Arsenal news live updates: gossip and rumours from the Emirates Stadium

Friday January 26

Shearer shocked by Aubameyang

Alan Shearer has admitted he cannot believe Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is choosing to leave Borussia Dortmund for Arsenal.

“Yeah I am [surprised] when you look at his goalscoring record,” Shearer said.

“He’s 28 years of age, by the sounds of it he hasn’t got a clause in his contract and when you look at the number of clubs that need a goalscorer.

“And the fee being £40-£50m, which in today’s transfer market is relatively cheap for a guy with his goalscoring record.

“So yeah, I’m pretty surprised he’s picking Arsenal. They aren’t in the Champions League.”

Arsenal make Aubameyang contingency plan

Arsenal will have to break their transfer record to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.

The Gunners have already seen a £50million bid turned down, and Alexandre Lacazette remains their record buy at £52m.

According to the Daily Star, Arsenal will have to pay more than they stumped up for Lacazette to get their hands on Aubameyang.

However, the Star add that Wenger could make a move for Lucas Moura instead, as he knows he could get the Paris Saint-Germain for half the amount.

Sanchez drug test saga

Arsenal and Manchester United are to face questioning from UEFA after Alexis Sanchez's drug test mix up.

Sanchez sealed a move from Arsenal to Manchester United on Monday.

But according to Spanish newspaper Sport, UEFA’s anti-doping control officers arrived at Arsenal’s training ground on Monday to test players and Sanchez was among those required to give a sample.

However, it is claimed the Chilean had been given permission by Arsenal to travel to Manchester and finalise his move and undergo a medical. And it meant Sanchez missed the required test.

The report says Arsenal and United will have to appear before UEFA and provide reasons for why Sanchez was not available.

Chelsea want Giroud 

Chelsea are considering a cheeky bid for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud – in case their £30 million move for Edin Dzeko collapses.

Roma striker Dzeko is still locked in talks with the Stamford Bridge club over the deal, but he wants a two and a half year contract to return to the Premier League, while the champions are only offering a deal up to 2019.

Giroud was being offered as a makeweight in the deal that is expected to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal but the Bundisliga club now want a straight cash £60 million deal.

Giroud, 31, will be pushed further down the pecking order at the Emirates if Aubameyang arrives having only started only one league game this season.

And the Blues are hoping to capitalise if their Dzeko deal falls through.