Arsenal transfer news

KAREN CARNEY is one of the most recognisable female footballers in British history and can be found regularly on our TV screens these days talking sense on footie. Carney, 35, had a stellar career playing at the top level of women’s football.
Football pundit Karen Carney had a stellar 18-year career as a playerCredit: Getty
Carney won the quadruple with Arsenal in the 2006/07 seasonCredit: Getty
Carney made her debut aged 14 for Birmingham CityCredit: Action Images
Starting off at Birmingham City aged 11, Carney would go on to make her pro debut at just 14 in the FA Women’s Premier League National Division against Fulham Ladies.
It was also at Birmingham where she earned her first England cap in 2005 before moving on to Arsenal in 2006.
In her first season at the Gunners, Carney played a major part in the team that won four major honours.
Carney helped the team win the FA Women’s Premier League, FA Women’s Cup, FA Women’s Premier League Cup and the Uefa Women’s Cup.
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She made 21 appearances in the Premier League in her first season and scored 10 goals as a winger/midfielder.
After a brief stint in the US with Chicago Red Stars between 2009-10, Carney returned to Birmingham and then later played for Chelsea, who ended up being the final club of her career.
Carney retired from football in 2019 with 144 England caps and 15 major honours.
The football star-turned-pundit is also an England hall of famer.
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Speaking on her record-breaking quadruple at Arsenal, Carney recalled Arsenal’s quest for Uefa Women’s Cup glory – the last trophy available to win that season.
Arsenal beat then top team Umea in the final.
Carney told FourFourTwo: “Umea were known as the Galacticos – they had players like Marta in their side – but we shut them out over two legs to become champions of Europe.
“We were so together, I’m so proud to have been part of that team. It’ll never be forgotten. 
“We’d already won the league, the FA Cup and the League Cup, so this completed the quadruple.
“No one’s ever done that, and no English team has won the Champions League since. We made history. 
“On paper they had the better team, but we had great players too, like Rachel Yankey, Kelly Smith, Alex Scott and Katie Chapman, as well as a togetherness.
“Our coach Vic Akers was a great advocate for the women’s game, the only person I call gaffer or the boss.
“He taught me about Arsenal and respecting the badge.”
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Now Carney can be seen covering football for a number of broadcasters, and is called in to give her expert opinion on both men’s and women’s football.
She covered the 2022 World Cup with ITV, is a WSL pundit for Sky Sports and has been seen plenty on the BBC and BT Sport in the past. More

ARSENAL have reportedly held transfer talks with Real Madrid star Marco Asensio.And the player’s “very angry” mood could help seal a summer deal.
Arsenal have talked with Marco Asensio over a free transfer from Real MadridCredit: Rex
Asensio, 27, is out of contract this summer after spending the last seven seasons at the Bernabeu.
He has bagged 55 goals in 266 games for Los Blancos, winning three titles and three Champions Leagues in the process.
But Sport claims Asensio is fuming over his lack of minutes this term.
His 31 appearances have mainly come from the bench.
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And Asensio is unlikely to renew his Real deal after being left “very angry.”
That has opened the door for a potential free transfer to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta is keen to boost his squad with experienced, quality players.
And the Gunners have already held talks with Asensio’s people over a move to England.
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AC Milan have also made contact with Jorge Mendes, who became Asensio’s agent last year.
But it’s believed the player harbours a secret wish to join Real’s rivals Barcelona.
Xavi Hernandez is said to be a big fan of Asensio.
And the player himself would have no issue making the infamous switch.
Talking about Asensio’s Real Madrid future, boss Carlo Ancelotti said last month: “He looks good to me, I don’t know if he will stay or not.
“He may or may not stay, I don’t know, I don’t care much.
“We have a very important challenge this season. The important thing is that he is contributing like last year.
“Let him continue like this and the club will make the most appropriate decision.” More

EX-ARSENAL star Bernd Leno has admitted he was shocked when the club sold him to Fulham for a £17million loss.The goalkeeper had spent four seasons at the Gunners before director of football Edu offloaded him on the cheap.
Edu sold Bernd Leno for a huge loss in the summerCredit: Getty – Contributor
Bernd Leno joined Fulham for just £3millionCredit: Getty
Leno signed for Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £20m in 2018.
But he left to join Fulham for just £3m before the start of this season, signing a three-year contract with the deal potentially rising to £8m if certain clauses are met.
Leno told the Evening Standard that he was shocked by Edu’s business, saying: “I have to say it’s a bargain.
“It’s very, very cheap, especially in the Premier League. I am not £3m, I’m probably worth a little bit more. Otherwise I would be a very bad player.”
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Despite this, the German insists there is no resentment towards his former club or by the fact he had to spend a year on the bench as back-up to Aaron Ramsdale.
Leno explained: “I don’t have toxic or bad energy for Arsenal.
“It didn’t end in the perfect way, but my reception at the Emirates was really good. I get fans coming up to me saying, ‘thank you for your four years… you were very good’.
“I was really happy with my performances. Even when they dropped me, I did nothing wrong. I came through the front door and I left through the front door. I still have a connection to the club.”
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The 31-year-old has impressed under Marco Silva, helping the club fight for a European place in their first term back in the top-flight following promotion.
Leno said on his transfer: “It was clear for me, I wanted to stay in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world by far — and London life, I really love it here.
“I spoke to people at Arsenal about wanting to join Fulham. Everyone said it’s a nice family club. And I played many times against Fulham and it is an old-school stadium. All these aspects played a role.
“At the beginning, the main goal was to stay in the Premier League. We are in the quarter-final of the FA Cup, we’re seventh in the league, no one saw that coming.”
Leno insists him and another new signings that have wowed like Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon have only added to a team that already had a good spine.
The keeper is hoping to force his way back into the Germany squad after missing out on the World Cup, having earned nine caps in his career.
He is also predicting that Arsenal will win the title, saying: “I hope they do it, I think they can.” More

FORMER Arsenal pals Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere reunited to coach the Gunners’ U18s but fans aren’t happy.Wilshere, 31, and Fabregas, 35, played together at the Emirates between 2008 and 2011 before the Spaniard left for boyhood club Barcelona.
Cesc Fabregas joined Jack Wilshere in coaching Arsenal’s U18sCredit: Instagram
The pair played together at Arsenal between 2008 and 2011Credit: Getty
However, after spending three years at Camp Nou, Fabregas returned to England – but to play for old club Arsenal’s rivals Chelsea.
Arsenal reportedly had a buy-back option but decided against exercising it.
At Chelsea, Fabregas enjoyed great success.
The iconic Premier League midfielder won two league titles, an FA Cup and League Cup.
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Fabregas went on to play for Monaco, and joined Serie B side Como, where he still plays today.
However, Fabregas has been snapped alongside Arsenal U18s coach Wilshere donning Gunners gear.
And fans are not too keen on Fabregas’ presence.
One said on Twitter: “He should get out of the club now! I’m uncomfortable seeing him on that shirt.”
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Another tweeted: “Can Cesc pls go to Chelsea thanks.”
However, others are telling fellow fans to go easy on Fabregas.
One added: “For some fans, Fabregas’ crime was playing for Chelsea and judging by the fact that he wanted to come back and we didn’t exercise the buy-back clause, then it’s not his fault.” More