We have all the latest Arsenal news today (Thursday February 13) with updates on Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Ademola Lookman and Antonio Cordero.
Piers Morgan rages after Havertz disaster
It was the news all Arsenal fans dreaded – Kai Havertz is gone for the season after tearing a hamstring during that winter training camp in Dubai.
The Gunners’ title hopes suffered another major blow when they lost their last remaining front-line striking option right now, with no immediate chance of reinforcements returning to the fray.
The failure to sign a new striker during the recent January transfer window was quickly back in the media news cycle – and celebrity Gooner Piers Morgan was left absolutely raging.
He took to Twitter to respond to the Havertz news, fuming: “FFS We now have zero strikers for rest of the season. Shocking failure of management.”
Brutal.
Trossard contract boost for Arteta and Arsenal
Arsenal and Leandro Trossard are moving closer to resolving the Belgian forward’s contract situation after positive talks in Dubai.
Discussions over a new deal had stalled in January, primarily due to disagreements over the length of the contract on offer. But according to a report from FootballTransfers, those discussions are now very much back on.
Trossard, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2023, currently earns around £90,000 per week. The Gunners had initially proposed an extension, but the 30-year-old forward was holding out for a longer-term commitment.
Gunners locked in battle for Spanish wonderkid Cordero
Arsenal are locked in a battle for Spanish youth international Antonio Cordero, according to a report.
The Gunners have sought to implement a new youth-focused philosophy in recent months after losing a host of promising talents to rivals all across English football.
In previous seasons, Mikel Arteta failed to provide Arsenal’s academy starlets with regular first-team chances and it inevitably culminated in the likes of Chido Obi-Martin, Ruell Walters, Amario Cozier-Duberry and, most recently, Ayden Heaven leaving the club to pursue different opportunities.
This term, the situation has changed, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri prominently featuring – and impressing – in Arteta’s squad. Additionally, Max Dowman, now 15, was given his first taste of senior training at just 14, illustrating that the path to the elite level is no longer blocked.
Arsenal are looking to continue and build on this trend by adding more talents to their youth ranks and CaughtOffside reports that Malaga youngster Antonio Cordero has caught their eye.
The 18-year-old, also known as Antonito, has already made a whopping 45 senior appearances for Malaga and he has been particularly impressive this season.
In 24 games in LaLiga2, Cordero has notched four goals and six assists, primarily featuring as a left winger, although some outings of his have also come on the right.
Arsenal to battle Chelsea for Ademola Lookman
Chelsea and Arsenal are fighting it out to sign Atalanta’s Nigerian sensation Ademola Lookman this summer.
That is according to respected Italian football journalist Mirko Di Natale, who reports that the two London teams are the most active clubs in the race for the attacker.
Di Natale notes that Juventus recently asked for information on Lookman and were told that Atalanta value him at €60 million.
But it is Arsenal or Chelsea who are Lookman’s most likely destination at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old has not yet decided on his future but the feeling is that he would like to return to the Premier League this summer.
Atalanta are also ready to sell if Lookman pushes for a move.
The African Footballer of the Year is currently considered as one of the most exciting players in European football.
He scored a legendary hattrick for Atalanta in the 3-0 Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen last May.
He has continued his brilliant form into the 2024/2025 season, scoring 14 goals and delivering seven assists in all competitions.
Gunners chase Greek stars in double deal
Arsenal have reportedly lodged an “official enquiry” to sign Olympiacos duo Charalampos Kostoulas and Christos Mouzakitis this summer, although they are set to face significant competition from Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta’s side are set for a spending spree during the upcoming summer transfer window and they have earmarked both Kostoulas and Mouzakitis as key targets amid their impressive recent form in Greece.
Kostoulas, 17, and Mouzakitis, 18, have established themselves as key players at Olympiacos so far this season, and their progress is being monitored by a host of clubs across Europe.
In fact, both Arsenal and Aston Villa have initiated contact with Olympiacos as they look to finalise a summer double deal, according to Birmingham World.