Welcome to our football.london The Arsenal Way daily news round-up. Maybe not the first, we've definitely done transfer round-ups before, and European round-ups, so I guess in some ways it's not that new at all.
Anyway, we thought we would enter the world of football in a broad and roundabout manner for you and have some fun with some of the stories and captions doing the daily rounds.
Mikel Arteta is interested in a summer move for a Napoli star but faces competition from Premier League rivals.
Reported January target Dusan Vlahovic has opened up on his decision-making process after sealing Juventus transfer.
Meanwhile, a former Arsenal player has made a Thierry Henry comparison with Gabriel Martinelli.
Let's take a look at the above stories in more detail...
Vlahovic adds salt to the wound
Dusan Vlahovic signed for Juventus in the January transfer window after months of speculation and links away from Fiorentina. The Serbian international was heavily linked with Arsenal but made the switch to Turin instead.
The forward has said that the decision was ‘easy’ which won’t go down well with Arsenal fans, who know their club will be without a solid striker option come the summer when Alexander Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s contracts end.
Speaking in his first press conference as a Juventus player, Vlahovic said: “‘I am ready to give my all for this glorious club to reach its objectives. There were many rumours about foreign clubs, but the choice was easy because the club and I have a similar DNA.”
Our view: Ouch. This will be tough for the fans to hear but it could also provide reassurance with the fact that Arsenal didn't end up with a player who may not have given 100% for the badge.
Arsenal show interest in Ruiz
Newcastle United had a bid for Fabian Ruiz turned down by Napoli but will continue their push for the midfielder in the summer. They won’t be the only club trying for the player, however, as Arsenal are also said to be interested and considering making a bid for him.
This is according to Corriere dello Sport who say that the Gunners have sent ‘subliminal messages’ about their interest in the Spanish international. But, a whole host of clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool are set to claw themselves to the front of the queue.
Our view: Please don’t bottle this one Arsenal, for the sake of the fans…
Smith likens Martinelli to Henry
Alan Smith has been so impressed with Gabriel Martinelli that he’s compared him to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. “It might just be Martinelli’s time,” Smith said and suggested that he could be used as the main striker upfront.
“So far, he has been given a chance on the left and he has taken that chance. In order to be given an opportunity to play through the middle you have got to show you are in good form, you are fully fit and you are playing with confidence. He has done that so this could be a good time to move him inside.
“There is precedence there, famously Thierry Henry started on the wing and moved into the striker position to great effect. It is certainly an option for Arteta and one he should not be afraid to have a look at.”
Our view: This is a big comparison from Smith, but you can't deny that Martinelli has the talent and attitude to potentially become an Arsenal great.
I still think he has a long way to go in terms of proving himself in front of goal, although I'm confident he can get to the next level.
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