ARSENAL’S defensive duo of Gabriel and Ben White were both reportedly absent from Sunday’s training session.
The Gunners face Newcastle in a crucial clash for their top four hunt and Mikel Arteta might have to cope without the pair that have performed brilliantly this season.
Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala has confirmed his Juventus exit in an emotional message to the supporters.
Which leaves the door open for Arsenal to lure him to the Emirates as they are said to be one of the clubs the Argentine would prefer a move to.
Elsewhere, William Saliba has landed himself Ligue 1’s young player of the year award.
And stay tuned for all gossip surrounding Arsenal’s vital trip to St. James’ Park.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
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Saliba award
William Saliba has been crowned as UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
The £27million defender has been in impressive form for Marseille, on loan from the Gunners, this season.
Saliba has now come to the end of his loan move and is set to return to North London with his future up in the air.
However, manager Mikel Arteta reportedly wants to keep the towering centre half – and plans to integrate him into his squad for next season.
Pepe talks
Arsenal are considering adding another Pepe to their ranks – a Brazilian version!
The Porto winger, 25, is a target for the Gunners, according to Correio da Manha.
However, Arsenal face competition for his services from a former player.
Patrick Vieira is also said to be interested in taking Pepe to Crystal Palace too.
Marquinhos axed
Arsenal target Marquinhos has been left out of the São Paulo squad to face Cuiabá in tonight’s match.
Reports suggest the 19-year-old forward is on the verge of signing for the Gunners in a cut-price £3million deal.
The transfer is said to be in the final stages, with formalities expected to be completed next week.
Defensive blow
Centre backs Gabriel and Ben White were reportedly both absent from training today, ahead of Arsenal’s crunch game with Newcastle.
The Gunners travel to St James’ Park looking to reclaim fourth spot, after Tottenham moved ahead of them in the race for a Champions League place.
However, they may have to do it without the pair who have been at the heart of Arsenal’s defence this season.
They will have late fitness tests, with manager Mikel Arteta facing a team selection headache.
Arteta full of praise for Howe
Ahead of Arsenal’s crunch clash with Newcastle on Monday, Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Eddie Howe.
Howe took on the Newcastle job with the club struggling in the relegation zone, but has transformed their fortunes.
Arteta said: “Well, you can see what Eddie and the coaching staff have done.
“Straight away they tried to modify the way they were playing, they have changed formation a few times, but after that they’ve been quite consistent and they have turned the place around I think in a really good way, and so merit to them.”
Dybala set to leave
Paulo Dybala has confirmed he will leave Juventus in an emotional message addressing his future.
The Argentine, 28, is out of contract in the summer and is ready for a different challenge amid interest from Inter Milan.
Arsenal are one of the interested parties for the forward’s signature, but face competition from Man Utd and Tottenham.
Arsenal close to Marquinhos
Arsenal reportedly look set to land young Brazilian star Marquinhos for a cut price of £3million following a legal issue.
The 19-year-old forward, who currently plays for Sao Paulo, was thought to be tied down to a five-year deal at his current club – a contract he signed in 2019.
However, Fifa have now ruled that the contract is only valid for three years – the maximum length for a player signing their first professional deal.
As a result, this means Marquinhos, who has scored three goals in 15 games this season, will become a free agent in the summer.
According to Globo Esporte, Sao Paulo have attempted to negotiate a new deal but the teenager is not thought to be interested.
The report states he is keen for a move to Europe and Arsenal appear to be the frontrunners.
Arteta expecting a reaction
MIKEL ARTETA is expecting a reaction from his players, after their 3-0 defeat to Spurs on Thursday.
The Gunners are back in action on Monday against Newcastle – knowing a win will put them back into the top four in the hunt for a Champions League place.
And the Spaniard has been buoyed by what he’s seen at training since that North London defeat.
“The excitement that they’ve shown me every day,” he said.
“The way they’ve come in today with the energy that they were with today to play the game and very willing to go there and perform at the highest level.”
Pressure is on Arsenal
Arsenal are under huge pressure to win their next game after Tottenham beat Burnley this afternoon, Jamie O’Hara reckons.
O’Hara wasn’t happy with Spurs’ performance but the victory appeased the football pundit.
O’Hara shared his views on Twitter and said: “That was painful to watch, terrible performance but all that matters is the three points. Huge pressure on Arsenal now, have to win #TOTBUR”
Merson reveals Arteta frustration
Paul Merson has revealed his frustration with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal tactics as of late.
Merson made the admission to Sky Sports host Jeff Sterling whilst assessing the Gunners’ recent performances.
Merson ranted: “It frustrates me Jeff. He’s supposed to be a top-drawer manager.
“We all know Tottenham are one of the best teams in the world at counter-attacking football.
“They’ve drawn with Liverpool twice and done the double over Manchester City.
“Why don’t they play that way [like Brighton did in North London]? Why do you have to go out with this ‘we’re going to play the right way, this is the way football is played’.”
Arteta on Champions League spot
Mikel Arteta is confident Arsenal are in a good position to clinch the final Champions League spot.
The Gunners lost to Tottenham but Arteta insists the defeat shouldn’t derail his teams plans of finishing fourth.
Arteta said whilst assessing Arsenal’s remaining fixtures: “Two games and two wins is a good place to be.”
Keane’s disdain for Fabregas
Roy Keane once threatened to ‘smash Cesc Fabregas in’ when the midfielder clattered into him.
Fabregas risked Keane’s wrath after tackling the Irishman really hard when Arsenal played Man United in the FA Cup final.
Keane let Gerard Pique know just how close Fabregas was to a beating a few years later.
Fabregas recalled to The Times: “I tackled Roy Keane really hard and I felt really good about it because he was always giving me a tough time.
“A few years later, Gerard Pique [his friend from Barcelona’s La Masia academy] said to me that at half-time Keane said, ‘That Spanish friend of yours, I will smash him, he killed me.’”
Arsenal agree Hickey transfer deal
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a £21 million transfer fee with Bologna to sign Aaron Hickey.
Hickey operates mainly for Bologna at left full-back and has attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle, Manchester United and Napoli in the past.
And now it seems that it is the Gunners that have won the race for the Scotland international’s signature.
That’s according to CalcioNapoli24.it, who state that a transfer fee of £21m has been agreed between the two clubs.
They claim that Bologna’s sporting director Riccardo Bigon allegedly flew to London recently for talks with the Gunners.
And those discussions led to an agreement being made for the player.
Arsenal lead Nahuel Molina race
Arsenal are reportedly leading the transfer race for Udinese defender Nahuel Molina.
Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also tracking the right-back, but the Gunners seem to be edging the European duo in the proceedings, according to Football Italia.
Arsenal star Pablo Mari is on loan with Udinese and the Gunners plan to throw him into the mix to sweeten the deal for Molina, the report added.
Petit wants four Arsenal signings
Arsenal have been urged to make four signings this summer.
And two of those recruits should be Wilfred Zaha and Allan Saint-Maximin, according to Emmanuel Petit.
He said, via the Express: “I’ve heard big names as well, Jesus, Sterling, I really like Zaha, or even someone like Saint-Maximin from Newcastle.
“Martinelli is a very good player, just like Saka, but when they get injured, who’s going to play on the left and right?
“There are no options, they need at least four players, at least two up front.”
Man United’s part-exchange plan
Man United are reportedly hoping to use Anthony Martial in a part-exchange deal with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Napoli have already rejected an offer from the Red Devils for Osimhen.
But United want to entice Napoli to the negotiation table by adding Martial into the mix as a makeweight, according to CaughtOffside.
But United also have to fend off interest from Arsenal who are tracking the striker too.
Arteta speaks on defensive injuries
Mikel Arteta has revealed he will find out more about his injured defenders Ben White and Gabriel’s availability for the Newcastle game TODAY.
Arteta said: “We will know probably more [on Sunday].
“So we wanted to extend this period as much as possible to understand how they are recovering, how they are feeling, assess them and tomorrow probably we will know more about how they are.”
Arteta’s focused on the positives
Mikel Arteta is focusing on the positives after watching Arsenal implode against Tottenham.
Arteta said: “[I learned] how lucky I am to have [these players], how they stand under any difficulty, how much they are looking forward to play on Monday, how excited they are about the challenge ahead.
“Because we all know everything that we’ve been through throughout the season and how much we have to fight to be in this position.
“Obviously losing a derby is always painful and having been through the situation we went in the game, it’s like that, but as well, you learn a lot probably more than with any victory, so it’s good to go through those moments sometimes.”
Howe speaks on Arteta
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was full of praise for Mikel Arteta and what he’s doing at Arsenal.
Howe said of Arsenal counterpart before their sides meet on Monday: “They now have, I think, one of the youngest teams in the Premier League and the future looks very bright there.
“So full credit to him and his staff and his players for what they have done.”
Arteta can’t wait for Newcastle
Mikel Arteta can’t wait to face Newcastle on Monday after Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham last week.
Arteta said: “We can’t wait now to play on Monday. This is how I feel.
“This game is history for us, now is Newcastle. This is gone, it went out of our hand and we have to accept it.
“Now, we go to Newcastle and be the team you saw right from the beginning in this stadium.”
Nketiah in demand
Crystal Palace target Eddie Nketiah is tipped for West Ham.
Ex-Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny told Football Insider: “West Ham have needed a backup striker since January.
“If they have the opportunity to sign Nketiah on a free, well, he’s already in London. I imagine they are favourites.
“For me, it’s a great signing and it would be a brilliant piece of business if he comes on a free.
“I think he’s perfect for what they are looking for.”
Lew ‘agrees 3-year Barca deal’
Robert Lewandowski has reportedly agreed a three-year contract with Barcelona.
The Pole has been linked with a move to the Nou Camp after snubbing a new deal at Bayern Munich.
He still has a year to run on his existing agreement with the Bundesliga side but they have now confirmed that the forward wants to leave them.
The Times state that Lewandowski is set to join Barcelona.
And they report that he has verbally agreed to sign a three-year contract with them.
Now all that remains is for them to thrash out a transfer fee for him.
Confirming that Lewandowski, who has scored 49 goals for the club this term, wants to go, Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic told Sky Germany: “I spoke with Lewa.
“In that discussion he informed me that he does not want to accept our offer to extend the contract and that he would like to leave the club.
“He said he wants to do something else. But our position has not changed.
“The fact is he has a contract to June 30, 2023.”
Arteta admits headache over defensive selection
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could move Granit Xhaka or Mohamed Elneny back from midfield to tackle a defensive crisis fot Monday’s crucial trip to Newcastle.
Hamstring injury victim Ben White has missed three games and Rob Holding is ruled out due to his red card in Thursday’s 3-0 loss at Tottenham.
Gabriel hurt his hamstring as defeat put Spurs just a point below the fourth-placed Gunners with two matches left.
Arteta suggested it’s too early to start 21-year-old Zak Swanson.
Asked about his backline selection, the Spanish manager replied: “Good question. I will know probably more tomorrow.
“We want to extend this period as much as possible to understand how they are recovering, how they are feeling, assess them and tomorrow we will know more about how they are.”
Wolves duel Arsenal for Marquinhos
Arsenal are tipped to beat Wolves to Sao Paulo winger Marquinhos.
Atletico Madrid are also said to be keen on the 19-year-old.
But respected journalist Fabrizio Romano believes the Gunners are preparing paperwork to sign Marquinhos.
Marseille eye permanent Saliba deal
Marseille manager Jorge Sampaoli wants to keep hold of Arsenal star William Saliba on a permanent basis.
Sampaoli said, via talkSPORT: “William’s progress is linked to his development this season and the maturity he now has and his playing time.
“He is now consistent, he’s grown up as a player.
“In relation to his situation at the club, I hope that there is a possibility for us to retain a player like him, who knows the team.
“But I don’t know if it depends on Olympique Marseille, William or Arsenal, I don’t know the possibilities in this case.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
