Saturday’s odds and ends

Happy Saturday everyone. Here are a few odds and ends along with some notes and quotes worth repeating…

Tuttosport is reporting Inter Milan’s interest in goalkeeper Bernd Leno is growing. The Serie A club plans to make a swoop for the German next summer when his Arsenal contract expires. Maybe the big transfer fee Arsenal paid for Aaron Ramsdale is starting to make more sense?

Arsenal technical director Edu told Sky Sports, “It is not about this summer. It’s about the project. It is about what we want to do. We have started the project. We are in the middle, so it is not just one window and go. I don’t want to go for top four or top six or top eight or top 10. I’m just really looking forward to seeing this squad play together. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone fit. I want to see our squad because I don’t see it yet. But I’m really looking forward to it because I believe and Mikel believes that this team can have a good season. I want to see the players step forward and say now is a good moment to go and play. I want to improve myself and try to help the club. Mikel has to improve, and the coaching staff has to improve. That’s the moment to be together.”

Arsene Wenger, “Not being able to go there (Emirates Stadium), to go to the matches was very hard, very brutal. Arsenal was a matter of life and death to me, and without it there were some very lonely, very painful moments. I’m 71. I’ve given the club the best years of my life. At the moment, I’m just a fan.”

Former Arsenal player Joe Cole says Mikel Arteta must beat Norwich City next Saturday or be sacked.

According to Football.London, Mikel Arteta has given the green light for the club to talk to free agent Serge Aurier. The Ivoriasn defender was recently cut by Tottenham Hotspur.

Roma manager Jose Mourinho has told Granit Xhaka to “get the jab” so he can be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Hang in there Gooners, only 7 more days until Arsenal returns to the pitch!

Cheers.

Gunner1953