Nicolas Pepe transfer exit takes huge twist as David Raya decision considered

All the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip including updates on Nicolas Pepe, David Raya and Kai Havertz

Your morning Arsenal digest on Thursday, September 7.

Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe has four options as deadline brought forward to complete £2m transfer

Time is slowly running out for Nicolas Pepe to seal his Arsenal exit.

The winger, who prior to Declan Rice's arrival from West Ham in July was the club's most expensive signing after completing a £72million move from Lille in the summer of 2019, has recently returned to N5 after spending last season on loan with Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice.

As a result, Pepe has several options with regard to his next move. One is to stay at Arsenal and see out the final nine months of his deal and depart on a free transfer next summer. Having said that, as reported by football.london all summer, a mutual contract termination is not off the table.

Pundits agree on Kai Havertz advice as Mikel Arteta hits back at £65m Arsenal transfer criticism

Arsenal star Kai Havertz has received plenty of criticism following his performances for Mikel Arteta so far. The Germany international has struggled to adapt to the Gunners' system and his new role under Arteta.

Havertz completed a £65million switch to the Emirates Stadium from Chelsea earlier this summer - but he is yet to score or assist in his opening four Premier League appearances, leaving many questioning why the Gunners spent a huge fee to sign him. Arteta has reverted the 24-year-old back into a No.8 role - a position Havertz played during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.

For Chelsea, the German forward played as a centre-forward but he failed to prove himself as a clinical striker for the Blues. Havertz's lack of clinical finishing remains present at Arsenal after he missed a glorious chance to put the Gunners ahead against Manchester United, before giving the ball away in midfield which led to Marcus Rashford handing the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Midway through the first half, the ball made its way to Havertz inside the area, but the forward slashed at it and the chance was missed from just seven yards. Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes the German just needs to remain calm in goalscoring situations and his form will return.

Mikel Arteta set to trial second Arsenal experiment after £30m transfer decision

Mikel Arteta is considering dropping Aaron Ramsdale in favour of handing David Raya his Arsenal debut after the international break. Ramsdale has established himself as the Gunners' No 1 since his £24million arrival from Sheffield United in 2021.

According to the Daily Mail, the Spanish goalkeeper could now be handed the opportunity to start ahead of Ramsdale after impressing in training since his arrival. The Arsenal No.1 has come under increasing pressure to keep his position as first choice keeper since Raya's arrival - with the Spaniard rejecting moves to Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the summer.