The offseason is here for Arsenal FC, and that means the Gunners squad won’t be reunited again until training camp commences in July. However, it’s been a very busy summer already, and we’re only just getting warmed up.
It’s certainly going to be an exciting transfer window at the Emirates, with a whole lot of topics to discuss, but this is of course a World Cup weekend and thus transfer talk must take a back seat to tournament coverage right now. Let’s take a spin through Tuesday’s headlines.
-France forward Olivier Giroud is trending internationally on social media right now as Arsenal fans expressed their attachment to him during Les Bleus 2-1 win over Australia in World Cup group play today. Gunners supporters continue to cheer for Giroud despite his being sold to arch-rival Chelsea in January, and thus feel conflicted.
Here are a few examples:
Giroud assist can't believe we cheer for him like he still plays for Arsenal but here we all are
— Iman | ????? (@nana_alaouie) June 16, 2018
I can’t be the only one who still feels personally attached to Olivier Giroud. Every time he comes on I’m hoping he does well deep down, even when it’s for Chelsea. Feels seriously strange.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) June 16, 2018
Giroud plays for Chelsea,still Arsenal fans celebrate as if an Arsenal player has scored/assisted the goal ??
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) June 16, 2018
As an Arsenal fan I support Olivier Giroud. He’s still our player and nobody can tell me otherwise. #FRA #WorldCup
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) June 16, 2018
–Arsenal announced a long term contract extension for midfielder Granit Xhaka today. This upcoming season will be his third at the club, since coming over from Borussia Dortmund in May 2016. The 25-year-old made 37 starts for the club last season.
Head coach Unai Emery said:
“I’m delighted that Granit has extended his contract with us. He’s an important member of the squad and is still young so will be able to develop even more. I hope he has a successful World Cup with Switzerland and comes back fit and ready for the new season.”
-Finally, Jack Wilshere may finally see his time at the club end for good now. He’s now available to go on a free transfer, and there are at least three clubs reportedly keen- West Ham, Wolves and Everton.
As the Daily Mirror points out, if he stays with the north London club, he’ll only be a fringe player.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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