Arsenal round-up: Gunners will bid £13m for Rugani, Ozil and Monreal set for new deals

Posted Friday, September 25, 2015 by squawka.com

Football is a strange game. Arsenal were down in the dumps just under a week ago after their disappointing defeat across the capital at Chelsea, but on Wednesday night the spirits were sky high once again.

The Gunners were harshly beaten by Chelsea last week in a game which was marred by controversial refereeing decisions.

Diego Costa should have been sent off, but instead an angry reaction from Gabriel Paulista saw the latter have an early bath before Santi Cazorla was also sent off late on.

Gabriel has since had his ban rescinded, whilst Costa has been given a three-match suspension, before Arsenal turned their attentions once again to the field of play.

Arsene Wenger’s troops beat rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night to progress to the Capital One Cup fourth round and with that in mind, the camp is in good spirits heading into the clash with Leicester City this weekend.

So, here is a round-up of all the latest transfer and team news today.

Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal is set to sign a new three-year contract with Arsenal. Wenger has already made his intentions clear in regards to the left-back position at the Emirates with Monreal ahead of Kieran Gibbs in the pecking order, and after a tough start to life in England for the former Malaga man, he looks set to be rewarded for his exceptional form over the last year or so with a new deal. Monreal has won 13/24 headers in the league this season. (Mirror)

Theo Walcott has said that Arsenal legend Ian Wright’s composure and ability in front of goal can teach him how to become a better striker for the Gunners. The 26-year-old has just one league goal this season and is battling with team-mate Olivier Giroud for the lone striker role. Walcott admits he hopes to learn a thing off Wright in the hope of nailing down a first-team spot. Walcott has completed 3/4 take ons in the league this season. (Arsenal’s official website)

Arsenal are set to offer Mesut Ozil a new deal at the Emirates despite having three years remaining on his current contract. The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce, largely down to the comments of his agent in recent weeks, and Arsenal are keen to keep the former Real Madrid star by giving him a new contract. Ozil has a 33% shot accuracy in the league this season. (Mirror)

Arsenal may attempt to sign Birmingham City winger Demarai Gray for just £3.5 million this January. The 19-year-old has attracted plenty of interest since breaking into the first team in 2013 and has a buy-out clause of just £3m that could be activated in the summer of 2016. However, Arsenal could look to pay slightly more to lure him in January instead, but they do face competition from Liverpool. Gray has completed more take-ons (8) than any Birmingham player this season. (Daily Express)

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema ‘flirted’ with a potential move to Arsenal in the summer before deciding to stay with the Spanish giants. The France international reportedly hinted at a potential move to North London before electing to stay in Spain with Los Blancos for the new campaign. Benzema has scored five goals in four La Liga games this season. (El Confidencial, via the Daily Star)

Arsenal will make a £13m bid for Juventus defender Daniele Rugani in January, with the 21-year-old failing to play a game for Masimiliano Allegri’s men so far this season. The Italian returned to his parent club after a loan spell at Empoli last season, however, Rugani has been unable to break into the Old Lady’s first team and Arsenal are now prepared to reignite their interest in the young starlet with a first bid. Rugani won 39/63 tackles in Serie A for Empoli last season. (Calciomercato, via the Daily Express)