ARSENAL'
Fabrizio Romano reveals Arsenal are eyeing a Mosquera-style ‘bargain’ from La Liga
Fabrizio Romano has given an update on Arsenal.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal are “keeping a close eye” on Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza ahead of the January transfer window.
The Gunners, who are currently top of the table, spent over £250m on new signings in the summer transfer window as they looked to build on a third consecutive second-placed finish in the Premier League.
Arsenal made eight transfers to boost Mikel Arteta’s chances of finally getting his side over the line in the Premier League title race with the Spaniard having two quality players in most positions.
Ad
There have been rumours that Arsenal could move to sign Elche midfielder Mendoza, who has a release clause of €20m in his contract, and now Romano has revealed the state of play.
Romano told his YouTube channel: “He has a release clause of €20m and this release clause is attracting several clubs. Arsenal had their scouts already in two games between October and November to follow Mendoza.
“Arsenal are keeping a close eye on the player. Not only Arsenal because Italian and Spanish clubs are also monitoring this boy.
READ: Chelsea man guilty of ‘pussy move’ as Arsenal contribute to ‘horrible’ game
“Again, Spanish, quality player, 20 years old, again €20m, could be a bargain. Arsenal are very good with these opportunities.
“Mosquera was not about a release clause, but he was an opportunity, for example, out of contract with Valencia.
“Arsenal, Andrea Berta decided to go for it and sign a top defender for a very cheap price.
“So Mendoza could be an opportunity. At the moment, Arsenal are happy with the midfielders they have, so it’s not something imminent.”
Ad
Speaking last week, Romano revealed that Arsenal are unlikely to do much business in the January transfer market as they are “very happy” with their squad and will concentrate on new contracts instead.
Romano said: “Arsenal, in January, unless there is some problem or some issue or some injury, we never know in football, but at the moment Arsenal are very happy with the squad they have, very happy also with the attitude of the players.
MORE ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 16 Conclusions from Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal: Caicedo, Chalobah, cards and carelessness
👉 Five Arsenal players in Premier League XI of the season so far
👉 Chelsea 1 Arsenal 1: Caicedo v Rice debate can be considered dead, but the title race is alive
“At the moment, it’s very quiet. Arsenal’s focus is on contracts. Bukayo Saka, expected to sign a new contract at Arsenal until 2030 as soon as possible. The agreement is getting closer. It’s not signed or done yet, but it will get done.
Content continues below
Ad
“Then there is Jurrien Timber. Arsenal are also negotiating with Timber over a new deal. And then also Declan Rice.
“For Rice, it’s not an urgent situation, but I think in the next months discussions will start between Rice and Arsenal over a new contract.”
“Arsenal, more than on new players, are focused on keeping the players they have while doing fantastic at the moment this season.”
ARSENAL'
Arsenal player ratings vs Wolves: That was lucky! TWO own goals give Gunners dramatic late win over Premier League strugglers as Viktor Gyokeres blanks again
Player ratings
Lucky Arsenal were let off the hook in dramatic style as they claimed a 2-1 win against Wolves thanks to two own goals from the Premier League’s basement boys, with Yerson Mosquera heading what proved to be the winner past his own keeper Sam Johnstone deep into stoppage time at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s league leaders looked to have dropped two costly points when Mateus Mane glanced a header past David Raya with just seconds remaining to cancel out Arsenal’s opener, which had come when Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner had struck the far post and gone in off the back of the unfortunate Johnstone.
But they somehow found a way to claim a crucial victory moments later when Saka’s ball in from the right was flicked beyond the despairing Johnstone. It initially looked like substitute Gabriel Jesus, making his first Emirates appearance in just under a year, had got the decisive touch, but replays showed it was in fact Mosquera who got his head to the ball first and inadvertently deflected it into his own net.
It was a hugely fortunate moment for Arsenal, who were poor throughout, but they will take their bit of luck, with the win moving them five-points clear at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City, who play at Crystal Palace tomorrow.
GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from Emirates Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10):
Made one comfortable save in the first half to deny Hee-Chan. Swept up well and looked set for a clean sheet before Mane’s late header.
Ben White (N/A):
Awful to see him limp of with a hamstring injury early on, just as he’d got himself back in the side.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Started off at centre-back, but ended up at right-back after White’s injury. Comfortable night’s work for the large part.
William Saliba (6/10):
Back in the side after injury and looked quite sharp. Not tested too much until those final seconds.
Piero Hincapie (7/10):
Started out at left-back but shifted back into the centre after White’s injury. Solid.
Getty Images Sport
Midfield
Martin Zubimendi (6/10):
Replaced in the second half, neat and tidy but unable to make the sort of impact he did in midweek.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Set piece delivery was unusually poor. Put it a disappointing corner early on which set the tone for a frustrating night. Not at his best, but still probably the best player on the pitch.
Eberechi Eze (5/10):
No real impact. Was often picking the ball up deep and never really looked like hurting Wolves.
Attack
Bukayo Saka (7/10):
Probably the pick of Arsenal’s attackers, but that’s no saying much. Put in one great ball in the first half that deserved better. It was his corner that led to the Johnstone own goal and his crossed that forced the eventual winner.
Viktor Gyokeres (5/10):
Just couldn’t get into the game. Improved a bit after half-time, but Arsenal need more from him. Had one nice moment just before being replaced when he fired just wide.
Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
His best moment came seconds before he went off when he drove into the box and curled an effort wide. Disappointing.
Subs & Manager
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
Replaced the injured Ben White in the first half. Decent enough showing. Looked to get forward when he could.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
Added a bit more energy, but is passing was a bit off.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Certainly improved Arsenal down the left flank.
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Used the ball well having come on in midfield.
Gabriel Jesus (7/10):
On for the final 10 minutes. Got a great reception on his first Emirates appearance in nearly a year and was really lively. Not credited with the winner, but made a difference.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Made five changes, but would have been hoping for far more from his side. In hindsight, starting White for the fourth time in a row did not look like a great decision.
Arsenal 2-1 Wolves
FT: Arsenal get away with it!FREE match highligts HERE📺📺📺👇👇👇
Watch Premier League goals and highlights
In stoppage time it looked like Wolves had grabbed a hard-fought point.
It looked like Man City would have the chance to go top.
But a SECOND own goal of the game from the visitors brought Arsenal the precious three points.
Top vs bottom? Never assume it’s going to be straight forward!
Arsenal go five points clear at the top of the table. Wolves remain on two.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Wolves (Mosquera, 90+4)
ARSENAL STRIKE BACK!
Saka’s cross is directed in!
At first it looks like Jesus on his Emirates comeback but replays suggest it’s gone in off Mosquera!
TWO Wolves own goals!
Arsenal go five points clear
Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points despite struggling against winless Wolves.
Mikel Arteta’s side triumph thanks to two own goals.
First Half: Arsenal 0-0 Wolves
📺📺STREAMING LIVE HERE 👇👇👇👇
Arsenal aiming to go five points clear | Teams
FREE highlights after FT! 🚨 | ALL PL Highlights ▶️
Live PL table | Sky Bet | Latest: Arsenal | Wolves
IRISH CUSTOMERS: Stream this game contract-free on NOW 📺
Commentary by Peter Smith, Nick Wright & Gary Cotterill at Emirates Stadium
Wolves team news
Team to play Arsenal: Johnstone, Doherty, Mosquera, Agbadou, Toti, Wolfe, Krejci, Andre, J. Gomes, Hwang, Strand Larsen.
Subs: Sa, Bueno, Arias, Arokodare, Chirewa, Hoever, Lopez, Mane, Tchatchoua.
Arsenal team news
Team to play Wolves: Raya, White, Saliba, Timber, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Subs: Kepa, Odegaard, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly.
-
Featured2 months agoVAR AND REFEREE ERROR Why Manchester United goal stood despite head injury to Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister
-
ARSENAL'2 months agoArsenal’s next five fixtures compared to Liverpool and Man City after Crystal Palace win
-
Liverpool2 months agoPremier League explains two controversial Liverpool penalty decisions as referee replaced
-
Featured2 months agocentre-backs available THIS SUMMER for Liverpool FC
-
ARSENAL INJURY UPDATE1 month agoGabriel Jesus training footage sends clear message to Mikel Arteta ahead of Tottenham clash
-
Arsenal predicted XI2 months agoFulham 0-1 Arsenal 69: NO PENALTY! Finally the decision is made. Anthony Taylor steps away from the screen and announces that Kevin played the ball. It seemed pretty clear but it took an age to get there.
-
Liverpool2 months agoGOAL! Brentford 2-1 Liverpool | Kerkez ’45+5
-
Arsenal predicted XI2 months agoFormer Arsenal star training with first-team ahead of Atletico Madrid