ARSENAL are looking to sign Douglas Luiz in summer, according to reports.
And Alexandre Lacazette has been named club captain following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka has again been linked with a move to Jose Mourinho's Roma this summer.
Keep up to date with all the latest Arsenal transfer news here at SunSport
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- Chisanga Malata
'There is no limit'
Gunners hero Freddie Ljungberg has told Emile Smith 'there is no limit' to the heights he can reach.
The former interim Arsenal manager said: "There’s always something in my opinion [that you can work on] if you’re being a very critical coach.
“If you can just look at it from the outside and when I look at you, for example, you can do it all.
"You have the physical presence, you’re big, you have pace, you have technique, you have a good shot.
“So, in my opinion, there is no limit. The limit, I think, is you.”
- Chisanga Malata
Tielemens boost
Arsenal target Youri Tielemens has opted NOT to sign a new deal with Leicester City.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "I’ve been told Youri Tielemans will NOT extend his contract with Leicester.
"New deal bid has been turned down – current one expires in 2023.
"Of course, Youri will be professional, he’s focused on Leicester. Many top clubs want him for June."
- Chisanga Malata
Lesons learned
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has revealed he learned a lot from his few training sessions with former Gunners midfielders Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil.
He said: "I think that's what people will try and say, but there isn't."
"Sometimes the first team players would come down and take some sessions which was good at the time.
"Looking up to them as well and obviously I've got his number now[10], Mesut Ozil, everyone knows how good he is you know, and I'm [then] obviously seeing him in training and doing the things that he's done and yeah just to get an opportunity to be on the same pitch was just crazy at the time.
"There were a few players that definitely helped me at the time.
Credit: GETTY "The intensity was very high. Obviously the players that were there, Santi Cazorla, Mesut [Ozil] was there as well.
"So many crazy players at the time. It was a bit surreal to be honest. I couldn't believe I was actually involved in the training session[s] but it was definitely difficult."
- Chisanga Malata
"ABSOLUTE JOKE"
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has slammed Mikel Arteta's decision for giving the captain's armband to Alexandre Lacazette.
He told the Daily Star:Kieran Tierney should be Arsenal captain. Because you can’t put your faith in Alexandre Lacazette.
“And my old club should start sorting out better contracts for young players like Bukayo Saka right now instead of wasting their money like they have before.
“(Lacazette’s) contract is up. You’d have to offer him a fortune if you give him a new one. And he hasn’t ripped it up for the last few years so why would he do it for the next few?
“Arsenal have young players who have come through the ranks and are getting paid next to nothing compared to him. They are the ones the club needs to be sorting out.
“It’s an absolute joke. Arsenal have got to tie these kids down. Give THEM the money. It’s players like Saka who need new contracts. Not players like Lacazette.”
- Chisanga Malata
No discipline problem
Gunners legend Ian Wright insists Mikel Arteta's troops don't have a problem with discipline, despite picking up their 15th red card under the Spaniard against Wolves.
He told Premier League Productions: "Not really, especially when you look at this one and you look at what Xhaka has done.
"Yeah, 15 sounds like a lot… well it is a lot! But at the same time, you look at them and we're not talking about players that are flying in and doing silly challenges and stuff like that.
"This here was a natural reaction from him, he's gone to push him and then the next one he's fouled him. It's not malicious stuff.
"But they are red cards and hopefully it doesn't tot up to end up costing them. Yeah, 15 is a lot, but I wouldn't say there is a disciplinary problem.
"I think that's what people will try and say, but there isn't."
- Chisanga Malata
Good morning Gunners fans
Arsenal appear in danger of missing out on Real Sociedad star and top transfer target Alexander Isak.
According to Sport, the Gunners are keen on signing Isak this summer after losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are also set to leave on free transfers at the end of the season as their contracts expire in June.
And manager Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.
However, the Sweden international has now emerged as a surprise target for Barca.
Meanwhile, Arsenal ace Lacazette could be on his way to LaLiga this summer.
The striker’s contract expires in June and he has yet to agree on a new deal with the Gunners.
According to Fichajes, the France international could be set for a move to Spain.
The 30-year-old has attracted interest from Sevilla and Atletico Madrid.
And Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has admitted that he ‘dreams’ of playing Champions League football amid reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
Credit: Rex Saka told Sky Sports: “I think the Champions League creates so many special nights and it’s a dream for me still to experience one of them and hopefully many more of them.
“I think I’ve taken a step forward, but I think, also, the team has taken a step forward. Football’s a team sport and as long as everyone is doing well, I think it makes things easier individually.
“I’d say we’re on good form and it really helps me – the team is so fluid, we’re building a lot of chemistry.”
Finally, New England Revolution have confirmed that Matt Turner will link up with Arsenal in the summer.
In a statement released on their website, the MLS club said: "The New England Revolution have agreed to terms for goalkeeper Matt Turner to join Arsenal of the English Premier League in a summer transfer for an undisclosed fee pending completion of a medical.
"Turner, the 2021 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, is expected to join Arsenal in late June 2022."
Arsenal had been looking for back-up for Aaron Ramsdale as Bernd Leno appears to be on his way out
- Kostas Lianos
Buk to the big time
Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has admitted that he ‘dreams’ of playing Champions League football amid reported interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
Saka told Sky Sports: “I think the Champions League creates so many special nights and it’s a dream for me still to experience one of them and hopefully many more of them.”
“I think I’ve taken a step forward, but I think, also, the team has taken a step forward. Football’s a team sport and as long as everyone is doing well, I think it makes things easier individually.
“I’d say we’re on good form and it really helps me – the team is so fluid, we’re building a lot of chemistry”
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Ferdinand's Arsenal prediction
Rio Ferdinand has predicted Arsenal won't finish in the top four because they don't score enough goals.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: "Goals. [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang has gone, not that he was banging them in when he was there, but he was a big player, the captain.
"I like Mikel Arteta and what he's trying to do there.
"Arsenal, great history, but in recent years, they have not shown you anything that will convince you that they're going to be consistent enough to get into the top four"
- Kostas Lianos
Owens shares Arsenal advice
Michael Owen insists Arsenal fans should be positive with the way their team is progressing.
Owen told BT Sport: "This is the most positive I'd be if I was an Arsenal fan for a long time.
"They are lacking a few good players, but they look like, like tonight, they can go away to big places now and fight it out a bit more. They got bullied a lot of time.
"If you watched them at the start of the season; I was there against Brentford and it was the Arsenal of the last few years. But now they have a bit of steel about them"
- Kostas Lianos
Silva reaches out
Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has reached out to fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli.
Martinelli was sent off with two successive yellow cards within just a few seconds apart.
Silva tweeted: "That red card was a strange situation and I don’t think you were to blame.
"Keep pushing, you are a strong leader and an important member of our team.
- Kostas Lianos
Lacazette interest from Spain
Arsenal ace Alexandre Lacazette could be on his way to LaLiga this summer.
Lacazette's contract expires in June and the striker has yet to agree on a new deal with the Gunners.
According to Fichajes, the France international could be set for a move to Spain.
The 30-year-old's has attracted interest from Sevilla and Atletico Madrid
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Arsenal's page Turner
New England Revolution have confirmed that Matt Turner will link up with Arsenal in the summer.
In a statement released on their website, the MLS club said: "The New England Revolution have agreed to terms for goalkeeper Matt Turner to join Arsenal of the English Premier League in a summer transfer for an undisclosed fee pending completion of a medical.
"Turner, the 2021 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, is expected to join Arsenal in late June 2022."
Arsenal had been looking for back-up for Aaron Ramsdale as Bernd Leno appears to be on his way out
- Kostas Lianos
Elneny decides future
Arsenal ace Mohamed Elneny has decided he would like to continue playing abroad even though his contract expires in June.
Elneny told Al-Mehwar TV: "I want to play the rest of my life outside Egypt, this is my dream.
"Al-Ahly is a very great club, but I hope to end my life abroad and work as a coach abroad as well.
"I have a dream and I will reach it. I see that I can be a key player in Arsenal. If I saw that my level was far from them, I would leave"
- Kostas Lianos
Neves slams Arsenal
Wolves star and reported Arsenal target Ruben Neves has claimed the Gunners ‘celebrated like they had won the league’ after winning at Molineux last night.
Neves told BBC Sport: “We did well but we are struggling to score goals and conceding a lot on set-pieces.
“We saw the way they celebrated the win and that shows the level we are.
“I didn't see Arsenal celebrating like this in the past 10 years – it was like they won the league”
- Kostas Lianos
Arteta on Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli marked the 15th time an Arsenal player has been sent-off since manager Mikel Arteta took charge in 2019.
However, Arteta is adamant the Gunners are not dirty and wants to know why they are falling foul of referees.
The Spanis head coach said: “It’s worrying. The red card changed things. The red card was one you have to want to give. You ask me if I’m happy with the decisions we’ve had this season and that’s a conversation I will have with officials privately.
“I want explanations about VAR and what happened tonight. They are conversations that are going to happen very soon. Everyone says it is the most disciplined group they have seen in the last 10 to 15 years, but we are still getting red cards.
“I’ve never seen that [Martinelli’s red]. I’ve been 18 years in this country and I’ve never seen something like it”
GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
Martinelli addresses red card
Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli has revealed he is ‘upset’ over his sending-off at Wolves and admits it’s ‘difficult to accept’.
Martinelli received two yellow cards within five seconds to leave his team a man down for the final 20 minutes.
The forward tweeted: "I’m upset because it’s difficult to accept that as a red card.
“But I am proud the team fought to keep the result and the win”
- Kostas Lianos
Ram the man
Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale goaded Wolves fans after his team claimed a vital three points at Molineux on Thursday .
Ramsdale partied with the travelling fans after the 1-0 win – but cheekily celebrated in front of the home supporters too.
The goalkeeper bounced in front of the home end after a solitary goal from Gabriel Magalhaes settled the game.
Fans were left wondering if there was any particular reason for the England international's reaction, with his brother Edward confirming after the game that there was.
He confirmed Ramsdale was a West Brom fan as a child, and they are arch-rivals of West Midlands neighbours Wolves.
The Baggies are known as 'Boing Boing West Brom' for their bouncing celebrations when they hit the back of the net
- Kostas Lianos
More from Ten Hag
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag feels remorseful for former colleague Marc Overmars but insists those suffering should be his first thoughts.
Ten Hag said: “Of course, you sympathise with him.
“But the first thoughts go to the suffering of the women.
“It touches us all to the depths of our souls”
- Kostas Lianos
Ten Hag addresses Overmars sacking
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has responded to Marc Overmars’ resignation as the club’s director of football.
Overmars quit last week after being caught sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
The ex-Arsenal player sent X-rated photos to a fellow member of staff, according to Het Parool.
Ten Hag told ESPN: “I was totally stunned when I heard it. This is disastrous. Especially for the victims; the women.
“I have a hard time with the suffering that has been caused to them. As a coach you naturally have to radiate energy, but that was difficult the last few days”
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Saka contract worry
Arsenal seem concerned about tying Bukayo Saka down to a new contract.
According to the Mail, the Gunners hierarchy have made it a priority to extend Saka's deal.
The 20-year-old's current deal expires in 2024, and the north Londoners want to boost his £35,000-a-week wages to match their highest earners.
However, those behind the scenes are concerned that the versatile midfielder could snub an extension should boss Mikel Arteta fails to take the team to next season’s Champions League.
This comes as Liverpool Manchester United and Manchester City are said to be interested in the England international
- Kostas Lianos
Saka contract talks
Arsenal will hold talks with Bukayo Saka over a new contract.
Saka still has two more years to run on his current deal, which is thought to be worth just £35,000 a week.
But boss Mikel Arteta wants to recognise Saka’s increasing importance to his team by making him one of the highest-paid players at the club.
With Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all monitoring the versatile midfielder's situation, Arteta knows that the north Londoners' position will be enhanced if they can secure Champions League qualification this season.
The Spaniard said: “We are going to have a conversation with the player and then with his family and his agent so that everybody is on board.
“Obviously our desire is to keep Bukayo for as long as possible because we are really happy with him.
“He is part of our DNA who is growing and maturing all the time.
“His importance to the team is unquestionable and we want to keep our best talent at the club, that’s for sure”
- Kostas Lianos
Sak race intensifies
Arsenal appear in danger of missing out on Real Sociedad star and top transfer target Alexander Isak.
According to Sport, the Gunners are keen on signing the striker this summer after losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are also set to leave on free transfers at the end of the season as their contracts expire in June.
And manager Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.
However, the Sweden international has now emerged as a surprise target for Barcelona
- Kostas Lianos
Arteta reacts to Wolves win
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested his team "suffered" after Gabriel Martinelli's red card against Wolves at Molineux.
Arteta told BT Sport: "It is tough enough to play against Wolves here away from home, and we made it even tougher playing again with 10 men. The result is really positive, we needed to win, but we suffered in the final 20 minutes.
"The character, how we dig in, the spirit that we showed, how they defended so many difficult situations for such a long time, I am really proud of the boys. When I talk about the unity and the togetherness in the group, this is when it comes and they showed it on the pitch.
"We need to play with 11 players in the final 16 games – that is going to be key to give us the best possible chance for us to win football matches. To win games in the Premier League is hard enough, with 10 men it is very unlikely"
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Arteta reacts to Wolves win
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested his team "suffered" after Gabriel Martinelli's red card against Wolves at Molineux.
Arteta told BT Sport: "It is tough enough to play against Wolves here away from home, and we made it even tougher playing again with 10 men. The result is really positive, we needed to win, but we suffered in the final 20 minutes.
"The character, how we dig in, the spirit that we showed, how they defended so many difficult situations for such a long time, I am really proud of the boys. When I talk about the unity and the togetherness in the group, this is when it comes and they showed it on the pitch.
"We need to play with 11 players in the final 16 games – that is going to be key to give us the best possible chance for us to win football matches. To win games in the Premier League is hard enough, with 10 men it is very unlikely"
- Kostas Lianos
Lacazette remains captain
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Alexandre Lacazette will remain captain until the end of the season.
Lacazette inherited the skipper's armband from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the Gabon international was axed due to disciplinary issues before he left for Barcelona.
The centre-forward will lead the Gunners, even though his contract expires in June.
The France international and the north Londoners have yet to agree on new terms, while Lyon are trying to re-sign him at the end of the season
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