Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta eyes Barca prodigy as Kai Havertz sent surprise message

Kai Havertz has won the admiration of a former rival as Mikel Arteta enters international break hoping none of his stars return to north London with a fresh injury

Arsenal have entered the second international break of the season still unbeaten and sitting third place in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta's side will resume hostilities away to Bournemouth on October 19 as they look to maintain their impressive start and keep the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Gunners will be hoping star players come through national team duty with a clean bill of health after last month’s carnage saw captain Martin Odegaard sidelined with an ankle ligament injury.

But there is still plenty going on around the Emirates - including links to a talented Spain teenager and high praise for one of Arteta’s most impressive performers so far this season.

Barca prodigy

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing another Barcelona prodigy to bring to the Emirates, potentially revisiting an old strategy.

The Gunners have a knack for scouting and nurturing young talent, a tactic they've successfully employed numerous times over the years. William Saliba serves as a prime example of this approach. Joining Arsenal at just 18, he has since spent time both within the club and out on loan, ultimately establishing himself as one of the Premier League's top defenders.

Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli made the move from Ituano in Brazil to the Emirates at the same age and has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta's first-team squad. Now, Arsenal are said to be interested in 18-year-old Barcelona winger, Arnau Pradas.

Hail Havertz

Dimitar Berbatov has identified the Premier League player who reminds him of himself - although it’s not an obvious match.

Former Tottenham and Manchester United striker Berbatov was blessed with exceptional technique and close control, often drifting in and out of games before producing moments of magic.

And the Bulgarian legend, who scored 46 goals in 102 games for Spurs and 56 in 149 appearances for United, believes he has found his modern-day equivalent - at Arsenal.

Berbatov said: ”Kai Havertz used to play for Leverkusen, I used to play for Leverkusen. I like him as a player, he has that flair, sometimes floating into the games and that's why it reminds me a bit of myself."

Martinelli clarity

Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal ahead during their 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday - despite some question marks over offside.

The Gunners went behind at the Emirates but quickly hit back through Kai Havertz. Martinelli then got on the end of Bukayo Saka's cross to put the hosts into the lead despite Mikel Merino also appearing close to the ball whilst being in an offside position.

The summer signing has just begun making an impact following an injury spell and also went to get on the end of Saka's cross, before leaving the ball for Martinelli to tuck home.

Had a Southampton player been marking Merino and challenging with him for the header, then he would have been given offside. Similarly if a defender had been marking Martinelli then a possible case for offside against Merino would've been put - given he'd have had to chose who to mark - but neither occurred.

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