Arsenal transfer news

THE Kroenke family HAVE put Arsenal up for sale despite insisting publicly they want to stay, according to reports.And Daniel Ek and his consortium have held a meeting with the Arsenal Supporters Trust as the Spotify founder steps up his takeover bid.
It is also claimed that Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote could have bought the club for £1.7bn two years ago.
That price is understood to be around the valuation Ek has of the club.
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MEETING EK
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry opened up about the day he as well as fellow Invincibles Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp spoke to Spotify co-owner Daniel Ek.
Ek wants to buy the club from Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) and also wishes to re-inject the old identity by involving the fans.
Henry told Sky Sports: “We listened to him.
“When we knew first and foremost that he wanted to involve the fans, we actually met the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust and told them what we wanted to do; bring them back on board.
“He already said he collected the funds so he can make sure he can make a good bid. Now obviously they need to listen and see what they can do.
“Something that is very important about it, saying they want the owner out, we are trying to offer a solution of having the fans as the DNA back of the club”
NOT FOR SALE?
As everyone knows, Spotify co-founder, and longtime Arsenal fan, Daniel Ek wishes to buy Arsenal Football Club for an estimated £1.8bn – the successful businessman has the support of legendary Invincibles, such as Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira.
However, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) have stated the club is not for sale.
But the Mail on Sunday report that KSE were approached by an international financial consortium in 2019.
Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke didn’t reject the approach outright, like he did with Ek, but instead told the interested party they would have to pay a fee in the region of £1.7billion
DON’T HERRY
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has warned fans that a potential takeover of the club by Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek will take a “long time”.
A great chunk of the Gunners fanbase has turned on majority holder Stan Kroenke following the failed European Super League project and Ek, a longtime fan, has expressed his desire to buy the club.
Henry said: “That is going to take a long time.
“We know what we want to do but first and foremost we need to make sure we can take over, if they are listening.
“Let’s see where it is going to go, he reached out. I don’t know now how far they went”
GETTY IMAGES
STATE OF THE ART
Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla has warned his friend and manager of his former club Mikel Arteta to keep an eye on Villarreal star Gerard Moreno on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final clash.
The Gunners lost 2-1 away in the first leg and need at least one goal to qualify to the final, which they have to win if they want to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
But Cazorla has urged former team-mate Arteta to be careful of the “best forward in Spain”.
He told uefa.com: “He is the best forward in Spain right now. I’m not saying that just because of the goals he scores.
“You shouldn’t just look at what he does in the box and the goals he scores for Villarreal, but also what he does outside the box.
“He’s a player who makes a difference, doesn’t need a lot of chances to score goals, and he’s at a point of his career where he’s full of confidence and at his peak, which is ideal in terms of the team being able to achieve its objectives.
“He’s a chilled-out guy, he works hard and he brings a lot to the dressing room as well”
SHEAR CLASS
Alan Shearer has told BBC’S MOTD Top 10 Podcast that Tony Adams was one of the toughest defenders he ever faced.
In listing his favourite Premier League centre-backs, the former striker recalled the rough battles he faced against the Arsenal legend.
Shearer said: I would come off with cut eyes, a broken nose and cut lip after a game against him, but always shake hands.
“He was the best centre-half I’ve played against I think, in that era in terms of how aggressive you could be as a centre-half. 
“He played in that back four that was unbelievable and had a great goalkeeper behind him. He was an unbelievable leader, organiser, tackler, he could play as well, he was tough. The best centre-half I’ve ever played against.”
HARG TO ARGUE
Owen Hargreaves reckons Mohamed Elneny offers something different to Arsenal’s other defensive midfielders.
The Egyptian popped up with a goal in the 2-0 win at Newcastle, leaving the former anchor man impressed.
He said: “Elneny makes up all that ground and gets into position. It’s a good finish.
“I like Elneny. I think he gives them something different. He’s more rugged. But I think this Arsenal team need that.
“And if he can pop up with goals then it’s the icing on the cake.”
WIL-LOCKED IN
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Joe Willock will return to Arsenal in the summer to fight for a place in the team.
A successful loan spell at Newcastle for the midfielder has led to the coach considering him for a pre-season runout.
He said: “[Willock] has a chance.
“He is a player we really like so at the end of the season he will come back here and then we will make the decision again for what is best to move forward.
“We knew all this but he needed game time, he needed to expose himself away from our environment and we believe as well that Newcastle, Steve and his staff is the right place for him to do that.”
Credit: AFP
UN-AI ON THE ARSENAL GAME
Unai Emery had the luxury of making several changes for Villarreal’s weekend win over Getafe.
Gerard Moreno, Raul Albiol and Juan Foyth were among the stars rested ahead of Thursday’s Europa League return leg in London.
And the coach said afterwards: “You have to try to be fresher, to have a clear idea of what we should do.
“We go with an advantage, we will have moments that can change things and it’s not going to be easy.
“The team is very alive and with excitement to live it. The key is to live in that process.”
STANDING THEIR GROUND
Arsenal and Manchester United’s unpopular owners are no strangers to batting off angry fans to keep their place in charge, fans have been warned.
Dr Dan Plumley of the Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University has told PA Media of the Glazers and Stan Kroenke’s history of being thick-skinned.
He said: “One thing we know from history with American involvement in football clubs – and we’ve seen it at Arsenal – they do stand their ground, they are pretty stubborn.
“That is rooted in the way their sports are run. Stan Kroenke picked up the Rams and moved them [from St Louis to Los Angeles] and nobody can tell you you can’t.
“You upset a full state by moving it, but if you’re prepared to do that then you can do it – you’re the owner. That’s just not the English model and that’s been the cause of the friction over the last few weeks.”
Plumley added: “There’s a potential for this sort of protest to cause damage to the valuation of the club. The angle is to hurt the Glazers in the pocket, but it won’t do too much, to be brutally honest.”
Credit: PA
MAV-ERICK
Sven Mislintat is set to return to Arsenal to attempt a deal for Konstantinos Mavrapanos.
The defender is on loan at the sporting director’s club, Stuttgart, but the deal does not contain a purchase clause.
According to Kicker, the Greece international is wanted for a longer stay and the Gunners’ stance is more and more open to the prospect.
TOP THIER
Thierry Henry hailed the ‘amazing’ support for the social media boycott in response to online abuse in sport – but warned it is just a start.
The Arsenal icon also revealed he is yet to reactivate his accounts after switching off to kickstart the conversation around regulating abuse.
SunSport joined Premier League clubs and a number of broadcasters and other sporting institutions in a Twitter blackout over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Henry said: “When I saw the reaction of football that was amazing.
“Not only football, but in the last two or three days of it, it seems like everybody came to support and I was really happy about it.
“I always mention the strength of the pack because if you’re alone those companies don’t care about individuals.”
Credit: AFP
TOUR GUID
Arsenal have been told to pay £43million for Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
The LaLiga club’s delicate finances have led to a reduction in the 27-year-old’s asking price – down from his £70m release clause.
The Gunners are said by Seville-based newspaper Estadio Deportivo to be leading the interest in the anchor man.
KWIK-E-MART
Michael Owen believes Gabriel Martinelli is exactly the sort of player Mikel Arteta will build his team around.
The Brazilian impressed the ex-striker against Newcastle and was praised for his direct approach.
Owen told Premier League Productions: “They’ve got a lot of good young players at Arsenal.
“I like these players that actually find half a yard and cross it early. As a centre-forward, that’s exactly what you want.
“I hate players that go to cross, cut back, then cut back again and you don’t know when to run. But you see, first-time crosses, the defence can’t get set, the goalkeeper can’t get set properly.
“[Martinelli] has played centrally so he knows that’s what you prefer as a centre-forward. 
“I think Mikel Arteta is going to start building his team now around some of these young players.”
FIGHT ISN’T OVER
Arsenal are among the stalwarts of English football back on social media today.
And, following the weekend blackout, the club have unveiled a new community-led initiative to keep up the fight against online hate.

HUTT NOT HOT
Alan Hutton does not believe Ainsley Maitland-Niles is good enough for a summer switch to Leeds.
The former defender spoke to Football Insider on the Arsenal man’s rumoured move to Elland Road.
He said: “It’s obviously been difficult. He’s left Arsenal for West Brom because he had the opportunity to play in the midfield.
“He’s done well but whether he’s going to come in and take Leeds to the next level, I don’t know.  He’s still young, he’s still developing. He’s a good prospect to have in your squad. 
“Whether he’ll come in and start to be the guy to take you to the next level, I’m not so sure.”
GENERAL LEE
Derby defender Lee Buchanan has caught the eye of Arsenal, according to reports.
The Mail detail the Gunners’ interest in the left-back amid their hunt for an understudy to Kieran Tierney.
The 20-year-old has featured 34 times in the league for the Rams this season.
HEN-OUR ROLL
Thierry Henry chose Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira as his fellow Invincibles for the Premier League Hall of Fame.
As one of the first inductees into the honour roll, the ex-striker chose his takeover pals to join him during a Sky Sports discussion.
The Frenchman said of Bergkamp: ”Bergkamp always wanted to do more, first in training, last in training, doing what the game was asking him to do. 
“The passion he had for Arsenal and for the Premier League.
“He made the team better, the guys around him better. At one point he came back and did all of pre-season without a contract, working hard, playing all the friendlies.
On Vieira, Henry noted: “He is the only guy who could play alone in midfield, play 4-1-5 if you want. I knew when Patrick was scanning and I was already coming off my defender because he was getting the ball.”
Credit: AFP
TAKEOVER TALK
Daniel Ek’s bid to buy Arsenal is gathering pace and has the approval of the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust.
They state: “The AST welcomed a recent approach from Daniel Ek and his consortium partners Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira, and that they said meeting us was a priority for them. 
“A constructive meeting was held and we were encouraged to hear their commitment to making the role of fans central to their proposals. This is very welcome and we look forward to further dialogue.
“We will engage with anyone who has a serious proposal as it is important any current or future owner is aware of the importance of working with fans. We also continue to seek a constructive and meaningful dialogue with Stan and Josh Kroenke.
“Our message to all of them is simple: Football needs to change. Arsenal needs to change
“The major change that must take place is for fans to be given a greater role in the ownership and governance of the club.”
DON’T LUIZ HOPE
Arsenal are reportedly hopeful that David Luiz will play again this season.
Having spent much time on the sidelines this season, the veteran returned against Newcastle on Sunday.
But he was forced off with a hamstring injury, creating fears that the out-of-contract defender will not play again for the club.
According to the Mail, the Gunners are confident he will return before the season’s end.
Credit: AP
KAM AND GET IT
Former Arsenal youth star Glen Kamara is on the club’s radar for a summer switch.
According to Football Insider, the Rangers star will be offered a five-year contract at Emirates Stadium if a deal can be done.
Kamara has two years left on his contract with the Scottish champions, who are keen to tie him down further.
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek will reportedly submit a formal bid in the region of £1.8billion to Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke by the end of the week.
The Swedish billionaire is poised to test the American’s resolve by turning his interest into a concrete offer.
Ek, 38, is so desperate to take control of his beloved side, he has teamed up with Invincibles Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp.
Speaking to CNBC last week, Ek – valued at more than £3bn – insisted he has the funds to assume control of Arsenal. That came after the Kroenke family issued a statement where they declared they will not entertain any offers.
But it has been claimed that Arsenal ARE up for sale, with Kroenke willing to do business for the right price. And according to the Telegraph, Ek will submit an offer by the end of the week after attempting to make contact with Kroenke over the weekend.
Sky Sports have stated that Ek will bid £1.8bn, and even if the offer is rejected, his interest will not go away.
Henry also confirmed he is part of Ek’s bid last last night.
When asked if he was part of the potential takeover team, Henry – speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football – said: “It is true.
“Daniel [Ek] is an Arsenal fan. He did not say it for any publicity, he has been an Arsenal fan for a very long time. He approached us, we listened to him. And we knew, first and foremost, that he wanted to involve the fans.”
Elsewhere, the Premier League and FA have vowed to crush the Super League plotters if they attempt another breakaway.
In a move to reassure fans the threat has been killed off for good, the FA launched an inquiry by demanding full and frank answers from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and the two Manchester giants.
And the Premier League promised it will change its rulebook to dismiss any possibility of the rebels coming back for a second attempt.
A Prem statement read: “The Premier League has prepared a series of measures to enshrine the core principles of the professional game an open pyramid, progression through sporting merit and the highest standards of sporting integrity.
“These measures are designed to stop the threat of breakaway leagues in future.”
The Big Six are facing disrepute charges for their parts in the attempted coup. FA top brass are understood to feel heavy fines are more likely, rather than punishments that would hit the fans such as points deductions.
BREAKAWAY BAN
The Premier League and FA have vowed to crush the Super League plotters if they attempt another breakaway.
In a move to reassure fans the threat has been killed off for good, the FA launched an inquiry by demanding full and frank answers from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and the two Manchester giants.
And the Premier League promised it will change its rulebook to dismiss any possibility of the rebels coming back for a second attempt.
A Prem statement read: “The Premier League has prepared a series of measures to enshrine the core principles of the professional game an open pyramid, progression through sporting merit and the highest standards of sporting integrity.
“These measures are designed to stop the threat of breakaway leagues in future.”
The Big Six are facing disrepute charges for their parts in the attempted coup. FA top brass are understood to feel heavy fines are more likely, rather than punishments that would hit the fans such as points deductions.

ARSENAL FIND ‘ALLY’ IN RODRIGUEZ PURSUIT
Arsenal have reportedly found an ally in their pursuit of Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
Mikel Arteta is believed to be interested in the 27-year-old as he looks to boost his defensive midfield options.
Rodriguez has impressed for Betis since joining from Mexican side America last summer, making 41 appearances.
And Spanish newspaper Estadio Deportivo are reporting that River Plate – Rodrgiuez’s first club – are monitoring the situation.
Should the player make a rumoured £43.5million switch to the Emirates, the Argentine side may receive a chuck of the fee due to ‘training rights’.
ARTETA DOESN’T FEAR SACK
Although some may think he’s not far away from being sacked, Mikel Arteta isn’t concerned.
When asked about losing his job – before Sunday’s game against Newcastle – the Gunners boss said: “Well, I don’t want to think that way.
“I want to think that we are going to be in that [Europa League] final and then we are going to have really positive consequences after that.”
ARTETA TO BE SACKED?
Tony Cascarino believes Arsenal and Tottenham are a ‘mess’.
The former Aston Villa and Chelsea striker also thinks Mikel Arteta will be sacked if the Gunners start next season poorly.
Speaking to TalkSport yesterday, Cascarino said: “I was just thinking about how much of a mess these two clubs have got themselves into and it stems from ownership. That has played a massive part.
“The clubs are in a mess. Both have built new stadiums, state of the art. The Emirates was brilliant when it was built. Compete with the very best in Europe and Tottenham have done likewise.
“The problem is they’re a mess on the field. Things are going to be changing at those two clubs. Arteta has got a massive challenge in reinventing Arsenal.
“He will get this summer to do that but 10 games into next year, if things are not very different, he won’t survive.”
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THE Kroenke family HAVE put Arsenal up for sale despite publicly insisting they want to stay, according to reports.It is also claimed that Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote could have bought the club for £1.7bn two years ago.
That price is around the valuation Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has of the club.
Ek publicly declared his interest in buying Arsenal following fan protests against the Kroenke family outside the Emirates before the 1-0 defeat to Everton.
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ARTETA ON LUIZ’S INJURY
Arsenal defender David Luiz was forced off with an injury after 53 minutes of today’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
On the Brazilian, boss Mikel Arteta said: “He felt something in his hamstring which is not good.
“It’s a real shame.”
David Luiz was forced off with a hamstring injuryCredit: EPA
ARTETA SPEAKS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has had his say on this afternoon’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
He said: “Apart from David’s [Luiz] injury, that’s all we wanted.
“We wanted to keep the team fresh and with the right attitude to play this game.
“We dominated the game and got the three points.”
Mikel Arteta has had his say on this afternoon’s winCredit: Reuters
FULL TIME: NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 2
Returning skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang marked his Premier League comeback with a second-half goal, adding to Mohamed Elneny’s early effort to seal a comfortable three points for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta will be delighted at the boost, ahead of Thursday night’s crunch clash with Villarreal in North London.
We’ll have some of the Spaniard’s thoughts here.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it 2-0Credit: Paul Currie Telegraph Media Group
Mohamed Elneny gave Arsenal the leadCredit: Reuters
ARSENAL WIN 2-0
Three points for the Gunners!
Goals from Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were enough to defeat Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Click here for live updates and reaction.
2-0 ARSENAL
No Alexandre Lacazette? No problem!
Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored Arsenal’s second after getting on the end of a lovely cross from Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners will move up to ninth if they can hold on for the final 12 minutes.
Click here for live updates.

SECOND HALF BEGINS
The second half at St James’ Park has begun with Arsenal 1-0 up against Newcastle.
The Gunners took a fifth-minute lead through Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
Click here for live updates.
WORK OF ART
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed he has been left ‘encouraged’ by the club’s summer plans after chief Josh Kroenke spoke of his excitement.
Despite the risk of being without European football next term, the Gunners are already looking at potential signings with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma being eyed up.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the Kroenke’s ambitions, the Spaniard said: “I’ve been really encouraged.
“I feel really positive about what we are going to do.”
Credit: Getty
ARSENAL LEAD
The Gunners have taken a fifth-minute lead through an unlikely source.
Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny has scored his first Premier League goal.
Click here for live updates.
Congratulations to Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny on scoring his first Premier League goal for the club against Newcastle this afternoon.That shooting practice with Steve Round has paid off, @ElNennY! 🚀 #afc pic.twitter.com/qB7pyClICk— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 2, 2021

KICK-OFF
We’re underway at St James’ Park as Newcastle host Arsenal.
Click here for live updates.
Newcastle vs Arsenal – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time
TEAM NEWS
The team news from St James’ Park is in.
Matt Ryan starts in goal and David Luiz is back in defence.
There are starts for skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and ex-Chelsea star Willian.
Here’s the team: Ryan, Bellerin, David Luiz, Gabriel, Xhaka, Elneny, Ceballos, Willian, Odegaard, Martinelli, Aubameyang
THE R£D$
Liverpool have risen above Manchester United in the Premier League wage bill standings – but still sit miles adrift of Manchester City.
The official salary totals for the 2019-20 season have been confirmed.
Arsenal and Tottenham ran the tightest ship wage-wise, spending just £225m and £181m respectively last term.
Click here to read the detailed list.
ARSENAL’S RUN-IN
After today’s match against Newcastle, the Gunners will play West Brom, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Brighton in the Premier League
Five wins will ensure they finish in the top half – and that has to be their aim.
Arsenal are currently 11th in the table.
More importantly, though, they must overcome Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday if they want to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Mikel Arteta’s side are currently 2-1 down in the tie.
Should they overcome the Spanish side, they will face either Manchester United or Roma in the final on May 26.
WILL NOT TO PLAY
Arsenal loanee Joe Willock is ineligible to play against his parent club today.
Boss Mikel Arteta has been impressed with the 21-year-old’s progress, telling Arsenal’s official website: “It was a difficult decision to let him go because we really like the player.
“He needed more game-time and needed this type of experience. He has stepped in at big moments for them and scored some crucial goals so that is really good news because it is great for his development.
“From the position [Newcastle are] in, they’re going to come at us. They’re a really organised team, they’ve been playing much better recently so it will be tough.
“The amount of games that we are playing, every team has the capacity to make it difficult for you.”
SOUMA SIGNING
Arsenal are reportedly confident of fending off competition from other clubs to prise Yves Bissouma away from Brighton for £30million.
The North London giants are known to be admirers of the Mali international, who is understood to be a ‘huge fan’ of the Gunners.
It was reported in March that Mikel Arteta’s side asked to be ‘kept informed’ of the 24-year-old’s situation at the Amex Stadium ahead of a potential summer swoop.
Liverpool have also been heavily linked with the ex-Lille midfielder as a potential replacement for Barcelona target Georginio Wijnaldum.
Reds legend John Barnes has urged his former employers to nab Bissouma, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United.
And according to the Daily Star, Tottenham, Everton and West Ham have all made inquiries to Brighton over a potential move for the player.
But they state that it is Arsenal that are winning the race to sign Bissouma with the FA Cup holders confident of securing his services.
Credit: Getty
ARTETA HOPING TO RECONNECT WITH FANS
Mikel Arteta is hoping to reconnect with the disillusioned fans who want owner Stan Kroenke to leave Arsenal.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: “We really need them; to be with the team, to believe in the team, to support them.
“With them closer, we are much stronger.
“That’s what we ask them and we promise them we’ll give everything we can to fulfil their expectations, to give them some joy and some special moments.”
Credit: PA
EURO GLORY
Kelly Smith is backing Chelsea to steal Arsenal’s limelight by ending their spell of being the only women’s football club from England to conquer Europe.
And the Gunners’ icon believes ‘energiser’ Hayes will have her players ‘riled up’ to knock Bayern Munich out of the Champions League.
Smith told SunSport: “Emma was a young coach and still learning the trade when she was at Arsenal.
“But you could see she was hungry, passionate and a real energiser coach who really loved being out on the field.
“She got massive amounts of experience coaching in America after leaving the club and really developed Chelsea’s game. They are very lucky to have her.
“I hope they can perform, get to the final and try and take away Arsenal’s mantle of being the only team to lift the trophy.
“And I’m sure Emma’s going to get them riled up and ready.
“It’s a huge opportunity for them to get to the final and they’re going to believe that they can do it being at home with that home advantage.”

INJURY UPDATES
The Gunners have given an update on the fitness of Alexandre Lacazette, David Luiz and Kieran Tierney on their official website.
Lacazette is out of today’s match with a hamstring injury but is hoping to be in contention for Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash with Villarreal.
Luiz has a knock to his right knee but may still feature today.
Tierney has resumed full training following a knee injury and could be involved against Newcastle.
There are no other injury concerns and all other first-team players are available for selection.
UP FOR SALE
The Mail on Sunday are reporting Arsenal have gone up for sale.
Unpopular owner Stan Kronke is believed to want £1.7BILLION for the London club.
Spotify CEO and Arsenal fan Daniel Ek, believed to be worth more than £3bn, has expressed an interest in buying the Gunners.
The fans want Kronke to leave the Emirates following the European Super League scandal and the team’s decline in recent years.
The newspaper are also reporting Arsenal have effectively been on sale for two years – but Kronke is yet to receive the right offer.

ARSENAL STATS
Let’s take a look at Arsenal’s Premier League season so far.
As they sit in 11th, it’s fair to say it hasn’t been a great year for boss Mikel Arteta.
It appears Granit Xhaka has been his main man this season, making the most passes, tackles and fouls for the Gunners in the Prem.
Alexandre Lacazette has been delivering the goods in front of goal, scoring 13 in the league.
Here’s an overview of their Prem campaign so far…

TODAY’S OPPONENTS
Newcastle are 17th in the Premier League, nine points above Fulham in the relegation zone having played a game less.
While they may already have enough points to stay in the top flight, a win today would all but guarantee their safety – and could propel them up to 13th in the table.
A win for Arsenal, meanwhile, would see them jump back into the top half.
Steve Bruce’s side will be desperate to get three points today and secure their place in the Premier League for another year.
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Bukayo Saka has upset neighbours by leaving piles of earth outside his home.
The 19-year-old Arsenal and England star is having a football pitch with changing room installed at the £2.3million mansion he bought only last year.
He called in bulldozers to level off the back garden — but they left what residents call a mountain of mud.
Arsenal are among the clubs interested by the news that Bayern Munich are open to selling Corentin Tolisso.
According to Kicker, the German giants will consider bids ahead of his contract expiring in 2022.
The Gunners are set to rival Manchester United, Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid
HERO
John Lennon once caused outrage by saying The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus”. And George was a rock ’n’ roll footballer with his long hair, his swagger and his anti-establishment attitude.
In the weeks, months and years after the 1971 FA Cup Final, kids from North London to Newcastle copied the celebration.
For young fans, it was the football equivalent of David Bowie’s seminal appearance on Top Of The Pops a year later — and George became a 1970s icon.
The man himself enjoys the pop-idol description. Now 70, George said: “Why not? I think it’s great. As a youngster, I loved all the Tamla Motown but the Rolling Stones were my favourites.
“And I scored the winning goal with my long hair. I didn’t know I was going to do it — it wasn’t planned. I just thought it was a great thing at the time.
What are you going to do? You’ve got to celebrate. Be different! I like to think I was different.”

DEMAND MAR
Pablo Mari has called for Arsenal to get right in the faces of Villarreal in next week’s second leg.
He told club media: “I think it’s not a really bad result thinking about that we’re 2-0 down with one player less, I think a really good reaction from the team.
“But for me I think for me we don’t have to wait to go into that situation to react. I think we have to learn about that and we have to put all the effort starting from minute zero next week to go to the final.
“I don’t know [why we made a sluggish start]. At the end you’re on the pitch and I try to help everybody, but we did some mistakes and I think this is key because they like to play football and they know when you do a mistake to go on that side and take the goals. So at the end we have to learn from that.
“We have to go full gas from minute zero and go with everything to win the game.”
DIRTY PLAYER
Bukayo Saka has upset neighbours by leaving piles of earth outside his home.
The 19-year-old Arsenal and England star is having a football pitch with changing room installed at the £2.3million mansion he bought only last year.
He called in bulldozers to level off the back garden — but they left what residents call a mountain of mud.
One of his neighbours near Hatfield, Herts, said: “The building work is causing a real eyesore.
“It’s a horrendous sight and a lot of the neighbours aren’t at all happy.
“The area has a lot of very well-to-do people who don’t expect this sort of thing.”
But another said; “If he keeps scoring for Arsenal, I’m not bothered.”

CHANGE OF TOON
Here’s how Arsenal could line up against Newcastle on Sunday.

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SPOTIFY CEO Daniel Ek claims he HAS secured the funds to take over Arsenal from unpopular American owners the Kroenke family.But the Swede is said to only value the club at £1.8bn while a bid of £2.5bn would be the minimum needed to get Stan Kroenke talking.
And other reports suggest the protest at the Emirates have actually made the Kroenke family more determined to stay at the helm.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are gearing up to face Newcastle on Sunday.
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HERO
John Lennon once caused outrage by saying The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus”. And George was a rock ’n’ roll footballer with his long hair, his swagger and his anti-establishment attitude.
In the weeks, months and years after the 1971 FA Cup Final, kids from North London to Newcastle copied the celebration.
For young fans, it was the football equivalent of David Bowie’s seminal appearance on Top Of The Pops a year later — and George became a 1970s icon.
The man himself enjoys the pop-idol description. Now 70, George said: “Why not? I think it’s great. As a youngster, I loved all the Tamla Motown but the Rolling Stones were my favourites.
“And I scored the winning goal with my long hair. I didn’t know I was going to do it — it wasn’t planned. I just thought it was a great thing at the time.
What are you going to do? You’ve got to celebrate. Be different! I like to think I was different.”

DEMAND MAR
Pablo Mari has called for Arsenal to get right in the faces of Villarreal in next week’s second leg.
He told club media: “I think it’s not a really bad result thinking about that we’re 2-0 down with one player less, I think a really good reaction from the team.
“But for me I think for me we don’t have to wait to go into that situation to react. I think we have to learn about that and we have to put all the effort starting from minute zero next week to go to the final.
“I don’t know [why we made a sluggish start]. At the end you’re on the pitch and I try to help everybody, but we did some mistakes and I think this is key because they like to play football and they know when you do a mistake to go on that side and take the goals. So at the end we have to learn from that.
“We have to go full gas from minute zero and go with everything to win the game.”
DIRTY PLAYER
Bukayo Saka has upset neighbours by leaving piles of earth outside his home.
The 19-year-old Arsenal and England star is having a football pitch with changing room installed at the £2.3million mansion he bought only last year.
He called in bulldozers to level off the back garden — but they left what residents call a mountain of mud.
One of his neighbours near Hatfield, Herts, said: “The building work is causing a real eyesore.
“It’s a horrendous sight and a lot of the neighbours aren’t at all happy.
“The area has a lot of very well-to-do people who don’t expect this sort of thing.”
But another said; “If he keeps scoring for Arsenal, I’m not bothered.”

CHANGE OF TOON
Here’s how Arsenal could line up against Newcastle on Sunday.

OUT OF LUC
Lucas Torreira has made no secret of his desire to return to South America to play for his boyhood club Boca Juniors.
Speaking to ESPN Argentina earlier this month after the death of his mother, he said: “It’s not a violent emotion, a crazy decision because of my mother. I have always said that I want to play for Boca.
“I’m dying to play for Boca and I will always say it. The night my mother died, one of the first to hear the news was my agent.
“I don’t want to play in Europe anymore, I want to play for Boca.
“I want to be close to my home, my family. I have a contract at Arsenal and I am on loan at Atletico but I want to go to Boca. I hope the clubs can agree.
“It’s been two years since I was enjoying myself personally, I haven’t had continuity. Arsenal hurt me and at Atletico, I don’t play like I want.”

ART ATTACK
Mikel Arteta believes next summer will be among the most important in Arsenal’s history.
He told Sky Sports: “Because a lot of things have happened in the last few transfer windows. There are a lot of players in various situations.
“It’s crucial. We want to go to the next level and there are a lot of things we need to do to get there.”
ART TO ART
Mikel Arteta is all in on guiding Arsenal into the Europa League final.
He told Sky Sports: “I’m really focused on what we have to do now: finish the season as strongly as possible and try to get into that final, which is going to be key for us.
“Where we want to get to will depend on a lot of things; how we end the season, where we end up, what ability and prospects we’ll have for next season.
“Everything is a reflection of what happens now.”
Credit: Reuters

HEAVY TOLL
Arsenal are among the clubs interested by the news that Bayern Munich are open to selling Corentin Tolisso.
According to Kicker, the German giants will consider bids ahead of his contract expiring in 2022.
The Gunners are set to rival Manchester United, Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid

DON’T SAK IT IN
Arsenal trail Villarreal 2-1 in the Europa League semi-final but Bukayo Saka is still holding out hope for the return leg.
Saka said: “There are a lot of positives which all came in the second half.
“But it is the semi-final of the Europa League and to start the game like that makes it impossible to have a chance of scoring.
“We didn’t create anything, we lost every duel, we were passive.
“It’s really frustrating to look back on, but I’m happy we picked ourselves up in the second half and managed to score. We have given ourselves a chance at the Emirates.”

MAD WORLD
Lucas Torreira reportedly faces an uncertain future with Atletico Madrid unwilling to turn his loan spell into a permanent stay.
The Arsenal midfielder has failed to make an impression at the Wanda Metropolitano after joining the Spanish side on deadline day in October.
Despite making 19 LaLiga appearances for Diego Simeone’s men, the 25-year-old has started just three top-flight games.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico are not looking to keep the player at the club.
They state that the LaLiga leaders have no intention of signing Torreira on another loan deal or a permanent move.
It has been claimed that the Gunners are willing to accept a cut-price fee of £15million for the player – £11m less than what they paid for him from Sampdoria in 2018.
A stunning first season in North London saw Torreira appear in 50 matches, but his form tailed off last year where he had to settle for a bit-part role under Mikel Arteta.
Torreira has made no secret of his desire to return to South America to play for his boyhood club Boca Juniors.
Credit: AFP

WORK OF ART
Mikel Arteta praised keeper Bernd Leno for ‘saving’ their season after a pair of superb stops inspired a fightback in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Villarreal.
As reported by the BBC, the Arsenal manager said: “We didn’t want to come here and lose but after the way the game developed, you have to take the result. If you have to lose it is probably the best result we could have.
“Two different halves. We started to be us, in the first half there were so many moments we weren’t.
“We started to chase and were not precise with the ball, didn’t have enough control. We didn’t have enough threat or desire to attack the box, in the second half it was completely different.
“Bernd Leno was very good, at 2-0, the chance with Gerard Moreno, he saved us.
“We had a big chance with Auba to draw the game. I am confident we have a chance to win.”
Credit: PA

WHITE HOT BEN
Dortmund have joined the race for Brighton defender Ben White.
Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal remain interested in one of the Premier League’s most talented young central defenders.
Brighton will demand about £35million for White, having turned down three bids from Leeds last summer – with the final offer totalling £25m.
White spent a successful season on loan in the Championship with Leeds last term and has gone from strength to strength on the south coast this year.
Dortmund already have an eye for English talent having signed both Jude Bellingham from Birmingham and Jadon Sancho from Manchester City.
They also made a move for Ben Godfrey but instead, he left Norwich for Everton.

HOT ROD
Arsenal are reportedly increasing their efforts to land Real Betis star Guido Rodriguez this summer.
El Desmarque claim that the LaLiga side might be forced to cash in on the central midfielder who has a £70million release clause in his contract.
And the report adds that Arsenal are set to make every effort to sign Rodriguez at the end of the season.
NINTCHDBPICT000648401858Credit: Rex

SAK FULL
Freddie Ljungberg recently heaped praise on Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka for standing out in the academy.
The Invincibles legend remarked: “I have been with them Saka and Smith Rowe since they were 15, I know most of their parents.
“They’re amazing players. I always thought they had it in them.
“They’re very different as individuals, but they’re clever boys, they listen and they have a good understanding of football. I always believed in them.
“When you do youth there’s so many players, but they were training very, very hard, not trying to cheat. They of course had talents that not many other players had.
“You see so many talents that don’t make it, [they need] that little extra drive.”
Credit: Getty
MART SLAMS ART
Martin Keown has claimed that Mikel Arteta’s tactics during the defeat to Villarreal could have got him sacked.
He wrote in his column for the Mail: “Mikel Arteta’s tactics and decision-making on Thursday should have sent Arsenal crashing out of Europe and possibly ended his managerial career at the club.
“However, remarkably and thanks to that late penalty won by Bukayo Saka, Arsenal find themselves still very much in this tie against Villarreal.
“Arteta is being afforded the rare commodity of time and now he’s the beneficiary of an even rarer occurrence: a second chance. And this is one he really has to take.
“Arteta experimented with a false nine on Thursday, lining up without a recognised centre forward.
“Playing with that new formation for the first time in the biggest game of the season was a big ask of the players and a huge gamble. It didn’t pay off.”

DEMAND MAR
Pablo Mari has called for Arsenal to get right in the faces of Villarreal in next week’s second leg.
He told club media: “I think it’s not a really bad result thinking about that we’re 2-0 down with one player less, I think a really good reaction from the team.
“But for me I think for me we don’t have to wait to go into that situation to react. I think we have to learn about that and we have to put all the effort starting from minute zero next week to go to the final.
“I don’t know [why we made a sluggish start]. At the end you’re on the pitch and I try to help everybody, but we did some mistakes and I think this is key because they like to play football and they know when you do a mistake to go on that side and take the goals. So at the end we have to learn from that.
“We have to go full gas from minute zero and go with everything to win the game.”
SPOT OF BOTHER?
Here’s who could oust KSE from Arsenal and bring the fans onside in the wake of the Super League debacle.

MART SLAMS ART
Arsenal icon Martin Keown has claimed that Mikel Arteta’s tactics during the 2-1 defeat to Villarreal could have got him sacked.
The Gunners were facing Europa League heartbreak after they went 2-0 down inside 30 minutes in the first leg of their semi-final this week.
And club legend Keown admitted that Arsenal’s comeback after their manager’s line-up gamble backfired may have saved the Spaniard’s job.
He wrote in his column for the Mail: “Mikel Arteta’s tactics and decision-making on Thursday should have sent Arsenal crashing out of Europe and possibly ended his managerial career at the club.
“However, remarkably and thanks to that late penalty won by Bukayo Saka, Arsenal find themselves still very much in this tie against Villarreal.
“Arteta is being afforded the rare commodity of time and now he’s the beneficiary of an even rarer occurrence: a second chance. And this is one he really has to take.
“Arteta experimented with a false nine on Thursday, lining up without a recognised centre forward.
“Playing with that new formation for the first time in the biggest game of the season was a big ask of the players and a huge gamble. It didn’t pay off.”
SIGN EM UP
Mikel Arteta hinted Emile Smith Rowe has done enough to earn a bumper new contract at the Emirates.
The Croydon De Bruyne has broken into the first team this season and is currently contracted until 2023.
Arteta told Sky Sports: “We are going to have that discussion.
“I think Emile has earned the right to look at that situation because of the performances that he has produced.
“He’s very much engaged and wants to continue with us, that’s for sure.”
Credit: Getty
FINE ART
Mikel Arteta called on Arsenal’s doubters to wait until he’s had a normal full season without a pandemic before judging his work in North London.
The Spanish boss told Sky Sports: “I will say there’s still a long long way to go to get to where we have to get. [The timeframe] will depend on what we do.
“We’ve shown in big moments against big teams that we can beat anybody but the reality is that we haven’t showed that consistency every three days.
“We’ve faced many challenges, some we didn’t expect, some of them completely unprecedented in the outside world and at this football club. To manage all that is pretty difficult. It’s created unsustainability and instability.
“People will judge what we do today but lots of elements are contributing. I haven’t had a normal season yet.
“Without a proper pre-season, we had some instability, and [we need] our fans back in the stadium… I cannot wait for that.”
PUSH AND PAUL
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes the Gunners are stuck with Stan Kroenke regardless of how serious Spotify’s Daniel Ek is about taking over.
Merse told the Daily Star: “Is Daniel Ek serious about buying Arsenal? I’m always dubious of things like this. Who would put on Twitter that they want to buy a football club? I can’t imagine if you wanted to buy JP Morgan you’d do it on social media…
“But everyone’s heard of Spotify now, haven’t they? Call me a cynic but it’s great free advertising for them. If he buys Arsenal I’ll say fair play to him. But I find it very strange. If you really wanted to take over the club you wouldn’t do it like this.
“I can’t see any way in a million years that Stan Kroenke sells anyway. Arsenal makes him money.
“It’s not like he lives here and the fans can make his life a misery and hound him out. He never goes to the games.
“He’s under no pressure to sell and I don’t see why he would. He’s not fussed about the fans. If he was, he wouldn’t have signed up for the Super League.
“I would say Arsenal are stuck with him. Will all this heat convince him to spend some money on players? Let’s see. But I doubt it.”
Credit: PA
ARTWORK
Mikel Arteta has pleaded for the Arsenal fans to get behind his team despite a shocking Premier League season.
The Gunners are tenth in the league and are relying on the Europa League to salvage something from their campaign.
They lost 2-1 to Villarreal in the semi-final first leg on Thursday.
Arteta told Sky Sports: “We really need them; to be with the team, to believe in the team, to support them. With them closer, we are much stronger.
“That’s what we ask them and we promise them we’ll give everything we can to fulfil their expectations, to give them some joy and some special moments.”
Credit: Getty
MAD WORLD
Lucas Torreira reportedly faces an uncertain future with Atletico Madrid unwilling to turn his loan spell into a permanent stay.
The Arsenal midfielder has failed to make an impression at the Wanda Metropolitano after joining the Spanish side on deadline day in October.
Despite making 19 LaLiga appearances for Diego Simeone’s men, the 25-year-old has started just three top-flight games.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico are not looking to keep the player at the club.
They state that the LaLiga leaders have no intention of signing Torreira on another loan deal or a permanent move.
It has been claimed that the Gunners are willing to accept a cut-price fee of £15million for the player – £11m less than what they paid for him from Sampdoria in 2018.
A stunning first season in North London saw Torreira appear in 50 matches, but his form tailed off last year where he had to settle for a bit-part role under Mikel Arteta.
Torreira has made no secret of his desire to return to South America to play for his boyhood club Boca Juniors.
CHANGE OF TOON
Here’s how Arsenal could line up against Newcastle on Sunday.

SPOT ON
Here’s how the Arsenal takeover by Spotify giant Daniel Ek could look.

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