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Arsenal’s warm-weather break in Dubai has really kickstarted their 2024. Since returning from their mid-January break Arsenal have had five straight wins and scored 21 goals.
These have come from nine different scorers. This is significant because Mikel Arteta stressed the importance in Dubai of everyone chipping in.
The trip just helped Arsenal unwind in a fresh setting. Arteta felt some privacy and time to relax would aid his players down the stretch. He also invited the players’ families over in the hope of further relaxing his squad.
Getting away from the media glare, and having some warm weather training, has clearly helped Arsenal refocus. It was a smart move by Arteta, who also took the time in Dubai to have one-on-one chats with a variety of players, including Bukayo Saka, who has been sensational since returning from the UAE.
Arteta is all about the little touches, and believes a mid-season camp is important to foster unity. Arsenal still worked hard (it wasn’t a holiday!), but also re-charged their batteries. And from Arteta’s own perspective, it was a pause for reflection allowing him to get out of the usual matchday routine and plan for some big games ahead. And if Arsenal now continue in this form they will be genuine title contenders right until the end.
Kylian Mbappe is one step closer to officially joining Real Madrid after informing PSG he plans to leave at the end of the season. His exit terms are still to be agreed, but PSG are financially protected either way.
Mbappe could leave on a free transfer and then forgo €70-80m in bonuses, or he might pay the French champions some of his signing-on bonus, which could end up being as high as €150m.
It’s even possible (although the least likely scenario) he extends at PSG in order to be sold, thus reactivating his loyalty bonus back and increasing his wage between now and the end of the season. In return, Mbappe would significantly reduce or forgo his signing-on fee and Real would instead pay this to PSG. This feels too complicated to satisfy all parties, but PSG aren’t yet totally ruling out the ‘sale’ option.
Mbappe is not expected to join any other club. Suggestions of a move to the Premier League have always had more…
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