Arsenal blasted for unexpected transfer call as club slam "major disappointment"

18 January 2024 , 13:23

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Arsenal have recalled Mika Biereth from Motherwell (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal have recalled Mika Biereth from his loan spell at Motherwell, with manager Stuart Kettlewell branding the news a "major, major disappointment".

Biereth has been in impressive form for Motherwell so far this season, having scored six goals and provided five assists in 14 Scottish Premiership appearances. The 20-year-old initially joined the club on a season-long loan, having been at RKC Waalwijk the previous campaign.

However, Arsenal have decided to cut short his time at Fir Park and now look set to send him out on loan to another club. "Mika has been recalled," Kettlewell revealed ahead of Motherwell's Scottish Cup clash against Alloa.

"It's been a bit of a difficult one for us over the last less than 24 hours. Major, major disappointment. This was a little unexpected. There's a situation out of our hands that there is an opportunity to send him to a club that sends that step beyond where we are just now."

Arsenal are yet to confirm their decision to recall Biereth, but the Sheffield Star are reporting that the striker could be on his way to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. Wednesday are in the midst of a relegation battle under manager Danny Rohl, who is keen to strengthen his squad.

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Should the Biereth deal go through, he will be the second forward Wednesday have signed on loan this month following the addition of Ike Ugbo. The 25-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Cardiff, where he scored four goals in 22 games, before being recalled by Troyes so that he could join Wednesday.

"It is clear what the coach has brought to this team, I spoke to him and had a good feeling that he can help me and I can help the team," Ugbo said. "It's important you have the right feeling when it comes to the coach, I am still learning the game and trying to develop myself and am excited by what he showed me.

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell said Arsenal's decision to recall Biereth was a "major disappointment" (PA Wire/PA Images)

"I'm ready to go straight away, I have shown what I can do in this league and the club have seen what I can bring to this team. We can all see the direction the team is going in and come the end of the season I don’t see the league position being a problem.

"The boys have showed what they can do against some very good teams in this division and we want to carry that on this weekend." Wednesday currently sit 22nd in the league, four points from safety, and are set to host Coventry on Saturday.

Coventry are unbeaten in their last nine games across all competitions and are firmly in the promotion hunt, with Mark Robins' side currently in a play-off position.

Matthew Cooper