Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta sweats over the fitness of a key defender and the Gunners enter the fray for a highly-rated La Liga striker
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori was expected to watch Italy's game in Moldova from the stands
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be reflecting on a satisfying start to the season as the final international break unfolds. There was frustration at the weekend as the Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland.
Manchester City took advantage of that mild slip-up by hammering Liverpool 3-0 to trim the gap at the top to four points. Still, Gunners would have gladly taken such an advantage after 11 games at the start of the season.
Arteta wish granted after injury worry
Arteta will have been relieved Italy opted to leave Riccardo Calafiori out of their squad for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in Moldova. The Arsenal boss is concerned after the defender picked up a hip injury.
He still joined up with Rino Gattuso’s squad but has been training independently on a personalised programme. The Gunners have been monitoring the situation closely and, according to reports in Italy, wanted Calafiori to miss both the Moldova game and Sunday’s tie against Norway, although the player himself was keen to join up with the squad.
It was confirmed on Thursday that he would watch the Moldova game from the stands. While there is a chance he could still figure against Norway at the San Siro, Arteta will be pleased that Italy haven’t taken any risks so far.
If he doesn’t make the Norway game, the 23-year-old will return to the club earlier than planned.
Gunners ready to jump queue for striker
Arsenal are considering a January swoop for Levente striker Etta Eyong, according to reports in Spain. That is despite the fact he wouldn’t be able to play for the Gunners until next season, having already turned out for Villarreal before joining Levante at the end of the transfer window.
According to FIFA rules, players are not permitted to play for more than two clubs in a single season. To steal a march on their rivals for the Cameroonian’s signature, the Gunners could sign Eyong in January and then loan him back to Levente for the rest of the season.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are also said to be admirers of Eyong but it is Arsenal who are showing ‘most interest’, reports Spanish outlet Sport. Barca may also struggle to afford Eyong despite his relatively modest buyout clause of around £35million.
Etta Eyong has been linked with a host of clubs, including Arsenal
Etta Eyong has been linked with a host of clubs, including Arsenal
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While CSKA Moscow have also been linked, Eyong is said to have no interest in playing in Russia. Instead, he is eyeing a move to one of the La Liga big guns or the Premier League.
He told GiveMeSport recently: “I believe I have the necessary quality to succeed in the Premier League and that my style is well-suited to English football.”
On being linked with the El Clásico duo, he said: “It means a lot because it shows that my hard work is paying off. But now I have to focus on Levante and we'll see what happens in the future.”
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