Declan Rice sends message to Arsenal fans as Arteta issues Kieran Tierney update

27 July 2023 , 03:00

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Declan Rice sends message to Arsenal fans as Arteta issues Kieran Tierney update

Keen to rectify the errors of last season's title capitulation, Arsenal have certainly spent like a side desperate to win the league next term this summer.

Mikel Arteta has parted ways with just north of £200million to bring all three of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice to the club. All three are expected to feature regularly as the Arsenal boss improves what was a weakness last time out in terms of their squad depth.

Remarkably, the incomings may not even stop there, with the Gunners also touted with a move for Ajax ace Mohammed Kudus and Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. However, with both of the aforementioned transfer targets, Arsenal aren't the only club interested and may have to focus on outgoings before they green-light future arrivals.

With that being said, here are all the transfer talking points emerging out of the Emirates on Thursday, July 27.

Tierney update issued

Kieran Tierney has been told he is part of Mikel Arteta's plans (Sky Sports)

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Despite the need for outgoings, Arteta has publicly told Kieran Tierney that the left-back remains part of his Arsenal plans moving forward regardless of speculation linking him with the Emirates exit.

"He is, he is in our plans, and as you said, he came on really well (on Saturday)," the Gunners boss told reporters.

"It's not the first time, every time he's played in pre-season, he's been really good. This is why we want to create competition in the team, raise the level of each individual and that's going to be a huge benefit for the team to get to another level."

Tierney himself had recently opened up on his future and conceded he hadn't yet held talks with Arteta over his next move as interest from Newcastle lingered.

Read more HERE.

Rice pleads for patience

Declan Rice has called on Arsenal fans to be patient before judging him (YouTube/"HANDLE")

Declan Rice has called on Arsenal fans and asked them not to judge him "after two weeks" following his record-breaking £105million move to north London.

Speaking to ESPN, Rice said: "That's a price tag that is now attached to me. I just try to play football and enjoy myself. I don't try to put any added pressure on me. Me being myself is what's got me here. That isn't going to change now I'm at Arsenal. I'm still going to do things that I've done that have got me to Arsenal.

"I'm [also] going to do things differently than Mikel wants me to do and take it all in my stride and try not to put myself under any pressure. In football, it is easy to do that. I think it is important that we are constantly open to learning and wanting to improve."

Rice has pleaded with the Emirates faithful to judge him once his Arsenal career is at its end, rather than in its infancy.

"At the end, judge me on the price tag then, don't judge me after two or three weeks. Hopefully, at the end, that's why I've come to Arsenal because I want to be a success and I want this club to be a success."

Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes

Find the full story HERE.

Arteta hits back over Havertz questions

Mikel Arteta has passionately defended Kai Havertz (AP)

The Gunners boss has quashed any talk of Havertz not having the physical capabilities to thrive in the midfield role planned for him at Arsenal.

"We’re going to have to find the right balance as well, but a year ago Granit could never play that as an attacking midfielder," Arteta explained, speaking ahead of their next pre-season outing against Barcelona at the SoFi stadium.

Clearly irked by the constant focus on Havertz and his ability to mix it with the most physical players in the division, Arteta went on: "You use a word that is ‘physical’. So if I put Granit and Kai and I ask you who is more physical? What would you say?

"Kai is one metre 91, so it depends what you mean physical. Physical is (also) to run, running behind the forward, to tackle. It depends. So we will fit in with the qualities that we have, that’s for sure. And the good thing is that we have options as well. When we have a game that is more physical, we can become very physical as well. We have the right options."

Find the full story HERE.

Josh O'Brien