Arsenal given major Newcastle transfer boost as Pep Guardiola copies Mikel Arteta's January plan
Mikel Arteta will be hoping Arsenal can pick up from where they left off when they face Leicester City this weekend. The Gunners stormed past Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night to book themselves a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners will welcome Leicester City to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, knowing a win will keep their title dreams alive. Last weekend, Manchester City netted a stoppage-time equaliser against the north Londoners, snatching a crucial point – which could prove costly – in the title race.
In other news, Edu appears to preparing for a busy January transfer window as Arteta looks to beef up his squad. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest Arsenal news on Friday morning.
Arsenal and Man City eye exciting winger
According to TBR Football, Ruben van Bommel has attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester City after an impressive start to the Eredivisie season. The 20-year-old winger has featured six times in the Dutch top-flight for AZ Alkmaar, scoring two goals and providing two assists.
Ruben, who is the son of Mark van Bommel, the legendary former Bayern Munich midfielder, also recently netted a brace on his Europa League debut. TBR Football claims that Newcastle United are said to be keeping tabs on the youngster too.
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football.london says: "He would certainly be a good signing for Arsenal – he'd provide Gabriel Martinelli with lots of healthy competition for a place on the left wing in Mikel Arteta's side. My only concern would be his game time, in which case he should stay at AZ Alkmaar until at least the end of the season and continue working hard."
Agent responds to Vlahovic rumours
Claudio Anellucci has branded Dusan Vlahovic as 'overrated'. The Juventus striker has recently been linked with a move to Arsenal – again – ahead of the January transfer window as Mikel Arteta hopes to bolster his frontline.
Speaking on Italian radio station 1StationRadio, as quoted by CalcioNapoli24, the FIFA licensed agent, who once managed Edinson Cavani, said: "Vlahovic, for me, is overrated. I’m not crazy about him.
"In recent years he has brought home his goals but if we look at the chances he had and the goals scored, the average is low. Last year he should have scored 30 goals, but to do well he must always be at 100%, which he can’t do."
football.london says: "Dusan Vlahovic is good, but I do agree that he is slightly overrated. With that being said, I think most players are overrated these days. Some of the inflated price tags are a joke!"
Arsenal given Gordon transfer boost
Arsenal have been given a huge boost to their hopes of signing Anthony Gordon. The Newcastle United winger was heavily linked with an exit from St James' Park in the summer, but a move failed to materialise.
According to The Telegraph, the Magpies promised Gordon a 'lucrative long-term deal' at the end of last season, but 'progress has been slow'. The report states that the England international feels 'undervalued' by what Newcastle have offered him so far as they try to adhere their strict wage structure.
It's said that if fresh terms cannot be agreed then a sale might be considered, with Gordon's current deal set to expire in June 2026. The Telegraph add that the Gunners are 'big admirers' of the ace, and they plan to launch a bid next summer.
football.london says: "Wow. What a signing this would be for Arsenal. If the Gunners secured his signature then he definitely comes in and displaces Gabriel Martinelli from the starting line-up."