Arsenal Insider

It’s one thing for Arsenal to miss out on a transfer target, but it’s quite another to miss out on a target to Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal are no strangers to having their transfer deals hijacked at the last minute.

Indeed, Chelsea pinched Mykhaylo Mudryk from Arsenal back in 2023 in one of the most infamous hijacks in recent history, while Manchester United got Lisandro Martinez after Arsenal made multiple bids just months prior.

Arsenal have been courting Rodrygo from Real Madrid, this summer, but, in recent days, it’s been reported that Tottenham could sign the winger.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, Rodrygo to Tottenham isn’t something that is going to happen this summer.

Rodrygo will not sign for Tottenham

According to the journalist, the rumours regarding Rodrygo potentially joining Tottenham are baseless.

Rodrygo has been valued at £70m, and he could be on the move this summer, but it would appear he’s not headed to Spurs.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

“There were rumours about Tottenham. Tottenham are not in the conversation for Rodrygo guys, Tottenham and Rodrygo is not something realistic to happen this summer, so forget about that.”

Rodrygo thinks he’s good enough for Real Madrid

Rodrygo isn’t going to be joining Tottenham, and according to Romano, the Brazilian could end up staying exactly where he is this summer.

“I can confirm this is not an easy decision for Rodrygo. Rodrygo loves Real Madrid, he loves the club, Rodrygo is convinced he can still be an important player for Real Madrid.

“The feeling from Rodrygo is not that he can’t be a Real Madrid player anymore and he wants to go, he really feels he can be important for this squad and this Real Madrid team.”

Of course, Rodrygo was continuously left out of the Madrid team throughout the Club World Cup, so things may come to a breaking point somewhere down the line.

Whether or not Rodrygo does leave Real Madrid this summer remains to be seen, but, if he does, Arsenal may well be there waiting to pounce.

Arsenal could be set to hand rivals Tottenham Hotspur more transfer misery.

Arsenal are interested in signing Eberechi Eze and the Crystal Palace man wants to join the Gunners ahead of Spurs after they also showed interest in the England international.

Noni Madueke was a Spurs academy graduate and is also close to joining the club after a £52m fee was agreed between Arsenal and Chelsea. The 23-year-old is currently undergoing medical tests.

Now Arsenal could be set to deliver a third blow to their North London neighbours this summer, stemming from something they did back in 2023.

Tottenham Hotspur told they have to pay ‘Declan Rice’ money to sign Adam Wharton

According to journalist Dean Jones, Tottenham Hotspur have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton over the asking price for the 21-year-old.

Spurs are keen to add to their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season but have been told that it would take an offer close to the fee paid for Declan Rice to tempt Palace into selling.

Jones stated: “Tottenham like Adam Wharton a lot. But Crystal Palace are playing hardball. We’re talking a valuation that could go north of £80 million.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

“Palace believe there’s no reason they shouldn’t aim for a Rice-style fee after what West Ham pulled off a couple of years back. And to be fair… they might have a point.”

Arsenal completed the signing of Rice back in 2023 for a club-record fee of £105m and the midfielder was outstanding last campaign for the Gunners.

Rice has not travelled to Spain for the initial part of pre-season as he is still following an individual training programme but the England star will be looking to hit the ground running once again next season.

Spurs will now have to cough up close to Rice’s valuation if they want to sign Wharton and having already spent money on Mohammed Kudus and the likely signing of Morgan Gibbs-White, that fee may be beyond their realms.

Adam Wharton valuation makes Christian Norgaard signing look even better

There is no doubt that Wharton is a terrific prospect at Palace and at just 21 years of age, he will develop into one of the best midfielders in the country.

However, his valuation north of £80m makes Andrea Berta’s signing of Christian Norgaard for just £10m look even better.

Norgaard could prove to be an excellent piece of business and provide depth and quality to Mikel Arteta’s midfield options.

His relatively cheap price tag also allows Arsenal to splash the cash in other areas, most notably in their attack.

Arsenal fans love nothing more than embarrassing their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Mikel Arteta’s side are currently on a three-match winning streak against their nearest neighbours after securing a Premier League double over Spurs last season.

Away from the pitch, Arsenal have angered the other side of North London in the transfer market before as they shocked world football by securing Sol Campbell on a free transfer back in 2001.

Eberechi Eze can emulate Tomas Rosicky with his incredible record in North London Derbies if the Gunners can secure a deal for the Crystal Palace man. However, Andrea Berta now has the opportunity to deal another transfer blow to Tottenham and this one will really sting.

Arsenal target Noni Madueke was once part of Tottenham Hotspur’s academy

Arsenal are in contact with Chelsea over Noni Madueke and are hoping to conclude a deal swiftly for the England international.

Madueke would provide the Gunners with pace and versatility in attack, something that was missing last season in their quest for a major trophy.

Should Madueke prove to be a difference-maker for Arsenal this season, it would be even more painful for Spurs fans given that the 23-year-old is a product of their own academy.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

Madueke made one appearance for Tottenham Hotspur’s U18 side in the Premier League 2 before moving to PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

Noni Madueke would join an exclusive list to play for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur

There are not many players who have played for Arsenal and Spurs during their careers and Madueke would join an exclusive club.

Although the Gunners transfer target never featured for the first-team he would join the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and William Gallas to have represented both sides of the North London divide.

Perhaps one of the most famous instances of rivalry between the two clubs came in 2009 when David Bentley scored a remarkable goal from the halfway line for Spurs at the Emirates.

Bentley was an Arsenal academy graduate and went on to represent England during his time at White Hart Lane.

Should the Gunners complete a deal for Madueke, he will be hoping that his best footballing years are in a red and white shirt.

Arsenal fans love nothing more than a victory over their North London neighbours.

Gabriel Magalhaes was on target during both Premier League clashes with Spurs last season as the defender powered Mikel Arteta’s side to the double over their arch rivals.

Arsenal broke a 36-year record last campaign by winning three consecutive North London Derby games in a row and the Gunners will be hoping to continue their recent dominance next season.

Arsenal face Spurs in pre-season during their tour of the far-east but it is a battle off the pitch that is currently engulfing the two clubs as they both chase the same transfer target.

Arsenal target Eberechi Eze has a good record against Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal are interested in Eberechi Eze and the Crystal Palace man is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium this month.

Ian Wright wanted Eze last season but the player has had another season in the Premier League with Palace and was instrumental in their FA Cup triumph.

A player can always earn the love of Arsenal supporters by playing well against their arch enemy and that is something that Eze has done recently.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

The 27-year-old grabbed a brace during Palace’s 2-0 win at White Hart Lane last season and has already produced four goal contributions against Spurs during his past clashes with them.

Should Andrea Berta complete a deal for the England international, he will arrive to a warm reception having already captured the hearts of Gunners’ fans.

Eberechi Eze can emulate Tomas Rosicky’s Arsenal record v Spurs

Tomas Rosicky loved a goal in the North London Derby and boasted an incredible record against Spurs during his time at Arsenal.

Rosicky was linked with a return to Arsenal before the sporting director position was handed to Berta but it is his playing career as to why he is adored by the red and white faithful.

Eze would need one more goal or assist to equal Rosicky’s record against Spurs and to do it for Arteta’s side would make it extra special.

Football is all about fine margins and by signing a player that has a good record against the old enemy, it must be another positive note to Arsenal signing Eberechi Eze.

Thierry Henry is a hero to many Arsenal fans, even to this day.

The Frenchman is arguably the greatest player ever to play for the club. He is Arsenal’s record goalscorer and is a big reason why many people support the Gunners.

Henry has a statue of himself outside the Emirates Stadium. It is a bronze model of the iconic goal he scored against Tottenham Hotspur all the way back in 2002.

Recently, several years after it was placed outside the stadium, Henry brought his kids to show them the statue, and Spurs fans will hate one thing he said there.

Why Thierry Henry looks ‘upset’ in his Arsenal statue

Arsenal unveiled Henry’s statue in December 2011.

The World Cup winner was honoured by the club for his contributions many years ago, and he was reduced to tears on seeing it live.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have a statue like this in front of the stadium of the team I love and support,” Henry said when the statue was unveiled.

Over a decade later, the Arsenal legend brought two of his children to the Emirates to have a look at their dad cast in bronze.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

Seeing it for the first time, Henry’s daughter asked him on CBS Sports: “Why are your eyes like that?”

“Because I was upset that day,” he replied.

When his son asked why he was upset, Henry quickly replied: “Because we were playing Tottenham, and I don’t like Tottenham.”

Thierry Henry’s record for Arsenal vs Tottenham

Henry has never hidden his feelings about Tottenham – he really doesn’t like them.

The Frenchman is Arsenal through and through, and he shared the passion of the fans every time he played in a North London Derby.

Henry’s record in those games is brilliant – he never lost against Spurs.

To add to the above, Henry won the Premier League title at Tottenham’s home, White Hart Lane, back in 2004. He celebrated there even though he was asked not to.

That shows his love for Arsenal, and that hasn’t changed even to this day.

Arsenal’s transfer window can only be described as disastrous following the events since its closure on Monday 3rd February.

Arsenal fans are fuming with Stan and Josh Kroenke after their lack of transfer activity coupled with the injuries to Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz have left Arsenal woefully short in attacking options.

The Gunners are not looking to bring in any free agent strikers and will now rely on Mikel Arteta getting the best out of the likes of the underperforming Raheem Sterling and Mikel Merino.

One deal that Arsenal did pursue on deadline day was not a striker but a former Tottenham Hotspur academy defender, and it seems the Gunners are going back in with a fresh approach.

Arsenal interested Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon

According to the Mail Online, Arsenal are interested in Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon after seeing Ayden Heaven depart to Manchester United in the January window.

Dixon is only 17 years old but has forced his way into the first team at Stoke, making six appearances in all competitions so far and impressing with his physicality and composure.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

The Gunners are believed to have enquired about Dixon on deadline day and will now be tracking his progress in the remainder of the season.

Dixon can play both at right back and at centre back and has already been capped for England at both under 17 and under 18 level.

Arsenal have already signed a Dixon from Stoke City

Should Arsenal be able to pull off a deal for Jaden Dixon, it would not be the first time the North London side have signed a ‘Dixon’ from Stoke City.

Lee Dixon was signed in January 1988 by George Graham and the England international went on to become a stalwart in Arsenal’s famous back four.

The right back won four Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one League Cup in his time at Arsenal and made an incredible 618 appearances, scoring 27 times.

If Jaden Dixon can have half the career of Lee Dixon, then Arteta could have some player on his hands in the future.

Arsenal have not had the 2024/25 campaign that fans would’ve desired however, the Gunners’ neighbours have it worse.

As Arsenal achieved a 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux, other results around the Premier League added emphasis to the table.

Liverpool kept their lead at the top intact while Manchester City hinted at rejuvenation against Chelsea.

Further down the table, Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham lost at home to Leicester City, pushing the North Londoners down the 15th place.

Tottenham match staggering Arsenal Premier League defeat record

Arsenal’s win over Wolves unearthed controversy as Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off for a challenge on Matt Doherty.

Mikel Arteta struggled to react to the red card as the Arsenal manager’s true feelings had to be reined in.

While the Gunners made a noise regarding Lewis-Skelly’s sending-off, an even louder debate unfolded at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Spurs lost 2-1 to the Foxes.

The defeat for Ange Postecoglou’s side took them to within eight points of the relegation zone, in what has been a dreadful season for Spurs.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

To rub salt in the wounds, a remarkable statistic emerged following the Lilywhite’s defeat, as with their 13th loss of the season, Spurs have matched Arsenal’s defeat record since 2022/23.

Arteta has watched his squad lose on 13 occasions since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, the same number of defeats Postecoglou has seen in this season alone.

It’s a surprise when considering that Arteta was criticised amid Postecoglou’s early influence at Spurs, with the Premier League table now taking shape very poorly for Arsenal’s rivals.

Arsenal’s season is far from over

Up until 2022, Tottenham finished above Arsenal for six consecutive seasons, something that hasn’t happened since that year.

In that time, Arteta has been the pioneer behind the Gunners’ claim to the Premier League title race and despite the challenges that have come this term, the race is far from over.

Liverpool sit comfortably in the top spot, so all Arteta can do is unleash a winning streak, similar to the results that followed Arsenal’s winter break in Dubai last season.

With there still a slim chance in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League and, the fact that Arsenal are performing exceptionally well in the Champions League, silverware mustn’t be ruled out just yet.

Amid criticism of the season, it’s easy to only see the negatives, with matchday 23’s results painting a rather glistening picture from Arsenal’s view.

Arsenal were at the centre of another controversial red card decision as Michael Oliver sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly just before half time.

Arsenal had dominated the first half without reward before the game turned on its head with the decision from referee Oliver.

Oliver sent Myles Lewis-Skelly off for serious foul play however, the decision was extremely harsh with many similar incidents in the season having already been deemed just a yellow card.

The incident saw Arsenal down to ten men for the fourth time this season and became the team with the most red cards in the Premier League this season.

Jamie O’Hara reacts to Myles Lewis-Skelly red card

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara has given his reaction to the red card shown to Myles Lewis-Skelly.

O’Hara has often been a critic of Arsenal given his Spurs connection but was in agreement with many Arsenal fans that the red card was the wrong decision.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

Arsenal fans were in utter disbelief at Oliver’s decision and fear the decision could be a hammer blow to their title hopes.

Michael Oliver at the centre of Arsenal controversy again

It is not the first time that Michael Oliver has been at the centre of a controversy involving Arsenal. Oliver sent off Gabriel Martinelli for two yellow cards at the same venue back in 2022 in another decision that caused anger amongst fans.

Leandro Trossard was also sent off by Michael Oliver earlier on this season for kicking the ball away in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

Arsenal fans will certainly feel that Oliver has had a lot influence on their results in recent years and that the rub of the green may not have gone their way.

The North London Derby exploded into life in the opening 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s attack has come under scrutiny in recent weeks and to Mikel Arteta’s disbelief, it appeared to be more of the same early into the North London Derby.

The Gunners had several chances to open the scoring before Son Heung-min capitalised on a poorly defended corner, giving Spurs the lead.

To the relief of those at the Emirates, Gabriel Magalhaes levelled the scoring with some help from Dominic Solanke however, the goal caused a lot of noise on social media.

Tottenham fans fume at Arsenal corner in North London Derby

Gabriel was the hero when Arsenal beat Spurs back in September, scoring the only goal in the derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While the 27-year-old had his goal stolen from him in Wednesday night’s clash, as it was marked as an own goal, he celebrated all the same in front of the Clock End.

As the Emirates was sent into pandemonium, so did X, as Spurs fans argued that the corner in which Gabriel scored from, should never have been awarded.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

“Glorified Stoke at it again. Should’ve never been a corner anyway,” an angry Spurs fan tweeted, with many sharing the same opinion as the ball appeared to trickle out off Leandro Trossard.

“Wasn’t even a corner. That could keep them in a title race and it wasn’t even a corner,” a supporter said, as another added, “Wasn’t even a corner, typical.”

Gabriel attacked Declan Rice’s inch-perfect delivery at the back post, with his effort coming off Solanke to see the striker score at the wrong end.

Spurs fans were furious, not by their team conceding an own goal, but because of the controversial corner.

“It was never a corner in the first place,” a supporter said, while others offered some sarcasm in reaction, “Wasn’t even a corner, brilliant.”

Other Spurs fans called on VAR to intervene, asking where the technology was when it came to denying the visitors a goalkick.

Why VAR didn’t overturn Arsenal goal vs Tottenham after corner error

Arsenal fans will be relieved that the decision was not overturned, with many asking why it wasn’t.

So why didn’t VAR intervene? Simply because it cannot.

The rules state that VAR is only used to review ‘clear and obvious’ errors, something that the awarding of a corner does not represent.

As a result, VAR had no grounds to overturn the on field decision, regardless of the displeasure it caused the Spurs supporters watching on.

Arsenal are preparing to welcome fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

A midweek North London Derby will grace N5 on Wednesday as Arsenal look to do the double over Spurs in 2024/25.

Arsenal beat Tottenham 1-0 away from home back in September, seeing Gabriel Magalhaes send the away end into pandemonium with a second-half header.

After losing consecutive games against Newcastle United and Manchester United, Mikel Arteta will be desperate for a win and, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Tottenham handed Richarlison North London Derby injury boost

The North London Derby is one of the Premier League’s spectacles, with both sets of players understanding the importance of the event.

Arsenal will head into the fixture hungry for a win however, the Gunners will be without some key players for the contest.

Arteta expressed his concern over Gabriel Jesus, as the striker was suspected to have sustained a season-ending injury against Man United.

While Arsenal are light in attack, Spurs are very short all over the pitch although, Ange Postecoglou revealed that his squad have earned an overdue boost ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

The Spurs manager confirmed that striker Richarlison is available to face Arsenal, admitting that the forward is desperate to play the fixture.

“He’s been harassing me for the last 10 days to be involved,” Postecoglou said of Richarlison, who has been out of action since match day 10.

Richarlison’s record against Arsenal

Arsenal have many good memories against Spurs, most prominently winning the league at White Hart Lane twice – because once wasn’t enough.

While the Gunners have fond memories of playing Spurs, Richarlison also has fond memories of playing Arsenal, sporting a decent record against his bitter rivals.

Richarlison has won 38% of his meetings against Arsenal, winning on five occasions and scoring twice.

The Brazilian most notably netted a late equaliser against the Gunners when playing for Everton, a goal that spurred the Toffees to get a late winner over Arteta’s squad.

Fortunately, the 27-year-old has never been on the winning side against Arsenal when representing Spurs, with the hope his record can continue on Wednesday night.