Friday night sees Arsenal FC host Manchester United in the weekend’s headliner fixture- a fourth round FA Cup clash. We’re also in the last days of the January transfer window, so there’s a whole lot to talk about on that front too. Let’s dive right in with today’s edition of Arsenal news, notes and transfer talk.
We start with forgotten midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who is reportedly set to join Juventus in the summer once the season is over.
Sky Sports reports that a pre-contract agreement is already in place for Ramsey to move on to Juve and it’s a transfer that fellow Welshman, and manager of the national side Ryan Giggs approves of.
“I hope so. You’ve seen the effect it’s had on Gareth Bale. He’s going to a top-class football club, one of the best in the world. That will improve you as a player,” the Manchester United legend and co-owner of Salford City said to Sky.
“When you’re an international coach, all you want is your players playing and he’ll be playing at the highest level.”
Speaking of United, here are your FA Cup 4th Round tie FYIs
Kickoff: Friday, January 25, 755 pm local, Emirates Stadium
Injury report for both sides: go to this link
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal Manchester United
Odds via Betfair: Manchester United win 17/10, Draw 5/2, Arsenal win 8/5
Going back to the transfer window, is Denis Suarez coming over from Barcelona or not? The midfielder was omitted from the Barca squad that will take on Unai Emery’s old squad Sevilla tonight in the Copa del Rey. This has led to increased speculation that his transfer could be in the works.
Team Talk has more, citing a Spanish outlet: “Mundo Deportivo have claimed that the current La Liga leaders winners are working quickly on getting Suarez out of the door and that there is already a ‘full and economic agreement’ in place for the transfer.”
Finally, Arsenal are fifth in the latest NBC Sports Premier League club power rankings, up one from last week but still far behind their season of second.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.