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      Mikel Arteta vows not to tone down his touchline antics despite criticism as he bids to inspire Arsenal to title glory

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      MIKEL ARTETA vows not to change his touchline behaviour just to appease critics.The Arsenal manager was hammered by Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer for his histrionics during Tuesday’s goalless draw with Newcastle.
      Mikel Arteta was criticised for his touchline behaviour against NewcastleCredit: Rex
      The Arsenal boss was left fuming after his side were denied a late penaltyCredit: PA
      And the Gunners have subsequently been hit with an FA charge of failing to control their players after they angrily surrounded ref Andy Madley to demand a late penalty.
      But Arteta is adamant he will continue to give 100 per cent from the technical area and should not be judged on one night of frustration.
      He said: “I haven’t read the criticism of my behaviour and I am not part of that debate.
      “They can all have their opinions but I will always try to do my best for this football club, to defend my players.
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      “And I will always have the passion that I believe the game has to be played with. But that’s me. That’s the way I am, on and off the pitch, for the good and the bad.
      “The way I behaved against Newcastle was not the same as I behaved in our previous game against West Ham and I don’t think it’s fair to take the context out of the situation.
      “I read a lot of times that this team is the mirror of the coach and I am not going to change the passion I have.
      “I will try over time to be better but I will do whatever I have to do to make the club stronger, the players better and to win games.
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      “And if I have to change something, believe me, I will look in the mirror and I will change it very quickly.”
      Tuesday’s draw followed by Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Chelsea means Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League has been cut to five points.
      And Arteta is eager to boost his team’s title chances by strengthening his squad during the January transfer window to give them the resources to hold off City’s inevitable late charge.
      Arteta must improve his conduct, says HalseyBy Mark Halsey
      HOWARD WEBB’S return to refereeing has brought a wave of optimism across English football.
      The PGMOL’s new boss has already shown a  transparency  and  openness  that has been missing for some time.
      Webb won’t fix things overnight but I’ve already seen his early influence on VAR which will lead to better consistency.
      Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle was a prime example of VAR being less intrusive and not getting involved in incidents they didn’t need to with more refs on-field crucially making vital decisions.
      I didn’t agree with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta’s claim that they should have been awarded a late penalty for a handball by winger Jacob Murphy.
      And it was no surprise that the FA charged Arsenal for failing to control their players.
      Murphy had his arm in a natural position and the close proximity of the cross also showed ref Andy Madley got the call spot-on. But in the past, VAR may well have intervened to create further confusion the game does not need.
      I believe Madley called it correctly with everyone understanding his decision since — apart from Arteta.
      Webb plans to meet Premier League officials this month and Arteta will get his chance to ask further questions — but I’m sure Webb will also want to make the Spaniard aware of his actions on the touchline.
      Arteta must remember he is a role model for the game and his antics, like I have mentioned with Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp previously, fell below the standards we expect.
      Arteta must improve his pitchside conduct going forward.

      The club are still locked in negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk over Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk but Chelsea are trying to hijack the deal.
      Arsenal have already had two offers rejected by Shakhtar, the latest worth up to £62million, but are refusing to allow themselves to be outbid by Chelsea.
      Arteta added: “We have to compete with them, so we have to be smart and we have to be attractive to players.”
      Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe could be involved in tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie at Oxford United — his first outing since a groin op in September.
      Meanwhile, U’s skipper Elliott Moore warned the Gunners they will not have it all their own way at the Kassam.
      Moore said: “We’re not expected to win but we still as a club believe that we can.” More

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      Arsenal transfer blow as Ismael Bennacer pens new four-and-a-half-year contract at AC Milan.. including release clause

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      AC MILAN have handed Arsenal a transfer blow after agreeing on a new long-term contract for Ismael Bennacer.The midfielder has been a transfer target for the Gunners as they look to add some more steel to their midfield to boost their unlikely Premier League title challenge.
      Arsenal transfer target Ismael Bennacer has signed a new contract at AC MilanCredit: Getty
      But the 25-year-old will sign the new contract in the next few days, according to Frabizio Romano.
      The transfer journalist has also suggested that the contract will continue to have the pre-existing £44million release clause.
      AC Milan did want to remove the clause but have agreed to keep it in his deal, it is believed only to be open for teams from abroad.
      Bennacer’s new contract at the San Siro will run until 2027.
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      The Gunners had thought that they would have been able to sign the Algerian on a cut-price deal due to his contract expiring in the summer of 2024.
      However, a move for their former youth player now seems unlikely unless the club are willing to pay his release clause.
      It has previously been said how Arsenal chiefs were left furious at their decision to sell Bennacer in 2017.
      He featured once for the Gunners first team during the 2015-16 season after his arrival from Arles.
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      Bennacer would have been a good player for the Gunners as he would have been able to compete with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the side.
      The midfielder was also linked to Premier League rivals Chelsea, but he will be much harder to get out of Italy now. More

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      Arsenal ‘join transfer race for £10m Giannis Konstantelias’ but 19-year-old Greek wonderkid also fancied by Man City

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      ARSENAL are reportedly interested in signing Giannis Konstantelias in a £10million transfer from PAOK.The Gunners currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, five points ahead of Manchester City.
      Arsenal have joined the race to sign KonstanteliasCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta is eager to add to his squad this month in the hope of continuing the club’s title charge.
      And according to the Evening Standard, Konstantelias has emerged as a transfer target.
      Arsenal sporting director Edu is expected to send scouts to watch the 19-year-old, who is valued at around £10m, in action for PAOK later this month.
      But, the Gunners face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City, Wolves, Leeds and Crystal Palace in the transfer race.
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      Konstantelias joined the PAOK academy at the age of 10 and broke into the first team eight years later.
      He has since made 20 appearances for the Greek Super League team.
      The midfielder also represents Greece Under-21s, but he is expected to make his senior international debut during the Euro 2024 qualifiers in March.
      If Konstantelias does leave PAOK in a permanent transfer before deadline day, he will likely return to Greece on loan until the end of the season.
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      Arsenal are also pushing to sign Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix.
      Mudryk has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium since last summer, but the Gunners face stiff competition from Chelsea for his signature.
      Meanwhile, Edu has scheduled further talks with Atletico Madrid over a proposed six-month loan deal for Felix. More

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      Kathrine Kuhl unveiled as Arsenal’s second January signing while Brighton bring in ex-Houston Dash ace Brianna Visalli

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      ARSENAL have added another attacking midfielder to their ranks with Kathrine Kuhl joining on a permanent deal. The addition of the rising Denmark star, 19, comes a day after the Gunners signed ex-Ajax ace Victoria Pelova.
      Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall described Kathrine Kuhl as one of Europe’s brightest talentsCredit: Getty
      Kuhl has become the second attacking midfielder to join the club following their acquisition of Victoria PelovaCredit: Getty
      The WSL title chasers are eager to strengthen in this year’s January transfer window following injuries to Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. 
      Both forwards are currently out of action after sustaining knee ligament injuries towards the end of last year. 
      Kuhl’s switch to Arsenal, currently second in the league, comes after her three-season spell at Danish top-flight side FC Nordsjælland. 
      The precise length of her contract has not been publicly disclosed by the club who take on Chelsea in the WSL at the Emirates at 12:00 pm on January 15. 
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      This term the central midfielder notched up two goals and four assists in 12 appearances for her former club. 
      And the Denmark starlet is relishing the chance to help the push for silverware within a side she sees as a “sisterhood”. 
      Kuhl, who has 21 international caps, told the Gunners’ website: “I feel like there are so many great things around the club; all the fans and the community.
      “It’s like a sisterhood in some ways so I’m looking forward to being a part of that.
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      “It’s a big step for me. I’m very excited and looking forward to playing for Arsenal.”
      Kuhl, who began her senior career at Nordsjælland, was part of the Denmark squad that competed in last year’s Euros.
      Their group, which was some fans dubbed a group of death, featured Finland, Spain and tournament finalists Germany. 
      The team, skippered by Chelsea star Pernille Harder, claimed one win from their three Group E games (a 1-0 defeat of Finland) before exiting the contest due to losses to Spain and Germany.
      At club level Kuhl helped her former side to Danish Women’s Cup triumph in 2020. 
      And Jonas Eidevall sees the starlet as one of Europe’s most promising young players. 
      The Gunners head coach, 39, said: “Kathrine is one of the brightest talents in Europe so we’re delighted to have brought her to Arsenal.
      “She will bring added creativity to our midfield and I’m sure she will benefit from working closely with some of our experienced players. 
      “I’m looking forward to working with her here at Arsenal moving forward.”
      Elsewhere Brighton have been busily bolstering their ranks with the team eager to climb the table and widen the gap between themselves and the WSL’s drop zone. 
      The Seagulls, who take on bottom-placed Leicester City in their first game under new boss Jens Scheuer, have signed Brianna Visalli from Houston Dash. 
      Former Birmingham and Houston Dash midfielder Brianna Visalli has become Brighton’s third signing this month
      The USA-born midfielder, 27, who switched to Albion after two seasons with the National Women’s Soccer League side who were skipped by England ace Rachel Daly. 
      Both players helped the team to lift the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2020 with Daly, now at Aston Villa, winning the tournament’s Golden Boot in July. 
      Visalli spent 2018-19 playing for Albion’s WSL rivals West Ham helping them reach the 2019 FA Cup final.
      And she featured as a second half substitute during their 3-0 loss to Manchester City at Wembley.
      The experienced midfielder spent the following season at Birmingham City playing in nine games for the former WSL side.
      Visalli, who made 35 appearances over two terms for Houston, has become the third new player to sign for Albion in the January transfer window.
      Brighton will take on Leicester City away in their first game under new boss Jens ScheuerCredit: Reuters
      Her switch follows the Seagulls acquiring Norway centre-back Guro Bergsvand, 28, and Serbia midfielder Dejana Stefanovic who is 25.
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      Of Visalli’s prowess on the pitch, Scheuer said:  “She’s a midfielder with a real turn of pace. “She’s a very intelligent player and she gives us a lot of options in the midfield.
      “It’s a good move for the club and her. She’s got good experience both in the WSL and in America.” More

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      Arsenal open to signing BOTH Mudryk and Felix this month but Gunners face tricky talks over both transfer deals

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      ARSENAL are reportedly open to signing both Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix this month.The Gunners currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
      Arsenal are still pushing to sign MudrykCredit: Getty
      The Gunners also want to sign Felix before deadline dayCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta is eager to bolster his squad in the hope of continuing the title charge.
      The Arsenal boss is claimed to be prioritising signing a new winger and a new midfielder.
      And according to The Daily Mail, he wants to sign both Mudryk and Felix.
      The Gunners have been pushing to sign Mudryk since last summer, but they are yet to strike an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk.
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      Shakhtar chiefs have made it clear that they will not accept anything less than £85million for their star man, while Arsenal are currently only willing to offer around £66m.
      Arsenal have already had two bids for Mudryk rejected, with the latest understood to be worth £62m.
      But they now face more pressure to get the deal done as Chelsea have expressed a strong interest in signing the Ukrainian winger.
      Blues boss Todd Boehly has made it clear that he is more than willing to meet Shakhtar’s asking price as long as Mudryk confirms his desire to switch to Stamford Bridge.
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      However, the 22-year-old is understood to be eager to join Arsenal instead.
      While the Gunners remain in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over a deal for Mudryk, they are now stepping up their pursuit of Atletico Madrid ace Felix.
      The attacking midfielder, 23, recently admitted that he wants to LEAVE the Metropolitano Stadium.
      And he is now attempting to force a move away from Spain.
      Atletico are willing to let him leave on loan until the end of the season, but only if a £16m fee is agreed.
      Arsenal have reportedly held talks with the La Liga giants this week to try and lower the loan fee.
      Felix joined Atletico Madrid in a huge £113m transfer three-and-a-half years ago.
      He has scored 34 goals in 130 games for the Spanish side. More

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      ‘Is he still working?’ – Martin Keown calls out Richard Keys with catty response to criticism of Arsenal boss Arteta

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      MARTIN KEOWN brutally trolled Richard Keys after seeing the broadcaster take aim at Mikel Arteta.The disgraced former Sky Sports presenter lambasted Arteta’s touchline antics in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Tuesday.
      Richard Keys recently slammed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta over his touchline anticsCredit: GETTY
      The ex-Sky Sports presenter branded the Spaniard ‘an embarrassment’Credit: TWITTER
      His jibe at Arteta led to a trolling from former Gunners Martin KeownCredit: Getty
      Keys tweeted: “Seriously – when is someone going to get control of Mikel Arteta?
      “He’s an embarrassment. Totally out of control during games.”
      His comments didn’t sit well with former Arsenal defender Keown, who said on talkSPORT: “It [Arteta’s actions] didn’t offend me.
      “Was it Richard Keys [who said that]? Is he still working, Richard?
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      “I think Richard had [ a go at Arteta]. Why is he having a go?
      “He’s just trying to create a headline because he’s the other side of the world and no one is really listening.
      “But listen, Arteta knows how to behave and he’s been outstanding with what he’s done with Arsenal this season.”
      It didn’t take long for Keys to get wind of and respond to Keown’s analysis of his criticism of the Gunners boss.
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      The beIN Sports presenter tweeted: “Oh Martin. Still working? Yep. Still working – for the biggest sports broadcaster in the world.
      “No one listening? What are you all talking about then?
      “Arteta is an embarrassment to a classy football club – as you often were.”
      While Arteta’s impassioned touchline antics have been maligned by many, his passion has been hailed by the Arsenal faithful.
      Keown said: “I’m not going to tell him how to behave, I want a bit of passion.
      “I certainly don’t think the manager is a clown.
      Martin Keown is a fan of Mikel Arteta’s passionCredit: REX
      “People are saying that, it’s absolutely ridiculous.
      “He’s full of passion, he’s been quite brilliant all season.
      “He’s the one, he’s the catalyst, he’s driving and he’s pushing.
      “And you can see that energy and he energies his team to go and match that enthusiasm he shows on the sideline.
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      “Yes, of course, he has to keep a lid on things.”
      Arsenal will be back in action on Monday night, locking horns with League One side Oxford United in their FA Cup third-round tie. More

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      Chelsea ‘contact RB Leipzig’ over Dani Olmo transfer with Blues keen on Spain star if Mykhailo Mudryk picks Arsenal

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      CHELSEA will reportedly consider a bid for RB Leipzig forward Dani Olmo if Mykhailo Mudryk opts to sign for Arsenal.SunSport revealed on Friday that Shakhtar Donetsk star Mudryk, 22, is currently torn between the two London clubs.
      Chelsea are being linked with RB Leipzig forward Dani OlmoCredit: Getty
      Graham Potter’s men are keen to secure the £88million man’s services after a late bid to hijack the Gunners’ deal.
      However, they could still miss out on the Ukrainian and be forced to look elsewhere for alternatives.
      It comes amid several injury concerns for Chelsea with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount all suffering fitness issues.
      According to The Mail, Leipzig man Olmo is a target should Mudryk choose Arsenal.
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      The Spain international, 24, who played at the World Cup in Qatar, has contributed 19 goals and 22 assists in 106 appearances for the German club since arriving in 2020.
      Making his international debut while still at Dinamo Zagreb three years ago, Olmo has already racked up 29 caps for his country and bagged five goals.
      A product of the Barcelona youth set-up, he was linked with a return to the Nou Camp in 2021 – as well as a move to Manchester United.
      His current contract with Leipzig runs until 2024.
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      Meanwhile, a cheaper option for Chelsea is thought to be Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram.
      The France star, 25, is out of contract in the summer and being looked at by both the Blues and Man Utd.
      Potter has already signed three new players in the January window – David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Audrey Santos.
      The ex-Brighton boss will be hoping the arrivals can help boost morale with the club currently languishing in 10th place in the Premier League.
      Following their 1-0 league defeat at home to Manchester City on Thursday, they face them yet again on Sunday in the third round of the FA Cup – this time at the Etihad.
      Mykhailo Mudryk is wanted by both Chelsea and ArsenalCredit: Getty More

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      Troy Deeney: I love Arteta’s touchline antics and Arsenal stars will want to know their manager is in trenches with them

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      AFTER Mikel Arteta threw a wobbler on the touchline the other night, I’ve heard a few people urging the Arsenal boss to keep calm.They reckon that it’s important not to lose your head, especially in a title race, and that Arteta’s antics might have a negative effect on his team.
      Mikel Arteta’s touchline antics vs Newcastle were criticised by someCredit: Alamy
      But Troy Deeney has backed Arteta for setting a tone for his playersCredit: Getty
      But I disagree with that and I think his players will, too.
      If you’re playing a crucial match, you want to know your manager is in the trenches with you.
      It’s not so much about showing ‘passion’. It’s about intensity. It’s about a manager setting a tone for his players.
      I see Arteta kicking every ball, slinging the ball back in for throw-ins and getting in the ear of the match officials — and I like it.
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      Against Newcastle on Tuesday night, Arteta was particularly hyper and I think he overstepped the mark right at the end when he was appealing for a penalty for handball.
      That was a case of clutching at straws and it looked as if he felt Arsenal were simply entitled to get a penalty.
      But, generally, I love Arteta’s demeanour on the touchline.
      One thing I do know for a fact is that the Spaniard is not putting on any kind of a show during matches.
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      I’ve heard from his players that he has the same sort of intensity during every training session.
      I think this is one of the reasons why Arteta is really getting a tune out of his players this season.
      Most of the very best managers are the same — Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola.
      Even Arsene Wenger, supposedly one of the nicest gentlemen in the game, was sent off several times.
      Being successful in management is not all about keeping a cool head. I’ve had managers who are even more manic than Arteta — one in particular, Walter Mazzarri at Watford.
      To be honest, he was an absolute nutter during matches.
      Mazzarri would be up and down the touchline, frequently on the pitch while the ball was in play, swearing in Italian, sweating profusely.
      He was maybe a little over the top. If you were winning, you’d have a sly smile at him.
      If you were losing, you did wonder whether he was doing more harm than good — that some players wouldn’t react well.
      Mazzarri’s successor, Marco Silva, was clever. He would leave it to his fitness coach or other assistants to get into the referee’s ear on his behalf.
      I see Arteta kicking every ball, slinging the ball back in for throw-ins and getting in the ear of the match officials — and I like it. Troy Deeney
      Nigel Pearson knew he had a bit of a reputation with referees so, by the time he was at Watford, he would try to kill the fourth official with kindness.
      I tell you something, though, however loud it is inside a stadium, players always hear what their manager is shouting — pretty much every word.
      It then becomes a case of selective hearing.
      We will hear every word of praise we get from a gaffer but if we’re getting criticism we will cock a deaf ’un.
      But the way managers act and what they say during matches really can have an affect on the outcome of a game.
      Arteta will not be calming down on the touchline any time soon and his players won’t want him to.
      As he enters his first title race as a manager, he will be even more aware of the effect his words and actions have — it becomes psychological warfare.
      Arteta described it as ‘scandalous’ that Arsenal’s two penalty shouts against Newcastle were turned down by the officials. That was a classic deflection technique.
      Putting the blame on the referee and VAR when Arsenal simply hadn’t done enough to break down an excellent Newcastle defence in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates.
      Just like Jurgen Klopp, when Liverpool were well beaten at Brentford the previous night.
      Klopp claimed talking to referees was like speaking to his microwave. He knew it was an easy headline to deflect the fact that his team hadn’t been good enough.
      Players appreciate that kind of thing too — especially if you know that you personally have had a stinker.
      You know your manager has taken some heat off you.
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      Of course, Arteta doesn’t want to have a Kevin Keegan-style meltdown in front of the cameras and I don’t think he will.
      But if you are expecting the Arsenal manager to chill out on the touchline, you can think again — he’s probably going to get even more intense from here on in. More