An embarrassing loss to West Bromwich Albion this past weekend cost Arsenal a chance to claim the No. 1 spot on the table. Almost as bad as the loss though was an injury to yet another midfielder – Francis Coquelin – in what has been a busy year for the club doctors.
Thankfully Arsenal will soon get a chance to pick up some more players in the January transfer window, and a few names have already emerged, including a few European veterans and talented youngsters.
Here is Sunday’s edition of Arsenal transfer gossip and news:
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Deal close for Celta striker Nolito
According to Three And In, Arsenal have agreed to pay the £12.6m release clause for Nolito.
The Spanish striker is 29 years old but has played well in La Liga for Celta, winning two Player of the Month honors.
Nolito previously had a short stint with Barcelona, followed by a Primeira Liga-winning season with Benfica.
Michy Batshuayi staying put
Despite interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea, the Marseille star announced has no intentions of leaving France and accepting a transfer to the Premier League or anywhere else.
Batshuayi has scored eight goals in 13 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season.
Francis Coquelin injured
Adding injury to insult from Arsenal’s embarrassing 2-1 loss against West Bromwich Albion, midfielder Francis Coquelin suffered a knee injury, making him the latest in a slew of injured midfielders.
Arsenal are already without Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky for the near future.
Wonderkid not returning any time soon
18-year-old Gedion Zelalem, who has been doing solid work on loan to Rangers since joining the club on loan, is expected to extend his loan spell past January.
In an interview with the Metro, Rangers manager Mark Warburton said has been impressed with Zelalem’s form and intends to pursue an extended stay for the youngster with the Scottish outfit.
Arsenal pursuing Serie A starlet
Arsene Wenger appears to have his eyes on Inter Milan wonderkid Paulino de la Fuente, according to the youngster’s father.
“We know that Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are interested, but we’ll talk to Inter in the next few weeks before deciding what to do with Paulino’s future,” de la Fuente’s father told Calciomercato.
Paulino de la Fuente has gained a reputation as a strong-footed attacking midfielder that works well behind the striker.