Another week of international duty remains for Arsenal players before they return to north London to continue their Premier League campaign
Arsenal are reportedly keen on a shock swoop for Erling Haaland(Image: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta has another week to wait before Arsenal host Leeds United in the Premier League. The extended international break continues with 16 players away representing their countries.
Five Arsenal stars were initially called up to Thomas Tuchel's England squad before Declan Rice withdrew as he prioritises recovering from a congested fixture list.
Arteta is currently sweating over the fitness of Martin Odegaard, Ezri Konsa and Kai Havertz, with the latter forced off against the Netherlands with a hamstring issue. It is thought that the club are optimistic there are no long-term injury concerns for the German.
Haalandtransfer stance becomes clear
Erling Haaland has been tentatively linked with a move to Arsenal should Manchester City be removed from the Premier League. TEAMtalk claim the Gunners will assess the situation should the Norwegian forward become available.
However, the same publication claims that the player has not given thought to leaving the Etihad Stadium and he is fully focused on challenging for the Premier League title this year.
Haaland's Norway team-mate Kristoffer Ajer claims the prolific striker has not been affected by the verdict and is not considering a transfer. The Brentford defender said: "He’s been exactly the way he’s always the same with the national team. He’s truly focused on the upcoming games. I think he’s trying to do the same as everyone else, wait and see what the outcome is...that’s clearly been his way of doing it."
Erling Braut Haaland.
Haaland's current transfer situation has been made clear regarding Arsenal's potential pursuit(Image: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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When asked about Haaland's demeanour changing, Ajer added: "No not at all. Ever since I met him brings lot of energy and joy to the group. The biggest compliment I always give is that he hasn’t changed a bit from the moment I met him even though he’s the biggest star on the planet right now.
"He’s been exactly the same the last few days as well which is not a surprise for me."
£9m bargain eyed
Breno Sales.
Breno Sales has caught the eye of the Gunners(Image: Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have reportedly joined Chelsea and City in monitoring Vasco da Gama youngster Breno Sales. The 16-year-old has attracted attention from across Europe, with a bid of almost £9million recently rejected, according to reports in Brazil.
The defender began his career as a striker before switching to left-back and later moving into a more central position. This year, Sales has made 17 appearances and scored once.
He won the U17 Copa do Brazil last year and has become a regular in the Brazilian national team's youth set-up. The teenager is expected to be involved in the upcoming U17 World Cup in Qatar next month, giving Premier League sides another opportunity to weigh up a potential move.