Arsenal news LIVE: PSV build-up, Martinelli contract talks, ‘Ukrainian Messi’ to cost £57million, Locatelli latest

ARSENAL take on PSV tonight in the Europa League, with their Premier League clash against Manchester City postponed.

The Gunners were supposed to play PSV weeks ago but the game was called off after The Queen’s death.

Gabriel Martinelli could miss the game with a knock, with the Brazilian also trying to tie down a new contract at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could see themselves having to pay up to £57million for Shakhtar winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who’s been dubbed the ‘Ukrainian Messi’.

The Gunners were linked with the starlet in the summer and could revisit signing him in 2023, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says his price could rise from around £45m to nearly £60m.

Mikel Arteta is still reportedly intent on the signing of Manuel Locatelli, who Arsenal are said to be targeting for January.

Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City has been postponed in favour of their Europa League match with PSV Eindhoven, which was also moved after the death of The Queen.

Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a doubt for the Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta as he still deals with a calf problem.

Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe are still long-term absentees for the North Londoners.

Gabriel Martinelli, on the other hand, missed training on Wednesday and poses as another doubt.

Meanwhile, Arsenal face a struggle to keep hold of technical director Edu after his impressive work.

The ex-Gunners ace returned to the Emirates in 2019 and has thrived in his role after turning Arteta’s side into Premier League contenders.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the 44-year-old chief is attracting interest from several European clubs.

The former midfielder’s name is said to have been “discussed internally” as a suitable technical director, although the identity of the suitors is currently unknown.

However, the Brazilian is “100 per cent focused on the Arsenal project”, with the club seeing him as a “key figure” in their plans.

And Arteta doesn’t know a specific return date for Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Zinchenko has been sidelined as he is nursing a calf injury that will keep him out for quite some time.

But the full-back could return before November 20 when the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar.

Arteta simply replied, “Yes” when asked if the 25-year-old Ukrainian would return before the World Cup.

Finally, Arsenal are confident about the contract situation of two key players.

That is according to Caught Offside, who report the Gunners are “optimistic” William Saliba and Bukayo Saka will sign new deals.

The young pair has been very influential during the North Londoners’ stunning start to the season.

Saka and Saliba’s deals run out in 2024 and Arsenal want to tie them with long as well as lucrative deals.

Ramsdale new contract

Arsenal are looking to offer goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale a new deal.

That is according to The Athletic, who report Ramsdale could soon be in line for a new deal at the Emirates.

That is after star team-mates Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli have renewed.

The England international has put together a series of impressive performances with the Gunners and his deal runs out in 2025

Turner’s Arsenal story

Arsenal ace Matt Turner shared a funny story as to how he learned to support the Gunners when he was 16 years old.

Turner said: “I mean it’s not really the best story ever about supporting Arsenal.

“It was after the World Cup in 2010 I bought my first game of FIFA and when it says – ‘What club do you want to support or select?’ – obviously ‘A’ came up first and Arsenal was there!

“But also I made that connection because my sisters both played for a local club team that was called The Arsenal, and so I just made that connection right there and kind of stuck with it.

“Obviously through the early 2010s there were some really great times to be an Arsenal fan and I would get up nice and early, depending on when the kick-off was.

“The 12.30pm kick-off here was 7.30am [in the US], so anytime Arsenal were playing I was doing my best to watch. As I got a bit older I got into the pub culture in New York City and I have been around the fans for those types of atmospheres as well”

Martinelli contract situation

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has two years left on his current contract but insists he is keen to remain for much longer.

Martinelli said: “We are talking about a contract so let’s see what happens.

“But of course I want to stay. I think this is my best season at Arsenal and I am so happy for this moment.

“Everyone can see our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game.

“I am so happy to be playing alongside players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka”

Need Fer change

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has criticised Jadon Sancho and Antony for failing to “kill full-backs” and advised them to emulate Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.

Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel FIVE: “We don’t seem to have the imagination in those areas. We used to give it to Nani, Giggsy [Ryan Giggs], to Becks [David Beckham] even, give it to Antonio Valencia or Cristiano [Ronaldo] when they’re wide.

“Get him in a one-on-one situation, either with a good ball from [Paul] Scholes or [Michael] Carrick etc, get them one-versus-one and do your thing.

“At the moment we get in those positions and unfortunately for us, our wide players are turning away from that, they’re not killing full-backs, they’re not skinning them.

“The best teams, the winners, get teams one-versus-one, they wait for that moment in the game. They might only get two or three moments in a game where they stand that full-back up one-versus-one.

“Saka does it as well as anyone at the moment in the league. They get the full-back one-versus-one and they say, ‘right, I’m going to ghost you’. At the moment, our wide players aren’t doing that”

There’s a Wil

Crystal Palace star and Arsenal target Wilfried Zaha is keen on a switch to Liverpool.

Zaha’s contract is due to expire at the end of the current campaign and he has been linked with moves to clubs such as Chelsea, Tottenham, the Gunners and now the Reds.

The 29-year-old seems to be “very fond” of Jurgen Klopp’s side, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Merseysiders have struggled to hit their usual heights this season, with Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez not yet at their best.

Klopp has also got to manage injuries to Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, with the former out until after the 2022 World Cup

A Will shame

Arsenal hero William Gallas believes the British media is to blame for Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere failing to reach their potential.

Gallas told Genting Casino: “When I was with Theo Walcott at Arsenal, they [the media] expected him to be the best player in the Premier League.

“But there is a problem when they speak too quickly about players they think are going to be top-class. He was still young, 16 or 17.

“I felt he needed time to let him get to another level, and not to put that pressure on him. They put pressure on them, indirectly, when they write these things about him, even if they are being very humble. So for me I’m not really surprised Walcott hasn’t had the career he was touted to have had.”

Gallas added: “There are many players I played with who didn’t fulfil their potential, there’s also Jack Wilshere.

“I trained with him at 16 and he was unbelievable with the ball. But what’s happened to him is similar to Walcott”

Arsenal contract boost

Arsenal are confident about the contract situation of two key players.

That is according to Caught Offside, who claim the Gunners are “optimistic” William Saliba and Bukayo Saka will sign new deals.

The young pair has been very influential in the North Londoners’ stunning start to the season.

Saka and Saliba’s contracts run out in 2024 and Arsenal want to tie them with long as well as lucrative deals

Zinchenko injury return

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta doesn’t have a specific return date for Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Zinchenko has been sidelined as he is nursing a calf injury that will keep him out for some time.

However, the full-back could return before November 20 when the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar.

Arteta simply replied, “Yes” when asked if the 25-year-old would return before the World Cup

Youngsters get chance

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may give three youngsters a chance against PSV Eindhoven.

According to football.london, Khayon Edwards, Catalin Cirjan, and Maldini Kacurri all trained with the first team ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash.

Kacurri has been playing for the Under-18s, while Edwards and Cirjan have frequently featured for the Under-21s this season.

Arteta, though, is likely to field a strong side to seal first place in Group A

Ferdinand praises Saka

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand praised Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and predicted he will constantly start for England in the 2022 World Cup.

Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel FIVE: “I think in an England shirt he does well. He’s a winger who, when he gets it, I’ve watched him a couple of times live as well this year, his first instinct and intention is to go past you.

“We spoke to Nani and he told us that was his intention. As soon as he got the ball one-versus-one, he was looking to beat the full-back. I love that about him, he’s got no fear, he’s playing with a bit more maturity every time I see him.

“He is in a good vein of form with a club that’s in a good vein of form. He’s confident and if he’s in that mode going into the World Cup I don’t see anyone starting in front of him”

Director Ed-ing off?

Arsenal face a fight to keep hold of technical director Edu after his impressive work.

The ex-Gunners ace returned to the Emirates in 2019 and has thrived in his role after turning Mikel Arteta’s side into Premier League contenders.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 44-year-old chief is attracting interest from several European clubs.

The former midfielder’s name is said to have been “discussed internally” as a suitable technical director, although the identity of the teams are currently unknown.

However, the Brazilian is considered to be “100 per cent focused on the Arsenal project”, with the club seeing him as a “key figure” in their plans for the future

Mex best thing

Arsenal wonderkid Marcelo Flores could play at the 2022 World Cup before even making his senior debut for the Gunners.

Flores, 19, left Ipswich Town for the North Londoners in 2019 and has shone in their development side.

However, the playmaker has headed out on loan to Real Oviedo this term without yet making an appearance for his parent club.

Now the Mexico international will be hopeful that he can make the plane for Qatar next month to represent his country at the World Cup

Arsenal vs PSV preview

Arsenal’s Premier League megaclash against Manchester City has been postponed in favour of their Europa League match with PSV Eindhoven, which was also moved after the death of The Queen.

Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a doubt for the Gunners’ manager Mikel Arteta as he still deals with a calf problem.

Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe remain long-term absentees for the North Londoners.

Gabriel Martinelli, on the other hand, missed training on Wednesday and could be another doubt

Gunner make changes

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will make a late call on Gabriel Martinelli’s fitness ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with PSV Eindhoven.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was the only other absentee from training as the ex-Manchester City ace continues to recover from a calf problem.

The Gunners are two points clear of PSV Eindhoven at the top of Group A after three games.

Victory at the Emirates would see them take charge of the group, which includes Zurich and Bodo/Glimt.

Here’s how Arsenal could line up against PSV:

Loc and loaded

Arsenal are interested in Juventus ace Manuel Locatelli but he could cost a minimum of £35million.

Locatelli joined Juve from Sassuolo last summer on an initial two-year loan deal with the Bianconeri having to pay £35m to make it permanent in June.

According to Il Bianconero, Juve would demand at least the £35m they have to pay Sassuolo in order to consider selling the Italy international.

And the Serie A giants could even look to charge a bigger fee in order to try and make a profit out of the midfielder

Saka misses out Kopa

Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka’s sensational year saw him voted the eighth best young player in the world.

Saka, 21, was one of a number of the hottest prospects in world football in the running for the Ballon d’Or Kopa trophy last Monday.

The prize is given to the best performing players under the age of 21 and the forward finished behind a pack of European starlets headed by Barcelona wonderkid Gavi.

But the winger’s sensational year for European championship runners-up England and current Premier League leaders Arsenal wasn’t enough to lead him to the top honour

Bukayo Saka reminder

Chelsea may launch a shock bid for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka just as Liverpool’s hopes of landing the winger fade.

The Gunners, however, are still confident of tying Saka, 21, to a new deal.

But CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs suggests the Blues’ owner Todd Boehly regards the England international as an ideal recruit for Graham Potter’s squad.

The West Londoners’ main hope would surely be to dangle a lucrative contract for a talented player tipped to be one of England’s main men for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Meanwhile, reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester City has faded

‘Ukrainian Messi’ update

Shakhtar Donetsk have raised Mykhaylo Mudryk’s release clause amid Arsenal’s interest.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Shakhtar may demand as much as €65million (£57m) for Mudryk, who was previously dubbed the “Ukrainian Messi”.

Romano said: “Shakhtar Donetsk wanted around €50m for him in August, probably €40m plus add-ons were enough.

“Today, I’m sure they want way more than €50m for their star, it could probably be as high as €60-65m”

Flores could make Mexico World up squad

The ace Flores then made his competitive bow for Mexico in a 3-0 CONCACAF Nations League win against Suriname in June and has added another cap since.

Now the 5ft 5in dynamo will be hoping that he can make the plane for Qatar next month to represent his country at the World Cup.

Mexico kick-off their Group C campaign against Poland on November 22.

They then take on Argentina before a final group clash with Saudi Arabia on November 30.

Flores loan update

Arsenal prodigy Marcelo Flores could play at the World Cup before even making his senior debut for the Gunners.

The 19-year-old attacker left Ipswich Town for Arsenal in 2019 and has shone in their development side.

However, he has headed out on loan to Spanish second division team Real Oviedo this term without yet making an appearance for his parent club.

Flores, who is the son of former Mexican player Ruben, was born in Georgetown, Ontario which made him eligible for Canada.

And due to his mother’s English descent, who was also called up to an England U16 get-together three years ago.

During that period he has also represented Mexico at youth level and made his senior bow for the nation off the bench in a friendly match draw with Chile last December.