Mikel Arteta confirms Kylian Mbappe stance as Arsenal get injury boost
Mikel Arteta might be focused on going one better than last season's second-place finish in the Premier League, but the Arsenal manager's summer plans have also come into focus.
Arteta's team followed up their victory over title rivals Liverpool by smashing six goals past West Ham at the London Stadium. With Liverpool and Manchester City both playing twice in the league in the next seven days, a win against Burnley on Saturday has never looked more important.
Off the field, one name has come into sharp focus, and not just for the Gunners. Kylian Mbappe will be in high demand this summer as he prepares to leave Paris Saint-Germain, and there have been questions over whether Arteta's team might have a chance of landing the French international.
Here, Mirror Football has the latest lines around North London at a busy time for Arsenal. They include transfer talk, but also some build-up to what could be a significant weekend at the top of the table.
Arteta issues Mbappe response
Kylian Mbappe's time at Paris Saint-Germain looks to be coming to an end, two years after the initial false alarm. Back in 2022, he opted to stay in France despite interest from Real Madrid, but he has reportedly told PSG he wants to leave at the end of this season.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Madrid still looks to be the most likely destination. However, when asked about the potential for a move from Arsenal, boss Mikel Arteta refused to rule it out.
"When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation," Arteta said. "But as you said it looks in a different way. Why not? If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players, that is for sure."
Havertz has manager's backing
Kai Havertz has come in for criticism since his big-money move to Arsenal over the summer. Pundit Gary Neville has been one of his harshest critics, but Mikel Arteta made it clear the German still has his backing.
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Kai Havertz has blown hot and cold under Mikel Arteta (Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)"I love him," Arteta said of the German, who has had his ups and downs since joining from Chelsea. "I think we all love him as a player as a person, everything that he brings to the team.
"There were two or three moments the other day [against West Ham] at 4-0, 5-0, 6-0 with how he attracts people, how he's constantly attacking the box and how he affects the play that I really like. If you ask him to play as a nine, as a left-attacking midfielder, as a right-attacking midfielder, on the base defending, he does it. He's just a joy to work with."
Gunners injury latest ahead of Burnley trip
Mikel Arteta said none of his injured stars could be ruled out of the match against Burnley on Saturday. He wouldn't go into more detail, though, with fans sweating on the fitness of the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey.
“Some of them have been progressing better than others,” the manager revealed in his press conference on Friday. “We have a training session again today. Some of them have done a few beats this week and I am positive that hopefully, we will have a few back for tomorrow.
"No, there’s not big setbacks on any of those injuries and Thomas Partey as well is progressing really well," he added. "I don’t want to say too much but he’s looking very good and he's on the field already."
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