2.30pm Arsenal news LIVE: Sancho nearly joined under Wenger, Xhaka injury, Mertesacker’s new book – The Sun

ARSENAL are targeting three points at Watford as they look forward to the Premier League's return.

But they could have been celebrating an English two-goal hero on Tuesday night, had Arsene Wenger signed Jadon Sancho.

Follow all the latest news and gossip from the Emirates right here…

  • FORMER Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has lifted the lid on why he rejected the Gunners job last year, as well as Newcastle this summer.

    Speaking to SER Catalunya about turning down Arsenal, the Man City coach said: “Yes, there have been some things, but the decision I have made is that I am very happy where I am.

    “I feel very valued and fulfilled. And the road will continue here.”

    Asked if he was close to replacing Rafa Benitez in the summer, he added: “Sometimes, I was about to leave, but I stopped myself.

    “The first [time] was different, the second was mostly me.”

  • KIERAN TIERNEY is ready to take the responsibility of blasting the music in the Arsenal dressing room after fans appear to have stumbled on his Spotify playlist.

    Named after former Celtic team-mate Scott Brown, the left-back created a public playlist called “absolute scott broons” on the music streaming app.

    Tierney, 22, has filled the list with absolute classics including songs such as I wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston and Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen.

    Other tracks include Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline and a few hits from the legendary Blondie.

    He's even got a few romantic hits for the occasion such as Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing and Bleeding Love from Leona Lewis.

    Arsenal fans shared the playlist on Reddit and it appears he has gone up even further in their estimations.

  • FORMER Arsenal star Philippe Senderos has plunged his career to new depths – by joining Swiss minnows Chiasso.

    The centre-back has signed a one-year deal with Chiasso, who lie bottom of the Challenge League – Switzerland's second tier.

    Senderos said: “It may surprise people to see me in the Challenge League, but it was just as surprising for me to join Arsenal aged 18.

    “I had other offers in January and during the summer. I could have gone to the Middle East for a much bigger salary.

    “But I have never been motivated by money.Chiasso are an interesting challenge for me. They are a young team needing an experienced head, and I am hungry to play for them.

    “They contacted me late last week, saying they wanted to meet me, and I went there for talks on Sunday.

    “I'll be back in Switzerland, close to my family. And I've joined Chiasso because I liked what they had to offer straight away.”

  • LUCAS TORREIRA is a potential doubt to face Watford on Sunday.

    The midfielder missed Uruguay's 1-1 draw with America on Tuesday evening due to 'muscular discomfort'.

    He is now travelling back from the States to London where he will be assessed by Arsenal's medical staff.

    Grant Xhaka is also a doubt to face the Hornets at Vicarage Road due to an Achilles problem.

  • ARSENAL goalkeeper Bernd Leno has taken a swipe at Spurs and Chelsea by claiming the Gunners are the biggest club in London.

    Leno has proved to be a hit with the fans after joining from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

    Asked by Sport Bild to compare Arsenal and Leverkusen, he said: “You can’t compare that, of course Arsenal is a world club, THE club here in London.

    “Not Chelsea, not Tottenham – Arsenal is the club here with fans around the world.

    “No matter where we are, also in the USA or in Asia, there are many fans of Arsenal everywhere.”

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