Arsenal have been dealt a potential transfer blow as Real Madrid attacker Arda Guler is reportedly on the verge of signing a two-year contract extension at the Bernabeu. The news comes as Mikel Arteta's side prepare for their Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Guler close to new Real Madrid deal
Guler, whose current contract is due to expire in 2029, has been linked with Arsenal for a number of years. However, he is now purportedly close to extending his stay in the Spanish capital, which would make a move to the Emirates effectively unfeasible.
The Turkey international has pitched in with one goal and five assists in nine appearances this season, setting up two goals in Wednesday's narrow Champions League win over Roma. His progress under Jose Mourinho appears to have ended earlier concerns over his playing time.
A new contract is Guler's reward for worming his way into Real's starting XI, a project that first started when Arteta's friend Xabi Alonso was in charge. That progress has only continued under Mourinho, who appears adamant on ensuring the attacker stays put.
Wing options and Odegaard role
The Gunners are well-stocked for wing options as things stand, especially on the right flank where Guler often operates. Bukayo Saka looks likely to have that area locked down for years to come, and Guler is too talented to play a back-up role.
The same may not be said for the No. 10 role, however, where Martin Odegaard has functioned for most of this season. The Norway captain continues to deliver but has had injury issues in past seasons, while Arsenal will want to plan for the post-Odegaard era.
Merino reveals 'secret meeting'
Mikel Merino has revealed how a secret meeting among Arsenal's squad got their Premier League title push over the line. Merino spent a large portion of the title-winning campaign injured but still had some key moments in a historic season.
The Gunners unnerved fans with certain results, including blowing a 2-0 lead to draw against Wolves in January, as well as losing to Manchester City and Bournemouth in April. However, Merino opened up about how the players took it upon themselves to ensure they were mentally prepared to end the club's 22-year drought.
"One slip, and all we heard was 'same old Arsenal'. To be honest, there were doubts inside the team too," he wrote for the Players Tribune. "Giving away a 2–0 lead should never happen. But the day after the game, the players had a meeting inside the dressing room, without the boss. Everyone spoke up."
"Nobody talked about tactics. This was about how a group of human beings handle adversity together. I spoke about how I saw the team from the outside, and I said that this was something we as players had to handle, because the boss couldn't do everything for us."
"When one person has so many tasks at one club, you need leaders who can figure things out on their own. Well, at this club, we do."
"In my view, that was the day we won the title. Even when we lost to Bournemouth and City, that meeting kept us together. We decided to use all the criticism as fuel, and thanks to social media we saw everything."
