Arsenal had deal for Barcelona star 'practically completed' before injury struck

Mikel Arteta has endured a lot of stress recently and his Arsenal side appeared to be on the receiving end.The Gunners’ only signing of the January transfer window was Colorado Rapids’ defender Auston Trusty, who was loaned straight back to the MLS side.It was a frustrating month for Arteta and technical director Edu, who missed out on top transfer targets Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur Melo.While they were able to offload Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona, January was marked down as a very disappointing month. But at least Arteta was able to blow off some of that angry steam by hurling some tennis balls at his players from close range.Arsenal have been enjoying some warm weather training in Dubai, where the Gunners’ boss has been putting them through their places.However, the north Londoners did find some time to enjoy a bit of team bonding, as they carried out a drill which involved the players running through a grid, while having tennis balls thrown at them from close range.

Barcelona fans were treated to a major piece of nostalgia in November as to add to the excitement that Xavi Hernandez had returned to the club, he signed a familiar face too.Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman as manager and wasted no time as he brought back friend and former Barcelona great Dani Alves, although he only became available from January 3.Although Alves was brought in to assist to Xavi's plans to get Barcelona back to their former glory, the transfer isn't just a publicity stunt as the Brazilian has featured for the club since becoming eligible in January.However, he won't be featuring for them in Europe this season, as the defender hasn't been named in the squad.Barcelona crashed out in the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2003/04 season, but they have set up a mouth-watering Europa League play-off against Napoli in February.Following a restructure, third-placed teams must now face-off against a second-place Europa League side in order to progress to the next knockout round of Europe's second tier, but Alves won't be able to help.Involved in Barcelona's European squad announcement were their three January signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Adama Traore, but there was no place for Alves.Alves may now be 38, but the Brazilian has as much experience as any other star to wear the famous Barcelona shirt, as he won three Champions League's and three UEFA Super Cups during his first stint with the Catalan side.The defender also won the Europa League twice with former side Sevilla, although back then it was known as the UEFA Cup.Alves will have to influence his side from the sidelines alongside Xavi, and Barcelona's two-legged play-off with Napoli gets underway on February 17.

Arsenal supporters have been given a glimpse as to why the club doesn't appear to trust William Saliba after the defender's mistake allowed Lyon to net a last minute winner against Marseille on Tuesday night.The 20-year-old defender joined the Gunners from Saint-Etienne for £27million in 2019, but mysteriously hasn't made a single appearance for the club to date.He was immediately loaned back to Saint-Etienne for a year, before spending half of the following season in Arsenal's U23 squad.Next he was loaned out to Nice and again to Marseille in July despite glaring defensive frailties in Mikel Arteta's back line.For two-and-a-half years Gunners fans have searched for an explanation, and may have finally got one yesterday.Heading into the final minute of normal time during Marseille's clash with fierce rivals Lyon, an innocuous ball was lofted towards Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.Saliba rushed over to stop the Frenchman turning, but misjudged his tackle and was caught flat-footed as Dembele knocked the ball past him and scooped the ball over Marseille keeper Pau Lopez to secure all three points for the home side.It was a fabulous piece of individual brilliance on Dembele's part, but may have also demonstrated some of Saliba's naivety and inexperience.Is William Saliba good enough to be playing for Arsenal right now? Let us know what you think in the comments section below...That being said, many on social media claimed the mistake harshly tarnished an otherwise brilliant performance from the France U21 star.Either way, he'll have to cut out mistakes like that to stand any chance of making it into Arteta's good books, should he return to the club next season as expected.

Arsenal’s attempts to sign a striker on transfer deadline day ended in failure after the club decided against activating Real Sociedad target man Alexander Isak’s release clause.The Gunners made a late move to swoop for Isak after missing out on Dusan Vlahovic, who joined Juventus in a £63million deal in the last week of the transfer window.They entered negotiations with the La Liga outfit, only to be quoted the clause for the minimum buyout fee written into his contract.La Real reportedly demanded Isak’s £77m release clause to be paid in full and informed Arsenal they would not accept a lower amount.According to The Athletic, the north London club deemed the amount to exceed his actual market value and withdrew their interest, focusing on other targets.The 22-year-old has scored eight goals in 25 appearances across all competitions, but only four in 18 La Liga outings.Isak, a Sweden international, has been tipped as the nation’s biggest attacking talent since Zlatan Ibrahimovic and caught the eye with some impressive performances at Euro 2020.While technical director Edu Gaspar may have been right to decline to pay the clause, the Brazilian will have some feelings of regret after failing to add a striker to Mikel Arteta’s squad before the transfer window shut.The club also approached Espanyol about a move for 12-goal striker Raul de Tomas, but were again told to pay his release clause, revealed to be €75m (£63m) by the club’s president.Soon, it became apparent that Arsenal would not be signing a striker, which means Arteta must cope with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah until the end of the season.Both strikers can leave on free transfers at the end of the campaign as their contracts expire in June, which could

Darren Bent believes Manchester United will be boosted by West Ham and Arsenal's failure to strengthen in the January transfer window.

Barcelona have completed the signing of another former Manchester City player, as right-back Alpha Dionkou has joined on loan from Granada.

Arsenal had to pay out a huge amount of money to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to tear up his contract at the club. The 32-year-old signed for Barcelona on deadline day after a whirlwind 24 hours that saw the striker fly to the city without an agreement.

Arsenal still have some big flops at the club earning fortunes despite not fitting into Mikel Arteta’s plans. The Gunners failed to sign anyone in January and instead looked to alleviate a ballooning wage bill with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the biggest profile to leave.The 32-year-old had been ostracised by Arteta after a breach of discipline and it became evident that he would not figure in his first-team plans.

Arsenal has “hurt” as he broke his silence following his move to Barcelona.The striker had been frozen out by Mikel Arteta at the Gunners in recent months following disciplinary issues.His form had dropped off remarkably since he signed a bumper new contract 18 months ago, which made him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League.And he has now cut his time at the Emirates Stadium short by mutually terminating his contract to pave the way for a free transfer to La Liga giants Barca.Before having his arrival at the Nou Camp confirmed though, Aubameyang has penned an emotional goodbye message to Gunners supporters.Aubameyang spent four years at Arsenal after being bought for a club-record fee and admitted his departure from the Premier League side has been painful.“To the Arsenal fans,” he wrote in an Instagram message in which he also attached four pictures from his time at the club.“Thank you for making London home for myself and my family for the past four years. We went through ups and downs together and your support meant everything to me.“Having the chance to win trophies and the honour of being the captain of this club is something I will forever keep in my heart.Were Arsenal right to mutually terminate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.

Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal into a 'Mothercare advert' by playing 'Russian roulette' says former striker Kevin Campbell.The former Gunners ace has brutally mocked Arteta for a lack of experience, in a hilarious interview on Sky Sports.Campbell, 51, made 224 appearances for Arsenal over a seven-year stay at Highbury, winning the old First Division title in its penultimate season.Also enjoying spells at Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, the forward retired from football in 2007 before making a career as a TV pundit.An avid fan of former clubs Arsenal and Everton, Campbell was unable to hide his frustration when asked about the Gunners January business. "I think [Alexandre] Lacazette and [Eddie] Nketiah isn't strong enough," Campbell told Sky Sports when quizzed if Arsenal lack depth up front.

Arsenal fans have been left fuming at their management after Frank Lampard signed more players than the Gunners all transfer window.Lampard, who was unveiled as Everton's new boss at 1:30pm, managed to complete two new signings before the 11pm deadline.Donny van de Beek was the first to join when he made the switch to Merseyside from Manchester United on loan.And he was quickly joined by Dele Alli, who has finally left Tottenham Hotspur after a disappointing past couple of years.Lampard's swiftness, as well as Mikel Arteta's lack of activity, has left Arsenal fans fuming at their lack of additions in January.One fan tweeted: "Lampard hasn't even been Everton manager [for a day] and he's signed two players."Arsenal had a month and couldn't find one CM and one striker, I'm actually fuming at the state of this window."A second added: "So Frank Lampard has had the job for a couple of hours and is on the brink of getting 2 players in….""Everton signed Lampard yesterday and he still managed to get two quality signings in, on the other hand, there is the fraud Arteta who failed to sign someone in a whole month," a third fumed. Can Arsenal still finish in the top four? Let us know in the comments section Arsenal did make one signing in the January window, and on Transfer Deadline Day the Gunners confirmed the signing of Auston Trusty from the Colorado Rapids.However, the American will remain on loan in the MLS, and he won't join his new team-mates until the summer.

Deadline day has now been and gone, the January transfer window is now closed.

Arsenal made by offering Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a huge new contract has been laid bare after his cost-per-goal emerged.Aubameyang was handed a bumper new deal in September 2020, but his form nosedived after he put pen to paper on the contract.His time at Arsenal did not make it to the scheduled end of the summer of 2023, with the 32-year-old joining Barcelona on January transfer deadline day.The decision to hand him a new contract will go down as one of the most ill-sighted decisions in Arsenal’s history, considering the extraordinary amount of money he cost the Gunners.The contract he signed saw Arsenal pay out £350,000 per week in wages, making Aubameyang one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League.When he signed that deal, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta hailed the striker as a “superb player” and highlighted his goalscoring record.“It was important for Pierre-Emerick to stay with us. He’s a superb player with an incredible mentality,” Arteta said.“Being the player to have taken the least amount of time to reach 50 goals with this club tells you everything you need to know about him and his way of working.How would you rate Arsenal's January transfer window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...“He’s an important leader for the team and a big part of what we’re building.

Premier League club.Daily Star Sport has taken a look at the latest Arsenal transfer news below. Having come through the Lyon academy and going on to make over 150 appearances for the club, Lacazette was asked to come home during the January transfer window.The French striker is a free agent in the summer and January was the last chance the Gunners had to recoup some money for their player.

Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a blow in their efforts to sign Erling Haaland as he bides his time in order to force a move to Barcelona.

Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer. Aubameyang had been expected to leave the Emirates on loan this month.But it seems his exit will now be permanent.

Arsenal fans have turned on technical director Edu Gaspar after becoming increasingly frustrated with the club’s lack of business in the January transfer window.

Arsenal are so desperate to sign a striker on transfer deadline day that Mikel Arteta’s assistant has reportedly put in a call to Alvaro Morata. The Gunners look likely to end the January transfer window with a worrying lack of depth up front, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang close to joining Barcelona on loan.

Arsenal tops while on international duty.The goalkeeper put pen to the paper this transfer window, in a deal that will see him move to north London from Major League Soccer club New England Revolution in the summer, for fee thought to be around £5.8million.While playing for the USA national team, he was happy to oblige, signing Gunners tops after his side’s 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over El Salvador.On his way back towards the tunnel, one fan held out a 2021-22 Arsenal home shirt and the player was happy to sign it.One fan thanked the goalies while another told the goalkeeper to 'take' the shirt home with him.USA head coach Gregg Berhalter said that the keeper’s move to Arsenal is an ‘amazing story’.The coach even believes he can make a play for the number one spot in Mikel Arteta’s side, a spot currently taken up by Aaron Ramsdale.Berhalter said: “It's just an amazing story and it's all down to him, his work ethic, his belief in himself and his never-give-up attitude.“It's a great story and Matt is a great guy, a great team-mate and we're lucky to have him.Do you think this is a good signing for Arsenal? Tell us in the comments section.“Tonight was an example of where he did everything that he had to do. He was calm in all situations.“Wasn't tested much but was there when we needed him and he looked like a player that's going to Arsenal, for sure.”Turner was one of the key players in the US national team achieving the Concacaf Gold Cup last August.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is said to be 'desperate' to sign a striker on Transfer Deadline Day - but the Emirates is not the only possible destination for Alvaro Morata.With former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said to be in 'advanced talks' to play under Xavi in La Liga, Arteta and his team are on the lookout for a replacement after missing out on Dusan Vlahovic.However, the Serbian's move to Juventus has provided a window of opportunity, with former Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Morata looking for a new challenge.Step in Arsenal assistant Miguel Molina, who is said to have spoken with Morata directly ahead of a potential switch despite his previous struggles in the Premier League.Spanish outlet AS reports news of the contract between Morata and Molina, but add that their biggest rival also hold last-gasp hopes of a deal.Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is said to fancy a reunion with the forward who scored 15 goals during their 48 matches working together at Stamford Bridge between 2016 and 2017.Morata, 29, begun his career with Real Madrid and returned after his first spell with Juventus, later joining Atletico from Chelsea before his second transfer to Turin - which is a loan deal.The Spain international managed 20 goals in all competitions last season to match his career best, but has not been so prolific this season with eight goals from 29 outings.Would Alvaro Morata impress under Mikel Arteta? Give us your thoughts in the comments sectionDespite that, Morata could be seen as the perfect addition to Arsenal's young attacking line up, especially considering that Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are out of contract in the summer.Arteta said earlier this month: "Any time I have spoken to any player, they were

Barcelona reportedly rejected the opportunity to sign Raheem Sterling this month, according to reports.