Jurrien Timber is back for Arsenal this pre-season after last season’s nightmare injury that saw him miss almost the entire campaign for his new club.

The Dutch defender joined the Gunners from Ajax in what looked like being a superb signing by Mikel Arteta last summer, but he picked up a bad injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.

Timber didn’t return until the very final league game of the season, coming on as a substitute against Everton, meaning he made just three appearances in all competitions in total.

This will have been a huge blow for Timber, but speaking about it with reporters today, the 23-year-old made it clear just how much he’s tried to focus on the positives.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

Arsenal fans will be delighted with Timber’s attitude, as he doesn’t seem to have spent time feeling sorry for himself, and is now ready to get back in action for the north London giants.

Timber was also quick to praise Arsenal manager Arteta for being so supportive to him since he joined, and especially so while he was out injured.

Timber on support from Arsenal boss Arteta during injury nightmare

“Yeah it was a big blow,” he said at the club’s US pre-season training camp. “But I try to look at it in a positive way … I feel good, it’s a year later, time goes quick. I enjoy my time here and I’m excited to go again.

“I moved to Arsenal, so you have to look at how lucky you are – that’s the way I looked at it last year. I had some time to work with some fantastic physios. It’s never fun to be injured but I tried to make the best out of it.

“From the start he (Arteta) was very supportive. During my injury as well, so it helps to have a manager like him.”

The post Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal reportedly look to have been handed a transfer boost as Ajax striker Brian Brobbey could be on the move this summer and would be keen to play in the Premier League.

Brobbey is one name on Arsenal’s list as Eddie Nketiah could be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium, CaughtOffside understands, and it now seems like the Netherlands international is keen to play in England next despite having interest from Roma as well.

That’s according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg in the post below on his official account on X, formerly Twitter, though he doesn’t specifically mention Arsenal…

?? Brian #Brobbey could leave @AFCAjax already this summer!

22 y/o striker has received many inquiries. AS Roma are monitoring his situation.

… but Brobbey is also keen to play Premier League next season. Contract valid until 2027.

Price valuation: €25-30m.… pic.twitter.com/6RsactZGfP

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 23, 2024

Brobbey looks a fine young talent who could be a good fit for Arsenal and indeed numerous other top clubs, with the 22-year-old 36 goals in all competitions over the last two seasons for Ajax.

One imagines Brobbey will only continue to improve as he gets older and gains experience, while he’d also surely benefit from the superior teammates he’d have around him if he were to link up with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in Mikel Arteta’s side.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

Brobbey transfer: Is he the striker Arsenal need?

Arsenal surely need a new striker next season as Gabriel Jesus doesn’t look the most reliable option in that department due to an underwhelming scoring record in his time at the Emirates Stadium, as well as numerous issues staying fit over a whole campaign.

Kai Havertz showed some promise up front towards the end of last season, but it’s not clear if that’s really his best position for the long term, so someone like Brobbey could be an ideal upgrade.

The talented young Dutchman might not be as big a name as some of the others we’ve seen talked about over the last few months, like Victor Osimhen, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, but one can easily imagine him doing an important job for this Arsenal side.

The post Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Fabrizio Romano has suggested that the Mikel Merino to Arsenal transfer story could soon be one to watch closely as he expects there could be some developments on the deal by the end of the week.

Speaking on his YouTube channel in the video below, Romano summed up his current information on the Merino deal, saying that Arsenal’s interest is strong, though they are currently focused on finalising the Riccardo Calafiori signing.

Arsenal have still not made a bid for Merino, who also has admirers in the form of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but it seems this remains one to watch in the days ahead…

Merino shone for Real Sociedad in La Liga and the Champions League last season, while he also had an impressive Euro 2024 with Spain, even though he didn’t always get that many opportunities off the bench.

Given that the 28-year-old is out of contract next year, however, it’s not too surprising that Arsenal and other clubs might see him as an exciting opportunity as he’ll surely have the chance of leaving for below market value as Sociedad won’t want to risk losing him for free next summer.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

Merino transfer: What we’ve been told

CaughtOffside have also received some information on Merino’s situation, with Manchester United also understood to be showing an interest, as per our sources with a close understanding of the potential deal.

Arsenal now intend to move forward with talks over Merino as he’s emerging as their top target for that defensive midfield role, with Mikel Arteta surely in need of an upgrade on the ageing and injury-prone Thomas Partey in that area of his squad.

It will be interesting to see if AFC can now move in for this potential signing ahead of other top clubs, but it seems there is cause for Gooners to be optimistic on this one.

The post Arsenal’s “strong” transfer interest in La Liga star confirmed by Fabrizio Romano appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal expert Charles Watts has provided some insight and his opinion on Nicolas Pepe and where it all went wrong for him at the Emirates Stadium following his public criticism of his former club last week.

Pepe looked an exciting signing when he first joined the Gunners back in 2019, but it quickly became apparent that he was struggling to settle and show his best form in the Premier League.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest column for the Daily Briefing, Watts expressed his view that Pepe’s struggles really began once Mikel Arteta took over as manager and started to reshape the side, with the team quite quickly outgrowing the Ivory Coast international.

Pepe is now without a club and Watts admits it’s sad to see him struggling like he has in recent times, with the player clearly lacking confidence after speaking publicly about his difficult time at Arsenal.

Pepe’s Arsenal struggles were overblown, says Watts

Watts is not entirely clear who Pepe was referring to in his interview, but he also suggested that a lot of the criticism that came his way was over the top anyway.

“Nicolas Pepe’s comments were pretty eye opening. They certainly shone a light on the type of pressure and scrutiny that top players have to deal with,” Watts said.

“It was hard not to feel sorry for him when you heard what he had to say. I do think some of the criticism he got was harsh. I said it at the time, he may not have been able to live up to his lofty price tag, but It was laughable for some to describe him as the biggest flop in Premier League history, because there is no way that was true.

“Was he a £72m player? No, and it didn’t take long to work that out after he arrived. But he was still a good player and he showed that during his first two seasons at the club.

“Pepe did some decent things at Arsenal and was very influential in them winning the FA Cup in 2020. It wasn’t his fault that he cost £72m.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

“I can’t say that I know what or who he was talking about when he said that certain people in the club didn’t help him amid all the criticism. In terms of what went wrong for him at Arsenal, the team just very quickly outgrew him as Mikel Arteta’s overhaul took shape.

“Pepe just didn’t have the attributes needed to be a success under Arteta. For all his talents going forward, he was pretty one dimensional and his defensive side of the game just wasn’t good enough to live up to Arteta’s demands.

“It’s a real shame to see him without a club now. He’s only 29 and should still be playing. Hopefully he can find somewhere soon and can enjoy a decent end to his career.”

The post “It’s a real shame” – Arsenal expert responds to Gunners flop’s criticism of the club appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal would ideally like to keep Emile Smith Rowe, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts in his latest exclusive column for the Daily Briefing.

Speaking to CaughtOffside for this week’s column, Watts discussed the current situation regarding Smith Rowe and interest from Fulham and Crystal Palace, while he also provided some insight into what’s going on with Eddie Nketiah and a possible move to Marseille.

Arsenal fans will no doubt be keen to have these players’ situations resolved soon, so they have a clearer idea of what kind of squad Mikel Arteta will be working with next season in what could be a hugely important campaign for the club.

Having come so close to winning the Premier League title last term, Arsenal now urgently need to have a good transfer window, and that will likely require some player sales to help fund new signings.

Smith Rowe and Nketiah make sense as candidates for the exit door after a lack of recent playing time, and Watts has given us his latest understanding of their situations, admitting that Smith Rowe is perhaps a player Arteta could try to keep if he gets his way.

Arsenal transfer update from Charles Watts

“There has been a bid from Fulham for Smith Rowe, but that has been rejected. A second bid is expected, but Crystal Palace are also expected to make an offer soon having made their interest in the playmaker known,” Watts said.

“In an ideal world, Mikel Arteta would keep Smith Rowe. This time last year he made it clear that he would not be sold and I think his stance would be the same this time around if it was just down to a footballing decision. But Smith Rowe now has just two years left on his contract and has a strong desire to be playing regular football having sat on the bench for much of the last two seasons.

“So Arsenal would reluctantly let him leave should a good offer arrive from Fulham, Palace or anyone else. But at the moment that offer has not arrived and that is why Smith Rowe has flown with the squad to the United States. It’s certainly not a case that Arsenal will be forcing him out of the door.”

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

He added: “It’s a similar situation for Nketiah. Marseille’s interest is interesting. It would be a bold and exciting move for Nketiah to make. But for Arsenal to let him go, then Marseille would have to commit to stumping up some serious cash. Whether they can hit the type of number that Arsenal are holding out for is up for debate.

“I don’t believe a bid has arrived yet from the French club. The interest is there, but as far as I’ve been told it hasn’t materialised into anything concrete yet.”

The post Exclusive: Arsenal would ideally like to keep this player despite transfer interest, says expert appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal believe they’ve signed a top young player in the form of English goalkeeper Tommy Setford, who has recently been confirmed as joining the club from Ajax.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column, Charles Watts provided some insight into Arsenal’s pursuit of Setford and their plans for what to do with him next in terms of fast-tracking his development.

According to Watts, we can expect to see Setford training with the Arsenal first-team goalkeepers, giving him the chance to learn from David Raya, while he’ll then mostly play for the Gunners at Under-21 level.

Setford looks like he could be a good fit for Arsenal in the long run, even if it will likely be some time before we see him featuring for Mikel Arteta’s senior side.

Setford transfer: Arsenal expert discusses the new goalkeeper signing

Watts certainly seems to have high hopes that this is a deal that will eventually come good for AFC, and it will be interesting to see if their development plans for him work as intended.

“The addition of Tommy Setford is an interesting one. I have to admit, it’s one that came a bit out of the blue for me, I hadn’t heard anything about their interest until this summer,” Watts said.

“But this was always going to be the summer which was going to feature a big shake-up in the goalkeeper department at Arsenal, both at first-team level and in the academy.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

“In the academy there has been a host of departures when it comes to goalkeepers, with Arsenal allowing several to leave. So they needed to replace them with quality and they identified Setford as an exciting talent they believe they can develop into a top young goalkeeper.

“He has been brought in to be first choice for the U21s this season, but he will also work with David Raya and the senior keepers on a regular basis at London Colney during the week as the club looks to fast track his development.”

The post Exclusive: Arsenal believe they’ve secured transfer of top talent with big future, says expert appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal FC expert Charles Watts has heaped praise onto the Gunners for their patient approach over the incoming signing of Riccardo Calafiori, with the journalist also stating that he expects the Italy international’s presence in Mikel Arteta’s squad to prove a pretty frightening prospect for the rest of the Premier League.

Calafiori looked superb for Bologna last season and also impressed for Italy at Euro 2024, and now it looks to have earned him a big move to the Emirates Stadium, which Watts feels was never really in doubt despite the saga dragging on for a while.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for the latest edition of his weekly column for the Daily Briefing, Watts gave us his insight into what he’s expecting from Calafiori as his move to Arsenal edges closer to completion.

Arsenal fans will certainly be excited by this arrival, which looks like just what Mikel Arteta needs as an upgrade on unconvincing duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior on the left-hand side of his defence.

Calafiori transfer: Arsenal expert on this exciting deal

“Arsenal have had to stay patient when it comes to their move for Riccardo Calafiori. But that is something they have shown they are willing to be when it comes to landing players they really want,” Watts said.

“You just have to look at when they signed Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis from Real Madrid in 2021 as a prime example of that.

“They were made to wait all summer by Madrid and could easily have grown frustrated and moved on to other targets. But they were happy to play the waiting game because Mikel Arteta and Edu were convinced Odegaard was a player who could take the team to the next level and they have been rewarded for that patience.

“They have not had to wait as long for Calafiori as they did for Odegaard and I don’t think they were ever worried that the deal would not get done. It feels like talks with Bologna have gone relatively well. It’s the massive sell-on fee that Basel will be due for the deal that has made things a bit tricky.”

He added: “I think it’s a really exciting signing for Arsenal. Left-back was one of two positions in the team last season where there was no real consistency. Arteta was having to mix and match throughout the season, with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakob Kiwior all filling in there.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

“When you look at Calafiori and where his strengths are, he looks like a really smart signing. He has the qualities to invert into midfield from left-back thanks to how comfortable he is with the ball when he drives forward. But if Arteta wants to use Ben White as his inverted full-back on the right, then Calafiori can just move more centrally and make up a three with Gabriel and William Saliba.

“Arsenal were so strong defensively last season and you have to think the addition of the 22-year-old is only going to make them even better at the back. That’s a pretty scary scenario for the rest of the Premier League.”

The post Exclusive: Arsenal’s imminent signing will be scary for the rest of the Premier League – expert appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The imminent signing of Riccardo Calafiori for Arsenal is reportedly likely to mean defenders could be sold by the Gunners.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Kieran Tierney would likely come to mind as three probable casualties of the Calafiori deal, and they are indeed the three mentioned in the latest report from The Athletic.

The piece states that Tierney is considered highly likely to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, while Arsenal could also listen to offers for Zinchenko and Kiwior, so it will be interesting to see if anyone comes in with the kind of money that could convince the Gunners to cash in on them.

Calafiori would be an exciting signing for Arsenal after he showed immense potential in Serie A last season, as well as with Italy at Euro 2024, despite their relatively early exit from the tournament.

Calafiori transfer shows how high standards at Arsenal have got

The signing of Calafiori would truly be a statement by Mikel Arteta, who has done great work to lift the standards at Arsenal since taking over as manager five years ago.

Many top clubs will have been fairly happy with how Zinchenko and Kiwior have played in the last couple of years, but AFC are still keen to get the little details just right as they face such a formidable foe in the form of Manchester City.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

Neither Zinchenko nor Kiwior have done a lot wrong in their Arsenal careers, but Calafiori looks like an upgrade and possibly like a better tactical fit for what Arteta is trying to do, so it probably is for the best that the 22-year-old’s arrival means the others could leave.

Still, many Arsenal fans might also be questioning why this signing is a priority over a new attacking player, with some doubts remaining over the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli after they both suffered dips in form last season.

The post Imminent Arsenal signing likely to mean three defenders could leave appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Although it would appear that Riccardo Calafiori will be the next name through the door at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal are still working hard to strengthen elsewhere, and one Spanish European Championship hero remains top of their wanted list.

CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of the Gunners transfer plans have indicated that the North London outfit now want to move forward in negotiations to sign Real Sociedad’s brilliant 28-year-old Spanish player Mikel Merino.

Mikel Merino top of Arsenal’s wish list

It’s understood that the Gunners have received information about the player’s situation by meeting with the agents of the player, and they plan to make an opening offer of around the €30m mark soon.

Sources also note that Manchester United are continuing to monitor Merino’s situation, but the Red Devils don’t intend to prioritise his transfer at this stage of the summer window.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are also continuing their negotiations with Merino’s camp, and it’s said that both La Liga giants are ready and willing to make an offer of between €25m-€30m to Real Sociedad.

From La Real’s point of view, they’re left with little option other than to sell a player that they rate incredibly highly.

He has turned down their offer of a contract extension twice, and in the absence of an improved offer, the player will therefore listen to what other clubs have to say.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

Merino is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s shortlist this summer, though it isn’t clear at this point whether the player wishes to try a new experience in the Premier League, or will continue to ply his trade in La Liga.

Given Arteta’s own career, which took in a period at Real Sociedad as well as with the Spanish national team (up to U21 level), there’s a good chance that he could persuade his countryman to move to North London, and clearly the next few weeks are going to be crucial in terms of any negotiations.

The post Exclusive: European Championship hero remains at the top of Arsenal’s wanted list appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to a question about the Riccardo Calafiori transfer situation whilst also sending a strong and clear message to the club’s board about what they have to do this summer.

Arsenal are closing in on the Italy international, according to BBC Sport, though they also quote Arteta as saying he has no update on that particular deal, though the Spanish tactician then goes on to say how important it is for the Gunners to achieve a perfect summer transfer window.

Arsenal have come really close to winning the title for two seasons in a row now, but on both occasions narrowly missed out as Manchester City ended up taking the trophy, so Arteta will be understandably desperate to fix some of the finer details of his squad to ensure they can go all the way this time.

Discussing Arsenal transfers this summer, Arteta clearly took the opportunity to send a message to his board about how important it is to get their deals right if they are to go on and enjoy success on the pitch.

Arteta’s Arsenal transfer demand

“We have to,” Arteta said when asked about improving his squad. “When you are so close you want to grab it.

“Perfection in this league requires different standards when you relate that word to winning the Premier League and that is what we have to do.

More Stories / Latest News

Liverpool looking to steal 6ft 5in player from Aston Villa

Jul 23 2024, 14:02

Returning Arsenal star praises key figure who was “very supportive” during lengthy injury

Jul 23 2024, 14:00

Arsenal transfer boost as striker target prefers Premier League over another interested club

Jul 23 2024, 13:59

“There is still a lot of time left in the window and while that is more a question for the board, obviously we know there are certain positions that we want to improve and give the squad better resources in terms of numbers but the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have.”

AFC supporters will no doubt be excited by the arrival of Calafiori, but it also seems clear that the north London giants could do with further new additions before the start of the campaign after what has been a surprisingly quiet summer at the Emirates Stadium so far.

The post Mikel Arteta responds to Riccardo Calafiori transfer question and sends strong message to Arsenal board appeared first on CaughtOffside.