ARSENAL lost 3-0 in their huge North London derby clash with Tottenham on Thursday night.
The Gunners have put themselves under huge pressure heading into the final two games of the season, as they sit just one point above Spurs in the race for a Champions League spot.
And failure to reach Europe’s elite club competition could dent their hopes of securing key summer signings such as Gabriel Jesus of Man City.
The Gunners have reportedly submitted a £43m bid to lure the Brazilian to the Emirates this summer.
Meanwhile, Arthur’s agent says the midfielder was close to leaving Juventus for Arsenal in January and would be open to a move this summer.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY
Dybala’s agent in London
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com via Football Italia, the agent of Juventus star Paulo Dybala is in London.
Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea have all be rumoured to be interested in the attacker previously,
The 28-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season.
Arsenal join race for £42.5million rated teenager
The Gunners have joined Wolves in the hunt for Brazilian teenage winger Marquinhos.
The 19-year-old plays for Sao Paolo in Brazil and technical director Edu seems to be using his links to his homeland once again just as he did to sign a then unknown Gabriel Martinelli.
The interest in Marquinhos draws parallels to Martinelli as he is also a winger that can play off the striker.
The race for top four
Premier League table
4th – Arsenal: 66 points
5th – Spurs: 65 points
Fixtures
Arsenal: Newcastle (A) and Everton (H)
Spurs: Burnley (H), Norwich (A)
Arsenal second favourites to sign Calvert-Lewin
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has had a difficult season as he battles with injury.
However, the Englishman could be on the move this summer with Newcastle favourites to sign him at 7/4.
Arsenal are also in the mix at 9/4 just in front of West Ham and Manchester United.
Credit: Getty Sinclair blames Arteta for derby collpase
Former England winger now pundit Trevor Sinclair has shockingly blamed Mikel Arteta for the 3-0 defeat to Spurs.
Sinclair believes the manager is to blame for the lack of discipline shown.
He told talkSPORT: “I struggle to be able to defend how they’ve gone into that game.
“Six red cards this season – Gabriel, Xhaka, Martinelli, Holding – the list goes on. Every time they go into a big game, they have head loss.
“For me, it’s not one individual player, it has to come from the manager. He’s agitated, he’s animated on the side.”
Neville says Arsenal won’t get top four
Man Utd legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has claimed Arsenal will miss out on a top four finish after losing to Spurs 3-0.
Neville claimed that Arsenal “capitulated” and he now backs Tottenham to qualify for Champions League football.
He told his podcast: “You’d want Tottenham’s games.
“I think Tottenham will beat Burnley and Arsenal will have to win their last two matches – but I’m not sure they will.
“Tonight was a really big blow – I might be wrong and I’m neutral between these two clubs – but I do feel now if I had to put money on it, it would be on Tottenham”
Supercomputer predicts final Premier League table
Following the North London derby defeat, the battle for top four could go right down to the wire.
And according to data from FiveThirtyEight, they predict Arsenal will get 4th place.
They believe both sides will end on 70 points and the Gunners will get it on goal difference.
They also suggest that Mikel Arteta’s men have a 54 per cent chance meanwhile Spurs have a 46 per cent chance of securing Champions League football for next season.
Ramsdale and Saka nominated for Young Player of the Season
Arsenal duo Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka have been nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award.
Saka has been nominated for the main Player of the Season trophy too.
Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher, Tyrick Mitchell, Mason Mount and Declan Rice are the other up for the award.
Keown looking silly
Arsenal legend Martin Kewon has been left red faced after tipping the Gunners to beat Spurs in the crucial North London derby.
He predicted 2-1 to Arsenal.
Keown said: “Tottenham are dangerous and have become so much more difficult to beat under Conte.
“Their front three is different class, and I’ve been immensely impressed by their new signings, Kulusevski and Bentancur.
“But I believe this will finish 2-1 to Arsenal, with the confident Nketiah bagging the winner.”
His positivity has backfired.
Arsenal want the ‘next Martinez’
The Gunners are keen on Racing star Charly Alcaraz who has already been named the ‘next Lautaro Martinez’.
Spanish outlet Marca report that nine clubs are set to battle for the 19-year-old’s signature.
Alongside Arsenal, the teams that are ready to bid are Spurs, Wolves, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Juventus, Inter and AC Milan.
Alcaraz has a contract until 2026 but there is a release clause of £20.5million.
Saka nominated for Player of the Season
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been nominated for the Premier League’s Player of the Season award.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding season scoring 11 times in the league as the Gunners go for a top four finish.
He has been nominated along with Joao Cancelo, Kevin De Bruyne, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrod Bowen, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-Min and James Ward Prowse.
Wright makes Holding claim
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that Rob Holding was “terrified” of Son Heung-Min in last night’s North London Derby.
Holding was sent off after 33 minutes after fouling to South Korean numerous times.
Wright said: “Rob Holding is terrified of Son’s pace. In each instance, we are seeing Holding trying to win the ball.
“You can’t afford to go down to ten men.
“He has got no complaints [for the red card]. That right side has been a problem for us.
“It has been a mismatch. You can see how uncomfortable Holding was.
“In the end, the way he has been sent off, he has no defence of himself there.”
Conte launches attack on Arteta
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has launched an incredible attack on Mikel Arteta after his side beat Arsenal 3-0.
The Spaniard was left raging as a result of refereeing decisions.
But Conte speaking to Sky Sports post-match said: “(Arteta) has to be focused more on his team and not complaining.
“He has just started his work. He has to be calm… To listen to a coach complaining a lot of times is not good.”
Arsenal leading the hunt for Osimhen
Italian media are reporting that Arsenal are the side most interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
It has been reported that it could take a bid of around £85million to get him away from Napoli.
He has scored 17 goals this season.
Man Utd are also keen on him.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal – Player Ratings – Part Three.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6/10
Began brightly down the left and had Emerson Royal for the taking, and perhaps should have unleashed a shot early on to test Hugo Lloris.
Became increasingly frustrated as the game wore on and it showed in his end product.
Eddie Nketiah 6/10
Looked to have Tottenham’s back three on edge but failed to influence the game in any real capacity soon after – not that he can be blamed for that.
But he did lose Kane at the far post at a corner that allowed the Spurs striker to score.
Subs:
Emile Smith Rowe – 6/10
Came on in the 63rd minute. Had the impossible task of getting Arsenal back into this game only to see his time on the ball starved.
Alexandre Lacazette – 5/10
Subbed on after 73 minutes. Provided a focal point up top at least, but barely did anything worth noting.
Nuno Tavares – 5/10
Came on in the 75th minute. The damage was already done especially with him replacing Gabriel after his injury.
Credit: Alamy
Arsenal Player Ratings
Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal – Player Ratings – Part Two.
Mohamed Elneny – 6/10
Was tasked with keeping Kane at bay and did well for the opening 20 minutes until Arsenal went down to ten men.
Granit Xhaka – 6/10
Attempted to marshal the troops after the red card but was mostly chasing shadows alongside his team-mates.
Martin Odegaard – 7/10
The Norwegian’s press pushed the Gunners up the pitch well in the first few minutes and looked to be dictating the game.
Was arguably their best player and the only one to leave Tottenham’s ground with any satisfaction as he had a late effort well stopped by Lloris.
Bukayo Saka – 6/10
Was running riot in the first couple of minutes and looked a real threat. Even down to ten men he led the line albeit with no real success.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal – Player Ratings – Part One.
The Gunners were dealt a huge blow in their race for Champions League qualification as Spurs ran riot with a one man advantage.
Aaron Ramsdale – 7/10
Nothing he could do about the penalty, up against one of the best 12-yard takers in world football.
Neither could he be blamed for the other two goals with the mess that was in front of him, and made decent stops to deny Emerson and Kane.
Cedric Soares- 4/10
Gave away the penalty with a shove on Son in the box that was not needed. Tried to make up for it with a few lung-busting runs to keep up with Kane.
Yet it was that penalty that sparked the capitulation for Arsenal.
Rob Holding 1/10
Got into a few niggly tussles with Son Heung-min and his ego of wanting to knock the Spurs forward off the ball earned him an unnecessary early yellow card.
He then completely lost the plot after a needless off the ball collision with Son earned him a 34th minute red card.
Gabriel 5/10
Hardly Arsenal’s worst defender of the night but was caught short on a few occasions and let Harry Kane nutmeg him more than once.
Ended his night on a sour note after hobbling off with an injury.
Takehrio Tomiyasu 6/10
Forced to play in an unnatural left-back role with Kieran Tierney missing.
He did little wrong and filled in at centre back after Rob Holding’s red card.
Credit: Getty Worst defeat against Tottenham in 39 years
It was a disappointing night for the Gunners losing to North London rivals Spurs 3-0.
It was the first time in the Premier League era that Tottenham beat Arsenal by three or more goals.
Arsenal haven’t lost the derby by such a margin since 5-0 loss back in 1983.
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal’s Champions League hopes have been dealt a huge blow by Tottenham.
Spurs inflicted a 3-0 loss on their London rivals in the tense Prem clash.
A Harry Kane double, along with a strike by Son was enough to give the home side a win.
Kane’s first goal was a penalty and he revealed that analysing Gunners keeper Aaron Ramsdale in England training helped him pick the right spot.
The Gunners are now just one point ahead of Tottenham with two games to go.
Arsenal’s cause wasn’t helped by defender Rob Holding who was sent off early on in the game after receiving two yellow cards for consecutive fouls on Spurs star Son Heung-min.
It’s safe to say Arteta didn’t agree with the ref’s decision to send off Holding.
The Spaniard claimed he’d be suspended for SIX MONTHS if he gave his opinion on referee Paul Tierney’s choices in the match.
Arteta fumed in his post-match interview: “If I say what I think I’ll be suspended for six months. Such a beautiful game was destroyed today.”
Holding’s dismissal, along with a hamstring injury to centre-back Gabriel Maghalaes, means Arsenal will likely have to field a make-shift defence for the rest of the season.
Elsewhere, the Gunners are eyeing Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin if they miss out on Manchester City ace Gabriel Jesus.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Gunners are lining up a new striker this summer.
And City slicker Jesus is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s list.
But the Spaniard is also prepared to go in for Calvert-Lewin should Pep Guardiola block Jesus’ exit.
However, Arsenal have submitted a £43million bid for Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus.
That is according to GOAL, who report that an offer has been “formalised” and that negotiations are “close to an end”.
Meanwhile, Arsenal ace Reiss Nelson will hold talks with manager Mikel Arteta over his Emirates future as Feyenoord look to keep him on loan for another season.
Nelson linked up with the Eredivisie giants last year after being deemed as surplus to requirements by the Gunners.
According to Romano, the Dutch outfit is desperate to keep him at the club for another season.
Finally, Arsenal are set to open talks with Bologna as they eye up a summer swoop to sign Aaron Hickey.
According to Corriere de Bologna, the Gunners will hold talks with the Serie A outfit imminently as they see Hickey as a possible replacement for Nuno Tavares.
Spurs star Son’s sub anger
Tottenham star Son Heung-min has spoken of his disappointment at being taken off during the North London derby win against Arsenal.
The 29-year-old scored just after half-time in the 3-0 victory against the Gunners to bring up 21 Premier League goals for the season.
He now trails Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah by just one goal in the race to win the Golden Boot.
But despite Arsenal down to ten-men and struggling to deal with the South Korea international and Harry Kane, Antonio Conte made the decision to bring Son off in the 72nd minute.
The ex-Bayer Leverkusen forward looked devastated as he walked off the pitch, with the player having to be consoled by Conte.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, he said: “I want to play always but it is the manager’s decision. I need to accept that.
“He said we have an important game on Sunday so not a big deal. I am not angry just disappointed because I came off but I move on.”
Arsenal face defensive woes
Arsenal will be forced to field a makeshift backline with their top four charge hit by a defensive crisis.
Rob Holding was sent off for a second yellow card against Spurs, allowing the hosts to run riot.
And he will therefore be suspended when Arsenal face the Magpies.
There are further defensive problems too, with Gabriel Maghalaes needing to be subbed off late on due to injury.
The Brazilian appeared to be holding his hamstring as he limped off the field.
And Gabriel could now miss the rest of the season.
Kane explains advantage against Ramsdale
Harry Kane claims England training with Aaron Ramsdale helped him outwit the Arsenal keeper in Tottenham’s vital victory romp.
Two-goal hero Kane sent Ramsdale the wrong way for his penalty opener as Spurs won 3-0 to move just a point off the fourth-placed Gunners.
Kane explained: “I haven’t gone that side for a while.
“My regular side is to my left but I practice in training all week and I like to feel where I am feeling good and felt better on the day.
“I have taken a few against Aaron for England in training and thought he would go that way.”
Arteta makes shock ref claim
Mikel Arteta has sensationally claimed he’d be suspended if he gives an opinion on the refereeing during Arsenal’s loss to Spurs.
Ref Paul Tierney was in charge of the game and gave Gunners star Rob Holding a red card early on.
And it’s safe to say Arteta didn’t agree with Tierney’s decision.
Arteta fumed after the game: “If I say what I think I’ll be suspended for six months. Such a beautiful game was destroyed today.”
Harry Kane breaks record
Harry Kane just loves playing against Arsenal.
Two goals for the Tottenham talisman against the Gunners on Thursday evening saw the England skipper break yet another record.
The 28-year-old has now scored more Premier League goals against Arsenal than any other player in the competition’s history.
Kane has netted an incredible 13 goals in just 15 Prem games against his arch-rivals.
Goal-machine Kane started the night on 11 league strikes against the Gunners, level with Jamie Vardy.
But his penalty on 22 minutes saw him leapfrog the Leicester forward’s number of strikes in games against Arsenal.
Arsenal receive Champions League blow
Arsenal’s Champions League hopes have been dealt a huge blow by Tottenham.
Spurs inflicted a 3-0 loss on their London rivals in the tense Prem clash.
A Harry Kane double, along with a strike by Son was enough to give the home side a win.
The Gunners are now just one point ahead of Tottenham with two games to go.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
