ARSENAL again fans protested against their ownership outside the Emirates before the Villarreal draw which dumped them out of Europe.
On the pitch, a goalless draw was enough to see former boss Unai Emery knock the Gunners out and progress to the Europa League semi-final.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ek and his consortium have held a meeting with the Arsenal Supporters Trust as the Spotify founder steps up his takeover bid.
However, the Kroenke family are reportedly planning a huge summer of spending on transfers as they look to get angry Gunners fans on side.
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Stay up to date with every twist and turn from North London in our live blog…
‘ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE’
Under-fire Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must spend big — before the gap to the top sides becomes “almost impossible” to bridge.
And the Gunners boss believes owner Stan Kroenke WILL provide a significant war chest this summer to try to stop the rot.
Mid-table Arsenal are way off the pace again and Arteta said: “Time is catching up right now.
“It’s a trend, it’s years now that this has been happening.
“If the distance and the margins with the rest becomes too big, then it’s almost impossible to do it.
“I think we are still on time and we have put some very strong pillars and foundations in the last few months to do what we have to do.
“We are in the right place to do it — and we have to do it.
“The squad needs changing. There were already a lot of changes in December, something that has not been done in years, but it tells us where we were.
“Things have to change and the owners are going to back it up.”
You can read Dan King’s piece in full by clicking here.
Mikel Arteta has begged for transfer funds before Arsenal fall too far behind leading clubs TAKING THE MIK
Former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov has called on Arsenal to stick with under-fire Mikel Arteta.
Ad the Bulgarian also described his former rivals not reaching the Europa League final as a ‘shame’.
He told Betfair: “People are talking about changing the Arsenal manager? Really? Mikel Arteta is a young manager and I hope he stays – I think that will be the case.
“It’s a shame they didn’t reach the final as that would have given them a good end to the season. They are massively underperforming.
“They need to strengthen their squad. Manchester United are looking like old United finally under Alex Ferguson, whilst Arsenal look no better than the last days under Arsene Wenger.”
Former Spurs striker Berbatov took a shot at Arsenal fans wanting Arteta outCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd HARTS IN MOUTH
SunSport Exclusive by Duncan Wright
Arsenal fear more fan fury if they fail to tie down teenage prodigy Kido Taylor-Hart to a new deal in the next month.
The highly-rated 18-year-old’s scholarship runs out this summer and a host of clubs from England and the continent have offered him pro terms.
Arsenal put a professional contract on the table earlier this year.
But so far Taylor-Hart has not committed himself and could still walk away for nothing at the end of the season.
His situation is being watched closely by Gunners fans.
Supporters are already upset at how the club is being run – not just in terms of the first team but also the development of young talent.
And there is likely to be uproar if the club is unable to tie him down to a contract and let him walk away.
He has options open to him in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Holland and Belgium.
You can read the rest of Duncan Wright’s exclusive by clicking here.
Arsenal fear fan backlash if they lose Kido Taylor-Hart
NO CHANGE
Josh Buatsi fears if Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been forced off of social media by racist abuse then most other black sportspeople don’t stand a chance.
The Ghana-born South Londoner boldly took the knee before his thrilling October win over Marko Calic to fight against racial injustice.
But after spending eight weeks in San Francisco training with new trainer Virgil Hunter, he has returned to an almost identical landscape and learned Gunners icon Henry quit social media all together.
Ahead of Saturday’s Manchester match-up with undefeated Daniel Dos Santos, the 13-0 Rio 2016 bronze winner said: “I don’t think things have really improved but, when we talk about the sport of boxing, I personally have never experienced any racism in professional boxing.
“Internationally, in the amateurs, yes a few times in different countries but in [pro] boxing I have not.
“In the world now, are things changing? No, I think things are still the same.
“I can understand why certain Premier League footballers are saying ‘forget getting the knee, no changes are being made whatsoever’. I can see that.
“When I was in America I think I read that Thierry Henry has quit social media totally, he is just not up for it.
“He was a really good footballer so if people like him are experiencing it, then who knows what other people are experiencing?
“I haven’t thought about taking the knee for this fight yet, we will see.”
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is boycotting social mediaCredit: PA GAME AUBA
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has apologised to the fans for his side’s Europa League exit on Thursday night.
The striker wrote in his programme notes for tomorrow’s clash with West Brom: “We struggled to find our rhythm in the first half and didn’t give Villarreal enough problems.
“And when we had a chance, the luck wasn’t there for us, when I hit the post with the volley and then the header in the second half.
“I thought we started the second half with more energy and put them under pressure, but we just couldn’t maintain that drive and ultimately, we just didn’t find a way through Villarreal.
“I thought my header was in when it hit the post but it just wasn’t going to happen.
“Like I said, we are really upset about going out of the competition at this stage, for ourselves, for the club and most of all for you the supporters.
“It’s been such a difficult season for fans and we desperately wanted to give you something positive this season – I’m just so sorry we couldn’t do it for you.”
Aubameyang has apologised to supportersCredit: Getty STUTT-ERING
Bundesliga side Stuttgart are in talks with Arsenal over keeping loanee Konstantinos Mavropanos, according to club chief Sven Mislintat.
The former Gunners transfer guru told Kicker: “We’re trying to get a loan.”
And he also admitted: “Buying is difficult in the current situation. Now there is a bit of back and forth.”
Mavropanos has enjoyed a decent season at StuttgartCredit: AP ART OF WAR
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta urged his players to ‘show fans on the pitch’ why his is a project to get behind.
In the aftermath of Thursday night’s clash with Villarreal, he said: “We have to show them on the pitch, not talking.
“We are hugely disappointed because we wanted to deliver something special to them after the difficult season that we had.”
Mikel Arteta is under pressure at ArsenalCredit: Reuters TAKING THE MIK?
England legend John Barnes has called on Arsenal to stick with rookie manager Mikel Arteta.
He said: “Arsenal must learn from Klopp’s first two years at Liverpool and stick with Arteta.
“Arsenal will look at what Arteta is doing and realise that he is building for the future with the young players like Saka and Smith Rowe.
“They’re looking to promote and play young players so Arsenal can’t demand instant success as they’re not spending hundreds of millions of pounds on players so, therefore, they have to put up with what they’re doing now if they believe in the long-term future of the club.”
Mikel Arteta could look to emulate Jurgen KloppCredit: Getty BACK TO THE FUTURE
Not a bad impersonation of an Arsenal great, from current star Emile Smith Rowe.
The youngster has Charlie George’s celebration down to a tee.
DWIGHT FIGHT
Aston Villa are ready to launch a £15million bid for Burnley ace Dwight McNeil, according to reports.
The talented winger has been admired by Manchester United and Arsenal in the past.
But Dean Smith wants to take him to the West Midlands.
According to Football Insider, McNeil is one of Villa’s ‘top targets’ for the summer.
And they think that £15m could be enough to convince Burnley to sell.
The Clarets, however, agreed a contract extension with McNeil last October, currently tying him to Sean Dyche’s side until June 2024.
And Burnley are believed to have an option to trigger an extra year.
Dwight McNeil has impressed for the ClaretsCredit: AP ARSENAL STATS
Let’s take a look at Arsenal’s Premier League campaign so far.
Alexandre Lacazette has scored the most league goals, 13 so far.
Granit Xhaka has been heavily involved their Premier League campaign, making the most passes, tackles and fouls.
Here’s the data…
DIXON REMEMBERS 2002
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has celebrated the 19th anniversary of their title triumph at Old Trafford.
On May 8, 2002, the Gunners defeated Manchester United 1-0 to win the Premier League.
They have won just one league title since.
WILSHERE DISAGREES WITH KEOWN
Jack Wilshere has disagreed with Martin Keown over Thomas Party.
The ex-defender criticised the midfielder after Thursday night’s Europa League defeat to Villarreal, telling BT Sport: “We thought we were signing the next Patrick Vieira, and he hasn’t looked like that at all.”
Responding to Keown’s comments, Wilshere said: “Thomas Partey is a top, top player.
“I played against him in the semi-final of the Europa League and he was one of the toughest I played against.
“The recruitment is not down to Arteta. He’s the coach, he’s the manager and he picks the team.
“It is down to him to get the best out of them, but I wouldn’t say the recruitment is down to him anymore.”
ESR TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE
Emile Smith Rowe paid tribute to Arsenal legend Charlie George by emulating his 1971 FA Cup final goal in training.
It’s 50 years to the day since the Gunners defeated Liverpool 2-1 to win their first league and cup double.
If Smith Rowe has half the career George had, he’ll be some player.
MAGIC TUCH
Manchester United transfer target Ousmane Dembele has revealed that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is the best manager he has played under.
The 23-year-old Frenchman was coached by Tuchel during his time as a teenager at Borussia Dortmund.
And it is another player during his time at Dortmund – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – that he describes as his best teammate.
Speaking to BeIN Sports, he said: “Things went super at Dortmund, a super squad, Aubameyang who welcomed me amazingly, even if it was quite tough with the German.
“Aubameyang really welcomed me well, he is the person that I have liked the most in football.
“And like I said Thomas Tuchel really convinced me, he is my favourite manager.”
MERSE SLAMS GUNNERS
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has slammed Mikel Arteta’s side following their Europa League semi-final defeat to Villarreal.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: “It’s the worst [Arsenal performance] I’ve ever seen.
“That was the semi-final of a European game and there was absolutely no urgency.
“If you’d have come in and turned it on with 10 minutes to go, you’d have thought Arsenal were through.
“It was mind-blowing at the highest level.”
GUNNER SORT
Arsenal chief Richard Garlick will work on resolving the futures of Emile Smith Rowe and Alexandre Lacazette when he joins the club.
Garlick will take over as director of football operations on May 17 having been working for the Premier League in the same role.
And according to ESPN, two of his first jobs will be to sort out contract issues.
The first will be getting Smith Rowe to put pen to paper on a fresh deal.
His current one runs until 2023 but after a breakthrough season this term, the 20-year-old is due to earn a pay rise.
For Lacazette, Garlick must decide whether or not to offer a new deal.
The Frenchman, 29, is out of contract at the end of the 2021-22 season.
ICYMI – BERGE KING
Arsenal are reportedly in the fight for Sheffield United star Sander Berge.
The midfielder is said to be available for £35million in the summer via a relegation release clause.
And Sky Sports have outlined a number of clubs interested in his signature, including Everton.
BARC-ING MAD
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have vowed to go to war with Uefa over threats to throw them out of European competition for sticking to the Super League plans.
The three clubs have been warned by the governing body they face a two-year ban from their competitions unless they finally give up their intention to play in the rebel tournament.
But in a joint statement released this morning, the football superpowers doubled down on their refusal to give up on the project and made it clear they think the law is on their side.
Real, Barca and Juve are all now prepared to fight it through the courts to challenge any Uefa ban as they desperately try to cling on to the ESL dream which will save them from the financial turmoil they have left themselves in.
Click here to read the statement.
ART & SOUL
Mikel Arteta says he is giving his whole LIFE to the Arsenal job.
And he vowed to fight on as manager after the Europa League heartache to Villarreal.
Speaking after the defeat, Arteta said: “Since I arrived here what I have tried to do, giving my life, my best ability, investing every drop of energy that I have emotionally to support everything that has been going around with my knowledge, with staff, with all the players that are trying to contribute with all the club to give our best.
“But so far it has not been enough and when the question mark comes, why it is not enough? Is it just a thing? Is it the manager? Is it any other stuff? What is it?
“And then this is football. Again, I repeat myself, last night that ball goes in we win 1-0. You are in the final and it is a different world. But today that world doesn’t look very nice.”
MAY 8 IS ARSENAL’S DAY
The Gunners just love playing on May 8.
As well as securing their first ever double 50 years ago today, it’s 19 years since Arsene Wenger’s side won the Premier League title at Old Trafford.
A goal from Frenchman Sylvain Wiltord secured a 1-0 victory.
Arsenal fans can only dream of such success today…
ARTETA FOCUSED ON PL FINISH
Mikel Arteta wants his team to finish the Premier League season strongly following Thursday night’s Europa League defeat to Villarreal.
The Gunners boss, speaking to the club’s official website, said: “We have no time [to think too deeply about Thursday’s disappointment] because we have a game on Sunday.
“We have a training session this morning [Friday] and it has to be by today when you leave the training ground, most of it has to be out of the system.
“I think you have to leave some of it in some of your system, and use some of it in the right way as an energy driver in the game on Sunday.”
HOW HIGH CAN ARSENAL FINISH?
Following their Europa League exit, Arsenal’s priority is to qualify for European football next season.
They are currently ninth in the Premier League on 49 points, with four games remaining.
Should they win their remaining games – and, somehow, their rivals lose theirs – the Gunners will finish in fourth.
They are currently 12 points behind Chelsea, the team occupying that position.
As that is extremely unlikely to happen, Arsenal should be aiming to finish seventh or higher.
They are currently five points behind Liverpool in seventh and seven points behind Tottenham in sixth.
If they finish seventh, they will qualify for the Europa Conference League – Uefa’s new tertiary competition.
Fifth and sixth are the Europa League spots.
Failing that, they could always try and revive the European Super League…
Credit: The Sun 50 YEARS AGO
Today is the 50th anniversary of Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph against Liverpool.
Goals from Eddie Kelly and Charlie George secured a 2-1 victory in extra-time.
The win was the second half of Arsenal’s first league and cup double – a decade after Tottenham had achieved the honour.
The greatest day in Arsenal’s history?
ART DEALER
Arsenal are sticking with Mikel Arteta and will back him with funds for a summer spending spree.
The 39-year-old Spaniard is now the bookies’ favourite to become the next Premier League boss to be sacked.
But the Gunners are determined to keep faith with Arteta despite the very real threat of missing out on European qualification for the first time since 1995.
Owner Stan Kroenke and technical director Edu remain convinced Arteta is the right man to lead the club back to the big time.
But if the team is still mid-table by the end of the year then Arteta will be replaced.
Credit: EPA
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
