Arsenal defender Gabriel in demand this summer
Arsenal are facing a huge transfer window this summer after news that Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are preparing a bid for centre-back Gabriel, reports the Daily Mirror.
Arsenal want ex-Everton forward Kean
Arsenal have set their sights on former Everton striker Moise Kean ahead of the summer transfer window, reports the Daily Mail.
Arsenal defender Gabriel in demand this summer
Arsenal are facing a huge transfer window this summer after news that Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are preparing a bid for centre-back Gabriel, reports the Daily Mirror.
Real Madrid want Arsenal target Zubimendi
Real Madrid are interested in signing Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi this summer, according to a report cited in today's Daily Mail.
Analysis: Saka can challenge world's best
Sky Sports' Nick Wright:
It is a testament to Saka's importance to Arsenal that even now, despite having missed the last three months through injury, he remains their leading provider of goals and assists this season.
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Saka's combined total of 22 in all competitions, comprised of nine goals and 13 assists, puts him three clear of Kai Havertz in second place. It is some going from only 24 appearances.
The numbers of a reminder of just how much Arsenal have missed without him. They also reflect the pattern of improvement behind the club's determination to reportedly secure his future with a new contract. Saka has increased his output every season under Mikel Arteta and, at only 23, his peak years are still ahead of him.
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Arteta has already moulded him into one of the world's best right-sided attackers. In fact, Saka's rate of productivity before his injury - he was averaging 1.08 goal involvements per 90 minutes - puts him second only to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah among Premier League players this season.
Salah's stunning efforts have made him a shoo-in for the Premier League player of the year awards and put him in contention to win the Ballon d'Or too, but Arsenal can feel confident that Saka has the capacity to reach a similar level in the not-too-distant future.
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At 23 and a half, he is already the best and most important player for a team routinely competing for the Premier League title. He has racked up an extraordinary 250 club games at the top level. At the same age, Salah had played a fraction as many having been farmed out on loan by Chelsea to Italy.
Chelsea would come to regret that decision, of course. Salah has flourished for Liverpool, delivering his best season yet at 32. But Saka, nine his junior, is on track to the hit similar heights - and do so sooner. No wonder Arsenal are trying to tie him down.
'Arsenal to open contract talks with Saka'
Arsenal are set to begin discussions with forward Bukayo Saka over a new deal at the Emirates, according to reports on BBC Sport.
The England international, who has been sidelined since December with a serious hamstring injury, has just over two years left to run on his current contract in north London.
The 23-year-old has contributed nine goals and 13 assists in 24 matches in all competitions this season.
Lewis-Skelly eager to repay Arsenal faith after earning first England call
Myles Lewis-Skelly is determined to continue repaying the faith Arsenal have placed in him after receiving a maiden England call-up which left him “shouting around my house” in delight.
The 18-year-old left-back was included in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad on Friday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
That was reward for some impressive displays since breaking into the Arsenal team this season, with the versatile teenager making his 26th senior appearance in Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League win over Chelsea.
Victory saw Arsenal end a three-match winless run and close the gap on runaway leaders Liverpool to 12 points heading into the international break, where Lewis-Skelly could continue his rapid rise by winning his first cap.
“I’m buzzing, you know,” he told Arsenal’s website about being called up by England. “Honesty I was elated, just shouting around my house.
“Obviously I’m excited for what’s coming up, but you’ve always got to stay locked in on the present and not get too attached to the feeling that’s coming later down the line.”
Ref Watch: Should Arsenal have had a penalty for Cucurella's handball?
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher discusses whether Arsenal should have been given a penalty for a possible handball by Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
Timber's awkward handshake with Maresca before full-time!
Jurrien Timber was heard telling Enzo Maresca to ‘try harder’ as the pair came together towards the end of Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Chelsea at the Emirates.
Analysis: Arsenal defence highlights missing piece to title puzzle
Sky Sports' David Richardson at the Emirates following Arsenal's win over Chelsea:
'When Arsenal's defence is so good, it makes their lack of forward options even more obvious.
'"We continue to do a lot of things defensively so well that earn us the right to attack open spaces but there were so many situations, huge advantages that we just gave away," said boss Mikel Arteta after their 1-0 win over Chelsea.
'Arsenal didn't need to be at their best defensively to keep out a toothless Chelsea side, but they still were.
'"We have to track back 70m and on that face, we were one of the best teams in the world today because we were unbelievable in the way we've done it," added Arteta.
'Just 24 goals conceded in 29 games has been the backbone to Arsenal's title tilt which has faded because of their issues at the other end.
'Mikel Merino scored for the fourth time in seven games while ending Arsenal's scoring drought from corners, but they are yet to put together the full package to become champions.'
The Verdict: Arsenal show versatility as Chelsea lack plan B
Arsenal continue excellent 'big-six' run
Arsenal continued their brilliant record in the big games this season by extending their unbeaten run against the 'big six' to 19 matches via a 1-0 win over Chelsea.
Should the Gunners avoid defeat to Liverpool in May, then they will have gone two straight seasons without a loss against the traditional top-six sides.
Their last defeat in one of those fixtures came in April 2023, when they lost 4-1 to Manchester City in a title decider.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the Gunners' defensive displays allow them to do that.
"We are capable of competing against them consistently, with high standards again. Any kind of opposition," said Arteta about the record after the 1-0 win over Chelsea.
"We continue to do a lot of things defensively so well that earn us the right to attack open spaces but there were so many situations, huge advantages that we just gave away.
"So we have to track back 70m and on that face, we were one of the best teams in the world today because we were unbelievable in the way we’ve done it.
"If we continue to do those things, we get rewarded."
'You're still here!' - Arteta pretends to exit interview after Saka question
REPORT: Merino winner sees Arsenal edge Chelsea in feisty London derby
Mikel Merino's first-half header was enough to settle Arsenal's 1-0 win over Chelsea in a feisty and tense Super Sunday London derby.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: Mikel Merino winner from another Gunners set-piece beats Blues in feisty Premier League derby
Sky Sports
FREE MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: ARSENAL 1-0 CHELSEA
Saka has 'good chance' of returning after international break
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka has a "good chance" of returning to action after the international break.
The 23-year-old required an operation after suffering a hamstring injury in Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace in December.
Arteta said in midweek that Saka was making "very good progress" and following Arsenal's 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta was asked about Saka's chances of featuring in April.
"Yes, he's got a good chance," Arteta told Sky Sports.
Arsenal host Fulham on April 1 when they return to Premier League action.
On Friday, Arteta had said: "He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground], hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had," Arteta said.
"That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own.
"Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.
"He's getting closer, he's stepping up and making a very good progress, I would say.
"So let's see when we start to throw him in with the team how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly."
Arteta: Saka making 'very good progress' in recovery
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed Bukayo Saka is making "very good progress" in his recovery from hamstring surgery.
The 23-year-old required an operation after suffering the injury in Arsenal's 5-1 win over Crystal Palace in December.
Saka will be sidelined for several more weeks, according to reports, but Arteta has provided a more optimistic update about his recovery.
"He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground], hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had," Arteta said.
"That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own.
"Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.
"He's getting closer, he's stepping up and making a very good progress, I would say.
"So let's see when we start to throw him in with the team how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly."
Analysis: 'Money Talks but Arsenal growing from within'
Sky Sports News' Gary Cotterill at Arsenal's training ground:
"The music was again blaring out across Arsenal's training ground as the first team warmed up. The music of choice?
"Dirty Cash - Money Talks.
"Apt, some might say, as yet another season comes and goes without an out-and-out striker being bought.
"And yet, training in front of the loudspeakers, are great examples of what big money can't buy - thrilling young talent produced and nurtured by the club.
"Myles Lewis-Skelly. Ethan Nwaneri Max Dowman. All looked very at home with their older teammates. One is already in the England squad at 18. One in the U21s at 17.
"And one ready to blast onto the Premier League stage next season, when he eventually turns 16.
"The drafting of Lewis-Skelly into Thomas Tuchel's first squad has sent a purr of satisfaction flowing through London Colney.
"All the players have congratulated him. So has Mikel Arteta. He spoke at the news conference of his pride at his role on his progress.
"MLS as he’s known in the dressing room, was originally a midfielder, until Arteta saw his potential as a left back. Now he may be the future of England in that position.
"Arteta wants him protected. Myles has miles of self-confidence. But he’s a fast tracker now being even faster-tracked and needs a protective environment.
"Arteta hasn’t spoken to Tuchel about looking after one of his most prized assets. But says he expects to be involved in the process.
"He calls it a 'really nice story' that gives hope to young people everywhere.
"Something else Arteta his loving is the English core at Arsenal. Rice, Saka, Lewis-Skelly, White (again), Nwaneri (soon), Sterling (recently).
"'It's very important culturally to have that DNA at our club" he says. The DNA and the culture counts at Arsenal.
"Money talks. But the emergence of the youngsters speaks volumes."
Arteta: Two dominating teams when we face Chelsea
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the threat of Chelsea:
"It’s two teams who want to be very dominant in their way of playing. They’re very aggressive in the high press and the way we have to have the ball.
"There’s a lot of individual quality on that pitch, it’s about imposing what you want and keep them far from their strengths."
Arteta: No signs of setbacks in White recovery
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Ben White's slow return from injury:
"He’s been involved for the last two weeks with no reaction. He’s a really important player for us, he brings something different to the team dynamic. We’re very happy to have him back."
Arteta: PSV performance will help Sterling
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Raheem Sterling missing out against his parent club:
"It would’ve been good for him, but it is what it is. He knew about it, he played well and was contributing to the goals we scored as well. It’s what we need, players in good form with good confidence and that performance will help him."