Here are a few odds and end for your Thursday reading pleasure..
Defense Central is reporting that Martin Odegaard wants to hold a face-to-face meeting with Zinedine Zidane before making any plans for his future. The young Norwegian, currently on loan at Arsenal, hasn’t ruled out returning to the Gunners or Real Madrid, however, before making any decision, the young star wants to know where he fits in to Zidane’s plans. Rumor has it a loan deal back to Arsenal could be another option for Odegaard.
One of the top football stories of the year has been the emergence of Borrusia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. In 30 games this season for club and country, Haaland has scored 31 goals. The Norwegian is currently on the market looking for a new club to join next season. The good news he has crossed Chelsea off his wish list. The teams remaining on his list for consideration are Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus.
With the North London Derby just over a week away, Tottenham Hotspur could have a slight advantage. The Spurs Round of 16 first leg game has been moved to their home pitch in London, while Arsenal will travel to Athens for their first leg encounter v Olympiakos on March 11th. This is a 4,000 mile roundtrip. Arsenal will also travel to Burnley on Saturday, while Tottenham travels to west London today to play Fulham, and then has a home match on Sunday v Crystal Palace. The scheduling gods are definitely not on our side!
Remember Alex Song? I really enjoyed watching him play for Arsenal. He was a force to be reckoned with in the center of the pitch, however, in the end he sold out. Here’s a quote from Song on leaving Arsenal for Barcelona, “I met Barca’s sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games. I didn’t give a f***, I knew that now I would become a millionaire. When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn’t think twice.”
Finally, can you name the last five Arsenal Players of the Season? Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil.
Have a great Thursday!
Cheers.
Gunner1953
Mikel Arteta said on Friday Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all in contention to be in the squad for Saturday’s match.
According to Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk, Arsenal has intensified their interest in Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams as a top summer priority. 
Fabrizio Romano is reporting Calum McFarlane will be the Chelsea interim manager until the end of this season.
Arsenal Women have confirmed Manu Zinsberger will leave the club at the end of this season. The Austrian goalkeeper has totaled 51 cleans sheets in 143 appearances for the Gunners.
Stat of the Day: David Rays has made 53 saves and had 15 cleans sheets in 33 appearances this season for Arsenal.
American movie star Anne Hathaway on the Gunners title chances, “They better. I believe in Arsenal.”
Gabriel Magalhaes, “We need to be strong on Sunday, We are at this club to play these kind of games.”
Ten Premier League managers have been sacked this season, including three at Nottingham Forest, and two each at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
