Arsenal transfer round-up as Saliba ‘wants to leave’, Arteta on Ozil’s future

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is continuing to overhaul his squad as he aims to fire the Gunners up the Premier League table.

The clear-out started with Sead Kolasnic joining Bundesliga side Schalke on loan, and Arteta more than hinting others will follow the Bosnian through the exit door this month.

Arteta’s side have struggled in the top-flight this season, but have experienced a revival over Christmas, beating Chelsea and Brighton.

But the need for reinforcements, and departures, is clear as the Spaniard seeks to stamp his vision on the team now the January transfer window has begun.

Here’s the latest Arsenal transfer news.

Saliba 'wants to leave Gunners’

William Saliba is reportedly ready to leave Arsenal – and a transfer bidding war is expected to take place this January window.

The defender joined the Gunners at the start of the season after agreeing terms during the 2018-2019 campaign, but was immediately frozen out by Mikel Arteta.

Saliba has only got minutes in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy for Arsenal, and has been linked with a move away before making a single senior appearance.

According to L'Equipe, via Sport Witness, Saliba is now open to the prospect of leaving Arsenal this month for regular football elsewhere.

Dortmund chief responds to Brandt interest

Borussia Dortmund technical director Michael Zorc has rubbished claims that Arsenal have made an offer for Julian Brandt.

Bild reporter Christian Falk claimed that Mikel Arteta did have an interest in signing the 24-year-old, who signed for Dortmund after shining for Bayer Leverkusen.

But Zorc has claimed there is ‘nothing on the table’ from Arsenal, but did admit he was aware of the speculation surrounding the player.

"I've read that too. I can't say more about it. Nobody answered, there is nothing on the table,” Zorc told Kicker.

Arteta gives clue on Ozil future

Mikel Arteta's recent comments offer some insight into his plans for Mesut Ozil now that the January transfer window is upon us.

"We will see what happens in the transfer window and we will assess at the end of that," said the Arsenal boss. "You have to respect the players' contracts. You can just try to be open with them, tell them your intentions, the role that they have in the team and why that is.

"Some would like to move because they are not playing and some would like to stay. That's something we cannot decide by ourselves. When a player doesn't play, it is really difficult to be happy.

"There are players that don't play at all, they know they are not going to have any chance. That is tough mentally for them, to maintain that motivation and positivity around the place for a lot of months. That's a big task."

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