ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE is not willing to sign a new deal with Arsenal, according to reports.
The Gunners forward has been linked with Newcastle in recent days and can leave on a free at the end of the season if he doesn't extend his contract.
Meanwhile we've the very latest after SunSport exclusively revealed Arsenal are eyeing up a return for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
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- Anthony Chapman
LANG SHOT
Arsenal are ready to make their interest in Noa Lang formal with a £25million bid, according to reports.
Voetbal claims Mikel Arteta is keen on snapping up the newly-capped Dutch international.
However, AC Milan are also interested.
And Arsenal could launch an offer in January.
- Anthony Chapman
LACA INTEREST
Alexandre Lacazette has NO intention of signing a new deal at Arsenal, according to reports.
The French striker is out-of-contract at the end of the season, and can leave on a free transfer.
The 30-year-old has fallen out of Mikel Arteta's first-team plans at the Emirates and stuck on the bench.
And Football London claim he is NOT willing to pen fresh terms, and is happy to wait out the remainder of his deal.
- Jake Lambourne
WIZARD OF OZ
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has named former Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil as the best player he has played with.
The 2014 World Cup winner departed the Gunners for Fenerbahce earlier this year, but he has made an everlasting impression on Maitland-Niles.
Asked who is the best he's played with, the England international told the club's Twitch account Ozil is at the top of his list.
He said: "With him he's so timed and calculated. Everything he does has a purpose as well.
"You just can't get near him, if you're not on his team, you can't get near him.
"I've never seen a guy that plays in such slow motion, but he always has time on the ball, doesn't make sense."
- Jake Lambourne
‘DEFINITELY NOT’
Kevin Campbell believes Arsenal should not sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Liverpool in the January transfer window.
Campbell said on Highbury Squad: “I just think that we know that we are going to be a bit short in midfield. If we can get a permanent signing, that’s what we want, but if we can’t get a permanent signing in, then we get a loan signing.
“The Ox, for me, obviously he has been at Liverpool, he suffered injuries like he did at Arsenal a lot of the time, hardly plays.
“When he has played, he has looked pretty lively in Liverpool’s team, but how many games does he play a season?
“We have been down that road, it’s not the road we go down anymore. Definitely not.”
- Jake Lambourne
FRENCH CONNECTION
Legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, 71, will play in a charity game on Thursday alongside French president Emmanuel Macron.
An XI made up of French football legends, sports stars and the president will take on medical staff from the Poissy Saint-Germain-en-Laye hospital to raise money for Les Pieces Jaunes.
All money raised from the match will go towards improving hospitalisation conditions for younger patients.
Wenger will partner French World Cup and Euro winner Marcel Desailly, 53, in the heart of the defence.
Wenger will also be making a return to management in January 2022.
The Frenchman will manage Saudi sides al-Hilal and al-Nasr when they take on French giants PSG in the Riyadh Season Cup.
- Jake Lambourne
JAM IT IN
Jamie Carragher has hit back at David Luiz after the former Arsenal and Chelsea star said: "It's funny because he's never won the league."
Having seen Luiz's comments, Carragher told the Tony Bellew is Angry podcast: "David Luiz had a pop at me the other day in a newspaper, saying I hadn't won the league because I'd been critical of him as a player.
"And I have been critical of David Luiz, there's no doubt about that. Again nothing personal. But he's right I haven't won the league so if that's his comeback, fine.
"We were completely different players and that's why I was maybe more critical of him and maybe he wasn't my cup of tea.
"But if I was to see him now I wouldn't have a problem just because he had a pop at me.
"What I've learnt is, the older you get the less you care about what people think or say about you.
"I mean we don't like criticism but the older you get you're just like 'I'm not bothered'."
- Jake Lambourne
JACK OF ALL TRADES
Jack Wilshere has dropped yet another hint he's in line for a role at Arsenal's academy after being spotted watching the Under-21s with Per Mertesacker.
The Gunners legend, 29, is a free agent having been released by Bournemouth at the end of last season.
Wilshere has since been training with Arsenal while helping out academy chief Mertesacker.
The 34-cap former England international was spotted watching the Under-23s last week for their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup.
And on Tuesday evening, Wilshere was seen with Mertesacker taking in the Under-21s' thrilling 4-3 win over Newport County in the Papa John's Trophy.
Goals from Omari Giraud-Hutchinson, Salah Oulad M'Hand, James Olayinka and Charles Sagoe Junior saw the young Gunners fight from 3-2 down to snatch a last-gasp win.
- Jake Lambourne
BARN STORMERS
Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Arsenal's turn of fortune is due to fans supporting boss Mikel Arteta.
Speaking to BonusCodeBets, he said: "Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White have played a huge part in Arsenal’s change of fortune in recent weeks.
"But more importantly, Mikel Arteta has been supported by the fans and the hierarchy.
“When you support a manager, believe in him, and the players believe in him, this is what can happen.
"This is a testament to Arsenal fans, the owners and people supporting Arteta even in difficult times. I’m not certain they’ve turned the corner, but they are doing much better.
“The better players have come in and aided the situation, but it truly is down to the support and those that believe in his hard work.”
- Jake Lambourne
GIFT OF THE GAB
Kevin Campbell has told Gabriel Martinelli he must take his Arsenal chances amid speculation the Brazilian is unhappy over his lack of game time.
The ex-Gunner striker told Football Insider: "Martinelli is only 20.
“He is still learning his trade. Arsenal cannot do wrong by signing a top, young international striker like [Ollie] Watkins or [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin.
“[Alexandre] Lacazette will not be there next season. Martinelli will get his opportunities. The key is taking them.
“Nobody has time anymore. You will not get picked just because you are a young player who needs experience. You need to be doing the business to get on. Martinelli has to take his chance when it comes. That has been the case in football ever since I was a kid.
“There isn’t as many games this season with no European football so when the chance comes it is massively important that you make the most of it.”
- Jake Lambourne
JACK THE LAD
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes Jack Wilshere can earn himself a contract with the club if he impresses Mikel Arteta during training.
The midfielder – currently a free agent – was invited to train with the Gunners to maintain his fitness.
Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell said: "Wilshere’s presence around the club will be massively beneficial for the youngster.
"They will be able to lean on his experience. I’m sure Jack will be giving the youngsters pointers because he has come through the ranks and made it at Arsenal. He will see things that they don’t see.
“The other important thing is Jack getting himself fit. He needs to get himself back up to speed so he can find himself a club.
“I very much doubt that he could earn himself a contract at Arsenal. Could he do a [Andros] Townsend and reignite his career at a bigger club? I have seen stranger things happen in football. Nothing surprises me anymore.
“I cannot see it happening at this point but it would not be the worst thing in the world. It would mean he has impressed Arteta. There is unfinished business there.”
- Jake Lambourne
AL BE BACK
Arsenal are looking into bringing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back to North London, as well as sign young Dutch star Noa Lang.
Its been four years since Oxlade-Chamberlain left the Gunners for Liverpool in a £35million transfer.
Arsenal are interested in an initial six-month loan with the possibility of a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta's side were the biggest spenders of any European team in the summer.
And they could be prepared to splash the cash yet again in the New Year.
Here is how they could look.
- Jake Lambourne
GUNNER GET YA?
Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £25.4million bid to sign Club Brugge winger Noa Lang in January.
The Gunners are believed to be huge admirers of the 22-year-old, who recently made his debut for Holland.
According to Voetbal24, AC Milan are also keen to sign the youngster.
But they state that the player's preference is to make the move to North London.
And the news outlet claims that Arsenal are aiming to fend off competition by offering the Belgian side £25.4m in the New Year.
- Jake Lambourne
KOL ON ME
Fenerbahce will reportedly reignite their interest in Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac in January.
The Bosnian had been expected to leave in the summer, but the Turkish side failed to agree a deal with the Gunners.
But according to news outlet Yeni Asir, Kolasinac WILL make the move to link up with former team-mate Mesut Ozil in Istanbul.
They state that Fenerbahce do not want to wait until the summer for when the defender's contract will expire.
- Jake Lambourne
SAM'S TOWN
Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga has revealed what his favourite position is.
Speaking to the club's website, the Belgium international was asked whether he prefers playing in the No6 or No8 role.
To which he said: "That’s a good question. I like to be a No.8 so I can attack and I can defend.
"More freedom, that’s what I like. But I also like No.6 so it’s difficult!
"I like both but the most important thing for me is to be on the pitch."
- Jake Lambourne
THIERR WE GO
Thierry Henry has hinted Arsenal fans are in for a real treat with Amazon’s tell-all documentary, All or Nothing.
Henry, 44, told Prime Video: “For the fans it’s amazing to see what is happening behind closed doors.
“For some players it may be too much… But I think it’s good for people on the outside to have an insight.
“Thank God they didn’t have that when I was playing… it would’ve certainly been entertaining.”
- Jake Lambourne
OLIVIER TWIST
Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud believes the club will miss out on the top four due to their limited spending power compared to their rivals.
That is despite the Gunners spending the most out of any side in Europe.
Asked how long before Arsenal break into the top four again, Giroud told talkSPORT: "Wow, that’s a good question! I think Mikel Arteta has got time to come back in the top four.
"But sometimes the problem is that money plays a huge part in success also.
"When you see Chelsea after winning the Champions League spend over £80million (£97.5m) on Romelu Lukaku to reinforce the forward line and after spending a lot of millions the year before, I think money plays a huge part.
"That’s the thing with Arsenal. Maybe they don’t put as much in as their opponents."
- Jake Lambourne
GUNNER COST YA
Liverpool are prepared to let Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's leave to rejoin Arsenal, but will reportedly demand a large chunk of his £35m fee back.
The Gunners are keen to resign out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has slipped down the pecking order at Anfield.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 28, spent seven years at the Emirates before joining Liverpool for £35m in August 2017 and former teammate Mikel Arteta is keen on a reunion.
With the emergence of young midfield stars such as Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, Liverpool are prepared to cash in on The Ox, but want to recoup as much of the £35 as possible, according to the Mirror.
The 35-cap England international was a vital part of Liverpool's title winning squad of 2019-20, making 30 appearances in the league.
But he has since struggled for minutes after a knee injury ruled him out of the first four months of last season, starting only four times Liverpool since.
- William Pugh
MORNING, ARSENAL FANS
Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette, Lorenzo Insigne and Franck Kessie top the transfer speculation this morning.
But as it's still the international break let's start with Thomas Partey's stirring week for Ghana.
The Arsenal midfielder emphasised his return to full fitness by netting in BOTH World Cup qualifying wins over Zimbabwe.
Partey bagged the second in Saturday’s 3-1 home win and the only goal last night.
Meanwhile, right-back Bellerin has suggested he has no intention of returning to the Emirates when his season's loan at Real Betis ends
Asked about his future, the Spain star told El Desmarque: “I don’t know, but I’ve always said if I didn’t want to be here next season, I wouldn’t have come from the beginning."
Frontman Lacazette has reportedly ruled out signing a new Gunners' contract after losing his starting place.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester United are being linked with Napoli's Italy winger Insigne.
And reported Gunners target Kessie is tipped to leave AC Milan next summer.
It's claimed Manchester United, PSG and Liverpool are also interested in the Ivory Coast midfielder.
- Ian Tuckey
PARTEY ON GOOD TERMS
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey confirmed his return to full fitness by netting both times as Ghana landed a World Cup qualifying double over Zimbabwe in the space of four days.
Partey bagged the second in Saturday's 3-1 home victory and Tuesday's only goal on 31 minutes.
- Ian Tuckey
RESULT: ENGLAND 1 HUNGARY 1
Below-par England failed to win a home qualifier for the first time in 21 games but are still three points clear at the top of their World Cup group.
Hungary winger Roland Sallai tucked home a 24th minute penalty conceded by Luke Shaw’s high kick – after the early exchanges had been marred by violence off the pitch involving Hungary fans.
John Stones bundled in Phil Foden’s deep free-kick as England ended the first half well.
But much-improved Hungary continued to forage and defend effectively after the break, with Harry Kane going off to sum up The Three Lions’ frustrating and failed hunt for a winner.
- Ian Tuckey
UTD AND ARSENAL TARGET KESSIE SET FOR AC EXIT
Manchester United target Franck Kessie looks set to leave AC Milan at the end of the season.
The midfielder’s agent has slammed the Italians for their latest contract offer with his deal running out next summer, amid links to Arsenal, PSG and Liverpool.
The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford after a series of impressive performances.
With his contract at Milan into the final year, the midfielder’s future appears to lie away from the club.
Milan have offered him a new contract but the midfielder’s agent is unimpressed with their initial offer.
Agent George Atangana told Calciomercato.com: “An important player needs a contract that is up to his standards.
“There was a formal offer from the club and a request from the agent, but we are talking about figures a long way off what you are referring to [£6.5million a year].
“For too long people have been saying things in the wrong way. I am sorry for those who read these stories and believe them to be true.”
United are not the only club chasing Kessie’s signature with Liverpool, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain also interested in the midfielder.
- Ian Tuckey
H/T: ENGLAND 1 HUNGARY 1
England got on top near the end after only edging the earlier exchanges.
For all the updates and reaction follow our MATCH BLOG HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
GIROUD: TOUGH TO QUIT CHELSEA
Olivier Giroud ‘found it harder’ to leave Chelsea than Arsenal.
Giroud said: “[I spent] three seasons-and-a-half there [at Chelsea].
“I had an amazing time at Arsenal but [at Chelsea] I can say even more because I won the big titles.
“It was emotionally difficult to leave when I left Montpellier and Arsenal, but even more tough [at Chelsea] because I didn’t play the last three months so it was evidence for me to leave and go for another challenge.”
He added: “I felt frustrated a little bit to not play the last three months because I contributed well to the Champions League success by finishing top scorer for the team.
“But what can I say? We were so successful and I am so pleased with the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League. I scored a few important goals.
“It was tough to leave Chelsea and the Premier League but at the end of the day I think it was the best solution for me.”
- Ian Tuckey
IT'S UNDER WAY: ENGLAND 0 HUNGARY 0
England poured forward from the start.
For all the updates and reaction follow our MATCH BLOG HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
FODEN KEEPS PLACE VS HUNGARY
Gareth Southgate has only retained Andorra’s tormentor Phil Foden and Manchester City team-mate John Stone in an incredibly-attacking England line-up for tonight’s home World Cup qualifier against Hungary
Foden and Tyrone Mings are the only two who didn’t start the 4-0 win in Hungary last month, with Declan Rice the only defensive midfielder.
For all the preview news, updates and reaction for the 7.45pm Wembley clash follow our MATCH BLOG HERE.
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