Wilfried Zaha LATEST, Gunners face Emerson Royal transfer battle, Buendia WANTS Arsenal move, Joe Willock updates

NOT CUP FOR IT

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has slammed the idea of staging a World Cup every two years as “completely irrational”.

He told SunSport: “FIFA can do a feasibility study about that but it’s impossible that the World Cup would happen every two years.

“This would, from one point of view, cause a complete disruption of the calendar.

“From the other point of view players would be exposed to injuries if they played a month-long tournament every second summer and will not have time to recover from the long season.

“The idea to have the World Cup every two years is completely irrational.”

BOULD DECISION

Arsenal legend Steve Bould has been SACKED after more than three decades of loyal service.

The Gunners legend has been at the club since 1988 – firstly as a player and then as a coach.

Bould has been working as Under-23s coach since June 2019 after taking over from Freddie Ljungberg.

But has now been given the boot by Arsenal.

It’s believed academy chief Per Mertesacker will take over from Bould, at least for now.

VIEIRA ON DANIEL EK

“I find him to be someone who knows a lot about Arsenal, loves Arsenal and is a true Arsenal fan.

“What Daniel will bring to this table is building the relationship with the fans. Having fans on the board is something that Daniel is prepared to discuss.

“Having the fans understand they are part of what Daniel will try to build is really important.

“In my time, Arsenal was like a family and the Leicester atmosphere is reminding me a lot of Arsenal at that time

“I think Daniel can be the right person to bring back this union that you used to have at this football club between the fans, players and the ownership.”

VIEIRA ON THE KROENKES

For Vieira, Arsenal’s involvement with the failed European Super League project was just one indication of how out of touch the Kroenke regime remains.

He said: “I think that is one of the breaches, not understanding what the fans want and what are the values of this club.

“I think it’s also, how many times did the Kroenkes go to a game to watch Arsenal play?

“How many times did they go to see the players? How many times did they meet with the fans?

“The three Invincibles have never met Stan Kroenke at all during his entire ownership of the football club.

“All these kinds of questions, if you get the answer, it will tell you how big the gap is between the Kroenkes and the fans.”

VIEIRA ON ARSENAL’S IDENTITY

Vieira has told SunSport that Arsenal have lost some of their identity since the glory days of Arsene Wenger and the Invincibles.

He explained: “When you look at Arsenal in the Arsene Wenger era, you always had this kind of figure — a strong personality who could represent the football club.

“You had players like Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon, who had been at the club for years.

“When you got there, those players made you understand the DNA of the football club, what Arsenal really means.

“Through the years, Arsenal has lost a little bit of identity — not just on the field but off the field as well.

“Seeing Arsenal not be one of the teams that can challenge for the Premier League or not be one of the teams guaranteed to play Champions League football is frustrating, because that is not what we are used to with Arsenal Football Club.

“I think the club deserves much better than that.”

EXCLUSIVE BY DAN KING

Patrick Vieira believes a takeover by Daniel Ek would turn Arsenal back into a united family — like Leicester.

He told SunSport: “Seeing Leicester winning the FA Cup and the chairman celebrating with the players reminded me of Arsenal when we were at Highbury.

“It’s really good for the Premier League, and football in general, because that shows that the togetherness and spirit of a club is maybe more important than the money that you have in the bank.

“Leicester showed what a football club should be today — football is still the people’s game and all about the passion. The chairman, the players, the fans . . . you see them as a family.

“When you look at Arsenal in the last couple of years and the gap that exists between the Kroenkes and the fans, and the Kroenkes and the players, that is something that is really difficult in a football club.”

GUILTY PARTEY

Thomas Partey took out an Arsenal coach with a two-footed lunge in training.

Strength and conditioning coach Sam Wilson joined in with the first-team stars in a rondo drill.

And he may wish he hadn’t, after being taken out by Partey.

As the ball fell to the feet of Wilson, the midfielder came flying in, taking no prisoners and knocking the coach over.

NIK HIM

Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic will be available for just £21million this summer, according to reports.

The 23-year-old has been linked with Manchester United and a host of other top European sides, including Arsenal.

According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorentina are willing to sell Milenkovic to the highest bidder this summer.

Previous reports suggested Fiorentina would not sell the centre back for less than £38m.

FINAL BELL

Hector Bellerin may have played his last game for Arsenal.

The Spanish right-back has been ruled out of the Gunners’ final game of the season against Brighton with a knock.

Here’s how Arsenal could look on the pitch tomorrow…

FAN’S VIEW BY DAVE SEAGER

Arsenal’s best ever foreign XI includes SIX Invincibles.

But there is no place for Cesc Fabregas or Santi Cazorla.

And there are ZERO players from today’s current crop!

FROM SUNSPORT’S JUSTIN LAWRENCE

Mana Iwabuchi has revealed that she has left Aston Villa – fuelling rumours of a move to Arsenal.

She said: “Thank you for the great 6 months in the UK. I have decided to leave Aston Villa.

“It was difficult to win many games, but I had gained a lot of experiences, and learnt lot.

“I am grateful that I have met many of great people.

“I wish all the best for future. Thank you for everything and hope to see you soon!”

LU ARE YA?

Arsenal have confirmed David Luiz will leave the club this summer.

And they have paid tribute to the Brazilian defender with an emotional video.

Luiz joined Arsenal two years ago from Chelsea and led them to FA Cup glory over his old side last year.

DON DEAL

Barcelona are ready to cash in on Marc-Andre ter Stegen and replace him with Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to reports.

AS claims Barca now lead the race for Donnarumma, who is out of contract this summer.

The goalie is waiting to see if Milan can finish in the top four on Serie A’s final day before deciding on his future.

Arsenal made an enquiry during Unai Emery’s reign and could yet reignite their interest should Daniel Ek take over the club, with the Spotify chief targeting big names.

FLOR BLIMEY

Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores was handed the opportunity to train with the first team this week.

The 17-year-old has made quite the splash for the club’s Under-18s since joining them from Ipswich in March 2019.

Flores has made a total of 21 appearances for the junior side, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

He penned a new Gunners deal in October and has since been promoted to the U23s.

WHERE THERE’S A WIL

Wilfried Zaha has insisted again he would leave Crystal Palace for a ‘top’ club after reports of interest from Tottenham and Arsenal.

He told The Face: “I feel like I can have another shot at the top teams, because my dream is to win things.

“I’m good enough to go out there and compete with the best.

“If the opportunity came, I wouldn’t turn it down, because I feel like I deserve it. It’s so I can show my kids: ‘This is what daddy won’.”

ARTETA ON IMPRESSIVE FORM

Mikel Arteta spoke about Arsenal’s impressive second half to the Premier League season in his pre-match press conference yesterday.

The Gunners sit second in the form table over the last 23 league matches.

Speaking about his side’s recent record, Arteta said: “Yes, it is very good but the league is played over 38 games.

“But at least it shows that we are able to do it and when we have a little bit more of a normal context, more normal situations, I am very positive about what we can do, but at the end of the day wee are judged on what we have done over the whole season and it is not, for sure, where we want to be.”

GUNNING FOR SUCCESS

Here is a surprising table. Over the second half of the Premier League season, Arsenal sit second in the table.

The only team to have picked up more points in the league since then is champions Manchester City.

CRYSTAL PALACE 1-3 ARSENAL

This was some goal from Arsenal as they scored twice in stoppage time to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Wednesday evening.

ARTETA ON EUROS SUPPORT

Mikel Arteta has revealed he will have both Spain and England flags in his house for the European Championships.

He said: “I would have both! And as well, I’ll be supporting a lot of the players that we have, who will be representing their countries and we want the best for them.”

OH MY SHKOD

Schalke have announced that Shkodran Mustafi will be released at the end of the season after just three months spent with the German side.

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.

Mustafi only agreed a deal until the end of the campaign when he linked up with Schalke, and following their relegation, the club have revealed he will not be offered a new contract.

The centre-back has featured in 12 Bundesliga fixtures, with the club losing eight games in which he has played and have conceded a whopping 30 goals.

ROYAL RUMBLE

Arsenal and Everton are interested in Barcelona right-back Emerson Royal, according to reports.

The Brazilian has spent the last two seasons on loan at Real Betis, as he looks to establish himself in LaLiga.

Emerson, 22, hopes to impress parent club Barca during pre-season, aiming to become their first choice right-back next term

But should he look likely to have to play understudy to Sergino Dest, the former Atletico Mineiro starlet will look elsewhere.

According to Sport, Emerson wouldn’t be short of suitors, with Villarreal and AC Milan both keen.

But they reckon that the player himself prefers the idea of moving to England.

Arsenal are a particularly good fit, especially if Hector Bellerin completes a rumoured move to Paris Saint-Germain.

ARTETA ON THE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta has spoken about the European Conference League, a competition Arsenal could end up in if they finish seventh in the Premier League.

He said: “We have experienced in the last few years how tough being in the Europa League is with the amount of games you play and the short turnaround that you have all the time in the Premier League.

“I think there is a lot of history there with teams that have been involved in the Europa League, and the negative consequences that has in the Premier League positions.

“But we’ve tried to give it the best possible go, we came a little bit short, but this club has to be in Europe.”

AGUERO WAS AN ABSOLUTE JOY – ARTETA

Mikel Arteta has praised Sergio Aguero ahead of his departure from Manchester City at the end of the season.

The Gunners manager was assistant to Pep Guardiola for three years at Manchester City.

Speaking about Aguero, who is set to join Barcelona, he said: “It was an absolute joy to work with him. His character, his personality, he’s a loveable man and then one of the best talents that I’ve seen.

“What he’s done in this league for so long, scoring the amount of goals that he’s done.

“I think he was a player that contributed to change the perception of English football in different countries.

“What he’s done for Manchester City, I think he was a big contributor of changing the history, the mentality and the winning years that they had after that.”

TRAINING DAY

Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores was handed the opportunity to train with the first team this week.

The 17-year-old has made quite the splash for the club’s Under-18s since joining them from Ipswich in March 2019.

Flores has made a total of 21 appearances for the junior side, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

The teenager’s displays saw him rewarded with a starting berth in the Under-23s’ clash with Crawley Town last October.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has seemingly been impressed by what he’s seen of the youngster, inviting him to get a week’s worth of training in with the club’s star players.

Flores penned a professional contract with Arsenal last October.

ARTETA SUMS UP SEASON

Mikel Arteta has given his thoughts on Arsenal’s disappointing 2020-21 campaign ahead of their final Premier League game of the season against Brighton on Sunday.

He said: “Well if you are saying it’s a step back because we haven’t won a title, then it has to be related.

“In the league we have two more points than last season, but it’s nowhere near where we want to be.

“The fact that we don’t have a title so close to grab because we’re not in the Europa League final makes it difficult to see more positives.

“But we were knocked out in the last-16 of the Europa League last season and a lot of things have been done that were very necessary in this season that are not related to results. But at the end of the day, we are here to win.”