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      Arsenal plot summer clear-out with David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette, Lucas Torreira & Matteo Guendouzi on chopping block

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      ARSENAL will launch major cost-cutting plans — despite just slashing their wage bill by almost £700,000 a week.
      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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      Kieran Tierney returns to Arsenal training in massive boost ahead of Europa League clash with Benfica

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      ARSENAL defender Kieran Tierney has returned to training in a massive boost for the Gunners ahead of their Europa League clash against Benfica.
      The Scottish left-back, 23, has missed Arsenal’s last five Prem games with a troublesome calf blow.

      Kieran Tierney is back in Arsenal trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Mikel Arteta has been forced to use Cedric Soares out of position on the left.
      But the club shared training footage on social media where Tierney can clearly be seen taking part in drills.
      Tierney was last seen on the field in the 3-0 win over Newcastle on January 18.
      Arsenal play Benfica in the Europa League last 32 on Thursday after easily topping their group.

      But neither side will play their ‘home’ leg in their usual stadium amid travelling restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
      Thursday’s match, initially scheduled for Portugal, will be held at Italy’s Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
      While the Gunners’ tie has been moved from the Emirates to Athens and the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis.
      Tierney has been a revelation at the Emirates since joining from Celtic for £25million in 2019.

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      And he revealed, in the programme before Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leeds on Sunday, that he will go back to following Celtic when he hangs up his boots.
      Tierney said: “I have thought about it, but it’s hard to say with it being so far away.
      “It’s not crossed my mind to do any coaching badges or anything like that yet.
      “Some of the older players talk about it, and doing the qualifications, it’s probably something you think more about when you get over 30, but before that it’s all about your playing career.
      “Well when I finish playing I’ll be back in Scotland, no doubt going back to my old life of supporting Celtic home and away again!
      “I’ll be back there doing something anyway. I’ll definitely live in Scotland when I finish playing, 100 per cent. I miss it every day.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arsenal boss Arteta confirms that Tierney and Partey will not play against Leeds due to injury More

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      Aubameyang twisted his ankle after hat-trick in Arsenal’s win over Leeds but should be fit for Benfica, confirms Arteta

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG twisted his ankle after his hat-trick in Arsenal’s win over Leeds but should be fit to face Benfica.
      The Gunners ended their run of three matches without a win thanks to the help of their skipper and Hector Bellerin.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twisted his ankle after his hat-trick in Arsenal’s win over LeedsCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Mikel Arteta is hopeful Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should be fit to face BenficaCredit: Reuters

      But Aubameyang suffered a late injury scare before the final whistle as he collided with Luke Ayling.
      Arsenal play Benfica in Rome – amid coronavirus travel restrictions – on Thursday in their next match.
      Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Aubameyang’s knock but is left hopeful he will be fit to play.
      Arteta said: “He was in pain and got a big kick, twisted his ankle but hopefully he will be fine.”

      Thomas Partey, 28, and Kieran Tierney, 23, were both sidelined against Leeds and remain doubts for the Europa League clash.
      Arteta said: “It seems unlikely at the moment, but I don’t know. Probably if there is one player who has got a bigger chance, it’s Kieran.
      “Probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team.
      “But I don’t know how he is going to evolve when he gets a little bit closer to training with the group.”

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      Aubameyang started his first game since scoring twice against Newcastle on January 18.
      The forward missed two games at the end of last month and started on the bench in Arsenal’s last two.
      He confirmed it was due to fighting off-field personal battles, having looked after his unwell mother.
      But the 31-year-old returned to the starting 11 in emphatic form and did so through the middle, opposed to out on the left.
      Arteta said: “He’s been training really good, he wants to get back
      “He wants to help the team. I could see that this week. I had a feeling to put him as a No9 today and he’s done his job.”

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

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      How Arsenal could line up against Leeds with Leno and Luiz back but Tierney and Partey both out injured

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      ARSENAL will welcome back Bernd Leno and David Luiz to their squad against Leeds – but will be without Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey.
      Partey limped off injured in the Gunners’ defeat at Aston Villa last weekend, with manager Mikel Arteta confirming he is out.

      How Arsenal could line up against Leeds

      Arteta said: “It is a difficult one, he felt something during the game and we didn’t think it was too bad but after the scan looked a little bit worse.
      “He won’t be available to play against Leeds and we will see how it evolves in the next two days but it is a muscular issue.”
      Left-back Tierney has missed the last four league games with Arteta revealing he is still struggling with a knee problem.
      Keeper Leno and Luiz were both sent off against Wolves and as a result missed the trip to Villa.

      Mat Ryan filled in between the posts but is likely to be replaced at the Emirates.
      Luiz is primed to come back into the side to pair with Gabriel at centre-back, meaning Rob Holding, if not preferred, will be benched.
      With Tierney out, Cedric Soares is expected to fill in on the left of the backline allowing Hector Bellerin on the right.
      Grant Xhaka will be without midfield partner Partey, setting up Mohamed Elneny to return to the starting 11.

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      In front of them, Emile Smith-Rowe is the favoured No10 on form but faces competition from winter signing Martin Odegaard.
      Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka started out wide against Aston Villa with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the bench.
      Aubameyang has not started the last two games, having been out for three matches prior as he cared for his unwell mother.
      The club captain could start out on the left, leaving Saka and Pepe fighting for a space on the right.
      It would leave Frenchman Alexandre Lacazatte leading the line for the eight game in a row.
      But Aubameyang is an alternate choice down the middle, should Pepe and Sake both start.
      Brazilians Willian and Gabriel Martinelli are further options out wide, despite struggling for form of late.

      How Arsenal could line up against Leeds More

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      Arsenal face fresh Thomas Partey injury panic as Mikel Arteta reveals star limped off with muscle problem in Villa loss

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      ARSENAL face a fresh Thomas Partey injury panic after he limped off with a muscle problem against Aston Villa.
      The midfielder was replaced by Willian on the 74th minute as the Gunners lost 1-0 at Villa Park.

      Thomas Partey picked up an injury against Aston VillaCredit: AFP

      Arteta, 38, said: “He had a muscular injury so we had to take him off.
      “He could not carry on playing. I don’t know [how bad it is].
      “We will see the extent of the injury. He wasn’t feeling well enough to continue playing so we had to take him off.”
      Ollie Watkins’, 25, winner just two minutes in was enough to see Arsenal lose their second game on the bounce.

      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
      Again they lined up without left-back Kieran Tierney, 23, who has missed the last four matches.
      Partey, 27, only returned to the squad in January, having been ruled out for nine matches with a hip problem.
      He has only managed 11 starts in the Premier League since his £45million move from Atletico Madrid in the summer.

      Arsenal are now ninth in the table and without a win in three matches.
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      After defeat at Villa, boss Arteta said: “It was a really strong performance again today.
      “We completely dominated the game, we dominated every department and we should have won the game.
      “That’s something we have to do better [be more ruthless] and that’s something that has cost us in the last two games.
      “As you could see me I was really animated for a few decisions and one big decision, that I will not discuss here as well what happened.
      “But it is what it is. It is not an excuse. Regardless of those decisions we have to win the game. It is as simple as that.”

      Arteta claims Arsenal are not ruthless enough after their loss to Villa More

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      Arsenal set to lose Folarin Balogun on free transfer at end of season as contract talks with 19-year-old striker stall

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      ARSENAL’S young star Folarin Balogun is set to leave the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer this summer with no sign of him agreeing a new deal.
      The 19-year-old striker has netted twice in the Europa League this season but has found other first team opportunities hard to come by.

      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun is set to leave the Emirates Stadium this summerCredit: Reuters
      And now manager Mikel Arteta faces a dilemma with the England Under-20s man – play him or lose him.
      With his contract up in the summer, Balogun has no intention of penning new terms while he remains on the sidelines, according to the Express.
      With teams in Europe now able to snap him up on a pre-contract agreement, his days in a Gunners shirt could be numbered.

      RB Leipzig are the frontrunners to snap him up, with the high-flyers joined by Bundesliga rivals set on securing one of England’s top young talents.
      Balogun hinted at his frustration at the lack of opportunities when he tweeted a video of his hat-trick for the club’s Under-23s side against Brighton just after Arteta’s men crashed out of the FA Cup to Southampton.
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      Gunners boss Mikel Arteta pointed to Balogun’s agent as causing problemsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Gunners boss insisted in January the club are ‘doing everything’ to get Balogun to stay but pointed to the young star’s agent as throwing a spanner in the works.

      Arteta said: “The club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal, the player wants to stay and I’m not sure about the agent.
      “I’m telling you that we are doing everything we can to keep him here and hopefully from the other part they are doing the same and in the same interest, which is the player’s interest which is to stay at the football club and be successful with us.”
      Balogun has made just five substitute appearances for Arsenal’s first team this season despite lighting up the scoring charts for the U23s.
      Now it seems those first team opportunities may have to come elsewhere as clubs across Europe circle to snap him up for nothing.  

      Mikel Arteta says he couldn’t see any contact from David Luiz in red card incident at Wolves More