ARSENAL have announced their released list for this season with David Luiz and Dani Ceballos leaving the club.
Martin Odegaard has also returned to Real Madrid and the Gunners will have to reportedly stump up £50m to land him permanently.
We’ve also the very latest on Raheem Sterling, with Arsenal leading the race for his signature.
Follow all the latest from North London with our live blog below…
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ODE TO CARLO
Martin Odegaard has revealed he has a good relationship with Carlo Ancelotti as he prepares to return to Real Madrid to reunite with his former boss.
The Norwegian was still on the fringes of the senior side during Ancelotti’s time at the club before leaving on loan but he still managed to build a relationship with the Italian.
Mikel Arteta wants to keep Odegaard at the Emirates following an impressive spell.
However, Real Madrid refused to include a buy option during the negotiations meaning they hold all the cards this summer.
Now the attacking midfielder has shed light on his relationship with Ancelotti and it would suggest he’ll be part of the former Everton manager’s plans.
He told TV 2 Sport: “It is a coach I know and with whom I had a good relationship when he was last there.
“In that sense, it is positive. But beyond that, one day has passed, so I do not know too much about what he thinks about things.”
FIERY HENRY
Thierry Henry has told beIN Sports that Arsenal are a long way off being able to compete for the title:
“I don’t like to compare eras, people do and I understand that, it’s a different generation, a different time, different technology, they have different views of the game, different preparations and different ways.
“The team hasn’t been successful recently, obviously winning cups along the way, but nowhere near the level of trying to compete for the title.
“But you can say the same for a lot of teams. You see Liverpool wait 30 years to win the title, it takes time, even for great teams.
“So hopefully Arsenal can come back and compete, because at the end of the day there’s only going to be one winner, but at least try and compete.”
Henry added that a new striker is not necessarily the answer for Arsenal.
He added: “Goals can come from anywhere, as Man City showed us this season.
“When you look at it, who would have said City would win the league without Aguero?
“So I think if you have a certain style you can share goals. It doesn’t always have to be the No.9 that has to deliver the goals in the modern game.”
GUNNERS GONERS
Arsenal have confirmed that NINE players will leave the club when their contracts expire later this month.
David Luiz and Martin Odegaard lead the names departing the Emirates as Mikel Arteta seeks an epic summer rebuild after missing out on European football.
Joining Luiz and Odegaard on the axed list are fellow senior squad members Dani Ceballos and Mat Ryan.
There are exits in the youth set-up too, with Levi Laing, Joseph Olowu, Luke Plange and Jason Sraha leaving.
Arsenal were reportedly keen on signing Odegaard permanently.
But he could now form part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans after the Italian sealed a sensational return to Spain this week.
KOL SHOULDER
Sead Kolasinac has returned to Arsenal following a short loan spell at Schalke.
The left-back returned to the club Arsenal signed him from in 2017 but could not prevent an embarrassing relegation which saw the Bundesliga side win just three league matches.
Schalke Sporting Director Peter Knabel said of his departure: “This decision hurts us both in sport and human terms.
“In view of the current budget and squad structure – all the known and publicly discussed challenges – there was no alternative. We have to be so honest.”
Journalist Chris Wheatley reports Kolasinac has failed to reach an agreement with Schalke due to the club’s financial limitations.
Clubs in Italy and Turkey are reportedly looking at Kolasinac, who looks set to depart The Emirates according to Wheatley.
EMI NOD
Aston Villa are interested in signing playmakers Emile Smith Rowe and Emi Buendia, according to reports.
The Premier League side could face a busy summer in the transfer market as captain Jack Grealish has been linked with a number of clubs.
According to The Telegraph, Villa are keeping tabs on Arsenal youngster Smith Rowe.
The 20-year-old has made an impressive start to his professional career, making 20 Premier League appearances this term.
But he is yet to commit his future to the Gunners and has just two years left on his existing deal at the Emirates.
Reports also suggest Dean Smith’s side are keen on Norwich midfielder Emi Buendia.
Arsenal are targeting Emi x Emi this summer EMI NOD
Aston Villa are interested in signing playmakers Emile Smith Rowe and Emi Buendia, according to reports.
The Premier League side could face a busy summer in the transfer market as captain Jack Grealish has been linked with a number of clubs.
According to The Telegraph, Villa are keeping tabs on Arsenal youngster Smith Rowe.
The 20-year-old has made an impressive start to his professional career, making 20 Premier League appearances this term.
But he is yet to commit his future to the Gunners and has just two years left on his existing deal at the Emirates.
Reports also suggest Dean Smith’s side are keen on Norwich midfielder Emi Buendia.
Arsenal are targeting Emi x Emi this summer THE BOY DANE GOOD
On the day that Nicklas Bendtner retires, what better time to dig out his best ever goals?
Some belters in there!
LORD OF THE MANOR
Arsenal have wished ‘Lord Bendtner’ a happy retirement.
The Dane scored 47 goals for the Gunners between 2006 and 2014, and will never be forgotten in North London.
BEND OF THE ROAD
Nicklas Bendtner has opened the door to a potential Arsenal return – as a MANAGER.
The former forward , who retired earlier today, said: “I miss football every day, but I’m well aware there is a cut-off date in this job.
“I’m going to have to spend time understanding that it’s really over now.
“I have to find something else to care about, and find something to give me what football has given me all these years.
“I’ve been playing football all my life, and it just stops overnight. Suddenly I’m outside the game, and I want to do a lot of things.
“But this has not been possible because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The rush you get from being inside a stadium is impossible to get anywhere else.
“Football is such a big part of my life that I can’t step away from it.
“That is why I am taking coaching courses. I hope this can give me as much, or maybe even more, than I got from being a player.
“In this way I still want to be part of football.”
Nicklas Bendtner could return to Arsenal one day… as boss
FOR GOODNESS SAK
By SunSport’s Duncan Wright
Bukayo Saka admits being England’s Mr Versatile can get tough – despite shining for the Three Lions and firing them to victory over Austria.
Saka, 19, scored his first senior international goal to seal the win and stake a claim for involvement when the Euros start next weekend.
The Arsenal star also ended up playing in three different positions to suit Gareth Southgate’s tactics and substitutions at the Riverside, to show just how capable he is as a footballer.
But the teenager admits constantly switching roles can cause problems and he needs the help of senior players to make sure he stays switched on.
Saka said: “It’s not easy all the time, you know.
“The information I get from the coaching staff and the players makes things much easier – all the communication from the more experienced players around me like Kieron Trippier, Conor Coady, Tyrone Mings, making sure I’m where I need to be.”
“I feel like anytime I played for England I really enjoyed myself because of the quality and the top players you have around.
“Things feel good, things flow, I always feel like I can I can express myself and I think I did that.
“I can learn a bit from everyone, there’s so much different quality players especially in attack but even in the midfield and defence you know there’s so much experience I can take from everyone to try to speak to everyone and get some advice from them.”
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal and England’s Mr VersatileCredit: PA RAF RACE
Chelsea have entered the race to sign £70million-rated Inter Milan star Achraf Hakimi, according to reports.
The Serie A champions are actively looking to sell one of their big-name stars this summer to raise some much-needed money.
The decision played a pivotal role in Antonio Conte quitting the San Siro – with the Italian now linked with the top job at Tottenham.
Hakimi, 22, appears to be the man on the way out, with Paris Saint-Germain having already launched a £52m bid.
The Ligue 1 giants’ first attempt was swiftly knocked back by Inter, with the Italian champions holding out for bids of around £70m.
Arsenal have already expressed an interest as they hunt for a new right-back, with Hector Bellerin – the club’s longest-serving player – expected to leave this summer.
And now Chelsea have joined the hunt for Hakimi, according to Sky Italia.
GUNNER JOIN?
Arsenal are in talks to hire ex-Lille sporting director Luis Campos, according to reports.
The talent spotter, who is also believed to be wanted by Real Madrid, was director of football at Monaco when Kylian Mbappe was discovered.
According to journalist Loic Tanzi, Campos will not join Nice following weeks of speculation.
Both Arsenal and Real Madrid are now believed to be interested in acquiring the 56-year-old’s services, although it is unclear if he will be hired as a director of football or scout.
BENDT IT LIKE BECKHAM
Former Arsenal star Nicklas Bendtner has announced his retirement from football aged 33.
The Danish striker, who left the Gunners in 2014, had most recently played for fourth-tier Tarnby FF in his homeland last year.
In total he made 171 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 47 goals.
ME AND ROUD FOREVER
AC Milan are on the verge of snapping up former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, according to reports in Italy.
The free agent was set to leave Chelsea last summer before hitting form and earning a new deal.
This season, he has largely been restricted to the bench aside from a seven-goal December and last started a game for Thomas Tuchel in March.
With his contract up at the end of the month, Giroud is free to negotiate a free transfer away from Chelsea with several clubs reportedly interested.
But Serie A side Milan have won the race, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Negotiations with Rossoneri legend and technical director Paolo Maldini are described as going well and an agreement is within sight.
The opportunity to remain in the Champions League while experiencing Italian football is said to be high on Giroud’s wishlist.
Also useful is a significant tax cut which the Frenchman will receive on his rumoured two-year, £65,000-a-week contract.
Giroud is said to be excited by the prospect of playing alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who enjoyed a stunning start to last season before encountering injury problems.
Giroud could be on his way to Italy AU ABOUT THAT?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored an astonishing goal during a kickabout with a local team in Le Mans.
The Arsenal star, 31, was born just 50 miles away from the French city, in Laval, with his first youth team just up the road in L’Huisserie.
And after finishing the 2020-21 season, Auba returned home to France for a kickabout with Le Mans SOM Football – utterly stealing the show.
At one stage, the Gunners skipper – wearing his own Arsenal No14 jersey -channels his inner-Cristiano Ronaldo with some rapid stepovers.
Aubameyang then cuts inside and smashes a swerving ball into the back of the net from distance, all the while leaning away from goal.
TIER THREE
Gunners fans have voted Kieran Tierney third place in their annual Player of the Season voting.
The Scot had an impressive campaign for the Gunners, earning 14 per cent of the vote with his excellent displays.
Arsenal will announce the runner-up on Thursday, before crowning the winner on Friday.
FLOR BLIMEY
Arsenal have announced that they will compete in the ‘Florida Cup’ this summer.
The Gunners will head stateside in July to take part in the four-club competition.
Mikel Arteta’s side join Everton, Inter Milan and Millonarios – with games taking place at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Arsenal will take on Inter Milan on July 25 in the semi-final, with their second match taking place three days later.
KOU WANTS ME?
LaLiga clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid have joined the race for highly-rated Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, according to reports.
The 22-year-old has also been linked with Premier League sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in recent months.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have been monitoring Kounde for two years and now want to sign him.
But the Catalan giants are said to be struggling to afford the player’s rumoured €75million release clause – around £64.5m.
It is believed Sergio Aguero’s new club may offer some players as part of a swap deal to help fund a move.
Kounde’s international colleague Samuel Umtiti is rumoured to be one of those stars Barca manager Ronald Koeman is happy to let go.
Real Madrid are also thought to be keeping a close eye on the Sevilla defender as they may need to replace Raphael Varane this summer.
The four-time Champions League winner is entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu, with both United and Chelsea rumoured to be interested.
Jules Kounde has been a rock at the back for Sevilla TOP TIER
Arsenal star Kieran Tierney played 69 minutes, as Scotland drew 2-2 with the Netherlands last night.
The talented defender, 23, started on the left of a back three, as Steve Clarke’s side gear up for Euro 2020.
Such was the quality of his performance, that he was named man of the match by the BBC.
Kieran Tierney produced another top display for his countryCredit: Reuters TOP TIER
Arsenal star Kieran Tierney played 69 minutes, as Scotland drew 2-2 with the Netherlands last night.
The talented defender, 23, started on the left of a back three, as Steve Clarke’s side gear up for Euro 2020.
Such was the quality of his performance, that he was named man of the match by the BBC.
Kieran Tierney produced another top display for his countryCredit: Reuters TOP TIER
Arsenal star Kieran Tierney played 69 minutes, as Scotland drew 2-2 with the Netherlands last night.
The talented defender, 23, started on the left of a back three, as Steve Clarke’s side gear up for Euro 2020.
Such was the quality of his performance, that he was named man of the match by the BBC.
Kieran Tierney produced another top display for his countryCredit: Reuters
BUK THE TREND
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka netted England’s winner against Austria last night, as Gareth Southgate’s side won 1-0 at Riverside Stadium.
And the Gunners teen labelled it ‘the moment I always dreamt of growing up’.
GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Arsenal target Andre Onana had his 12-month doping ban appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday.
And the outcome could reportedly cost suitors Arsenal £6million.
Should Onana’s ban be upheld, then the Gunners would be able to sign the shot-stopper for just £1.7million, according to Dutch publication NOS.
However is the ban is lifted or shortened, then the North Londoners would have to fork out £7.75m.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have reportedly been offered Cengiz Under or Amadou Diawara in Roma’s bid to sign Granit Xhaka.
Gazzetta Italia claims the Swiss midfielder is valued at £17million by the Gunners.
And Jose Mourinho’s new side hope to avoid a cash payment by making a straight player swap this summer.
In other news, Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move to bring Lille right-back Zeki Celik to the Emirates as a replacement for Hector Bellerin.
The Standard claims Turkey international Celik has been identified by Mikel Arteta after leading Lille to Ligue 1 title glory.
The ace could cost just £13million.
And that would also be offset by Bellerin’s transfer fee, with Real Betis understood to be lining him up.
Finally, Emile Smith Rowe is a reported shock target for Aston Villa.
The Telegraph claims Dean Smith is interested in the versatile playmaker, who is out of contract in 2023.
Arsenal want to hand Smith Rowe a new deal but Villa are ready to pounce should talks continue to make little progress.
SAM’S TOWN
Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a summer swoop for Anderlecht’s highly-rated midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Belgian news outlet Nieuwsblad have stated that he would be a cheaper alternative to Brighton’s Yves Bissouma, valued at £40million.
With just one year left on Lokonga’s contract, Anderlecht are willing to part ways should they receive an offer between £13m-£17m.
ENGLAND 1 AUSTRIA 0
England got their Euro 2020 adventure off to a good start with a 1-0 friendly win over Austria.
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game as the Three Lions saw off David Alaba and Co at the Riverside.
But the result came at a cost as Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off injured near the final whistle.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
