Arsenal ‘explore’ Sterling transfer, Gunners ‘confident’ on Tielemans signing, Elneny and Nketiah contract UPDATES

Ben White boost for Arsenal

Arsenal have received a huge boost ahead of their match against Tottenham this week.

The Gunners will welcome Ben White back into the team, an optimistic Mikel Arteta revealed.

Arteta said when asked about White’s possible return: “I think so.

“He’s been starting to do a little bit of work now on the pitch and we want everybody available because we know that game is so important.”

Arsenal in Martinez transfer boost

Cash-strapped Inter Milan will consider a £51million transfer offer for Lautaro Martinez, according to reports.

And that could pave the way for Arsenal and Tottenham to swoop for the forward.

The Argentine, 24, has repeatedly insisted he is “happy” at the San Siro and wants to stay with the club he joined in 2018.

He has scored 19 times in 23 league games this season and still has four years left to run on his current Inter contract.

But according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A reigning champs are in deep financial mess.

Therefore the chance to receive a major cash injection could force the club to accept an offer.

Arsenal fans chip price shock

Football fans have been left in disbelief after an Arsenal supporter showed off a portion of chips that cost them almost £13.

Fans of the club have admitted they are “embarrassed” by the price of a box of Chilli cheese fries.

And while the look of the dish did wet the appetite, social media users were left recoiling when they discovered it would have set them back a whopping £12.60.

The picture, posted to Twitter by account FootyScran, showed that the fries came topped with meat, spring onions, and cheese.

But there was widespread outrage at the sky-high price of the dish as fans felt the effects of the cost of living crisis.

One joked: “Some chips with garnish, you have to sell one kidney to pay the bill.”

New Arsenal club anthem

Arsenal appear to have a new club anthem to help cheer them on in their pursuit of a Champions League return.

Gunners supporters sang ‘North London Forever’ at the Emirates as their side beat Leeds 2-1 on Sunday to strengthen their grip on a top-four Prem finish.

The words have been tweaked to fit the club, but it is based on a song called ‘The Angel’, which is written and performed by local Gunners fan, and son of actress Linda Robson, Louis Dunford.

Arsenal’s gesture for ill fan

Arsenal helped make a terminally ill fan’s day with some lovely gestures ahead of their win over Leeds on Sunday.

Gunners supporter Tawanda Chamunorwa, 26, has been bravely battling a rare type of reoccurring brain tumor for eight years.

The club gave him a shirt signed by the squad and arranged for him be seated in a box to watch his side keep their Champions League push on track with a 2-1 win over the Whites.

Neville tips Spurs derby win

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has tipped Tottenham to beat Arsenal in Thursday’s crunch derby.

The fourth-placed Gunners go to their big rivals looking to extend their four-point lead over fifth-placed Spurs.

The final three games will decide which of the two clubs will claim the final Champions League qualification spot.

Neville said on his podcast: “Look, it’s Arsenal’s to lose but Tottenham on Thursday night, that will be hard for Arsenal.

“If they come out of there with a draw or a victory they’ll have done very well with the feeling that will be in that stadium against them.

“It’s a big game, I’m looking forward to it. I fancy Tottenham on Thursday night.”

Arsenal boost in Jovic pursuit

Arsenal have had some good news on target Luka Jovic with reports Real Madrid will put him on their transfer list.

The striker, 24, arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 for £52million but the move has not worked out as he has netted just three goals in 50 appearances.

The Gunners have been tracking the Serb for a while, and according to Mundo Deportivo his time at the Bernabeu is coming to an end.

Arsenal bookies’ favourties for Tielemans

Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Leicester central midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to Sky Bet.

The bookies have priced the Gunners at 2/1 to snap up the 25-year-old Belgium star.

Manchester United are next in the running at 4/1, with title chasing duo Manchester City and Liverpool both quoted at 7/1.

Tielemans has a year left on his Foxes deal and that could see him sold this summer rather than departing on a free next year.

Gunners ‘explore’ Sterling summer transfer

Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Manchester City star Raheem Sterling this summer, according to The Telegraph.

The England winger, 27, is about to enter the final year of his deal and that could pave the way for former City coach and current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to make a move for him.

The report says Arteta would be “willing to make Sterling the focal point of the Gunners’ attack” next term.

Elneny’s new deal offer

Arsenal hope Mohamed Elneny will sign a new deal with them, according to The Athletic.

The Eygpt midfielder, 29, has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot since joining from Basel in 2016.

But his improved form in a Gunners side bidding for a top-four Prem finish this season has persuaded the club to try and tie him down.

Elneny was recalled for the victory at Chelsea last month and has played every minute since in wins over Manchester United, West Ham and yesterday’s 2-1 triumph against Leeds.

Gunners ‘renew interest in Arthur’

Arsenal have re-ignited their interest in signing Juventus midfielder Arthur, according to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato.

But a sticking point could be that Juve value their Brazil star at £34million, while the Gunners want to do business for about £21m.

Is Nketiah Arsenal’s future?

Eddie Nketiah has had a mixed start to his Arsenal career – but he is starting to look the real deal now.

The 22-year-old striker joined the Gunners’ youth ranks from Chelsea five years ago and had a loan spell at Leeds three years ago.

The London-born star has had to wait for a first-team run but his match-winning brace against Leeds yesterday brought his term’s goal tally to nine and suggests he may be ready to be their main attacker.

Nketiah is out of contract at the end of the season and reportedly already rejected two deal extension offers so it will be interesting to see if Arsenal pull out the stops to keep him.

Albert’s pop at Pepe

Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg delivered a ticking off to Nicolas Pepe following the 2-1 win against Leeds after failing to capitalise on an open goal.

The Ivorian winger came on as a second half substitute for Bukayo Saka in Sunday’s victory at the Emirates, but failed to make an impact.

Though he could have relieved the pressure in North London by scoring late on after Leeds goalkeeper Islan Meslier went up for a corner.

Arsenal defended the set piece, with Pepe picking up the loose ball and darting to the half-way line where it looked as though he would score into an empty net.

But he bizarrely decided to cut in on his stronger left foot instead of taking a shot with his right or even running with the ball for longer.

That allowed Daniel James to make an all-important tackle to stop the Gunners counter, with Leeds then able to keep the pressure on in their quest for an equaliser.

Thankfully for Pepe, the Whites couldn’t get back on level terms, though that didn’t stop Stuivenberg from giving the ex-Lille man an animated rundown on the pitch.

Mikel Arteta played down the exchange between the pair in his post-match press conference, though he did state he was equally as confused by the forward’s decision making.

He said: “When you see that he’s got an empty net in front of him and he’s taking a touch backwards, we cannot really understand.

“But you have to have the perception of the player in that moment, they are the ones that make the decision.

“And fortunately we didn’t need that goal.”

Arteta: We suffered too much

Mikel Arteta was disappointed at how Arsenal made themselves suffer in a 2-1 win over ten-man Leeds.

Eddie Nketiah struck twice before Luke Ayling’s rash card – but Diego Llorente’s 66th minute reply set up a nervy finale.

Gunners boss Arteta told Sky Sports: “We started really well with the right determination, attitude, quality.

“We didn’t allow them to breathe. We created chance after chance.

“Then after the sending off, we should have scored the third goal. So at the end, we suffered much more than we needed to.”

Your coming for £40m

Arsenal are closing in on a £40million deal for Leicester star Youri Tielemans.

But Real Madrid would be waiting to pounce on the Belgian midfielder should the Gunners fail to qualify for the Champions League.

However there is growing confidence from the player’s camp and the Emirates club that Tielemans will be an Arsenal player next season.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta wants to boost the quality and depth of his midfield options this summer.

Tielemans would be an upgrade on both Granit Xhaka, whose future at the Emirates is uncertain, and Mohamed Elneny, with his contract expiring this summer.

Leicester are all but resigned to selling the man whose goal won them the FA Cup last season.

‘Odegaard has doubled value to £60m’

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith reckons Martin Odegaard’s masterclass in the 2-1 win over Leeds puts him in the £60million bracket.

The attacking midfielder, 23, cost half that sum when making his loan switch from Real Madrid permanent in August 2021.

And ex-England ace Smith told Sky Sports Premier League: “What a signing he was! £30 million.

“They could double the money easily now for Odegaard.”

Koul should be hot Chelsea target

Ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba believes Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly should be a priority target under incoming owner Todd Boehly.

Area Napoli claim Koulibaly’s agent Fali Ramadani has offered the £30million-rated Senegal star to the Blues.

Barceloan are also said to be keen on the 30-year-old, who has previously been linked to Manchester United

Area Napoli suggest Ramadani reckons Chelsea offer Koulibaly the best combination of pay packet and Champions League football.

And asked if Chelsea should step up their Koulibaly hunt, Ba said: “One hundred per cent. One thousand per cent.

“He has that stature. He can support pressure, bear in mind he plays for Senegal and plays for Napoli. 

“He can handle the pressure. He’s good as a football player and a top lad.”

Not Edding out?

Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah gave a subtle hint he could be willing to stay after today’s match-winning double against Leeds.

The 22-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move away from the Emirates.

But he has started the last five Premier League games, scoring four goals and keeping club captain Alexandre Lacazette on the bench.

His brace against Leeds sent Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of Spurs in the race for the top four as they edged out a 2-1 victory.

Nketiah’s recent form has led many to speculate that he could be open to staying beyond the end of the season.

And when asked if performances like the one against Leeds make him want to stay, he told Sky Sports: “It’s a great atmosphere throughout the whole season, it’s been excellent.

“You really feel the connection between the players and the fans, it’s amazing to be involved.”

Nketiah was then quizzed on his opportunities in the team.

To which he replied: “Any player just wants to be playing and get the opportunities.

“I’ve worked hard throughout the season to make sure that I was ready when I get my chance and credit to my team-mates for helping me play and do well. I’m just happy in the team and helping.”

Keep it undie wraps

Dan James stuffed a Jesse Marsch note into his shorts after receiving instructions from the Leeds manager, writes KEALAN HUGHES.

With just ten minutes left on the clock and his side trailing 2-1 the American took drastic action.

He passed a note to James who gave the piece of paper a quick read before putting it down his shorts for safekeeping.

Minutes later the note resurfaced as James handed it to his captain Kalvin Phillips.

The England international took time to take on board the information as Leeds waited at a set-piece.

But it was not enough to turn the game around despite Leeds fighting valiantly for an equaliser.

Rodrigo had a chance with a late header in added time did not make enough contact with the ball to trouble Aaron Ramsdale.

Leeds fans joked and speculated about what Marsch might have written on the note.

One supporter tweeted: “Says never mind mate, there’s always panto season for you.”

Another added: “Happy meal for you if you pull us level?”

And a third said: “‘You’re already a better right-back than Ayling, keep it up’ – JM.”

Leipzig fight to keep Arsenal target Nkunku

RB Leipzig will fight to keep Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal target Christopher Nkunku.

That’s the claim this evening as AC Milan, Bayern Munich and former club Paris Saint-Germain also eye the France midfielder, 24.

Despite  L’Equipe suggesting last week that Nkunku has privately revealed he is interested in moving on this summer, reports today insist Leipzig believe they can keep him.

Publicly at least, the twice-capped star says he is happy in Germany and could stay for the final two years of his contract.

Arsenal verdict: Spurred on for showdown

ARSENAL 2 LEEDS 1: Another one successfully ticked off the list for Mikel Arteta’s young guns, writes GIACOMO PISA.

Now all that’s left to do is win Thursday night’s north London derby and Champions League football will be secured for the first time since 2016-17.

It will be no easy task though, proven by Antonio Conte’s side stealing a point against Liverpool on Saturday night.

But the thought of clinching Champions League qualification against the Gunners’ most bitter rivals is all the motivation Arteta and his side need.

And after spending the entire season in a battle for fourth-place, Arsenal could somehow end up miraculously ending the season in third place.

A 2-1 win at home to Jesse Marsch’s Leeds saw the Gunners extend the gap over Tottenham to four points, while cutting the deficit to Chelsea to a single point.

The narrow defeat flattered the visitors – Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka all wasted good chances to add to Eddie Nketiah’s early double.

CLICK HERE FOR GIACOMO’S FULL MATCH VERDICT

Arsenal sub ratings

Nicolas Pele (On for Saka – 68 mins) – 4

Given a decent enough run out by Arteta, but failed to impact the game at all when after he was introduced.

Guilty of losing the ball in promising occasions a number of times.

Emile Smith Rowe (On for Martinelli – 78 mins) – 5

The same can be said for Smith Rowe, who has now fallen behind Martinelli in the pecking order at the Emirates.

Alexandre Lacazette (On for Nketiah – 90 mins) – N/A

Rest of the starting XI ratings

Gabriel Martinelli – 8

Possesses an incredible ability to the ball glued to his feet while defenders bounce off him.

Assisted Nketiah’s second goal with a perfect cut-back, and was also fortunate to escape from Ayling’s wild red card two-footed challenge without injury.

But he was let down by his finishing, and should have scored twice. Fired over Ilan Meslier’s crossbar when put through one-vs-one, before skewing a volley horribly wide moments later after it sat kindly for him.

Eddie Nketiah – 9

Summed up his hunger to score goals inside the opening five minutes, chasing down Ilan Meslier to tackle the goalkeeper and score.

Showed his striker’s instinct to score the second too. Didn’t celebrate the first upon netting against his old team, but had no problems celebrating when he doubled the score.