EMI BUENDIA is Arsenal’s top transfer target this summer, according to reports.
While Dennis Bergkamp has told Arsenal fans Daniel Ek is STILL interested in buying the club off Stan Kroenke.
Elsewhere, the Gunners will have a better chance of signing Eduardo Camavinga than any other club if they make a serious bid, according to reports.
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LOST DE-NA
Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp claims the club’s original DNA, which led to Premier League dominance, has been lost.
Bergkamp told Voetbal International: “Like Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, it’s hard for me to recognise the Arsenal from our time.
“The ambition to win trophies is in Arsenal’s DNA. Never accept a loss. That mentality has slowly disappeared.
“I feel there’s a sense of resignation within the current situation. That is very serious.
“It’s like it’s normal, given the financial conditions, that Arsenal are ending up somewhere in the middle of the league behind the top clubs.
“That’s not how it should be with this club. Arsenal’s DNA needs to be repaired”
GETTY IMAGES ART ATTACK
Fabrizio Romano is adamant that Arsenal are going to continue with Mikel Arteta at the helm.
Romano said on the Here We Go podcast: “Arsenal’s intention is to go on with Arteta, I would say 100 per cent, because they are convinced with Arteta, they are convinced with the project.
“They think that one year with this kind of manager, he needs time.
“The season has been really disappointing and they know about it, but they want to continue with Arteta, so at the moment the situation is planning with him about players to sell, players to sign and rebuilding in the summer.
“So Arteta is the man for Arsenal”
SHEAR JOY
Alan Shearer joked that Arsenal loanee Joe Willock may prefer to stay at Newcastle because he will want to play for a “big club” next season.
Willock joined the Magpies on loan during the January transfer window and has put together a raft of impressive performances while the Gunners are likely to miss out on European qualification for the first time in 25 years.
Shearer told Match of the Day: “Well, he might want to play for a big club so he might want to stay at Newcastle.
“I’m joking Arsenal fans! I’m joking!”
BUENDIA ADMISSION
Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber recently admitted their star attractions could be sold in the summer.
Emiliano Buendia has been among the Canaries’ top stars this season and is currently linked with Arsenal.
Webber told BBC Look East: “One of them may go, maybe two or all three of them will go, who knows – but the facts are that this team isn’t about one or two players.
“For us to be successful in the Premier League it’s going to be how does the squad of 20 do, not if one player performs brilliantly.
“When we sold James Maddison [to Leicester] everyone thought it was the end of the world and then a guy called Emi Buendia turned up – when Ben Godfrey left [for Everton] it was the end of the world and a guy called Ben Gibson turned up, and that’s football”
PEP TALK
Danny Murphy praised Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe after his performance against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Murphy told Match of the Day: “I think he suffered from the pressure of the price tag, but he’s certainly got talent.
“He’s quick, skilful, direct. Like so many players he’s been up and down with his form. Today he showed those bits of magic we’ve seen from him on occasions. Goals ultimately is where you’re judged as a forward player.
“He looked hungry. He looked sharp. He looked fit… He’s got 14 goals this season which isn’t a bad return considering they’ve had a poor season.
“Hopefully for Arenal fans they’ll see him progress a bit more next season. He’s got to play regularly. He’s got to produce this kind of form week in week out to keep the likes of Bukayo Saka out”
GETTY IMAGES WILLOCK FUTURE
Joe Willock suggested he would be keen to stay at Newcastle when his loan spell from Arsenal runs out.
Willock told NUFC TV: “I want to say thank you for making me feel so welcome and thank you for greeting me with open arms.
“I hope you’re satisfied with what I’ve given for the club so far and hopefully there’s more to continue in the future.
“I’m not going to promise anything, but the conversation is going to be held”
WATTS UP
Norwich ace Emiliano Bundia is on top of Arsenal’s transfer list but a deal won’t be easy, according to Charles Watts.
Watts said: “From what I understand, Emi Buendia now is very much right towards the top of that list.
“There has been no bid made to Norwich City yet for Buendia, but discussions are ongoing at Arsenal and the focus is certainly shifting towards him when it comes to potentially making an official move this summer.
“He is keen on a move to Arsenal, is my understanding. But Norwich are in a very strong position. He’s got three years left on his contract, he’s 24 years old, they’ve just been promoted to the Premier League, so it’s not like they really need the money now.
“And he’s just been called up by Argentina for the first time, so they are not going to just roll over and allow Buendia to leave for cheap.
“It looks like something around £40million would be needed to really get Norwich to take notice”
TEK HIM OFF
Crystal Palace star Christian Benteke should have been sent off against Arsenal, according to ex-Premier League and FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Benteke clumped into Gunners ace Bukayo Saka while challenging for an aerial challenge before thrusting his forearm into Mohamed Elneny’s face.
Hackett told Football Insider: “Benteke should have gone.
“He’s got a yellow for that challenge and then he’s put his left arm into the face of his opponent with a sweeping movement.
“There might not be venom in his actions but there was a body check and a left-arm jab. He knows exactly what he’s done. That on its own is a red card, seriously.
“He should have gone for that alone. The first one is important but the second one is the bad one.
“What’s the point in VAR if not for this? They should have said: ‘Anthony [Taylor], come and have a look at this.’
“They are going to the monitor less and less. What’s happened is they have been reminded that they only go to the monitor for clear and obvious errors and mistaken identity.
“But this kind of incident is exactly what VAR’s for”
DOUBLE SWOOP
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Brighton duo Yves Bissouma and Tariq Lamptey.
That is according to the Brighton & Hove Independent, who claim that the Seagulls will demand £40million for Bissouma, who looks set to be subject of a Premier League bidding war.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United are also keeping tabs on the 24-year-old Mali international.
Lamptey has also attracted interest from Everton and Tottenham
LOCK & LOAD
Newcastle will have to pay Arsenal £20million to sign Joe Willock on a permanent deal.
Willock joined the Magpies on loan from the Gunners during the January transfer window and has already registered seven goals in 13 matches across all competitions.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the north Londoners rate the young midfielder at £20m.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking to offload some players in order to raise funds for transfers in the summer
GETTY IMAGES BUENDIA PRICE
Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Norwich ace Emiliano Buendia ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are lining up a potential replacement for Martin Odegaard, who could return to Real Madrid once his loan stint comes to an end.
According to Goal, the Canaries will demand around £40million for the playmaker.
The 24-year-old Argentine has registered 15 goals and 17 assists in 41 matches across all competitions this season
NO QUIT
Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp insists Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek will keep trying in his bid to buy the club as he is “not a quitter”.
Bergkamp and fellow Invincibles Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have backed Ek, who is trying to reach a deal with the Kroenke family.
The legendary striker told Voetbal International: “Daniel doesn’t see a takeover as buying a nice toy.
“We can’t force anyone to sell. I understand that, in addition to that offer, Daniel has now reached out twice to Josh Kroenke and his bankers.
“Whatever Kroenke’s intentions are, it would be good if we at least have a conversation with each other.
“Regardless, Daniel is not a quitter and neither are we. We are here to stay”
BERGE RECAP
Sheffield United ace Sander Berge is being targeted by Arsenal and the north Londoners have reportedly made an initial £17.2million bid for the midfielder.
The Gunners have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the bidding war over Berge, who has stood out at Bramall Lane ever since his move from Genk last year.
The 23-year-old may also be keen to move to the Emirates if his Norway team-mate Martin Odegaard stays put and doesn’t return to Real Madrid in the summer.
Berge, as it stands, appears to be leaning towards Arsenal over the Reds and north London rivals Spurs.
CHANGE OF GAARD?
Martin Odegaard’s loan stint at Arsenal is slowly coming to an end and his future looks uncertain.
Reports suggest Real Madrid will give Odegaard more opportunities next season, especially if current manager Zinedine Zidane leaves.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta wants to keep the talented playmaker for another year at least but is not taking any risks, which is why he is lining up potential replacements.
Among them is Norwich ace Emiliano Buendia who has registered 15 goals and 17 assists in 41 matches across all competitions this season
SHIRT THING
Just a quick reminder, in case you missed it:
Arsenal’s new home kit for next season has been ‘leaked’ online with a throwback to the club’s 1998 shirt.
This brings back memories of Arsene Wenger’s first ever Premier League title in charge of the Gunners, which is when the Frenchman practically built his dynasty.
The FootyHeadlines reveal shows a red design in a shade slightly lighter than this term’s effort
TIP OF THE ICE-BERG
Dennis Bergkamp says Spotify boss Daniel Ek and the Arsenal legends won’t give up their bid to take over the Gunners.
Current owner Stan Kroenke has rejected an initial £1.8billion bid from Ek, who has support from Bergkamp and fellow Invincibles Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.
Bergkamp said: “We can’t force anyone to sell.
“I understand that, in addition to that offer, Daniel has now reached out twice to Josh Kroenke [Arsenal director and Stan’s son] and his bankers.
“Whatever Kroenke’s intentions are, it would be good if we at least have a conversation with each other. In the interests of the club.
“Regardless, Daniel is not a quitter and neither are we football boys. We are here to stay.”
MUST HAVE
Shkodran Mustafi will be released at the end of the season after just three months spent with German side Schalke.
The Arsenal flop only joined the Bundesliga outfit in February after having his contract terminated by the Gunners.
And having failed to make an impression during his short spell at the Veltins-Arena, the 29-year-old defender will be on the lookout for a new club in the summer.
Credit: AFP CONFERENCE CALL
The Premier League’s final day is all about the race for Europe, with seven teams still jostling for position.
Seventh place will seal a position in the intriguing new Europa Conference League for next season.
Taking place in the same Thursday night slot as the Europa League, the Conference League will offer a chance for clubs in smaller football nations to get more of a taste of the big time.
If neither Tottenham or Everton can produce three points, then all Arsenal have to do is win their game to somehow sneak into Europe.
Check out the full rundown of permutations from SunSport’s resident maths boffin Etienne Fermie here.
TAKING THE MIKEL
Arsenal fans are dreaming of a title challenge next season after their impressive form in the second half of the campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side have endured a disappointing season and occupy ninth, eight points adrift of a top-four finish.
Yet, during the second half of the season, they have been quietly going about their business winning 13 from their last 23 matches.
Arsenal have picked up 44 points which is only bettered by title-winners Manchester City who have 57.
The Gunners have two more than Manchester United and Chelsea, and five more than both Leeds and Leicester.
WHERE THERE’S A WILL…
Allan Saint-Maximin believes Newcastle must keep looking for players such as Joe Willock to build a strong team.
The Arsenal loanee has been a revelation on Tyneside and the winger wanted to build a partnership with him akin to one devastating duo in North London.
He told Sky Sports: “We have to buy more players like Joe Willock, he can be really great for the team and for myself.
“I am 24 years old, and have to think about the national team, about winning trophies, and hope the club can give me that.
“My relationship is really good with Joe inside and outside the pitch, and you can see how that helps a team when you have players like that – like Harry Kane and Heung-min Son at Tottenham.”
HARD TO ARGUE
Nicolas Pepe was voted the Man of the Match for last night’s performance.
That is now 14 goals in the 2021-22 campaign for the Ivorian, Arsenal’s third-top scorer.
LJUN TO WATCH
Nicolas Pepe’s starring role against Crystal Palace last night came as no surprise to Freddie Ljungberg.
The former Arsenal coach and caretaker manager recalled to BT Sport how often the winger would perform so well in training.
He noted: “I like him. He’s awkward to play against. Has good speed. One against one he’s very, very good
“This [his goal] is what I saw in training every day and it’s what you want to see in every game.
“Of course there’s other parts of his game he needs to learn but if you can put him in these situations he’s lethal all the time.”
Credit: Getty TOP DOIG
Hibernian youngster Josh Doig has been likened to Arsenal star Kieran Tierney by former Gunners goalkeeper Matt Macey.
Brighton are strongly linked with the 19-year-old defender, who has been tipped to follow in his countryman’s footsteps and impress in the Premier League.
Macey said: “For me [comparisons to Tierney] are absolutely not unrealistic for Josh, he can go as far as he wants.
“He’s coming up to a big moment in his career, he has obviously had a lot of big moments already in terms of his age and making that breakthrough.
“He’s very level headed and he’ll take it in his stride. For me he can go right to the top. I have seen a lot of young players at Arsenal and he would be right up there, for sure.
“Kieran and Josh obviously play the same position and I can see the similarities in their playing style. Josh is maybe a little bit younger than when KT made his move to Arsenal, but he can go on and do well.”
SAKA CONCERN
Martin Keown was concerned that Bukayo Saka had picked up a knock after being substituted last night.
In the 64th minute, Mikel Arteta replaced the England star to leave the ex-player and pundit confused on BT Sport.
He said: “One assumes that Saka must have an injury, or some sort of a problem.”
Credit: Getty ROMAN EMPEROR
Roman Abramovich has reportedly told Chelsea not to make the same ‘mistake’ as Arsenal and Tottenham.
The Blues owner is said by the Telegraph to be worried by the prospect of his side celebrating merely qualifying for the Champions League, as they do in North London.
And Abramovich is hoping to turn Thomas Tuchel’s third-placed team into a title-winning force next season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
