Martin Odegaard Move Closer To Joining Gunners

The Norwagian international impressed the Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta during his loan spell in north London in the second half of last season.

He returned to Real Madrid hoping to secure a place in the first-team.

Zinedine Zidane never seemed to take to Odegaard, but the Frenchman's departure at the end of last term gave him an opportunity.

Carlo Ancelotti has now deemed the 22-year-old surplus to requirements, giving room to Arsenal to make move on their target.

Arteta wants to add another attacking midfielder to his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Young star Emile Smith Rowe was Arsenal's standout performer in Friday's limp defeat by Brentford, and has been handed the No.10 shirt for the season.

Arteta wants another midfielder in that position and has identified Odegaard as his main target.

The Gunners were also linked with a move for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison, only to be put off by £70m asking price.

Madrid are willing to do business, and the Daily Mirror reports that Odegaard's agent is in London to begin talks with Arsenal.

Personal terms should not be an issue and Arsenal are increasingly hopeful that Odegaard join them.

Arsenal's loss to Brentford exposed some of the problems.

Arteta has a job to do to turn things around, as Arsenal attempt to become regular top-four challengers once more.

But with Chelsea and Manchester City up next, things could get worse before they get better

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Jose Mourinho Surprised By England Antrics Against Colombia

Portuguese Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was full of surprise by England's antics against Colombia, criticising defender Harry Maguire for diving.

England progressed from the last-16 clash at the World Cup, winning 4-3 on penalties after the 1-1 draw in Moscow Tuesday.

But there were eight yellow cards shown during a tempestuous encounter and it was the approach of Gareth Southgate's men that surprised Mourinho.

The Portuguese tactician singled out Maguire, accusing the Leicester City defender of diving to try to win a penalty.

"The negative thing for me was the fact… I think there is exaggeration on theatre by the players," he told Russia Today.

"I was surprised to see central defenders like Harry Maguire, normally he is a very honest guy, diving in the attacking box asking the referee for VAR.

"Every team has lots of diving, lots of pretending, lots of putting pressure on the referee.

"The game loses quality… and for me that was the negative point."

Colombia received six of the eight yellow cards for the game, including one for Wilmar Barrios for an apparent headbutt on Jordan Henderson.

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Germany v England Match Is More Than Just A Friendly - Dier

England international Eric Dier believes Friday’s match against Germany at Wembley cannot be considered a friendly because of the long rivalry between the two country.

While England came out on top in the 1966 World Cup final on home soil, Germany have since enjoyed far greater success in the tournament, lifting the trophy in 1974, 1990 and 2014.

Gareth Southgate’s squad has been hit by a number of high-profile withdrawals, with the likes of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Dier’s Tottenham team-mates Harry Kane and Harry Winks pulling out due to injury.

But Dier believes the time is right for England – who qualified for the 2018 tournament with ease to test their ability against top teams such as the world champions and Brazil, who visit Wembley on Tuesday.

“I think the manager has already said that, if we are going to play friendlies, he wants to be playing the very best nations in the world and to challenge ourselves and I think that is the right mentality,” Dier told a news conference.

“These are two really big friendlies. I don’t think there is ever going to be a friendly between England and Germany, so we are really looking forward to it.”

With England progressing through qualification unbeaten, confidence has grown in the squad since a shock loss to Iceland in the first knockout round at last year’s European Championship.

Dier accepts England’s performances at major tournaments have been below par for many years and the versatile 23-year-old claims winning the World Cup is the only measure of success in his mind ahead of the finals in Russia.

“I think the minute we qualified we had to start our focus on the World Cup,” Dier added. “Everything we do from now onwards is with the World Cup in mind, so we are going to prepare for it in the best way we possibly can and that starts on Friday.

“Obviously there is a lot of room for improvement. I wouldn’t just say the last two tournaments, it goes back a long way that England haven’t done well in the tournament.

“I think sometimes people forget that. It’s been a long, long time since you could say England had a successful international tournament.

“Winning it is the only way I’d see it as being successful. There’s a long way to go and this is quite a new group that has come together since the Euros. It’s quite a young team, so I think the margin of progression is huge.”

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Gunners In A Blockbuster Deal

Gunners eye blockbuster James deal

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I Am Sad About Tony Adams Comments About Me - Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has fired back at Tony Adams, describing the criticism from his former captain as disrespectful and aiming his own dig at the Arsenal legend's performance as Granada's coach.

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Millwall Promoted With Late Playoff Win Over Bradford City

Steve Morison scored a late Wembley winner to clinch Millwall a 1-0 win against Bradford in the League One playoff final.

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Laurent Koscielny Out Of Everton Clash

Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Laurent Koscielny ahead of their final Premier League game of the season at home to Everton on Sunday.

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FA Cup Third Round Draw

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