1pm Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Tierney RETURN, Achraf Hakimi BOOST, N’Dicka and Firpo links, Aston Villa build-up

MORNING ARSENAL FANS,

Arsenal defender David Luiz says team-mate Willian does not have to prove anything at the Emirates.

He told ESPN Brasil, per Goal: “Everyone knows the player Willian. And everyone knows Willian’s potential. And he doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone after so many years at the highest level.

“He’s in a moment which is not so pleasant on the individual level because things are not happening.

“But he’s an experienced, intelligent guy, who knows what he should know, and what he must do every day.”

Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane insists he ‘really wanted’ Martin Odegaard to stay at Real Madrid this season.

He told reporters: “Odegaard? He wanted to leave, we talked two, three times about it.

“He wanted to play and I told him to stay and fight for his place.

“I’ve always wanted him in my team but it was his decision. I wanted him in my team.

“I wanted him back from his loan [at Real Sociedad last season] and I told him to stay because the season is still very long and he would have had his chances.

“But he wanted to leave and play. I really wanted him in my squad.”

And finally, Arsenal are reaping the benefits of Emile Smith Rowe being ‘bullied’ in the Championship, says the man who signed him for Huddersfield.

David Webb, Head of Football Operations at the Terriers, brought the Gunners star to the John Smith’s Stadium last year on loan.

He told BBC Sport: “It was a different challenge for him altogether at Huddersfield and I think it really helped him.

“The training was quite competitive and physical, which he enjoyed and he took it on to the pitch. He was getting knocked and kicked and bullied about a bit, but he took it all in his stride.

“That really developed his fighting spirit, which has helped him now because he came into Arsenal when they were in a bit of a dip and they needed that.”