Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says Arsenal exit "hurts" as he breaks silence on Barcelona move

Mikel Arteta's young Arsenal side have captivated the Premier League at times this season.The performances of players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli have prompted hope that the Gunners finally have a strong foundation to build from after years of inconsistency.The willingness to give youngsters a chance is a trait synonymous with Arsenal throughout the Premier League era, with legendary former boss Arsene Wenger renowned for putting faith in youth.With that mindset back at the Emirates Stadium - not to mention a talented crop to match - here is a look at the 10 youngest Premier League debutants for the Gunners and an assessment of how their career panned or is panning out.Debut: 19th September 2005 vs. Everton (H)The Cameroon international caught the eye from a young age at Arsenal and after breaking into the first team under Wenger he had spells of both excellent and disappointing form.Song forged a fine understanding with Robin van Persie, with his pinpoint passes into the Dutchman becoming trademark during one campaign.As much as Song had a fine career at Arsenal and went on to play for an all-conquering Barcelona, he will perhaps be best remembered for awkwardly coming forward when Carlos Puyol beckoned Eric Abidal to lift the La Liga trophy.Debut: 14th September 2013 vs. Sunderland (A)Akpom scored goals for fun at youth level for the Gunners, so it was no shock when he earned a first-team chance.The striker was unable to find the net with the same frequency in senior football though.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Arsenal target Alexander Isak as Cristiano Ronaldo's potential replacement.Signing Ronaldo last summer was always going to be a short-term solution to the Red Devils' hunt for a striker, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner now 37 years old.It might be even shorter than planned, though, because a season without silverware or Champions League qualification could see him depart this summer.If that were to happen, then The Mirror claim United could make a move for 22-year-old Isak, who has been heavily linked with Mikel Arteta's side to fill their gap for a new frontman. It's reported that United are keen on the Real Sociedad forward, but so are their Premier League rivals Chelsea.The Gunners now seem to have company in the race for the man seen as an alternative to Erling Haaland, who has looked set to move to Real Madrid but could now be up for grabs.They decided against making an offer for him in the January transfer window as his La Liga owners are only interested in selling for his £75m release clause.Would United be better off with Isak than Ronaldo? Let us know in the comments section.Isak's contract runs until 2026, which means Sociedad have no reason to cash in for any less than that fee.The Sweden international, who already has 31 caps for his country, has registered eight goals and two assists in 26 appearances for his club this season.Despite the rumour mill going into overdrive when he was spotted in London last month, Isak is remaining focused on his football.He told Mundo Deportivo: "I am not talking about other clubs.

Arsenal would be fourth in the Premier League if VAR was not being used to make decisions, according to a new study. The Gunners are currently sixth in the top flight with 36 points, two adrift of Manchester United, who hold that all-important Champions League qualification spot.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 were set to sign Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti earlier in the January transfer window before injury struck.The Gunners have been working with the La Liga side on Transfer Deadline Day over a deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.But that is not the first contact they've had this month.A loan deal was in the works for Umtiti, 28, who recently signed a cheaper contract with Barca so they could register new signing Ferran Torres.He is in desperate need of game time and Mundo Deportivo report the move from the Camp Nou to the Emirates for the rest of the season was ‘practically completed’.However, the Frenchman suffered a fractured toe, ruling him out for a matter of months and putting pay to the switch.Injuries are what have stalled the World Cup winner's career since his move from Lyon in 2016.Umtiti has played just one game all season as even when he has been fit, he's remained either an unused substitute or not been included in the squad.Should Arsenal go back in for Umtiti in the summer? Let us know in the comments section.He's not the only transfer that has fallen through for Mikel Arteta this month.Arsenal's Spanish manager looked to be relieved of his midfield issues with the loan signing of Juventus' Arthur.However, after a breakthrough in talks last week they then struggled to get the deal over the line.It means they look set to end the winter window without any fresh faces for their top four push. They're arguably worse off than they were when they started the month, as several stars have left the club.Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined Roma and Pablo Mari has gone to Udinese, both until the end of the season.

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 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 are on the verge of agreeing a loan deal for Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the cash-strapped Catalan club close in on another big-name signing.The Spanish giants are reportedly in talks with the Gunners to bring the forward to the Nou Camp on a temporary deal for the remainder of the season.The Gabonese star looked all but set to leave North London this month after being stripped of the club's captaincy and banished from first-team duties by manager Mikel Arteta following a disciplinary breach.The shamed striker is now closing in on his Emirates exit, but despite a loan move nearing its conclusion, there is still one main issue to be resolved.According the The Athletic, talks between both clubs are progressing well, however Aubameyang's excessive wage demands - believed to be in the region of £350,000-a-week - are proving to be a sticking point.Despite a deal advancing significantly over this weekend, some of the finer details are yet to be resolved, including who will cover what proportion of the player's mammoth salary.Reports claim that Arsenal will not receive a loan fee, however, the Gunners are pushing for the La Liga side to cover as much of the striker's hefty wages as possible.Are Arsenal making the correct call in allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave on loan this month? Let us know what you think in the comments section below...An agreement over such terms may be difficult to finalise given the Spanish club are currently mired in debt.Should a deal for Aubameyang be completed, Barcelona will have once again shown their savviness in the transfer market with another high-profile signing, despite their ongoing financial crisis.The Blaugrana snapped up Ferran Torres from Manchester City

Everton boss.The incoming Goodison Park chief is a massive admirer of the England striker and has already made it clear to the club’s hierarchy that he must not be sold.During his interview for the job, Lampard revealed his intention is to build the team around powerhouse Calvert-Lewin.And that spells more bad news for Arsenal in their increasingly-frustrating, so-far fruitless search for a top striker to lead the line.Mikel Arteta had been targeting Serbian hotshot Dusan Vlahovic only for Juventus to kill that interest on Friday with a £73million deal for the Fiorentina forward.Yet if the Spanish coach was already resigned to losing that particular race, the same did not apply to the pursuit of Calvert-Lewin.In fact, with Everton seemingly in crisis following the sacking of Rafa Benitez, Arteta was more optimistic than ever of persuading Calvert-Lewin to swap Merseyside for N5 in the summer.But that was before Toffees owner Farhad Mashiri ditched his unpopular idea to replace Benitez with Portuguese coach Vitoria Pereira - and chose Lampard instead.The former England midfielder has been out of work since being fired by his beloved Chelsea little more than a year ago.Yet, while his return to management is widely welcomed by the Everton faithful, it has put Arteta and Arsenal back at square one at the end of a poor January window.Who should Arsenal turn to now in their hunt for a striker? Let us know 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

Arsenal fans have shared a transfer theory regarding Alexander Isak, who was spotted in London.Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that Isak's new Range Rover was bought and registered in London this month.A custom number plate, registered to the DVLA, was also puchased which reads: "I5 AAK."The striker has been a long-term target of Arsenal's, and Mikel Arteta is thought to be keen on bringing him to the Emirates this week after missing out on Dusan Vlahovic.Vlahovic had been hotly linked with a move to north London, but has joined Juventus instead, leaving the Gunners in desperate need of a striker following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exile.Isak, who was spotted in a Soho bar on Friday night with former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj, is in the UK with the end of the transfer window fast approaching. And tinfoil-hatted Gunners fans have come to their own conclusion on the potential coincidence."The car Alexander Isak is driving around London today was bought, registered and taxed in January 2022.

Arsenal have reportedly expressed interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already highlighted the Brazilian's qualities.