A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta is told to sign a Thierry Henry-esque striker and Bayern Munich star Harry Kane issues a Champions League pledge.

Arsenal U21 boss Mehmet Ali thinks Ethan Nwaneri is a ‘ruthless’ youth talent

Aston Villa handed the Arsenal Under-21 side a 5-3 defeat on Monday night but Mehmet Ali feels Ethan Nwaneri showed he is a ‘very ruthless’ talent. The 17-year-old gave the Gunners a late spark of life with a brace to reach 10 goals in 11 Premier League 2 outings this season.

Nwaneri was in the thick of the action all night at Meadow Park as Ali’s team fell to a defeat. Ismeal Kabia even sought to cross to the midfielder when the ball ricocheted off the Villans’ Aidan Borland. The own goal broke the deadlock in the eighth minute of the PL2 encounter.

Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal continued to pepper the Aston Villa net with chances of Nwaneri’s making, despite their guests opening a 5-1 lead. The Hale End hero ultimately reduced the deficit in the 87th minute. Nwaneri curled his long-range, first-time attempt into the top, left corner of the net.

A solo run from Reuell Walters then allowed Kabia to cross into Nwaneri for his brace in the final seconds. But despite Aston Villa dealing the Arsenal U21 side a 5-3 defeat, head coach Ali adored what Nwaneri offered his junior Gunners in and around the Villans’ penalty box.

“Ethan’s got a very ruthless streak in him when it comes to scoring goals,” Mehmet told the official Arsenal website.

“He’s got very good finishing, which he’s shown at [the] 21s level, which is really pleasing. He also needs to look at what he can do to improve and aspire to get into our first-team.”

Read more about what Ali has had to say about Arsenal prospect Nwaneri, here.

Darren Bent urges Arsenal to sign Thierry Henry-esque Alexander Isak for £100m

Darren Bent believes Arsenal should pay Newcastle United ‘£80-100m’ to agree the transfer of Alexander Isak in the summer sales. The ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker feels Isak would be an ideal signing for coach Mikel Arteta as the 24-year-old offers similarities to Thierry Henry.

Isak has drawn comparisons to the Arsenal legend after scoring 21 goals this season. He hit a brace to beat Spurs 4-0 on Saturday to reach 17 goals in 24 Premier League appearances, as well. Injuries have stopped Isak from featuring in seven of Newcastle’s top-flight games.

The Sweden star’s form at St James’ Park has also seen Arsenal show an interest in agreeing to a transfer for Isak with Newcastle. The Sun reports that the Gunners are even preparing a bid worth £100m to fend off competition from Tottenham. Now, Bent urges Arsenal to do it.

Bent told talkSPORT: “I am not saying that they are the same. But the way he finishes, that side foot, is like Thierry. [He] just caresses it into the far corner. But, yeah, if there was one centre-forward out there you said who should Arsenal buy? It’s him.”

The ex-Sunderland star added: “£80-100m and I would happily pay it. He can do everything. He can take the ball in tight spaces, he can create [and] he can even come off the left.”

Read more about what Bent had to say about Arsenal’s interest in Isak’s transfer, here.

Karry Kane hopes to please Tottenham fans when Bayern Munich host Arsenal

Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Bayern Munich star Harry Kane has pledged to try and make Tottenham Hotspur fans happy by eliminating Arsenal from the Champions League. Der FCB host the Gunners in the second leg of their quarter-final this Wednesday with their final-eight fixture currently locked at 2-2.

Kane scored once from the penalty spot on his Emirates Stadium return after nine visits with Spurs. But despite his strike handing Bayern Munich the lead after David Raya’s carelessness saw Arsenal waste a 1-0 lead, they replied through Leandro Trossard to salvage a stalemate.

So, all is still to play for at Allianz Arena and Kane hopes to give Tottenham fans another win over Arsenal when they visit Bayern Munich. The England striker faced the Gunners 19 times for Spurs, winning seven and losing seven. He also now has 15 career goals against Arsenal.

“I had a lot of history with Arsenal and the north London derby,” Kane noted, via quotes by Chris Wheatley. “It was the biggest game when I was in England. But now it’s a new chapter and my focus is [on] trying to beat a really good Arsenal side.

“I know a lot of Tottenham fans will be hoping Bayern go through tomorrow and that’s all I can try and do.”

Harry Kane: "I had a lot of history with Arsenal and the north London derby. It was the biggest game when I was in England but now it's a new chapter and my focus is trying to beat a really good Arsenal side.

"I know a lot of Tottenham fans will be hoping Bayern go through… pic.twitter.com/MdjDTKngcU
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) April 16, 2024

Read more about what Kane has had to say ahead of Bayern Munich vs Arsenal, here.