Smith Rowe to Villa ‘£25m bid REJECTED’, Arsenal face Brentford in first fixture, Maddison transfer, Ramsdale EXCLUSIVE

ARSENAL’S FIRST SIX

The Gunners won’t start their Premier League campaign at the Emirates – but they won’t be far away from home.

Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Brentford in their game of the new season.

Here are Arsenal’s first six Prem fixtures (subject to change)…

• Brentford (A) – August 14 – 3pm
• Chelsea (H) – August 21 – 3pm
• Manchester City (A) – August 28 – 3pm
• Norwich City (H) – September 11 – 3pm
• Burnley (A) – September 18 – 3pm
• Tottenham (H) – September 25 – 3pm

ARSENAL’S WHITE INTEREST ‘UNDIMINISHED’

According to The Athletic, Arsenal’s interested in Ben White remains ‘undiminished’ – despite Brighton reportedly rejecting a £40million offer for the defender.

Expect to see the Gunners return with another bid in the coming days.

BRIGHT IDEA

Brighton have reportedly rejected a £40million bid from Arsenal for defender Ben White.

Sky Sports claims the Gunners launched their ambitious offer on Wednesday for Graham Potter’s England star.

But Brighton rejected the offer after reportedly slapping White with a £50m price-tag following his Euros call-up.

However, it’s added that Arsenal remain undeterred and are expected to return with an improved offer.

MORE ON SMITH ROWE

Arsenal have rejected a £25million offer from Aston Villa for Emile Smith Rowe.

The 20-year-old has burst onto the scene this season with the North London side but is currently discussing a new contract with the club.

His current deal runs in June 2023 – and Villa were hoping to pounce on the uncertainty over his future.

They submitted their bid to Arsenal earlier, however, Mikel Arteta’s side instantly rejected it.

Negotiations over an extension began in April with Arteta keen to secure his long-term future as swiftly as possible.

Smith Rowe is a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy and joined them aged 10.

ROWE YOUR BOAT

Arsenal have batted away Aston Villa’s efforts to land Emile Smith Rowe on the cheap with the Gunners still trying to secure the youngster’s future.

PRE-SEASON BREAK

England’s Prem stars – including Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka – will get a two-week break next season – although not an official one.

But overseas players from outside Europe face a globe-trotting fortnight while team-mates have their feet up.

The FA and Prem agreed to a three-season trial of the “mid season player break” starting in February 2020.

But the impact of the pandemic on last season’s congested fixtures meant the trial was temporarily abandoned – and there is no return of the “split” fixtures for the 2021-22 campaign.

Instead, the new fixtures list showed consecutive weekends at the end of January and beginning of February without Prem games.

That is partly because the FA Cup fourth round will take place on the weekend of February 5th and 6th.

But with Fifa having squeezed in a series of catch-up World Cup qualifiers in Africa, Asia, South America, Concacaf and Oceania for the last week of January, it meant no Prem games were possible for January 29.

With League matches due on the weekend of January 22 and then again in the midweek starting Tuesday February 8, it could see a number of Gareth Southgate’s squad having as much as 17 days off if they are rested for the FA Cup tie.

Other Europeans will also be able to take advantage of the rest.

But the likes of Egypt’s Mo Salah, Korea’s Heung-min Son and Brazilians Ederson, Alisson and Richarlison will all be expected to head back to their home continents to play two or three 2022 qualifiers before returning to the UK.

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

ITV are thumping BBC in the battle of the Euro 2020 broadcasters having shown more than DOUBLE the number of goals.

Both broadcasters have shown six games apiece with the first round of group-stage fixtures in the books.

While the six games on the Beeb have seen just nine goals shown – just 1.5 per game – ITV viewers have been treated to 19.

That’s a staggering 3.2 goals per game.

While the BBC has endured goal-shy matches such as England’s 1-0 win over Croatia and Spain’s 0-0 draw with Sweden, ITV have seen net-busters galore.

In just six games, they have already shown Holland’s thrilling 3-2 win over Ukraine and Austria’s 3-1 victory over North Macedonia.

LOK-ED INTO NEGOTIATIONS

Arsenal saw an opening offer of £13.5m rejected by Anderlecht for midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The Belgian team are believed to be looking for a sum of £18m and Arsenal fall £4.5m short of the valuation.

The Daily Mail are, however, reporting that there is confidence that a deal can be made.

And with the two teams not far apart, a deal is ver possible.

BEE SEASON

Ivan Toney will have a ‘very difficult choice to make’ if Arsenal make a move for the Brentford striker this summer.

Former Bees hero Sam Sodje told All Nigeria Soccer: “There’s a time I was in that position where you play for Brentford and big clubs come for you.

“Brentford have gone up, Toney had a great season so this might be the opportunity to play for a top of the Premier League club.

“But at the same time you want him to play games in the Premier League so he has to go to a club or stay at Brentford where he’ll get games in the Premier League.

“When it comes to individual goals, it’s not every day you get the opportunity to play for Arsenal, Manchester United or the big clubs, so it is a very difficult choice to make.

“There are two things, either you stay at Brentford, play every game or take the opportunity to play for a big club.”

MAD FOR HIM

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a shock move for Leicester playmaker James Maddison as a replacement for Martin Odegaard.

Mikel Arteta had been keen to permanently sign the Norway international, but it is understood he will be remaining at Real Madrid.

And the Gunners then lost out to Aston Villa in the race to prise Emiliano Buedia away from Norwich.

But according to reputable news source The AFC Bell, the North London giants have England midfielder Maddison in their sights.

They state that the 24-year-old has emerged as a key target and a move to the Emirates cannot be ruled out this transfer window.

And Football.London journalist Chris Wheatley has confirmed that the ex-Canaries ace is indeed being monitored by Arsenal.

He even suggested that Chelsea could join the race to sign him should Hakim Ziyech depart Stamford Bridge after just one year.

EUR THE BEST

England stars Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho both make the most valuable Euro 2020 XI – but NO Arsenal players make the cut.

Sancho – a summer transfer target for Manchester United – is currently worth a sensational £86m.

Dortmund are looking to recoup that to the final penny, with United’s first bid of the year £11m short, at £75m.

But his £86m tag is enough for Sancho to make it into the Euro 2020 most valuable team worth €1.04BILLION (£890m) at right midfield.

On the opposite wing, France star Kylian Mbappe is the priciest star, valued at £137m.

The rest of the midfield is made up of Belgium star Kevin de Bruyne (£86m), Germany ace Joshua Kimmich and Holland’s Frenkie de Jong (both £77m).

BERND ON A BIKE

One of many Arsenal players in action at Euro 2020 this summer…

TIER JERKER

Kieran Tierney has returned to training for Scotland ahead of Friday’s Euro 2020 match against England.

Tierney picked up a knock in training before their opening game with the Czech Republic, so he sat out of the 2-0 loss.

However, the Arsenal star seems to be nearing full fitness ahead of a major clash for his country.

And that works as a major boost for Steve Clarke as he will need all the firepower he can get down the left flank.

RAM RAID

Exclusive by Charlie Wyett: Aaron Ramsdale is a shock target for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

The Sheffield United keeper, 23, was yesterday called up into the England 2020 squad as a replacement for injured Dean Henderson.

And Ramsdale is a surprise name on Arsenal’s summer wanted list.

However, the recently-relegated Blades want around £20million for their star stopper.

Emirates boss Arteta has a major goalkeeper issue with the future of Bernd Leno unclear as he could be returning to Germany.

Brighton’s Mat Ryan spent the second half of last season on loan in North London but looks unlikely to return to Arsenal.

MAAD FOR HIM

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.

Football.London claim the England international was ‘certainly’ a target for the Gunners.

Arsenal are known to be looking for a number 10, with Martin Odegaard looking unlikely to return to the club on a permanent deal.

BEE SEASON

For a second successive season the Gunners are facing a newly-promoted team from London on the opening day.

GET YOUR FIX

The 2021/22 Premier League fixtures have been ANNOUNCED!

And the Gunners open up against Brentford…

KEEP YOUR HAIR ON

Granit Xhaka going for the Phil Foden look at Euro 2020…

NA YOU’RE TALKING

Arsenal target Andre Onana is receiving more interest from around Europe after his doping ban was reduced from 12 months to nine, according to reports.

The Cameroonian star has not played for Ajax since February, after testing positive for banned substance Furosemide.

He appears to have played his last game for the Dutch champions, as they look to sell him with just a year remaining on his contract.

Arsenal are a front-runner to sign the highly-rated 25-year-old.

But they are not alone.

According to Goal, Onana is receiving plenty of interest from France, as well as an approach from one of the Gunners’ fellow top eight Premier League clubs.

Interest has increased since Onana’s doping ban was reduced on appeal.

SAK THAT

Bukayo Saka showed off his goal-scoring ability during England training, ahead of Friday’s huge clash against Scotland.

LOK-ED INTO NEGOTIATIONS

Arsenal saw an opening offer of £13.5m rejected by Anderlecht for midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The Belgian team are believed to be looking for a sum of £18m and Arsenal fall £4.5m short of the valuation.

The Daily Mail are, however, reporting that there is confidence that a deal can be made.

And with the two teams not far apart, a deal is ver possible.

KEY DATES

The Premier League fixtures are due to be released today at 9am and Arsenal will find out who they kick off the 2021-22 Premier League season against!

Make sure you stick around and we’ll bring you all of Arsenal’s league fixtures as soon as they’re out.

GOOD MORNING GOONERS

Arsenal have had an opening bid of £12million rejected for Anderlecht ace Albert Sambi Lokonga.

That is according to HLN, who claim the Gunners have seen their opening bid turned down by the Belgian outfit.

Midfielder Lokonga is one of Anderlecht’s standout performers despite being just 21 years old.

And with both Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi set to leave this summer, manager Mikel Arteta is looking for someone to partner up with Thomas Partey in midfield.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Leicester star James Maddison ahead of next season.

According to Football London, Arteta has been a long-term admirer of Maddison.

However, the star midfielder’s asking price poses as a major issue for the north Londoners.

Plus, Arsenal may have to battle with Chelsea, who will move for the 24-year-old if they lose Hakim Ziyech in the summer transfer window.

And Martin Odegaard is set to stay at Real Madrid after his recent loan spell at Arsenal.

That is according to The Athletic, who claim Odegaard wishes to play with Real next season.

And that is because the attacking midfielder feels more confident at the Santiago Bernabeu now that Carlo Ancelotti has taken over.

That means Arteta may have to look for another No10, with Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek being touted as a potential target.

Speaking of which, Arsenal have contacted Van de Beek’s representatives.

That is according to 90Min, who claim that the Gunners have touched base with the Netherlands international’s people as they are interested in bringing him to the Emirates.

United could be willing to let the attacking midfielder go after a hapless season at Old Trafford that saw him spending most of his time on the bench.

GREM ON

Arsenal have been keeping tabs on three Gremio players during the summer transfer window.

According to Futebol Guaiba, those are Vanderson, Ferreira and Ricardinho Viana.

However, the Gunners are not the only ones keeping them in their sights.

The Gremio trio are also being targeted by Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan as well

PAUL-ING OUT

Recent reports suggested that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Udinese star Rodrigo de Paul.

However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims the Gunners never contacted the Serie A outfit regarding De Paul.

Romano added that the midfielder is set to join Atletico Madrid following a €35million (£30m) deal.

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