Arsenal confident of double-deal ahead of January transfer window

Arsenal are hoping to tie down Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu onto fresh contracts in the coming weeks.

The Mirror report that the Gunners are confident of wrapping up deals for the pair ahead of the January transfer window.

Tomiyasu has eighteen months remaining on his deal and they are hoping to extend this despite reports that he would be moved on in the last summer window when Jurrien Timber arrived at the Emirates.

But the Dutchman has been sidelined with a long-term injury, having had to acquire surgery on his right knee, and it’s thought that he won’t be back until February at the earliest.

With Timber out, Tomiyasu has been provided with more minutes, where he’s done well. Mikel Arteta is said to be =impressed with the 25-year-old’s conduct and progress on the pitch.

Bayern Munich are interested in purchasing the defender but it’s believed that he would rather commit his future to Arsenal.

Meanwhile, White’s deal has two and a half years left on it. Even still Arsenal intend to extend this further and have already entered talks with the former Brighton player over a new deal.

What did Arteta say about Zinchenko?

It comes after Arteta has refused to pile on the criticism for Oleksandr Zinchenko, after the full-back’s mistake in their 2-1 win over Wolves.

“You have to love him, how he is,” the Spaniard said post-match. “Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Alex has many more strengths.

“This happened and it can happen to any player. We have to learn from it because there are certain areas where it’s a big no to play, especially after certain things in the previous phase. That’s it. We will get better.”