ARSENAL suffered a huge dent to their top four quest when they lost 3-0 to bitter rivals Spurs on Thursday.
But SunSport’s Jake Lambourne exclusively revealed that former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna believes Mikel Arteta’s men were ROBBED in the defeat.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly planning for on loan Frenchman William Saliba to return to the club and fight for his spot next season.
Paulo Dybala is another talented star who Arsenal could be tempted into luring to the Emirates as the Argentinian’s agent has been spotted in London.
And Fabrizio Romano has stated that talks are ongoing with the Gunners and Sao Paulo for Brazilian wonderkid Marquinhos.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
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Sagna backs Arsenal for title
Bacary Sagna reckons Arsenal can win the title in the next TWO years.
He exclusively told SunSport: “I was worried about how Arsenal were going to perform this season, but they’ve proven me wrong.
“There’s clearly a process and fans need to trust the process and keep the faith.
“Write them off next season if you want, but I’m sure in two seasons’ time, they’ll be topping the league as champions.”
Nketiah told to sign contract
Bacary Sagna believes Eddie Nketiah should stay at Arsenal and commit his future on a new deal.
He exclusively told SunSport: “Nketiah should stay. It’s never been easy for him.
“But he’s played a few games in a row now and demonstrated his ability and answered his critics perfectly.
“He’s shown the world he’s a top striker that can really help the club.
“He’s a great addition to the team, he’s scored some great goals and should think about committing his future to Arsenal.”
Keown haunted by derby prediction
Martin Keown was left red-faced after predicting a simple win for Arsenal against Spurs… with Tottenham ending up winning 3-0.
He 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 Rodrigo Bentancur.
“But I believe this will finish 2-1 to Arsenal, with the confident Nketiah bagging the winner.”
Exclusive by SunSport’s Jake Lambourne
Bacary Sagna has warned Arsenal off a move for Leicester star Youri Tielemans, urging Mikel Arteta to invest in other areas of his squad.
Sagna said: “Arsenal already have quality midfield players and [Mohamed] Elneny who’s doing really well.
“So, I’m not sure whether they should cover more of the midfield position, we’ve got [Thomas] Partey too and he’s important.
“In my mind they should focus on signing a centre-back and a striker.”
Exclusive by SunSport’s Jake Lambourne
Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal were ROBBED in their defeat at Spurs.
He said: “Arsenal were robbed. The two major events changed the game for me.
“Ultimately it’s a shame, it was a really important game for Arsenal and by making such a big decision, the referee changed the outcome of the game.
“For me it wasn’t a penalty, and it wasn’t a red card for Rob Holding either.
“It’s crazy how other players and teams can get away with bad tackles and even worse behaviour and then you see a player being booked so easily at Arsenal?”
Keane targeted revenge on Fabregas
Roy Keane threatened to “SMASH” Cesc Fabregas after claiming the Spaniard “killed” him with a brutal tackle in 2005.
The Manchester United legend was left fuming during the 2005 FA Cup final against Arsenal following a chunky challenge from Fabregas.
The ace said: “I tackled Roy Keane really hard and felt really good about it because he was always giving me a tough time.
“A few years later, Pique said to be that at half-time Keane said, ‘That Spanish friend of yours, I will smash him, he killed me’.”
Parlour slams Son over elbow
Ray Parlour led the Arsenal fans’ fury as Son Heung-min went unpunished for an alleged “elbow” on Rob Holding.
He said: “When Son was on the floor, I think this was the first one, he was holding onto Holding and he just gave him a little elbow.
“I don’t know if you saw it. No one saw it, to be fair.
“Maybe that’s a reason he was a little bit highly strung through the game, Holding, because he got an elbow.”
Teams with most Prem titles
Arsenal have won an impressive three titles in the Premier League era.
The most famous of those was the “Invincibles” season of 2003/04, when Arsenal went the WHOLE season unbeaten.
However, the Gunners are yet to top the league ever since.
Can Mikel Arteta finally steer the ship around next term?
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
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
