Arsenal transfer news and rumours
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Jeremy Mathieu from Barcelona.
The Gunners' three first-choice centre-backs, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista all missed the opening game of the season against Liverpool through injury.
And Spanish outlet Don Balon say Arsene Wenger is eyeing Mathieu as cover - despite the fact he is currently injured himself.
Mathieu limped out of Barcelona's win over Sevilla at the weekend with a hamstring problem.
It is claimed Barcelona will accept an offer of 12 million euros (£10.4million) for the 32-year-old Frenchman.
Gunners refuse to cough up for Mustafi
Arsene Wenger has hit a snag in his attempts to sign Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, writes John Cross.
The Gunners boss is ready to pay around £20million for German centre-half Mustafa with the Spanish club demanding in excess of £25million.
Despite the Spanish club claiming otherwise, talks are still ongoing and Bremain in the market for Mustafi but the deal is becoming more complicated.
There has been difficulty in dealing with agents while Valencia do not want to lose Mustafi and their other centre-half, Aymen Abdennour, who is wanted by Everton.
Abdennour has been offered to Arsenal but Wenger wants Mustafi as his No.1 choice while West Brom’s Jonny Evans is another back-up option.
Ramsey set for month-long injury lay-off
Arsene Wenger has been left reeling with the news that Aaron Ramsey is facing a month out with a hamstring injury, writes John Cross.
The Welsh star is expected to be sidelined until after the upcoming international break after getting crocked in Arsenal’s 4-3 opening day defeat to Liverpool.
Ramsey joins an injury list that contains Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista and the loss at the Emirates highlighted Arsenal’s need for defensive reinforcements.
It is hoped that Ramsey will be fit to return to action when the Gunners host Southampton on September 10.
Wenger criticised by Souness
Graeme Souness questioned Arsene Wenger's decision not to pick Laurent Koscielny as Arsenal shipped four goals at home to Liverpool on the opening day, writes James Whaling.
The France centre-half watched on from the sidelines as the Reds came from a goal down to storm into a 4-1 lead at the Emirates, eventually holding on to win 4-3 in a pulsating opening game of the season.
Wenger's defensive options have been depleted by injury with both Gabriel and Per Mertesacker picking up problems in pre-season, while Koscielny is also carrying a knock.
But Souness believes Wenger should have taken the risk and thrown Koscielny in to the side instead of entrusting youngster Rob Holding and Calum Chamber.s at the back.
"[Koscielny] is their best defender," he told Sky Sports. "He’ll organise those around him and maybe one or two of those goals they wouldn’t have been conceded.
"If there’s a position on the field where if someone is carrying a slight knock or is not quite fit, then the centre-back position is the one where you can get away with it
