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    Arsenal scouting England and Premier League ace for transfer as backup for William Saliba amid injury concerns

    ARSENAL are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, reports claim.The Gunners are said to be keen on signing a central defender in the summer amid concerns over William Saliba’s long-term fitness.
    There are claimed to be fears over William Saliba’s long-term fitnessCredit: Getty
    The Gunners are reportedly keeping an eye on Crystal Palace defender Marc GuehiCredit: AFP
    Saliba, 21, has been out of action with a back injury since the Europa League defeat to Sporting CP in March.
    There is currently no confirmed date for his return.
    Rob Holding has filled in Saliba’s absence, but is out of contract next year.
    And the Daily Mail say Arsenal are keeping an eye on former Chelsea man Guehi.

    The 22-year-old has played 78 times for the Eagles and has been capped three times by England.
    The Mail say it is unclear how much Palace would demand should the Gunners come calling for Guehi.
    But it is thought that the Selhurst Park side would want more than the £18million paid to sign the defender in 2021.
    Gueho has started all 33 Premier League games that he has been available for this season.
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    Saliba meanwhile was crucial for the Gunners before picking up a back problem.
    His absence has highlighted Mikel Arteta’s lack of squad depth.
    The Gunners are even reconsidering their entire transfer strategy this summer, having originally planned on making just two major signings. More

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    Piers Morgan absolutely loving Mikel Arteta quote which proves Arsenal manager has ‘right winner’s mentality’

    ARSENAL superfan Piers Morgan is delighted with the team’s mentality – despite their collapse in the title race.The Gunners are now second in the Premier League table having dropped NINE points from the last 12 available.
    Arsenal are a point behind Manchester City after blowing an eight-point leadCredit: GETTY
    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has revealed the players aren’t satisfied with their seasonCredit: GETTY
    Piers Morgan was delighted with what he heardCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
    The North Londoners’ poor run of form has seen defending champions Manchester City – who have a game in hand – leapfrog them.
    While many Arsenal fans are lamenting the team’s collapse on and off the pitch, manager Mikel Arteta is pleased with his troops’ take on their current situation.
    The Spaniard said: “The thing I like the most is that we are in the Champions League and everyone is still unsatisfied with the situation.
    “This is what we need if we want to move forward as a club and as a team.”
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    That thrilled Emirates season ticket holder Morgan, who reshared the quote and image of the midfielder on Twitter.
    He wrote: “LOVE this new quote from @m8arteta – THIS is the right winner’s mentality.”
    Although they’re only a point behind City, many Arsenal fans have written off the club’s hopes of winning their first title in nearly 20 years.
    But Arteta insists the title race is far from over, saying ahead of Tuesday’s game against Chelsea: “You have to recognise there is still work to do.
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    “We have to be humble, recognise what our weaknesses are and work to be better.
    “But we also have many strengths and there are a lot of things we have done well over the last 10 months.
    “Now, [the title race] is not in our hands anymore.
    “What is in our hands is to try to win the games we have left, and the rest is down to City.
    Mikel Arteta insists the title race is far from overCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
    “I have not had to pick up the mood of the players, they keep the fire in the belly for tomorrow.”
    The 41-year-old added: “What we have to do is forget about what happened last week.
    “Learn from it and move on to the next game with a full tilt at home, with our people, London derby, and put things right.
    “I know what we were trying to do, what the objective was … but when I still look at it, this is not over.” More

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    Arsenal fans say ‘this is such a shame’ with top talent set to quit club in permanent transfer after eight years

    ARSENAL fans have been left devastated after rumours emerged that youngster Charlie Patino is set to leave the club permanently.The 19-year-old midfielder has worked his way up through the youth ranks since signing eight years ago.
    Charlie Patino wants to leave Arsenal this summerCredit: AFP
    But his time in North London will supposedly come to an end this summer as he wants to play first-team football.
    Patino has impressed out on loan at Championship side Blackpool this season.
    The Athletic claim that Arsenal don’t see him as ready to play for them just yet and would prefer to loan him out again next season.
    However, this does not suit Patino, with the club ready to help facilitate his wishes to get a transfer away.
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    There has been plenty of high hopes that the wonderkid could be the future of Arsenal’s midfield.
    And fans are left upset at the news, one said: “That is such a shame, I had great hopes for Charlie, but he cannot expect to go straight into our first-team, so it would be another loan I think.”
    More reacted: “Wow that’s bad.”
    A third added: “There will be a first option buy back I am sure.”
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    Patino made his senior debut for Arsenal in a League Cup victory over Sunderland in December 2021.
    He then made his first start in a FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in January 2022.
    Patino has played 36 times for Blackpool in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and assisting a further four.
    He is not set to be the only academy product to leave the Gunners this summer amid rumours linking Folarin Balogun and Reiss Nelson with moves away. More

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    Mikel Arteta ‘plans to lead Declan Rice talks himself and believes he can convince midfielder to make Arsenal transfer’

    MIKEL ARTETA reportedly plans to lead Arsenal’s quest to sign Declan Rice himself and believes he can convince the West Ham star to sign for him.Arsenal are stepping up plans to revamp the squad after guaranteeing a spot in next season’s Champions League.
    Mikel Arteta plans to lead Arsenal’s transfer charge to sign Declan RiceCredit: Rex
    The West Ham star wants to play Champions League footballCredit: Rex
    Arteta has made Rice, 24, his top pick to bolster his midfield due to his technical ability and strength.
    The Hammers ace will be out of contract next summer, although there is the option of another year, and has rejected attempts at an extension.
    He is keen to stay in London, with Chelsea also chasing him, and is believed to be interested in a switch across the capital to the Emirates.
    Now the Daily Mirror are stating that “Arteta wants to hold talks with Rice as soon as the season ends” this month.
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    They add that he believes “he can help convince £100million-rated Rice to join” the Gunners.
    And that he will also “urge Arsenal to make an official approach once the season has ended to try to tee up a huge transfer when the window opens” for summer business.
    The ace recently admitted on England duty that he is craving the opportunity to play Champions League football – something Chelsea are unable to offer like Arsenal.
    Rice said: “One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years, I’ve been saying that.
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    “I’ve been playing consistently well for my club, and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies.
    “You only get one career, and at the end, you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
    West Ham are looking at Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow as a potential replacement.
    Meanwhile, Arteta is also reportedly reconsidering Arsenal’s summer transfer strategy following last week’s painful defeat at Manchester City that severely dented their title hopes.
    The club had been planning to make just two major signings and had allocated up to £150m to bid for central midfielders Rice and Moises Caicedo.
    But Arteta feels other areas of his squad also need strengthening.
    And now they are exploring ways to finance moves for two more defenders and possibly another winger. More

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    Arsenal joined by Aston Villa in Orkun Kokcu transfer battle with SIX Prem clubs in hunt for Feyenoord captain

    ARSENAL have reportedly been joined by Aston Villa in the race to sign Orkun Kokcu.The Feyenoord midfielder is viewed as one of the best players in the Eredivisie for his performances for Feyenoord.
    Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Orkun KokcuCredit: Rex
    The Villans are one of six Premier League sides that are interested in signing the Turkish international, according to The Mirror.
    The report claims that Unai Emery’s side are the favourites to sign the 22-year-old.
    Brighton, Tottenham, West Ham and Leicester City have also been linked with Kokcu in the past.
    While he has also gained interest from LaLiga giants Sevilla too.
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    He has impressed this season and has been at the heart of the Feyenoord side that looks set to pip Ajax to the Dutch league title.
    Kokcu has scored 12 goals and assisted four more in 42 appearances in all competitions this season.
    The Dutch-born star represented Holland at youth level but switched allegiance to Turkey and has 20 full caps.
    His value has previously been touted at around £30million.
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    And Feyenoord chief Dick Advocaat believes Kokcu has the flexibility plus technique to do a job for any club.
    The former Sunderland and Rangers manager said: “I think he fits in everywhere.” More

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    Arsenal and Liverpool in Lovro Majer transfer fight with £30m-rated Rennes star looking for new challenge

    RENNES midfielder Lovro Majer is a transfer target for Liverpool and Arsenal, reports claim.The 25-year-old Croatian international is claimed to be eager to pursue a new challenge.
    Lovro Majer is claimed to be attracting interest from Arsenal and LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    That is according to the Daily Mail, who say Arsenal and Liverpool are two of a number of Premier League clubs looking at Majer.
    Ligue 1 club Rennes reportedly value Majer at £30million.
    He signed for the French outfit in 2021 from Dinamo Zagreb, scoring six goals and providing eight assists in the league in his debut campaign.
    However, Majer has started just 13 times in Ligue 1 this season.
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    He is now said to be open to leaving in the summer.
    The Mail say Majer is not starting as many games as he would like to.

    And while Tottenham often have representatives at Rennes to watch Djed Spence in action, the Gunners and Liverpool are said to hold a greater interest in Majer than Spurs.
    The midfielder was previously been linked with a move to Manchester United back in January.
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    While last year reports claimed Arsenal had sent scouts to watch Majer in action.
    The Gunners are reconsidering their summer transfer strategy, having originally played on making just two major signings.
    Majer has been capped 19 times by Croatia, and helped his nation to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last year.
    He scored in the 4-1 group stage win over Canada. More

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    Granit Xhaka facing Arsenal transfer exit with Gunners ready to listen to offers for midfielder and outcast defender

    GRANIT XHAKA could be on his way out of Arsenal this summer, according to reports.And outcast defender Kieran Tierney is also said to be at risk of the chop.
    Arsenal could be ready to sell Granit Xhaka this summerCredit: Getty
    SunSport revealed the Gunners are preparing a mass clearout at the Emirates this summer to fund their spending spree.
    Now the Daily Mail state the Swiss midfielder and Scottish left-back are among those who could leave with Arsenal ready to listen to offers.
    Xhaka, 30, joined the club in 2016 and has racked up 292 appearances – winning the fans back over again in recent years.
    This season he has proved a key man in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI on the left on the midfield three.
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    But he may be let go to help raise funds and create space for Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans, who could be cheaper options than long-term targets Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
    Tierney, meanwhile, was excelling at left-back after a slow start to life at the Emirates due to injuries.
    But the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer has bumped the 25-year-old down to a back-up role.
    SunSport reported Newcastle are already planning a £30million swoop for Tierney.
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    Like Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe is frustrated with a lack of minutes this season and Folarin Balogun made it clear he is reluctant to return from his Reims loan if he is not going to be a first-team regular.
    Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be released when his contract expires this summer but Reiss Nelson could still pen a new deal.
    Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari are all out on loan but do not figure in Arteta’s plans so will be sold to generate funds.
    Kieran Tierney could be let go with Newcastle interestedCredit: Getty More

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    Arsenal could shelve Rice and Caicedo deals to fund more transfers including Mount in huge overhaul with SIX stars going

    MIKEL ARTETA is reconsidering Arsenal’s summer transfer strategy following this week’s painful defeat at Manchester City.The club had been planning to make just two major signings and had allocated up to £150million to bid for central midfielders Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
    Arsenal have been linked with a big money move for Declan RiceCredit: Getty
    The Gunnners failed with a January swoop for Moises CaicedoCredit: Getty
    But Arteta feels other areas of his squad also need strengthening.
    And now they are exploring ways to finance moves for two more defenders and possibly another winger.
    Arteta’s rethink comes after noting his team’s title challenge was undermined by centre-half William Saliba’s injury absence.
    The French international, 22, was the only first-team regular unavailable for Wednesday’s trip to the Etihad yet his team simply could not cope with City.
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    Losing 4-1 was a huge title blow and Arteta said: “It is extremely hard to reach City’s levels, and we were nowhere near.”
    And with Arsenal returning to the Champions League next season after a six-year absence, Arteta knows too many squad players are not up to the required standard to play at the very highest level.
    Arteta has relied on a core of 11 players all season but had difficulty maintaining performances with any unavailable.
    Rob Holding, Fabio Vieira, Jakub Kiwior, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson struggled when asked to cover as Arsenal have seen an eight-point lead over City at the top turn into a potential four-point deficit.
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    Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe are unhappy with a lack of game time and Folarin Balogun made it clear he is reluctant to return from his Reims loan if he is not going to be a first-team regular.
    Yet they could all be told to stay put as back-up next term.
    There is still hope of persuading Nelson to sign a new deal before his current one expires at the end of the season.
    Other players out on loan — including Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari — do not figure in Arteta’s plans and will be sold to generate funds.
    Brighton’s 3-1 midweek loss at Nottingham Forest means Arsenal have now sealed Champions League qualification.
    That will boost their coffers by around £80m and Arteta has nearly £70m burning a hole in his pocket after failed January moves for Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk.
    Yet West Ham captain Rice could cost as much as £100m and Caceido will not come much cheaper as Brighton rejected Arsenal’s £60m bid then persuaded the 21-year-old to sign a new contract to 2027.
    Now Arsenal are looking at potentially cheaper alternatives, with Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Leicester’s Youri Tielemans — who will be a free agent in the summer — both on their radar.
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    Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda remains a target and there is also interest in Crystal Palace centre-half Marc Guehi.
    Arteta is determined to make sure this title challenge is not a one-off and wants substantial investment for next term.
    Mason Mount is a potential summer targetCredit: Getty
    Youri Tielemans is another option on Arsenal’s radarCredit: Rex More