Arsenal transfer news: Mesut Ozil, Junior Firpo, Laurent Koscielny

Ozil won’t be at Old Trafford

Mesut Ozil isn’t expected to feature for Arsenal when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight.

According to The Sun his absence adds to the belief that the German playmaker is gradually being forced out of the Emirates.

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Ozil has missed the the victories over Bournemouth and Spurs and the consensus is that Arsenal showed more spirit without his presence. Officially, he is suffering from a back injury but rumours around north London suggest that might not be the case.

The Sun says that “some individuals at the club felt Ozil could have made himself available for the north London derby”, but Arsenal boss Unai Emery didn’t seem too bothered by his no-show.

Escape route

The paper says that the pair “held a frank conversation at the end of last month” and the German was informed his attitude needed to improve, particular given the fact he is earning £350,000-a-week.

It’s alleged that Ozil didn’t take kindly to the reprimand and now “Inter Milan are interested in handing the German an escape route out of the Emirates”.

The Daily Star adds that Man Utd could also make a shock move for Ozil in January.

United vs. Arsenal kicks off tonight at 8pm and is live on BT Sport.

Four following Firpo

Four clubs are now chasing Real Betis ace Junior Firpo with Arsenal and Manchester City leading a pack that also includes Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Firpo, a goal-scoring defender, has caught the eye of the Premier League clubs and the 22-year-old full-back is expected to leave the La Liga oufit next month.

He made his Spain Under-21 debut against Northern Ireland in September and ever since the Gunners have been on his tail. The fact that Unai Emery speaks the same language is an advantage although fellow Spaniard Pep Guardiola at Man City will have something to say about that.

The Sun says that Firpo has a £45m release clause written into his contract, and quotes the youngster saying: “I’ve heard about interest from other clubs for certain… nothing can be done until the transfer window opens. But ideally I will hear something on 1 January.”

End of the road for Koscielny?

Laurent Koscielny’s Arsenal future is once more in doubt after the veteran defender limped off on his first game back after seven months on the sidelines.

The 33-year-old Frenchman failed to last the distance in an Under-21 match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park last night, and fears are growing at Arsenal that the Achilles injury he sustained during the Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid could signal the end of his career, or at the very least, make him redundant in Emery’s high octane style.

Premier League results and fixtures

Tuesday 4 December

• AFC Bournemouth 2 Huddersfield Town 1
• Brighton & Hove Albion 3 Crystal Palace 1
• West Ham United 3 Cardiff City 1
• Watford 1 Manchester City 2

Wednesday 5 December (7.45pm unless stated)

• Burnley vs. Liverpool
• Everton vs. Newcastle United
• Fulham vs. Leicester City
• Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Chelsea
• Manchester United vs. Arsenal (8pm, live on BT Sport)
• Tottenham Hotspur vs. Southampton (8pm)