Arsenal transfer news

ARSENAL are reportedly keen on Ajax wonderkid Jorrel Hato as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his backline.The North Londoners crashed out of Europe this week – days after a defeat to Aston Villa dented their Premier League title charge.Jorrel Hato is an important figure in Ajax’s defenceCredit: RexOleksandr Zinchenko’s Arsenal future could be in doubtCredit: ReutersAnd CaughtOffside transfer guru Charles Watts claims Oleksandr Zinchenko could be replaced by Hato next season after being made a scapegoat.Capable of operating at left-back or centre-back, the teenager is exactly the kind of versatile player the Gunners have set their sights on in recent years.Ben White has locked down the right-back role in Arteta’s system after going from strength to strength under the Spaniard.But Zinchenko’s form has not been as consistent, with Takehiro Tomiyasu preferred at left-back in the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.READ MORE FOOTBALLJurrien Timber can operate on both flanks and is nearing a return from the injury he suffered on his Premier League debut after arriving from Ajax over the summer.Fellow Dutchman Hato, 18, has racked up 43 first-team appearances this season despite his tender years.A highly-regarded prospect, he is technically adept and a part of the Netherlands’ youth set-up.While Arsenal have one eye on the summer window, they still have plenty to play for this season as they sit just two points behind leaders Manchester City with six top-flight games remaining.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAsked if Arsenal would look back at that loss to Villa if they fail to land the title, Gus Poyet told SunSport yesterday: “I would say probably, but I think we shouldn’t be that dramatic.”I think that the most important for us is how they’re gonna react.The forgotten Arsenal wonderkids”Because if somebody was thinking they will be in a winning run without even drawing again until the end of the season, they are dreaming.”They don’t know the Premier League. I mean the Premier League is what we saw at the weekend.”When you think you’re good, somebody’s [going to] come in and knock you down.”So I think the important thing is the next games, I think it’s really important that they show that that game against Aston Villa didn’t affect the level of performances that they were having.”And for that we need to wait and see.”Who are these famous footballers?
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MANCHESTER UNITED will have to deal with a former Arsenal starlet on Sunday in the FA Cup.United lock horns with Coventry in the semi-finals of the competition at Wembley in their bid to win a trophy that would salvage something positive from a turbulent campaign.Manchester United will lock horns with Arsenal academy graduate Ben SheafCredit: GettyCoventry ace Sheaf attracted praise from Arsenal legend Arsene WengerCredit: GettyAnd the Red Devils will meet a Hale End academy graduate that was singled out for praise by the Gunners’ legendary manager Arsene Wenger during his seven-year stint in north London.That is none other than Ben Sheaf, 26, who has been enjoying an impressive tenure at Coventry.Sheaf joined Arsenal’s youth ranks in 2014 at the age of 16 following a three-year stint at West Ham.The midfielder amassed a total of three goals and one assist in 60 appearances with the Under-23s following a handful of outings with the Under-18s.Read More on FootballThat led to a surprise call-up to Wenger’s senior side in the 2017-18 season.The legendary Frenchman also gave the defensive midfielder his senior debut in the Europa League during a 1-0 victory at Red Star Belgrade.The 74-year-old tactician also fielded Sheaf in the EFL Cup quarter-finals against West Ham two months later and he helped his team advance to the semi-finals with a 1-0 win.The Arsenal great was full of praise for the then youngster and predicted he would have a “good career”.Most read in FootballWenger told Arsenal Player seven years ago: “He’s always ahead of the game and his anticipation quality is absolutely huge.”He has that kind of mental strength as well. A typical British way of handling things, facing the difficulties with a very cool and intelligent way.Arsene Wenger reveals Arsenal star Mikel Arteta signed after his own failed attempt “There is something in him that I believe will allow him to progress always.”Because he analyses well what’s happening to him, he assesses well what is going on and that’s why I believe he will have a good career.”Sheaf, though, never got his big break at Arsenal like other fellow academy graduates, such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.Instead, the ex-England youth international was shipped out on loan for various clubs, like Stevenage, Doncaster Rovers and of course Coventry who signed him on a permanent deal in 2021.Since then, Sheaf has turned into an essential player for Mark Robins’ side as he has amassed a total of nine goals and nine assists in 139 appearances.I used to give Declan Rice compliments on the football pitch… I couldn’t help myself, says Troy DeeneyBy Troy Deeney
THERE are certain people that you come across in football and you know instantly who they are, what they’re about and what the trajectory of their life is going to be.
Anyone who has worked or grown up with Declan Rice knows that he has always been destined for the top.
When he was at West Ham, he was a centre-half who played in midfield purely to help out and ended up excelling.
The way he used to listen and learn from his old captain Mark Noble and be a student of the game was second to none.
And because of that, whenever I interacted with him on a football pitch, I never felt the need to be disrespectful towards him because there was just a pure will to win.
We would tell each other to ‘do one’ every now and again but then I would get these weird moments when he would do something special and I couldn’t help but say, ‘Good touch, mate’.
He had this joyful atmosphere around him which you can see in all of his interviews, even now at Arsenal. You never see him get in trouble, being outlandish, but he has that jokey personality.
He is still quite kiddish at 25, yet with a very serious body and mind in terms of being the best player he can be.
When he was announced as England captain against Belgium, there was no outrage, no shock or surprise or, ‘Why him?’. It was more a sense of, ‘Yeah, that makes sense’.
There is no doubt in my mind that he is in line to take the armband for his country full-time after Harry Kane moves on, alongside his midfield partner Jude Bellingham.
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TOTTENHAM legend Gus Poyet is confident Arsenal are still in the running for the Premier League title despite their heartbreaking loss to Aston Villa.The Gunners suffered their first Prem loss of 2024 on Sunday following a 2-0 defeat to Villa at the Emirates.Tottenham legend Gus Poyet believes Arsenal are still in the Premier League title huntCredit: RexPoyet insists Arsenal will have to regain momentum and expects their rivals to drop pointsCredit: PAMikel Arteta’s men failed to climb to the top of the table and put extra distance between them at Liverpool, who lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace.Arsenal legend Paul Merson claimed the loss to Unai Emery’s men will cost his former team the title, and some agreed with the Sky Sports pundit.The North Londoners were then eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich, who won 1-0 at the Allianz Arena.However, Poyet, 56, doesn’t believe the last two setbacks will affect Arsenal’s bid of winning their first title in 20 years as they are only two points away from Manchester City and the top.Read More on ArsenalBut the Chelsea hero is adamant his former rivals will have to regain the same consistency and momentum they built in January and went on to enjoy an undefeated run that saw them winning 10 out of 11 league matches.And Arteta’s side will have to start on Saturday against Wolves at Molineux.The Uruguayan believes that is the key that can help Arsenal shake off the loss to the Villans to continue chasing rivals City and Liverpool.And the former Brighton boss suggested the Citizens and the Reds will drop more points before the end of the season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERPoyet told SunSport on behalf of Real Money Roulette when asked if Arsenal would look back at that loss to Villa if they lose the Prem: “I would say probably, but I think we shouldn’t be that dramatic.”I think that the most important for us is how they’re gonna react. Arsenal’s title chances are ‘100% gone’ according to club legend who savages ‘lazy’ Gunners after Aston Villa shocker”Because if somebody was thinking they will be in a winning run without even drawing again until the end of the season, they are dreaming. “They don’t know the Premier League. I mean the Premier League is what we saw at the weekend. “When you think you’re good, somebody’s [going to] come in and knock you down. “So I think the important thing is the next games, I think it’s really important that they show that that game against Aston Villa didn’t affect the level of performances that they were having. “And for that we need to wait and see.” More