Welcome to our football.london The Arsenal Way daily news round-up.
Maybe not the first, we've definitely done transfer round-ups before, and European round-ups, so I guess in some ways it's not that new at all.
Anyway, we thought we would enter the world of football in a broad and roundabout manner for you and have some fun with some of the stories and captions doing the daily rounds.
Here are some of the latest stories as time runs out for the Gunners to strengthen Mikel Arteta's squad.
Arsenal need Auba says Merson
Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on loan for six months, with the option of an additional year, according to The Athletic.
The 32-year-old striker, who was stripped of the captaincy by Mikel Arteta in December, has seemed destined for a move away from the Emirates this month.
The Athletic reported earlier today that a proposed loan deal collapsed following a disagreement over the salary coverage spanning across the next six months.
Despite this, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the potential deal for Auba is not completely dead just yet. "We would like to incorporate Aubameyang. It's very complicated but there is hope," Laporta told Mundo Deportivo a short while ago.
However, if the player stays in London, Arsenal all-time great Paul Merson has suggested the two parties start afresh to ease the concerns with how Aubameyang will reintegrate himself at London Colney.
"Arsenal need him, Arsenal really need him," he said. "He’s a top player. On his day, if Aubameyang plays to the best of his ability, he gets into the Arsenal team every day of the week so, for me, it’s a shame.
"It shouldn’t happen but it’s not the first time it’s happened at Arsenal. Paying big deals out, they've got to be careful."
Our view: Sorry Merse, but I disagree - Arsenal don't need Aubameyang. Arteta's side has done well without him as it is already and they'll continue to get better without him.
I actually think that Aubameyang's play style limited what Arsenal can and can't do on the pitch. By selling him, the club eases the stress on the wage bill and get the freedom to sign any type of striker they like.
Edu eyes late Pepe exit
Arsenal are prepared to let club-record signing Nicolas Pepe leave the club on loan before the January transfer window slams shut this evening, according to 90min.
The 26-year-old winger, who despite occasionally showing flashes of brilliance, has failed to impress since he completed an eye-watering £72 million move from Lille in 2019.
Pepe has struggled this season, making little to no impact across nine Premier League appearances, however, his contract in north London doesn't expire for another two-and-a-half years.
90min claim that the Ivorian has attracted interest from an unnamed Spanish side who are confident of agreeing a deal.
Our view: This would be best for both parties. As good as I think Pepe can be on his day, he just hasn't had his day enough to prove why he is Arsenal-worthy.
Gunners' striker talks gunned down
Espanyol's general director has - hypothetically - slammed the door in Edu's face as Arsenal continue to scour the market for a striker.
The Gunners have been desperate to bolster their strike force this month, as Arteta risks a charge for the top four with a squad without much meat around the bone, who have also failed to score in the past four games.
José María Durán has confirmed that Espanyol have no intentions of selling their leading goalscorer, even if his £58 million-plus release clause is met, amid interest from the Gunners.
“It was a one-off call that we almost didn’t even want to listen to,” he said, according to AS.
"Our position here is clear. We are building a heritage, and we will not let players leave in any way, and less so Raul de Tomas and at this time, in the middle of the season.
“Raul no longer has a clause of €70 million, but due to inflation, it is almost €75m. The prices go up, but so do our defences.”
Our view: Massive blow for the Gunners. Although, I do think that it will give Arsenal time to reevaluate and analyse deeper into the striker they need rather than want ahead of the summer.
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