ARSENAL took a HUGE step in their hunt for a Champions League spot on the weekend by beating West Ham at the London Stadium.
The Gunners responded to Tottenham’s earlier victory over Leicester with a marginal 2-1 win which fired them back up to fourth spot.
Meanwhile the North London outfit are being considered as ‘number one contenders’ to sign Victor Osimhen despite his £84 million price tag.
Elsehwere, Arsenal are looking to bolster their midfield in the summer and Aurelien Tchouameni has popped up on Mikel Arteta’s radar according to reports.
But Manchester United are also in the run-in to sign the talented young Frenchman.
And former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara believes that the Gunners ‘will slip up’ in their quest for Champions League qualification.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
Arsenal ‘will slip up’
Former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara reckons Arsenal will slip up in the race for the last Champions League spot.
O’Hara said: “Arsenal will slip up. I think they’ve got tough games.
“I think we [Spurs] have got one more tough game, and then it’s the North London Derby.
“That’s like a cup final which could go either way”
Arsenal gun Tchouameni
Arsenal have joined the bidding war with Manchester United over Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni.
Tchouameni is being eyed by a number of other top European clubs and transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio says Prem giants are among the 22-year-old’s top admirers.
But the midfielder could cost £60million after picking up eight caps since his France debut last September.
The Gunners could lure Tchouameni with the possibility of Champions League football next season while United are rebuilding under Erik ten Hag
Osimhen linked with Arsenal
Napoli star Victor Osimhen “dreams” of playing for Arsenal in the near future.
Reports from Nigeria cite a story from Corriere dello Sport that Osimhen wants a move to the Gunners this summer or Manchester United.
Unsurprisingly, the Partenopei will fight tooth and nail to keep their star striker.
And they will only entertain offers north of £84million for the Nigeria international
Gak your bags for Arsenal
PSV star Cody Gakpo has been urged to pick a move to Arsenal over a switch to a bigger club.
That’s the view of Eredivisie legend Kenneth Perez who told ESPN: “You tend to link Gakpo with these kinds of big clubs, but I don’t think he should move to a top club directly.
“I think he really needs to take an intermediate step, although he is playing with a bit of maturity.
“Come on, I’m the leader of PSV and I have to make sure we play well.
“But there are so many players like him on the pitch during Manchester City against Real Madrid.
“That’s why I would find Arsenal a great club for him, who are at present not of the very, very highest level.”
Arsenal ‘won’t catch Chelsea’
Arsenal are three points behind Chelsea in the Prem.
But the Gunner’s won’t leapfrog their London rivals, according to Jonathan Woodgate.
He told the BBC: “Arsenal are now only three points behind third-placed Chelsea, who surprisingly lost at Everton on Sunday.
“I don’t think Thomas Tuchel’s side have to worry much about dropping out of the top four though.”
Keep calm and Carr-y on
Michael Carrick has tipped Arsenal to clinch the last Champions League spot after their terrific run of form.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Carrick said: “They’ve had a terrific run.
“People ask the question, would you rather have the points in the bag or would you rather be chasing and without so much pressure?
“I would much rather be in a position where it’s in your own hands, 100 per cent. And that’s where Arsenal have found themselves so credit to them that have put themselves in this position.
“West Ham was not an easy game for them but they got the win. It gives them a great chance now.”
North London crumble wars
Ray Parlour has leapt to Arsenal’s defence with a cheeky dig after Jamie O’Hara claimed the Gunners will miss out on a top four spot to Spurs.
O’Hara’s adamant that the Gunners will crumble in the race for the last Champions League spot.
But Parlour was having none of it and retorted that Tottenham have been re-named after apple crumble for the number of times they’ve bottled it over the years.
During the hilarious exchange on talkSPORT, Parlour quipped: “t’s quite funny you say Arsenal will crumble.
“Spurs do it every year. They call Spurs rhubarb now they crumble so much!”
Man United and Arsenal battle
Man United and Arsenal have gotten a transfer boost in their pursuit of Max Aarons, with Norwich reportedly set to sell the star.
Relegation has left Carrow Road chiefs considering the future as they look to rebuild in the Championship.
But their misfortune has opened the door to Man United and Arsenal, who have been linked with Aarons in the past.
The Telegraph report that the full-back will be allowed to go by Norwich this summer.
S-utterly surprised
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton is the latest person to slam Arsenal for their post-match celebrations.
The Gunners beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium on Sunday to move two points clear of rivals Tottenham in the race to secure fourth spot.
He tweeted: “Arsenal celebrating like they’ve won the league… dear me.”
Despite Arsenal securing an all-important win in a London derby, Celtic icon Sutton believes their antics were unjustified as they hadn’t won a trophy.
Hey big spender’s
Arsenal have spent the fifth-largest amount in Europe over the last decade.
The Gunners have splashed a net total of £485m in the ten-year period.
But the North Londoners’ spending didn’t surpass that of Prem rivals Man United and Man City who sit first and second on the list.
Rice and Nketiah squabble
Eddie Nketiah was embroiled in a heated clash with West Ham star Declan Rice yesterday to the shock of fans.
One fan wrote on Twitter: “It’s very rare Dec loses his s**t like this but you can see why he did today.”
Another said: “Tbh I like his frustration. Would kill for Rice in our midfield.”
A third put: “Proud of Nketiah stood up hands down to show no intention of fighting.”
But one user wanted to see Rice get punished for the theatrics and exclaimed: “I’m not quite sure why Rice wasn’t given a yellow for this!?!”
Arsenal target gets sent off
Arsenal transfer target Renato Sanches was sent off after picking up two yellows just seconds apart after arguing with the referee.
The Lille star appeared to be booked twice for dissent in the club’s defeat away at Troyes.
The frustrated midfielder gesticulated wildly at the referee after committing a foul, as seen on Reddit.
The ref, Willy Delajod, did not take kindly to his gestures and booked Sanches.
When he continued to demonstrate his fury with the referee, Delajod produced a second yellow five seconds later.
Delajod appeared to make reference to Sanches’ binocular gesture as the reason for the quick-fire second yellow.
Moyes on Arsenal’s Prem success
Arsenal are only doing well in the Prem this season because they haven’t been in Europe, according to David Moyes.
Moyes said: “Arsenal’s improvement this year has been incredible because probably not being involved in Europe has given them the chance to prepare correctly for games.
“They had a bit of a slow start to the season, but they’ve been in terrific form all season. It’s just as well when you have a young team and are trying to get a good enough squad together.
“Last season Arsenal got to the semi-finals of the Europa League and it became quite a difficult season for them because of that. We’re in it this year so we’re a bit the same.”
Arsenal ‘will slip up’
Jamie O’Hara reckons Arsenal will slip up in the race for the last Champions League spot.
He said: “Arsenal will slip up. I think they’ve got tough games. I think we [Tottenham] have got one more tough game, and then it’s the North London Derby.
“That’s like a cup final which could go either way.”
Khayon Edwards pens professional contract
Khayon Edwards has ended speculation over his Arsenal future by reportedly penning his first professional contract at the Emirates.
According to The Athletic, Edwards put pen to paper on extending his stay at Arsenal last week.
Edwards, who has had his season cut short due to injury, is now tied down at Arsenal until 2025.
He is now due to continue his development for the U23s instead of being shipped out on loan in his quest to break into the first team.
Nketiah plays main role
Eddie Nketiah was the main man in most departments for Arsenal against West Ham.
The striker had the most shots on target, dribbles, and touches in the opposition’s box than any other player on the pitch.
Arteta on Arsenal win
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal had to win ugly against West Ham.
He said: “It’s a massive win, under very difficult circumstances because we put ourselves in real problems, especially with our decision making.
“But the team showed huge character, not to give up, to continue trying to do the right things.
“The way they fought, the way they understood how they have to manage the game in certain moments, with the way we defended – it was phenomenal.
“In England you say ‘win ugly’, I think from my point of view today we won ugly, and I’m extremely happy to see a team that has this capacity to find a way to win and show the character that they showed.”
Xhaka in captain snub
Jamie Redknapp feels Martin Odegaard should remain Arsenal’s captain over Granit Xhaka.
Redknapp said after Arsenal’s win over West Ham: “Xhaka was captain for a while, didn’t really work, [then] Aubameyang, then they give it to Lacazette. It was almost that no-one wanted to be.
“But giving it to Odegaard, it feels right for me. He may not be the most vocal but when you watch him play, he organises people, he plays the right pass. He’s a lovely player to watch.
“You can see from Mikel Arteta’s point of view, he’s almost his manager on the pitch. It might be one where, he’s there for the future, he’s a fantastic player, good type of guy as well. It’s a masterstroke from Arteta.”
Saliba makes Marseille admission
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is continuing to discuss his love for Marseille as he yet again reiterated his desire to stay at Stade Velodrome.
Speaking to Amazon Prime via GFFN, he said: “My wish is to finish the season well, to leave on a good note in case I don’t come back.
“It would be my pleasure to come back no matter what.
“It’s not as if I know I’m not going to come back, it’s Marseille, it’s my club.”
Nketiah praise for performance
Eddie Nketiah was praised for his performance against West Ham by Troy Deeney.
Deeney said: “I thought he was excellent, he did everything.
“A lot of the chances created were from his own doing. It was only his fourth [league] start [of the season] so to see that level of confidence was great.
“The best compliment you can give him is that he kept Alexandre Lacazette on the bench, that didn’t look to him at any point.
“He really got at West Ham and used intelligent runs. On another day he scores. He really grew in the game and showed a level of maturity I didn’t know he had at this moment in time.”
Ramsdale mocks Holding
Aaron Ramsdale brutally ripped into Arsenal teammate Rob Holding after the defender scored against West Ham.
While speaking about the goal with Holding on Sky Sports, Ramsdale interjected: “It’s only taken six years and a new hairline!’
However, Holding saw the funny side and responded whilst laughing: “Come on, mate!”
Morning, Arsenal fans
Mikel Arteta reckons ‘incredible spirit’ took the Gunners back to fourth place with an ‘ugly win’ at West Ham.
The Arsenal boss hailed ‘man of the match’ Rob Holding as the recalled centre-back and Gabriel Magalhaes headed the goals either side of Jarrod Bowen’s reply.
Arteta said: “We didn’t play so well. If I have to use a word it would be we won ugly.
“Big teams have to find a way to win ugly when they don’t play well.
“We found a way through set-pieces and defending strongly.”
The Spaniard added: “I am really happy, especially for Rob Holding as he hasn’t played the amount of minutes he deserves.
“He was man of the match. He is always there when we need him.”
Off the pitch, Juventus are reportedly keen on surprise goal hero Gabriel.
The Italians could even consider swapping him with long-term Gunners target Arthur Melo.
Finally, Arsenal and Manchester United are tracking Monaco’s £60million-rated defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
Arteta unfazed by Saka and Tomiyasu fitness doubts
Mikel Arteta insisted Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu should be fine despite their enforced substitutions in the 2-1 win at West Ham.
Japanese right-back Tomisayu, returning after four months out with calf injuries, was replaced by Cedric Soares on 78 minutes after holding his leg in discomfort.
And Emile Smith Rowe replaced winger Saka late on.
Arteta said: “Bukayo was fine, he was really fatigued and he has been through a little injury as well.
“Tomiyasu has just that he had been out for so long and could not continue. Hopefully, he’s fine.”
Tchouameni on radar
Arsenal and Manchester United are tracking Monaco’s defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, reports say.
Tchouameni is being eyed by a string of other top European clubs.
Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio says Prem giants are among the 22-year-old’s top admirers.
But he could cost £60million after picking up eight caps since his France debut last September.
Defensively, he ranks first in Ligue 1 for tackles and interceptions this season, as well as winning over 70% of his aerial duels, FBref reveal.
He? is also strong on the ball, ranking 14th for carries and 10th for passes into the final third in Ligue 1.
Bayern tipped to nab Arsenal target Mazraoui
Arsenal have reportedly missed out on signing Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui, according to reports.
The Gunners were said to be keen on bringing the 24-year-old Moroccan right-back to North London as competition for first choice star Takehiro Tomiyasu.
But Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have stolen a march on the Premier League side for his signature.
Mazraoui, who has scored 10 goals and made nine assists in 135 games for the Dutch club, is available on a free transfer in the summer with his contract expiring.
That had also alerted Barcelona, who are looking to reshape their defence after a lacklustre campaign.
But Romano says it’s the Bavarians who have won the race, with a deal expected to be signed within the next few weeks.
Bayern “want the contract signed as soon as possible to avoid any potential proposal from other clubs”, Romano wrote on Twitter.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
