Arsenal have been linked with a move for a £40m-rated ace while another Mikel Arteta transfer target has spoken out about a key Gunners star
Arsenal are weighing up new signings to bolster their Premier League title fight as the reigning champions contemplate the dramatic events of the international break.
It followed the Gunners’ first loss of the campaign – a 3-0 hammering by Brighton. Before that setback, Mikel Arteta’s team had secured seven consecutive victories across all competitions. The Spanish boss will be hoping his squad can steer clear of any injuries for the rest of the international fixtures before Leeds United’s visit to North London on October 10.
He has already witnessed Kai Havertz head back from Germany’s squad owing to a slight muscle problem. And in the meantime the Premier League has been turned upside down by his former club Manchester City being found guilty of 114 out of 115 breaches of the division’s financial rules. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates.
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Vinicius Junior thanks Arsenal star
Vinicius Junior has expressed gratitude to Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes for allowing him to convert Brazil’s 80th-minute penalty during the 4-2 victory over Australia.
With the scoreline at 3-2, Brazil were handed a late spot-kick in Tuesday’s friendly. And with regular penalty taker Raphinha having left the field, midfielder Guimaraes was next in the queue to step up.
However, acknowledging team-mate Vinicius’ need for a confidence lift due to his recent lack of goals, the Gunners’ summer acquisition passed the baton to Vinicius, enabling him to score and boost his morale.
The Real Madrid player, who was strongly rumoured to be joining Arsenal himself in the summer before penning a contract extension with Los Blancos, expressed gratitude to Guimaraes for his thoughtful act after the match.
The striker stated: “Bruno Guimaraes is our penalty taker when Raphinha isn’t playing, and I thought he’d want to take it, but he knows that I need a bit of confidence right now, in this moment. My team-mates know I need some confidence now. Losing a World Cup is hard and difficult to accept, and the comeback is never easy.”
Guimaraes corroborated what Vinicius said later on, underlining the squad’s solidarity. “That was the reason [the penalty gave Vini confidence],” he clarified.
“After the penalty incident, many things came to light. But here in the national team, we have no vanity whatsoever.
“In the World Cup, [manager Carlo] Ancelotti told me to take the penalty. Today, he told Vini to take it. Vini really needed to score a goal. He took it very well. We have no vanity whatsoever. We want what’s best for Brazil. We’re happy for him and it’s about continuing the work.”
£40m-rated Brazilian ‘pursued’
Arsenal could be poised to bring another Brazilian into their squad, according to a report.
TEAMtalk suggests the north Londoners are keen on pursuing 21-year-old Corinthians midfielder Breno Bidon, having initially established contact regarding his potential acquisition back in January.
The £40million-rated prospect secured his maiden senior cap for Brazil this week, featuring alongside his idol Guimaraes. He refrained from discussing his mounting connections with Arsenal, but instead expressed his respect for the Gunners star.
Bidon told Gazeta Esportiva: “From the current generation, Bruno Guimaraes is someone I follow a lot. He had a very good World Cup and managed to stand out.
“He is someone who has already experienced a lot in football. He started young in Brazil and he’s someone I really look up to.
“From what I’ve seen while being around him, he has a very good and winning mentality. And on the pitch, I don’t even need to say anything. He’s been playing really well.”
While Arsenal have yet to table a formal offer for Bidon, they allegedly requested to be updated on progress earlier this year. It is suggested that whether they pursue him or not hinges on Martin Zubimendi’s future, given the Spaniard has dropped down Arteta’s hierarchy since the latter stages of last season, and his possible departure.