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    Arsenal agree to face AC Milan during Qatar World Cup as Premier League clubs organise glamour friendlies

    ARSENAL have reportedly agreed to play AC Milan in a friendly during the World Cup.A host of Mikel Arteta’s squad will be jetting off to Qatar come the middle of November.
    Arsenal are heading to Dubai for a training camp during the World CupCredit: Getty
    The Gunners will face AC Milan in a friendly in the Middle EastCredit: Getty
    However, those not involved at the World Cup will not be sitting at home with their feet up watching all of the action unfold.
    The Gunners are heading to the Middle East themselves for a warm weather training camp in Dubai.
    And the Daily Mirror states that the Premier League leaders have agreed to face Milan during it.
    The report also states the club “are also looking at another big-name opponent” to take on before domestic action resumes.
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    Arsenal have opted to base their camp in Dubai so that players can link up with them from Doha once their respective World Cup campaigns are over.
    Dubai is only just over half an hour away on a plane and several other clubs have also decided to head there.
    Most of the Premier League bosses will give players not involved at the showpiece some time off.
    But the camps are being set-up in order for them to maintain fitness prior to the top-flight restarting on Boxing Day.
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    Liverpool are another club that will set-up camp in the Middle East during the tournament.
    And the Reds have also allegedly agreed to take on last season’s Serie A champions Milan. More

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    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta breaks silence after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang criticism with defiant message

    ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has hit back at criticism levelled at him by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.The ex-Arsenal ace was seen in a viral video blasting his old manager over his coaching abilities.
    Mikel Arteta and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have no love lost following their Arsenal splitCredit: PA
    Shortly after his move to Barcelona from The Gunners, Aubameyang was filmed saying: “Big characters and big players…he (Arteta) can’t deal with it.
    “He needs some young players who don’t say anything. They listen.”
    However, it seems to have left Arteta unfazed with the Spaniard aiming a thinly veiled dig towards the Gabon international.
    Arteta said head of Arsenal’s game against Bodo/Glimt: “People are free to discuss what they want.
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    “I have never been in a better dressing room (than this season) – more enjoyable, more hard-working, a better relationship between staff and players and it is an absolute pleasure as a coach to be a part of this group.”
    Aubameyang, now at Chelsea, was frozen out of the Arsenal squad after a “disciplinary issue” which saw him simultaneously stripped of his captaincy.

    In Arsenal’s behind-the-scenes All or Nothing series, it was revealed Arteta had a dossier on Aubameyang’s indiscretions.
    He said: “I have everything documented, with the dates, the times, the conversations, how it happened, why it happened . . . because if one day it’s needed.
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    “(Aubameyang) has been late, apart from all the (other) issues, many times.”
    Since the video was leaked Aubameyang tried to cool tensions, saying: “Aware there is a video out that was recorded just after I arrived at Barca. 
    “At the time I still had a lot of bad feelings in me – Arsenal are doing great things this season and I wish all my old guys well, just not on November 6.”
    Arsenal currently sit top of the league after an impressive start to the season which has seen them beat rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
    New forward Gabriel Jesus has been a key component in ensuring this run has continued.
    Gabriel Jesus was absent from Arsenal training earlier this weekCredit: Alamy
    However, the Brazilian, who has five goals to his name this season, was absent from training earlier this week.
    In explaining his absence, Arteta said: “We thought that, obviously, with everything that he’s been through in the last few weeks that it was better that he stayed at home.
    “What we are thinking is how we are going to win the game, that is it.
    “How we win every three games, in different conditions, in different contexts, in different weather and in different competitions and that is the only way that we are approaching the game.”
    Part of their reasoning behind this may also be in relation to the plastic pitch their Norwegian adversaries use.
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    Last season Jose Mourinho’s Roma fell victim to the unfamiliar turf and saw themselves humiliated with a 6-1 defeat.
    Arteta has also spoken out defending Gabriel Magalhaes amid an FA probe following their 3-2 victory over Liverpool when an on-pitch row between the defender and Jordan Henderson ensued. More

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    Chelsea keen on shock Gabriel Martinelli transfer and waiting in wings if Arsenal fail to agree new contract

    CHELSEA are watching Gabriel Martinelli’s contract extension talks with interest, according to reports.The Brazilian, 21, is on red hot form and discussing a new long-term deal with Arsenal.
    Chelsea are reportedly watching Gabriel Martinelli’s contract extension talks with Arsenal in case they can swoop inCredit: Getty
    And BILD claim that bosses at Stamford Bridge are interested in the youngster and will be keeping a close eye to see if anything materialises.
    The winger is at the Emirates until 2024 and he is one of three players the Gunners are hoping to tie down further.
    Martinelli reportedly wants his wages TREBLED to £200,000-a-week in order to sign a new deal.
    But Gunners chiefs also want to commit Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to long-term deals.
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    Martinelli has proved reliable in a number of positions for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, playing out wide or up top.
    The starlet has impressed at the Emirates since his 2019 transfer from Ituano in his native Brazil.
    And he has taken up a more prominent role this term following the departures of Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
    The South American star has started all but one game for Arsenal this season, scoring four and assisting two.
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    He also played a starring role in Arsenal’s 3-1 North London Derby win over Tottenham, being a constant nuisance to Spurs’ full-backs.
    After ripping Liverpool’s defence to shreds during last weekend’s thrilling 3-2 win at the Emirates, Martinelli declared that he DOES want to stayat the club.
    He said: “Of course I want to stay at Arsenal.”
    That will be music to the ears of Arsenal fans, who are desperate to secure his signature on a lengthy new contract and keep the likes of Chelsea at bay. More

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    Arsenal flop Nuno Tavares hints he’ll QUIT Gunners permanently after earning rave reviews during Marseille loan transfer

    NUNO TAVARES has admitted that he wanted an option to buy included in his Marseille loan.The Arsenal flop has excelled since his temporary switch to Ligue 1 – bagging three goals in nine top flight appearances.
    Nuno Tavares has impressed for MarseilleCredit: Reuters
    He has also started all three of Marseille’s Champions League clashes this season – earning calls for a potential Portugal World Cup inclusion in the process.
    Tavares, 22, has reflected on his brilliant start to life in the South of France… and where it went wrong for him in North London, saying: “At Arsenal, I do not know if it was a problem of competition with Kieran Tierney, but for me, that’s not even the point.
    “I came to Marseille to finally be able to play in my position.
    “When signing with OM, I wanted to have an option to buy, but Arsenal refused.
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    “With my agents, we always wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal didn’t.
    “Now I’m at OM, and with or without an option, I’m happy. At Arsenal, I would have probably only played in the cup.
    “I came to Marseille to play in my position, in the Champions League, in the league and in the cup. Marseille gave me this opportunity.”
    Tavares has been playing as a left wing-back for OM, and has relished being an undisputed starter.
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    Speaking to French paper La Provence, he added: “I’m good here. I feel good here and it shows in the matches.
    “On top of that, Marseille feels very similar to Lisbon: the streets, the city, the climate, the sun.”
    Tavares joined the Gunners for around £8million in 2021.
    He is under contract with the North Londoners for three more seasons.
    The Portugal Under-21 international made 28 appearances in all competitions last term – drawing criticism for his performances.
    Arsenal signed Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer to compete with Tierney – while they opted to select Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back last weekend.
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    On Tavares’ summer departure, boss Mikel Arteta said at the time: “It’s announced, it’s official and for Nuno’s development I think it’s going to be really important.
    “Obviously we have recruited Oleks in that position and we have Kieran as well which is two really really good and strong players in that position.” More

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    Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus misses training ahead of Europa League clash with Bodø/Glimt amid plastic pitch concerns

    ARSENAL ace Gabriel Jesus has MISSED training ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Bodø/Glimt. It comes amid concerns about the Norwegian side’s pitch.
    Gabriel Jesus was missing from Arsenal trainingCredit: Alamy
    Mikel Arteta is expected to once again rotate his side for the midweek European fixture against Bodo/GlimtCredit: Getty
    The likes of Bukayo Saka were spotted in training ahead of the gameCredit: Reuters
    With Jesus absent Eddie Nketiah is expected to come in up frontCredit: Getty
    Last week Arsenal ran out decisive 3-0 victors at the Emirates, but this week will provide a completely new challenge with an artificial pitch being utilised by Bodø/Glimt.
    And ahead of the game, Jesus has missed out on training.
    However, Sky Sports believe the forward is simply being rested for the game against Leeds United.
    Arsenal have massively improved their front-line this season thanks in large part to the addition of Jesus.
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    The Brazilian has five goals and four assists in 11 Premier League games this season, with Arsenal currently top of the division.
    While understudy Eddie Nketiah impressed at the end of last season and during his games this season, it would still represent a huge blow to Arsenal’s hopes this season if they were to lose Jesus.
    Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his squad for the away game in Norway, as a host of stars were spotted in training at Colney – the club’s training ground.
    Last season, Roma manager Jose Mourinho ranted about his side’s performance on the plastic pitch of the Aspmyra Stadion.
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    His side were humiliated 6-1 as the artificial turf disrupted his side’s way of playing.
    Gunners fans will be hoping a similar humiliation is not bestowed upon them when their own game gets underway. More

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    Arsenal star Bukayo Saka second-youngest to reach 20 Premier League goals after Liverpool double with forgotten man No1

    ARSENAL star Bukayo Saka has become the second youngest player to ever score 20 Premier League goals for the club.Saka was on target on Sunday against Liverpool at the Emirates as he scored a brace and reached that major milestone at the age of 21 years and 34 days.
    Arsenal star Bukayo Saka became the second youngest player to score 20 Prem goalsCredit: Getty
    Nicolas Anelka is the youngest player to ever score 20 Prem goals for ArsenalCredit: Reuters
    The winger put together a man-of-the-match performance to lead the Gunners to a 3-2 victory over the Reds.
    Only one player has ever been able to net as many times at a younger age for the North Londoners, according to Opta.
    And that is Nicolas Anelka who registered 20 Premier League goals by the time he was 20 years and 41 days old.
    Anelka joined Arsenal from Paris Saint-Germain in 1997 and registered a total of 28 goals and 12 assists in 87 appearances.
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    The legendary striker was so impressive at Highbury that he was signed by Real Madrid in 1999.
    The former France international only spent one year at Real and went on to join a raft of different clubs, including Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool where he played on loan.
    Saka burst onto the scene at Arsenal in 2018 while under former manager Unai Emery and has since been established as one of the club’s biggest stars.
    The England international has been playing a major role in the Gunners’ flying season that has seen them climbing to the top of the table with eight wins and only one loss in their first nine matches.
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    The 21-year-old has already registered three goals and four assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season.
    That takes his total tally to 26 goals and 33 assists in 142 appearances at Arsenal. More

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    Arsenal confident Bukayo Saka will join Gabriel Martinelli in signing new long-term contract thanks to ‘love for club’

    ARSENAL are confident that Bukayo Saka will follow Gabriel Martinelli’s lead and commit to signing a new contract, according to reports.Martinelli, 21, revealed yesterday that he wants to stay with the Gunners long-term after their brilliant start to the season.
    Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are happy at ArsenalCredit: Rex
    Saka, also 21, has less than two years left to run on his deal and has attracted plenty of interest.
    But the Gunners reckon that, like Martinelli, he is in it for the long haul.
    Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claims that Arsenal believe Saka’s “love for the club” will see him commit – having been locked in talks over a new deal since February.
    Should the situation continue to rumble on, however, Manchester City and Liverpool would both love to pounce.
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    Saka has scored three goals and laid on four assists in nine Prem appearances so far this term.
    His pal Martinelli has four goals and two assists – and told Arsenal fans exactly what they wanted to hear over the weekend.
    The Brazilian said: “We are talking about a contract so let’s see what happens. But of course I want to stay.
    “I think this is my best season at Arsenal and I am so happy for this moment.
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    “Everyone can see our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game.
    “I am so happy to be playing alongside players like Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
    “You can see the understanding we have together but we have a lot of time to improve. We have great quality and I think we can do more.” More

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    Man Utd and Arsenal in Youri Tielemans blow as Barcelona consider move to sign Leicester star on free transfer

    BARCELONA are reportedly plotting a free transfer swoop for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.The Belgian international, 25, only has nine months remaining on his contract and looks unlikely to pen an extension after refusing offers already.
    Barcelona are plotting a free transfer swoop for Youri TielemansCredit: Rex
    He will be free to negotiate and agree a pre-contract agreement with any clubs outside of England from January 1.
    He was linked with a host of clubs over the summer, with both United and Arsenal keen.
    However, now Spanish publication Sport claims Barcelona are eyeing a swoop next summer.
    The Nou Camp giants have been interested in Tielemans for months.
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    And SER are claiming that Xavi and his coaching staff are big fans of his.
    Now they are planning a move to sign him on a free transfer come the end of the campaign.
    Despite their insistence on keeping him in the summer, Leicester could decide to cash in on the ace come winter rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the campaign.
    Leicester chiefs are understood to want to recoup at least some of the £40m they splashed out to sign him in 2019.
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    He has previously indicated that he wants to leave Leicester for a team competing in the Champions League.
    The Foxes lost Wesley Fofana to Chelsea last month, while stalwart Kasper Schmeichel left for Nice.
    Brendan Rodgers’ side sit second bottom of the Premier League after picking up just four points from their opening nine games. More