Bukayo Saka Returns From Injury for Arsenal

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to make his return from a lengthy injury layoff when the Gunners host Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Monday that “Bukayo is ready to go” and could even start the game. Saka has not played since December after needing surgery on a hamstring tear. In his absence, second-place Arsenal has fallen 12 points behind leader Liverpool in the league. But Saka’s return comes as Arteta’s team is preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, with the first leg at home next week.

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Arsenal ready £65m offer for Osimhen

Arsenal are plotting a summer move to sign on loan Napoli forward Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window, according to Italian outlet Tuttojuve. The Nigerian international attracted persistent interest last summer, with Chelsea coming closest to sealing a deal before it fell through. Amid an injury crisis upfront, Arsenal have now shown interest in signing the prolific forward, who has registered 25 goal contributions this season. According to Tuttojuve, Arsenal are preparing an offer to sign the 26-year-old from Napoli in the summer transfer window. The report adds that the North London club are ready to trigger his release clause by placing a €75m (£61m) bid to sign the forward. Amid interest from other clubs, Arsenal are looking to fast-track the transfer as the Italian outlet claims that the club will submit a bid to beat competition from other clubs, including Juventus, to sign the Nigerian star. Osimhen is currently on loan with Turkish League defending champions, Galatasaray, and he’s set to return to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this summer, where he’s expected to leave with a year left on his contract. During the last summer and winter transfer window, a prolific out-and-out centre-forward was believed to be high on Arsenal’s transfer list. It appears Mikel Arteta still has full confidence in Kai Havertz up front as the German international has been utilized in the centre-forward role for the Gunners this season. With nine Premier League goals and 15 in all competitions, the numbers do not entirely depict a bad output from the 25-year-old, who has also provided five assists this season. However, if the Gunners are to have a more potent shot at the title, the need for a prolific forward cannot be undermined. A swoop for Osimhen could hand Arteta a box dominator the team has lacked, and his all-around play, technicality, and goalscoring prowess could be vital assets to further reinforce the Gunners’ attack next season if he joins.

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FA Cup: Arsenal draws holders Man Utd in third round

Holders Manchester United face a trip to Arsenal in the third round of this season’s FA Cup as two of the favourites for the trophy lock horns early in the New Year. The real glamour ties see Tottenham Hotspur visit non-league Tamworth and Bromley, in their first season in the Football League and playing in the FA Cup third round for the first time in their history, heading to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United. Premier League leaders Liverpool, who beat Arsenal in the third round last season, face Accrington Stanley whilst Manchester City face Salford City in an intriguing between two sides in close proximity to each other. The third-round ties will be played over the over the weekend of January 10-13, with the FA to confirm the full schedule in due course. FA Cup third-round draw in full Southampton vs Swansea Arsenal vs Man Utd Exeter vs Oxford Leyton Orient vs Derby Reading vs Burnley Aston Villa vs West Ham Norwich vs Brighton Man City vs Salford Millwall vs Dagenham and Redbridge Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley Bristol City vs Wolves Preston vs Charlton Chelsea vs Morecambe Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Bournemouth vs West Brom Mansfield vs Wigan Tamworth vs Tottenham Hull vs Doncaster Sunderland vs Stoke Leicester vs QPR Brentford vs Plymouth Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday Newcastle vs Bromley Everton vs Peterborough Wycombe vs Portsmouth Birmingham vs Lincoln Leeds vs Harrogate Nottingham Forest vs Luton Sheffield United vs Cardiff Ipswich vs Bristol Rovers Fulham vs Watford Crystal Palace vs Stockport Quarter-final: Saturday March 29, 2025 Semi-final: Saturday April 26, 2025 Final: Saturday May 17, 2025

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Arsenal makes contact over €75m Osimhen

Arsenal have reportedly contacted Napoli regarding the potential signing of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, as they consider reinforcing their attacking options for the upcoming transfer window. The Gunners are reportedly among several clubs tracking the prolific forward, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray and impressing with his performances. “The figure is 75 million euros. We will sit at the table with the person who gives 25 of this in advance,” he received the answer Sabah . According to Turkish outlet, Sabah, Mario Branco, the sporting director of Fenerbahce, recently reached out to Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s sporting director, to understand the terms of a potential deal. During the conversation, Manna reportedly quoted a price of €75m (£64.5m) for Osimhen, stating, “We will sit at the table with the club that offers €25m (£21.5m) upfront.” This sets a high bar for any suitors looking to secure Osimhen’s services, and certainly knocks any Turkish side out of the running. Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray until the end of the current season, has made nine appearances for the Turkish giants, scoring eight goals and registering four assists. While Fenerbahce has shown significant interest in Osimhen, Arsenal remain in the mix along with Newcastle United and Chelsea. Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia has also reportedly entered the race for the Nigerian international, adding further competition for the in-demand striker. Osimhen himself has previously indicated that he is content at Galatasaray and wishes to see out his loan spell, but Napoli are clearly open to discussions should their financial demands be met. Arsenal will have to act decisively if they wish to beat their rivals to one of Europe’s hottest striking prospects, with Napoli’s terms already set: a substantial upfront payment will be key to opening negotiations. Mikel Arteta is understood to be keen on adding more firepower to Arsenal’s front line, and Osimhen, with his blend of physicality, pace, and proven finishing ability, fits the profile of the striker they are seeking. However, any move would require significant financial commitment given Napoli’s stance on the deal.

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Saka: Arsenal should have won it

Bukayo Saka couldn’t hide his disappointment after we were twice pegged back to draw at home to Liverpool on Sunday. After missing our last two games with a hamstring injury, our No. 7 was back with a bang, smashing home at the near post to put us ahead. But despite Mikel Merino also finding the net in the first half, we could only take a point against high-flying Liverpool. After the game Saka said: “We’re disappointed. I feel like we didn’t show our best selves for 90 minutes and it cost us in the end. We believe we should have won it. “For sure, there’s definitely some positives – Liverpool are a top team, credit to them. But the overall feeling is that we didn’t show our best selves for the whole game, especially more in the second half, and it cost us in the end.” Saka’s goal was his 50th Premier League goal for the club, becoming the youngest player in our history to reach a half century. Another milestone for our 23 year old academy product. “Hopefully that can push us to some silverware as well,” he added. “I hate to miss games, so I was buzzing to be back. I had this game in mind to come back for and I was feeling good out there, and I was happy to get an early goal.”

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Nwaneri: I’m buzzing at Arsenal after 16 years 

Nigeria-British-born Ethan Nwaneri was over the moon to have marked his first senior start with two goals in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Bolton. The Hale End graduate netted brace to help send Arsenal through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. “I’m buzzing,” he said. “I’m so happy to have helped the team go through to the next round and just ready for whatever’s next.” Supporters at Emirates Stadium liked what they saw, so much so they began signing “Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of our own.” “It’s a great feeling when the club you love, the club you’ve grown up with the fans are chanting that,” he said. “So yeah, it’s a good feeling. “It’s a surreal feeling. It’s a feeling I’ve wanted to feel for almost 16 years of my life so to actually feel it, it’s crazy… just want more of it. “All them players that I’ve played with since I’ve been like 9 and now we’re on the big pitch together, it’s a crazy feeling. You know, it’s good.” Nwaneri has been regularly involved with the first team in recent weeks, playing in the north London derby and travelling to the huge game against Manchester City. “It’s been tough,” he said. “It’s been intense, but I think it’s definitely helped me as a player, helped me to see what it’s like, how they prepare. I think I’ve added that to my game, so definitely it’s been good to be around them players.  “100% I think there’s a perfect balance for when they’re on me and kind of telling me what to do, but definitely I think they definitely put an arm around me as well so I think it’s a good balance.”

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