16 October 2023 , 03:00
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We are halfway through the international break, but you can bet that Mikel Arteta is already preparing for Arsenal's next Premier League match.
The Gunners face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s late kick-off and will be looking to build upon the huge 1-0 win over Manchester City last time out. While many of Arsenal’s players are currently away with their international sides, Arteta will be plotting a way past an improved Chelsea side.
They are joint top of the Premier League with six wins and two draws and the possibility of a first league title since 2004 is tantalising. A break in the season like this gives the club time to take stock and that is what is happening in mid-October. Here are the latest headlines from the club, courtesy of Mirror Football.
Odegaard transfer admission
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has spoken about his time at Real Madrid after signing a new five-year contract with the Gunners. Odegaard has been fantastic since joining Mikel Arteta’s side in January 2021, contributing 28 goals and 16 assists in 117 games. He has become a key player for Arsenal – a stark contrast to his time in Madrid, where he only started eight games and was frequently loaned out.
“My time in Madrid was good,” Odgeaard said. “It was a positive stage. I have learned to mature and it has been a great learning experience, but I needed to play more. I am happy with the decision to leave and with how the race went. If I had not gone through Madrid I would not have reached the level I have today. Madrid is the biggest club in the world and the pressure there is too.”
Wenger breaks silence on Arsenal visit as he doubles down on title prediction
Read more here.
Patino following Saliba plan
Charlie Patino was on loan with Blackpool last season (Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Charlie Patino wants to follow in the footsteps of William Saliba by getting into the Arsenal team by impressing on loan. Patino is currently playing for Swansea, having impressed on loan with Blackpool last season. The 19-year-old midfielder came through the Arsenal academy and is well known to Arteta, who gave him his debut.
Saliba completed three loan spells in his native France before returning to his parent club to star. That’s what Patino is planning to do too. Speaking in an interview with the Daily Mail, he said: "It’s inspiring to see someone from Arsenal being able to go on loan, make a name for himself and come back and show his qualities at Arsenal because it is a massive club."
Read more here.
Adebayor backing Arsenal
Emmanuel Adebayor made his name with Arsenal (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Emmanuel Adebayor wants Arsenal to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title this season. Adebayor burned some bridges at Arsenal when he moved to City in 2009, but the former Togo striker says he is backing the Gunners this season, despite their disappointment last season.
He told Sky Sports: “When I saw them starting to drop points, even when Man City were several points behind, I said listen to me, I don’t know whether there is a curse on the club but it’s going to be difficult for them to win the league."
Speaking about this season, he added: “They have actually invested to win the league and go far in the Champions League. It’s my old club and I wish them the best of luck."
Read more here.