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…
RATINGS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tried giving it a go as he hit the post twice against Villarreal.
But Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka were disappointing in Arsenal’s Europa League exit
READ THE FULL RATINGS HERE
Who was Arsenal’s best and worst player against Villarreal? MAX POWER
Former Juventus boss Max Allegri is the leading contender to become Arsenal’s next permanent managerial appointment.
That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve priced the Italian at 13/5 to replace Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.
Next Arsenal Manager – Betfair
- Massimiliano Allegri – 13/5
- Brendan Rodgers – 3/1
- Thomas Tuchel – 3/1
- Rafa Benitez – 10/1
- Patrick Vieira – 10/1
- Diego Simeone – 10/1
- Eddie Howe – 11/1
- Ralph Hasenhuttl – 11/1
- Gian Piero Gasperini – 14/1
- Paulo Fonseca – 14/1
- BETFAIR:
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Max Allegri is favourite to replace Mikel Arteta KEOWN NOT KEEN
Martin Keown has blasted Mikel Arteta following Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final defeat by Villarreal.
He said: “Emery was just too smart for Arteta. We were nervous, tentative, the performance just wasn’t there.
“We shouldn’t really be surprised when we look at the Premier League, ninth in the table, 19 goals scored from 17 home matches.
“Inconsistency is rife through the group and it’s cost us. They haven’t had to get out of first gear to manage Arsenal and that’s the most disappointing thing.
“To go unbeaten the whole season and now to not even make Europe, it’s a real fall from grace. I know we’re talking about new ownership, are we now talking about a change of manager?
“There’s a crossroads the club now finds itself at, and this is the lowest night I can remember in a number of years.”
Mikel Arteta has come under fire from Martin KeownCredit: Getty
ARSENAL 0 VILLARREAL 0 (1-2 AGG)
Arsenal have crashed out of the Europa League after failing to score at the Emirates.
The Gunners needed just one effort to hit the back of the net and book their place in the final.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the post twice but there can be no excuses for Arsenal’s below-par performance, with Villarreal now playing Man United for the main prize.
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GAME ON
We’ve entered the final 20 minutes at the Emirates and the score is currently Arsenal 0 Villarreal 0.
The Spaniards are 2-1 ahead on aggregate and Mikel Arteta’s men desperately need a goal to reach the Europa League final.
Can the Gunners find a late winner in London? They may need to start giving it a proper go if they want one…
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XHAK TO THE FUTURE
Granit Xhaka suffered an injury blow in the warm-up for tonight’s game against Villarreal.
The midfielder, set to slot in at left-back, reportedly pulled a muscle minutes before kick-off.
And he was replaced by Kieran Tierney, who has only just made a return from injury himself.
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Granit Xhaka was injured in the warm-up before Arsenal’s game with VillarrealCredit: PA FANDEMONIUM
Arsenal fans descended on the Emirates before tonight’s Europa League clash with Villarreal to protest Stan Kroenke.
The American was key in the failed European Super League.
And after Man Utd fans protested on Sunday, Arsenal supporters have now taken to the streets outside the Emirates with banners and flares.
FOLLOW ARSENAL VS VILLARREAL HERE
Arsenal are the latest fans to protest their ownersCredit: EPA Fans demanded Stan Kroenke sell up after the failed European Super LeagueCredit: EPA The protests came after Man Utd fans stormed Old Trafford on SundayCredit: Reuters TEAM NEWS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the line for Arsenal tonight against Villarreal.
Mikel Arteta names an attacking team with Thomas Partey the only recognised central midfielder.
There’s also good news on the bench, with Kieran Tierney back after a lengthy injury spell.
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EXCLUSIVE BY DAVE COURTNADGE
Arsenal are set for a transfer overhaul that will see the club swapping scouts for data analysis.
Jason Ayto is the player recruitment co-ordinator and the club is now using analytics more than ever.
The Gunners sacked former head of youth recruitment Steve Morrow last season as part of an academy re-structure which saw EIGHT STAFF go.
The club is also now moving away from the traditional idea of having scouts worldwide due to the increased use of data.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping the new system will reap rewards
FORWARD THINKING
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 as it could be the best time to cash in.
Paul Onuachu is a target for Arsenal ART ATTACK
Arsenal have no plans to axe Mikel Arteta this summer.
But club chiefs are eager to see him win the Europa League to salvage a below-par season.
Eurosport claims Stan Kroenke will back Arteta in the transfer window regardless of their league finish or silverware.
However, victory in Europe would go a long way to solidifying Arteta’s position in the next campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal job is safe… for now RAM-WOE
Aaron Ramsey has opened up on his injury frustration at Juventus.
The Wales midfielder has started just 19 of Juve’s 47 games in all competitions this season due to several injury setbacks.
Ramsey joined the Serie A giants on a free transfer from Arsenal in 2019 but the 30-year-old has failed to hit the heights in Italy.
The lack of fitness and form has raised speculation that Rambo could return to the Premier League, with Everton linked as a potential summer target.
Ramsey told FourFourTwo: “It’s been a pretty frustrating couple of years for me, picking up little injuries and not being able to get back to full fitness.
“It’s been a strange time in general, which hasn’t helped – arriving at Juventus with an injury, trying to get my fitness back, then you’re hit by a pandemic and we had to start again.
“It’s been difficult to get any consistency going, and that’s had an effect on me playing for Wales.”
AUBA AND OUT?
Here’s how Arsenal could line up tonight against Villarreal.
UNSEEN FOOTAGE
Check out this unseen footage from behind the scenes at Arsenal ahead of last week’s semi-final first leg against Villarreal.
REBEL HELL
Uefa chiefs are threatening two-year European bans for the four Super league rebels who have still not pulled out of the project.
England’s Big Six were the first to withdraw, with Champions League finalists Chelsea and Manchester City quickest out of the blocks once they realised the breakaway was dead in the water.
But Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan have still to formally break free of the Super League project.
And that has left Uefa on the verge of imposing serious sanctions UNLESS the quartet fold in the next few weeks.
The Prem sides, along with Atletico Madrid and Inter, are expected to accept fines for their parts in the rebellion.
Uefa head Aleksander Ceferin IS likely to push for softer punishments on the English teams after their rapid U-turns and acceptance of error.
TAKING THE MIK OUT
Former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is the leading contender to become Arsenal’s next permanent managerial appointment.
That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve priced the Italian at 13/5 to replace Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are anchored in ninth position having lost a worrying 13 league matches this season and currently sit 12 points outside of the top four.
The Europa League is their last remaining chance of Champions League qualification.
However, they’ll first need to overturn a 2-1 deficit to Emery’s Villarreal before a likely final with in-form Manchester United.
NO LAC OF TALENT
Alex Lacazette was voted Arsenal’s player of the month for April.
NEW NWAN
Arsenal’s 14-year-old whizkid Ethan Nwaneri marked his Under-18s debut with a stunning solo goal.
And incredibly Myles Lewis-Skelly, 14, also came off the bench to score a similar stunner.
Now supporters are already hoping they could be the next big talents to come through at Hale End after Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
Nwaneri was given a starting spot for the U18s’ 6-1 won over Reading on Tuesday evening as both sides agreed to field younger teams made up mainly of U16s.
FINE ART
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta backed Gunners fans’ right to protest against the club’s owners.
Arteta said: “I think fans have to be able to express themselves.
“They have the right do it. We have to prepare for the game in the best possible way and I wouldn’t like to use any excuses if something happens with that.
“I know that the only focus of the fans is to defend the club and they want the best for the team. We will try to give them that.
“We’ve been missing the fans so much and we need them.”
ART OF CONCENTRATION
Mikel Arteta warned his Arsenal stars they must not let talk of a potential takeover put them off ahead of tonight’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal.
The Spanish boss 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.”
CIECH MATE
Former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny could make a surprise Premier League return with Everton or Chelsea, according to reports.
Juventus are surveying their options in the transfer market in their quest to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The AC Milan goalkeeper, 22, is out of contract at the end of the season with negotiations on an extension progressing slowly.
That has opened the door for long-term admirers Juve, as reported by Tuttosport.
But the Italian would not come cheap given Donnarumma’s wage demands and the hefty fee demanded by agent Mino Raiola.
Therefore the Bianconeri are said to be considering selling Szczesny to raise funds for the deal.
Everton and Chelsea are named as two clubs being offered the goalkeeper for around £17million.
Credit: PA:Empics Sport
THIERR THEM DOWN
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry confirmed he was involved in Daniel Ek’s takeover bid and here’s how it could shape up.
RAF AND READY
Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to join the race for Achraf Hakimi amid interest from Arsenal.
The right-back, 22, has been a key part of Inter Milan’s Serie A title triumph but could still leave the club.
Financial problems at the Giuseppe Meazza have alerted prospective bidders although reports in Italy suggest Hakimi will be fiercely defended in the upcoming market.
Arsenal and Chelsea had both been credited with interest in recent months.
In particular, the Gunners may be seeking a replacement for Hector Bellerin amid reports linking him with Paris Saint-Germain.
But Bundesliga giants Bayern are also on the lookout ahead of Julian Nagelsmann’s arrival.
According to German football reporter Manuel Bonke, the Bavarians are targeting Hakimi although the transfer fee could be a big stumbling block.
Credit: AFP GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has taken responsibility for Arsenal’s miserable season and admits he has fallen short of expectations.
Aubameyang said: “This has been my most difficult season for a few years because I’ve had some issues on and off the pitch and it’s been really tough.
“I know that everyone was expecting me to score more goals so maybe I feel a bit responsible for the situation that we are in right now.
“The criticism hurts but you have to accept it because people were waiting for me when you have done what I have done in the last few years.
“But now we have this opportunity to change our season so maybe this is the biggest game of my Arsenal career so far.”
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta will remain Arsenal boss next season, according to reports.
Eurosport claims Stan Kroenke has no plans to part ways with the Spaniards despite a below-par campaign.
But there is hope Arteta can salvage things by winning the Europa League.
And Kroenke is also said to be ready to back Arteta in the transfer window following backlash from supporters over the Super League.
Finally, 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.
GUNNER BE GOOD
It’s crunch time for Arsenal as they prepare for their Europa League semi against Villarreal.
The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are going to be vital as the Gunners look to battle back from 2-1 down.
With an all-English Champions League final confirmed, and Man United virtually already in the Europa showpiece – can Arsenal make it another home-grown affair?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
