Arsenal transfer news LIVE – Leandro Trossard bid, Declan Rice controversy, Merino return update
In England, the transfer window slammed shut on Friday night, but it remains open in other countries across the world – and this could be a problem for Mikel Arteta. He could still see players leave the club with Leandro Trossard reportedly a target for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
football.london understands that the Belgian is not up for sale at any price, but Trossard does have newfound competition in attack after Raheem Sterling joined.
There are also questions around the short-to-medium term future for Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, and Jorginho. We’ll have all of that plus continued fallout from the controversial 1-1 draw with Brighton over the weekend.
Sterling verdict
Ferdinand says it’s “a ridiculous bit of business” for Arsenal, and he cannot understand how Chelsea let him leave for their London rivals, writes football.london.
“What a mad circus act this was,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. “But I’m just pleased and happy that the situation got sorted out for Raheem Sterling and he got a move he wanted. The situation wasn’t handled properly – it could’ve been better from Chelsea. But I’m glad he’s gone now.
“It’s a great business by Arsenal. From their perspective, this is a ridiculous bit of business.
“You’re getting an experienced winger who has won four league titles, he knows how to get it done. He’s played for some of the biggest clubs this country has to offer.
“He knows the path to trophies and that is invaluable. How Chelsea have let that out the door I don’t know, it’s crazy.”
He added: “This is a marriage made in heaven for Arsenal. It’s a perfect fit for me. Raheem has something to prove, too.
“I think he will deliver there and I’ll say it again, I think Arsenal will win the league this year and this signing only reinforces that thought. I think he could be that important.”
Arteta on Trossard
Mikel Arteta has already made his Leandro Trossard Arsenal feelings clear amid transfer interest from Saudi Arabia, football.london writes.
“First of all that when you don’t get picked there are certain ways to react,” Arteta said.
“Leo is upset but he’s upset to show on the pitch how good he is, not upset then come in and because I wasn’t playing then it is like this. That’s a huge quality. When you put him in the starting XI he does exactly the same thing. That’s a big message and a big example for the rest of the team and myself.
“Today we had a few. When Ricky [Riccardo Calafiori] had to come in he was unbelievable. You ask Reiss [Nelson] to come in for five minutes, he’s the same. The boys that unfortunately didn’t have the minutes, they’re supporting the other ones. That’s what we need.”
Terry on Rice red
John Terry has slammed Chris Kavanagh for showing Declan Rice a second yellow card in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton, football.london writes.
On Sunday, Rice broke his silence with a post on Instagram, writing: “Disappointed. Didn’t feel it deserved a second yellow card but will learn and be better for it. Proud of the boys regardless & thank you for the amazing support Gunners [red heart emoji].”
The post racked up nearly 10,000 comments before the former West Ham captain decided to limit engagement. William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko offered Rice support before Terry chimed in, writing: “Worst decision EVER [angry face emoji.”
It just so happens that Rice – and the Chelsea legend – have every right to be furious with the referee’s performance.
