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      Ex-Arsenal star Jens Lehmann slams structure of club and says Arteta is ‘good coach but it seems to be a lot about him’

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      JENS LEHMANN has voiced concern at the structure of ex-club Arsenal and said Mikel Arteta is ‘a good coach but it seems to be a lot about him’.
      Keeper Lehmann spent five years with the Gunners before leaving for Stuttgart in 2008.

      Ex-Arsenal anf Germany goalkeeper Jens LehmannCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Current Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaCredit: Rex Features

      He later returned as an assistant coach for his former manager Arsene Wenger, spending the 2017–18 season back at Arsenal.
      Lehmann still keeps tabs on the club and fears they are no better off than when club legend Wenger left in 2018.
      He told All To Play For podcast, by bookmaker Coral and Joe Media: “I think Mikel Arteta is a good coach but it seems to be a lot about him.
      “I am not sure there is the right blend at the club.

      “When I was there, David Dein worked incredibly well with Arsene Wenger on the administration side of the club. Now, it is very different.
      “You don’t even know who is in charge there and who is making the decisions.
      “I was there as a coach in Arsene’s final year and he was criticised and told it was time to leave.
      “Things were much better in that final year than they are now.

      “As a former player, I want the club to do well so it is hard to see them struggling as they are doing.”
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      Lehmann, now 51, was part of Arsenal’s iconic 2003-04 unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ side that lifted the Premier League.
      The German also won the FA Cup the following season.
      Arteta joined Arsenal as a player in 2011 and spent five seasons at the Emirates before retiring.
      He took over as boss in December 2019 and Arsenal currently sit tenth in the table.

      Arsenal legend Martin Keown admits he has ‘reservations’ over Martin Odegaard taking No10 role from Emile Smith Rowe More

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      Arsenal ratings: Odegaard and Saka impress but Aubameyang costs Gunners in Europa League draw with Benfica

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      ARSENAL were left hoping for more after claiming a 1-1 draw with Benfica on Thursday.
      Bukayo Saka levelled after a Pizzi penalty put the Portuguese side in front after an Emile Smith Rowe handball.

      Bukayo Saka scored the leveller to send the sides to Athens levelCredit: PA:Press Association

      But there were chances to snatch the away leg of their Europa League last-32 tie, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang guilty of a couple of misses.
      Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies delivers his individual ratings from the 1-1 draw.
      BERND LENO – 7
      Had very little to do all night, and will be disappointed that he was unable to keep out the second-half penalty. He dived the correct way, but was a fraction of a second too late.
      HECTOR BELLERIN – 6
      His driving runs forward in the first half got Arsenal up the pitch, but remains a worry when it comes to the final pass, or in fact making the right pass. Bellerin’s leadership cannot be questioned, but his ability on the ball in the final third can.

      GABRIEL – 7
      After a nervy return to the starting XI following his positive coronavirus test, the Brazilian looks to finally be getting back to his best. Very rarely looks unsettled, and is building a nice partnership with his compatriot beside him.

      Gabriel put in a confident performance as he gets some form under his beltCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      DAVID LUIZ – 7
      A much-welcomed scare-free night from the veteran defender – and one which is becoming more and more common as he settles as Arteta’s experienced head. There is always a chance he will lose his head, but tonight was not one of them.
      CEDRIC SOARES – 7
      With Benfica sitting narrow and deep, Cedric had plenty of chances to deliver and in the second half one connected as Saka tapped home his cross. In the absence of Kieran Tierney he has performed well, and done his chances of starting the next couple of games with the Scot returning little harm.
      DANI CEBALLOS – 8
      Another game and another reason why Thomas Partey should not expect his return to the Arsenal starting XI to be a given. His creativity from deep and abstract style compared to Xhaka gave Arsenal a good balance in midfield, and came close to providing several openers with his passing.

      Dani Ceballos continued his strong run in the side of lateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      GRANIT XHAKA – 7
      A solid performance from a man so depended on now by Arteta, and provided Arsenal with protection on the counter. His only misplaced pass before half time could have cost his side as it allowed Benfica to have one more attack. Luckily for him, they didn’t take it.
      BUKAYO SAKA – 8
      An instinctive finish topped off another fine evening for the English winger, and perhaps could have had more in a game littered with chances. A dragged effort just before his second-half leveller would have earned him a deserved double, and was a marked man throughout with Jan Vertonghen throwing a few tackles his way.
      EMILE SMITH ROWE – 7
      He looked as though the intense schedule has caught up with him with some heavy legs on the Stadio Olimpico turf, but he still managed some moments of magic. His link-up play was matched only by his work rate, dropping deep to help build attacks.

      Emile Smith Rowe conceded the penalty on an otherwise decent display in RomeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      MARTIN ODEGAARD – 8
      His influence on this Arsenal attack is growing by the game, and this was no exception on a grand European stage. His runs in the pockets off the front men proved difficult for the Benfica defence to manage, and his pinpoint through ball created the leveller.
      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – 6
      Missed several chances to hand Arsenal an important away win, including a sitter from six yards in the first-half. He may have bagged a hat-trick against Leeds, but the striker remains lacking that fine cutting edge fans are used to seeing.
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      NICHOLAS PEPE (FOR AUBAMEYANG ’77)
      GABRIEL MARTINELLI (FOR SMITH ROWE ’77)
      MOHAMED ELNENY (FOR CEBALLOS ’90)
      WILLIAN (FOR ODEGAARD ’90)
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arsenal boss Arteta refuses to defend transfer flop Willian More

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      Arsenal verdict: Dani Ceballos has Gunners creating but misfiring strikers must find target

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      ARSENAL’S creative hub is brimming with excitement – and it all starts with Dani Ceballos.
      Now all they need to do is find their clinical edge as they return to north London knowing their 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico was a missed opportunity.

      Dani Ceballos has emerged as the leading light in Arsenal’s midfieldCredit: Reuters

      The Spaniard showed his presence again in the draw with BenficaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      Mikel Arteta opted to name an unchanged XI for a European game following a league match for the first time since 2015 after demolishing Leeds at the weekend.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a hat-trick, and the performances of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard shone through.
      But it has gone unnoticed how the Real Madrid loanee Ceballos is allowing them to tick with his infectious work rate, demanding presence, and bravery on the ball.
      He grabbed an assist against Leeds, and was at his assertive and direct best against Benfica – let down by some poor finishing by the Gunners’ normally reliable front men.

      With the injury to Thomas Partey keeping the £45m man out of action, the spot alongside the more robust, stand-still and protective Granit Xhaka has been available.
      And Ceballos has taken it with open arms, hence why Arteta now trusts the Spaniard in his midfield to start attacks and occupy opposition presses with his quick turns on the ball, as well as his ambition to run forward into spaces with and without the ball.
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      Arsenal are back on level terms, away goal secured, and it’s Bukayo Saka once again!Lovely pass from Odegaard in the build-up 👌A nervy wait for VAR but the goal is good ✅ pic.twitter.com/CrCtmCXESH
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 18, 2021

      Since arriving on loan from Madrid at the start of last season, his time in north London has been littered with moments like this, but bogged down by inconsistent displays around it.

      It seems now that after 18 months at the Emirates, we are finally seeing the Ceballos that was tipped in his teenage days as Spain’s brightest and most talented midfield maestro.
      It is why he has started six of Arsenal’s last seven games in all competitions.
      And if reports are to be believed, £25m to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future would be some bargain.
      That talent was on show in Rome as Ceballos opened up Benfica’s experienced defence with cutting through balls in the first-half.
      It was one of these balls from deep that set Hector Bellerin into the box before Aubameyang somehow skewed his effort from six yards wide.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suffered another poor night in front of goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bukayo Saka hit the equaliser in Arsenal’s 1-1 drawCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And in the second-half – minutes before their leveller – his cute back-heeled flick higher up the pitch provided Saka with a chance he normally buries.
      As Arsenal fought for the winner, his ability to mix it physically proved helpful in midfield too.
      But it’s his trickery with his feet, like the young stars ahead of him, that now sees him a key cog in Arteta’s ever-improving machine.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arsenal boss Arteta refuses to defend transfer flop Willian More

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      Arsenal stunned as Aubameyang misses open-goal sitter in Europa League draw with Benfica

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG shocked Arsenal fans with a poor miss in the early stages of the 1-1 draw with Benfica.
      The Gunners were hoping to see their club captain continue his incredible display from the weekend, when he struck a hat-trick past Leeds.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a huge chance to open the scoring on ThursdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the away leg of their Europa League tie with the Lisbon club started ominously on Thursday night.
      Hector Bellerin raced down the right on 19 minutes and slipped a cool pass across goal that begged for a finish.
      With the net gaping, Aubameyang met the cross but placed his left-footed shot wide of the near-post.
      The 31-year-old looked to the sky immediately after the miss, slapping his hands on his thighs in frustration.

      He later wrote on Twitter: “We deserved better and I should score couple goals today but still one game to go we keep going.”
      Aubameyang then singed out goalscorer Bukayo Saka for praise.
      It was only the star forward’s second outing in the Europa League all season, having been rested for most of the group stage.
      And there have been signs of form from Aubameyang in recent weeks after a long dry spell over Christmas.

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      The striker came into the last-32 first leg on good form thanks to a hat-trick against LeedsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Leeds hat-trick on Sunday made it six goals in his last six appearances going into the Rome encounter.
      But Aubameyang’s night ended early when Mikel Arteta hooked his star striker, who was substituted for Nicolas Pepe after firing wide from a good one-on-one position in the second-half.
      Arsenal were chasing a winner after pulling level against Benfica.
      An Emile Smith Rowe handball allowed Pizzi to open the scoring from the spot before Bukayo Saka levelled with a close-range finish.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Leeds More

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      Arsenal plot summer fire sale with David Luiz, Lacazette, Torreira and Guendouzi on chopping block

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      ARSENAL will launch major cost-cutting plans — despite slashing their wage bill by almost £700,000 a week in January.
      And that could see the Gunners listen to offers for Alexandre Lacazette and release David Luiz in a summer overhaul.

      Alexandre Lacazette may be sold as his contract enters its final yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Matteo Guendouzi and David Luiz could also be cut to save costsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      With no prospect of admitting fans this season and a £120million short-term loan to repay to the Bank of England, the club are feeling the pinch like never before.
      And the threat of missing out on European qualification for the first time since 1995 is looming over the Emirates like a dark cloud.
      Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has already started the economy drive by cancelling the contracts of Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
      With Sead Kolasinac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock also loaned out last month, Arsenal will save £16.5m on wages for the rest of this season.

      But further reductions in running costs are required — putting added pressure on manager Mikel Arteta to prune his squad.
      Lacazette is rapidly approaching the final year of his £150,000-a-week contract and no decision has yet been made as to whether to extend that deal.
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      The £52million French striker remains a key part of Arteta’s squad but the club are in no mood to give him a pay rise and could sell him this summer, rather than risk him going for free next year.

      Veteran defender Luiz, 33, earns about £120,000 a week and is out of contract this summer — when he will probably be released.
      Midfielders Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira — on loan with Hertha Berlin and Atletico Madrid — will be sold in the summer for around £25million each.
      While defender Kolasinac is likely to leave for a nominal fee and the club may consider offers for Willock and Maitland-Niles, plus other home-grown stars Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah.
      Arteta and technical director Edu are already making plans for the summer window.
      They want to sign Dani Ceballos and Mat Ryan on permanent deals from Real Madrid and Brighton, and may seek to agree a fee with Real for Martin Odegaard.

      Lucas Torreira could be let go after a loan stint with Atletico MadridCredit: Splash News

      Mat Ryan is being eyed for a longer stay at ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But transfer cash will be reliant on securing European qualification and with the team currently tenth in the table, that is by no means certain.
      Arteta remains confident the top six is still within reach and has not completely ruled out qualifying for the Champions League after a four-year absence from Europe’s top competition.
      Arsenal return to Europa League action on Thursday when they take on Benfica in Rome.
      But Arteta could rest players ahead of hosting league leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Leeds More

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      Monchengladbach star Rami Bensebaini sends Man Utd ‘come-and-get-me’ transfer plea after failed Arsenal trial

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      BUNDESLIGA star Rami Bensebaini has sent Manchester United a ‘come and get me’ appeal.
      The Borussia Monchengladbach defender and former Arsenal triallist said he has been a lifelong Red Devils fan – and wants to play in England.

      Rami Bensebaini has sent Manchester United a ‘come and get me’ appealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Left-back Bensebaini has won the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, and the French Cup with Rennes.
      Rated at £20million, he has helped Borussia into the Champions League last 16 following a fourth-place league finish last season
      Bensebaini also revealed his plans to foil his pal and national team-mate Riyad Mahrez when the Germans face Manchester City next week.
      The 25-year-old told BBC Afrique: “I have been a Manchester United fan since I was very little.

      “The Premier League has always attracted me. Everyone knows that I am a United fan.
      “I am with Gladbach for now, and I am happy with them.
      “But if one day I get the opportunity to make an upward step, and have a change of scene, I will seriously think about it.”
      Arsene Wenger handed Bensebaini a month-long trial with Arsenal in 2013 during his time with Algerian side Paradou AC.

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      The defender recalled: “I joined Arsenal’s academy. I stayed around a month, and trained with their first team.
      “But it was complicated as I didn’t speak English then. Five or six different coaches had to make the decision.
      “I also would have needed a European passport to stay. I hung round with the likes of Bacary Sagna and Marouane Chamakh.
      “I had gone from the Algerian third division to Arsenal. It was bizarre how quickly things went.
      “I ended up leaving, and going to play in Belgium.”
      Bensebaini is under contract until 2023. Signed from Rennes in 2019, he has also played for Lierse and Montpellier.

      Rami Bensebaini wants to play in EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He faces a tough task to thwart Mahrez and Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City next Wednesday.
      However he maintained: “I have trained alongside Riyad, and played an Africa Cup of Nations alongside him.
      “So I know a bit about how he plays. He is a great player, and it’s down to me to find a way to stop him.
      “He is a nice guy, he is very strong, he always listens to advice and knows where he has come from.
      “If you possess all those qualities, take things seriously and work as hard as he does, you are sure to be a success.”

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