ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with the club that will see him stay at the Emirates until the 2024/25 season.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are in the race to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, according to reports.
And Arsenal have revealed their three kits for the 2022/23 season.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
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How Arsenal could line up against Leeds
Arsenal could name an unchanged side from the team that beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium for Sunday’s clash against Leeds.
The Gunners boosted their chances of Champions League qualification after edging the Hammers to move two points clear of Tottenham in fourth.
But Arsenal were dealt a blow prior to kick-off after Ben White was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Bukayo Saka was then withdrawn late into the second half to spark fears off a possible knock.
Arsenal’s next fixture
Arsenal play Leeds at home NEXT.
Arteta wants to keep best
One of Mikel Arteta’s first objectives after penning a new deal is to retain Arsenal’s best players.
He said: “What we want to do is improve the team, the squad. Obviously, we know there’s not one player who doesn’t have a margin to improve or evolve in this way of playing or his career.
“We want to retain our best players, for sure and we want to add into that, more quality and depth to be competitive.”
Arteta’s contract surprise
Mikel Arteta has revealed when he was offered a new contract by Arsenal’s hierarchy.
He said: “The club offered me the contract on the day we lost three matches.
That day I said ‘chapeau and we go’. That doesn’t happen in football. That’s a part of what they think, the belief they have in myself, the coaching staff and what we’re doing.
“The people that we have now owning and leading this football club.
“I hadn’t seen it, and I just got emotional when I saw it because I thought ‘these guys are serious and these guys are committed, so I’d better push forward’.”
Stay away from Dybala
Paulo Dybala isn’t the answer to Arsenal’s striker issues.
That’s the view of Gunners legend Kevin Campbell who told Football Insider: “If you are coming with an injury record, Arsenal isn’t the place to come.
“It seems that injury problems are always exposed at Arsenal.
“Injuries are part and parcel of the game but I think Arteta and Edu should go younger, quicker and fitter. Dybala isn’t the answer.”
Be on guard
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has ripped into Pep Guardiola for failing to lead Man City to the Champions League final.
Petit said on RMC: “Guardiola was a nervous wreck. He kept hassling Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden.
“He needs to let his players focus on their game. But it was crazy – he was on edge throughout.
“You could see that his assistants sometimes didn’t even dare answer him back.”
Piers questions Arteta contract extension
Piers Morgan has questioned why Arsenal decided to give Mikel Arteta a new contract.
Morgan reckons Arteta needs to achieve something before getting rewarded with a new deal.
He tweeted: “WHAT? Maybe wait until he achieves something? Why is he getting this now?”
Saliba’s Arsenal career examined
Paul Merson has given his theory why William Saliba hasn’t prospered at Arsenal.
Merson said: “There must be a reason he’s been loaned out three times by the club. Was he getting ripped in training?
“I don’t see why he’s still on loan otherwise. Arsenal paid a lot of money for him but I think if anyone offers them their money back they would take it right now.
“It’s almost three years he’s been there now and he can’t get a look in. Maybe Mikel Arteta has watched him train and decided he’s nowhere near ready.”
Arteta’s contract extension ‘means nothing’
Mikel Arteta signing a new contract means nothing as he’ll get sacked for not delivering the goods next season.
That’s the opinion of talkSPORT host Simon Jordan.
Jordan said: “It’s really academic. I felt he earned another year. If Arsenal progress next year, he’ll be in situ.
“If they have a terrible season next year, all that’ll happen is he’ll get more money out of getting sacked. So I think it means very little.”
Champions League football goals
Edu has stressed how important playing Champions League football is to Arsenal’s progress.
He added: “In order to do that, we have to be playing in the Champions League.
“We have to be able to evolve the team, improve our players, improve all departments, generate even more connection with our fans, improve the atmosphere at the Emirates, be able to recruit top, top talent and the best people for this club to drive this project to that level.”
Ed’ing in the right direction
Arsenal transfer supremo Edu reckons Mikel Arteta’s contract extension has come at the ‘perfect time.’
And Edu revealed that he and Arteta now want to take the club to the next level.
Edu said: “I think the timing is perfect.
“I really believe the message will be a big lift to everyone. To the fans, to the club, to the players, to Mikel.”
“We want to take the club to the next level and to compete really with the top teams.”
Arteta in transfer blow
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a blow in his pursuit of Noussair Mazraoui after the Ajax star reportedly “completed” a Bayern Munich medical.
Arsenal were said to be keen on recruiting the out of contract right-back to provide competition to Takehiro Tomiyasu.
But after talks with Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and CEO Oliver Kahn, Mazraoui has decided to link up with the Bundesliga champions.
The 24-year-old has now successfully completed his medical with the club, according to German outlet Bild.
And while he is yet to officially put pen to paper, terms between Bayern and Mazraoui are fully agreed.
An official announcement is expecting in the coming days, forcing Arsenal to pursue alternative targets.
Arteta speaks on Arsenal fans
Arsenal fans are at the core of Mikel Arteta’s decision to extend his contract at the club.
He said: “For me they have been the tsunami of this project.
“For two seasons we haven’t had them, and without them it was impossible to do it.
“So the moment we have had them close to us, and they have sensed and felt that energy and that way of now representing the club to a much deeper level, that’s when a sense of belonging from the fans is natural.
“That’s why everything has clicked in my opinion, to go and perform to the level that we are doing now.”
Arteta’s contract joy
Speaking of his joy, Arteta told Arsenal’s website: “I’m excited, grateful and really, really happy today.
“When I spoke to Josh he could see the club at the same point and he wanted to take the club the way I wanted to do it.
“So everything that he’s said, and that Stan [Kroenke] has said when I’ve been together with both of them, they’ve always delivered.
“We want to take the club to the next level and to compete really with the top teams. In order to do that, we have to be playing in the Champions League.
“We have to be able to evolve the team, improve our players, improve all departments, generate even more connection with our fans, improve the atmosphere at the Emirates, be able to recruit top, top talent and the best people for this club to drive this project to that level.”
Mikel Arteta signs new contract
Mikel Arteta has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal until 2025 with the club on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League.
The 40-year-old, who took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, had been tied down at the Emirates until 2023.
But with Arsenal sitting in fourth spot with four games to go, the club have rewarded him with a bumper new contract.
Thierry Henry named as idol
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been named as one of Man United striker Anthony Elanga’s idols.
The United attacker told Sky Sports: “Thierry Henry is someone who I liked watching when I grew up as well.
“He could play left wing, right-wing, as a striker. He was strong, quick and could finish.
“I still look at his clips today and try to learn something from the way he used to play and try to add it to my game.
“I grew up watching United as well, so the likes of Wayne Rooney and obviously Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Arsenal in Europe
Arsenal had a major presence in Europe last night despite not being in any competition.
Gunners loanees Reiss Nelson who plays for Feyenoord went up against Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba’s who were shipped out to Marseille this season in the Europa Conference League semi-final last night.
Saliba and Guendozi were pictured after the game having a catch up.
And the pairs rendevous was caught by Feyenoord who shared a clip of them speaking on Twitter, with the caption: “A Gunner respects a Gunner.”
Xhak’s got all the chat
There’s a number of vocal stars in Arsenal’s dressing room.
And Granit Xhaka’s the loudest of them all, according to Gunners youngster Kido Taylor-Hart.
He told Football London: “I know some of the younger guys like Bukayo (Saka), Emile (Smith Rowe) and Eddie (Nketiah). They all talk to me.
“There are a few of the older players who are quite vocal. Granit (Xhaka), he likes to talk to the young players a lot.”
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal have confirmed their new home kit will go on sale later this month.
And the Gunners will wear it for the first time on the final match of the campaign against Everton on May 22.
Director Josh Kroenke made the declaration during the Arsenal Fans’ Forum at Highbury House on Tuesday.
The Gunners’ new home jersey will be available to buy from May 19 onwards.
The shirt is inspired by Arsenal’s classic top from the mid-1990s and it includes a polo collar, plus a lightning zig-zag design.
But the North Londoners have shocked fans with a unique colour choice for their kit next season, reports suggest.
Arsenal will adorn their usual red home top, along with a black away jersey but it’s the third kit choice that looks to have stunned fans.
The club allegedly opted for a pink top as their last option, according to FootyHeadlines
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly in pole position to land Barcelona ace Ousmane Dembele in the summer transfer window.
That is according to FourFourTwo, who report that Dembele is keen to join the Gunners.
Manchester United have also expressed interest in signing the forward.
But the North Londoners have already spoken to the France international’s representatives.
Finally, Monaco star and Arsenal transfer target Aurelien Tchouameni prefers a move to the Premier League.
According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Tchouameni’s priority is to play in England.
Di Marzio told wettfreunde: “A lot of clubs in the Premier League are following him. Arsenal, Manchester United to name a few.
“He prefers to play in the Premier League.
“Nowadays the players want to play in the Premier League. He stayed another year in Monaco because he was waiting for the possibility of going to the Premier League.
“I think this could be the summer for him to go”
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal have confirmed their new home kit will go on sale later this month.
And the Gunners will wear it for the first time on the final match of the campaign against Everton on May 22.
Director Josh Kroenke made the declaration during the Arsenal Fans’ Forum at Highbury House on Tuesday.
The Gunners’ new home jersey will be available to buy from May 19 onwards.
The shirt is inspired by Arsenal’s classic top from the mid-1990s and it includes a polo collar, plus a lightning zig-zag design.
But the North Londoners have shocked fans with a unique colour choice for their kit next season, reports suggest.
Arsenal will adorn their usual red home top, along with a black away jersey but it’s the third kit choice that looks to have stunned fans.
The club allegedly opted for a pink top as their last option, according to FootyHeadlines
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly in pole position to land Barcelona ace Ousmane Dembele in the summer transfer window.
That is according to FourFourTwo, who report that Dembele is keen to join the Gunners.
Manchester United have also expressed interest in signing the forward.
But the North Londoners have already spoken to the France international’s representatives.
Finally, Monaco star and Arsenal transfer target Aurelien Tchouameni prefers a move to the Premier League.
According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Tchouameni’s priority is to play in England.
Di Marzio told wettfreunde: “A lot of clubs in the Premier League are following him. Arsenal, Manchester United to name a few.
“He prefers to play in the Premier League.
“Nowadays the players want to play in the Premier League. He stayed another year in Monaco because he was waiting for the possibility of going to the Premier League.
“I think this could be the summer for him to go”
Take your Hick
Arsenal are plotting a transfer swoop for Bologna wonderkid Aaron Hickey.
Hickey has been in stunning form for the Serie A outfit since his arrival in 2020.
According to Football.london, the Gunners are considering the 19-year-old as a summer transfer target after he impressed scouts with his displays.
Manager Mikel Arteta wants to add a versatile left-sided defender to his backline before the start of next season.
The Scotland international operates mainly for Bologna at left full-back and has attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle, Manchester United and Napoli in the past.
However, he is just as comfortable operating down the right flank, making him an attractive option for the North Londoners
Aar your views
Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale has revealed how manager Mikel Arteta tasked him with “shaking up” the changing room when he arrived from Sheffield United.
Ramsdale told That Peter Crouch Podcast: “The phonecalls [from Arteta] after the ball got rolling once the bid had been accepted were instrumental for me.
“It’s not only the phonecalls I had. As soon as I got there he told me to be myself and try and shake the changing room up and be confident”
Tchou and go
Monaco star and Arsenal target Aurelien Tchouameni prefers a move to the Premier League.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Tchouameni’s priority is to play in England.
Di Marzio told wettfreunde: “A lot of clubs in the Premier League are following him. Arsenal, Manchester United to name a few.
“He prefers to play in the Premier League.
“Nowadays the players want to play in the Premier League. He stayed another year in Monaco because he was waiting for the possibility of going to the Premier League.
“I think this could be the summer for him to go”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Arsenal Mik taker
Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale has outed Martin Odegaard and Cedric Soares as manager Mikel Arteta’s two teacher’s pets.
Ramsdale told That Peter Crouch Podcast: “Martin Odegaard is parched. To be fair he was playing for Real Madrid when he was 12.
“I don’t know what they are saying because they speak Spanish. The day after a game he [Arteta] will speak to most people in English.
“Maybe one of the two of the lads who’s English isn’t perfect [he’ll speak to in foreign languages]. But Martin’s English is perfect and he’s speaking Spanish. How parched.”
Ramsdale added: “And I’ll tell you who is another parched. Cedric Soares, he thinks he’s a future Pep [Guardiola]. Brilliant”
Eddie the Eagle
Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah is Crystal Palace’s top striking target, according to SunSport’s Jack Rosser.
PSV Eindhoven star Ibrahim Sangare is also high on Palace manager and Gunners legend Patrick Vieira’s summer wishlist.
Vieira is looking to turn to his former club and Nketiah is a priority as he will be a free agent in June.
Sangare is a defensive midfielder who fits the profile admired by the French tactician as he is someone unafraid of a challenge but composed and competent on the ball
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
