FOLARIN BALOGUN has refused to close the door on leaving North London this summer following his red-hot form.
Meanwhile, ex-Premier League star Danny Murphy has urged Arsenal target Declan Rice to leave West Ham in the summer.
Murphy told the Daily Mail: "He’s 100 per cent ready to move to the next level and at 24 won’t want to wait any longer for Champions League football."
And Bukayo Saka impressed on the main stage once again by scoring a screamer for England in the comfortable 2-0 win over Ukraine.
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- Alex Smith
RVP backs Arsenal to win title
Former Arsenal and Man Utd strker Robin van Persie has backed the Gunners to win the Premier League this season.
Mikel Arteta's men are seven points clear at the top but Man City have a game in hand.
The Dutchman told Sky Sports: "If you look at this period of time, this is where every single point really counts.
"They've got [had] a couple of difficult games. They got the three points there, so that is what a champion's team is made of. They've been proving that. But the last stretch is always the difficult one, so it'll be interesting to see.
"But my personal feeling is that they will go for it – that they will win the league. It's been a while, so I'm happy for them to win it."
Credit: Getty - Alex Smith
Buk in Business
England fans were left raving about "cheat code" Bukayo Saka after his performance in the 2-0 win over Ukraine yesterday.
Saka assisted Harry Kane to open the scoring and then hit an incredible second goal from range.
One said: "Saka is such a cheat code. What an unbelievable goal and player."
A second reacted: "Zinny should have warned his teammate not to give Saka that kind of space."
Another added: "Saka for the Ballon d'Or."
- Dylan Terry
Good morning Arsenal fans
Folarin Balogun has fuelled speculation he could leave Arsenal by revealing he would be open to returning to Stade Reims.
The striker has been a hit on loan at the Ligue Un club with 17 goals in 27 league games.
His form could encourage Mikel Arteta to use the youngster in the first team next season.
But Balogun is not closing the door to a potential exit and would be open to moving back to Reims.
When asked about his future in an interview with Ligue Un he said: “Contractually I have to go back because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.
“I’m not sure what is going to happen in the future.
"A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we’ll see what happens.
“I mean there’s no door that’s closed. Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. So yeah I mean I don’t know what the future will bring.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets his players involved with games like dodgeball to get his squad switched on before a game.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has lifted the lid on what it is like to work for the Spaniard.
On Arteta’s management style, Ramsdale told Standard Sport: “He’s intense, really intense.
“He just loves football, loves Arsenal, loves developing young players which is amazing.
“He comes up with these things to try to get us going. We play games in the hotel.
“Sometimes it can be dodgeball, sometimes it can be spot the difference on the TV to get our brains working…
“It is just his way of trying to make us to switch on before the game, before the warm-up, making sure we’re living and breathing football when we’re resting.”
England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed what Bukayo Saka has improved on in his game.
Speaking to Channel 4 about the Arsenal star’s goal, he said: “It is a top-level finish [from Saka].
“That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren’t sure he was going to finish, but now he has that confidence in front of goal.”
Danny Murphy has urged Declan Rice to leave West Ham – with Arsenal leading the race to sign him in the summer.
“Declan Rice has to leave West Ham,” former Premier League midfielder Murphy told the Daily Mail.
“Ideally he would have gone last summer because it’s been hard for him to maintain his best form in a team that doesn’t keep the ball or boss games as well as others.
“He’s 100 per cent ready to move to the next level and at 24 won’t want to wait any longer for Champions League football.
“Arsenal would be a great option and I think he’d be an automatic starter. The lure of Chelsea is also strong, having grown up supporting the club and playing in their academy.”
Arsenal and Man Utd target Rasmus Hojlund is set to appoint a new agent, according to reports.
The Denmark striker has become hot property, after scoring five goals in two starts for the national team.
While he has torn up Serie A with Atalanta, scoring eight goals in 25 games.
The 6ft4in striker, 20, has been compared to Man City ace Erling Haaland.
Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Understand Rasmus Højlund will be set to appoint a new agent very soon, as top European clubs are following him.
“Højlund has five goals in two starts for Danish national team — sounds huge after excellent first season in Serie A with Atalanta.”
- Jon Boon
Arsenal target's new agent
Arsenal and Man Utd target Rasmus Hojlund is set to appoint a new agent, according to reports.
The Denmark striker has become hot property, after scoring five goals in two starts for the national team.
While he has torn up Serie A with Atalanta, scoring eight goals in 25 games.
The 6ft4in striker, 20, has been compared to Man City ace Erling Haaland.
Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "Understand Rasmus Højlund will be set to appoint a new agent very soon, as top European clubs are following him.
"Højlund has five goals in two starts for Danish national team — sounds huge after excellent first season in Serie A with Atalanta."
- Jon Boon
Ruthless Saka
England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed what Bukayo Saka has improved on in his game.
Speaking to Channel 4 about the Arsenal star's goal, he said: "It is a top-level finish [from Saka].
"That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren't sure he was going to finish, but now he has that confidence in front of goal."
- Jon Boon
Maddison moan
Arsenal fans hit out at James Maddison after he appeared to moan at Bukayo Saka during England's win over Ukraine.
The winger scored a brilliant goal and assisted Harry Kane's header in the 2-0 win.
Yet Maddison still found fault with his team-mate and moaned at Saka for failing to pass to him at one point.
Some fans thought it was bold of Maddison to act frustrated given he was making his first England start, particularly as he was substituted moments later.
Others also felt he was outperformed by Saka so it was rather cheeky for him to complain.
One fan said: "Maddison don’t ever talk like that to Saka again are you mad.
Another added: "James Maddison just had a pop at Saka for his pass 😂
"Wind your neck in, son."
A third said: "LMAO at Maddison having a go at Saka there. He's got a goal and assist mate, whilst you've been doing a bleep test. Trying playing well before you start handing out bollockings.
And another commented: "Did Maddison just have a go at Saka for that pass?! The brass neck…"
- Jon Boon
Mudryk stick
It is fair to say that Mykhailo Mudryk hasn’t exactly set English football alight so far.
The 22-year-old winger was the subject of the fiercest tug-of-war of the January transfer window as Chelsea and Arsenal fought it out for the baby-faced Ukrainian international.
Chelsea eventually won that battle by meeting Shakhtar Donetsk’s £89million demand for a player with little more than a season of senior football under his belt.
And after seeing Bukayo Saka shine, Arsenal fans are already claiming it was a lucky escape for their club because Mudryk has been doing his best impression of the Invisible Man ever since.
Of the seven appearances he has made for his new club, he has finished on the winning side just once.
So for the majority of the sell-out Wembley crowd, this was a chance to see what all the fuss has been about.
And 60 minutes later, they are still no wiser, after he was subbed off following another shocking performance.
Fans on Twitter weren't impressed either, giving him plenty of stick for his performance.
- Jon Boon
Saka stat
Opta Joe has revealed that Bukayo Saka is far from starboy -and more star man.
The Arsenal winger has been directly involved in 23 goals in his last 34 appearances for club and country.
He has scored 16 goals while providing 7 assists in that time.
Footballer of the Year, anyone?
- Jon Boon
Saka takeover
England fans were left raving about "cheat code" Bukayo Saka today.
That's after the Arsenal ace bagged a goal and assist in just four minutes against Ukraine.
Saka, 21, has established himself as a key Three Lions player under Gareth Southgate.
And the winger reminded doubters of his quality with an excellent display at Wembley on Sunday.
Saka first assumed the role of creator as he set up Harry Kane's opening 37th minute strike.
But the best was yet to come from Saka when he doubled England's lead in the 40th minute.
The left-footer cut inside from the right wing as he glided past Ukraine's defence, including Arsenal teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko.
And instead of looking for the pass, Saka pulled the trigger on an incredible rocket shot that sailed into the far corner of the net.
- Jon Boon
Zinchenko's viral moment
Oleksandr Zinchenko went viral when a video emerged of him cheering from his car window towards Gunners fans, as he drove past a pub in North London.
But now the Ukraine star has revealed it wasn't a one off.
He told the Daily Mail:“This is one of my favourite corners in London. Every time I'm passing this pub – because it's the way to my home – and every time there is a lot of Arsenal fans.
"Every time I try to put my window down and scream because after [a game] I have incredible energy. And you just want to share these emotions with them."
- Jon Boon
Rice urged to leave
Danny Murphy has urged Declan Rice to leave West Ham – with Arsenal leading the race to sign him in the summer.
"Declan Rice has to leave West Ham," former Premier League midfielder Murphy told the Daily Mail.
"Ideally he would have gone last summer because it’s been hard for him to maintain his best form in a team that doesn’t keep the ball or boss games as well as others.
"He’s 100 per cent ready to move to the next level and at 24 won’t want to wait any longer for Champions League football.
"Arsenal would be a great option and I think he’d be an automatic starter. The lure of Chelsea is also strong, having grown up supporting the club and playing in their academy."
- Jon Boon
Balogun reveals he could return to Reims
Folarin Balogun has fuelled speculation he could leave Arsenal by revealing he would be open to returning to Stade Reims.
The striker has been a hit on loan at the Ligue Un club with 17 goals in 27 league games.
His form could encourage Mikel Arteta to use the youngster in the first team next season.
But Balogun is not closing the door to a potential exit and would be open to moving back to Reims.
When asked about his future in an interview with Ligue Un he said: "Contractually I have to go back because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.
"I'm not sure what is going to happen in the future.
"A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we'll see what happens.
"I mean there's no door that's closed. Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. So yeah I mean I don't know what the future will bring."
- Alex Smith
Inside Arteta's training methods
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gets his players involved with games like dodgeball to get his squad switched on before a game.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has lifted the lid on what it is like to work for the Spaniard.
On Arteta's management style, Ramsdale told Standard Sport: “He’s intense, really intense.
"He just loves football, loves Arsenal, loves developing young players which is amazing.
"He comes up with these things to try to get us going. We play games in the hotel.
"Sometimes it can be dodgeball, sometimes it can be spot the difference on the TV to get our brains working…
"It is just his way of trying to make us to switch on before the game, before the warm-up, making sure we’re living and breathing football when we’re resting."
- Alex Smith
Saka praises Zinchenko
Bukayo Saka has hailed Arsenal team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of England's clash with Ukraine.
Saka said: "No-one can ever understand what Oleks is going through. He’s a man of incredible mental strength.
“To be able to get his mind on the game and to perform so well for Arsenal and his country is a big credit to him. He’s got a bit of fire about him and he uses it in ways that help him.
"I haven’t had any conversations with him about the war, but if he wants to speak about it, I’m here to listen and to help him in any way I can. Oleks is a character. He’s my team-mate – but not on Sunday.”
On the impact of Zinchenko and his old Man City team-mate Gabriel Jesus both joining the Gunners, Saka said: "They have brought that winning mentality to us as players who have been there and won the league.
“In difficult moments they know how it feels, they can encourage us, because we have a lot of young players. They really help us with the mental side of things.”
- Alex Smith
Friendships aside
Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko is ready to put his friendships with a number of players from the England team aside for this evening’s Euro 2024 qualification game.
The Arsenal defender is set to battle it out with club team-mate Bukayo Saka and potentially run into a few old pals from his former club Manchester City.
Zinchenko said: “I love them all so much, but unfortunately on the pitch there are no friends, so let’s see what is going to happen.
“Bukayo has not given me the line-up yet, but I am going to push as much as I can.”
“I got a lot of support from all of them [team-mates], for which I am so grateful.
“I would like to also say a massive thanks to all of the UK for all of the help and support for all of us Ukrainians, for the country, our people, all of the refugees who are living here.
“It is so important for us. Without your support, it would be so difficult and tough. We really appreciate it.”
Credit: PA
- Alex Smith
ESR hailed by England U21 boss
Emile Smith Rowe has received praise from England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley.
The midfielder scored in the Three Lions' 4-0 victory over France.
And after the game his boss gave encouraging news about his fitness after his first start in nine months.
Carsley said: “I really like Emile, he’s a player with massive potential. I think he showed in patches tonight that he’s a top player, now he just needs minutes, to play games and trust his body to train and play at a high level.
“He got about 65 minutes out there today, my plan will be that he gets more minutes on Tuesday.”
- Alex Smith
Gunners in action today…
Four Arsenal stars are in action in today's international matches.
Three of which will be at Wembley as Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale take on Oleksandr Zinchenko as England face Ukraine.
Saka and Zinchenko are expected to start with Ramsdale on the bench.
Meanwhile, Jorginho is with the Italy squad ready to face Malta tonight.
- Alex Smith
Happy Birthday gaffer!
Today Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta turns 41-years-old.
Despite his birthday coming in March, he will be hoping his team deliver him a present in May by winning the Premier League title.
Gunners from all over the world have flooded the club's tweet wishing him a good day, declaring him the best manager in the league.
- Alex Smith
Six stars who could depart
Six Arsenal stars are running out of time to save their careers at the club.
Kieran Tierney has been linked with a move to Newcastle after losing his place to Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
Rob Holding could also be sold this summer, but he has a great chance to prove himself to Arteta, with William Saliba set to miss several weeks after picking up an injury in the Europa League.
Reiss Nelson's contract is up at the end of the season. He has made big contributions when fit but injuries are an issue.
Emile Smith Rowe is back fit for the run-in and will need to prove himself or face being asked by Mikel Arteta.
Eddie Nketiah's time at Arsenal seemed to be up when Gabriel Jesus made the No9 shirt his, but after missing a few games with injury and with Jesus fit again, Nketiah's minutes are again under threat.
With Arteta keen to add a midfield to his ranks this summer, reports claim Jorginho despite only signing in January could make way for Moises Caicedo or Declan Rice.
- Alex Smith
USA's interest in Balogun
Folarin Balogun is eligible for the United States and he could switch to represent them over England.
USA star Christian Pulisic has confirmed that some of his team-mates have spoken to him about the striker quitting England.
Interim boss Anthony Hudson has also revealed that he has spoken to the player.
Balogun recently visited the country where he was born and withdrew from the Three Lions Under-21 squad, fuelling rumours of a potential change.
Credit: Getty - Alex Smith
Southgate urges Balogun for patience
England manager Gareth Southgate has urged Folarin Balogun to be patient for his chance for the national team.
The Arsenal striker is enjoying an outstanding season at Reims in France where he has netted 17 goals.
Balogun is eligible for the United States and there has been rumours he could switch his allegiances.
Southgate stressed that he must wait and he is on the Three Lions radar, saying: "It is up to the player to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit for an opportunity if he backs himself and feels he can push his way into our squad?
"Because anybody who has followed us will know that we will give young players a chance. So, we cannot go and give first-team call-ups to someone just because we don't want them to go somewhere else.
"We like Flo. He has obviously not had an opportunity in the Premier League yet, so we have to weigh up those goals to Ivan [Toney], for example, or Ollie Watkins. Or Eddie Nketiah, who has done really well with the opportunity he has had at Arsenal.
"I know there are going to be offers as 80 per cent of our players can play for more than one country now, and we are not arrogant expecting everybody to want to come to play for England. We have to make them feel wanted and feel part of that.
"Ultimately, it does not matter what you say. If you cannot give them the opportunity now, then some people are patient and want to see it through and are prepared to wait a bit and others want it now and I can totally understand that."
- Alex Smith
Tough Lav
Arsenal are keen on Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia, reports claim.
The 19-year-old has impressed since joining the Saints from Manchester City last summer and he has made 24 appearances.
But the Gunners face competition for his signature from two Premier League rivals, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea also remain interested in the midfielder.
The Blues made a staggering £50million offer – £40m up front plus £10m in add ons – for Lavia just weeks after he joined the Saints last summer.
The teen signed for Southampton in a £14m deal from Manchester City.
His former club negotiated a £40m buy-back clause in the transfer, which will become active in 2024.
- Alex Smith
Rodri tackle conspiracy
Arsenal fans have been left fuming after Rodri's tough tackle on Martin Odegaard last night.
Some supporters even believe it was an attempt from the Man City man to injure the Arsenal star ahead of the Premier League title race run-in.
One said: "The City dressing room have definitely been talking about Odegaard, the Rodri tackle was definitely premeditated.
More reacted: "Rodri playing nasty tactics there. How can you go unpunished after that tackle? It also looked like he had the intention to injure Odegaard."
- Alex Smith
Odegaard responds to Rodri tackle
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has responded to be on the receiving end of a bad challenge from Man City star Rodri during last night's clash between Norway and Spain.
The Gunners ace was seemingly chopped down in the box by his opponent.
Odgeaard has been left fuming, saying: "I’m pretty sure I should have had a penalty. He’s coming with his studs right on my ankle.
“But I’m sure I’ll get punished [if I say anymore]. I don’t bother saying anything else about the referee. It’s better not to say anything.”
Credit: Getty - Alex Smith
Derby delight
Arsenal women's team smashed Tottenham 5-1 yesterday in the North London derby.
Much like the men, the Gunners are going for the title and sit in 3rd place just behind Manchester United with a game in hand.
Arsenal added experience to their squad this month, re-signing Jodie Taylor, who played for the club between 2016 and 2017.
The 36-year-old is an England international and is relishing being back in North London.
She told Arseblog about signing: “That’s football for you, anything can happen. It has been a crazy ten days.
"I was chilling in LA, training hard and waiting for an opportunity and trying to be ready for it. It’s very surreal but I am just thrilled to be here. So happy to be part of the team and to have got on in a convincing win.”
"I have been keeping tabs on the league since I left and it has gone from strength to strength. It is great to see the growth of the game, especially off the back of the Euros. It was really great to be pitchside. It is so good to be a part of it.”
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