Arsenal 'offered' key Barcelona star as Martin Odegaard sends 'excuse' warning

Arsenal must now quickly turn their attention to Wednesday night’s clash with third placed Nottingham Forest, who are only six points behind the Gunners at this stage.

Mikel Arteta’s men suffered a huge setback against West Ham on Saturday, but they must now bounce back quickly with time beginning to run out. In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

De Jong ‘offered’

Arsenal have reportedly been offered the chance to sign FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder has established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga over recent years, but he is still often mooted as a makeweight when the Spanish giants need to raise money for signings.

According to The Boot Room, Arsenal and other Premier League clubs have been offered the chance to sign the Netherlands international, with his intermediaries sensing that the Premier League is the most likely destination in terms of finding a buyer. De Jong is only under contract until 2026, but he is still likely to cost a significant amount.

Odegaard on Havertz and excuses

Martin Odegaard has issued an update on injured teammate Kai Havertz while also telling his teammates that they cannot afford to make excuses. The midfielder said after the West Ham defeat: “There we had the bad news with Kai’s injury. He’s been back at the training ground lately, so we’ve been able to speak to him.

“His surgery went well, but he can’t do too much at the moment, and he’s staying positive. It’s always hard when you have an injury like that, and he’s not been injured a lot before, which makes it tough for him. We miss Havertz so much, but his absence should not be why we should keep losing matches no matter what happens.”

Dean on red card decision

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean was in agreement with the red card shown to Myles Lewis-Skelly on Saturday.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Dean said: “100 per cent. Even though its on the halfway [line], that’s the only doubt with the referee because its so far from goal but he’s only got the goalkeeper probably 20 yards in front of him and 40 yards behind him so for me, it’s definitely a goalscoring opportunity for me, 100 per cent, it’s going to be a red card.”

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