Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Barcelona bid, Emery reveals three exits, Ramsey update

Wright on top four

Ian Wright says Arsenal will finish in the top four this season.

He said: “I have faith in Arsenal finishing fourth because I think their attacking players will cause all the other teams problems – but I am still worried about the defensive side of things and the way the players start the season under Unai Emery, and grasp what he wants from them, is going to be so crucial.

“They start against a City team who know exactly what they are doing, but this might be a good time to play them because some of their players are late back from the World Cup.

“Arsenal are going to play this pressing game and could they catch City off guard?”

Dembele bid

Arsenal made a late bid for Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele – but the Catalan giants refused to tell the 21-year-old.

Claims on deadline day emerged suggesting the Catalan giants had received a bid from the Premier League side.

This was rubbished by several journalists, with BBC Sport’s David Ornstein claiming Arsenal had chosen against pursuing a deadline day deal despite their interest in the forward.

But RAC1 say Arsenal DID try and lure Dembele to north London as the clock ticked down.

Ramsey update

Unai Emery has once again reiterated his desire to see Aaron Ramsey sign a new contract to stay at Arsenal.

The Welsh midfielder is into the final 12 months of his current deal and after a decade with the Gunners has been linked with a move away.

Ahead of the visit of the defending top-flight champions, Emery told reporters on Ramsey’s contract: “That’s not my work. For me it’s very important he stays with us.

“His experience here in Arsenal and the Premier League is very important and will give us all the information and performances in his quality. Then, the contract is for speaking with the club and the players.”

Three exits

Unai Emery has named the three players he thinks will leave the club before the end of the month.

With the transfer windows across Europe still open until the end of the month, several players could still depart.

“We only have three players: Carl Jenkinson, David Ospina and Joel Campbell, with the possibility to leave,” Emery said.

Arsenal signed five players this summer as Emery looks to mount a Premier League title charge.

Ozil claim

Alan Smith says Unai Emery must work out how to get the most out of Mesut Ozil if he wants to succeed at Arsenal.

“For me, this is a relationship that could go one of two ways – whether Ozil responds to Emery or whether he doesn’t,” says Smith.

“There have been times in recent years when Ozil seems to have switched off and lost the ball, and the team have lost the ball and the team have suffered.

“It’s going to be fascinating how Emery deals with that. Ozil is a player who signed for fortunes and he is expected to play.”