Here is a roundup of the top Arsenal news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews featuring the likes of Barbora Votikova, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Arteta that you may have missed…
There has been some fresh reports in the media which have claimed that Martin Odegaard is ready to quit Arsenal at the end of the current season.
Over the past few years, Odegaard has developed into one of the very best midfielders in world football, and one of the most important players that Mikel Arteta has at his disposal.
However – ESPN [via Football London] recently claimed that Arsenal are targeting the signing of Real Madrid’s Arda Guler to become Odegaard’s eventual replacement in the midfield at the Emirates Stadium
The Norwegian hasn’t been prioritised by sporting director Andrea Berta for a new deal in north London. Instead, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice are next on the club’s list for negotiations after Bukayo Saka’s future was secured.
Now Fichajes.net have claimed that Odegaard has grown uncomfortable with the team’s current direction or his recent role and is ready to lack his bags at the end of the season and seek a fresh challenge.
However, these claims can be contradicted by Odegaard’s instant impact in Arteta’s side after returning from injury last year with the midfielder displacing summer signing Eberechi Eze.
The reports also claim Bayern Munich believe the Norwegian’s leadership to be an extremely attractive quality, and would be willing to match Arsenal’s asking price of around £70 million.
IcFootballnews Says…
Odegaard is one of the biggest players at Arsenal, he is a man that the club can really rely on and a star that the fans will not want to sell leave the club. We are not sure why he would not be happy at ARSENAL, he has never really shown any desire to leave the club.
But he has not been the same player that he has been this season, there have even been times that he really struggled to make any sort of impact on that Gunners side, so it would be a shock to see him leave the club.
However – we would not be surprised to see him actually leave for a big fee.
ARTETA DROPS HINT
Mikel Arteta refused to rule out the possibility of signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a short-term contract following confirmation of Mikel Merino’s injury that will keep the Spaniard out of action fora while.
Merino has made 33 appearances in all competitions for ARSENAL this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists, but it seems that his season could be over this campaign’
Mikel Arteta’s current central midfield options include Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard. An injury to any one of that trio would leave the Gunners vulnerable and place their silverware hopes at significant risk.
That has led to reports that Mikel Arteta may seek to sign former Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a short-term contract that will help cover the injury that was suffered by Merino, and the Spanish boss did nothing but make those rumours worse.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training back at Arsenal over the course of the last month having been without a club since leaving Besiktas in August: ‘We explore every option,’ said Arteta when asked whether his former teammate could represent a solution to his squad’s lack of midfield option”
IcFootballnews says…
Losing Merino has been a massive blow for Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta is not too worried that the midfielder could be out for some time as he has one of the best, and biggest squads in the Premier League.
Oxlade-Chamberlain would be there just to cover minutes here and there, he would not get much time on the pitch, and to be honest, would not make a difference to that ARSENAL side, this is a move that does not really need to happen.
If Arteta was that worried about the injury to Merino, if he was concerned that he could not cover the Spaniard while he is out, then he would have got the Gunners board to make a big signing.
But that never happened because he is not worried.
ARSENAL SIGN UP STOPPER
Arsenal are delighted to confirm the signing of Czech international goalkeeper Barbora Votikova on loan from Slavia Prague until the end of the current season.
ARSENAL posted on the club website: ‘The 29-year-old goalkeeper will spend the rest of the 2025/26 campaign here at Arsenal.
‘Barbora began her senior career with Victoria Plzen in 2013 before spending seven years with Slavia Prague between 2014 and 2021, helping the team to win four Czech league titles and one Czech Cup.
‘The experienced goalkeeper then spent two seasons with PSG in France, winning a French Cup title, before joining Tottenham Hotspur in England. Barbora made 11 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham before sealing a return to Slavia Prague in 2024, winning a Czech league and cup double last season.
‘At international level, Barbora made her Czechia debut in 2014 and has gone on to collect 56 appearances for her national team.
It feels amazing to join this special club,” said Barbora. “Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a special team and special supporters, so it’s a huge honour for me to come here. It’s been a dream of mine to play at Emirates Stadium and I can’t wait to get started.”
‘Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “Barbora will be an important addition to our squad as we move into the latter part of the season, bringing experience and proven ability in both the WSL and the Champions League. I know our supporters will join me in welcoming Barbora to the Arsenal family.”
ARSENAL Head Coach Renée Slegers added: “We’re delighted to bring in an experienced goalkeeper in Barbora, who will provide additional cover and competition in our goalkeeper unit.
‘Barbora has extensive experience across different leagues in Europe and is familiar with the WSL, so we feel she is an excellent signing to strengthen our squad for the remainder of this season.”
MORE ARSENAL NEWS AND GOSSIP –
Latest: Mikel Arteta drops huge hint former star could make sensational Arsenal return
Most Read: Gunners icon sends Arsenal message after legend says Arteta’s men ‘will be worst team to win’ Premier League
Must Check Out: Arsenal DO MAKE deadline day signing of highly-sought after defender
LOVE ARSENAL? CLICK RIGHT HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND GOSSIP
Related
Discover more from IcFootballNews –
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.