Arsenal transfer news

FORMER Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor has ripped into “rubbish” Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli for his “disrespectful” antics.The Gunners are two points clear at the top of the Premier League after claiming a 4-2 win at Villa Park on Saturday.
Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal fourth against Aston Villa – and celebrated before it was even in the netCredit: Alamy
Brazilian winger Martinelli started that game on the bench for Arsenal – the first time he’s not started in the top-flight this term.
But he came on to score the clinching goal deep in additional time and even started celebrating before he had actually put the ball into the empty net.
Martinelli, 21, has played a key role for Mikel Arteta’s side but his performances have dipped in recent weeks.
And that has led to January transfer signing Leandro Trossard replacing him in the starting XI.
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Now the star will be hoping his strike at Villa, which came on the counter-attack with opposition goalkeeper Emi Martinez caught up-field after going up for a corner, will earn him his spot back.
However, Martinelli has found himself on the receiving end of some brutal words from Agbonlahor.
He told talkSPORT: “I thought Arsenal were impressive second half.
“They didn’t turn up first half but second half, they were relentless. Saka, getting at players. Xhaka, Odegaard was finding space and Arsenal thoroughly deserved the win.
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“But there was part of the game I didn’t like. I didn’t like Martinelli for me, running through, empty net and he’s celebrating before he puts the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s been rubbish for a month and he’s scoring a tap-in and celebrating before he’s even scored. [It’s a] lack of respect for your team-mates. I didn’t like it.”
Boss Arteta said after the game: “It wasn’t dropping him [Martinelli] – he’s played every single minute.
“We have three 21-year-olds leading the frontline – that’s unheard of.
“Leo’s [Trossard] been doing really well and we needed impact. I was really worried about the last 20 or 25 minutes in this game because of everything we put in on Wednesday. We needed energy and I think [Martinelli provided] it.”
Gabby Agbonlahor has ripped into a ‘rubbish’ and ‘disrespectful’ Arsenal starCredit: Getty More

ARSENAL fans love Gabriel Martinelli even more after live TV caught their hero making a rousing three-word victory cry at Aston Villa.The winger rounded off Saturday’s 4-2 Prem comeback win with the Gunners’ second stoppage-time goal.

Gabriel Martinelli’s stirring response to victory in turn whipped up passion online from Arsenal supportersCredit: Rex
Supporters lapped up the Brazilian’s victory celebration, with one mocking him up similar to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio
And some Arsenal supporters have been endlessly watching replays of the Brazil star’s scream, especially as he himself retweeted it with a heart.
The Gunners’ win put them top again, two points clear of Manchester City, plus with a game in hand.
And Martinelli has become a social media hit for the way he grabbed at his shirt and roared: “This is Arsenal!”
Fans lapped up that response – in the same month he signed a new 5.5-year contract.
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One posted: “How Gabriel Martinelli shouted ‘this is Arsenal’ is everything.”
Another wrote: “Truly this is Arsenal” and a third revealed: “Man I can’t stop watching this.”
Supporters now hope fellow 21-year-olds Bukayo Saka and William Saliba will also extend their stays with fresh deals.
And the fact all three have been at the Emirates since they were teenagers was not lost on fans following Saturday’s triumph.
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They feel Martinelli’s celebration proved a deep connection with the club.
One argued: “Martinelli is like one of our academy graduates. He’s got huge passion for this club like Saka does. ”
Other praise included “I love these guys” and “How can you not like it”.
The form of Martinelli and Saka out wide is of course a major reason for Arsenal leading the Prem this season.
And a few supporters claim the six-cap Brazilian is “better than (Marcus) Rashford” – despite the England striker reaching 17 goals this season with a match-winning double against Leicester on Sunday. More

ARSENAL analyst Miguel Molina was SLAPPED by his Aston Villa counterpart after the Gunners’ last-gasp victory at Villa Park.Molina was embroiled in a post-match squabble with rival analyst Victora Manas that continued into the tunnel.
Arsenal secured a last-gasp victory over Aston Villa on SaturdayCredit: ALAMY
Manager Mikel Arteta celebrated wildly with his backroom staffCredit: ALAMY
SunSport understands Gunners analyst Miguel Molina was slapped by his Villa counterpart following his wild celebrationCredit: Alamy
He left the Arsenal dressing room with a large red mark on his face after being slapped on the cheek by fellow Spaniard Manas, who previously worked for the Gunners during Unai Emery’s time in charge.
They clashed in the stands in the immediate aftermath of Arsenal’s stoppage-time winner, with Manas taking exception to Molina’s celebrations as they exchanged furious insults in Spanish.
Molina eventually removed himself from his seat but not before inflaming the situation by blowing kisses at his rival, who continued to rant loudly.
And Sunsport understands they clashed again in the players’ tunnel immediately after the final whistle before being pulled apart and begrudgingly agreeing to shake hands.
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Arsenal kept their title hopes alive with a stunning comeback victory over a dogged and determined Villa, who they beat 4-2.
Mikel Arteta’s troops looked on course to drop points before a stoppage-time own goal from former Gunner Emi Martinez handed them the lead.
The north Londoners completed the turnaround five minutes later through Gabriel Martinelli, who tapped the ball home unchallenged after Martinez left the goal unattended in a bid to help bag an equaliser.
After the match, an elated Arteta said: “It’s been a rollercoaster and very emotional at the end.
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“I think we showed a lot of resilience, character and quality.
“The context of the game was difficult, with the performance that we had against City and getting nothing out of it.
“Then having to come here less than 72 hours later and finding ourselves 1-0 down after five minutes.
“We had to play the next 90 minutes and we had some difficulties in certain periods during the first half. Individually we brought the level right down and stopped doing the simple things right.
“At half-time, we said we had to raise the individual level, we had to look each other in the face and we had to do much more if we wanted to come out and win this game.
“We altered one or two things and then we produced a very strong performance and probably should have won it earlier than we did.
“At some stage, you’re going to have to win games in the 94th minute or the 96th minute.
“You’re going to have to score from set-plays, you’re going to have to score when you’re down to 10 men.
“It’s about winning in any context. We always talk about that and today we had a really difficult context, especially with what happened after five minutes.
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“The team showed a lot of emotional qualities which are needed to be up there. I’m really happy with that.”
Arsenal will be back in action next Saturday, travelling to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester. More

GABRIEL MARTINELLI has left Arsenal fans in hysterics after celebrating his goal against Aston Villa BEFORE kicking the ball into the back of the net.The Gunners came from behind TWICE at Villa Park on Saturday to run out 4-2 winners, steering their Premier League title challenge back on course.
Gabriel Martinelli celebrated before scoring Arsenal’s fourth against Aston VillaCredit: PA
The Brazilian came off the bench to help Arsenal secure their first win in FebruaryCredit: Getty
Bukayo Saka cancelled out Ollie Watkins’ opener, as did Oleksandr Zinchenko in the second half for Philippe Coutinho’s.
Jorginho’s strike hit off Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to hand Arsenal a late added-time lead.
But Martinelli’s goal was the cherry on top of an expert comeback for Arsenal.
The Brazilian joined Fabio Vieira on a counter attack from a corner and passed the ball into an empty net with Martinez left retreating back.
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But before kicking the ball into the back of the net, Martinelli threw his arms out in celebration.
And his antics have left Arsenal fans in hysterics with some comparing it to Christ the Redeemer – the famous statue in Martinelli’s native Brazil.
One said on Twitter with a picture of the statue and Martinelli: “spot the difference.”
Another tweeted: “That is a legendary moment right there.”
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A third added: “Martinelli the Redeemer.”
The win lifts Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League.
Title rivals Manchester City play Nottingham Forest on Saturday with a chance to snatch back top spot. More

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed the return date for injured star man Thomas Partey after the midfielder missed the Gunners’ trip to Aston Villa.Arteta’s team ended their Premier League woes in February with a 4-2 win over Villa, managed by former manager Unai Emery.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that star man Thomas Partey will be back soonCredit: Getty
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring before Bukayo Saka equalised.
Philippe Coutinho restored Villa’s lead before half-time, but the Midlands club were unable to hold on in the second 45.
Oleksandr Zinchenko grabbed Arsenal’s second before an Emiliano Martinez own-goal and a Gabriel Martinelli strike in added-time saw Arsenal snatch all three points.
Despite the win, Arsenal have struggled without star man Partey.
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The Ghanaian midfielder missed the crunch midweek 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium after picking up a muscular injury and was absent again for Saturday’s trip to Villa Park.
And boss Arteta has confirmed when fans can expect to see Partey back in contention to play.
Speaking to BT sport pre-game, Arteta said on Partey: “He’s not fit.
“He didn’t even train with us yesterday.
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“He wasn’t feeling good enough to do that so he probably need another week.”
The turnaround at Villa has fired Arsenal back to the top of the Premier league with title rivals Manchester City playing Nottingham Forest later in the day.
Arsenal’s next fixture is away to Leicester, before they take on Everton at home. More

PIERS MORGAN slammed Arsenal’s “diabolical” defending in an X-rated Twitter rant after seeing his side concede after five minutes against Aston Villa. The Gunners were going through a rough February, failing to win in the three games played before Saturday’s comeback 4-2 win at Villa Park.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring for Villa in the 5th minuteCredit: Getty
Philippe Coutinho restored Villa’s lead after Bukayo Saka’s equaliserCredit: Getty
Piers Morgan has slammed his team, Arsenal, in an X-rated rantCredit: Getty
Arsenal fell to a 1-0 defeat to Everton at the start of the month, followed by a 1-1 home draw to Brentford.
And a home defeat to Premier League title rivals Manchester City cost Arsenal top spot in midweek.
Against Villa, Mikel Arteta’s men struggled to shake off their poor form and conceded after five minutes at Villa.
Ollie Watkins got the goal – but Arsenal’s defenders didn’t cover themselves in glory.
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And Arsenal fan Piers told his team to “get a grip” in an X-rated Twitter rant.
The SunSport columnist, and TalkTV main man, said: “For f***’s sake Arsenal, this defending is diabolical. Get a grip.”
Piers later added: “Teams have worked out that if they bully us, we’re easily bullied.
“Arsenal’s players need to remember there’s only one way to deal with bullies – punch them (metaphorically) in the face.
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“We need to get tougher, and nastier – fast.”
Bukayo Saka drew Arsenal level at Villa Park just over ten minutes after the opener.
The England star volleyed home after a poor headed clearance by Three Lions team-mate, Tyrone Mings.
However, Villa responded and restored their lead through Philippe Coutinho just after the half-hour mark to head into half-time with an unlikely 2-1 lead.
What followed in the second 45 would’ve been exactly what Piers wanted to see, though.
Arsenal scored three goals through Oleksandr Zinchenko, an Emiliano Martinez own-goal and Gabriel Martinelli to win the game 4-2.
Piers tweeted at full-time: “FT: 4-2. THAT’S how you win the League.
“THAT’S called heart, desire, character and will-to-win. We needed the fire and we got it.
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“Brilliant, Arsenal.. absolutely bloody brilliant.” More