ARSENAL legend Emmanuel Petit has urged his former side to sign West Ham skipper Declan Rice this summer.
The Frenchman said to Legal Sportsbook: "If Arsenal want to stay at the top next season, Rice would be an important signing. But they need more players as well.”
Meanwhile, Gunners' target Alexis Mac Allister is 100% leaving fellow Premier League side Brighton in the summer, according to reports.
And there has been a boost in William Saliba's hopes of playing in the crunch clash against Manchester City on Wednesday, April 26.
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- Anthony Chapman
Odegaard 'best midfielder in Prem'
Martin Odegaard has been hailed as the best midfielder in the Premier League.
That's by former midfielder and Prem star Geremi.
He told Lord Ping: "When you look at the season so far, with Arsenal top of the league, you must look at the impact that Martin Odegaard has had on the team.
"He makes the team better. Odegaard is one of the contenders for the best central midfielders in the Premier League this season."
- Anthony Chapman
Marseille 'fed up with Tavares'
Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares is reportedly "annoying staff" at Marseille due to his "inability to follow instructions".
According to L'Equipe via Sport Witness, right-back Issa Kabore – on loan from Manchester City – "better understands" what is wanted from manager Igor Tudor.
And this could see Jonathan Clauss move to the left side as Tavares comes out of the team.
The report states that the Arsenal loanee "still annoys the staff with his efforts" and his inability to consistently follow instructions.
- Anthony Chapman
Saka 'good enough for Real'
Former Premier League star Geremi reckons Bukayo Saka could be a future Real Madrid star.
He told Lord Ping: "Saka is an unbelievable player. Of course, Saka could play for Real Madrid. He is a very special player who is still young.
"His potential is fantastic and he will only improve as a player. You can see how talented he is with his performances every week.
"I really appreciate him as a player and I think he deserves to be rewarded in his career by playing for big teams."
- Anthony Chapman
Rice key to Arsenal success
Arsenal have been told they MUST sign Declan Rice if they want to continue dining at the top table.
Emmanuel Petit said to Legal Sportsbook: “Of course, definitely. Rice would be important to Arsenal.
"If he wants to play at the top level, with all due respect to West Ham, I think it's time for him to leave the club. He has been linked with different clubs in England but if I was Rice I would go and play for Arsenal.
"If Arsenal want to stay at the top next season, Rice would be an important signing. But they need more players as well.”
- Kealan Hughes
Good morning Arsenal fans
William Saliba is willing to risk further injury by returning for Friday's home clash with Southampton.
It's claimed the centre-back is targeting that Prem match and especially the monumental clash at Manchester City on April 26.
Mikel Arteta's table-toppers are now just one four points clear of champions City, who have a game in hand.
The Gunners have turned 2-0 leads into 2-2 draws twice in a row with Rob Holding standing in for Saliba.
Midfield, though, is understood to remain Arteta's summer transfer priority.
West Ham skipper Declan Rice still tops the list, ahead of Moises Caicedo.
But it's thought Caicedo's Brighton team-mate Alexis Mac Allister is another realistic option.
The World Cup winner is rated “100 per cent” certain to move this summer.
Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been mentioned over the £60million-rated Argentinian.
Finally, the Gunners have reportedly offered super-sub winger Reiss Nelson a new contract.
West Ham, Fulham, Aston Villa and Brighton are said to be monitoring the situation.
- Ian Tuckey
Strong Will
William Saliba could be willing ready to risk further injury to play in Arsenal’s title run-in.
The centre-back has missed the last four matches with a back problem.
Saliba is ready to begin training on grass this week.
The Mail report that the 22-year-old wants to put his body on the line to potentially play against Southampton this Friday and in the huge clash with Manchester City on April 26.
However, Gunners medics are cautious over his comeback and fear that speeding up his rehabilitation could cause more damage to his lower back.
Arsenal are aware of Saliba’s importance and are working out whether it is a risk worth taking.
Mikel Arteta’s side have not kept a clean sheet in the four games that Rob Holding has deputised for the Frenchman.
The Gunners, going for their first Premier League title since 2004, have also thrown away consecutive two-goal leads, against Liverpool and West Ham.
- Ian Tuckey
Karl says Arsenal bench are Art of touch
Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff have no love lost with former Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.
Robinson faced off against Arteta and Co when Arsenal paid Oxford a visit in the FA Cup third round.
But despite losing 3-0 – courtesy of a brace from Eddie Nketiah and a Mohamed Elneny header – it was the antics of Arteta and his staff, rather than his team's performance, which riled up Robinson.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "I have seen it first hand (Arteta's antics), it isn’t necessarily always him though.
"I think there is one or two behind him that don’t conduct themselves great at time, which I was shocked by.
“Listen, they were moaning at us for going down and wasting time. I tell you what, we will play Arsenal, right, and we will give you all the ball, 95 minutes.
“We are obviously going to be looking to set-plays and taking more long throw-ins. It is part and parcel of what we have to do, but you are better than us. Then, they were having ago at me for doing that.
“I think I said one or two things and I might have been wrong. They were calling me all sorts it was quite funny. One of his staff members was calling me a cheat, this, and that, and I said ‘thank you.'”
- Ian Tuckey
TV could show 60 MORE live games a season
Premier League coverage is set to undergo a major shake-up with a further SIXTY games to be aired a season, according to reports.
The lion’s share of Prem matches have, for the last few years, been shared between Sky Sports and BT Sports – with the former having aired them close to three decades.
But Prem chiefs plan to make more matches available in order to “squeeze more money out of broadcasters” at the next domestic auction.
That’s according to The Telegraph, who claim 260 of the season-total 380 matches will available for broadcasters to pick up.
That’s an increase on the 200-a-season currently aired.
The Prem’s current TV rights deal with broadcasters ends in 2025.
It’s said that “meatier” game packages will be available to Sky and their rivals.
But some TV execs expect the number of packages to be reduced from the seven currently available.
Sky currently dominate the current package split with four – the equivalent of 128 matches per season – to their name.
BT Sport own the coveted 12.30pm kick-offs and midweek packages.
- Ian Tuckey
Reiss frightening
Arsenal have offered a new contract winger Reiss Nelson.
But the club fears he will reject it and leave on a free transfer over a lack of minutes.
The Mail claims West Ham, Fulham, Aston Villa and Brighton are all keen on signing Nelson this summer.
The ace loves playing for Arsenal but is concerned over his lack of action and could quit to become a star elsewhere.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'need Declan'
Arsenal have been told they MUST sign Declan Rice if they want to continue dining at the top table.
Emmanuel Petit said to Legal Sportsbook: “Of course, definitely. Rice would be important to Arsenal.
“If he wants to play at the top level, with all due respect to West Ham, I think it’s time for him to leave the club. He has been linked with different clubs in England but if I was Rice I would go and play for Arsenal.
“If Arsenal want to stay at the top next season, Rice would be an important signing. But they need more players as well.”
- Ian Tuckey
Still on Claud Nine
Arsenal's twerking queen still seems in high spirits despite the Prem leaders drawing twice in a row after leading 2-0.
Claudia Redheaded, the partner of defender Jakub Kiwior, showed off her dance moves with her latest post on Instagram.
The Pole is known for her intense moves, and she lived up to her reputation as she performed the 50 second long routine.
However, Kiwior may have not been in such a happy mood after Arsenal dropped points once again.
Arsenal Wag and twerking queen shows she’s not bummed about West Ham draw as she shows off impressive moves
A barnstorming start which saw them go two goals up inside ten minutes was followed up by a disjointed and sloppy display.
And when Gabriel brought down Lucas Paqueta in the penalty area, West Ham did not need a second invitation to claw their way back into the game.
Jarrod Bowen would volley home the equaliser shortly after the break, though not before Bukayo Saka missed a penalty – which Hammers fan have partly attributed to Paqueta.
With the result also following another collapse against Liverpool the week earlier, Arsenal's lead at the top of the Prem now stands at just four points.
Claudia was in attendance when Kiwior signed his contract with Arsenal in January.
She even moved to London along with the 23-year-old after his £21million transfer from Sepzia.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners explain clip of players 'blanking' mascot
Arsenal have defended their much-criticised video clip of a mascot being "blanked" by players.
Many fans, including SunSport columnist Piers Morgan and TalkSPORT presenter Laura Woods, slammed the disconnect between the Gunners' stars and the smiling young girl.
But Arsenal say it was "just one interaction" in a "whole day with the team".
That only left observers on social media even more puzzled as to why the Gunners would choose to share such a clip.
One posted: "We all agree the clip didn’t show the club and players in the best light. Looked more like a tick box exercise as opposed to genuinely caring about a young fan."
Another wrote: "I'm sure she had a great day but you would think that somebody in the media team at Arsenal would have raised a hand and said it wasn't a great look before they posted it."
And TalkTV presenter Morgan said: "Come on guys, at least one of you say hello to her?!!"
Woods later tweeted: "I contacted Arsenal, they explained this was just one interaction on a whole day spent with the team.
"We often don’t hear enough about the good footballers do. But eye contact or a smile also takes no time."
However, the little girl's dad posted: "My daughter had a lovely time as Mascot for @Arsenal. There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much. (Captain Martin) Odegaard is her favourite player so to hold his hand onto the pitch was very special."
- Ian Tuckey
Saliba 'could risk further injury' for title bid
William Saliba could be willing ready to risk further injury to play in Arsenal's title run-in.
The centre-back has missed the last four matches with a back problem.
Saliba is ready to begin training on grass this week.
The Mail report that the 22-year-old wants to put his body on the line to potentially play against Southampton this Friday and in the huge clash with Manchester City on April 26.
However, Gunners medics are cautious over his comeback and fear that speeding up his rehabilitation could cause more damage to his lower back.
Arsenal are aware of Saliba's importance and are working out whether it is a risk worth taking.
Mikel Arteta's side have not kept a clean sheet in the four games that Rob Holding has deputised for the Frenchman.
The Gunners, going for their first Premier League title since 2004, have also thrown away consecutive two-goal leads, against Liverpool and West Ham.
- Ian Tuckey
Arteta 'not rotating enough'
Emmanuel Petit has criticised Mikel Arteta’s tactics after Arsenal gave ground to Manchester City in the title race.
The Gunners drew 2-2 against Liverpool and then West Ham are leading 2-0 each time, leaving defending champions City just four points with a game in hand.
Petit told Legal Sportsbooks: “Recently yes [Arteta hasn’t rotated enough]. I think it was the same against Liverpool.
“He took some time to make subs and some players should have been involved earlier.
“The likes of Trossard, who has been brilliant since he joined. Arteta has his first XI in mind and wats to stay with them because he thinks they have been unbelievable since the beginning.
“He’s probably thinking ‘why should I change them?’ Because they were winning game after game?
“I can understand but in the meantime, as he’s such a young manager, maybe he has to learn as well from that.”
- Ian Tuckey
Man Utd and Arsenal on red alert for Alexis
Alexis Mac Allister is “100 per cent” leaving Brighton this summer.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Argentina star will give his all for the rest of the season before looking to quickly secure a move to a top side.
Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with the World Cup winner.
And it’s reckoned Brighton will let Mac Allister leave for £60million.
- Ian Tuckey
Eduardo agents points Vinga at Arsenal claim
Eduardo Camavinga’s agent Jonathan Barnett has rubbished suggestions the Real Madrid star was on the verge of joining Arsenal in January.
He said: “That was garbage (exit rumours), it’s something that wasn’t going to happen.
“He never thought of playing for another team and Real would not let him leave.
“He is going to be one of the stars of Real Madrid in the future, so why would he leave? It was all rubbish.”
- Anthony Chapman
Rice key to Arsenal succcess
Arsenal have been told they MUST sign Declan Rice if they want to continue dining at the top table.
Emmanuel Petit said to Legal Sportsbook: “Of course, definitely. Rice would be important to Arsenal.
"If he wants to play at the top level, with all due respect to West Ham, I think it's time for him to leave the club. He has been linked with different clubs in England but if I was Rice I would go and play for Arsenal.
"If Arsenal want to stay at the top next season, Rice would be an important signing. But they need more players as well.”
- Anthony Chapman
Arsenal fear Nelson free exit
Arsenal have offered a new contract winger Reiss Nelson.
But the club fears he will reject it and leave on a free transfer over a lack of minutes.
The Mail claims West Ham, Fulham, Aston Villa and Brighton are all keen on signing Nelson this summer.
The ace loves playing for Arsenal but is concerned over his lack of action and could quit to become a star elsewhere.
- Anthony Chapman
Ramsdale a world-beater between sticks
William Gallas believes Aaron Ramsdale has established himself as one of the world's best goalkeepers this season.
He told Genting Casino: "Ramsdale is maybe one of the best keepers in the world at the moment.
"But to be the best, you need to be at that level for years. This season he’s been great, but I’m still waiting to see if he will be at that level in seasons to come.
"I like to see players who perform season in, season out. They are the ones you can call the best in the world."
- Anthony Chapman
Carragher slams 'cocky' Arsenal mentality
Jamie Carragher reckons Arsenal got too "cocky" with their title race lead, handing advantage to Man City.
He said: "What I would say is when in the run-in for a title, there's always a question mark over team who haven't done it before.
"Have they got the nerve? When they lose a game or drop points have they bottled it?
"The problem over the last two weeks is they got complacent, they got cocky, that game was so easy."
- Anthony Chapman
Gunners target back on market
Dusan Vlahovic has reportedly been put up for sale by Juventus.
Arsenal missed out on the Serbian when he moved to Turin from Fiorentina in January last year.
But Vlahovic has failed to hit the heights expected of him.
And Calciomercato claims Arsenal could go back in for him this summer.
- Anthony Chapman
Arsenal title hopes still alive
William Gallas believes Arsenal's title hopes are still in their hands… as they can still beat Man City next week.
He told Genting Casino: "City look really strong, they have a big squad. Everybody knows this, that’s why everyone said it will be hard for Arsenal because the squad is stronger.
"But anything can happen in one game so they have to show their character in this game against City. They have to defend well and be compact.
"Big players won’t make a mistake in those games. It will be very interesting."
- Anthony Chapman
Big Mac on the move
Alexis Mac Allister is "100 per cent" leaving Brighton this summer.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Argentina star will give his all for the rest of the season before looking to quickly secure a move to a top side.
Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with the World Cup winner.
And it's reckoned Brighton will let Mac Allister leave for £60million.
- Anthony Chapman
Camavinga agent shoots down rumours
Eduardo Camavinga's agent Jonathan Barnett has rubbished suggestions the Real Madrid star was on the verge of joining Arsenal in January.
He said: "That was garbage (exit rumours), it's something that wasn't going to happen.
“He never thought of playing for another team and Real would not let him leave.
"He is going to be one of the stars of Real Madrid in the future, so why would he leave? It was all rubbish."
- Matt Penn
Morning, Gunners fans!
William Saliba will NOT be back in time to face Manchester City.
That is according to the Evening Standard, who also say Oleksandr Zinchenko will be back in contention to play against his old side after missing the 2-2 draw with West Ham.
And this will not have done much to prove a supercomputer wrong after it tipped City to now go on to clinch the title.
But Granit Xhaka has insisted the title is still in their hands.
He said: “This is not about our mentality and I am certain everyone will see a reaction against Southampton on Friday.
“Everything is still in our own hands if we win our remaining games, so nothing has changed on that front.
“If anyone thinks that we’d get to this point of this season by smashing all our opponents without dropping points, I think they’re not in the right position.
“We are disappointed and when things are not going well it’s easy to show the finger to someone else. But now is the time for everyone to be together."
Elsewhere, Jamie Carragher has claimed Arsenal’s collapse against the Hammers was due to them “getting cocky”.
He explained on Sky Sports: “This idea that Arsenal have bottled it or not held their nerve, I think it’s completely the opposite.
“The problem Arsenal have had is they’ve got complacent, they’ve got cocky.
“That game (West Ham) was so easy. I couldn’t believe there was a way West Ham could get back in the game.
“The only way they could get back in the game was Arsenal doing something stupid.”
In other news, the club have reportedly offered a new deal to Reiss Nelson amid interest from Brighton and Aston Villa.
Arsenal have also suffered blows in their pursuits of midfield duo Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
This is due to Newcastle earmarking them for a transfer after reportedly switching to a more aggressive and spend-happy transfer policy in the summer.
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