ARSENAL had a weekend off to reflect on a disastrous start to the Premier League season.
The Gunners currently sit rock bottom of the table and some reports suggest they have approached Antonio Conte to take over from Mikel Arteta.
But in a boost to Arteta, Thomas Partey and Ben White have returned to training.
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- Ian Tuckey
CHAMBERS EYES LONGER GUNNERS' DEAL
Arsenal could extend Calum Chambers’ contract, reports say.
According to football.london, the Gunners have an option in his contract to extend for a further year.
Chambers’ current deal expires at the end of the season.
- Ian Tuckey
ARSENAL WILL BE NOR-HOPERS IF THEY LOSE
Even Arsenal's own media team are piling on the pressure for Saturday's bottom-two Premier League cash at home to Norwich.
The Gunners are already in a flap with three losses, no goals scored and nine conceded in their three Premier League games so far.
And defeat to the Canaries would compound Arsenal's worst ever Prem start.
The Gunners tweeted: "All eyes on #ARSNOR
- Ian Tuckey
FIVE BIG TESTS
Here’s a reminder of Arsenal’s next five fixtures.
The Gunners face Norwich City at home, before travelling to Turf Moor to face Burnley.
The North London derby is on September 26.
- Joshua Mbu
BISS IS IT
Yves Bissouma – previously linked with a move to Arsenal – is a potential transfer target for rivals Man Utd.
As reported by Metro, United are ready to join the race for the £40m-rated star.
Now in the final two years of his contract, any prospective bidder may have to get in soon and sign him in January – or risk rivals getting involved.
- Joshua Mbu
MORE PEPE
Nicolas Pepe has described playing in empty stadiums as " a bit dead".
And is enjoying playing in front of his home fans at the Emirates.
He told Arsenal.com: "Frankly, the difference with an empty stadium is that the match feels a bit dead.
"You can hear each other on the pitch but it’s the fans that really bring that 12th man. That’s what everyone misses.
“To be honest I played in a lot of empty stadiums before I turned pro, so it didn’t surprise me that much – but there isn’t anything that’s better about playing in an empty stadium than a full one. For me an empty stadium doesn’t have any positives.
“I tried to play the same in an empty stadium as I do when there are fans, but for me when you hear the crowd sing – especially if they call your name – it’s really emotional.
“It shows you the fans really care about you and it makes you really feel part of the club.
"It pushes you and when you hear them singing your name, it gives you an extra push. It really makes you want to score a goal and return the favour."
- Joshua Mbu
TOUGH CROWD
Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe recalled his first appearance playing in front of a crowd in Paris as a kid.
Speaking to Arsenal.com, he said: "As a kid I played mostly in and around Paris.
"We had trips to the 93rd department (an area to the north east of Paris with a reputation for violence and drug trafficking).
"Pretty much everywhere really. Matches were on a Saturday or Sunday morning with our parents who’d take us and we’d make convoys of three or four cars.
"We were playing everywhere really: Porte des Lilas, Aubervilliers, Montreuil.
“The first time I played in front of fans was really early. I was 12 years old. We went to play against Clichy-sous-Bois (in the eastern suburbs of Paris).
"The stadium was in the middle of the hood so the pitch was surrounded by guys from the estates.
“It was a great atmosphere because when you’re young you don’t realise that there were so many people there for a regional match. It was good though, I enjoyed it.”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Joshua Mbu
BES BE OFF THEN
Arsenal appear to have failed in their bid to sell Mohamed Elneny after Besiktas reportedly ended talks over a transfer.
The midfielder’s wage demands are said to have been a major stumbling block in his return to the Istanbul club.
Reports in Turkey suggested Besiktas were keen on bringing back the Egyptian following his loan stint with the team two seasons ago.
With just one year left on his contract, a fee of around £12.5million was named as enough to tempt the Gunners into a sale.
But, according to talkSPORT, the deal collapsed over Elneny’s salary demands.
The 29-year-old reportedly asked for over £40,000-a-week to leave Arsenal.
Besiktas follow Super Lig rivals Galatasaray in pulling out of a move for the player.
- Joshua Mbu
POST-WENGER
Here's a list of Arsenal's signings post-arsine Wenger.
- Joshua Mbu
'CLOSURE'
England manager Gareth Southgate hopes Arsenal's Bukayo Saka has found "closure" after his Euro 2020 final penalty miss.
The 20-year-old scored against Andorra at the weekend, ironically the same net he missed the penalty shootout-deciding spot-kick.
After the game, Southgate said: "It was a lovely moment for him to score.
“He got a fabulous reception before and during the game. You can see how popular he is with the team.
“From my perspective he doesn’t need closure [over the penalty at the Euros].
“The talent that he has, he is a hugely exciting player. No need from our side for closure.”
- Joshua Mbu
TROLL APOLOGISES
An internet troll who made racist comments towards England's Bukayo Saka has apologised.
The unnamed person posted racist emojis on Saka's account shortly after his Euro 2020 final penalty miss.
When approached by BBC Radio 4's documentary team from File on 4, he said: "It was a big mistake, I was angry, and I didn't know what, if he saw the monkeys, what he would feel.
"I really want to apologise to Saka, it was a mistake and I will not do it again for him and any black player."
- Joshua Mbu
NEXT FIVE
Here's a reminder of Arsenal's next five fixtures.
The Gunners face Norwich City at home, before travelling to Turf Moor to face Burnley.
The North London derby is on September 26.
- Joshua Mbu
MONEY SPENT
Arsenal spent the most in the summer transfer window.
- Joshua Mbu
PARTEY TIME
Thomas Partey is happy to be back in training after overcoming an injury.
The midfielder said on Instagram: "Happy to be back with the team.
"Working hard is the way to achieve our goals this season."
- Joshua Mbu
MAN ALIVE
Premier League champions Manchester City have the most expensive squad in Europe.
That is according to findings from CIES, who claim City’s team is valued at an eye-watering £926million.
Rivals Manchester United, however, are not far behind in second place as they have closed the gap by £49m.
And struggling Arsenal are ninth in the list, despite sitting bottom of the Prem table.
- Joshua Mbu
CUP DATE CONFIRMED
Arsenal have confirmed the date and kick-off time for their home Carabao Cup third-round tie against AFC Wimbledon.
The date of the fixture is September 22 at the Emirates.
And kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm.
- Joshua Mbu
GUNNING FOR GLORY
Arsenal have added some FA Cups to the trophy cabinet in recent years.
But haven't won a league title since the Arsene Wenger era.
- Joshua Mbu
GUNNER GO
Former Arsenal winger Willian has opened up on hi exit from the club this summer.
He told Corinthians TV: “I really thought a lot, together with my family and close people. Unfortunately, my time at Arsenal was not good, I wasn’t happy at the club.
“I don’t need to go into details, but I wasn’t happy and I thought that returning to Brazil was the best option.
“I studied some other opportunities, but I wanted to return to Corinthians, to my home, to be close to my family.
“It’s the club that projected me to the world, revealed me. The right time to come back was this.”
- Joshua Mbu
SAK THAT
Bukayo Saka was awarded the Player of the Match award for his performance against Andorra.
The 20-year-old got himself a goal and an assist on his birthday.
- Joshua Mbu
PARTEY TIME
Arsenal could be boosted by the returns of Thomas Partey and Ben White this weekend.
The pair are back in training this week, after missing games at the start of this season.
Partey, 28, is yet to feature this term – having injured his ankle against Chelsea during pre-season.
Summer £50million signing White, meanwhile, started in the 2-0 opening day defeat to Brentford, before testing positive for coronavirus.
Thankfully the 23-year-old was asymptomatic, and could be fit and raring to go at the weekend.
Sitting bottom of the table with zero points from three games, the Gunners are desperate for a win on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta's side host one of the Premier League's other winless sides Norwich City at Emirates Stadium.
- Joshua Mbu
OPTION TO EXTEND
Arsenal could extend Calum Chambers' contract, reports say.
According to football.london, the Gunners have an option in his contract to extend for a further year.
Chambers' current deal expires at the end of the season.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Joshua Mbu
BIG BEN
Ben White is Arsenal's third most expensive signing ever.
- Joshua Mbu
BES BE OFF THEN
Arsenal appear to have failed in their bid to sell Mohamed Elneny after Besiktas reportedly ended talks over a transfer.
The midfielder's wage demands are said to have been a major stumbling block in his return to the Istanbul club.
Reports in Turkey suggested Besiktas were keen on bringing back the Egyptian following his loan stint with the team two seasons ago.
With just one year left on his contract, a fee of around £12.5million was named as enough to tempt the Gunners into a sale.
But, according to talkSPORT, the deal collapsed over Elneny's salary demands.
The 29-year-old reportedly asked for over £40,000-a-week to leave Arsenal.
Besiktas follow Super Lig rivals Galatasaray in pulling out of a move for the player.
- Joshua Mbu
BIGGEST PL TRANSFERS
Nicolas Pepe's transfer to Arsenal for £72million is one of the biggest Premier League transfers.
- Joshua Mbu
CONTE BELIEVE IT
Arsenal have been linked with Antonio Conte following Mikel Arteta's miserable start to the season.
Reports in Italy over the weekend even claimed that the Gunners had 'agreed terms' with the former Chelsea boss.
The rumours have since been rubbished by experts including Fabrizio Romano.
But that doesn't stop Arteta being under immense pressure, with his side having lost three out of three in the Premier League so far this season.
A Conte appointment might not be imminent, but what's the harm in dreaming, Arsenal fans?
- Joshua Mbu
THAT'S FAB
Bukayo Saka made it to the top five of Arsenal stars with the most appearances before turning 20.
Saka registered his 92nd game for the Gunners two weeks ago against Manchester City – equalling Theo Walcott's record.
But the England international will not get to break Cesc Fabregas' record tally as he turned 20 on Sunday during the international break.
No teenager has ever amassed more appearances for the Gunners than Fabregas, who sits on top of that list with 151 games.
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