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Jake Stokes

Edu's clever Dusan Vlahovic transfer 'smokescreen' hands Arsenal perfect Nicolas Pepe replacement

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.

William Saliba has handed Mikel Arteta his honest verdict regarding his future beyond the summer as Arsenal are dealt yet another transfer blow.

Meanwhile, Edu has - accidentally or not - worked his magic and handed the Gunners the chance to finally sign a long-term target before the window slams shut on Monday evening.

Let's take a look at the above stories in more detail...

Saliba makes Arsenal transfer admission

Saliba has lifted the lid on speculation regarding his future at the Emirates as he continues to enjoy a successful loan spell at Marseille.

The 20-year-old centre-half, who is yet to make a senior appearance for Arsenal, spoke on his rough start to life in north London and how he was handed a rude awakening.

He told RMC: "Before going to Arsenal, I said to myself I was going to play, I was sure, I was wondering who I would play alongside.

"I arrive, I play zero matches. I played for the U23s. That gave me a good slap. Things go so fast in football. I don't want to think about the future. I am going to give my all. Then there will be discussions in summer."

Our view: Arsenal must do everything in their power to integrate Saliba into the first team next season and mould him into a mainstay under Arteta.

Gunners target staying put

Arsenal have been dealt another major blow in the January transfer market after Edu's latest target pens a contract extension.

PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo has signed a new deal with the Dutch giants until 2026.

The Gunners joined Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool for the 22-year-old winger's signature, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.

Gakpo has impressed for PSV this season, directly contributing towards 21 goals in 28 games.

Our view: Gakpo would have been an excellent signing for the north Londoners and Edu looked en route to securing a great deal.

PSV likely sensed this and tabled a contract extension for the youngster in a ploy to rake in a greater fee in the summer.

Vlahovic opens door for new Arsenal signing

Arsenal are now leading the race to sign Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski, according to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.

The report claims that the 21-year-old is no longer part of the Old Lady's plans and that the Italian side would prefer sending the Swede on loan abroad where the Gunners find themselves 'above all' other clubs.

Kulusevski, who doesn't see his current deal at Juventus expire until 2025, has struggled to establish himself under Massimiliano Allegri despite having been a regular under Andrea Pirlo last season.

Our view: In some world's Edu's pursuit of Vlahovic will be seen as a failure, however, the Serbian's move to Juventus has seemingly boosted Arsenal's chances of signing Kulusevski - a player Arteta's side has been linked with since November.

The Sweden international is valued at just £27 million by Transfermarkt and could be a real coup for the Gunners.

Follow our The Arsenal Way trends writer Jake Stokes on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

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