Kieran Tierney with Scotland (Photo via Glasgow Times)

Injuries, contracts & records: 10 Arsenal stories you probably missed

Apr 5, 2021

The international break bored us all stupid but it gave us a chance to focus on other things and, as a result, there might have been some stories you missed. Here are 10 of them, only one of which has anything to do with Saturday’s debacle.

Arsenal set to lose 3-4 players to AFCON next season

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal reacts after being substituted Arsenal v Liverpool, Premier League, Football, The Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 3 Apr 2021 Credit: Photo by Javier Garcia/BPI/Shutterstock — Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal reacts after being substituted Arsenal v Liverpool, Premier League, Football, The Emirates Stadium, London, UK – 3 Apr 2021 Credit: Photo by Javier Garcia/BPI/Shutterstock

Arsenal are set to lose three or more players in the middle of next season after their countries qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations this week.

Arsenal loan defender Harry Clarke picks up minor injury

Harry Clarke of Oldham Athletic during the Sky Bet League 2 match at Boundary Park, Oldham. Copyright: Matt Wilkinson

Arsenal loan defender Harry Clarke picked up another minor injury ahead of Oldham Athletic’s match against Exeter City on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta has lost as many as Unai Emery but in fewer games

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Arsenal v Liverpool, Premier League, Football, The Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 3 Apr 2021 Credit: Photo by Javier Garcia/BPI/Shutterstock — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Arsenal v Liverpool, Premier League, Football, The Emirates Stadium, London, UK – 3 Apr 2021 Credit: Photo by Javier Garcia/BPI/Shutterstock

Arsenal’s defeat against Olympiacos in their second leg in the Europa League was Mikel Arteta’s 20th defeat as Arsenal manager, the same number that earned Unai Emery the sack after 78 games. The game against Liverpool saw Arteta move to 21 defeats in 74.

Bukayo Saka’s value rockets by £18m

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday March 14, 2021. Copyright: Dan Mullan — Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday March 14, 2021. Copyright: Dan Mullan

Bukayo Saka has become one of the hottest young names in football but what is the Arsenal kid now worth? A lot more than at the start of the season, that’s for sure.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Ben Sheaf picks up hip injury as manager confirms a period out

Coventry City midfielder Ben Sheaf during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Coventry City at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales on 24 February 2021. Copyright: Gruffydd Thomas

Ben Sheaf picked up a hip problem playing for the Coventry City’s u23s last week, to compound his recent struggles on loan.

Arsenal campaign to Stop Online Abuse

Arsenal have thrown their weight behind a campaign to try and tackle the issue of online abuse that targets and harms so many people. The move came after Thierry Henry announced he was leaving social media until companies did more to stop online abuse.

Lucas Torreira’s mother died from Covid and he wants to leave Europe

Lucas Torreira with Atletico Madrid (Photo via Twitter)

Lucas Torreira has publicly confirmed he wants to join Boca Juniors, after the death of his mother and two years without enjoyment on the pitch.

Craig Gordon: Kieran Tierney is world class thanks to Arsenal

Kieran Tierney with Scotland (Photo via Tierney on Twitter)

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes Kieran Tierney now qualifies as world class, and he credits Arsenal with aiding the left-back’s development. Hopefully Tierney’s knee injury isn’t as bad as his facial expression led us to believe.

Mikel Arteta gave an update on Alexandre Lacazette contract situation

Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal scores a header from very close range to make it 3-3 West Ham United v Arsenal. The London Stadium, London, UK - 21 Mar 2021. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Simon Dael/BPI/Shutterstock — Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal scores a header from very close range to make it 3-3 West Ham United v Arsenal. The London Stadium, London, UK – 21 Mar 2021. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Simon Dael/BPI/Shutterstock

Mikel Arteta insists Alexandre Lacazette’s situation will be addressed in the summer, even though he’s happy with the striker right now but it does seem like he will be heading for the door when the season ends.

Papers laugh at Arsene Wenger while Gareth Southgate backs his plans

Sunday Telegraph 21 March 2021 — Sunday Telegraph

Arsene Wenger made some suggestions about how to fix the football calendar, the journalists laughed at him because they didn’t bother actually reading what he said and then Gareth Southgate said Wenger’s ideas were good and they all shut up.