'I still want to play': Oleksandr Zinchenko makes Arsenal FC admission amid transfer links
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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Thierry Henry sends message to Arsenal over £64m Viktor Gyokeres transfer
Thierry Henry says Viktor Gyokeres 'should be perfect' for Arsenal but has called for patience with the £64m summer signing. Mikel Arteta was desperate to sign a new striker this summer and sanctioned Arsenal's deal for ex-Sporting star Gyokeres. Arsenal considered new Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko earlier in the summer before putting their faith in Sweden international Gyokeres. Gyokeres enjoyed two brilliant seasons at Sporting, scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances, and will hope to enjoy more success at the Emirates Stadium. Henry, the best Arsenal striker in history, has high hopes for Gyokeres and says he looks to be a 'perfect match' for what the Gunners require. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. However, Henry insists the move might not 'click straight away' and has urged Arsenal fans to be patient as Gyokeres adapts to a new club and Premier League football. 'It's always unfair because when I talk about a striker, it brings an unnecessary pressure, sometimes, because whenever I say something it goes above and beyond,' the Premier League legend told Betway. 'What I would say about Gyokeres is that you saw his goal against Athletic Club the other day. That instinct and understanding to anticipate the cross, a great header with soft touch to guide it to the other side of the goal – he is a proper No. 9. That's the goal of a 9. 'He is not a Firmino type of 9 that's going to drop into midfield. He wants to be in the box, in between the posts, and he said it himself – please put the ball in the box and serve me. 'You have a guy that's a killer in the box – numbers don't lie – and you have a team that create a lot of chances, so it should be the perfect match, but you have to also understand that sometimes it doesn't click straight away. Viktor Gyokeres has widely been described as the final piece of the jigsaw for an Arsenal side that have come agonisingly close to winning the Premier League. But the same was said about Romelu Lukaku upon his return to Chelsea in 2021 and we know how that worked out. Gyokeres' stats for Sporting were incredible but Darwin Nunez enjoyed similar success in Portugal before underwhelming in the Premier League. It's taken a fair while for Gyokeres, 27, to earn a move to one of Europe's top five leagues. This time two years ago, in fact, he had just spent his fourth successive season in the Championship, scoring a respectable but far from remarkable 21 goals in 46 games. He's an upgrade on Kai Havertz but don't expect mind-blowing returns from a player who has been branded a 'gamble' by the likes of Paul Scholes and Gary Lineker. 'I don't think he's the guy,' Rio Ferdinand even said shortly after his £64m move to north London was announced. Mikel Arteta doesn't get too many signings wrong but it was him, remember, who pushed to sign Raheem Sterling last summer. Arsenal were torn between signing Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko earlier in the summer. Time will tell if they made the right decision. Louis Sealey, Metro Deputy Sports Editor 'What you want is people to be patient with him, and what is annoying right now is that people are not that patient anymore. 'They want the guy to perform straight away, score goals straight away and make us win straight away, which doesn't happen often. 'He already was in England, let's not forget that. He was at Coventry, he couldn't do it at Brighton, so you can see a guy who already knows what struggling is and comes back from that. 'He's more confident, and you can see from his body the way he's looked after himself, the way he's changed. 'I love when people show me what they can do, and then I can talk. Right now, people love to talk before the performance. 'I'm an Arsenal fan, I obviously hope he's going to do well, bang goals for us, and guide us to a title, but he's not going to do that alone. 'We have seen that goals don't always assure you a title. We've seen guys with mad numbers, but they didn't win anything. The team around them has to be good. More Trending 'From what I've seen from him and how he finishes, hopefully it's going to be a great match and we can finally go back to lift that trophy. But as I've said, a lot of teams want to lift that.' As Henry mentioned, Gyokeres scored his first goal for Arsenal in the pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao last week. The prolific striker is expected to start at Old Trafford on Sunday when Arsenal kick-start their Premier League campaign against Manchester United. Arsenal have also signed Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard this summer. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries MORE: Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd star to accept transfer offer and backs £120m signing MORE: Sekou Kone update after Man Utd starlet suffers horror head injury
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Caoimhin Kelleher injury update ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
Caoimhin Kelleher remains an injury doubt for Brentford's Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The Republic of Ireland international featured in the Bees' first two pre-season fixtures after singing from Liverpool for £18million. However, Kelleher missed Brentford's final warm-up fixture against Borussia Monchengladbach after he picked up a knock in training. Versatile forward Kevin Schade almost missed the friendly through injury, and new boss Keith Andrews said the duo would face late fitness tests to see if they can play a part in the season's opener. 'Caoimhin and Kevin Schade are back on the grass,' said Andrews in his -re-match press conference. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. 'Whether they will be absolutely ready we'll see over the next day and a half, then we'll make that decision. 'Overall, we're in a pretty good place on [the injury] front.' One player who will certainly miss Brentford's clash with Forest is Yoane Wissa as speculation continues to mount about his future at the club. The striker, who scored 19 league goals last season, has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United and has made clear his desire to play Champions League football. Wissa remains a Brentford player for now as Newcastle consider an improved offer for the 28-year-old, but Andrews confirmed that the Congolese international will not play a part on the opening weekend regardless. More Trending 'We've made a decision that he's not [available],' Andrews said of the striker. 'It's been a very disruptive pre-season with the interest. The message is clear, I want him in the building, I want him to be part of the first-team squad. 'I see that moving forward but I'm very understanding of his situation. I have a good relationship with him and that will persist. 'But we have to focus on the players that are ready to perform on Sunday and Yoane isn't in that space.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Thierry Henry sends message to Arsenal over £64m Viktor Gyokeres transfer MORE: Man Utd vs Arsenal: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries MORE: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Oleksandr Usyk finally responds after being ordered to fight Joseph Parker
The Ukrainian became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion last month - but was quickly ordered to defend one of his titles against the Kiwi sensation Oleksandr Usyk has requested an extension on negotiations to fight Joseph Parker due to injury. Last month, it was revealed that the Ukrainian was ordered to defend his WBO heavyweight title against the Kiwi heavyweight star - or risks losing the coveted strap. It came soon after Usyk became an undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time after knocking out Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. Just weeks on from the WBO's order, boxing promoter Frank Warren has revealed that the Ukrainian star has asked for an "extension period" because he is injured. Alternatively, Parker could go on to face the winner of Moses Itauma's fight with Dillian Whyte - should Usyk decide to vacate the WBO title. In an interview with Sky Sports, Warren said: "The WBO have put out about a month ago that Joe Parker - who is their interim champion - has to challenge against (Oleksandr) Usyk and Usyk has to defend against him. He has put a letter in yesterday, I found out today, stating that he has asked for an extension period because he is injured before being ordered to do anything. "But whatever happens, the fact is that Joe Parker will either as champion, if Usyk vacates the title, or he will face Usyk for the title. So, it's exciting times if Moses (Itauma) were to win or even if Dillian (Whyte) wins... whoever wins that fight, they are in the one spot. And if the fight does not happen with Usyk and Joe, then Joe will have to fight the official number one contender." Last month, the governing body sent an official letter to both Usyk and Parker - which read: "Gentlemen: Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations between the subject matter fighters to discharge the mandatory title defence obligation. "By virtue of this order, the parties have thirty (30) days upon issuance of this letter to reach terms. Failure to do so will result in this committee ordering purse bid proceedings in accordance with WBO regulations of World Championship Contests. The minimum bid in the Heavyweight division is one-million dollars ($1,000,000.00). Any of the parties herein may request purse bid proceedings at any time during negotiation stages. "Lastly, the WBO reserves its right to issue any and all further rulings deemed necessary, helpful and convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies, and intent of the WBO rules, including but not limited to serving those interests that best serve boxing, and the WBO Heavyweight Division. Do not hesitate to contact the WBO headquarters if you have any questions or concerns." Earlier this year, Usyk had revealed he has two more fights in him before officially calling it a day. After knocking out Dubois, the Ukrainian is set for one more outing - and it is fair to say he is not short of options. Earlier this month, it was revealed that the two-division undisputed champion has a three-man hit-list ahead of his final fight. According to 112 Ukraine, Tyson Fury is still in consideration for a trilogy fight. Another name on the the 38-year-old's list is heavyweight sensation, Joseph Parker. The final name on the stacked list is Paul. Both Usyk and Paul faced off in the ring after the former's win over Dubois last month - hinting at a potential showdown between the pair. When is Oleksandr Usyk's next fight? It appears Usyk will take a well-deserved break for the remainder of the year to relax and enjoy precious moments with his family before considering his next move in the squared circle. Following his victory over Dubois, the Ukrainian champion reflected on his age, declaring: "38 is a young guy, remember! 38 is only the start! "I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ. I want to say thank you to my team and Wembley, thank you so much! It's for the people. Nothing is next. It's enough, next, I don't know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest." He continued: "Maybe it's Tyson Fury," Usyk added. "Maybe we have three choices, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot now say because I want to go back home."
