Fabrizio Romano issues Arsenal contract update as Gunners 'confident' of striker transfer

Arsenal are now gearing up for their clash with strugglers Leicester City after what has turned out to be a turbulent week. The Gunners were hoping for a complete refresh during their week of warm-weather training in the Middle-East, but that was ruined by Kai Havertz tearing his hamstring and being ruled out for the season.

Mikel Arteta has now been left without a striker having failed to get a new one during the winter window. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Nwaneri set for new deal

Arsenal are said to be interested in tying Ethan Nwaneri down to a new contract. The 17-year-old has been a sensation this season having broken into the first team, looking comfortable from the off.

He is currently under his initial terms that reflect his former status as an under-21s player, but Fabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport that Nwaneri is in line for an upgraded deal that will keep him in place at the Emirates Stadium in the long term.

Sesko hopes

Ben Jacobs believes Arsenal are confident of landing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig ths summer. He told The Boot Room: “Now, Chelsea also like Benjamin Sesko. The good news for Joel is that I think Arsenal are leading that race. So I can foresee a situation where everyone wants Alexander Isak,” Jacobs said.

“He doesn’t leave Newcastle. Arsenal go for Benjamin Sesko. Player’s sold on the project. He just wanted to wait and do an extra season at Leipzig. But when he was presented with that choice between Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Sesko picked Arsenal and then made a secondary choice that he was going to stay at Leipzig. So Arsenal are quite confident on Sesko.”

Merson on Merino option

Paul Merson does not like the idea of Mikel Merino playing in the striker role to help cover for the absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. He told Sky Sports: “Not in my book it won’t, not in my book. I don’t like that. ‘I’d probably play Sterling up there. I’d give Sterling a couple of games up there and I say that because of his movement.

“He can move, Sterling, and he can spread the team, take them that way. As soon as the game starts becoming compact and tight, it plays into other people’s hands. When Arsenal can open the game up and Sterling go that way and spread it and then [Martin] Odegaard can get time on the ball, Nwaneri and Trossard, then I think Arsenal will be alright.

“But if you start playing a false nine and he starts drifting back… he’s not someone who finds a pass, he’s not a Havertz, he’s not going to score goals. For me, it’s staring you straight in the eye. Put those three [Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling] up front and probably just tell them to play wherever they want. Manchester City are the only team that have ever played a false nine and that was Manchester City. Everybody’s trying to copy everybody, everybody always seems to be a year behind what Pep Guardiola does, or even more.”

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