AFTV News

The five best free agent midfielders in the transfer market Arsenal could target this summer By Jack Lacey With the futures of Joe Willock, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, Matteo Guendouzi and Dani Ceballos all up in the air, Arsenal will need to re-organise their midfield department swiftly this summer. At least one, possibly two, reinforcements will be needed, particularly after the Gunners missed out on Emiliano Buendia. Once an area of strength in the team, the midfield now lacks cohesion. A mismatch in desperate need of reinforcements. Although manager Mikel Arteta will still have some money to spend this summer, with multiple signings required the free agent market could be a key area to exploit. Here are five midfielders Arsenal could sign this summer without having to pay a transfer fee.     Ramires Admittedly, the last time Mikel Arteta signed a Brazilian, ex-Chelsea midfielder, it was a disaster. Most fans are unanimous that Willian has been a big disapp...

Dani Ceballos can go but Arsenal need to snap up other two loan stars By Peter White The countdown to Arsenal’s biggest clash of the campaign is almost over, with the outcome of Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal likely to point towards the sort of summer Arsenal fans can expect.  If Mikel Arteta’s men overcome the 2-1 disadvantage and successfully navigate themselves into the competition showpiece for the second time in three seasons, a spot in next year’s Champions League remains within reach.  A return to the premier continental competition would enhance the club’s ability to attract some of the planet’s hottest prospects, with the 14-time FA Cup winners bidding to recapture former glories under the Spaniard.  Exiting at the last-four stage however would mark the latest blemish on a largely disappointing campaign, particularly due to domestic form that sees the Gunners languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, with four game...

How could the addition of Yves Bissouma boost Arsenal's prospects next season?  By Peter White While Sunday’s 2-0 win at Newcastle served a welcome boost ahead of Thursday’s do-or-die Europa League showdown with Villarreal, news that Arsenal are leading the race for the summer signature of Yves Bissouma earlier this week was further cause for smiles among the Emirates faithful.  The Gunners have reportedly been long-term admirers of the Brighton midfielder, with sustained interest during the winter transfer window eventually coming to nothing after creative star Martin Odegaard was supposedly prioritised.  But the Arsenal hierarchy have kept tabs on the 24-year-old Mali international, who has emerged as one of the Seagulls’ most prized assets throughout a season in which they have largely delivered more on the pitch than their results would suggest.  Having left Lille for the south coast in a £15m deal in 2018, it is widely acknowledged that Bissouma is ready for his...

                                          The 3-1 victory over Olympiacos suggest Arsenal have exactly what it takes to secure Europa League success this season By Adam Le Roux Arsenal fans have been biding their time for a performance like the one against Olympiacos all season, but when it came along it was well worth the wait. Every single man stood up to be counted in Thursday night’s clash in Athens, with the 3-1 first-leg victory over the Greek side paving the way towards a place in the last eight of the Europa League. The intentions of the Gunners were obvious right from the first whistle at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, as they flew out the blocks and laid siege to their opponents’ goal. When the chances weren’t being converted there would have been plenty of Arsenal fans casting their minds back to Turf Moor on Saturday, when Mikel Arteta’s side were made to pay for a num...

What is the point in Mohamed Elneny? Should Mikel Arteta persist with playing the Egyptian in the Premier League? By Adam Le Roux This Arsenal team is evolving before our very eyes, what had become a stagnant side is slowly developing into a dynamic, forward-thinking and creative unit over the course of the season. It has taken some time, and it’s clear to see that the Gunners are still far away from becoming the finished article but Mikel Arteta has finally started to get the cogs in motion and put his own blueprint on the team. From the departure of Mesut Ozil to the arrival of Martin Odegaard and the faith put into the younger elements of the squad such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, this team has Arteta written all over it, apart from one area. And that is in defensive midfield, where Mohamed Elneny continues to get playing time, although you’d be hard-pressed to describe what the Egyptian actually does throughout the 90 minutes. Elneny is expendable Name one thing that Moha...

                                                Dani Ceballos: The unsung hero of Arsenal's midfield as the Gunners secure a 1-1 draw with Benfica in the Europa League By Adam Le Roux It was a well-earned draw for Arsenal against Benfica in Rome, and there was one man who was the star of the show - Dani Ceballos. He may not have the flair of Martin Odegaard, or the growling tenacity of Granit Xhaka, which can make him sometimes go unnoticed in the Gunners’ midfield, but the Spaniard produced the goods yet again with another tidy performance in the engine room. While Xhaka was being his usual bull-in-a-china-shop self, his midfield partner was quietly going about his business at both ends of the pitch to keep Benfica at bay, while supplying the service to the frontline when he ventured forward. Indeed, there were many people fearing for his future at the club after the ...

Could Martin Odegaard's arrival spell the end for Dani Ceballos? By Peter White The arrival of Martin Odegaard has served as a boost to the optimism surrounding Arsenal, with the attacking midfielder putting pen to paper on an exciting loan deal until the end of the season earlier this week.  The 22-year-old was lauded as one of the brightest prospects in world football when he was snapped up by Real Madrid aged 16, and though he has perhaps not quite reached such heights, he undoubtedly possesses star quality.  While limited to just nine appearances for Real during 2020/21, Odegaard enjoyed a prolific campaign on loan at Real Sociedad last year, during which only five players - including Lionel Messi and Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla - created more scoring chances than the young Norwegian in La Liga.  Odegaard’s presence in the Arsenal team is likely to ease the pressure on the shoulders of youngster Emile Smith Rowe, providing the key to chance creation and goals that co...

Three things to look out for as Arsenal return to Premier League action against Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United By Adam Le Roux It’s been two weeks since the Gunners trudged off the pitch with their tails between their legs after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates, with the international break giving Mikel Arteta a chance to take stock of the season so far.  This Sunday sees Arsenal return to action with a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United, who have endured an up and down season since their return to the top tier. We all know Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be full of boundless energy as always, and it is up to the boss to generate a game plan to deal with their dynamic pressing game. Goals have been hard to come by for the Gunners so far this season, but the trip to Yorkshire could be the springboard they need to get their Premier League campaign back on track. Trouble in camp? Emotions will have been running high after a poor run of form for the Gunners, and t...

What is the best Arsenal XI - from Thomas Partey to Hector Bellerin to Bukayo Saka By Peter White With the fresh Premier League campaign now in full swing, three wins from the opening four league games have yielded plenty of causes for optimism for Arsenal fans so far in 2020/21. Since taking charge in January, Mikel Arteta has demonstrated a much-needed streak of ruthlessness both on the pitch and behind the scenes, so much so that he was duly promoted from head coach to first-team manager in September.  Indeed, he has reinvigorated a previously disunited squad, convincing the likes of Granit Xhaka and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang their future remains in North London, while instilling new life into the team through signings such as Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian and now Thomas Partey.  Arteta has been equally unafraid to shun anyone not in line with his philosophy, with Mesut Ozil permanent figures on the sidelines and Matteo Guendouzi shipped out on loan.  After a plea...