ARSENAL are looking to make a big statement in the transfer market by securing Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga.The France international had been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, but his agent has suggested the Gunners’ lack of Champions League football will not prove a stumbling block if they want to do a deal.
Arsenal are also considering a move for Atletico Madrid loanee Moussa Dembele, valued at £25m by parent club Lyon.
And the Gunners are willing to sell Hector Bellerin for around £35m, with Max Aarons of Norwich a potential replacement.
Get all the latest Arsenal news, transfer gossip and updates with our live blog…
WRIGHT ON THE MONEY
Ian Wright has admitted that he does not trust Arsenal to sign Martin Odegaard permanently.
In discussing the busy summer ahead for the club, the ex-striker told Premier League Productions that the signing of Willian shows the Gunners transfer department is flawed.
He said: “You say who’s vulnerable, you look at [Lucas] Torreira and [Matteo] Guendouzi, Joe Willock is doing very well at Newcastle, [William] Saliba’s doing well as well.
“You look at it and you think to yourself those players, every one of them apart from [Konstantinos] Mavropanos who’s not really had a chance [and] Saliba, maybe those players should be where they are.
“I’d like to see Joe Willock get an opportunity but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
“Odegaard is somebody who I’d like to see sign, but at the same time the people who are going to oversee who’s coming in and who’s going out are unfortunately the same people who signed Willian for three years.”
Credit: Reuters
EMILE A MINUTE
Arsenal’s winner last night came from a training ground routine designed to push opponents into making mistakes, Emile Smith Rowe has revealed.
The young midfielder hit the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge after a poor backpass from Jorginho was snapped up.
And he told Sky Sports: “We worked on that in training this week, the pressing, the high pressing, so I feel like we did well to make them make a mistake and then Auba set me up.
“This happens sometimes, I’m happy it went in, but it was a lucky finish.
“It means so much to score for this fantastic club. I just want to keep pushing on now.”
MONTEMURRO LEAVES
Joe Montemurro has officially left his role as manager of Arsenal Women.
The 51-year-old won the WSL and the League Cup during his four-year stint at the club.
The Gunners have paid tribute to the successful manager with an emotional video.
LEAKED AWAY KIT
Arsenal’s away kit for next season has been leaked.
What do you reckon?
ARSENAL TRYING TO AGREE ESR DEAL
Arsenal are trying to agree a new deal with Emile Smith Rowe, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Reports suggest the player is happy to stay at the Emirates and a five-year deal could be agreed very shortly.
Arsenal are working since March to extend Emile Smith-Rowe’s contract, there’s ‘optimism’ to complete the agreement soon. The player is happy and open to stay – five years contract on the table. ⚪️🔴 #AFC #Arsenal https://t.co/0oLWSdBGFP— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 13, 2021
ARTETA DELIGHTED WITH WIN
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has expressed his delight at last night’s 1-0 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Arteta said: “[It was a] Great win.
“It shows how tough it is to come here and win against a fantastic team. I think what Thomas [Tuchel] is doing is great. They have so much quality, really good organisation and make it really difficult for you.
“From the beginning, we showed that we were coming here to try to win with the right spirit, with the right attitude, we showed moments of real quality as well.
“We got the goal and then we had to defend in long periods. To do that, you have to be really committed and resilient. We needed some luck and we had it tonight.”
WHAT IS THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE?
Should Arsenal finish in seventh, they will most likely qualify for the inaugural edition of the Europa Conference League.
But what is Uefa’s new tertiary competition?
The ECL will run alongside the Champions League and Europa League.
It is designed to let even more clubs across the continent experience European football.
Whichever English team qualifies will enter at the Play-Off round before a familiar looking Group Stage.
The competition will be held on Thursday nights throughout the season, culminating in a final on May 25, 2022, in Albania.
AMN LATEST
Manchester United are interested in a shock transfer for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports.
The Arsenal academy graduate, 23, has spent the second half of this season on loan at West Brom.
And despite the Baggies getting relegated, the England international impressed with his performances under Sam Allardyce.
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are considering an approach to Arsenal when he returns to his parent club.
However, the report adds they would face competition from three other Premier League sides – Everton, Leeds and Southampton.
WAS THIS A GOOD SAVE?
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno kept a clean sheet last night in their 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners’ social media team have highlighted this save from the German stopper – but was it actually any good?
You decide…
SPL-ASH THE CASH
Ashley Cole has told Arsenal they MUST invest big in players this summer to take ‘the next step’.
The Gunners face a battle to bag a Europa League spot this season, but a 1-0 away win at Chelsea on Wednesday put themselves firmly back in the frame.
Speaking before the Chelsea victory, the 40-year-old said: “When Mikel Arteta came into the job he definitely shored up the defence, he really got that defensive shape and organisation.
“But now, in the middle third and the final third, I think they’ve been lacking that sharpness, that real quality and intensity to go and grab a game.
“I just think they’ve struggled. As I mentioned, big players have not turned up.
Next season will they invest? They need to invest if they want to go to the next step and play the Arsenal way, that quick, enjoyable football to watch.
“They need changes.”
Credit: Getty – Contributor
HOLDING HAPPY WITH WIN
Rob Holding has expressed his delight at Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Chelsea.
The defender told the club’s official website: “I managed to block everything, head everything that came my way.
“We just sort of defended first and then anything we could do with the ball, we did.
“It’s nice to get a double over Chelsea for the season. We got a good one at home and then it’s nice to grind out a result here.”
Holding is also hoping the Gunners can end the season strongly.
He continued: “We owe the fans a lot after this season.
“We’ve let them down a few times, so if we can wrap up some points, wrap up some wins and give them something to look forward to going into next season.”
SIMA SOON
Slavia Prague forward Abdallah Sima is keen on a move to the Premier League, according to the Evening Standard.
The 19-year-old, who’s scored 11 league goals this season, is believed to be a target for Arsenal and West Ham.
Reports suggest the Czech club want £50million for the player, although they are expected to accept a smaller bid.
Sima has one senior cap for Senegal.
It’s gone from bad to worse for Leicester… 😳Abdallah Sima takes aim from 25 yards out, finds the bottom corner and Slavia Prague are 2-0 up at the King Power! 💥 pic.twitter.com/1SA0Jtee5N— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 25, 2021
‘PLAYS WITH COURAGE’
Arsenal’s ‘shining light’ Bukayo Saka is being ‘used and abused’ by Mikel Arteta, according to Ashley Cole.
And the former Gunner thinks Saka’s versatility might hold him back from becoming a ‘top, top player’.
Speaking on Sky, Cole said: “As Jamie [Redknapp] says, [he’s] a shining light in this Arsenal team. He plays with courage, [he’s] fearless at times.
“But I just feel when you don’t cement down one position, it’s very, very difficult to nail that down and be a top, top player.
“As a manager, you love it because he’s adaptable and he can play in three or four positions, which is brilliant.
“But I feel for him at times because I think he’s kind of used and abused.”
BISSOUMA TO UNITED – WRIGHT
Ian Wright believes Yves Bissouma should join Manchester United – and not his beloved Arsenal.
The £30million-rated midfielder has reportedly handed in a transfer request at Brighton.
He’s been linked with a move to United, Liverpool and the Gunners.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, the Arsenal legend said: “Bissouma’s making it clear now he wants to leave.
“You’ve got to choose between Liverpool and Man United in the current climate.
“I’m probably going to go with Man United… You look at Man United and what Man United are on the cusp of doing, it’s a much more attractive proposition right now, much more.”
GUNNING FOR BERGE
Arsenal are serious about signing Sheffield United’s Sander Berge, according to Yorkshire Live.
The 23-year-old midfielder needs to find another club if wishes to stay in the Premier League following the Blades’ relegation to the Championship.
Mikel Arteta’s assistant, Albert Stuivenberg, previously coached the Norway international at Genk.
It is believed Arsenal are hiring a new network of scouts and the applicants have been asked to prepare dossiers on Newcastle loanee Joe Willock and Berge.
The Sheffield United player is said to have a £35million release clause.
ICYMI – JORGINHO’S HOWLER
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge last night following an awful back pass from Jorginho.
Here’s the moment, just in case you missed it…
TUCHY SUBJECT
Thomas Tuchel knows exactly which player rotation caused Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal.
The Blues lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and the German blamed himself and the line up he picked after the game.
He said: “I am not happy with my line-up. There were too many changes and I should not have done it like this.
“It was something in particular but I don’t want to tell you.”
🗣”It is totally our fault, no one elses, we lost the game, we made an own-goal a total gift.” Thomas Tuchel took blame for making too many changes to the Chelsea starting line-up and called it a wake up call pic.twitter.com/kMXnJCjT6M— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 12, 2021
ARTETA’S MEDIA RANT
Mikel Arteta has slammed the press following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory at Chelsea last night, claiming they are ‘putting words in his mouth’.
The Gunners boss told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t accept somebody putting words in my mouth that I don’t say.
“When it’s related to my players, they’re going to hit a wall.
“They can try to give their opinions from the outside, that’s fine, but to try to break what we have inside there is not possible.”
MORNING ARSENAL FANS
It will be a welcome feeling for Arsenal fans this morning to wake up after a positive display from their team.
For all the negatives about the 2020-21 campaign, Mikel Arteta’s side showed grit and determination to defend resolutely and earn themselves a 1-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea.
Emile Smith Rowe’s first half goal gave the Gunners a much-needed win and one that lifts them up into eighth place in the Premier League table.
Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “It’s been a really tough season because we’ve faced something unprecedented in the outside world and in this football club.
“But we put all our passion, our energy, our knowledge and our togetherness to get through any obstacle and try to be as good as we can.”
The Spaniard also hit back at what he felt was an incorrect depiction of his words before the game surrounding the motivation of his players.
With the victory, Arsenal have now given themselves an outside chance of Europa League qualification next season.
And goalscorer Smith Rowe felt it was a huge win that the team desperately needed.
The 20-year-old said: “I feel like it was an important result, and for our season.
“It was really tough, and we had to work hard and dig deep. We worked on [the high press] in training this week, and I feel like we did well to make them make a mistake.
“I think it showed our character, and just how much fight we’ve got in us. We defended really well in patches and after this tough season, it was a good performance.”
GOOD NIGHT FOR ARSENAL
So, Arsenal pick up a much-needed London derby win at Stamford Bridge as their quest for European football goes down to the final few games.
Mikel Arteta’s side now finish off their Premier League campaign with matches against Crystal Palace and Brighton.
Can they make the Europa League for next season? We wait to find out.
Credit: Reuters
GUNNING FOR IT
Arsenal’s last nine league victories against Chelsea have all been against different managers for the Blues.#CHEARS— Orbinho (@Orbinho) May 12, 2021
CRAZY STAT
Absolutely bizarre statistic. Shows how much Lampard struggled at the end of his reign at Stamford Bridge.
Over the last 25 league games, Arsenal and Chelsea have taken exactly the same number of points (42). My brain cannot compute how this can be the case.— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) May 12, 2021
ARSENAL STUN CHELSEA
Arsenal have shocked Chelsea with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Emile Smith Rowe scored the only goal of the game after a horror backpass from Jorginho in the first half.
The Gunners move into eighth place in the Premier League table. Chelsea’s spot in the top four remains a little uneasy.
OFF THE BAR TWICE
Chelsea have just hit the bar twice in the final minute of normal time against Arsenal. The Gunners are clinging on.
MAIT A MOVE
Manchester United are interested in a shock transfer for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports.
The Arsenal academy graduate, 23, has spent the second half of this season on loan at West Brom.
And despite the Baggies getting relegated, the England international impressed with his performances under Sam Allardyce.
According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are considering an approach to Arsenal when he returns to his parent club.
However, the report adds they would face competition from three other Premier League sides – Everton, Leeds and Southampton.
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