Source: Read Full Article
