Arsenal report: Mikel Arteta dealt injury clash as £100m transfer error emerges
Arsenal may have earned 10 of a possible 12 points in their first four Premier League games, but manager Mikel Arteta still has plenty of problems to deal with.
The Gunners were eliminated in spectacular fashion before the first international break of the season last Sunday, when two second-half stoppage time goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus helped Arsenal defeat formidable rivals Manchester United 3-1 at the Emirates.
However, the international hiatus has caused problems for the runners-up from last season. Arteta is already without Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny, and there are now concerns that central defender Gabriel Magalhaes could be sidelined for an extended period.
In light of this, here are some of the most significant developments to emerge from the Emirates on Sunday, September 10.
Arteta will be cursing his good fortune if Arsenal are handed another injury concern following Gabriel’s brutal challenge for Brazil.
After last week’s impressive performance against United, which came on his first start of the season, there are concerns that the brutal tackle has halted his momentum.
The Selecao defeated Bolivia 5-1, but Arsenal’s star player was observed holding ice to his thigh after the game, presumably to treat an injury he sustained during the match.
Gabriel was left on the ground after Diego Ibanez’s knee struck him in the chest within the first five minutes of the match, which was a particularly physical contest. With a visit to Everton awaiting Arsenal next weekend, Arteta will be anxiously awaiting any update on his defender.
It has been revealed that Arsenal rejected the opportunity to acquire Federico Valverde before he joined Real Madrid.
The Uruguayan international moved from Penarol to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2016 after a one-week trial with Arsenal. Former Gunners manager Arsene Wenger decided against retaining the midfielder on a permanent basis, a decision that has proven to be, to say the least, dubious.
When asked about his brief time at Arsenal, Valverde discussed Alexis Sanchez’s impact and his tenure with the Gunners. He stated, “I have always been appreciative of him. Alexis was there when I went to train at Arsenal, and he was one of the few who offered assistance.
“I will be eternally indebted to him because, as a nobody, he welcomed me with open arms. As a child, he was available to assist me. As a football athlete, he is phenomenal.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko, the left-back for the Arsenal, has revealed that a “secret agent” visited his home last summer to induce him to join the club.
Arteta is familiar with the Ukraine international’s contributions to the club due to their time together at Manchester City. Zinchenko was a standout performer for Arsenal last season and helped inspire an unexpected title run.
It has since come to light that a current Gunners star assisted in the signing of Zincheno. The former City star told Footballers Lives on TikTok, “Mikel [Arteta] and a general manager came to my home. We discussed how they see me within the club, my position, the club’s mission and organizational structure, and everything else.
“Thereafter, we sat outside because the weather was so pleasant. Someone suddenly rings my doorbell. I apologized and said, “I’m sorry, guys.” I must open the door to see if delivery or someone else has arrived.
“And Gabriel Jesus was standing behind my gate, to which I replied, ‘Nah, is this a joke?'” So, a covert agent visited my home, where we all had a pleasant conversation. “This was an extremely positive one.”
Arsenal report: Mikel Arteta dealt injury clash as £100m transfer error emerges