Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Wednesday, March 24, 2021.
Arsenal identify Hector Bellerin replacement
Arsenal have already been linked with a number of players, including Achraf Hakimi, Jack Grealish, and Yves Bissouma, with supporters keen to see loan signing Martin Odegaard stay on a permanent basis too.
But much depends on how much money manager Mikel Arteta will be given to spend on new signings by owner Stan Kroenke this summer.
There are likely to be outgoings too, with question marks over the future of Hector Bellerin.
The Spaniard is wanted by Barcelona, and Arteta has already intimated he would like to strengthen in the full-back departments, with the club trying to sign a left-back in January.
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And now a new name has emerged as a potential replacement for Bellerin – Emerson Royal.
Emerson is a 22-year-old Brazilian who currently plays in La Liga with Real Betis, playing in all but four league games for the team challenging for the European spots this season.
A fee in the region of £21.5million has been mooted for the defender, but Arsenal will have a rather large problem in trying to get a deal over the line.
Haaland verdict
Some Gunners fans have, jokingly, ‘ spotted’ a hint that suggests Erling Haaland is keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Borussia Dortmund striker is one of the most sought-after players in Europe right now after netting 33 goals in just 31 appearances across all competitions this season – including 10 in the Champions League.
And he could be on the move this summer amid links to Chelsea and Manchester United as well as La Liga giants Real Madrid.
A move to the Emirates is highly unlikely given the figures being mooted, but what is genuine is Haaland’s respect for Arsenal.
Back in January when delivering his verdict on compatriot Odegaard’s loan move from Real Madrid, the Norwegian called the Gunners a “great club in England”.
“It will be interesting to see Martin at Arsenal,” Haaland said, as per Football Espana. “It’s a great club in England.
“The football is a bit different, but I think he can fit in well with Arteta in midfield. He can have fun there.”
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Arsenal’s five summer transfer missions revealed
Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has outlined five transfer missions for Mikel Arteta and Edu to complete this summer.
According to the former defender, his old club need to sign a right-back, a goalkeeper, a holding midfielder, a creative midfielder and to also trim the first-team squad further.
“As well as a right back, Arsenal need another goalkeeper – I worry about our back up options there going forward,” Winterburn told GentingBet. “Depending on what happens with Odegaard and Ceballos, are we going to try and buy one of them, both of them, will both go back to Madrid?
“There are lots of questions to be answered but the creative midfielder is another one of the positions that needs to be addressed.
“People talk about the centre half position but Arsenal have so many options that it would be difficult to go out and buy another one. We’ve also got lots of players on loan who can come back and make a difference.
“We’d also need to look at another holding midfielder who can come in if Xhaka’s form drops or if he needs a rest. I’m still not completely comfortable that Arsenal have good enough options in the centre of midfield.
“In order to sign what they need, Arsenal are going to need to get rid of some players though. So, it is likely to be a very interesting summer.”