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Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on Arsenal’s transfer plans for January, whilst admitting that the club are working on a few things.
The Spanish manager was asked about reports linking the Gunners for a move for Bayern Munich centre-back Jérôme Boateng, but he refused to elucidate on the matter further, saying “we don’t talk about any transfers, and we are working on a few things, When the club has something to say I will let you know”.
He was talking after his side defeated Leeds United in the FA Cup on Monday night, winning by a single Reiss Nelson goal, but only after Arteta had to deliver an angry half-time team talk following a first half in which he side were completely outplayed by the side from the Championship.
Arteta also responded positively to comments by club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who used his programme notes for the game against Leeds to reaffirm his commitment to the club, and dismiss talk of a move away from the Emirates, saying “His commitment since the day I walked through that door has been phenomenal, the work he has been putting in, his attitude around the place with the players.
“He has done it (ended speculation), I do it, I want him here and I am so happy with him, so hopefully that is the end of the story.”
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.