ARSENAL’S interest in Ademola Lookman has been well reported by SunSport over the past 12 months – and it continues to be the case.
And with the Nigerian international winger going on strike at Atalanta to secure a move away this summer, the Gunners are monitoring the situation closely.
APArsenal could look to strike up a deal for Ademola Lookman[/caption]
But they have competition – Inter Milan have had two bids rejected for the 27-year-old with Atalanta insisting they will not sell to another Serie A club.
Inter tried their hand with a latest bid of around £40m, but Atalanta are targeting £45m at least to allow him to leave.
Napoli and Atletico Madrid are also keen.
SunSport understands Arsenal are keeping tabs on the player’s future should they miss out on other targets, including Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
A move for Lookman would also come into play should Leandro Trossard leave this summer.
The Belgian’s contract in North London expires next year with an option to extend.
After interest from Saudi and Turkey, Mikel Arteta may look to cash in on the 30-year-old who was unhappy at times last term with his lack of starting minutes.
Despite making more appearances than any other Arsenal player last term, Trossard made over a third of those cameos from the bench.
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TREATMENT TABLE
The physio room at Arsenal’s training ground was a hub of activity last season.
So the club’s supporters will be hoping that the medical staff at London Colney will be seriously under-employed over the next 10 months.
Yet those inside a packed Emirates were rolling their eyes when it emerged Kai Havertz was not included in the squad for Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to Villarreal.
Havertz, who will still have a crucial part to play this season despite the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres, picked up a slight muscle strain in training and should be okay for Saturday’s second Emirates Cup match against Athletic Bilbao.
He will be definitely fit for the Premier League opener away to Manchester United on Sunday week.
Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were also missing on Wednesday but should be back on Saturday while Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber, who did not feature on the tour of Asia, both played against Villarreal.
Gabriel Jesus remains Arsenal’s only long-term casualty with an ACL injury and will not return until later this year.
So, Arteta has a decent bill of health and if Arsenal are to challenge seriously for the title, it has to stay that way.
And this is where Arteta has a huge role to play in terms of helping his medical staff and the players.
GettyJurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes returned to action on Wednesday night[/caption]
It is obvious that Arteta does overplay his players as he does not like to mix and match too much and this has had an obvious impact on some of the players.
The club’s medical staff have received plenty of criticism for the number of Arsenal players injured but it is obviously not their fault.
So it is essential that when a player is on the road to recovery, he is not rushed back so the manager and his coaches also must share that responsibility.
Arsenal’s players also have a role to play, even if they are absolutely desperate to return.
They have to be sensible and honest and should not be telling Arteta they are ready if only 70 per cent.
Looking at Arteta’s current squad, it is one that is now capable of winning the title after finishing second for the last three years.
Gyokeres had a slow start on his home debut with just 14 touches in a 62-minute run-out but he will take time to adjust.
Noni Madueke enjoyed an excellent reception on his home debut when he arrived as a substitute, although he is a signing that has caused some controversy.
Not only because he has cost £55million but he is yet another arrival from Chelsea.
Yet the criticism and abuse he has received from Arsenal fans has been a disgrace.
Arsenal have probably overpaid for Madueke but if Arteta is to guide the club to the title, he needs players like him in his squad.
And those players all need to stay fit.
GettyNoni Madueke’s move to Arsenal has been met with criticism[/caption]
GettyViktor Gyokeres is yet to score his first goal for the Gunners[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
