Arsenal press conference - as it happened: Unai Emery discusses Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, West Ham and more

Follow the very latest from London Colney as Emery faces the press

Arsenal 2018/19 Premier League profile

Unai Emery will today hold his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s home game against London rivals West Ham.

We’re only in the third week of the season and yet this already feels like something of a must win for the new Arsenal boss, following defeats by Manchester City and Chelsea. Can Arsenal finally get off the mark?

There’s plenty to discuss, including the situation of Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman still hasn’t put pen to paper on a new deal, while he was dropped for Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 loss at Stamford Bridge.

There are also likely to be a few questions on Mesut Ozil, who struggled for the second weekend in a row on Saturday. Will he keep his place in Emery’s starting XI? Or will the Spaniard be tempted to drop him? Follow all of the latest below.

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[23 August 2018 09:38 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Good morning and welcome to our Arsenal live blog on Thursday 23 August.

Stick with us for Arsenal news throughout the day, including live coverage of Unai Emery's press conference ahead of Saturday's London derby against West Ham. Emery will be speaking at Arsenal's training ground around 1pm, and we will bring you live coverage.

[23 August 2018 09:50 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

It's still very early into the new season of course, but already this weekend's game looks like something of a must win for Emery.

Here's a full preview of the West Ham clash, with all of the key information you need to know.

[23 August 2018 09:54 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Will French teenager Matteo Guendouzi keep his place in the team this weekend?

ICYMI, here is Jack Pitt-Brooke's brilliant profile of the 19-year-old from last week.

[23 August 2018 10:04 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Here's some news that was published late yesterday, on Arsenal's controversial sponsorship deal with the Rwandan Tourism Board.

The country’s government signed a three-year sponsorship and tourism promotional deal with the club in May, which led to the “Visit Rwanda” tourist board logo being placed on the left sleeve of all players in Arsenal’s first, under-23 and women’s teams.

The deal immediately drew criticism from politicians in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and several other countries. More:

[23 August 2018 10:19 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Will we see new goalkeeper Bernd Leno start this weekend?

His compatriot and new team mate Shkodran Mustafi certainly seems to hope so. 

[23 August 2018 10:29 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Former Arsenal player Gilberto Silva has been keeping busy.

In fact, Fred has praised Gilberto for helping him decide to join Manchester United over the likes of Manchester City and Paris St Germain.

While there is currently understandable focus on Jose Mourinho's missed transfer targets, United's July acquisition of the Brazil international looks good business.

Rejecting the overtures of rivals City, PSG and some clubs in China, Fred joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in a £47million deal and thanked agent Gilberto, part of Arsenal's Invincibles, for helping pave the way to Old Trafford.

"Gilberto was a top midfielder who played for Arsenal," Fred told the club's official website.

"But he has a lot of respect for Manchester United, who are obviously a big club here in England.

"He praised the club a lot and, after he was granted the opportunity to speak to Jose Mourinho and other senior figures at United, we made the decision together for me to come here. We decided it would be a good move for me.

"Gilberto is a top guy and his advice means a lot to me.

"He played in the same position as I do and he won the Premier League, so I look to him for inspiration, I listen to what he has to say and I take on board what he tells me."

Fred is pushing to make his third United start when United host Tottenham on Monday.

Mourinho's men will be desperate to move on from the 3-2 humbling at Brighton - a match that Alexis Sanchez missed with an unspecified injury.

The United boss said after the loss at Albion they were awaiting test results, but did not think it was a "big thing" as he suggested a one or two-week absence.

Former Arsenal forward Sanchez is attempting to be fit in time for Spurs and posted snapshots of his progress on Instagram.

"Training be back soon," he said in one post at the Aon Training Complex on Thursday afternoon. "Come on United."

Later that evening he posted a video with his dogs in the garden, saying: "Gym at home."

[23 August 2018 10:40 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended Mesut Ozil from the “hypocritical” criticism the Arsenal player has received since deciding to retire from the Germany international team.

Ozil of course announced his international retirement last month after Germany crashed out of the World Cup. He said he had faced "racism and disrespect" because of his Turkish roots.

 

[23 August 2018 10:53 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Arsenal are the overwhelming favourites to win this weekend, but one man who most definitely won't be underestimating West Ham in Unai Emery.

Here's what the Arsenal boss had to say about the club last weekend.

[23 August 2018 11:06 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Some Arsene Wenger news now...

Liberian President and former soccer star George Weah is being criticised for his plan to award former Arsenal manager Wenger the West African country's highest honour. 

Weah, who was elected president of his country last year, plans to honor Wenger and another French soccer coach, Claude Le Roy, at a ceremony on Friday. 

They both played crucial roles in Weah's career. 

Le Roy discovered Weah playing for a club in Cameroon in the late 1980s and recommended him to Wenger, then the coach of Monaco in France. Wenger took the advice, signed the Liberian and Weah went on to play for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, and became the first and still only African to win the FIFA world player of the year award in 1995. 

Liberian sports minister D. Zeogar Wilson said Wenger is to be given the Humane Order of African Redemption with the rank of Knight Grand Commander. Wenger is expected to attend Friday's ceremony. 

But Darius Dillon, an opposition politician, criticised Weah on Wednesday for using the nation's highest honour and the office of the president to recognise people who only played a role in his "personal life." 

[23 August 2018 11:19 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

It's amazing we've blogged for almost two hours now without mentioning Jack Wilshere.

And Wilshere says he is determined to “prove a point against Arsenal” when he plays them for the first time since ending his 17-year allegiance with them when West Ham travel to the Emirates on Saturday.

Wilshere joined West Ham on a free transfer after not renewing his contract at the Gunners after learning that new manager Unai Emery could not guarantee him time in the first team.

He had previously spent a year on loan at Bournemouth but was unable to play his against parent club, meaning he will play his first ever game against Arsenal this weekend.