ARSENAL capped off their Premier League campaign by pummelling Everton 5-1 at the Emirates.
However, the Gunners still missed out on fourth spot to their North London rivals as Tottenham thrashed Norwich 5-0.
And Spurs could also pip Arsenal to the signing of Gabriel Jesus who’s preferred destination is to a club with Champions League football.
Meanwhile, Bernd Leno is all set to join Portuguese giants for a reported fee of £8.5 million this summer.
Whilst Josh Kroenke has vowed to back Mikel Arteta in the transfer market, hinting at internal shake up.
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Pepe sale may fund new Saka deal
Arsenal have been tipped to sell Nicolas Pepe to help fund a huge new contract for Bukayo Saka.
Newly-crowned Serie A champs AC Milan have been linked with a £25million bid for the Ivory Coast winger – three years after his £70m arrival at the Emirates from Lille.
Credit: Getty And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta is ready to offload erratic Pepe, 26.
A major reason is said to be the focus on keeping 20-year-old Saka.
It’s understood the 14-cap England wideman is frustrated at missing out on Champions League football but can still be persuaded to agree a new long-term deal.
Real ‘join Prem queue for Gnabry’
Real Madrid have reportedly joined a host of Premier League clubs in the race to lure Serge Gnabry away from Bayern Munich.
The 26-year-old is facing an uncertain future at the Allianz Arena with his contract set to expire in 2023.
It has been claimed that the Germany international has rejected a new deal to remain in Bavaria.
A Premier League return has been mooted, with former employers Arsenal linked with a move to bring him back to the Emirates.
Fellow English giants Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are also all rumoured to be keeping tabs on the winger.
Meanwhile Gnabry’s ex-Bayern team-mate David Alaba is looking to persuade Gnabry to quit Germany and join him at Real Madrid.
And according to Sport1, Gnabry is open to departing Bayern as he doesn’t feel valued by the Bundesliga champions.
They state that Alaba has recommended the ex-West Brom loanee to Real, who are now eyeing up a possible swoop for Gnabry.
Sterling hopes take a pounding
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Raheem Sterling have been dealt a knockout blow following their failure to land Champions League football.
The Gunners were understood to be tracking the England international, who had previously enjoyed a prosperous working relationship with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City.
And the 27-year-old had indicated a desire to link up with the Arsenal head coach again with his City future up in the air.
However, following the North London club’s fifth-place finish, any deal is said to be ‘impossible’.
Sterling’s contract at the Etihad runs out at the end of next season.
Tierney absent from Scotland squad
Steve Clarke has named his Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup play-off with Ukraine and the Nation League matches against Armenia and Republic of Ireland – and there’s no place for Kieran Tierney.
The left-back has been out since the end of March when he picked up a knee injury that required surgery in the last international break.
And although he was unable to participate in the remainder of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign, there was the hope that he’d return in time for Scotland’s semi-final showdown at Hampden Park.
However, the former Celtic man has not been deemed fit enough for selection, and Arsenal fans will now hope that he manages to recover in time for the start of next season.
Youri demand: Arteta wants Tielemans
Mikel Arteta is refusing to wallow in the misery of missing out on Champions League football, and is already making plans to go at least one place better next season.
Among his priorities is a new midfielder, and the Arsenal boss has identified Youri Tielemans as the man he wants most.
And the Gunners are now readying an opening £25m bid for the Leicester player, according to The Telegraph.
The 25-year-old has reportedly gone on record as saying he wants to play Champions League football, but Arteta is confident that he can sell the long-term project to the Belgian.
Tielemans has a year left on his contract at the King Power.
Gunners ready to part with Pepe
Arsenal will consider selling their record signing Nicolas Pepe this summer – but don’t hold out hope of recouping the £72m that they paid for the forward.
The Ivorian arrived at the Emirates in 2019, but has struggled to make a consistent impact in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old has scored 16 goals in 80 league games for the Gunners, but has found himself down the pecking order in the past year.
And it appears as though the former Lille man would welcome a move away.
Fabrizio Romano, writing for Caught Offside, revealed that Pepe had recently changed agents in order to actively pursue his options across Europe.
Top four failure ends Sterling hope
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Raheem Sterling have been dealt a knockout blow following their failure to land Champions League football.
The Gunners were understood to be tracking the England international, who had previously enjoyed a prosperous working relationship with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City.
And the 27-year-old had indicated a desire to link up with the Arsenal head coach again with his City future up in the air.
However, following the North London club’s fifth-place finish, any deal is said to be ‘impossible’.
Sterling’s contract at the Etihad runs out at the end of next season.
Gunners face battle for Jesus
Arsenal fans are reeling from losing out on Champions League football to Tottenham – and now face the prospect of losing out to their rivals again in their pursuit of Gabriel Jesus.
The Gunners have been tracking the Manchester City forward for months, and have even spoken to the player’s agent since the Premier League champions confirmed the purchase of Erling Haaland.
However, Mike McGrath at The Telegraph now reports that Spurs are interested in the Brazilian following their fourth-place finish yesterday.
Antonio Conte is keen to strengthen his squad for the next campaign, and has shortlisted Jesus, who is capable of either playing through the middle or out wide.
Good morning Arsenal fans
Despite recording a 5-1 win over Everton, Arsenal have missed out on Champions League football to Tottenham.
The Gunners will, instead, be playing in the Europa League next campaign.
This summer will be pivotal in Arsenal’s squad improvement, as they look to close the gap on the top four.
And director Josh Kroenke has promised major investment before the next campaign.
“On a recruitment standpoint I will always defer to Edu and Mikel but I know they have a blueprint of the type of player and specific positions that we need to reinforce heading into the summer,” he said.
“So I’ll defer to them and support them in every way that we can in their pursuit of elevating the quality of the squad and also ensuring that we have the right mentality of player coming in.”
According to reports, Mohamed Elneny has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
The Egyptian international was out of contract at the end of the season.
Family affair
It was a family affair for Mikel Arteta at the Emirates today.
After the game, he was joined on the pitch by his three sons as the players and coaching staff thanked fans for their support.
All in all, it was a disappointing ending to the campaign for the Gunners who missed out on Champions League football.
But, a 5-1 win was the perfect way to cap off a season where improvement was made.
Morgan sticks the boot in
Piers Morgan isn’t Mikel Arteta’s greatest fan.
And the The Sun columnist has revealed where it all went wrong for his beloved Gunners.
He tweeted: “If Arsenal had sacked Arteta as he deserved after disastrous 20/21 season & losing first 3 games of this one, hired Conte & kept Aubameyang – we’d have come at least 4th.
“You can’t compete in the Premier League these days without a world-class manager & world-class strikers.”
Elneny deal
According to reports, Mohamed Elneny has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
The Egyptian international was out of contract at the end of the season.
However, with injuries taking their toll, he was brought into midfield to steady the ship.
Telegraph journalist Sam Dean tweeted: “To be officially confirmed but… I understand Mohamed Elneny has now signed a one-year contract extension at Arsenal, with the option of another year.”
Real deal
Real Madrid have reportedly opened talks with Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni in a blow to a string of Premier League sides.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the teams who had been targeting the highly-rated midfielder.
Madrid will be hunting for high-profile summer signings after being snubbed by Kylian Mbappe on Saturday.
And journalist Santi Aouna reports that the Spanish club has been in contact and ready to make an offer.
Cryptic Arteta
Mikel Arteta has remained cryptic about the futures of Eddie Nketiah, Mo Elneny, and Alexandre Lacazette.
The trio are out of contract at the end of the season, and their futures at the Emirates remain in the balance.
But, it appears, the Spanish tactician already knows what lies ahead for them.
Arteta revealed: “It’s been decided, but it’s very difficult to communicate it. What they deserve is to have what they had today.”
Recruitment for next season
This summer will be pivotal in Arsenal’s squad improvement, as they look to close the gap on the top four.
And director Josh Kroenke has promised major investment before the next campaign.
“On a recruitment standpoint I will always defer to Edu and Mikel but I know they have a blueprint of the type of player and specific positions that we need to reinforce heading into the summer,” he said.
“So I’ll defer to them and support them in every way that we can in their pursuit of elevating the quality of the squad and also ensuring that we have the right mentality of player coming in.”
Premier League 2021-22
This is where we finished, and who did what in terms of European qualification.
Title: Manchester City
UCL: Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs
UEL: Arsenal, Manchester United
UECL: West Ham
Relegation: Burnley, Watford, Norwich
5-1
Arsenal are putting on a show for their home support.
Odegaard has netted their fifth, as they continue to thrash the Toffees.
Seems Arsenal and Spurs are in a shootout for who can score more goals today.
It’s all academic, mind.
That settles it
If there was any doubt, Norwich are now down to Spurs.
The Gunners will have to settle for Europa League next season, with bragging rights in North London going to their rivals.
That said, Arsenal are ending the season with a bang.
They lead Everton 4-1.
As things stand
Champions -Man City
Champions League – Liverpool – Chelsea – Tottenham
Europa League – Arsenal- West Ham
Relegated – Burnley
2-0 now!
Nketiah has scored – in what might be his final game in an Arsenal shirt.
The Gunners are now cruising, but the pressure is off.
But, just as they do that, Spurs go two up at Norwich.
It’s who else but Harry Kane. More terrible defending from the Canaries.
Is that top four done and dusted then.
Martinelli scores
Gabriel Martinelli has rifled home a penalty, as the Gunners take the lead after 27 minutes.
Still, with Spurs winning that won’t be enough for Champions League football next season.
But, they will want to finish on a high with a win.
Playing well, though, the Arsenal.
Spurs lead
Close your ears Arsenal fans…
Spurs lead after 16 minutes – thanks to ‘Super Swede’ Dejan Kulusevski.
It’s easy tap in for the winger, terrible defending from Norwich.
Advantage Tottenham.
Dominating possession
The Gunners are bossing the ball in the first five minutes.
They boast a whopping 95 per cent of the ball, as Everton sit back.
An early goal will have Spurs twitchy, but Arsenal fans will know it’s out of their hands.
However, Tottenham have missed a big chance early on through Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Norwich vs Tottenham teams
Here is the Norwich City team that the Gunners need to beat Tottenham…
Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Byram, Giannoulis, Normann, Sorensen, Dowell, Lees-Melou, Rashica, Pukki.
And Spurs starting line up…
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Sanchez, Dier, Davies, Emerson, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.
Arsenal starting XI for today
A strong Arsenal team for today, as you’d imagine for this must-win game.
Holding starts in defence for White.
Martinelli in for Smith Rowe.
Tomiyasu misses out in the matchday squad with a tight hamstring, so Cedric Soares comes in.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
