Arsenal latest: Sandro Tonali ‘unsettled’ verdict given as Gunners learn transfer loophole

Football.london takes a look at the most recent headlines involving Arsenal

Transfer speculation continues to follow Arsenal despite the January window closing earlier this week. After a relatively quiet month, the Gunners added two more academy talents to their youth ranks on deadline day.

The club secured the signatures of Stoke City’s 18-year-old defender Jaden Dixon and St Mirren’s 18-year-old striker Evan Mooney for a combined fee of around £1million, continuing their strategy of snapping up talented teenagers.

Following Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea, Mikel Arteta’s side will turn their attention back to Premier League matters, with this season’s surprise package Sunderland visiting the Emirates Stadium.

football.london now brings you two of the latest stories involving the league leaders, who currently sit six points clear at the summit as they look to end a 22-year wait for the title.

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Howe’s stance on Tonali future

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has dismissed rumours linking Sandro Tonali with a move to Arsenal. Reports emerged on deadline day claiming the Italian midfielder’s agent had offered the player to Arsenal, who were said to be interested in a deal before Newcastle rejected their bid.

Various reports then indicated that no formal approach had actually been made by Arsenal, while Tonali’s agent Giuseppe Riso denied offering the midfielder to other clubs. Amid speculation that Tonali could push for an exit, Magpies boss Howe was adamant Newcastle wouldn’t face another drawn-out transfer sage similar to last summer’s Alexander Isak one.

When asked whether Tonali could become unsettled by the speculation, Howe said: “I don’t think so but lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I’m aware, we’ve got a player who is an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s very happy here, he’s got a great relationship with me, his team-mates and seems really happy within himself.

“That would surprise me [if Tonali became unsettled] but our best players will always attract glances from other clubs – that’s just the reality of football. We want to keep our group together, we want to be progressive and Sandro plays a part in that. All encompassed, I don’t see an issue but I don’t control everything.

“There was certainly no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. He’s such an integral player to what we’re doing. He’s very happy here. He is absolutely fine. I had discussions with him yesterday [Monday] and he is absolutely focused on playing for us.”

Late transfer possibility emerges

Although the Premier League transfer window has officially shut, Arsenal still have a brief window to complete one additional signing if they choose to pursue Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is available as a free agent. The ex-Gunners midfielder, who left Besiktas last August, is currently without a club.

In recent months, he has been keeping fit by training with the north London side and even featured for their Under-21s side in a closed-door friendly against Manchester United in December.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first deadline to secure a new club is Thursday, February 5. However, a little-known rule permits clubs to sign players until March 25 if they leave any of their 25 senior player slots vacant when submitting their squads later this week.

Arsenal have only filled 21 of their 25 senior spots so far. And with midfielder Mikel Merino set for a long period on the sidelines with a broken foot, Arteta may yet gamble on signing his 32-year-old former Gunners team-mate to help fill the void.

Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup home fixture against Chelsea, the manager refused to dismiss the possibility, saying: “We explore every option.”