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      Arsenal player ratings: Aubameyang & Pepe guilty of misses galore as Gunners limp into Europa League quarter-finals

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      OLYMPIACOS took a 1-0 win at Arsenal on Thursday night but failed to truly punish the Gunners’ missed chances.Mikel Arteta’s side did not sit back on their 3-1 first-leg lead and created more than enough to ease into the Europa League quarter-finals comfortably.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a number of chances to kill the last-16 tieCredit: AFP
      Yet a Youssef El Arabi goal combined with misses from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe to make for a slightly nervy evening in North London.
      Here, SunSport’s Marc Mayo rates and slates the individual performances at Emirates Stadium.
      Bernd Leno – 6/10
      Stood tall for El Arabi’s early effort and had no chance with the deflected goal.
      Hector Bellerin – 6
      Yes, the right-back was caught up the pitch for the goal but that’s the tactics Arteta wants to employ, so it’s hard to blame the player who was otherwise sound at both ends.
      David Luiz – 5
      Lazily caught out for that early El Arabi chance and then stood back and watched him for the goal.
      Mikel Arteta stuck with the same central pairing as the derby although they played like the reserve crew.
      David Luiz stood off Youssef El Arabi for Thursday’s only goalCredit: Reuters
      Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
      Also lost for the route one warning sign that Leno saved and the question is whether the Brazilian has any working partnership with Luiz at all.
      At least Gabriel stepped in well at other points.
      Kieran Tierney – 6
      One of the main creative threats, perhaps even under-used given his ability to stretch the game.
      Mohamed Elneny – 5
      It was a shame there were no fans in the Emirates to adoringly howl ‘shoot’ with every touch of the ball from the first-leg hero, instead it was a wholly quiet and limp showing that failed to reach the hour mark.
      Arsenal lost 1-0 but claimed a 3-2 aggregate win over OlympiacosCredit: PA
      Granit Xhaka – 5
      A fairly weak display, particularly in the second-half as he failed to show his authority during Olympiacos’ attacking tremors.
      Nicolas Pepe – 5
      It’s tough to judge players who get in the right positions and yet do nothing with it.
      Pepe earned himself a number of good openings and was let down by his final execution every time. With Bukayo Saka good but not great right now, this was a missed opportunity.
      Dani Ceballos – 7
      The chief creative outlet as he supplied nice through balls to Pepe and Aubameyang in the first-half, but he didn’t last long into the second after a couple of loose moments.
      Harsh to be subbed so early.
      Dani Ceballos was Arsenal’s creator in chief during the first-halfCredit: Getty
      Emile Smith Rowe – 5
      Painfully caught flush in the face with the ball early on and was just a bit mediocre throughout.
      Taken off for Martinelli, who may now be ready to compete for his place.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5
      Got into far better positions up front in this one than he found himself in 90 minutes before Sunday’s derby, but did just about as much with it.
      Poked a great chance over in the first-half and saw two late openings go begging. Enough to get another start on the weekend, though.
      Substitutes
      Thomas Partey (on for Elneny, 56 mins) – 6
      Was he really an improvement on Elneny?
      Arsenal fans probably should expect more when the anchor man comes on and the game continues to drift away.
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      Martin Odegaard (on for Ceballos, 56 mins) – 6
      Bright and looked a mark above fellow Real Madrid loanee Ceballos in terms of his control and movement.
      Added his name to the list of missers with his own great chance skied late on.
      Gabriel Martinelli (On for Smith Rowe, 82 mins) – N/A
      Calum Chambers (On for Bellerin, 82 mins) – N/A
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      Mikel Arteta hails ‘positive’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang talks as Arsenal skipper is all smiles after Tottenham axe More

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      Mikel Arteta hails ‘positive’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang talks as Arsenal skipper is all smailes after Tottenham axe

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is all smiles again after sorting out his differences with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.Now the Gunners’ 13-goal top scorer is ready to lead his team in Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash with Olympiacos.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been all smiles back in Arsenal trainingCredit: Getty
      Aubameyang, 31, had a face like thunder when he was left out of the team for Sunday’s North London derby after turning up late.
      But the superstar striker has buried the hatchet with his disciplinarian manager following heart to heart talks this week.
      Arteta confirmed: “We talked, everything has been resolved in a really positive way and now we move forward.
      “He has trained really well for the last two days and he was smiling as usual, which is what we always expect from Auba. So it’s all good.”
      With Arsenal defending a 3-1 lead from last week’s first leg in Athens, Aubameyang’s presence against the Greek champions could be vital.
      Arsenal team-mate Mohamed Elneny insisted: “We are all so happy to have Auba with us because we all know he is one of the best players we have.
      “He’s our captain and he is always there for us, supporting us on and off the pitch. He’s an amazing person and one the kindest players to speak to about anything.
      “He’s always happy, always laughing and he brings so much positive energy to the team.”
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      But while Aubameyang is back in line for an Arsenal return, he will be forced to sit out Gabon’s African Nations Cup qualifier in Angola a week on Monday.
      Thomas Partey will also be prevented from playing for Ghana in South Africa next week due Covid restrictions.
      And Arteta is far from happy with the forthcoming international fixture list which could involve three games in the space of six days for his weary players.
      He explained: “We are the ones who have to pay the players and look after them, so it’s the international teams who have to adapt to what we want.
      “We have some players with significant workloads and our priority is to win these next two games against Olympiacos and West Ham and then we will see what happens with international duty.
      “Three international games in six days is too much and this year I think it becomes something really dangerous with the amount of minutes these boys have played in such a short time with no preparations.
      “I don’t think it’s right but the decisions have been made and the games are going to be played, so it’s just about how we protect our players in the best possible way.
      “We will tell the federations about the state of our players and try to maintain an open discussion to manage the load in the best possible way.
      Mikel Arteta is hoping to see out his revenge mission on OlympiacosCredit: Getty
      Aubameyang cut a lonely figure on the bench on SundayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      “Those who are going to be in red zone countries won’t be able to play those fixtures, but the rest we have to allow them to go if they are fit.
      “Some might be able to play in one game and not the next so there is still a lot to figure out.
      “We will stick to all the protocols we have to allow our players to travel when they are safe and our doctor is in constant communication with the Premier League and the federations.
      “But it’s not too simple.”
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      Arteta responds to Aubameyang being dropped for reporting late for the North London derby More

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      Mohamed Elneny wants new Arsenal contract and reveals he always ‘expected’ to return to fold after Besiktas loan

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      MOHAMED ELNENY hopes to have secured a new Arsenal contract after his impressive revival under Mikel Arteta.The defensive midfielder was largely a squad player in his first four years at the club, and spent last season on loan at Besiktas.
      Mohamed Elneny is hoping to extend his Arsenal stayCredit: Getty
      A decent spell in Turkey led to Arsenal boss Arteta giving the 28-year-old a surprise start in the Community Shield win over Liverpool last August.
      And Elneny has not looked back since and praised his coach ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Olympiacos.
      He told reporters: “I expected to come back because I want to always be with the biggest team and I am really happy to be at Arsenal all the time.
      “When I was on loan, all the time I was thinking I need to get back to Arsenal to be in the squad, to play like I do now.
      “That’s why I worked really hard in Besiktas and I built myself there to come back stronger.
      “Before I came back, Mikel didn’t speak to me, but after when we came to the start of the season he started to speak to me.
      “And he said, ‘Mo, we have new things now. We have to understand how I want the midfield to play and always if you don’t understand something from the new system you have now, just come to ask me’.
      “He was helping me so much to understand the way he wanted us to play and this is what helped me a lot.
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      “After the Community Shield against Liverpool, he came and sat down with me and he just gave me everything I’ve done, with the pre-season and the game against Liverpool. It was really good for me to start the season with.”
      Elneny’s contract expires in 2022 and he must earn a new deal during a stringent cost-cutting process at the Emirates.
      But he has vowed to sign on the dotted line if asked to do so.
      The Egyptian stated: “Of course, for me I am always loyal to Arsenal.
      “And if Arsenal say to me, ‘Sign a new contract’, of course I would be happy to do this.”
      Arteta is out for revenge after Olympiacos downed the Gunners in last year’s Europa League knockouts, but it is Arsenal who hold a 3-1 advantage before Thursday’s second leg.
      I’m extremely happy with Elneny because he works really really hard every day.Mikel Arteta
      Elneny found form during a year away with Turkish club BesiktasCredit: EPA

      A late goal by Elneny rounded off a strong night in Athens a week ago and the manager praised his player’s efforts.
      He noted: “I’m extremely happy with him because he works really really hard every day, he’s been practising in training with [Steve] Round quite a lot, his range shots.
      “He totally deserved it. When you practice, at the end you get rewards and I’m happy that Mo did that.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Mohamed Elneny shows off his skills at Arsenal training More

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      Bernd Leno claims Arsenal dressing room has recovered from ‘bad atmosphere’ earlier in season

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      BERND LENO has praised Arsenal for ‘turning the corner’ from their shocking slump over the winter.The Gunners won only one league game between early October and Boxing Day, leading to minor fears of a relegation battle.
      Bernd Leno is glad to see Arsenal turn their form aroundCredit: Getty
      The Gunners have bounced back from a dreadful spell over the winterCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
      Just before the turnaround, German goalkeeper Leno lamented the poor attitude of the squad.
      He stated in December: “A lot of things are going wrong for us, the situation is getting heavier and our confidence is not at the top level.
      “It hurts very much but this team is still alive and it’s not the time to feel sorry for ourselves.”
      He added: “The attitude is bad, the discipline is lacking and we have no self-confidence. There are many factors at play here.”
      But Leno, 29, has helped Arsenal bounce back to tenth in the table.
      Victory over rivals Tottenham on the weekend left the Gunners five points off seventh place and the shot-stopper is dreaming of more European football next season.
      He told Kicker: “In the autumn, we had big problems, a bad atmosphere.
      “And we turned the corner.
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      “Now we’re at least getting a taste of [qualifying for] the Europa League again. The Champions League will be very, very difficult.”
      Arsenal have the chance to further boost their turnaround on Thursday when facing Olympiacos in the Europa League.
      A 3-1 first-leg lead could make for a comfortable night in North London before the Gunners travel to high-flying West Ham on Sunday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Arsenal vs Olympiacos FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Europa League clash More

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      Matteo Guendouzi determined to fight for Arsenal future and vows to ‘give everything’ despite Mikel Arteta row

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      MATTEO GUENDOUZI has vowed to fight for his Arsenal career once his Hertha Berlin loan spell comes to an end.
      Mikel Arteta sent the Frenchman to the Bundesliga following a bust-up over his attitude.

      Matteo Guendouzi must convince Mikel Arteta that he is worth another chance at ArsenalCredit: Reuters

      The Gunners boss was less than impressed with Guendouzi’s reaction to a ill-tempered defeat at Brighton, having already marked the midfielder’s card in his strict approach to team discipline.
      The 21-year-old has played 19 times in Germany as Hertha look to secure survival in the top-tier.
      But, with the loan move unlikely to be made permanent given Berlin’s lack of finances, Guendouzi hopes to return to North London in the summer.
      When asked about his career at Arsenal being over, he told France Football “No, not at all.

      “Now, I am focused on my season with Hertha Berlin.
      “Next, we will have a sit down with my entourage and people at the club to think and discuss the future.
      “I am still an Arsenal player. This summer will be a decisive moment.”
      Guendouzi is under contract at Emirates Stadium until 2022 although SunSport revealed last month that the Gunners plan to make him available for transfer as part of a summer clearout.

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      Nevertheless, the player is determined not to fall victim to the club’s cost-cutting drive.
      On the prospect of returning next season, he added: “Yes, of course. I belong to Arsenal for another year.
      “I am here to improve. From the moment that I am playing for Arsenal, I will give everything for this club, for the fans, for the team, for the staff.
      “I will work hard for the shirt as I have always done.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Matteo Guendouzi trains with loan club Hertha Berlin More

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      Aubameyang skipped Arsenal warm-down but will not lose captaincy after being dropped by hard-line Arteta

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      NO-ONE could say that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did not know what was coming because Mikel Arteta had laid down the law on his first day as Arsenal manager.
      Captain Aubameyang, 31, was shocked and angry when he was told that he was not playing in Sunday’s North London derby after arriving late at the Emirates.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cut a lonely figure on the bench on SundayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      But it was not the first time the striker’s poor timekeeping had been an issue.
      And Arteta was not going to let it pass despite the massive consequences it could have had if Arsenal had lost to Tottenham.
      On the very day he was appointed as Unai Emery’s successor, manager Arteta, 38, spelled out exactly what he expected from his players.
      He warned: “I want to get everyone at the club to accept a different way of thinking because if you don’t have the right culture in difficult moments the tree is going to shake.

      “My job is to convince everyone that this is how we are going to live from now on. And if you are going to be a part of this, it has to be on these terms and in this way.”
      And to be fair to Arteta, he has been as good as his word ever since.
      Mesut Ozil was bombed out not because of his support for the Uighur Muslims or for refusing to take a pay-cut with the rest of the squad.
      He went because his attitude and commitment around the training ground was not good enough.

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      And when Matteo Guendouzi refused to back down after being called out for grabbing Brighton’s Neal Maupay by the throat last season, he was also shown the door.
      Arteta remembered from his time as an Arsenal player how Arsene Wenger had allowed certain stars to pretty much do what they wanted.
      And he had noted how much resentment that caused among the younger players who believed that there was one rule for them and another for the big-name signings.
      He was determined that would not be the case under his watch and has refused to make any exceptions when it comes to players breaking his strict code of conduct.
      Arteta could easily have kept Aubameyang’s lack of discipline under wraps.
      The fuming Gabon striker did not even take part in the post-match warm-down with the other unused subs and left the Emirates soon after Arsenal’s 2-1 victory.
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      Matteo Guendouzi has previously felt Mikel Arteta’s strong approach to disciplineCredit: Reuters
      He will not be stripped of the captaincy as Arteta considers the incident dealt with although he wanted it out there Auba had crossed the line just weeks after he had been “reminded of his responsibilities” for getting a new tattoo during lockdown.
      It is rumoured the striker had already been fined when he was unable to travel for one of Arsenal’s Europa League games because he turned up late for a Covid test.
      Brazilian Willian, 32, was also subjected to disciplinary action from the club after taking an unauthorised trip to Dubai during last November’s international break.
      But when Willian was selected for the team’s next game at Leeds, one disgruntled player declared during a team meeting that not everyone was being treated the same way.
      That is a charge which Arteta utterly refutes and he repeatedly talks about the “non-negotiables” which apply to every player.
      The fact Arteta is the youngest manager in the Premier League has made him even more aware of the need to distance himself from the players.

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      His no-nonsense stance has been largely approved in the Gunners dressing-room and boardroom and by the majority of supporters.
      And if his refusal to compromise proves to be even half as successful as it was at Manchester City then no-one will be complaining.
      As he explained at his Emirates unveiling: “What I most learned from Pep Guardiola is you have to be completely ruthless and work every day to create a winning mentality.”
      Aubameyang will do well to remember that the next time he is running late.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arteta responds to Aubameyang being dropped for reporting late for the North London derby More

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      Supercomputer predicts final Premier League table based on current form with Arsenal recording worst finish in 26 years

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      ARSENAL are set for a tepid end to the season, according to a supercomputer’s prediction of the final Premier League table.
      Mikel Arteta retains hopes of qualifying for Europe by breaking into the upper echelons of the division.

      Manchester City are tipped to win the league by this formulaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Arsenal remain stuck in tenth place amid a tepid season in North LondonCredit: Getty – Pool

      Yet a formula put together by Sky Sports has revealed little to get excited about for Gooners.
      Their prediction pulled together ratios for goals scored, conceded and points won to determine the final run of fixtures.
      Just 15 more points were awarded to Arsenal for their last 11 games, leaving them tenth.
      Such a finish would be the club’s worst since a 12th-placed finish in 1995, ending a long run inside the top eight.

      The supercomputer changed little of the existing table with Aston Villa bumped above Liverpool into eighth place on goal difference.
      Jurgen Klopp will have another chance to avenge his side’s 7-2 defeat at Villa Park when welcoming Dean Smith’s side to Anfield on April 10.

      Manchester City claim the title with a 16-point margin over Manchester United in the prediction, bolstering their current lead by two points.
      There will certainly be smiles around Leicester, Chelsea, West Ham and Everton if they can maintain their positions.

      But Thomas Tuchel’s side will only squeeze into the top four on goal difference if this algorithm turns into reality.
      At the bottom, Fulham are predicted to narrowly miss out on a dramatic escape from relegation.
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      Newcastle currently sit a point above 17th-placed Brighton and the Cottagers, who have played a game more.
      The Magpies travel to West London for a potentially huge showdown on the last day of the season and are away to Brighton on March 20.
      The supercomputer has Newcastle hitting 38 points by the end of the campaign, 11 more than they have so far and three clear of Fulham’s predicted total.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Mikel Arteta slams Arsenal stars and warns them to stop taking unnecessary risks More