Mikel Arteta responds to speculation Arsenal wanted to sign Philippe Coutinho
Mikel Arteta has hinted Philippe Coutinho was among a number of creative midfielders Arsenal contemplated signing in the summer.
Martin Odegaard Sport News
Mikel Arteta wary of Philippe Coutinho threat as Arsenal head to Villa
Arsenal will have to be wary of Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho in Saturday's Premier League clash but manager Mikel Arteta says he has no regrets at not signing the Brazilian. The north London club were linked with Coutinho in the January 2021 transfer window but he stayed at Barcelona and Arsenal opted instead to sign Norwegian Martin Odegaard. It has worked out well with Odegaard now flourishing at The Emirates Stadium and along with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, helping Arsenal close in on a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.
El Clasico: Eternal rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona united by shift towards smarter transfer strategy
El Clasico has always been marked by some of the greatest players to ever play the game, part of the lustre and appeal of the fixture comes from seeing the best go against the best. However, what is not always talked about as much, is some of the truly astonishing transfer business conducted by the two giants over the years. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have plenty of skeletons in the transfer closet, more than a few millions down the drain thanks to ill-advised pursuits.
Pundit delivers 'interesting' Aston Villa vs Arsenal prediction
BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson says it will be "interesting" to see how Arsenal will respond in a "new territory" against Aston Villa after the midweek defeat against Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have sprinted into contention in final straight of title race
Pep Guardiola seemed to be sounding unnecessarily cautious. Manchester City were 13 points ahead of Chelsea and 14 clear of Liverpool. The obituaries for the title race were being written. Guardiola thought they were premature. “In January, it is impossible it is over,” he said.
Philippe Coutinho has given his opinion on Arsenal amid £33 million transfer U-turn
It's not so long ago that Arsenal were crying out for a bit of creativity in their midfield. As Boxing Day of 2020 approached the Gunners sat 15th in the Premier League having failed to win in seven matches and having scored fewer goals than every team in the division bar Sheffield United, West Brom and Burnley.
Arsenal have Alisson to thank for summer transfer move as Mikel Arteta mulls over striker plan
In the final moments of a top-quality first-half performance from Arsenal the best chance of the entire game presented itself to Mikel Arteta’s side. However, the difference between a title challenger and a top-four contender was revealed in this very instance.
Paul Merson makes 'entertaining' prediction for Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Aston Villa host Arsenal in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park.