DANIEL EK and his consortium have held a meeting with the Arsenal Supporters Trust as the Spotify founder steps up his takeover bid.
And it is claimed that Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote could have bought the club for £1.7bn two years ago.
That price is understood to be around the valuation Ek has of the club.
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…
FROM SUNSPORT’S MARTIN LIPTON
Away fans will NOT be able to attend the last two rounds of Prem games – after the Old Trafford pitch invasion forced a U-turn.
Prem clubs had been keen to ensure up to 500 visiting supporters were allowed into grounds in the last week of the season, as part of maximum 10,000 crowds.
But League chiefs were concerned that the Government, and local safety officers, might block the proposals in the wake of the violent incidents that saw Manchester United’s game with Liverpool postponed on Sunday.
And now the Prem has confirmed that, while fans are set to be allowed at the games between May 18 and May 23 – one in each of the 20 top flight stadiums – seats will be strictly sold to home fans only.
Man Utd fans storming of the pitch has made the Premier League re-think their plans KIER WE GO
Mikel Arteta will pick his most important team of the season when Arsenal face Villarreal on Thursday.
The Gunners are 2-1 down from the first leg but managed to bag an important away goal in Spain.
But there are doubts over three key players, with Alexandre Lacazette, Kieran Tierney and David Luiz all racing to be fit.
This is how Arsenal could look for their crunch Europa League semi…
How Arsenal could face Villarreal PAUL OVER
Genk’s goal machine Paul Onuachu reportedly hopes to end up an Arsenal player by the end of the summer.
The 6ft 7in forward has been a revelation at the Belgian club, smashing home an incredible 32 goals in 37 games in all competitions this season.
Voetbal Belgie reports the 26-year-old is eyeing up a move to the Emirates and is optimistic he could land a dream Prem move by the end of the upcoming transfer window.
The report states he is willing and able to progress his career to the next step after lighting up the Belgian league.
Genk are believed to be willing to sell their prized asset for £25million.
Paul Onuachu could swap Genk for the Gunners
ARTETA HAPPY WITH XHAKA AT LB
Mikel Arteta is happy with Granit Xhaka’s performances at left back.
The Swiss midfielder has been filling in for Kieran Tierney of late but may lose his place to the returning Scottish defender on Thursday evening.
Arteta said: “We have managed to get some clean sheets since he’s [Xhaka] been playing there and that’s something that didn’t happen for 13 games.
“He gives something different to the team.”
ARTETA BACKS AUBA
Mikel Arteta has been speaking about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ahead of their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal tomorrow.
Speaking at a press conference, the Gunners boss said: “My job, my responsibility, is to protect our players and try to get the maximum out of them.
“We know certain things that the outside world doesn’t know.
“They can comment but sometimes without knowing all the details, which is a little bit unfair for the people.
“We make decisions that sometimes people are judging but without really knowing the detail. That criticism is part of our job.
“Auba played well and he felt much better than the days before [Sunday]. Obviously, scoring a goal is really important for him as well, so he’s in a good place.
“This game always gives you another opportunity. If you are there, then you are ready for the taking. He can turn things around really quickly so hopefully we can see that tomorrow.”
PLAYER OF THE MONTH NOMINEE
Vivianne Miedema has been nominated for April’s WSL Player of the Month award.
The Dutch striker has impressed for the Gunners this season, scoring 18 goals in 21 WSL appearances.
Miedema scooped the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year award in 2018-19 and was named the FWA Women’s Footballer of Year last season.
Click the link below to vote…
ARTETA PLAYS DOWN TAKEOVER TALKS
Mikel Arteta has played down talks of a takeover at the Emirates.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has expressed an interest in buying the club but the Arsenal boss was only interested in discussing Thursday’s Europa League semi-final against Villarreal.
Arteta said: “We have to try to be away from all of the rumours and everything that is happening around the club.
“We have to focus on the pitch because the best way to help the football club is to win football matches and be competitive at the highest level.
“It’s a massive game for the club and if we win we will be much closer to getting a trophy. Winning always helps for the future, it is the best way to prepare for anything.”
REMEMBER THE NAME
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri scored a stunning goal for the U18s in their recent game against Reading.
The forward, 14, showed maturity and class way beyond his years with this impressive strike.
Take a look…
JENS AXE
Jens Lehmann has been sacked by Hertha Berlin after an apparent racist message appeared online.
The former Gunners goalkeeper sent Sky Germany pundit Dennis Aogo a message during coverage of Tuesday’s clash between Man City and PSG.
Lehmann accidentally sent a WhatsApp to the former Germany international Aogo asking “Is Dennis actually your token black guy?”
A stunned Aogo posted a screenshot of the message on his Instagram story and said: “Wow, are you serious? This message was probably not meant for me.”
Lehmann swiftly apologised on Wednesday morning but was sacked from his role on Hertha Berlin’s board.
The ex-Arsenal goalkeeper tweeted: “In a private message from my cell phone to Dennis Aogo, an impression was created for which I apologised in conversation with Dennis.”
REF JUSTICE
Arsenal’s European destiny will be overseen by controversial referee Slavko Vincic.
The Slovenian official has been placed in charge of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal at the Emirates.
Vincic, 41, was arrested last year by cops investigating a drugs and prostitution ring in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Click here to read more about the ref.
CEBALLOS NOT AL-WRIGHT
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Mikel Arteta should drop Dani Ceballos.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, the ex-striker said: “For me Ceballos doesn’t make my team.
“I’d rather have Elneny in there, I know he scored the other day, but he has got a drive and determination about him – you cannot dislike his output and what he’s trying to do for the team.”
Reports suggest Real Madrid want at least £25milion for the 24-year-old Spain international, who is yet to score his first Premier League goal.
OUTCASTS COMING HOME?
Exiled Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Konstantinos Mavropanos will be returning to Arsenal next season, according to reports.
CBS are reporting that manager Mikel Arteta will give both players a chance to impress in pre-season.
The Gunners could be on the verge of losing defender David Luiz, who is out of contract in the summer.
Saliba, signed for £27million in 2019, has yet to play for the club after being loaned out to Saint-Etienne and Nice.
Mavropanos, who hasn’t featured in the Premier League under Arteta, has spent time on loan at Nurnberg and Stuttgart.
APRIL GOAL OF THE MONTH
The Gunners scored some cracking goals in April.
Who gets your vote?
Click on the link below to have your say…
ARTETA SAFE
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will remain their head coach next season, according to reports.
There has been a lot of speculation about his position following a disappointing Premier League campaign, but Eurosport are now reporting he will stay at the Emirates.
And it is believed owner Stan Kroenke will stay at the club and invest heavily in the team.
The concern now is attracting top players to the Gunners as they seem unlikely to qualify for European football – unless they don’t win the Europa League.
A Europa League triumph will see them qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016.
HATE TO LUIZ YOU
David Luiz is reportedly preparing for life after Arsenal as his representatives contact potential new clubs.
The Gunners are yet to make a decision on whether the Brazilian, 34, will be offered a new contract when his existing deal expires next month.
And his entourage are said to be working on engineering a move abroad if he is let go.
According to CBS Sports, an MLS club are among the options being considered by Luiz.
Although his wage demands are thought to be a stumbling block to a Stateside switch.
Former club Benfica and Serie A side Lazio have also been touted to move for the one-time Premier League champion.
Credit: AP
LACA AND TIERNEY TRAINING
Mikel Arteta has been given a boost ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Europa League semi-final against Villarreal as Alexandre Lacazette and Kieran Tierney both trained yesterday.
The duo missed the first leg of the tie last week due to injury.
The Gunners have posted the two training on their official Instagram account.
A CLOSER LOOK
With fans absent from stadiums, microphones can pick up far more than before.
In Sunday’s game against Newcastle, one camera followed goalscorer Mohamed Elneny around the pitch.
The following video gives us a sneak peak as to what it’s like to be a Premier League footballer.
NEWCASTLE WIN
The Gunners looked in good form on Sunday as they defeated Newcastle 2-0 at St James’ Park.
Here’s the best of the action…
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Spotify co-owner Daniel Ek is keen to buy Arsenal Football Club but Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE), who have come under fire following the European Super League chaos, have stated the club is not for sale under any circumstances.
However, the Mail reported that KSE were approached by an international financial consortium in 2019 and seemed keen on doing business back then.
Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke didn’t reject the approach outright, like he did with Ek, but instead told the interested party they would have to pay a fee in the region of £1.7billion.
Gunners legend Thierry Henry is one of three Invincibles who are backing the Swedish billionaire, along with Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp.
But Henry has warned fans that a potential takeover of the club will take a “long time”.
The club’s record goalscorer said: “We know what we want to do but first and foremost we need to make sure we can take over, if they are listening.
“Let’s see where it is going to go, he reached out. I don’t know now how far they went.”
In other news, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks set to stay after the end of the season following a turbulent campaign.
The Spaniard is also likely to receive extra transfer funds ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is because Kroenke is trying to ease tensions following some fiery demonstrations from club’s faithful, who are demanding his departure from the club.
ANTI SOCIAL
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry hailed the “amazing” support for the social media boycott in response to online abuse in sport but warned this is just a start.
Henry told Monday Night Football yesterday: “When I saw the reaction of football that was amazing.
“Not only football, but in the last two or three days of it, it seems like everybody came to support and I was really happy about it.
“I always mention the strength of the pack because if you’re alone those companies don’t care about individuals”
HENRY PICKS
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes former team-mates and fellow Invincibles Dennis Bergkamp as well as Patrick Vieira should join him and Alan Shearer in the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Henry told Sky Sports: “Dennis, obviously I could be biased but this guy was an example for me, always wanted to do more, first in training, last in training doing what he was always being asked to do, passionate about Arsenal, passionate about the Premier League.
“He made the team better, he made the guys around him better and I always said I don’t know how many guys would have the passion that he had.
“Always people remember Patrick, tackling someone, arguing with someone. For me, he’s the only guy that could have played alone in midfield.
“And the quality. Sometimes Patrick was doing it on purpose to lift the ball, flick it over people, just passing by them and, I mean, it was just unplayable at times – I don’t know a lot of people that could have done like that everything in midfield”
MARTINELLI PREDICTION
Owen Hargreaves predicts Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli can become “one of the best players in the Premier League”, even though he has only made six starts.
Hargreaves told Premier League Productions: “I love Martinelli. I think he’s such a great player. Obviously, he has had some injury issues – but this ball [for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal vs Newcastle], with his weaker foot, it’s a dream ball, isn’t it?
“The thing I like about Martinelli for a flair player is that he puts a shift in. He works incredibly hard. I think technically he is very good. He glides by people quite effortlessly. The cool thing is that he can play through the middle, he can play off the left and he can go right.
“So, I think there is a huge talent in there and for Arsenal fans, and you think about with [Bukayo] Saka and [Emile] Smith Rowe, they have a fabulous player, who I think has the potential to become one of the best players in the Premier League. But he has to stay fit”
GETTY IMAGES TOP GUI
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Real Betis star Guido Rodriguez as manager Mikel Arteta is looking for a new defensive midfielder.
Rodriguez is aware of the Gunners’ interest but has previously stated he is happy in Seville with Betis.
The Argentina international told Estadio Deportivo in March: “I saw it because friends from Argentina asked me, but I told them that I knew the same as them.
“I am the protagonist because I am in the news but today, I do not know more or less than you who also saw it.
“I am very happy, I arrived and there was one or two months with a strange situation for everyone with the issue of confinement but the truth is that I am very happy in Seville, with the city, the weather, at the club. I’m very happy”
INJURY BOOST
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has received a major injury boost ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final clash against Villarreal.
Kieran Tierney and Alexandre Lacazette returned to full training ahead of the crucial second leg at the Emirates.
Tierney missed the Gunners’ last six matches due to a knee injury whereas Lacazette has been sidelined since last month’s draw with Fulham due to a hamstring problem.
Arsenal lost 2-1 at Villarreal last week and need at least one goal to make it through to the Europa League final
TRANSFER BLOW
Incoming Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann wishes to sign Arsenal target Achraf Hakimi in the summer.
According to German journalist Manuel Bonke, RB Leipzig boss Nagelsmann is already drawing up a transfer list ahead of his imminent summer move at Bayern’s helm and Hakimi is among his top wishes.
The Inter Milan ace has impressed this season with the newly-crowned Italian champions.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sees the right-back as a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
