FORMER Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has hit out at the Gunners claiming that the club's 'politics' left him no choice but to head for the exit.
The German international lost his no.1 status to Aaron Ramsdale and he believes that it wasn't down to performance or quality.
Meanwhile, the dream of luring Wilfried Zaha to the Emirates could be over as Crystal Palace have offered their talisman a new long-term contract.
And Arsenal get their Europa League campaign underway this evening with a clash against Swiss side FC Zurich.
But Thomas Partey, Cedric Soares and Emile Smith Rowe are all set to stay in London due to injuries.
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- Jake Lambourne
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal visit Zurich tonight to mark their Europa League return.
The hosts' manager Franco Foda is expected to have a well-stocked side for their big contest against the Gunners.
However, Foda will have to continue without centre-half Ilan Sauter and Shakhtar Donetsk loanee Bogdan Viunnyk as they are both injured.
Elsewhere, the North Londoners remain light in midfield with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny still in the treatment room, while Reiss Nelson is going through his own recovery process.
But Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh blow as Emile Smith Rowe sustained an injury in the Manchester United warm-down.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa ace and Arsenal summer target Douglas Luiz will leave Villa Park as a free agent next summer.
Luiz was chased by three top Premier League clubs this summer after entering the final year of his deal.
Chelsea were known to be keen before they eventually plumped for Juventus ace Denis Zakaria on loan.
Liverpool also kept tabs on the midfielder until they pulled off a loan swoop for Juve’s Arthur Melo.
But it was the Gunners who led the charge for Luiz on transfer deadline day, having a £23million bid turned down by Villa.
But despite being happy to stay at the Midlands this term, UOL report the Brazil international has already decided to leave Steven Gerrard’s team when his contract expires in 2023.
The 24-year-old is eager to extend his Premier League tenure.
And Fulham star Bernd Leno has launched a stinging attack on Arsenal as he revealed he left the club due to “politics not performances”.
Leno told Sport Bild: “When I realised that it wasn’t about performance or quality, I knew that I had to go.
“In preparation, I saw that it is not about performance, but only about politics. It was clear to me: I had to get out of here.
“The most important thing for me is to find my rhythm again.
“Especially after I wasn’t actually able to train properly at Arsenal and had no preparation. It’s up to me to get the focus back on the national team.”
Finally, Arsenal were left frustrated late in the summer transfer window due to their move for Wolves ace Pedro Neto being scuppered by Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners' bid for Neto collapsed when the Molineux outfit upped the winger's price after Morgan Gibbs-White’s exit.
Gibbs-White was sold to Forest for a fee which could go up to £42.5m, but this will require all the add-ons in the deal to be met, with the upfront fee just £25m.
According to The Athletic, this deal left the North Londoners “alarmed” as they knew Wolves may up their asking price for the Portugal international.
That is exactly what happened, as Wolves demanded £50m for the 22-year-old ace which was more than what Arsenal were willing to splash.
- Kostas Lianos
Your not the one
Arsenal pulled out of the transfer race for Leicester ace Youri Tielemans over doubts that he would not be the right fit for the team.
According to journalist Pete O'Rourke the Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta was "not interested enough" in signing Tielemans.
O'Rourke told Give Me Sport: "The offer of around £23million for Douglas Luiz would have been enough to land Tielemans – so I think we can take from this that Arsenal lost belief that he was the right fit for their team.
"They were interested but not interested enough"
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal's young gun
Arsenal have promoted Lino Sousa to their first-team squad ahead of their Europa League game against FC Zurich.
Sousa, 17, who is part Brazilian, trained with Mikel Arteta’s senior squad earlier today.
And now The Athletic report that he will travel to Switzerland for tomorrow’s match.
The left-back moved to the Emirates from West Brom in January and has made an instant impression at youth level.
The defender broke straight into Kevin Betsy’s Under-23 side and then travelled to Germany with them in pre-season under new coach Mehmet Ali after Betsy left for Crawley Town
Credit: Getty
- Kostas Lianos
Balogun on Lacazette
Arsenal ace Folarin Balogun joked former Gunners star Alexandre Lacazette should be his agent after a fast start to life in France.
Balogun joined Reims on loan for the season and has five goals in just six games.
The forward revealed his former team-mate encouraged him to make the switch to France as he felt he had the skillset to succeed there.
In an interview with Amazon Prime Video, Balogun said of Lacazette: “He’s a great player.
"When he was at Arsenal he would always help me progress and improve, teaching me techniques and giving me advice.
"I remember speaking to Lacazette and he kept on telling me: ‘You need to go to Ligue 1, you will do well here’.
"Maybe he should become my agent as well because he has a great knowledge of football”
- Kostas Lianos
Shot in the foot
Arsenal were left frustrated late in the summer transfer window due to their move for Wolves ace Pedro Neto being scuppered by Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners' bid for Neto collapsed when the Molineux outfit upped the winger's price after the departure of Morgan Gibbs-White.
Gibbs-White was sold to Forest for a fee which could go up to £42.5million, but this will require all the add-ons in the deal to be met, with the upfront fee just £25m.
According to The Athletic, this deal left the North londoners' alarmed' as they knew Wolves may up their asking price for the Portugal international.
That is exactly what happened, as Wolves demanded £50m for the 22-year-old ace which was more than what Arsenal were willing to pay
- Kostas Lianos
Douglas Luiz to leave
Aston Villa ace and Arsenal summer target Douglas Luiz will leave Villa Park as a free agent next summer.
Luiz was chased by three top Premier League clubs this summer after entering the final year of his contract.
Chelsea were known to be keen before they eventually plumped for Juventus star Denis Zakaria on loan.
Liverpool also kept tabs on the midfielder until they pulled off a loan for Juve’s Arthur Melo.
But it was the Gunners who led the charge for Luiz on transfer deadline day, having a £23million bid rejected by Villa.
But despite being happy to stay at the Midlands this term, UOL report the Brazil international has already decided to leave Steven Gerrard’s side when his deal expires in 2023.
And the 24-year-old is eager to extend his Premier League tenure
- Kostas Lianos
'I had to get out'
Fulham star Bernd Leno has launched a stinging attack on Arsenal as he revealed he left the club due to “politics not performances.”
Leno told Sport Bild: “When I realised that it wasn’t about performance or quality, I knew that I had to go.
“In preparation, I saw that it is not about performance, but only about politics. It was clear to me: I had to get out of here.
“The most important thing for me is to find my rhythm again.
“Especially after I wasn’t actually able to train properly at Arsenal and had no preparation. It’s up to me to get the focus back on the national team”
Credit: Getty - Kostas Lianos
Zurich vs Arsenal preview
Arsenal visit Zurich on Thursday to mark their Europa League return.
The hosts' boss Franco Foda is expected to have a well-stocked side for their big contest against the Gunners.
However, Foda will have to continue without centre-half Ilan Sauter and Shaktar Donetsk loanee Bogdan Viunnyk as they are both injured.
Elsewhere, the North Londoners remain light in midfield with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny still in the treatment room while Reiss Nelson is going through his recovery process.
But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been delivered a fresh blow as Emile Smith Rowe sustained an injury in the Manchester United loss warm-down
- Kostas Lianos
Europa League squad confirmed
Arsenal have confirmed their Europa League team and it includes Marquinhos as well as three other potential debutants.
The Gunners kick their European comeback off away to Zurich on Thursday.
The North Londoners' squad of 24 players was unveiled on the official UEFA website on Monday.
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Turner, James Hillson
Defence: Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney
Midfield: Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Matt Smith
Attack: Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Marquinhos
- Kostas Lianos
Partey international call-up
Ghana have called up injured Arsenal ace Thomas Partey for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua.
Partey has been injured and unavailable for the Gunners for their last three games and last week manager Mikel Arteta said he is likely to be out "for a while".
The midfielder counts 40 caps and the Ghanaian national team are set to play Brazil on September 23 and Nicaragua four days after that
- Kostas Lianos
Failed Torres bid
Arsenal tried to sign Barcelona star Ferran Torres in the summer transfer window.
But a £26million bid for Torres was reportedly scuppered by Barca boss Xavi.
The Gunners were set to seal a deal for the ex-Manchester City star until the Spanish tactician overruled his board’s decision to let him leave, according to El Nacional.
The forward only joined the Blaugrana from City during this past January transfer window
Credit: Getty - Alex Smith
Arsenal's player of the month
Arsenal have released their four nominations for player of the month.
The Gunners have started exceptionally well this season and August's winner will be tough to choose.
Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and William Saliba are the four up for the prize.
- Alex Smith
Neville questions Arsenal's strategy
Pundit Gary Neville has criticised Arsenal's transfer strategy regarding the pursuit of Douglas Luiz.
They saw a £23million offer for the midfielder rejected on deadline day and it left the ex-United full-back confused why they left it so late to bid.
He said: "We asked Mikel Arteta on the first game of the season, we said to him 'are you going to do any more business?'
"He said he did, in midfield. Why did they wait until transfer deadline day to bid for Luiz? Why did they wait that three, four weeks?
- Alex Smith
Luiz to become free agent
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz could leave the club on a free transfer next summer.
Arsenal were one of the clubs to show an interest in him during the recent transfer window – as did Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Gunners even had a deadline day bid worth £23million rejected for him as Steven Gerrard refused to let the Brazilian go with no time to replace him.
- Alex Smith
How might Arsenal line-up?
Arsenal get their Europa League journey off to a start tomorrow as they face FC Zurich.
Mikel Arteta is expected to make changes to the side he has used consistently in the Premier League.
They face Everton on Sunday and need to get back to winning ways after losing to Man Utd so the Gunners could name this starting XI.
- Alex Smith
Spurs to face four ex-Gunners
Tottenham face Marseille in the Champions League tonight.
And four former Arsenal stars are part of the OM team.
Matteo Guendouzi, Sead Kolasinac, Nuno Tavares and Alexis Sanchez all play for the Ligue 1 side.
They are not the only names familiar to Premier League fans as Dimitri Payet, Eric Bailly, Chancel Mbemba and Jordan Veretout.
- Alex Smith
Arsenal's wage bill
Bukayo Saka is shockingly one of Arsenal's lowest paid players.
Only new back-up goalkeeper Matt Turner [£20,000-a-week] pockets less money than the England international in North London.
Figures from Sportrac say Saka picks up just £30k-a-week on his current deal, despite him being one of the Gunners most important players.
- Alex Smith
Leno hits out at Arsenal
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno left Arsenal this summer and he has hit out at his former employers.
Leno has shockingly said: "When I realised that it wasn't about performance or quality, I knew that I had to go.
"In preparation, I saw that it is not about performance, but only about politics. It was clear to me: I had to get out of here.
"The most important thing for me is to find my rhythm again.
"Especially after I wasn't actually able to train properly at Arsenal and had no preparation."
- Alex Smith
Ferdinand claims Arteta got it wrong
Rio Ferdinand believes Mikel Arteta is to blame for Arsenal's defeat to Man Utd.
The Spaniard made a triple sub bringing on Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah on the 74th minute.
Ferdinand thinks this move cost them the game.
He said: "I think Arteta was almost like a rabbit in the headlights. He just panicked, I think. It felt like he panicked in the situation.
“I think in the cold light of day he doesn’t make those three substitutions as quickly as he did.
"They were controlling the game and it gave United the impetus. Manager to manager – Erik ten Hag won the game.
“I think Arteta was super confident. He had a right to be, they’d won five on the bounce.
“That maybe built an arrogance in the way he made his substitutions. He’ll look back and realise he probably went a bit gung-ho.”
- Alex Smith
Henry laughs at Tottenham and Dempsey
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was on punditry duty during last night's Champions League action for CBS.
He was joined by Jamie Carragher and former Spurs star Clint Dempsey.
The panel was asked who they thought would win this season's competition.
Henry said Manchester City but Dempsey had other ideas.
Dempsey: "I’ll do something different. I’ll pick a dark horse. I’m not biased at all but I’ll pick maybe Tottenham.”
Henry and Carragher then burst out laughing.
Henry: “Shall I leave now? What?
Dempsey: “Conte’s a winner. Not necessarily with a great record in the Champions League but I think it’s them. They’re looking like they’ve gone strength to strength. They’ve done well in the transfer window.”
Henry: “Not that, not that. [Facing away] this is how I’m going to sit. I’m out.”
Credit: Getty - Alex Smith
Wright sad to see Bellerin leave
Hector Bellerin has departed Arsenal for Barcelona having been at the club since for ten years.
He spent last season on loan at his boyhood club Real Betis but a move their was not available.
Gunners legend Ian Wright has expressed his disappointment in seeing him go.
He said: "If I’m going to be totally honest, I was desperate for him to go to Betis.
"But obviously, they can’t afford him. I just hope he could go there (Barcelona) and just have a nice realisation, play well and do great.
“He’s one of the great ones I think, for us (Arsenal), in respect of a club servant and the way he was. The injuries took their toll on him, that knee, that was a horrible one.
“I really, really am so sad to see him go. You just want him to be happy, I want him to have happiness, he deserves it."
- Alex Smith
Trusty the future?
Many may have forgot about the signing of Auston Trusty from Colorado, who arrived in January this year.
He was loaned back to the MLS side and is now on loan at Birmingham in the Championship.
The centre-back has been one of their standout players this season with him receiving high praise from fans and his manager.
Birmingham boss John Eustace said: "Auston has been brilliant, his attitude is different class, he has stood up to the plate. He wants to learn. We are very fortunate to have him here."
- Alex Smith
Tavares hits out at Arsenal
Nuno Tavares is out on loan at Marseille, who play Tottenham in the Champions League tonight.
But the Portuguese full-back has hit out at Mikel Arteta and the Gunners.
He said: "At Arsenal, I do not know if it was a problem of competition with Kieran Tierney, but for me, that's not even the point,
"I came to Marseille to finally be able to play in my position. When signing with OM, I wanted to have an option to buy, but Arsenal refused.
"With my agents, we always wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal didn't.
"Now I'm at OM, and with or without an option, I'm happy.
"At Arsenal, I would have probably only played in the cup. I came to Marseille to play in my position, in the Champions League, in the league and in the cup [competition].
"Marseille gave me this opportunity."
- Jake Lambourne
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal visit Zurich on Thursday to mark their long-awaited Europa League comeback.
The hosts' boss Franco Foda is expected to have a well-stocked side for their big contest against the Gunners.
However, Foda will have to field a team without Ilan Sauter and Shakhtar Donetsk loanee Bogdan Viunnyk, who are both injured.
Elsewhere, the North Londoners remain light in midfield with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny still in the treatment room whilst Reiss Nelson is still going through his recovery process.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh blow as Emile Smith Rowe sustained an injury during the team’s warm-down after their loss to Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were looking to sign Barcelona star Ferran Torres in the summer transfer window.
But a £26million move for Torres was reportedly scuppered by Barca manager Xavi.
The Gunners were set to seal a deal for the ex-Manchester City star until the Spanish tactician overruled his board’s decision to let him leave, according to El Nacional.
The forward only joined the Blaugrana from City during the past January transfer window.
And Ghana have called up injured Arsenal star Partey for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua.
The midfielder has been injured and unavailable for the Gunners for their last three matches and last week manager Arteta said he is likely to be out "for a while".
The 29-year-old counts 40 caps and his national team are set to play Brazil on September 23 and Nicaragua four days after that.
Finally, Arsenal pulled out of the transfer race for Leicester star Youri Tielemans over doubts that he would not be the right fit for the team.
That is according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, who claims Arteta was "not interested enough" in signing Tielemans.
O'Rourke told Give Me Sport: "The offer of around £23m for Douglas Luiz would have been enough to land Tielemans – so I think we can take from this that Arsenal lost belief that he was the right fit for their team.
"They were interested but not interested enough."
- Kostas Lianos
Jesus lashes out
Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus is adamant his team was "so much better" than Manchester United despite their 3-1 defeat – and they need to quickly shake off the frustration.
Jesus said: “We are not happy because, in my opinion, we should win because we played so much better.
“The feeling is frustration because we controlled the game. We were better than them and then we just concede.
“We came to play against a strong opponent and it’s always hard, it’s the Premier League.
“That’s football, they have quality as well and then if you don’t go there and kill, you are going to have a big problem – and that’s what happened”
Credit: Reuters
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