Arsenal round-up: 2017/18 fixtures released; Alexandre Lacazette blow; Juventus’ Mario Lemina being targeted

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The countdown to the new Premier League season has begun after the fixtures were released on Wednesday morning. Every team will start on zero and this is the time that every supporter can dream of what the next campaign will bring. Arsenal will face Leicester City at home on the opening day, before ending their campaign away to newly-promoted Huddersfield Town. Their first three away games could pose problems as they face trips to Stoke City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

It could have been kinder, but Arsenal’s fixture list is well balanced and there is a reason to believe that they can start the season in good form, especially at home. In November and February, they will face back-to-back matches against Tottenham and Manchester City, which will be crucial if they are to challenge for the title. It is difficult to read too much into a fixture list as there will be a lot of different factors at play throughout the season, but it has certainly bumped the excitement up a notch.

The Gunners have been dealt a blow in their chase for Alexandre Lacazette as the Lyon president has stated that the striker can leave the club for PSG ‘without a problem’. The comments suggest that the Ligue 1 club would prefer to sell to a rival in the same league than see their star striker head to England. Jean-Michel Aulas comments to France Football were quoted in the Daily Mail, the Independent and by French outlet Canal Supporters:

“I know Nasser suggested to Noel Le Graet [president of the French Football Federation] that he is not investing that much in French players because he thought other presidents of French clubs looked badly upon it. I want him to know that if he makes an offer for Alexandre at least equal to that of the other clubs bidding for him, then Alex can go to Paris without problem.

 “I am a businessman and a modern club president. Transfer money must be reinvested into French football, as I always did when we were at the peak of our powers.”

This is a blow for Arsenal as it shows they are facing a difficult battle to secure the signing of Lacazette. This shows that the Gunners will need to pay over the odds to sign the striker, while other clubs will be given fewer obstacles to overcome. Like with other targets, if Lyon are difficult sellers, Arsene Wenger needs to move on to alternative deals.

Finally, Tuttosport report that Arsenal are eyeing a move for Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina. Juventus are open to selling the player with the rumoured price tag being €20 million. The Gabon international wants regular first-team football and he has accepted that it is unlikely to come in Turin, which opens up the way for the Gunners.

Arsenal need to strengthen their midfield options and Lemina may be a shrewd pick-up. He is a presence in midfield, who can compete in both halves of the pitch. His powerful dribbling style will be useful in transition and for the price of €20 million, it may be a gamble worth taking. However, the report has come from the Italian press and needs to be treated with caution at this time.

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