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    Arsenal ‘considering shock swoop for Everton flop Moise Kean’ to solve striker woes but face fight with three Prem foes

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    ARSENAL are keeping tabs on Everton flop Moise Kean in their battle to finally add some firepower up front.The Gunners have been unable to sign a centre-forward in the last few transfer windows, leaving manager Mikel Arteta with a lack of options to spearhead his attack.Arsenal have been linked with Fiorentina star Moise KeanCredit: GettyEverton flop Kean is also wanted by three other Prem sidesCredit: RexArteta has used Gabriel Jesus up front – and the likes of midfielders Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino as false nines.Many Arsenal fans have blamed missing out on the Premier League title on the lack of a natural striker.According to Tuttomercatoweb, however, the Gunners are finally looking to splash the cash for a No9 in this summer transfer window.And Arsenal have been linked with Kean, 25, who is thriving this season with Fiorentina as he has already registered 20 goals and three assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.Read More on ArsenalThat is a far cry from the £44million-rated forward’s Goodison Park days, in which he scored just four goals in 39 matches following his move from Juventus in 2019.The Italy international was loaned out to Paris Saint-Germain and former club Juve where he made a permanent return in 2023.Kean regained his former goalscoring prowess with Fiorentina following his move to the Artemio Franchi in the summer.Although last month he collapsed on the pitch against Verona – but he has now recovered.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesArsenal are facing competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle.Toon see him as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak if he decides to leaveMoise Kean shows off his super skill with training at PSGIsak has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival at St James’ Park in 2022 and has even been linked with a move to the Emirates this summer.The Gunners have also been linked with other European strikers, shich as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Juventus sharpshooter Dusan Vlahovic and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen – who is currently on loan at Galatasaray.Arsenal ratings vs ChelseaARSENAL collected three points at the Emirates with a comfortable display as they fight to keep their fading title hopes alive. More

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      I’m Arsenal’s biggest fan but people want me banned because I turn up to stadium in nothing but body paint

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      ARSENAL’s self-proclaimed ‘biggest female fan’ has claimed supporters want her “BANNED” from games because she rocks up to the Emirates in just body paint.Life-long Gunners fan Arabella Mia has gone viral on numerous occasions for her lack of outfits at the Emirates.Adult star Arabella Mia is a massive Arsenal fanCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_The 27-year-old is a regular outside of the Emirates – albeit in the buffCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_She interviews the Emirates faithful while completely starkersCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_Her lack of clothing has repeatedly been met with major backlash, but the 27-year-old influencer insists her nude antics are helping women break into the football space.She said: “Men always assume I’m just another girl pretending to like football and think I don’t know anything about it.“But I usually end up knowing more than those who try to catch me out.“I’ve been into football since I was a kid but it was my first boyfriend who inspired my love for Arsenal.READ MORE SPORT STORIES“He was a die-hard Gooner and taught me all about the team.“But I knew from the get-go that I’d have to fight my way into this space and make myself memorable.“That’s how the whole idea of going to the matches nude came about.“I can’t understand why seeing a woman’s body is such a problem.Most read in FootballArabella Mia is an incredibly knowledgeable football fanCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_But men assume she just pretends to be interested in the sport to boost her profileCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_“At first, I wanted to be the new face of Arsenal – but it’s so much more than that now.“We need more women in football communities, so it is important to me to be at the forefront of this.Inside a day in the life of an Arsenal player as newly promoted goalkeeper, 19, gives glimpse behind the scenes“And this is how I choose to do it.”Mia, who also makes and sells adult content on OnlyFans, spends several hours painting her body with a skin-tight Arsenal kit.She then proceeds to interview Gunners fans for their thoughts on Mikel Arteta’s side.And she’s become so accustomed to chatting to her fellow Gooners in the buff that she sometimes forgets she’s nearly completely starkers.She said: “Once I got past the initial nerves, I absolutely loved it.“I was just standing there talking about football and interacting with other fans – I honestly forgot that I was even naked.“We had a laugh and I surprised some of the men with my sports knowledge.“But online, it was a different matter.“Somebody recorded me at the stadium and posted it online, calling me out for being naked in public.“It went viral and the hate I got was insane. Some people called for me to be banned from the stadium.”Despite the immense online backlash, Arabella continues to stick to her guns and attend stadiums in the buff – although sometimes she likes watching games from the comfort of the pub.Arabella Mia has no plans to stop her near-nude interviewsCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_Mia could care less about the backlash her antics receiveCredit: JAM PRESS / @GREENGIRLBELLA_“I don’t always stay at the stadium,” she said. “Sometimes, I’ll find the nearest pub and watch from there.“At away matches, I’ve even had to sit in the competition’s local and keep my head down.“But I don’t care – I will always support the boys, no matter what.“Every time I’ve actually been at matches with the fans in person, they love the body paint and most people are happy to get involved with the interviews.“Even the stadium security are fine with it – I just have to chuck a top on before I go inside.“One time when I was in body paint, a little girl with her family said, ‘Dad, can I have a photo with the superhero?’“That’s what she thought I was.“In my opinion, my nude outfit is no different than Scarlett Johansson wearing the Avengers catsuit.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I don’t care so much what people think anymore and just do what feels right to me. This is pure passion.“I can’t wait to see what’s next for the team – I’ll be there every step of the way, body paint on and ready for more madness.” More

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      Arsenal board has FAILED Arteta and have ‘got what they deserve’ for wasting money, says ex-chief in bombshell interview

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      KEITH EDELMAN was Arsenal’s managing director during one of the most successful and defining periods in the club’s history.Alongside vice-chairman David Dein and legendary manager Arsene Wenger between 2000 and 2008, Edelman oversaw the construction of the Emirates Stadium and departure from Highbury, as well as an iconic recruitment drive that won two Premier League titles – including the 2004 Invincibles.Keith Edelman (right) knows what it takes to succeed at ArsenalCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe former managing director helped to build the Invincibles teamCredit: ReutersEdelman helped build title-winning teams with David Dein (left) and Arsene WengerCredit: Getty – ContributorHe also oversaw the construction of the Emirates StadiumCredit: GettyAnd nearly two decades on, in an exclusive tell-all interview with SunSport, English businessman Edelman has opened up on:The “failure” of the current board to provide Mikel Arteta with a title-winning squadHow cash-strapped Arsenal worried about paying player WAGES in 2003Why the Emirates will stand the test of time WITHOUT increasing the capacitySelling Thierry Henry because he was “losing his speed”Twenty-one years on from their last title triumph, the Gunners look set to finish second for a THIRD year on the spin following yet another drop-off that sees them 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with nine games remaining.Arteta has been left hamstrung in attacking areas this term after failing to sign a striker in the past two windows, compounded by long-term injuries to forwards Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.Edelman, now 74, knows the value of building a squad capable of challenging for – and ultimately winning – major honours, working on deals for the likes of Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Sol Campbell, Gilberto Silva, Jens Lehmann and Jose Antonio Reyes during his time.Those six stars were bought for a combined total of around £42.5million, which in today’s money would be around £76million. In comparison, Havertz and Jesus were brought in for £110million.Edelman told The Sun: “I’m quite strategic in the way I see squads being built up and [Arsenal now] haven’t really built a balanced squad. They have failed on that front.“If that happens, you normally fail. You get what you deserve in a competitive environment.“If you look at the wage bill and the playing squad they have, you have to conclude that they’ve spent their money unwisely.“At the end of the day, the board has got to be responsible.”’He’s got a sense of humour’ – Sky Sports panel in stitches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s stunt in live TV interviewArsenal are hoping to announce the appointment of new sporting director Andrea Berta in the coming weeks, following the resignation of Edu back in November, ahead of a huge summer window.Berta will work alongside current managing director Richard Garlick, co-owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, executive vice-chair Tim Lewis and Arteta.It’s amazing how people who are paid huge amounts of money make so many big mistakes. People do lose their marbles a bit.Keith Edelmanformer Arsenal managing director From an era where Wenger ruled the roost when it came to incomings, Edelman continued: “It is clear that the manager now, with all the pressures and all the strains, can’t do everything.“He needs support in building a team and doing deals and transfers.“When I first joined Arsenal, there was one executive who ran one of the big football clubs who said to me: ‘You know, if Wenger doesn’t win the league this year or next year, you ought to fire him’.“He said, ‘It’s no good coming second all the time. You’ve got to win these things’. Fortunately, we did go on to win things.“Quite often people who are running football clubs seem to lose what I call their strategic nous in terms of working out what it is they need to do and how to build the squad.Arsenal’s biggest signings in the past 17 years“There are a lot of people who do it very well. There were some very wily operators like Ken Bates (Chelsea), Martin Edwards (Man Utd), and Daniel Levy.“And then of course, we’ve moved from that to large American organisations who think they know how to do football because they’ve done baseball or American football.“I’m not against all that. I’m just saying it’s a change. It’s different.“But it’s amazing how people who are paid huge amounts of money make so many big mistakes. People do lose their marbles a bit.“It’s extremely important to be really thoughtful and strategic and not be too emotional.“One CEO I knew used to go down to the training ground every day and had his initials put on his training gear, like one of the lads. That’s not what a CEO should do.”In their recent financial report, Arsenal’s wages have risen from £234.8million to £327.8million and posted an annual loss of £17.7million, despite record revenues of £616.6million – up £150million from last year.Those numbers are a world away from Edelman’s time at the club. Despite being one of the biggest clubs in English football, money was tight with little investment – even ahead of their unbeaten season of 2003/04.Arsenal were forced to sell many of their stars under EdelmanCredit: AFPThierry Henry left for Barcelona in a £16million dealCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdEdelman explained: “It was a very, very small business at that time. We had some big ideas about building a new stadium but we had no cash at all.“We used to turn over £65million when I joined. It’s a small number. The highest-paid player was on around £1.4million a year in those days.“Late in 2003, we’d sent some guy off to do a property deal. He said to me, ‘They’re not coming up with the right number. I should walk out of the room. I’ll get more tomorrow’.“I said, ‘No, you’ve got to sign the deal tonight because we can’t pay the wages on Thursday’. So yes, it was a bit stretched.”It was this sort of financial situation that led to the Invincibles squad being broken up just a few years after their historic 2004 triumph, seeing the likes of Pires, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry depart and replaced with young, bargain-buy hopefuls with potential.In the aftermath, Arsenal went nine years without lifting a major trophy. Edelman said: “If you’ve got endless amounts of money, as Manchester City had, you could keep a team going longer.“If you win things, you have a lot of world-class players because that’s how you win things. But when they get older, it’s very difficult to replace them. They won’t be world-class forever.“This is what I mean about looking at things strategically. You’ve got to ask the right questions. You’ve got to be probing. I don’t think a lot of people do that.”Henry – who was club captain and 29 at the time – was sold to Barcelona in the summer of 2007 for £16m. The Frenchman cited Dein’s departure and uncertainty over Wenger’s future as the reason.Edelman continued: “The reason Thierry moved on was because he was losing his speed. His game was basically all about speed. And if you lose your speed, then you’re dead.“So, we got money for him despite the fact that he was on the downward trap. It’s like Kevin De Bruyne. Would you have been better to sell him for more money at the end of last year?“Or, keep him and risk that he’d keep going this season?”Edelman is arguably best remembered for the Emirates Stadium, raising around £500million through loans and sponsorship to finance the construction, which was finished on time in the summer of 2006.Nearly 20 years on, there have been calls to increase the 60,704 capacity to compete with the likes of Old Trafford and Tottenham’s billion-pound stadium, something that could prove impossible given the original design and surrounding housing estates.And Edelman argues: “When I go there, I look around and it has stood up terribly well over time.“There are some things that are ageing and need to be replaced, but the fabric of the building is still amazing. It looks like it could have been built two years ago, not 20.“I know everyone wants to go bigger, but when I go to Wembley, I don’t enjoy the experience. You’re too far away from the pitch.”Edelman has landed a new role away from football. He has taken up a position with the country’s leading keynote speakers’ agency, Champions Speakers, to deliver speeches in the business world More

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      Arsenal hero Ian Wright blasts muddy pitch where Gunners’ fell to a first-leg Champions League loss to Real Madrid

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      IAN WRIGHT branded Real Madrid’s pitch a “f***ing disgrace” as Arsenal’s Champions League bid got stuck in the mud.The Gunners icon said the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium’s surface was worse than the Pride Park pitch, where Chelsea beat Manchester City in Saturday’s League Cup final. Ian Wright was appalled by the condition at Real Madrid’s home ground where the Spanish club hosted their Champions League duel with ArsenalCredit: SportsfileThe wet conditions on the pitch left players covered in mud during the quarter-final first-leg clashCredit: GettyArsenal hope to overturn a 2-0 deficit when the team’s meet next Wednesday in the second leg at the EmiratesCredit: GettyGoals from Real strikers Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo saw Arsenal fall to a quarter-final first-leg defeat. The drenched pitch at the rain-soaked Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, left the Gunners’ women stars and their opponents splattered in mud with some players slipping due to its conditions. In the second half Madrid midfielder and ex-Chelsea ace Melanie Leupolz went off after hurting her knee she attempted to clear the ball up field. In an Instagram video, Women’s Super League ambassador Wright said: “It’s a f***ing disgrace, the pitches these girls have to play on.” Read More Football Stories Light wind and rain had been forecast in Spain’s capital ahead of yesterday’s game. However conditions were very wet ahead of the 5:45pm kick-off. Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said: “We knew the condition of the pitch. “We had a plan for it but then it’s always hard because over a season and over time you work on things and you have an identity the way you want to do things. Most read in FootballRenee Slegers has backed Arsenal to turn things around in their decisive second-leg quarters clashCredit: Getty“So then reality comes and these conditions come and all of a sudden you need to do things differently so that’s hard.”Arsenal will battle to try and overturn the deficit in next Wednesday’s second leg at the Emirates.Slegers added: “We’re all confident we can do something against them at the Emirates because it’s only half time.” More

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      ‘He thinks we are all idiots’ – Chelsea fans turn on Enzo Maresca after ‘delusional’ comments following Arsenal loss

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      CHELSEA fans were furious with manager Enzo Maresca’s post-match comments after their loss to rivals Arsenal.The Blues lost 1-0 to the Gunners at the Emirates on Sunday following Mikel Merino’s winner in the 20th minute.Chelsea fans were furious with manager Enzo Maresca after their loss to rivals ArsenalCredit: X @ChelseaFCMaresca claimed Chelsea ‘controlled the game’ and ‘competed very well’Credit: GettyThe West Londoners’ faithful were furious with the performance against Mikel Arteta’s side.And their frustrations got worse after hearing Maresca, 45, telling Sky Sports his side “controlled the game” and “competed very well” against the North Londoners.Fuming Chelsea fans took to social media and lashed out at the Italian tactician, with some calling him “delusional”, amid a turbulent run in the Premier League.One fan tweeted: “This guy is delusional. The difference was Arsenal tried to win the game. And we had no intention of doing that.”Read More on ChelseaAnother commented: “We controlled the game”??!! Honestly it’s worrying how deluded he is. Controlling the bits of the pitch with sideways passing doesn’t mean you control the game. “We didn’t look threatening at all. Arsenal forced us wide & shut the central areas out comfortably.”A third wrote: “It’s not the fact that he is watching a different game, it’s the fact that he thinks we are all idiots and that we can not see how dire we are. Insulting.”This fan added: “We certainly didn’t control the game.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesdayplus player ratings and exclusives from Stamford BridgeAnd that one asked: “Does Maresca watch a different game to the rest of us?”Chelsea fans were also left upset with Maresca following a heated exchange with Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber during the closing stages of the game.Enzo Maresca defends lacklustre Chelsea after Conference League progress Timber was caught on camera leaning in and telling the ex-Leicester boss on the sidelines to: “Try harder, try harder.”Maresca responded with his mouth covered, before the full-back cheekily held out his own hand.The Chelsea boss shook it and fans were not impressed with his light-hearted reaction.Chelsea ratings vs ArsenalCHELSEA missed the chance to pull clear in the race for Champions League football as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game as the Blues produced a limp performance at the Emirates.They were without several key men including Cole Palmer.And they struggled to create chances against Arsenal with a threadbare subs bench to boot.But who was Chelsea’s best player in North London?And which players will want to forget about their performance as soon as possible?See SunSport’s Andy Dillon’s verdict on the Chelsea players here More

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      ‘He’s got a sense of humour’ – Sky Sports panel in stitches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s stunt in live TV interview

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      MIKEL ARTETA left Sky Sports’ panel in stitches after being asked to give an update on Bukayo Saka’s fitness.Arsenal maintained their stranglehold on second place in the Premier League with a  1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.Mikel Arteta stormed out of his post-match interview following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester UnitedCredit: SKY SPORTSThe Spaniard pretended to storm out of his post-match interview following the Gunners’ win over ChelseaCredit: SKY SPORTSThe Spaniard had a wry smile on his face after pretending to pull anothe fast oneCredit: SKY SPORTSArteta was in a happy mood during his post-match interview with Sky Sports, so much so that he mocked his viral antics after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.The Spaniard pretended to storm out of his interview with the broadcaster as he did after the Gunners’ slim title hopes went up in smoke at Old Trafford.”I’m in,” the former Gunners midfielder said with a smile on his face after diving back into the frame. “He’s got a good chance [of returning after the international break].”Sky’s interviewer saw the funny side of Arteta’s antics, as did presenter Dave Jones.READ MORE SPORTS NEWSThe veteran broadcaster said: “He’s got a sense of humour.”The end of Arteta’s interview spread like wildfire on social media, with one footie fan writing on X: “Now you see him, now you don’t.”Another said: “That is brilliant.”And another said: “Love mikel such a s**thouse and he’s our s**thouse.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMikel Merino bagged the only goal of the game for ArsenalCredit: GETTYOne remarked with a laughing emoji: “This guy.”Another chimed in: “Arteta’s comedy gold.”Mikel Arteta walks out of Sky Sports interview moments after Arsenal lose further ground in Premier League title raceArsenal have been without Saka’s services since their 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last December.He resumed light individual drills last month during the North Londoners’ mid-season trip to Dubai.But he’s yet to resume competitive training with the first team, which Arteta will ease him into.He said: “Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.”He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making a very good progress I would say.”So, let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.”Arsenal will be back in action on April Fools’ Day, welcoming Fulham to the Emirates. More

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      Arsenal player ratings: Tireless presser Mikel Merino shines but Martin Odegaard cuts frustrated figure and Saliba shaky

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      ARSENAL collected three points at the Emirates with a comfortable display as they fight to keep their fading title hopes alive.Mikel Merino broke the deadlock with a gorgeous looping header that nestled into the net at the unmarked Chelsea back-post.Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners in their London derby against ChelseaCredit: GETTYA first-half header from Mikel Merino was enough to separate the teamsCredit: GETTYThe Spaniard’s goal, however, wasn’t enough to cover up a poor performance in front of goal for the Gunners. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard missed chances and should have sent Arsenal into the half-time interval at least two goals up.Marc Cucurella nearly equalised for the Blues after a David Raya howler as the keeper spilled his volley and the ball nearly rolled in at the back post.Two ugly fouls from Wesley Fofana could have both seen red, but somehow, the Chelsea defender went unpunished. The first, a clear stamp on Declan Rice’s hamstring after bundling him over. And the second, a reckless lunge that caught Trossard late on the shin.After sailing through to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 9-3 aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven, the Gunners reduced the gap to 12 points at the top of the table but still lacked the attacking instinct a true number nine brings. Enzo Marseca’s Chelsea, meanwhile, struggled to cause the Gunners any real issues and dropped more points in the race for the top four.Despite Raheem Sterling’s player-of-the-match performance midweek, the Arsenal winger was ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea and had to watch from the stands.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMikel Merino’s header was his sixth goal of the seasonCredit: GETTYCole Palmer missed his side’s visit to North London due to illness and will have to wait even longer for his first Premier League goal since January.The attacker has yet to play a single minute at the Emirates Stadium in his career.Enzo Maresca defends lacklustre Chelsea after Conference League progress Here is how SunSport’s Conor Jones rated Arsenal’s performances in North London.DAVID RAYA – 6/10The goalkeeper had a quiet first half but nearly let a Cucurella volley slip straight through his hands and into the back of the net.He showed his confidence in possession and distributed well as the Gunners piled pressure on their London rivals.Nonetheless, the silly mistake tainted a clean sheet and nearly cost his side valuable points.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7Described as a “liability” by Arteta, Lewis-Skelly silenced his critics with a strong performance at the Emirates.Attacked well down the left, causing Wesley Fofana issues from early on and held his own against a tricky Jadon Sancho but did have quiet periods.A lovely run coming in from the left earned his side a dangerous freekick in the 70th minute.Following his maiden call-up to the England side, the left-back put in a mature performance against Thomas Tuchel’s former side.WILLIAM SALIBA – 5The Frenchman didn’t face much from the Chelsea attack but reacted slowly to clear a ball forward from the Blues and nearly set Enzo Fernandez through on goal.A short header back early in the first half allowed Nkunku gave chase and forced the keeper to clear.Got a lively reaction from the Arsenal faithful after a strong challenge earned his side a goal kick.Saliba didn’t have his greatest gameCredit: GettyGABRIEL – 6Was strong at the back and started a couple of attacks with positive balls forward and a marauding run in the second half.Shepherded the Chelsea attack well with Saliba and rarely put a foot wrong but did pick up a yellow for a late challenge.Could have offered more from set pieces, but Odegaard’s deliveries left a lot to be desired.JURRIEN TIMBER – 7The Dutchman was dangerous down the right flank and nearly broke the deadlock with a ball across the six-yard line, but the Gunners failed to bundle the ball over the line.Tracked back brilliantly after an Arsenal corner and drew a huge cheer from the home crowd with a strong challenge on Pedro Neto.He dealt with Nkunku fairly comfortably when he had to, but that wasn’t often.Timber was dangerous down the sideCredit: APDECLAN RICE – 6Rice was bright from the start, taking two shots in the first ten minutes but failed to test Sanchez between the Blues’ posts.Nearly earned Wesley Fofana a red card after a disgusting stamp that VAR failed to intervene with.Hammered a dangerous freekick into the wall and made positive runs going forward but, like his teammates, lacked the creative spark.THOMAS PARTEY – 6The Ghanaian was confident in possession and used his strength well against Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park.His role as a six in the Arsenal midfield allowed Rice and Odegaard to push forward while he kept Enzo and the rest of the Chelsea midfield fairly quiet.Could have offered more going forward, but that was a common issue amongst the Gunners.MARTIN ODEGAARD (Capt) – 5 (TIERNEY 90 mins)The Gunners captain whipped in a delightful ball to the front post which Mikel Merino brilliantly flicked over the Blues’ keeper but failed to impact the game elsewhere.Should have had a second assist midway through the first half but Martinelli failed to hit the target.Picked up a yellow for a frustrated late challenge on Cucurella after he failed to test Sanchez with a limp strike.Odegaard struggled to have his normal impactCredit: EPALEANDRO TROSSARD – 6Nearly scored on the end of a dangerous delivery from Gabriel Martinelli in the second minute but sliced his shot wide of the right post from the edge of the area.The Belgian almost returned the favour after his press forced Robert Sanchez to give possession away to Martinelli, but the Brazilian failed to capitalise.Like Martinelli, he failed to take the few chances he did get and contributed to Arsenal’s attacking woes.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6 (NWANERI 78 mins)Created well but his finishing was well below par and cost him two massive chances in the first half.Could have made it 1-0 in the first ten minutes after Sanchez passed the ball straight to him, but the Brazilian hit a limp strike straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper.The winger missed a second chance midway through the first half as he struck a horrendous effort beyond the post and into the home fans after Odegaard played him through.Found Merino at the back-post with a nice ball, but the Spaniard’s volley was met with a strong save.While he is positive on the ball, Martinelli is not the answer to Arsenal’s struggling attack.Martinelli missed several chancesCredit: GettyMIKEL MERINO – 8The Spaniard followed up an uninspiring display against Manchester United with a fantastic header at the front post, looping the ball over Sanchez.His role as a makeshift striker has been heavily criticised, but Merino backed up his tireless pressing with a goal at the Emirates.Nearly scored a second with a volley at the back post but failed to beat an impressive diving save by Sanchez.The Gunners still look flat up front and another goal from a corner wasn’t enough to cover that up.SUBSETHAN NWANERI (MARTINELLI 78 mins) Tried to make an impact with the little time he had but struggled to get the better of Cucurella.KIERAN TIERNEY (ODEGAARD 90 mins)N/A More

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      Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0: Gunners survive huge six-pointer to tighten grip on second place as Blues sweat on Champions League

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      MIKEL ARTETA this week said he was determined for Arsenal to be the best of the rest this season as Liverpool stroll to the Premier League title.They are on course to do just that, especially when “the rest” are as atrocious and as hot-headed as Chelsea are right now.Stand-in striker Mikel Merino gave Arsenal a deserved lead from a corner inside 20 minutesMarc Cucurella nearly punished a howler from David Raya on the brink of half-timeRobert Sanchez denied Merino from a second in the 60th minuteChelsea remain winless in seven games against ArsenalThe Gunners came into this one without a win in their last three league games, 15 points off Arne Slot’s rampaging Reds and in danger of being dragged into a top four scrap.Those nerves have settled now, nine points above Enzo Maresca’s Blues in fourth and four points above Nottingham Forest in third thanks to Mikel Merino’s 20th minute Emirates winner.It seems boss Arteta is content with a third-successive runners-up spot this term, something he sees as a real achievement given their damaging injury record this campaign.This was not Arsenal at their fluid best, not that they needed to be against a Chelsea outfit without an injured Cole Palmer – and it desperately showed.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut for now, Arteta’s men have bigger fish to fry in the Champions League – welcoming Real Madrid to North London for a mouth-watering quarter final tie next month.Chelsea meanwhile produced a performance worthy of the Europa Conference League they hope to win comfortably come May.Do not let the score line fool you – they were never, ever in this one.Chasing shadows for large parts, they spent most of it kicking lumps out of anything that moved and aimlessly arguing with officials, lucky not to be down to 10 men after Wesley Fofana’s blatant first half stamp on Declan Rice.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA real sign of the times, and a sign of how much work Enzo Maresca still has to do with this group.For the neutrals, this had arguably the most important element to a London derby: needle.Mikel Arteta walks out of Sky Sports interview moments after Arsenal lose further ground in Premier League title raceThe visitors provided most of it, starting before a ball was even kicked by winning the toss and forcing the hosts to unusually kick away from the Clock End in the first half. Mind games?Chelsea’s approach after that smacked of a team who knew they would be inferior on the ball, so decided to be horrible b******s off it in the hope of disrupting their opponents, kicking lumps out of anything in red.Marc Cucurella was at his whinging, crowd-provoking best from the first whistle, while Enzo Fernandez led from the front when it came to niggly fouls and dramatic collapses to the turf.Then Fofana got in on it, perhaps a bit too much. The Frenchman bundled Rice to the floor and proceeded to plant his studs into the back of the England midfielder’s thigh.Rice reacted, squaring up to the offender. Arteta was frothing at the mouth. VAR took a less dramatic view on their review. Fofana somehow got away with no punishment at all.Declan Rice clashed with Wesley Fofana after the Chelsea star’s high bootArsenal were not exactly saints either. Thomas Partey got away with leaving one or two studs on the ankle of Pedro Neto. And Gabriel enjoyed a good old South American coming together with Enzo Fernandez.But still, in footballing terms, Arsenal were dominant. Chelsea were pathetically passive.It did not help that their front six players were all under six foot, trying to gain some momentum and territory against a trio of giants like Partey, Gabriel and William Saliba.The recalled Robert Sanchez in goal was at his nervy, frantic worst, passing straight out to Gabriel Martinelli and then parrying the Brazilian’s shot almost into the path of Leandro Trossard.Down the right, Jurrien Timber jinked around Cucurella in the box and squared for Martinelli but for a well-timed Fofana interception. After that, it was comical watching Chelsea attempt to clear.Benoit Badiashile deflected onto Colwill, forcing Sanchez to stop an own goal, and a second attempt to hoof it left a ball-print bruise on the face of Reece James as Rice then blazed over.The opening was inevitable, but the source of it was a surprise. Before this one, Arsenal – the corner kings – had failed to score from their last 51 deliveries.But they made No.52 count. Martin Odegaard whipped it to the near post and Merino flicked up and over everybody else into the far side-netting. His fourth goal in seven in all competitions as a No.9.This game should have been over at half time with Chelsea stinking the place out and Arsenal creating chance after chance. Enzo Maresca spent most of the first half slumped on his knees.And yet they almost nicked an underserving leveller from a David Raya howler, spilling a Cucurella volley and watching the ball trickle just past his far post.Not that this was enough to rally Maresca’s men at the break, instead looking more interested in some more of the dark arts. Arteta must have secretly been quite impressed, having taught his own players most of those tricks over the past few years.Neto picked up a yellow for dissent. Fofana was finally cautioned for delaying an Arsenal throw-in.At the other end, Arsenal were probing. READ MORE SUN STORIESMartinelli crossed for Merino whose eyes lit up only for his volley to be well punched away by Sanchez.Arsenal are the best of the rest. Chelsea are still scrambling finding their place below them. More

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      ‘Very good progress’ – Mikel Arteta delivers major Bukayo Saka injury update with Real Madrid showdown just weeks away

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      MIKEL ARTETA has offered an injury update on Bukayo Saka. Saka suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in December. Bukayo Saka picked up his injury in DecemberCredit: GettyHe underwent surgery in DecemberCredit: Instagram / bukayosaka87He is back solo training againCredit: GettyHe had surgery before the new year with the recovery period being estimated at between 10 to 12 weeks.But a month ago, it was revealed Saka would be out for a further eight weeks, ruling him out till April. The winger is already back on the grass doing individual drills – setting him up for a return to competitive first-team training. Saka took part in light training during Arsenal’s mid-season trip to Dubai in February. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArteta said: “He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground], hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had. “That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own.”Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.”He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making a very good progress I would say. Most read in FootballArsenal ratings vs PSV as Raheem Sterling shines with more confidence but rusty Ben White makes mistakesRAHEEM STERLING provided two assists as Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV in the second- leg of their 9-2 aggregate Champions League last-16 win.The Gunners set up a Champions League quarter-final showdown with 15-time European champions Real Madrid, who beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 on penalties.Mikel Arteta took the chance to rotate following last week’s 7-1 first-leg win, naming a much-changed side which included Kieran Tierney on the left wing and Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield.Sterling was also handed a rare start and set up both Arsenal goals in an eye-catching display, first for Zinchenko, and then for Declan Rice before half-time.Ben White struggled during his first start since November after minor undergoing surgery, while Jorginho took over captaincy duties from Martin Odegaard who was named on the bench.Here SunSport’s Dan King delivers his Arsenal player ratings against PSV from the Emirates. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”So, let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.”Arsenal – who host Chelsea on Sunday – welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates in the Champions League quarter-final on April 8.Eight days later, they travel to the Spanish capital for the second leg of the last eight tie with Saka in a race to be fit. The England international joins Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the Gunners’ injury list. Ben White set for England return as Thomas Tuchel confirms Arsenal star ‘would love to be back’ in squad More