
<p>Arsenal are reportedly ready to build a statue of Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium. <em><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/12/27/arsene-wenger-statue-arsenal-ready-build-tribute-former-manager/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Telegraph</a></em> claims that while talks have been ongoing for years about the issue, the Gunners and Wenger have finally agreed to make the statue happen.</p>



<p>News of a potential statue comes after Wenger finally returned to his former home stadium. The Frenchman was seen in the crowd at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-extend-lead-at-the-top-after-stunning-second-half-comeback-20221226-WST-413488.html">Arsenal’s match against West Ham</a> on Monday. It was the first time that Wenger was inside the stadium for a game since he departed the club in 2018.</p>



<h2>Wenger would be proud of team’s performance</h2>



<p>Wenger returned at the right time. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-extend-lead-at-the-top-after-stunning-second-half-comeback-20221226-WST-413488.html">Arsenal dominated the Hammers</a> 3-1 on the night. Current coach Mikel Arteta responded to post-match questions about putting on a show for his former manager.</p>



<p>“Obviously, it’s great and winning means my mood is going to be much better to speak to him and be around the team,” <a href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-win-wenger-odegaard-and-transfers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> Arteta. “So yeah, he picked the right moment. A really special day, because Boxing Day is a beautiful day to play football. And I thought the performance was at the level today that he deserves, and hopefully he will like.”</p>



<p>Arteta and former team chairman David Dein have both asked Wenger to return to catch a match for months. The former boss received a warm welcome by the fans and was even serenaded by the crowd with a song as well. Wenger even went down into the dressing room to meet with the players after the victory.</p>



<h2>Statue is just a matter of time for Wenger</h2>



<p>Wenger was always going to get a statue erected outside of the Emirates. After all, he was not only extremely successful during his time in north London, but he was also a major factor in the stadium being built.</p>



<p>The manager will join current statues of Herbert Chapman, Thierry Henry, Tony Adams, and Dennis Bergkamp at the arena. Exact plans on timing are not yet confirmed. However, there has been a suggestion that Wenger’s statue could be completed as early as next year.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: Imago/PA Images</em></p>


Arsenal will finally build a statue of legendary manager Arsene Wenger outside of Emirates Stadium in north London.

Arsenal to erect Arsene Wenger statue at Emirates Stadium - World Soccer Talk

Arsenal to erect Arsene Wenger statue at Emirates Stadium


<p>Google is reportedly in advanced talks with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> over naming rights to its home stadium. Completed in 2019, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a state-of-the-art complex that cost around $1.1 billion to construct.</p>



<p>As of now, the club has no partnership for the stadium. Hence, the name of the ground is simply Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Even then, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/supporters-groups/tottenham-hotspur-supporters-groups/">Spurs </a>CEO <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/02/18/disturbed-conte-slams-talk-of-rift-with-spurs-chairman-levy/">Daniel Levy</a> stated in the past that naming rights are of interest to him and the club.</p>



<p>“We are only going to do a naming rights deal if we get the right brand, in the right sector, on the right money,” <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/daniel-levy-new-tottenham-stadium-club-new-dawn-a4316696.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said Levy back in 2019</a>. “If we can’t meet those three criteria, we won’t do it. At the moment, we haven’t found a company that meets all three criteria. We are not really close to anything on that at the moment.”</p>



<p>Levy’s patience may be about to pay off. Obviously, Google is one of the most valuable businesses on the planet. The American tech company also entered sports partnerships with McLaren Racing Formula 1 team, the NBA, and MLB.</p>



<h2>Google interested in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium naming rights</h2>



<p>Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is certainly one of the bigger draws when it comes to soccer complexes in England. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> is already a major attraction and Spurs are also currently in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a>. Then, combine this with the fact that it is a simply stunning stadium. Plus, it has the third-largest capacity in the country for soccer at 62,580. Only <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United’s</a> Old Trafford and Wembley Stadium surpass it. Therefore, Google’s interest is no shocker.</p>



<p>Along with soccer matches, the stadium has already hosted multiple National Football League games, significant concerts, and heavyweight title bouts as well.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">world class <a href="https://t.co/OeCX63DhLB">pic.twitter.com/OeCX63DhLB</a></p>— Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (@SpursStadium) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursStadium/status/1579105255413149697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Financial terms have not yet been suggested. Yet, in the event of a deal, Spurs earn a big boost on the books. For instance, Arsenal extended their stadium naming rights, along with jersey sponsorship, in 2019 in a reported deal worth about <a href="https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-and-arsenal-renew-sponsorship-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$56 million</a> per season.</p>



<p>Spotify also recently partnered with Barcelona to rename their stadium ‘Spotify Camp Nou’ for a reported <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/fc-barcelona-agree-to-sponsorship-deal-with-spotify-will-rebrand-stadium-as-spotify-camp-nou/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$310 million deal</a> over four years. This breaks down to more than $75 million annually.</p>


Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could see its naming rights change to Google, with the mega-company interested in acquiring the name.

Google in talks with Tottenham over stadium naming rights

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>In a period of frequent summer signings and acquisitions, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> answered its biggest question early on.</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, Arsenal’s primary area of concern last season was up front. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang endured a tough final 16 months with the Gunners. The Gabon international appeared to be a shell of his former self following his massive contract extension in September of 2020. He departed, and actually performed well in the back half of the 2021/22 campaign with Barcelona.</p>
<p>Along with Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette failed to lead the way for Arsenal during the previous campaign. In fact, the Frenchman netted just four goals in 30 total Premier League appearances last season. He, too, is out from the Emirates for next season. Eddie Nketieh played fairly well during his time up front for the Gunners. Even then, Arsenal needed a boost in the center forward position this summer.</p>
<h3>Arsenal’s key summer signing</h3>
<p>Realistically, Arsenal could not have done any better than prying Gabriel Jesus away from Manchester City. The deal amounted to just over <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-jesus/transfers/spieler/363205">$57 million</a>. Jesus, 25, helped City collect four Premier League titles. Plus, he added four other significant trophies in just five complete seasons in Manchester. Outside of his contribution to his team’s success, Jesus is the exact type of player that suits Arsenal.</p>
<p>Jesus did not always nail down a starting place in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI. Regardless, Jesus contributed regularly when he was on the pitch. In fact, the former City forward had the highest goal-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season. Jesus helped create goals at a rate higher than any other player in the league. This occurred through passing, shooting, or being fouled.</p>
<p>In the No. 9 position, Jesus performs very well compared to other similar players in defensive actions. This includes things like tackles, interceptions, blocks or pressures. Clearly, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his front line of forwards to help out in defense by pressuring opposing players. Pressures create turnovers and quickly turn defense into offense for the Gunners. Jesus’s style of play perfectly suits Arsenal.</p>
<h5>Filling a gap</h5>
<p>Arteta claimed that the center forward position was a clear need. Following Jesus’s signature, Arteta expressed his satisfaction to the club’s official website.</p>
<blockquote><p>“It’s a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Arsenal moved quickly in the summer transfer window to get the exact player that they needed. Jesus fills a huge hole up top for the north London outfit. Also, Martin Ødegaard likely welcomes the acquisition.&nbsp;Ødegaard made his move to the Gunners permanent last summer. While he was outstanding during the 2021/22 season, Jesus almost certainly helps the Norway international rack up assists.</p>
<p>Ødegaard managed the fifth-highest shot-creating actions in the Premier League last season. This is one spot higher than Mohamed Salah. But, he only managed four total assists in league play. Having a player as prolific as Jesus up front should mean that Ødegaard&nbsp;will be set for a big campaign ahead.</p>
<p>Although the Gunners still need a few more reinforcements before the summer window closes, particularly in central midfield and perhaps left back, Arsenal have done extremely well to secure their top target. Jesus even scored within 90 seconds of his first preseason match with his new club on Friday. Arsenal fans will hope that this is just the tip of the iceberg heading into the new Premier League season.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images</em></p>


The key Arsenal summer signing is already in place. Plus, he already has goals to his name in the preseason campaign.

Arsenal already have its most important summer signing - World Soccer Talk

Arsenal already have its most important summer signing

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>Eddie Nketiah will soon sign a new long-term contract with Arsenal. News of the new deal came as a bit of a shock for many fans and pundits around the world. After all, the 23-year-old striker seemed almost certain to depart The Emirates following his contract expiration this month. Nketiah himself even suggested he could move on from the Gunners just a few months ago.</p>
<p>After Eddie Nketiah scored a hat trick in the Carabao Cup against Sunderland in December, the English youth international talked to SkySports. Nketiah proclaimed he needed more playing time.</p>
<blockquote><p>“I’m desperate to play football, every player wants to play. All I can do is keep working hard. It will sort itself out, hopefully I get opportunities. I’m eager to play football, I’m here under contract. As long as I play for Arsenal I will give it my all. If the manager needs me I will be ready to help the team.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Mikel Arteta afforded Nketiah more opportunities down the stretch in the Premier League. This worked well for Nketiah’s desires and those of Arsenal. Nketiah scored five goals in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/11/arsenals-top-four-push-thriving-despite-three-major-obstacles/">final eight matches during Premier League play</a>. This vote of confidence undoubtedly helped persuade Nketiah to stay in north London.</p>
<h3>Risks of the new Eddie Nketiah contract</h3>
<p>Retaining his young striker will surely make Arteta happy. However, the impending move remains a gamble for both sides. Nketiah performed well down the stretch for Arsenal. Yet, Arsenal fans await a major impact from the striker over the duration of a season. Over 59 Premier League matches with Arsenal, Nketiah has just <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/eddie-nketiah/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/340324">10 total goals</a>. Clearly, the youngster is not exactly a prolific scorer.</p>
<p>Also, the Gunners supposedly want to keep Nketiah as a second option in attack moving forward. Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus is clearly an Arsenal target. If that transfer goes through, the Brazilian likely takes over the role of leading the Arsenal line.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Nketiah has actually been better for the Gunners in recent years as a starter in Arteta’s XI. The center forward has 14 goals in 26 total starts in all competitions since the start of the 2020/21 campaign. In comparison, he netted four goals in 29 total substitute appearances during the same timeframe. In fact, all 10 of his goals during last season came when he started the match up front.</p>
<p>On the player’s side of things, it is a bit surprising that Nketiah would be willing to potentially sit behind another striker. His comments following the Sunderland hat trick represent his frustration over playing time. However, Arsenal’s qualification to the Europa League should provide ample opportunities in different competitions in the upcoming season.</p>
<h5>Means of the deal</h5>
<p>Arsenal is reportedly giving Nketiah a fresh £100,000-per-week long-term deal. Although this would mean that his wages would be doubled compared to his last contract, it wouldn’t necessarily break the bank or be any hindrance to any future player contracts. Even if the Gunners can pry Jesus from Manchester City, the club would potentially be paying Nketiah and Jesus a fraction of what they were paying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in recent seasons.</p>
<p>The (likely) manageable wages aside, both the club and Nketiah hope this gamble will pay off in a big way going forward. Just turning 23, the striker still has plenty of room to grow as a player.</p>
<p>If he works, he could become a vital piece to the puzzle at a team that he quite clearly loves.</p>


The new Eddie Nketiah contract locks up the 23-year-old's services, but it may not be the right solution for player or club.

New Eddie Nketiah contract is a gamble for both Arsenal, player - World Soccer Talk

New Eddie Nketiah contract is a gamble for both Arsenal, player

There is a trend clubs follow. They hire former players as managers to bring back a certain vigor and reminder of success. How do they fare?

Gauging the success of former players as managers - World Soccer Talk

Gauging the success of former players as managers

<div id="attachment_351380" style="width: 1440px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-351380" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Arsenal’s rebuild arrived out of necessity. In the previous two decades, the London-based club consistently finished in the top four of the Premier League. In fact, the Gunners qualified for <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0239-0e970bbed6d8-1a5b9f71f4c2-1000--most-consecutive-uefa-champions-league-campaigns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">19 straight Champions League group stages</a> until 2017/18.</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, the fan base developed an expectation of domestic and, at least to some extent, European success. Now, Arsenal finds itself outside of the conversation for Champions League qualification. While Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea battle for Premier League titles, the club from the Emirates Stadium is simply a mid-table side.</p>
<p>Arsenal’s rebuild is one that will take time. Of course, different people have different perspectives on acceptable durations of rebuild before the club should blow it up and try again. In Arsenal’s case, the foundation is there.</p>
<h3>Patience with Arsenal’s rebuild</h3>
<p>Most sports fans don’t exactly react well to the word ‘patience’ regarding their favorite team. Unfortunately for many teams, supporters want convincing results immediately.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, there are some cases in which patience is undoubtedly needed. Perhaps the most common need for calmness and patience is when a particular team is young but shows potential. Or, the club’s manager is clearly building for the future. Both of these examples happen to be true at Arsenal right now.</p>
<p>Just four years ago, Arsenal’s players had an <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/altersschnitt/wettbewerb/GB1/plus/?saison_id=2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener">average age of 26.5</a>, which was about average for Premier League clubs at the time. That middle-of-the-pack squad finished <a href="https://footballdatabase.com/league-scores-tables/england-premier-league-2017-18" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sixth in the Premier League</a>. Good for a Europa League spot, but not up to the standards and without a clear view for the future.</p>
<p>However, at the start of the current campaign, the Gunners now average just <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/altersschnitt/wettbewerb/GB1/plus/?saison_id=2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">24.1 years old</a>. Remarkably, this is almost a whole year younger than the second-youngest team, Brentford.</p>
<p>The nearly two-and-a-half year difference may not seem like a big deal to some, but they are the youngest Premier League squad since 2008/09 (also Arsenal).</p>
<h5>Transfer Window</h5>
<p>Manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu developed crystal clear plan for the summer transfer market for Arsenal’s rebuild. They wanted to buy young, talented players that both fit the club’s current system well and will progressive over time. All six summer signings by the north London club were aged 21-23.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/02/grading-europes-biggest-clubs-on-their-transfer-window-signings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;</strong></em><em>Grading Europe’s biggest clubs’ transfer windows.</em></p>
<p>Many pundits criticized Arsenal’s spending, which <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/einnahmenausgaben/wettbewerb/GB1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">led all Premier League clubs</a> in terms of expenditure. Much of that came from the fact that many believed Arsenal needed immediate results, not future success. Even then, the new sextet of Gunners performed well in the opening pair of months this season. In fact, new defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was awarded as the club’s Player of the Month for September, with Aaron Ramsdale finishing second in the poll.</p>
<div id="attachment_344114" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-344114" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-344114 size-medium" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211026_WST_351234_79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-300x200.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=200" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-600x400.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d-150x100.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/79a6f5517383ec18e9a9d317572a11b23db6da7d.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-344114" class="wp-caption-text">Photo credit: AFP</p></div>
<h3>Arsenal’s immediate results</h3>
<p>Along with this young crop of players, Arteta is also a young coach. This combination will almost certainly guarantee some growing pains along the way. Despite the fact that the Spaniard led Arsenal to another FA Cup trophy in his first season as a head coach, Arteta is still learning and will only get better leading his team.</p>
<p>Gunner supporters took to Twitter following a disappointing draw against Crystal Palace last week, with some large fan accounts even suggesting that the draw should be the end of Arteta’s days as the club’s manager. Four days following the discouraging match, Arsenal managed to bounce back with an emphatic victory of Aston Villa.</p>
<p>There will undoubtedly be ups and downs throughout the current campaign with this group of players, such is the nature of a young squad and a young manager.</p>
<p>However, there is reason to feel cautiously optimistic about Arsenal’s future. The more this young team plays, the more comfortable and confident they will be. Surely a handful of COVID-19 cases and injuries contributed to Arsenal’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/08/25/arsenal-fall-out-of-premier-league-contention-after-worst-start-in-118-years/#comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slow start this season</a>. In fact, Arsenal’s first choice defending five (including goalkeeper) did not all play together until their win against Norwich on September 11. Since these players have been on the pitch together, the Gunners remain unbeaten in all competitions.</p>
<p>Some expected the so-called ‘process’ to progress a bit more than it has so far, but it was always going to take time. Arsenal have, however, seem to be headed in the proper direction.</p>
<p>With the club just three points adrift of a Champions League place with three-quarters of the season remaining, this group of youngsters should soon be back in contention for a European spot once again.</p>
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The Gunners are not the squad they used to be. Arsenal's rebuild is a necessary one. Therefore, it should demand patience over pressure.

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