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      Arsene Wenger refusing invitation to see his new Arsenal statue unveiled as ex-boss is too ‘bruised’ by sacking

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      FORMER Arsenal chief David Dein is trying to talk “bruised” Arsene Wenger into coming back to the club to see his statue unveiled.The creation of an artistic tribute to ex-manager Wenger is at an advanced stage.
      ‘Bruised’ former Arsenal manager Wenger is refusing to return to see his statue unveiled, says DeinCredit: Getty
      But Dein, who used to be Gunners vice-chairman, claims the Frenchman is yet to give the green light to a ceremony because he is still upset by the way he was forced out in 2018.
      Dein told fans at an Arsenal Supporters’ Trust event: “Rather like myself, he is bruised. I don’t think he was treated well.
      “I think he is still smarting from that. He was never really given the opportunity to discuss an alternative role at the club.
      “That caused friction. There was also interference from board members in what he was doing.
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      “He had a difficult time. I do hope that he does come back.
      “It’s no secret, there is a statue waiting for him to be unveiled. I hope he does decide to do that. For what he delivered to the club, he certainly deserves it.
      “I know he is in two minds. He hasn’t agreed to do it yet. I’m pushing him to try and encourage him that he should.
      “It ought to be there, a permanent memory to what he delivered to the club.”
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      Wenger, who turned 73 on Saturday, won three Prem titles, a record seven FA Cups and was in charge of the famous Invincibles during his 22 years at the club.
      Arsenal are in direct contact with the Frenchman, now Fifa’s head of global football development, about unveiling the statue some time next year.
      And Dein insists that he has nothing against owner Stan Kroenke and son Josh, and that he is enjoying the club’s current “renaissance”.
      He revealed how Edu, Arsenal’s current technical director, had a sticky start with the club.
      The former Gunners midfielder was supposed to join from Brazilian club Corinthians in the summer of 2000.
      Dein said: “He was an unusual transfer. I got a call at 3am from the immigration officer at Terminal 3, saying, ‘Mr Dein, we’ve got one of your players here’.
      “I said, ‘What’s the problem?’.
      “‘Well, his passport is not really good. We’re going to have to send him back home.’”
      Edu was entitled to a European passport through his Portuguese and Italian ancestry but the number on the document was out of sequence, revealing it to be a fake.
      Dein said: “The agent had tried to fast-track it.
      “I spoke to Arsene straight away and said, ‘What do you want to do? It could take six to nine months’. Arsene said, ‘No, we’ll definitely sign him’.
      “So I said to Edu at the time, ‘Don’t worry, go back, we’ll get your papers in order, and you will be welcome whenever you come in’.”
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      Edu was held overnight at Heathrow but finally signed in January 2001.
      He was part of the 2002 Double-winning squad and the famous Invincibles of 2003-4. More

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      ‘Have a big think’ – Wilfried Zaha warned off joining Arsenal by Paul Merson as Crystal Palace star’s contract runs down

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      WILFRIED ZAHA has been warned off joining a Big Six club amid links to Arsenal.Former Gooner Paul Merson believes Zaha is playing the best football of his career after netting five times in nine games this season.
      Wilfried Zaha has been warned against moving to a Big Six clubCredit: Reuters
      There is speculation the winger could run down his contract and leave Crystal Palace next summer, with Arsenal rumoured to be interested.
      But Merson advised the 29-year-old to carefully consider his next step – as a move to a Big Six club could backfire.
      Merson wrote in his Daily Star column: “Wilfried Zaha plays every week at Crystal Palace.
      “He can have a bad game and still start the following match and that might not happen at a Big Six club.
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      “I think he should seriously consider his options before running down his contract. He’s a legend at Palace and the manager loves him.
      “I see someone like Arsenal coming in for him if they get into the Champions League but do you go there and risk becoming a bit-part player?
      “You’re then going on a free. It’s not like you’re Darwin Nunez, who cost £85m and therefore has to play. Will he want to play for one week and then drop to the bench? I’m just not sure whether the grass is going to be greener for Zaha.
      “He’s playing the best football of his career and there is a reason for that. He needs to sit down and have a big think about his future.”
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      Palace have reportedly offered Zaha a new long-term contract but he has made no secret of his desire to play at the highest level.
      The Ivory Coast international wants to play Champions League football and is said to be targeting a move to Liverpool.
      Chelsea were also linked with a move for Zaha in the summer and could look to strike a bargain by picking up the winger on a free next year. More

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      Arsenal star Gabriel signs bumper new long-term contract as reward for stunning form under Mikel Arteta

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      ARSENAL star Gabriel Magalhaes has committed his future to the club on a new long-term deal.The news was confirmed by Arsenal on Friday evening.
      Arsenal ace Gabriel Magalhaes has penned a new long-term contractCredit: Getty
      And the bumper contract extension comes as a reward for Gabriel following his stunning form under Mikel Arteta this season.
      Gabriel has played 83 times for Arsenal, scoring nine goals in the process.
      The stylish Brazilian defender, 24, was strongly linked with a move away from Arsenal over the summer.
      Juventus tried to land Gabriel just two years on from his £27million transfer from Lille.
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      But the Gunners fought hard to keep the centre-back at the club.
      And Gabriel’s great performances have now helped guide Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table.
      The star beamed: “Arsenal fans, thank you for your support, come on Gooners!”
      Meanwhile, technical director Edu said: “It’s great that we’ve agreed a new deal with Gabi. At 24, he’s still a young player and is part of our future.
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      “His performances since he joined us in 2020 have been very strong and his positive impact on our results have been clear for everyone to see.
      “He has grown so much on and off the pitch, with both his contribution and communication on and off the pitch.
      “We all look forward to seeing Gabi continue to grow as an important part of our club.”
      And boss Arteta added: “Gabi has shown huge qualities since he joined us.
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      “He is a young player with a great work ethic and his consistently strong performances have been hugely important to us over the past two seasons.
      “Working with Gabi every day is a pleasure, he has formed strong relationships with everyone at the club and we’re so pleased that he has committed to us on a long-term contract.” More

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      ‘It’s a privilege’ – Ruben Neves flirts with Barcelona transfer in blow to Man Utd and Arsenal

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      RUBEN NEVES admits it would be a “privilege” to play for Barcelona in a blow to Manchester United and Arsenal.Flirting with a move to Spain next year, the Wolves star also hailed Barca as “one of the world’s best clubs.”
      Wolves star Ruben Neves has been flirting with a move to Barcelona next summerCredit: Getty
      Neves, 25, is a Molineux legend after joining for £16million from Porto in 2017.
      But the Portugal international’s contract is out of contract in 2024.
      And Neves seems highly unlikely to pen an extension as Wolves struggle to find some form.
      Man Utd are big admirers of the tenacious playmaker.
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      Meanwhile, Arsenal have also been linked as they seek more midfield options.
      However, reports in Spain claim Barcelona are leading the race as Sergio Busquets prepares to depart next summer.
      Xavi Hernandez has been looking at Chelsea’s Jorginho, Man City’s Rodri and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.
      But Neves is more similar in style to Busquets, making him an ideal replacement.
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      And as Barca begin to gather funds for a potential £50m deal, Neves has now openly hailed the Catalans as one of the best teams around.
      He said: “Who wouldn’t want to play for Barcelona?
      “If you ask in general, all the players want to play for Barca, one of the best clubs in the world. It’s a privilege for me to be associated with this team.
      “I’m going to do my job. I’m going to focus as much as possible here because we have a lot of competition.
      “I have to focus as much as possible on Wolves. Having a good season here, things will come very naturally.”
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      Neves is now in his sixth season with Wolves, scoring 26 times in 223 outings.
      He also has 32 caps for Portugal and is virtually guaranteed a seat on the plane to next month’s Qatar World Cup. More

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      Arsenal 1 PSV 0: Gunners seal place in Europa League knockout stages as Xhaka’s winner keeps up 100% group stage record

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      NUMBER 10 may be a crumbling wreck at the moment but this grand old institution looks in fine fettle.Arsenal were the only Premier League team to win every single game they played during Liz Truss’ swift stint as prime minister.
      Arsenal are through to the Europa League knockout stagesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And unlike the now former PM, who famously disliked North Londoners, they look set for a serious stint at the top.
      The Gunners were burning through chances like they were Tory leaders before Granit Xhaka put Mikel Arteta out of his misery and fired them through to the Europa League knockout stages.
      The hosts dominated the opening stages but just lacked the final clinical touch.
      Kieran Tierney blazed an effort over the bar after a scramble in the box before Xhaka sent one wide after a smart lay-off from Gabriel Jesus.
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      The Brazilian striker then had a crack of his own, fizzing a low shot just wide of the near post from the edge of the area.
      PSV were being well and truly pegged back but did manage one foray forward. Xavi Simons drove forward down the middle of the pitch but sent his shot just over the bar.
      Eindhoven keeper Walter Benitez then had to be alive to tip a deflected Bukayo Saka cross over the bar.
      During the next red wave, Ibrahim Sangare tripped Xhaka on the edge of the area, with Fabio Vieira sending the free-kick into the side netting.
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      It simply wasn’t coming off for Arsenal.
      After a frustrating first half, Jesus took up the baton once more shortly after the restart – collecting the ball from Saka before weaving past a couple of blue shirts, though his effort was tame at the end.
      PSV offered another warning that they could make Arsenal pay for wasted chances as Simons sent another effort just over Matt Turner’s bar.
      Saka then took his turn to pass up a chance, firing straight at the PSV keeper, before Jesus followed up with another limp shot.
      Even though this was an early kick-off, starting at 6pm so not to clash with the Prem games, Jesus could have been out there all night long without finding the back of the net.
      He wriggled free of the PSV back line well to once again see Benitez get a hand to his left-footed effort.
      With Jesus falling short, Eddie Nketiah looked to grasp the moment for himself, collecting a long ball perfectly on his chest, quickly cutting inside but bending his shot just wide of the top corner.
      Arteta called for Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey to try and sharpen the blunt attack, and it didn’t take long for the captain to get things going.
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      Odegaard fed Takehiro Tomiyasu down the right, whose cross was low to the feet of Xhaka. The midfielder had found space just behind the penalty spot and lashed home a first-time finish on his right foot.
      Jesus was hooked shortly after the goal but Saka could have added to the lead when he broke free down the left but fired straight at the keeper.
      Granit Xhaka scored the winning goalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Granit Xhaka celebrates Arsenal’s winnerCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Arsenal starlet Marcelo Flores could make World Cup debut for Mexico before playing a minute for Gunners

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      ARSENAL prodigy Marcelo Flores could play at the World Cup before even making his senior debut for the Gunners.The 19-year-old attacker left Ipswich Town for Arsenal in 2019 and has shone in their development side.
      Marcelo Flores could play at a World Cup before even featuring for ArsenalCredit: Getty
      However, he has headed out on loan to Spanish second division team Real Oviedo this term without yet making an appearance for his parent club.
      Flores, who is the son of former Mexican player Ruben, was born in Georgetown, Ontario which made him eligible for Canada.
      And due to his mother’s English descent, who was also called up to an England U16 get-together three years ago.
      During that period he has also represented Mexico at youth level and made his senior bow for the nation off the bench in a friendly match draw with Chile last December.
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      He then fully-pledged his international allegiance to Mexico with a lengthy statement in May.
      Flores wrote on Instagram: “Existing as I do – being from a multicultural environment who identifies with several different countries – I feel it’s normal to question your identity and even sometimes doubt your own origin.
      “Canada and England are a part of me, they have made me who I am. I can’t lie, this hasn’t been an easy process.
      “I love Mexico. My father instilled this passion from a very young age and I was fortunate to visit Mexico every year during my childhood.
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      “I have always been part of the Mexican national team system. It is where I feel most comfortable. It is where my sisters and I feel most at home even when ‘home’ is thousands of miles away.”
      The ace then made his competitive bow for them in a 3-0 CONCACAF Nations League win against Suriname in June and has added another cap since.
      Now the 5ft 5in dynamo will be hopeful that he can make the plane for Qatar next month to represent his country at the World Cup.
      Mexico kick-off their Group C campaign against Poland on November 22.
      They then take on Argentina before a final group clash with Saudi Arabia on November 30. More

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      Chelsea wonderkid Omari Hutchinson, 18, has been compared to new team mate Raheem Sterling and is a viral sensation

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      CHELSEA moved quickly to re-sign talented teen Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal last season and got a glimpse of his brilliance last night.The wing-wizard, 18, was highly-rated by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and regularly featured in first team training last season.
      Omari Hutchinson, pictured with head of youth recruitment Jim Fraser, rejoined Chelsea last summerCredit: Chelsea
      Omari Hutchinson celebrates after scoring a scorcher against Leyton OrientCredit: Getty
      Omari Hutchinson was highly-rated at their Hale End academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mikel Arteta was impressed by Hutchinson and included him in first team training
      But, after seven years at Hale End – Cobham will be is now where he his football career is growing.
      And he scored a brilliant solo goal to help their Under-21s beat Leyton Orient 3-2 yesterday which sent Twitter into meltdown.
      On a weekly basis last campaign, it was Arsenal fans that were left purring by the attacker and a piece of magnificent skill he had performed during an Under-23 game.
      Back in October 2021, Hutchinson produced a stunning backheel assist in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
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      While in January, it was the Blues who were left stunned by Hutchinson’s incredible solo goal in a 4-1 loss in the Papa John’s Trophy.
      His form excited boss Arteta and sporting director Edu, who believed they may have found the next Bukayo Saka.
      Like Miguel Azeez, Charlie Patino and Nikolaj Moller, Hutchinson was on the fringes of a first team call-up, earning rave reviews among the Arsenal coaching staff. However, he never did get that first team call up.
      An attacking midfielder with quick feet and bags of pace, Hutchinson was spied listening attentively to his ex-Spanish boss during coaching sessions in the past few seasons.
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      Former Arsenal star David Luiz was also impressed by his efforts – and embraced the youngster with a high-five.
      FULL OF POTENTIAL AND BELIEF
      Back in 2020, Hutchinson signed his first pro contract with Arsenal, who he had been with since the age of 11 after a previous spell in Chelsea and Charlton’s youth ranks.
      “A proud day for me and my family and I look forward to pushing on and continuing to work hard,” he wrote on his Instagram as a caption for a photo that showed him inking his deal.
      Cheekily, he added: “Debut soon to come.”
      The confidence he has in his ability translates to the swagger he plays with on the pitch.
      An attacking midfielder who has drawn comparisons with Raheem Sterling, Hutchinson boasts fine dribbling skills and an eye for a goal playing on the right wing.
      Ironically, Sterling is now his team mate at Stamford Bridge – so he will able to learn first hand from his hero.
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      Hutchinson signed his first pro contract with Arsenal in 2020
      Hutchinson, pictured with Pele, had been with Arsenal since he was 11
      A quick midfielder, Hutchinson can play out wide or as a No10Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Big Performance from the boys in a 4-1 Win against Tottenham 👌🏾 Good to get back on the scoresheet plus and assist ⚽️ 🅰️ We go again 🦍 pic.twitter.com/RIZld1a2wM— Omari Hutchinson (@omarihutch7) January 24, 2021

      And Hutchinson knows a thing or two about performing against London teams. Last season, he was the star performer in the 4-1 rout of Tottenham for the U18’s – scoring another brilliant individual goal and grabbing an assist.
      And he is equally as adept playing in a No10 role, while he was also used at left-back.
      ARTETA WAS IMPRESSED
      A few months before Hutchinson penned his deal with Arsenal, he was drafted into a first team training session with Arteta and Arsenal’s main stars.
      Immediately, he impressed his boss with his passing, skill on the ball, movement and his determination.
      Of course, Arteta had heard from Hutchinson’s youth coaches that he was one of the most exciting players in the academy.
      That is now all academic now.
      But there’s still some way to go before we know he can do it with the big boys.
      Last season, he was raved about – scoring a goal in a 4-3 win away at Newport County in the Football League Trophy.
      Fans raved that he was Arsenal’s standout performer.
      His outstanding season was rewarded with an international call-up by Jamaica, which he accepted with glee even though he was capped at England youth level.
      In the Football League Trophy win over Newport County, Hutchinson was Arsenal’s standout playerCredit: Getty
      Ex-Arsenal first team star David Luiz was impressed by HutchinsonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hutchinson takes the ball past Alex RunarssonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Big things are expected of HutchinsonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      So it’s no wonder Chelsea are happy to have nabbed a Gunners youth star. “We are delighted that Omari has agreed to sign for Chelsea,” head of youth recruitment Jim Fraser revealed.
      “He is a brilliant addition who joins us as an exciting emerging talent hoping to make a quick impression in the senior game.” More

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      Arsenal facing fight to keep hold of Edu with European giants looking to snatch technical director away from Emirates

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      ARSENAL face a fight to keep hold of technical director Edu, according to reports.The 44-year-old Brazilian joined the Gunners back in 2019 and has thrived in the role at the Emirates.
      Edu has spearheaded a positive change at ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      He has been widely praised for the appointment of manager Mikel Arteta, as well as the club’s impressive recruitment.
      Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League table after nine wins from their opening 10 matches.
      And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Edu is attracting interest from several European clubs.
      The former midfielder’s name is said to have been “discussed internally” as a suitable technical director – although the identity of the teams are not known.
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      However, Edu is considered to be “100 per cent focused on the Arsenal project”, with the club seeing him as a “key figure” in their plans for the future.
      The former Brazilian midfielder will always be remembered as a member of Arsene Wenger’s 2003-04 Invincibles.
      But he has been playing an even more important role since being appointed technical director in 2019 to help salvage a club in serious danger of losing their place at football’s top table.
      In the summer, the South American told SunSport the Gunners were not simply going to settle for a place in the top four as he outlined ambitious plans.
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      Edu said: “Arsenal should not be building to just fight for fourth. A club of our size cannot accept that.
      “That’s what really hurt when I returned three years ago. I was asking, ‘What’s happening here? Everybody is comfortable and they’re all OK with that?’
      “Well, f*** you, because that’s not the mentality of this club. I want everyone to feel, ‘F*****g hell, now we are really going to go for things’.
      “So we needed a squad with personalities that say, ‘I am not losing this game — I will kill someone first but I don’t lose’.
      “And this summer I think we’ve added more players with that kind of character.”
      Arsenal signed five new players ahead of the new season – Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos.
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      And Arteta’s men now look ready to compete for the title as they have opened up a four-point lead over Manchester City.
      Edu will be hoping Arsenal can build on their positive start as he looks to add to the FA Cup they won during his first season at the club. More