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Arteta may have lost a key player | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Arsenal as they prepare to face Leeds United.
Arsenal are now looking ahead to this weekend’s Premier League with Leeds United after taking care of business against Manchester United last weekend. The Gunners were a long way from their best at Old Trafford, but they still managed to return to London with all three points.
Arteta will want to see his men step things up in their first home game, but it looks as though they will be hit by a significant injury blow. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.
Jackson links
Arsenal are now said to be looking for a striker as they prepare for potentially bad news over frontman Kai Havertz. According to Sky Sports, the German is being evaluated for a knee injury he suffered in training, and there are concerns that it could be serious.
In the meantime, TeamTalk have reported that Arsenal could turn to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson to fill the void, with the forward reportedly available for around £60million this summer. Aston Villa have already held talks, but Arsenal may be able to muscle in should Havertz’s injury prove serious.
Kiwior interest
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is said to want out after being left out of the team to face United. The defender has often played the role of supplementary defender in the 18 months, but he will have been hoping to be in line for appearances aplenty after a strong finish to last season.
That may not be the case, and O Jogo now claim that Kiwior is ‘disillusioned’ at Arsenal, and that he wants an exit. FC Porto have shown interest in the past, and the report claims they are still monitoring the situation in case Kiwior does indeed become available.
Zubi praise
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been praising the impact of midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who signed on a big-money deal from Real Sociedad this summer.
He said: “He’s been really good in pre-season and I’ve played a little bit with him before in Spain, you know, so I knew his qualities. A top player, as you say, he can find any pass, you know, he can break the lines, he can drive with the ball.
“He’s also so smart, you know, intelligent to read where the ball is going to land and he picks up a lot of second balls. He really controls the game, it’s going to give us a new dimension there, so yeah, excited for it.”
Arsenal boss Arteta has also praised Zubimendi recently, saying after the Athletic Club friendly: “The quality of the delivery from Zubi, absolutely top. I think he was incredible today, the way he played throughout the game and for Viktor as well to get out that first goal I think is very, very important psychologically.
“Again, he was involved in a lot of very important actions in the game. Kai came in and scored an incredible goal as well. So, I’m very happy with the team today.”
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