Arsenal news: Bukayo Saka in danger of squad axe as Gunners star addresses transfer rumours
One in-form Arsenal star has had his say on rumours linking him with an exit from the club, while Thomas Tuchel admits one Gunner was close to missing out on his latest call-up
Arsenal moseyed into the international break with their heads held high after recently moving to the top of the Premier League. But the club football hiatus doesn't mean there's any shortage of headlines revolving around Mikel Arteta's squad.
That's after Leandro Trossard recently opened up about his recent links with the exit and just how close he came to leaving in the summer. Meanwhile, one of Arteta's England call-ups has been told he almost missed out on selection following Thomas Tuchel's recent remarks.
As for the new arrivals, one of Arteta's summer signings has been credited with having the biggest impact of any European transfer this summer. And Mirror Football breaks down the latest happenings around the Emirates Stadium today.
Arsenal ace rubbishes transfer rumours
Amid the swell of summer activity around north London in the summer, Trossard was one of those linked with a move away from Arsenal. However, the Belgian stayed on to fight for his place and even signed a new deal with improved pay terms in August.
Arteta was soon rewarded for keeping the faith in the former Brighton star, who has delivered two goals and two assists in eight appearances this term. And after joining up with Belgium for the international break, he opened up about his situation over the summer and whether he was ever inclined to leave.
READ MORE: Managing Arsenal as £80million upgrade signed and Bukayo's Saka future resolvedREAD MORE: Arsenal sent clear message as Viktor Gyokeres agreement reached after barren run"I’ve had some good weeks, both individually and with Arsenal," he told Belgian media ahead of his nation's World Cup qualifiers. "I’m finally a fit footballer again, a player in top form. ‘I’m very happy about that."
Asked specifically about the rumours linking with the exit over the summer, Trossard added: "There are always rumours like that. Leaving was never really an option. I feel very good at Arsenal.
"At the beginning of the season I struggled a bit with an injury. I think those rumours were there because of the lack of minutes. I’ve been playing a lot the last few weeks, doing my thing, and I feel good about that."
Tuchel almost overlooked Saka call-up
A return to fitness at club level unsurprisingly resulted in Bukayo Saka being recalled to Tuchel's England squad last week. The 24-year-old has scored twice in five games since returning to Arteta's selection, but his international comeback wasn't a given as far as Tuchel is concerned.
That's after the Three Lions coach wanted to remain true to his mantra that players who display good form for England will be rewarded. So after the likes of Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford showed positive strides in the last international break, comprising a 5-0 win over Serbia and a 2-0 win against Andorra, Tuchel didn't want to change much
And that almost meant Saka faced a longer delay in his England return following a hamstring injury. However, summer signing Madueke being ruled out for the time being meant there was a gap in the squad with a natural replacement.
"I didn’t want to leave anyone out who was in the last camp," Tuchel told reporters. "What would be my explanation to leave them out and also be authentic in my words? After the Serbia match, I went into the dressing room and I told them what I told you.
"Imagine I have a phone call this time and leave four players out, and say, ‘Now I take A,B,C and D, and not you’ — what would you think as a player? ’Didn’t you tell me that was exactly how you wanted it, and now I’m out?’ Would you not think that? I think, as a player you would."
Saka's selection was helped by the fact Madueke picked up an injury and was unavailable for the latest England squad. And had Saka's club team-mate been fit, he might not have made the cut himself.
"I’m saying there’s a chance," said Tuchel when asked if Madueke's inclusion would have blocked Saka's return to selection. "It’s very likely I wouldn’t have [picked him], but you will never know now."
Arsenal signing's impact 'the biggest in Europe'
Speaking of Arsenal's summer additions, Martin Zubimendi has been hailed as the best of the bunch by a certain Arsenal icon. And Martin Keown doesn't just believe the Spaniard has had the biggest impact at Arsenal or in England, but the continent as a whole.
Following his nomination for Premier League Player of the Month, £60million man Zubimendi has been showered with plaudits this week. And perhaps the biggest compliment of all came from three-time Premier League champion Keown, who underlined exactly what the former Real Sociedad talisman has added to Arteta's midfield.
"Across Europe, I don’t really see anybody that has come in and integrated so well, made such an impact," he said during a recent appearance on talkSPORT. "The goals he scored [against Nottingham Forest], the header, but he makes everything tick.
"He came on at the weekend [against West Ham] and it was seamless when he came on. [Martin] Odegaard going off would have been an absolute disaster last season, but not this season."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.