Arsenal eyeing Man United defender? Surely not…

Arsenal are claimed to be looking at signing Chris Smalling from Manchester United, but surely we have more than we need in defensive numbers. We signed Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi this summer, due to having lost both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista to injury, and the new arrivals have been thoroughly impressive thus far.

Holding was forced into a first-team role to start the season, and did extremely well despite having zero Premier League experience and being only 20 years of age, but has been limited to the bench due to the form of our other signing.

Our club is yet to lose a single game since the German joined from Valencia, and he has formed a formidable partnership with our stand-in captain Laurent Koscielny at the back.

Now the newspapers are claiming that we are looking at the possibility of signing Chris ‘Mike’ Smalling from United, a move that makes little sense to me.

The 26 year-old is claimed to have been the subject of interest by Arsene Wenger in previous years, but he has grown very little in his time at Old Trafford, and I cannot imagine he would even get any game time if he was to join our club.

Even is Gabriel should decide to leave our side, having lost his chance of earning regular first-team action to Mustafi, I would still much rather rely on Holding, and we shouldn’t forget that Calum Chambers is also our player, and is doing well in his first-team role for Middlesbrough at present.

Do you see a place in our squad for Smalling? Do you rate him as better than Gabriel? Does Chris still have untapped potential?

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Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista out to regain starting spot after injury comeback

Gabriel Paulista is determined to fight for a starting spot at Arsenal despite the arrival of £35 million signing Shkodran Mustafi.

Gabriel made his first appearance of the season in Tuesday's 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup third round after recovering from an ankle injury.

However, the Brazilian now faces added competition after Arsene Wenger spent big on bringing in Mustafi from Valencia in the summer, with 20-year-old Rob Holding also joining from Bolton Wanderers.

"I'm going to train very hard to try and get in the team, to get in the starting XI, while at the same time showing respect to my teammates," Gabriel told Arsenal's official website.

"I think this season the competition has been and will continue to be very strong, with so many great defenders at the club. The fight to get a place in the team will be a good fight, and Arsenal will benefit from this competition between players. Us players will always try to get a place in the team."

In the absence of Gabriel and the injured Per Mertesacker, Mustafi has been forming a partnership with Laurent Koscielny after his arrival and is likely to do so again in Saturday's home game against Chelsea.

Gabriel was already familiar with the German after playing against him in La Liga, and says Mustafi's character will be a big help to the Arsenal dressing room.

"He's got a lot of technical ability, and he's also strong and quick," Gabriel said. "I've also followed him in the German national team and he's the kind of player who instils belief in his teammates.

"I think at Arsenal this will be the case as well, he's another player that'll improve the squad and help us try and achieve our objectives."

Arsenal wrapped up their preseason tour of California with a second straight win on Sunday, beating Mexican club Chivas 3-1.

That came after a 2-1 victory over the MLS All-Stars in San Jose and the Gunners fly back home after a trip that provided several positive talking points.

Here are five things we learned from Arsenal's American visit ...

This could be the year of The Ox

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been the standout performer this summer, and his display against Chivas showed he's getting back to his best after a lengthy injury layoff.

"The Ox" is still looking for that real breakthrough season where he fully lives up to his potential, but is showing signs that this could be the one.

His goal against Chivas was delightful, going past one defender on the right flank, using an audacious touch to cut back inside another and then slotting a low left-footed finish inside the far post. He scored with a superb lob in the first preseason game at French club RC Lens and has served a reminder he should be a regular 10-goal scorer in the league.

"[He gives us] power, penetration. He has it all," Wenger said about Oxlade-Chamberlain after the game.

So while Arsenal reportedly pursue Riyad Mahrez, Oxlade-Chamberlain may finally be ready to prove he can have a similar impact as the Leicester star.

Walcott still not a natural striker

Theo Walcott is also hoping to return to his best this season, but still isn't looking like a reliable solution up front.

Walcott has yet to score a goal in three preseason games, despite being given the chance to lead the line in Olivier Giroud's absence. In contrast, 20-year-old academy product Chuba Akpom netted twice in two games in California after coming on as a sub.

Giroud is expected to miss the start of the season after an extended holiday, and Wenger has made it clear he's still searching for a top class striker in the transfer window. Walcott hasn't done much so far to make that search seem any less urgent.

Arsenal are set long-term at centre-back

Arsenal have short-term worries when it comes to the centre-back position but they could be set for the next decade once the likes of Rob Holding, 20, and Krystian Bielik, 18, gain more experience.

Per Mertesacker's knee injury and Gabriel Paulista's tonsillitis meant Calum Chambers was the most senior Arsenal centre-back on the U.S. trip -- at the age of 21. But Holding, the new signing from Bolton, and Bielik both showed a composure and ability to read the game that belies their age.

Wenger probably doesn't want to rely on either one at the start of the season and expects to bring in a more experienced replacement for Mertesacker. But that duo, along with Chambers, could eventually give Wenger a permanent solution to a long-standing weakness.

Reine-Adelaide knocking on the door

There are several youngsters who are hoping to replicate Alex Iwobi this season by making an impact on the first team, and Jeff Reine-Adelaide seems to be next in line. The French attacking midfielder, who has been described as "special" by Wenger, impressed at times after coming on as a substitute for both games in California, after starting at Lens.

Reine-Adelaide can play either as a No. 10 or on the wing and offers another dynamic option to the attack. Tricky winger Chris Willock is another exciting prospect, while Wenger acknowledged last week that United States international Gedion Zelalem needs more time to develop physically.

Debuchy and Gibbs are too good for the bench

Many had expected Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs to leave the club this summer in search of more playing time after losing their starting spots to Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal. But both are still there, and both have looked good in preseason -- serving up a reminder that Wenger is spoilt for choice when it comes to his full-backs.

Debuchy, who went out on loan to Bordeaux in January, has looked especially impressive in his attacking play down the wing -- although he did clumsily give away a late penalty against Chivas. It remains to be seen if Debuchy and Gibbs are still at the Emirates after deadline day, as they should be attractive targets for plenty of Premier League clubs. But if they stay, Wenger should find a better way of rotating them into the lineup. They are too good to be wasted on the bench.

Mats Hummels explains why he rejected Manchester United offer

Hummels eventually signed for Bayern Munich ending an eight-year association with Borussia Dortmund.

Germany defender Mats Hummels revealed that the primary reason he rejected an offer from Manchester United was the Old Trafford club’s failure to qualify for the 2016/17 Champions League. The Red Devils had finished outside the top four for the second time in three seasons, finishing fifth behind derby rivals Manchester City on goal difference. 

The 27-year-old defender, currently on international duty with Germany at UEFA Euro 2016, recently made a move from Borussia Dortmund to arch rivals Bayern Munich. Although the transfer did not sit down well with the Dortmund fans, for Hummels it was a simple case of returning home after eight years of service with Die Schwarzgelben.

A five-year contract was signed with the Bavarian club which will see him at the Allianz Arena until 2021. Hummels also claimed that moving to Bayern from Dortmund was “the most difficult decision” of his life.

However, the defender was not averse to a move away from the Bundesliga to play in the English Premier League or Spanish La Liga. A number of clubs were linked with the centre-back in the last few months and he did confirm there were offers. 

“Fundamentally, England, Spain and Germany were the relevant leagues I could see myself playing football in,” Hummels told Suddeutsche Zeitung.

“But at this stage there just was not that one English club where the overall package was fitting.”

Hummels explained what he meant by the ‘overall package’ and claimed that just his wages did not have a say but also the club itself and their ability to compete. 

“The overall package means a club which fascinates me. A club I have always wanted to join, and where the sporting constellation is right, and which of course plays Champions League football next season.

“And because of the latter, one club was ruled out. And you can envision which club that was.”

There was no offer from Arsenal: Hummels

Arsenal was also one of the clubs linked with the German defender when a move away from Signal Iduna Park was mooted. He was also linked with a move in 2015 but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger chose to sign Gabriel Paulista in the January transfer window to reinforce his defensive line.

“I don't have to beat about the bush, and pretend they Arsenal wanted me,” Hummels explained when he was asked about why Arsenal was not an option.

“There was no offer,” he continued. “The same applies for Spain; there was always contact but no option right now. That’s why I now have made the fundamental decision to continue my career in Germany.”

Arsenal transfer rumour round-up – Benatia, Musacchio, Halilovic, Romero

Our club appear to have already wrapped up our first signing of the summer transfer window, with Granit Xhaka having been seen sporting our official kit for the 2016-17 campaign, but who else could be coming to North-London.

A centre-back is believed to be high on our agenda in the coming window, with Gabriel and Per Mertesacker having struggled to earn a regular starting role this season, and we have two possible defensive additions to bring to you today.

Bayern Munich’s Mehdi Benatia has only featured in 29 league appearances for his side since joining from Roma in 2014, and looks to have fallen further down the pecking order following Mats Hummels return from Borussia Dortmund. The experienced Moroccan is likely to have offers to return to Italy, but is said to be the subject of a move by Arsenal this week.

Another option could be Villarreal’s Mateo Muscchio. We  raided the club for Gabriel Paulista 18 months ago, but he is yet to cement his place in the side, and we could now be set to land his former defensive partner. Roma are also believed to be keen, but surely the Premier League would look a more attractive destination?

We are also believe to be set to revive our interest in a fellow Argentine in Maxi Romero. The 17 year-old is claimed to have been set to join us last summer, before an injury scuppered the deal, but we remain keen on his signature. He is said to be likely to cost around £4.5 Million.

Another future star in Alen Halilovic is also on our radar, but this attacking midfielder has claimed he is solely concentrating on his football ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament, which has been twisted to mean he will consider his future after Euros. The Barcelona youth product has enjoyed a loan spell with Sporting Gijon this term, and is not expected to be a part of Barca’s plans for the new campaign.

Which defender could earn a regular role alongside Koscielny? Could we be set to bring in more young stars this summer?

Gabriel Paulista needs time to develop at Arsenal, says Arsene Wenger

The manager believes the Brazilian is showing positive signs of improvement in training.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista is showing signs of developing his game in training, Arsene Wenger has told the club’s official website.

The defender has been a solid signing since joining from Villareal in the January transfer window last season.

Recent weeks have seen him come into the first team alongside Laurent Koscielny, replacing Per Mertesacker, and showing that there may be decent partnership in the making.

However, Andy Carroll gave them a torrid time in the 3-3 draw with West Ham, with Gabriel in particular coming in for stern criticism for  his display. 

Wenger though, has urged that Arsenal must give him the chance to develop as a player as he is showing positive signs in training.

“We bought Gabriel and we have to give him a chance to develop as a player,” he told arsenal.com.

“In training he has shown signs of developing well so I gave him a chance and the team functioned well at Everton, at Barcelona and against Watford. There is not always an obvious reason to change.”

The problem for Arsenal is that their fans are starting to lose patience in waiting for their players to develop at the club.

That impatience has only grown this season, as they have been forced to watch their team throw away arguably their best chance for the Premier League title in a number of years.

They want world class talent brought into the club to rectify that issue, and Gabriel could be one of those that is sacrificed if it is to happen at any point.

Do Arsenal fans need to give Gabriel time to develop?

Paulista dismisses Arsenal boss claims over his poor English speaking

Gabriel Paulista has dismissed Arsene Wenger's concerns that his English is not good enough and claimed he is confident he understands his Arsenal teammates, reports the London Evening Standard.

The French coach conceded that he wanted Gabriel to have a better grasp of the English language ahead of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the north London derby.

But the Brazil international, who joined Arsenal from Villarreal in January 2015, played the full 90 minutes at White Hart Lane and is adamant his communication on the pitch is getting better.

"I already understand my teammates on the pitch. I still miss some things but I am improving," Gabriel told IBTimes.