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    Arsenal could hit ONE HUNDRED points, says Pep Guardiola, as Man City boss claims Gunners have ADVANTAGE in title race

    PEP GUARDIOLA has cranked up the title mind games by claiming his Manchester City side are at a disadvantage as expectations are higher for them.The City boss also insists Prem leaders Arsenal could hit 100 points and bitter rivals Manchester United are  in the title race, too.
    Pep Guardiola tried to put the pressure on leaders Arsenal rather than Man CityCredit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal went eight points clear at the top with Tuesday’s 0-0 home draw aganst third-placed NewcastleCredit: Getty
    Champions City can cut the Gunners’ lead to  five points by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight.
    And Guardiola said: “The advantage of Arsenal and Manchester United right now is nobody has to win the Premier League and be 20 points ahead in November like Man City has to.
    “And this is sometimes a big problem. Maybe it’s an advantage for the fact Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League for . . . I don’t know how many years.
    “But when you play them, the smell of their history has to be there.”
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    Guardiola believes that if Arsenal,  who last won the Prem in 2004 with their Invincibles, continue to gather points at this rate then it will be impossible to live with them.
    Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have won 14 of their 17 Prem games, losing only once and notching a whopping 44 points.
     Guardiola said: “Arsenal have an average that means they are going to do 100 — or more than 100  points.  If they continue that way, we will not catch them.
    “So we have to be almost perfect from here until the end of the season and hope that they drop a little bit, their performance.
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    “Against Newcastle they were excellent again but we will see what happens.”
    City want to lift a  fifth Prem title in six seasons and Guardiola added: “What I want to see is us fighting, don’t give up, not now, not until the last chance is gone, until the last drop of water.
    “The moment we are not able to win the Premier League, we have to be ready to compete next season.” More

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    Arsenal ‘cool Tielemans interest despite Leicester ace being available for cut price transfer’ as Arteta eyes attackers

    ARSENAL have reportedly “cooled” their interest in signing Leicester City star Youri Tielemans.The Gunners have been keen on the 25-year-old Belgian international for months.
    Arsenal have ‘cooled’ their interest in signing Youri Tielemans this monthCredit: Getty
    They were keen on bringing him in last summer and have been heavily linked with swoop in the January window.
    Tielemans has less than six months remaining on his deal with Leicester and is free to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas clubs.
    That means he could be available for a cut-price fee this month with a number of team keen.
    Chelsea have allegedly now shown interest in the former Anderlecht and Monaco man, while he also has options in Spain.
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    However, Football London are now reporting that the Gunners “are not thought to be keen”.
    With striker Gabriel Jesus ruled out through injury, Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring in reinforcements during the January transfer window for table-topping Arsenal.
    Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk has emerged as his No1 target.
    However, we reported earlier how the Ukrainian club are set to reject Arsenal’s improved £62million bid for 21-year-old amid Chelsea’s late interest.
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    Arteta was quizzed about his squad’s depth following yesterday’s stalemate with Newcastle and whether if it would have helped having a new signing in his ranks.
    He replied: “I don’t know. That’s something more for Edu and the board to respond. We are really trying to improve the squad in every window.
    “We’re trying to do our best because we cannot waste any windows still with the squad and the numbers that we have. We will try.” More

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    Watch Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal touchline rampage with CARTOON FLY added leaving fans in hysterics after Newcastle clash

    BUZZING fans reckon Mikel Arteta’s touchline tantrum has become even more animated – after a CARTOON FLY was added.Viewers hailed the “pure brilliance” of a social media clip showing the Arsenal manager getting into a flap over a penalty shout in Tuesday’s 0-0 home draw with Newcastle.

    Mikel Arteta looked even angrier than if he had got a fly in his soupCredit: Alamy
    Arteta claimed it was “scandalous” his Premier League leaders were twice denied spot-kicks.
    And he made a pest of himself with his histrionics after the second penalty refusal in stoppage time.
    Now those antics have been turned into animated Art by comedian Olaf Falafel – to the delight of supporters.
    Twenty-four hours after the Spaniard charged down the touchline ranting and swatting his arms around, it’s a cartoon fly, not officials, who bears the brunt of his frustration.
    Luckily, Arteta never quite lands a blow on his winged tormentor.
    But one fan said of his behaviour: “I remember this episode from Breaking Bad.”
    And the addition of a fly as co-star was praised as “12 carat gold”.
    One viewer said: “You gotta find this funny.”
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    Another posted: “THAT, Sir, is a moment of pure brilliance. Well done.”
    Some felt the fly emphasised how extreme Arteta’s reaction looked.
    One said: “Oh my God …… who does he think he is !!!!! Embarrassing.”
    On a similar note: “Why do managers act like this? Not just Arteta. Makes zero difference to anything. Where’s the composure??” 
    Arteta was annoyed referee Andy Madley didn’t penalise Newcastle defender Dan Burn for tugging Gabriel’s shirt at a free-kick on the hour.
    And he was even angrier in the dying seconds.
    Granit Xhaka’s cross hit the arm of Jacob Murphy at point-blank range, with ref Madley deciding the winger could do nothing about it.
    Arteta couldn’t restrain himself any longer – and now his decision to fly into a rage has been given a new meaning.
    Arteta believes the Gunners should have had two second-half penaltiesCredit: Reuters
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    Arsenal transfer target Mudryk is ‘watching every game as team-mates joke he’s already joined’ despite Chelsea interest

    ARSENAL are confident of beating Chelsea to Mykhailo Mudryk – amid claims he watches their games and team-mates joke he’s already joined.The Ukraine winger, 21, has reportedly held talks with the Gunners after admitting he’s keen to make the move.
    Arsenal remain favourites to sign Shakhtar’s Ukraine wideman MudrykCredit: Getty
    But it’s thought Chelsea are lining up a huge offer as Shakhtar hold out for their £85million asking price.
    Sky Sports claim the Blues plan to meet the Ukrainian giants this week.
    And Shakhtar officials are already thought to be in London.  
    The Mail suggest Arsenal will be unsuccessful with a £62m bid – after having an opening offer of around £52m rejected.
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    But the Gunners still have “growing optimism” they’ll clinch a deal for a player Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi rates a potential Ballon d’Or winner.
    CBS’ Ben Jacobs revealed Mudryk’s Shakhtar pals have joked since the summer he has already switched to the Emirates.
    Jacobs also says the wideman is in “regular contact” with the Gunners’ Ukraine wing-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and watches “almost every Arsenal game”.
    The Gunners expect to soon agree personal terms with Mudryk, who has previously stated he “can’t say no” to the Premier League leaders.
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    But Arsenal are tipped to eventually need to bid far closer to £85m.
    Wen asked about his ambitions by Jacobs early in the season, Mudryk said: “I think every guy dreams about the Premier League.”
    And questioned about which club, he added: “It’s hard to say but Arsenal is a very good team, very good coach. I like the way they play.
     “I’m at Shakhtar and I want to play in this team. I love this team. But in the winter we will see.” More

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    Arsenal recall Miguel Azeez from UD Ibiza loan after just ten games after Mikel Arteta’s transfer plea

    ARSENAL have bolstered their ranks by recalling Miguel Azeez from his loan at UD Ibiza after Mikel Arteta’s transfer plea.The Gunners were left frustrated on Tuesday after they were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United at The Emirates.
    Arsenal have recalled Miguel Azeez from his loan spell in SpainCredit: Getty
    That stretched their advantage at the top of the table to eight points – but rivals Manchester City can close the gap to five with a win over Chelsea tomorrow.
    With striker Gabriel Jesus ruled out through injury, Arteta is desperate to bring in reinforcements during the January transfer window.
    And his lack of options were evident last night as he decided to make just one substitute during the game, which was right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu replacing Ben White.
    Now he could have one extra option to call on after Arsenal decided to bring back England U20s international midfielder Azeez.
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    The 20-year-old, who also had a brief spell at League One Portsmouth last year, was sent out to Spanish second tier outfit UD Ibiza for further first-team experience.
    However, he has featured just ten times for the club, with just two of those coming in the last nine games.
    Whether or not Arteta decides to keep him around for extra options remains to be seen as he continues to be linked with new signings.
    Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk has emerged as the Gunners’ No1 January target.
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    However, we reported earlier how the Ukrainian club are set to reject Arsenal’s improved £62million bid for 21-year-old amid Chelsea’s late interest.
    Arteta was quizzed about his squad’s depth following yesterday’s stalemate and whether if it would have helped having a new signing in his ranks.
    He replied: “I don’t know. That’s something more for Edu and the board to respond. “We are really trying to improve the squad in every window.
    “We’re trying to do our best because we cannot waste any windows still with the squad and the numbers that we have. We will try.” More

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    Arsenal in Youri Tielemans transfer blow with Leicester still hoping midfielder will sign new long-term contract

    LEICESTER manager Brendan Rodgers is still optimistic that Youri Tielemans will sign a new contract before the end of the season.Tielemans, 25, has less than six months remaining on his current deal.
    Tielemans has been linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Rodgers is optimistic that the midfielder will sign a new contractCredit: Reuters
    This means that he is now able to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas clubs.
    However, Rodgers is confident that he will remain at the King Power Stadium.
    During his press conference ahead of Leicester’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham on Tuesday, he said: “It has gone on for a while, but it’s all based around the player, ultimately.
    “His commitment is no less now to what it was when I first came in – if not even more. He’s loved his time here and is still loving his time here.
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    “I respect that he’s in his last year, of course I want to tie him down. He’s been a brilliant player for this club and is still at a great age. It’s something that has to be right for all parties.
    “Until I’m told he’s not here, we work very well together. He’s a coach’s dream, with his professionalism and view of the game.
    “Nothing changes for me in that aspect, we just continue to hopefully find a resolution to it and have him sign here. I think it’s one where we want to do everything we can to convince him to stay.”
    If Tielemans decides against signing a new deal with the Foxes, he will be free to negotiate a move elsewhere after the final day of the Premier League season.
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    Arsenal have already expressed an interest in signing the midfielder, but Mikel Arteta is holding out for a free transfer.
    Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle are also understood to be considering a swoop. More

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    Arsenal’s second £62m Mudryk transfer bid ‘to be rejected’ amid Chelsea interest as Shakhtar point to Jack Grealish fee

    SHAKHTAR DONETSK are set to reject Arsenal’s improved £62million bid for Mykhailo Mudryk, according to reports.The Ukrainian has emerged as the Gunners’ No1 January target.
    Shakhtar are demanding a huge fee for Mykhailo Mudryk this monthCredit: Getty
    Arsenal launched a £52m opening bid for the winger, which was promptly rejected.
    And according to the Mail, their follow up £62m offer will also be turned down.
    Shakthar value their prized asset at around £88m.
    And Chelsea entering the race has only strengthened their bargaining position.
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    The Blues are yet to make an official bid for Mudryk, but are set to open talks for his signature this week.
    Shakhtar chief Darijo Srna is in London and is expected to attend Chelsea’s clash with Manchester City tomorrow.
    A bid of £60m plus £20m in add-ons could be enough for the Blues to beat Arsenal to signing Mudryk.
    Shakhtar believe an offer in this region to be a fair price, given the fees paid for Jack Grealish (£100m) and Antony (£85.5m) in recent seasons.
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    Mudryk has made no secret of his desire to join the Gunners – openly admitting his admiration for the club and posting photos watching their recent matches.
    Should the Gunners fail to stump up the cash, however, he could find himself heading to West London instead.
    Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin is claimed to be in contact with both Arsenal and Chelsea as he aims to get the biggest fee possible.
    Chelsea are also keen on Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.
    But Benfica’s eye-watering £112m price tag could prevent the Blues from signing both he and Mudryk. More

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    Chelsea set to hold advanced Mudryk transfer talks with Shakhtar chief to fly to London for Man City clash

    CHELSEA are set to hold advanced talks with Shakhtar Donetsk’s chief this week over the transfer of Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to reports.SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that the Blues are attempting to hijack the 21-year-old Ukrainian winger’s expected transfer to Arsenal.
    Chelsea want to hijack Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer to ArsenalCredit: Reuters
    Arsenal’s latest bid of £62million is still well short of Shakhtar’s asking price.
    And Chelsea will hope to pounce with negotiations set to take place this week.
    As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Shakhtar Donetsk club director Darijo Srna will be in London and is expected to attend Chelsea’s home clash with Manchester City tomorrow.
    It is thought the two clubs will discuss a possible deal for Mudryk in the next 24 hours after already holding initial talks.
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    Should Chelsea meet Shakhtar’s asking price – around £60m with a further £20m in add-ons – and beat Arsenal’s contract offer, they could land the exciting youngster.
    Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with Mudryk for £120,000 per week across five years.
    Mudryk has made no secret of his desire to join the Gunners – openly admitting his admiration for the club and posting photos watching their recent matches.
    But with Srna in London, Arsenal will hope to continue talks and land their No1 target this month.
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    Chelsea are also interested in Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
    But with the Argentine likely to cost at least £105m, it is unlikely even Todd Boehly will sanction mega-money moves for both stars. More