Suspended Cameroonian a new Arsenal keeper?

Arsenal are preparing for the first season without any European competition since 1995, and recruitment is well under way. Sports director Edu and coach Mikel Arteta are currently on a lookout for a goalkeeper and they are keeping tabs on the suspended Cameroonian keeper from Ajax!

Andre Onana is currently serving a 12 month ban after testing positive for Furosemide, which he claims was prescribed to his wife and that he accidentally consumed. He is not even allowed to traing with his club, Ajax Amsterdam, so he is taking private training sessions with a goalkeeper coach from a lower league club in Amsterdam.

The aftermath: What now? Wenger back? Spotify take-over?

Both Onana and Ajax are fighting against this ban and a hearing will be held in June, by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who will make it’s final decision during the month. The player and the club are expecting that the outcome will be positive, which means that the ban will be reduced to eight months and that Odada is again available to train with the club (Ajax or Arsenal) right after the decision, and return to action two months later. 

As per Goal, Arseanal already showed interest in the player in January this year, when they talked with his agent, amid a possible tranfer. Edu is aware that Onana’s contract expires in June 2022, and wants to buy the player for a lower price, in case he doesn’t want to sign contract extension for Ajax.

It is not known what is Arteta after: a new number 1, or just a good cover keeper. The Spaniard is obviously not happy with Bernd Leno, as well as his back up Alex Runarsson, so he opted to bring in Mat Ryan on a loan deal from Brighton until the end of the season. It is reported that Ajax are looking around 1.800.000.000 Ksh for the keeper, but the Gunners are optimistic that 1. 040.000.000 Ksh will be enough, since Onana’s contract is up a year from now. Other clubs, mainly from France and Germany are in play, so Arsenal is up for a battle for the player.

Meanwhile Arteta is determined to fix things during the summer, as he faces WBA on Sunday, who are still mathematically in the survival battle and need points.

„I want to share the pain that we are all feeling. The fans have been incredible with the team and incredible with me since I arrived and I have to show my appreciation first of all. I know their disappointment. We are here to give them joy, to give them moments where they can feel proud of what we do. We were able to do that last season and we haven’t this season. We are the ones who have to give them something to cheer about. I don’t think it is time for us to demand anything from them“ said Arteta.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 35

Friday

Leicester - Newcastle 2-4 (0-2)

/Albrighton 80, Iheanacho 87 - Willock 22, Dummett 34, Wilson 64, 73/

Saturday

Leeds - Tottenham 3-1 (2-1)

/Dallas 13, Bamford 42, Rodrigo 84 - Son 25/

Sheffield United - Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-1)

/Benteke 2, Eze 88/

Manchester City - Chelsea 1-2 (1-0)

/Sterling 44 - Ziyech 63, Alonso 90+3/

Liverpool - Southampton 2-0 (1-0)

/Mane 31, Thiago 90/

Sunday

14.00: Wolves - Brighton

16.05: Aston Villa - Manchester United

18.30: West Ham - Everton

21.00: Arsenal - West Brom

Monday

22.00: Fulham - Burnley