Calvert-Lewin ‘tells friends he wants Arsenal transfer’, Gabriel Jesus ‘AGREES’ Gunners move, £50m Ruben Neves interest

‘jury is still out’ on Arteta

Danny Mills has declared that Mikel Arteta hasn’t done a great job at Arsenal with the jury still out on whether he is the right man for the North Londoners.

The ex-England international has stated there are still question marks over the Gunners, even though the club are sitting in fourth spot.

Speaking to SunSport on behalf of FreeSuperTips, Mills said: “I think the jury is still out on Mikel Arteta.

“He does really well then has two or three bad results which brings questions marks again.

“A lot of it depends on whether they get into the top four and the North London derby will be huge in that race.

“Whether they can hold off Spurs to get into that position. I would say he’s done a decent job, but not a great job.”

Gunners to go again next season

Arsenal will go this season WITHOUT a trophy.

But boss Mikel Arteta will be sure to rally the troops again ahead of next term.

Arsenal’s Okonkwo salutes ‘crazy’ Ramsdale

Rookie Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Onkonkwo has branded Aaron Ramsdale ‘crazy’, but credited the England international for helping his career.

In an interview with Goal, the 20-year-old stopper spoke about his time spent training with the Gunners first ream, and the impact that senior players have had on his development.

“As soon as Aaron came in, you could see his character and how he presented himself every day,” Okonkwo reveals.

“I have to say, I’ve never met anyone like Aaron before. He’s a little bit crazy, but an amazing guy and he’s a great person to be around.

“Both he and Bernd [Leno] are amazing and I’m so privileged to have worked with them. They are two top keepers.”

United leading race for Osimhen

Manchester United are leading the race to sign Arsenal target Victor Osimhen, according to reports in Italy.

Corriere dello Sport report that Old Trafford officials have already contacted the striker’s agent regarding a summer switch.

A fee of £84million has been quoted for the Nigerian, who has scored 16 goals in 28 Serie A appearances for Napoli this season.

Osimhen still has three years to run on his current deal with the Italian side, having only moved to Naples from Lille for £67million in 2020.

Newcastle are also said to be interested in the striker, and are unlikely to be put off by the hefty price tag.

Fit Saka ready to return

Bukayo Saka will be fit to face West Ham at the weekend after shaking off the thigh strain that saw him substituted in the win over Manchester United.

The England international was withdrawn in the 74th minute of Saturday’s success, having netted another penalty to help the Gunners on their way to three points.

However, Saka has trained with the rest of the first team this week, and the Evening Standard understands that there are no concerns about his availability for Sunday’s London derby.

Gunners face competition for Neves

Ruben Neves is edging closer to his Wolverhampton Wanderers exit, but Arsenal are not the only club waiting to greet him.

The Portuguese midfielder is now being targeted by a number of other clubs, according to 90min,

with Manchester United, Tottenham, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all keeping an eye on developments.

The Gunners have long been linked with the Wolves star that arrived at Molineux in 2017, and helped fire the Black Country club to the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta views the 25-year-old as an ideal replacement for Granit Xhaka, who is expected to join Roma in the summer.

Arsenal target Tammy happy in Rome

Another striker on Mikel Arteta’s summer shopping list is Tammy Abraham, but the Roma hitman has insisted that he’s happy in Italy.

Abraham has been a revelation since moving to the Italian capital from Chelsea in August, scoring 24 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.

And yesterday he struck a blow to those clubs hoping to tempt the 24-year-old back to England.

Speaking ahead of Roma’s Europa Conference League semi-final with Leicester, Abraham admitted that playing his football at the Stadio Olimpico was a ‘dream come true’.

“For me to be doing what I’m doing now for a great club like Roma, I can’t really describe the feeling,’ Abraham said.

“Coming off the back of a difficult season at Chelsea where I wasn’t really playing games, coming here and shining, it’s like a dream come true for me.

“I’m happy playing my football. Of course, you hear the little rumours here and there, different people interested, clearly for me I’m doing the right thing if people are watching.”

DCL wants summer Arsenal move

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has reportedly snubbed Newcastle – and instead wants to join Arsenal.

According to the Football Insider, the 25-year-old has told those close to him that he favours a move to the Gunners in the summer whether the Toffees manage to stay in the Premier League or not.

Mikel Arteta has made a lone striker a priority for when the transfer window reopens, and Calvert-Lewin may just fit the bill.

The England international has struggled with injuries this term, scoring just three goals that include two penalties.

However, the Londoners are confident that they can get Calvert-Lewin firing again – especially if they can get him at a knockdown price if Everton fail to beat the drop.

The forward still has two years to run on his current deal at Goodison Park, and it’s unknown as to whether it includes any relegation clause.

Gunners planning Pepe showdown talks

Mikel Arteta will sit down with with £72million flop Nicolas Pepe at the end of the season to discuss his Arsenal future, according to the Evening Standard.

The Ivorian has flattered to deceive since arriving from Lille three years ago, and now finds himself down the pecking order at the Emirates.

The winger hasn’t started a Premier League game since playing 90 minutes against Crystal Palace in October, and has often been overlooked for Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe.

Pepe still has two more years to run on his Arsenal contract, but both player and club may consider a move away in their best interest.

Next Arsenal captain?

Arsenal are yet to name their next permanent club captain after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure.

Alexandre Lacazette has taken the armband for now, but his contract is up this summer.

Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard are two of the favourites to take up the gig.

Wolves ‘resigned to losing’ Neves

Wolves are ‘resigned to losing’ star man Ruben Neves.

The news comes as a boost to both Manchester United and Arsenal, who have expressed an interest in the midfielder.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Wolves are sounding out potential replacements for the 25-year-old.

Any interested club may have to fork out upwards of £50million for Neves.

Hammers up next

Arsenal take on West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday.

UCL spot could be decided by incredible PLAY-OFF

The Premier League could have play-offs for the title AND the last Champions League spot next month.

League rules allow for a play-off for key spots if teams are locked together on points, goal difference, goals scored and the head to head results.

So far, that has never happened in the history of the competition.

But with just five matches left, it is still possible that Liverpool and Manchester City could face off in the ultimate title showdown.

And Spurs and Arsenal could also duke it out over 90 minutes for the right to play in Europe’s elite competition next term.

Granit Xhaka: Premier League stats so far

Midfielder Granit Xhaka has been an important player for Arsenal this season.

He has formed a strong partnership with Thomas Partey.

Lille prepared to sell David

Lille are prepared to sell Arsenal transfer target Jonathan David this summer.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, David is one of “some players” last year’s Ligue 1 champions are willing to part with.

He could be picked up for under £50million.

Nketiah praises Gunners’ academy

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has hailed the academy in a recent Q&A.

Parlour says Arsenal should go for Toney

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has recommended his former club sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney to bolster their striker department.

Toney has had a strong season with the Bees, netting 12 goals in the Premier League.

He has more goals than Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang combined this term.

Aubameyang departed the club in January with four Prem goals to his name, leaving boss Mikel Arteta with just four-goal Lacazette and Chelsea brace hero Nketiah to work with.

He told talkSPORT: “The strikers they’ll be looking at, they’ll also be looking at the other clubs interested in those strikers.

“You don’t want to be getting into bidding wars.

“How many clubs will be after Toney, if he’s available?

“That’s the sort of striker I would be trying to get at Arsenal.”

‘Emery is a top manager’ – Enrique

Villarreal defender Jose Enrique has argued that Arsenal were “not patient enough” with Unai Emery.

When speaking to LordPing, he said: “I love Unai Emery. He lives the game, he’s a tactical manager who really studies the game and I know because I see the games and I know players that have played under him in the past and they play under him now.

“They tell me how it is and I believe Arsenal were not patient enough with him.

“Arteta didn’t start the year well, but he won the FA Cup in his first year and Arsenal put their trust in him, gave him the budget and the players that he wanted, and then he delivered.

“People work really hard for the team and he’s proof that he’s a top manager. “

‘Looney Tunes defending’

Man Utd stars Jadon Sancho and Alex Telles were brutally mocked for trying to mark Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah.

The United pair tried in vain to block Nketiah in Arsenal’s 3-1 over Manchester United on Saturday.

The hapless duo attempted to sandwich the Arsenal striker during the Premier League clash.

Sancho inched in from the left, and Telles encroached on Nketiah from the right.

But when the sharp Nketiah realised what was going on – he simply side-stepped the United stars’ trap.

Sancho and Telles were left looking bemused as the 22-year-old left them in his dust.

Strike a deal

Ray Parlour has urged Arsenal to try and sign Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window.

When speaking on TalkSPORT, he said: “The strikers they’ll be looking at, they’ll also be looking at the other clubs interested in those strikers.

“You don’t want to be getting into bidding wars. How many clubs will be after Toney, if he’s available?

“That’s the sort of striker I would be trying to get at Arsenal.”

‘He gets you goals’ – Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has said that Gabriel Jesus could have a significant impact if he joins Arsenal this summer.

When speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “You speak to players about him, they appreciate him because he puts a good workload in, he has got quality.

“I think if he plays consistently in a team like Arsenal, I think he gets you goals.”

Taking the Mik

Footage shows Mikel Arteta sympathised with Cristiano Ronaldo as the striker complained to the fourth official during Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal last Saturday.

Ronaldo, 37, was frustrated with the officials failing to award his side a penalty when Jadon Sancho went down in the box under a challenge from Cedric Soares.

So when Arsenal were instead awarded a penalty moments later Ronaldo rushed over to the sideline to question the officials’ decision-making.

But the Portuguese realised he was fighting a losing battle with Arsenal’s bench camera showing the striker graciously accepting Arteta’s offer of a handshake.