AFTV News

Transfer Profile: Tammy Abraham By Alec McQuarrie It is no secret that Arsenal are in the market for a striker this summer, with first Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and now Alexandre Lacazette departing from North London. Discussions are underway to secure the services of Eddie Nketiah beyond the expiry of his contract this month, but even if the 22-year-old is persuaded to stay, Mikel Arteta is desperately in need of forward options for next season. And after a terrific year in Italy, could former Chelsea centre forward Tammy Abraham be the answer to Arsenal’s attacking shortage? Who is he? Despite growing up an Arsenal fan in south London, Abraham joined Chelsea’s academy at under-8 level, progressing through their system to become one of the hottest prospects at the club. Between 2014 and 2016 he scored 74 goals in 98 matches for Chelsea’s youth sides, earning him a first-team debut aged 18. A successful loan spell at Bristol City followed, where he became the first-ever player to win t...

Is it time to sell Granit Xhaka? How Arteta should respond to interest from Roma By Jonathan Bray How do you solve a problem like Granit Xhaka?   At points during his Arsenal career, the Swiss defensive midfielder looked like the answer to the questions that had plagued Arsenal’s midfield since the departure of Patrick Vieira in 2005.   However, that’s always been the problem with the 28-year-old, there are too many question marks surrounding him.   He is clearly passionate, aggressive and offers something different to the other midfield options in Mikel Arteta’s squad.   Sadly, these traits seem almost inseparable from his tendency to be too rash, too casual on the ball and too reactive.   But in a team where he’s expected to provide cover for what is, by the standards of Arsenal Football Club, a weak defensive set-up, is this a surprise?   Why Arsenal should keep him.   First things first, much of the criticism of Xhaka is totally unjustified. ...

Three clubs that Alexandre Lacazette could move to if he is to leave Arsenal in the summer By Adam Le Roux Will he, won’t he? It seems to be the story that persists through every transfer window in the recent past, but this summer looks to be the defining moment in Alexandre Lacazette’s Arsenal career. The striker has been rumoured to be leaving the Emirates for months now, and as he approaches the last year of his current deal the Gunners might decide now is the perfect time to cash in. But with 11 Premier League goals to his name this season, he still has what it takes to cut it at the highest level. If he moves on, where might we see him end up? A move to Madrid? Alexandre Lacazette and Diego Simeone have history and this summer could be the time that the Argentinian gets his man at the third time of asking. The Atleti boss was keen to land the striker last summer and even tabled a bid for the Frenchman, but the two clubs couldn’t come to an agreement on a price and the deal fell th...