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      Mikel Arteta says he’s ‘lucky to still be Arsenal boss’ after tough few years and treats ‘every day like it’s the last’

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      MIKEL ARTETA has admitted he might be “lucky” to still be in the Arsenal job.The Gunners boss has taken the club to the top of the table and within reach of the Premier League title.
      Mikel Arteta has managed to turn things around despite some bumpy periods since taking the Emirates hot seat in December 2019Credit: Reuters
      But this stunning season comes after mediocre league campaigns under the Spanish boss which yielded only an eighth-place and fifth-place finish in his two full seasons in charge.
      Fans had become deeply divided over the 40-year-old coach with FA Cup success at the end of his first season doing little to quell the frustrations of Arsenal fans.
      Arteta has admitted that his previous seasons could have got him the sack.
      Asked by ESPN if he would have lasted in the job without the FA Cup win, Arteta said: “I don’t know. Looking back, obviously a lot of things have happened.
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      “To start your managerial career with no experience at any level and face straight away that success and then having two years of COVID, with all the challenges that we have internally at the club, externally at the club, probably I am lucky to be sitting here today looking back with how it could have developed.
      “I have always been fascinated with the journey and living every single day like it is the last and I think you have to take this job especially like this because every day there are lessons, there are challenges.
      “In one month, it will be different and in two years’ time maybe they need something else but it is about today.”
      Arteta came under the most pressure as Arsenal boss at the beginning of last season when they lost their opening three league games.
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      But the Gunners recovered and mounted a serious challenge on the top four places.
      But the campaign would end in the same dreadful way as the club lost six of their last 12 to be pipped to fourth by rivals Tottenham, once again heaping pressure on Arteta’s position. More

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      Arsenal’s January transfer failure was blessing in disguise, says Ian Wright

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      ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has suggested that missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk in January could have been a blessing in disguise for his former club.Mikel Arteta’s side were heavily linked with the Ukrainian winger before losing out to rivals Chelsea in the January window.
      Trossard has settled into life at Arsenal and has five assists in nine games.
      Mudryk is yet to score for Chelsea in seven appearances following his January move.
      The Stamford Bridge outfit signed the 22-year-old in a deal worth up to £88million.
      The Gunners signed Brighton winger Leandro Trossard instead for £21m plus add-ons.
      Trossard has adapted quickly to life in North London, scoring once and registering five assists in just nine games.
      The Belgian international got a hat-trick of assists in Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Fulham last weekend.
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      Wright has been delighted with the Belgian’s impact and suggested Mudryk wouldn’t have made the same impression at The Emirates.
      Speaking on his podcast Wrighty’s House he said: “I don’t care what anyone says, Mudryk, and we’ve seen up to this point, he wouldn’t have done what Trossard has done what Trossard has been doing up to this point.”
      He added: ” Mudryk, for his own sake, I do feel sorry for him because I don’t know if there’s anyone in the history of football whose had to have a transfer of that amount of money with so much politicalness around him. It’s almost unfair.”
      Mudryk has struggled in comparison to Trossard following an exciting debut cameo against Liverpool at Anfield.
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      The Ukrainian has made seven appearances since joining in January and got his first assist for The Blues in their 3-1 win over Leicester last weekend.
      Arsenal hold a five point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and have recently been boosted by the return of Gabriel Jesus from injury.
      The Gunners are next in action on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie against Sporting Lisbon. More

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      Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal have entered ‘phase three’ of his five-step plan with title-chasers ‘ahead of schedule’

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      MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal are in “phase three” of his five-step plan and admitted the Gunners are ahead of schedule. The north London club have a five point lead at the top of the Premier League as the season heads towards its closing stages.
      It’s been a season filled with joy, drama and hope for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans so farCredit: Getty
      Fans have been surprised by Arsenal’s sudden elevation into title-contenders especially with the club not even managing a top four finish last season.
      But Arteta has re-ignited hope at the Emirates and appears to have the Gunners back on track after years of mediocrity.
      The 40-year-old told Arsenal’s owners the Kroenke family when he was appointed in December 2019 that he had a five-step plan to rebuild the club.
      He updated ESPN what stage the club was at.
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      Arteta said: “[We’re at] phase three. Phase three is a period of time, and we’re a little bit ahead of schedule.
      “It’s something a little bit private. It’s just my understanding and vision of what the club was, and what we have to capture and develop.
      “I like to do it looking forward first and then you have to do it backwards. It just my idea of the club and the decisions we have to take to move it forward.”
      The Arsenal boss was also asked whether he could see himself trying to build a dynasty at the club, similar to the long-term reigns of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
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      He said: “If I’m in that position, it would mean we’ve done a lot of great things.
      “But I take it daily. It’s the only thing you can do when you’re a manager. There are so many decisions, so many things that happen throughout the day that you have to be focussed on that. And not get too lost. The bigger picture is clear.”
      It’s been an unpredictable journey of ups and downs for Arteta since he left his role as Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad to replace Unai Emery.
      Only months after taking the role the country went into lockdown, with Arteta one of the first high-profile football figures reported to have Covid.
      He would win the FA Cup at the end of that season but struggled to string together league results, leading Arsenal to consecutive eighth-place finishes before last season’s stumble up to fifth.
      But he is now potentially just 11 games away from leading Arsenal to their first Premier League trophy in almost two decades. More

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      Arsenal handed huge transfer boost ‘as Lazio slash Sergej Milinkovic-Savic asking price in HALF’

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      ARSENAL have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to reports. The 28-year-old is set to be available for half the previous asking price this summer.
      Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could be available for less than expected this summerCredit: Getty
      Italian outlet Gazzetta Della Sport claim that the Gunners have stepped up their interest in him after finding out Lazio have lowered their demands.
      Milinkovic-Savic was on the market for £88million last year with some rumours even suggesting the Serie A side wanted over £100m for the midfielder.
      But with the Serbian’s contract expiring at the end of next season, Lazio would now reportedly accept bids of £44m.
      His price could further decrease with his representatives looking to bring the figure down to £31m.
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      Milinkovic-Savic is also wanted by Juventus and other sides are set to join the race for him with Newcastle and West Ham recently linked.
      Arsenal are keen on strengthening their midfield after seeing bids for Brighton ace Moises Caicedo rejected in January.
      The club are also keeping a close eye on Hammers captain Declan Rice.
      Mikel Arteta already has Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Jorginho as his options, but this is not thought to stop him wanting another top addition in the middle of the pitch.
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      Milinkovic-Savic has been at Lazio since 2015, playing a total of 328 times for the club.
      The box-to-box ace has scored 64 goals and registered 59 assists.
      He has also captained Lazio ten times this season. More

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      Arsenal announce major chairman shake up in ‘long-standing show of commitment’

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      ARSENAL have shaken the club’s hierarchy up with some fresh appointments at the top.The Gunners’ majority shareholder Stan Kroenke and his son Josh have become Co-Chairs.
      Arsenal have announced a major shake-up at the top of their hierarchyCredit: Getty
      Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke and his son Josh are now Co-ChairsCredit: Getty
      Tim Lewis, on the other hand, has been announced as the North Londoners’ Executive Vice-Chair.
      Arsenal issued the following statement: “The appointments are a recognition of how our leadership structure has evolved over the past several seasons since Kroenke Sports & Entertainment assumed 100 per cent ownership of Arsenal Football Club in 2018.
      “Stan, Josh and Tim have worked together to drive our club forward and their appointments bring clarity to our structure that reflect their roles and responsibilities and will ensure we continue in our pursuit of progress and success.”
      Stan stated that the changes have been implemented as part of the family’s “long-standing commitment” to Arsenal.
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      The American supremo also confirmed that he is planning to build the club as champions challenging for trophies every season.
      Stan said: “This is a simple evolution as part of us all driving Arsenal forward and further reaffirms our family’s long-standing commitment to this great club.

      “Stability in football has never been more important as we move past the pandemic, and we believe this is the perfect time to formalise these roles.
      “Our objectives and ambition will never waver – to field teams that compete for trophies at the highest level and lead our club in a way that inspires our passionate supporters around the world.
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      “Supported by our Director, Phil Harris, and together with our Executive Team and all our wonderful people, we have an incredible opportunity to build on the values and traditions of Arsenal Football Club.”
      This comes amid a stunning season that sees Arsenal challenging for their first Premier League title since 2004.
      Mikel Arteta’s men are currently top of the table with five points separating them from second-placed Manchester City. More

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      Arsenal risk missing out on Julian Brandt transfer as ‘astronomical’ offer emerges – but star ‘dreams’ of Premier League

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      ARSENAL could miss out on Julian Brandt with Borussia Dortmund preparing an “astronomical” offer to keep him, according to reports.The attacker’s contract with the German side is set to expire in the summer of 2024.
      Julian Brandt is set to be in high-demand this summerCredit: Getty
      The possibility of a cut-price swoop has put a number of teams on alert, including Arsenal and North London rivals Tottenham.
      According to German outlet DW, however, Dortmund will offer Brandt a huge salary to extend his deal and stay at Signal Iduna Park.
      The 26-year-old has been in great form this term, scoring nine goals and laying on five assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.
      Despite Dortmund’s best efforts, Brandt “dreams” of moving to the Premier League.
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      While chatting to Caught Offside, Bundesliga reporter Christian Falk offered up his take on Brandt’s situation.
      Falk said: “He’s been dreaming for years of making it in the Premier League.
      “There has always been contact with Arsenal and we’ve heard that the club is interested again.
      “His contract expires in 2024, so there has to be a decision, especially now that he’s found more consistency this term in comparison to recent years at Dortmund.
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      “Now, it could be the time to make the next step and follow [Kai] Havertz to England.
      “He hasn’t got one club in his head at the moment, but Arsenal are of course more interested than ever before.”
      Brandt could slot in on either the left or right flank, as well as Martin Odegaard’s No10 position.
      Spurs could also look to bolster their creativity, depending on who their manager is next term.
      With Antonio Conte appearing almost certain to leave, Tottenham are set to have a new boss in charge come August.
      Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Marco Silva have all been linked with the job. More

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      I was a Champions League runner-up with Arsenal – but now my sideline company has made me a £10billion fortune

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      IN 2010 Mathieu Flamini launched start-up GFBiochemicals as a side-project to his football career.The Paris-based company’s aim was to find a green alternative to petrochemicals, which can be found in plastics, rubber, and even shower gel.
      Mathieu Flamini is now worth £10bn, according to ForbesCredit: Getty
      Flamini starred for Arsenal from 2004-2008Credit: Getty
      Some 13 years on, Flamini has kept a 60 per cent stake in the business – while landing the CEO job.
      According to Forbes, the former Arsenal star – who was a Champions League runner-up with the Premier League club – now has a net worth of £10billion.
      Flamini, now 39, set up the company when he was just 25.
      “As a child I had two passions: football and sustainability,” he told Sifted.
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      “I grew up in Marseilles near the sea, and was aware of the environmental questions around ocean plastics and chemical pollution from a very young age.”
      Flamini and business partner Pasquale Granata met with scientists in Milan with an idea of founding an operation that promoted sustainability.
      He revealed: “We didn’t know if it’d be energy, chemical or urban recycling, and we just ended up meeting with a team of scientists in Milan and started moving in that direction.”
      GFBiochemicals take biomass, which could be manure or household waste, and turn it into levulinic acid.
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      Levulinic acid is seen as a potential replacement for petrochemicals, which are found in everyday items such as detergents and skin care.
      According to research by the University of Maastricht, levulinic acid could reduce the CO2 made from manufacturing those products with petrochemicals by up to 80 per cent.

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      Flamini, who was starring for Serie A side AC Milan when he set up GFBiochemicals, decided to keep his venture away from his team-mates.
      “I was questioning myself, and I didn’t know which direction the business would go in,” he said.
      The three-cap former France international also said being a footballer didn’t help his cause.
      He said: “When you’re a footballer and you’re in a meeting talking about chemicals or sustainability, there is even more pressure on you.
      “People really want to test you and see if you’re going to be able to deliver — because you’re not a businessman. I had to prove myself more than anyone else in the room.” Was this annoying? “Obviously it can be, but I took it as a challenge.”
      In 2010 Flamini set up GF Biochemicals – with the aim to create green alternatives to petrochemicalsCredit: Instagram @mathieuflamini
      CEO
      Last year, GF Biochemicals received a major cash injection.
      Sofinnova Partners, a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specialising in healthcare and sustainability, and investment company Sparta Capital ploughed $15million (£12.3million) into the group.
      Flamini kept a 60 per cent stake and was made CEO.
      “Now the question is when do I not work,” he explained.
      “When you’re an entrepreneur you have to be dedicated and you don’t count the hours. I’m not working when I sleep, but for the rest of the time I’m available.”
      And he feels just like teen environmentalist, Greta Thunberg.
      As CEO of GFBiochemicals, Flamini has kept a 60 per cent stake in the companyCredit: Instagram @mathieuflamini
      Like Greta Thunberg Flamini feels like he’s doing something important for the environmentCredit: Twitter @MathieuFlamini
      “I feel like I’m part of this effort of the younger generation like Greta Thunberg that’s setting up the future,” he said.
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      “Although at the age of 15 I can guarantee you I was not in the street fighting for my future.” More

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      Arsenal set to extend Granit Xhaka’s deal by another year by popping clause in contract after stunning season

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      ARSENAL are ready to trigger a 12-month extension clause in Granit Xhaka’s contract to keep him at the Emirates until 2025.The 30-year-old Swiss international has emerged as one of the most influential players in Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing squad this season.
      Granit Xhaka has become a prolific figure at Arsenal under Mikel ArtetaCredit: Getty
      Now Arteta wants to reward that contribution by effectively tying the player to Arsenal for the rest of his career.
      And that decision will not be affected by the club‘s ambitious plans to launch an £80million bid for West Ham skipper Declan Rice in the summer.
      Xhaka’s current deal is set to expire next year but there is an option already in place to extend to 2025 with the agreement of both parties.
      And now that he is settled at the Emirates after all his previous problems, club officials are confident that there will be no problems convincing him to prolong his stay.
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      No-one appreciates Xhaka’s contribution more than Arteta, who has handed him a more attacking role in his team this season and picked him to start all but one of their Premier League games so far.
      One of his first jobs on being appointed Arsenal manager in December 2019 was to persuade Xhaka to drop his plans to quit the club after being stripped of the captain’s armband by former boss Unai Emery.
      Xhaka has endured a stormy relationship with the Emirates fans ever since they booed him off when he was subbed by Emery during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in October 2019.
      But Arteta immediately recognised the player’s value on the pitch and in the dressing-room and handed him a lucrative new contract in  2020.
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      And now even the Emirates regulars have taken Xhaka to their hearts and sing his name on a regular basis.
      Signed by Arsene Wenger in a £35m deal from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, Xhaka is now one of the club’s longest-serving players.
      And his experience and professionalism have been an important example for Arsenal’s young stars to follow.
      Yet Arteta is still planning to bring in at least one more central midfield player this summer despite bringing in £13m Jorginho from Chelsea in January.
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      Arsenal are set to offer Granit Xhaka a new contract at the EmiratesCredit: Rex
      The club only turned to Jorginho in the last days of the transfer window after a club record £75m bid for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo was rejected.
      But now their primary target is England international Rice, who is also admired by Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.
      West Ham boss David Moyes has claimed it would take a British record fee in excess of £100m to convince the club to sell their 24-year-old captain.
      But Rice is ready to test himself in the Champions League and knows that Arsenal are willing to make him a cornerstone of their plans. More