REAL MADRID are interested in replacing Carlo Ancelotti with Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta in the summer.
However, the former Premier League midfielder has shrugged off any claims linking him with the Spanish giants.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been described.as "the best wingers in Europe".
Elsewhere, Arsenal legend David Seaman has his say on the Gunners' Premier League title bid.
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- Kiro Evans
'Benchmark for all of us'
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim has praised the work Mikel Arteta has done at Arsenal.
The Gunners head to Portugal tonight and ahead of the game the Sporting boss made clear how much he admired his counterpart.
Amorim said: "The manager of Arsenal is the benchmark for all of us. Arteta was able to withstand the pressure, which is unbearable in the Premier League, and now his work is bearing fruits.
"That's an important lesson to clubs and fans everywhere. In order to enjoy the fruit, you need to have patience and wait."
- Kiro Evans
'Oh la la big man'
Arsenal fans love a hilarious reaction between two of their former strikers after AC Milan knocked Tottenham out of the Champions League.
Milan frontman Olivier Giroud was being interviewed by CBS pundit and Gunners legend Thierry Henry after the 0-0 draw.
And Henry could not help but joke around with his fellow Frenchman.
As the interview began, he said: "Hey, oh la la, the big man.
He added (in French): "The guy is handsome, beware!"
- Kiro Evans
Seaman Support
David Seaman reckons Arsenal’s bid for Premier League glory is in safe hands with “phenomenal” Aaron Ramsdale, writes SunSport’s Tony Little.
Arsenal legend Seaman said: “He’s making big saves all the time. There was one on Saturday [against Bournemouth] that was world class.
“There’s a confidence building in him and it is a calm confidence. As a goalkeeper, you can’t be like flying here, there and everywhere and ranting and raving.
“People forget Aaron’s only 24. What he’s doing at 24 is phenomenal.”
- Kiro Evans
A Big European Test
Arsenal return to European action for the first time in four months as they head to Portugal.
After building up a head of steam in their fight for the league, Europa League knock-out games may almost feel like a distraction.
Arsenal are potentially only 12 games away from winning the league again but Mikel Arteta will be keen for the club to put up a fight in Europe as well.
All eyes will be on the team news to see if the boss risks resting any stars.
It likely won't be a straight-forward game, as North London rivals Spurs found out in September.
- Kiro Evans
Thank You Jesus
Gabriel Jesus was pictured in Arsenal training yesterday in a big boost to the Gunners.
The striker has been out of action since picking up a knee strain in the World Cup.
But he is now out of leg brace and fit enough to train, raising hopes he may be available for selection soon.
Gabriel Jesus goes head-to-head with Jakub Kiwior as the Brazilian looks to recover his fitness - Kiro Evans
Ju Think?
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry reckons he knows where Jude Bellingham wants to go.
The English teen is tipped to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer and head to one of the many European giants keen on his signature.
Speaking on CBS, Henry aired his theory of where Bellingham has his heart set.
He said: "Bellingham wants to play for Liverpool, right? Everyone knows that."
Liverpool legend and fellow pundit Jamie Carragher, grinning from ear to ear, replied: "I hope so."
- Kiro Evans
Sporting a Good Record
Arsenal had to Portugal tonight boasting a very good record against tonight's opponents.
This will be the fifth meeting between the Gunners and Sporting Lisbon in European competitions, with the London club yet to lose or even concede a goal.
However Sporting have progressed from their previous six previous Uefa Cup/Europa League ties with English sides, and caused Spurs plenty of problems in the Champions League group stages earlier this season.
- Kiro Evans
'Best two in Europe'
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are "the best two wingers in Europe" according to the man out to stop them this evening, writes Mark Irwin.
Sporting Lisbon's Dutch defender Jerry St Juste admits he expects to face "a dynamic Arsenal".
Saka and Martinelli have been involved in 37 goals this season and St Juste said: "They have a lot of quality they prove that weekly at the highest level.
"It's going to be an exciting challenge."
- Kiro Evans
Get Real
Mikel Arteta has shrugged off reporters linking him to Real Madrid, writes SunSport's Mark Irwin.
Spanish media claim Madrid want the Gunners boss to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the summer.
But Arteta said: "As a manager I cannot control things written about me.
"But what I can tell you is I am fully focused on the job I am doing here and I am extremely proud and grateful to do what I am doing with this football club. And that's it."
- Dylan Terry
Morning, Arsenal fans
Leandro Trossard is a huge doubt for tonight's Europa League last-16 first leg at Sporting Lisbon.
But fellow Gunners' frontman Gabriel Jesus is in full training after being out since the World Cup.
Trossard and Eddie Nketiah sat out yesterday's practice session.
But another absentee, left-back Kieran Tierney, is just thought to have been feeling unwell.
It comes as Tierney is again being linked to Newcastle.
This time, however, it's been stressed the Scot has voiced no complaints about largely playing second fiddle to Arsenal's outstanding summer buy Oleksandr Zinchenko.
But the most exciting news around the Emirates concerns Jesus, with reports the Brazilian is not holding back in training following his recovery from knee surgery.
Arteta said: "I don't want to give a timeline but he's doing certain things with the team, certain things outside the team. He's not very close but he is not far at all.
"He's feeling better every day and the doctors are confident with the way the injury is evolving and we are in a good place with him I think."
Transfer wise, the Gunners are regarded as rivals to Manchester United and Chelsea for Napoli winger Hirving Lozano.
And Marco Asensio's contract talks with Real Madrid are said to have stalled, sparking more talk of renewed interest from Arsenal in the summer.
- Ian Tuckey
‘Barca in for Utd and Arsenal target Thuram’
Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram on a free transfer in a blow to Premier League sides.
The French international – whose contract at the Bundesliga side is set to expire in the summer – has a host of admirers.
Premier League sides including Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been linked with moves for him.
They may all find it more difficult to land Thuram as Barcelona are now interested in signing him, according to fichajes.
The report suggests that the 25-year-old could arrive as a replacement for Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres.
Barca could be tempted to cash in on one of them in order to alleviate their financial struggles.
The club are currently dealing with an impending transfer ban which would make registering new players difficult.
Thuram also has ties to Barcelona as his father, Lilian, played for the club between 2006 and 2008.
The forward has been in great form this season for Monchengladbach.
He has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
- Ian Tuckey
Bailly and Tavares struggling
THE loan plights of Eric Bailly and Nuno Tavares at Marseille have taken another plunge.
Manchester United central defender Bailly and Arsenal left-back Tavares joined the French giants for the season in search of regular starts.
But a scathing verdict has been delivered – for very different reasons.
Ivory Coast star Bailly, 28, has impressed – when he's not been injured or picking up a SEVEN-GAME ban for a shocking challenge.
But Portuguese ace Tavares, 23, has struggled defensively, albeit looking menacing when pushing forward.
And ex-Marseille midfielder Jean-Charles de Bono hopes it's "fake news" that there's a clause in both players' deals forcing the second-placed Ligue 1 club to buy them in the summer.
- Ian Tuckey
Scramble predicted over Lozano
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea could join a scramble for Napoli winger Hirving Lozano.
The runaway Serie A leaders are braced for a summer bidding war over the Mexico star, 27.
Credit: Rex The hottest speculation is that Chelsea will launch a huge offer, despite all of Graham Potter's spending in January.
But a string of other European clubs are said to be keen, including United, the table-topping Gunners and Liverpool.
Indeed, Lozano has been one of the Italian giant’s most important players this term, with them currently sitting 15 points clear at the top of the table.
The wideman has notched three goals and three assists in 24 league games this season.
And Italian journalist Raffaele Auriemma told Radio CRC: “Chelsea likes the Mexican footballer, given that the Blues coach likes this type of winger.”
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners boost as 'Real's Asensio talks stall'
Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Marco Asensio as his contract talks with Real Madrid have reportedly stalled.
The Spaniard is believed to be keen on staying at the Santiago Bernabeu but his contract is set to expire at end of the season.
The attacking midfielder was offered a new deal a few months ago but it is still yet to be signed, according to Marca.
The report suggests that the proposed deal is a long way off what he is demanding.
Marca claims that he has been offered a deal worth £3.56million per year, while he is aiming for a wage increase to £5.34m per year.
It is also said that his agent – Jorge Mendes – is being "inflexible in this type of negotiation".
- Ian Tuckey
'Toon monitoring Tierney'
Kieran Tierney is reportedly being eyed by Newcastle as well as other Prem clubs.
But it's also claimed the Arsenal left-back has made no complaint about being only back-up to summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko
According to 90min, Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta would love to keep the Scot.
But Arteta is also said to realise that the 25-year-old might eventually press for more regular starts.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners keen on Trevan
Arsenal are battling Chelsea for Birmingham City starlet Trevan Sanusi, as detailed in a report from Football Insider.
The 15-year-old has rejected contract Scholarship offers from the Championship outfit and is set to leave the Midlands club next month when the turns 16.
But the report states that is the Blues who are pushing hardest to get a deal done for Sanusi and it is Graham Potter’s side who are in pole position as things stand.
- Ian Tuckey
Trio out of training
Leandro Trossard was among those absent ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie with Sporting CP.
Eddie Nketiah and Kieran Tierney are also set to miss the trip to Portugal.
Trossard was forced off in the first half of Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Bournemouth last Saturday due to a groin injury, with Mikel Arteta admitting it is “a worry”.
- Ian Tuckey
'Barca in for Utd and Arsenal target Thuram'
Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram on a free transfer in a blow to Premier League sides.
The French international – whose contract at the Bundesliga side is set to expire in the summer – has a host of admirers.
Premier League sides including Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been linked with moves for him.
They may all find it more difficult to land Thuram as Barcelona are now interested in signing him, according to fichajes.
The report suggests that the 25-year-old could arrive as a replacement for Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres.
Barca could be tempted to cash in on one of them in order to alleviate their financial struggles.
The club are currently dealing with an impending transfer ban which would make registering new players difficult.
Thuram also has ties to Barcelona as his father, Lilian, played for the club between 2006 and 2008.
The forward has been in great form this season for Monchengladbach.
He has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
- Ian Tuckey
Caicedo keen to be spoke about
Moises Caicedo is happy to put up with speculation around his future having just penned a new deal at Brighton.
The Ecuador midfielder says he trains hard every day to ensure people are always talking about his talent.
Brighton rejected two bids from Arsenal during the January window, with the second one of £70million sparking Caicedo to go public with his desire to leave.
The Seagulls stood firm and last week agreed a surprise new contract with their star man until 2027.
Arsenal remain interested in the 21-year-old, while Chelsea are also keeping tabs on his progress.
He told Sky Sports: "People want to speak about me, the other players as well. Brighton have a lot of good players with a lot of quality, intelligent players.
"I am happy for that, people speaking about me.
"That is why I train well every day, show my best football. That is why, for people to keep speaking about me."
- Ian Tuckey
'Utd and Arsenal target Fati offered to clubs'
Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati has allegedly been offered to “half of Europe” by his agent Jorge Mendes.
We reported last month how a trio of Premier League clubs had allegedly been in contact with the ace over a potential summer transfer.
The trio of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all circling for Fati, whose current deal contains a world record €1billion (£898million) release clause.
The Spain ace, 20, has a contract at Barcelona until 2027.
However, their president Joan Laporta has announced that he wants to sign another forward this summer but one will have to depart.
With Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele being first-choice, then that would leave Fati, Raphinha or Ferran Torres as the likely ones to be sold.
Fati announced a fortnight ago that he wanted to stay at the Nou Camp – but Catalan journalist Joan Fontes claims that the youngster could be sold.
- Ian Tuckey
Mbappe 'barely considered' Gunners' move
Kylian Mbappe 'barely considered' joining Arsenal for a brutal reason – despite meeting with Arsene Wenger.
The French superstar, 24, burst on to the scene with Monaco, breaking into the first team as a 16-year-old in December 2015.
Compatriot Wenger visited the teenager at his home to try and seal a deal in 2016.
But after unsuccessfully landing the rising star, Wenger made another attempt a year later.
However, L'Equipe state Mbappe gave a switch to the Emirates very little thought.
That is because Arsenal failed to qualify for the 2017-18 Champions League.
Mbappe said in 2018 upon joining PSG permanently: "I met with Arsene Wenger, who is a great coach.
"He has a great reputation here in France, he's well-respected and knows how to develop young players. This was a real option for me.
"I dream of being managed by Arsene Wenger. He is French, he's had a great career and now he is free because he has left Arsenal.
"We weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of all the clubs but my family told me it had to be my decision and one I needed to make.
"It also had to be a long-term decision. So it was up to me and I decided to come here in order to develop."
- Ian Tuckey
Moises still keen to make noises
Arsenal target Moises Caicedo is hoping his performances ensure people ‘keep speaking’ about him, while he is adamant he is happy at Brighton after penning a new deal.
He said: “People are gonna speak about me, other players as well!
“Brighton have a lot of good players, a lot of quality, a lot of intelligent players.
“I’m happy for that, people speaking about me. That’s why I train well every day, to show my best football as well so people keep speaking about m
- Kealan Hughes
Saka loved ex Arsenal star
Bukayo Saka has revealed he was most impressed by Mesut Ozil when he initially joined Arsenal's first team.
Saka made his senior debut under Unai Emery shortly after his 17th birthday, back in 2018.
Saka told Football Focus: “I think I would probably say Mesut Ozil.
“He plays in his own world. Some of the things he does and you look at him ‘just wow’.”
- Kealan Hughes
Brighton register Reiss Nelson interest
Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson.
The 23-year-old has struggled for regular first-team football under Mikel Arteta this season, making just three starts and five substitute appearances for the Gunners across all competitions.
West Ham and Everton are also said to be interested in the winger.
- Kealan Hughes
Seaman backs Ramdale for England No1
David Seaman has urged Aaron Ramsdale and his Arsenal team-mates to forget about history and write a new chapter for the club as he backed the goalkeeper to become first-choice for England.
The ex-Arsenal keeper told PA: “People forget he's only 24,” Seaman told the PA news agency.
“So that is amazing for me because I didn't join Arsenal until I was 26 – what he's doing now at 24 is just phenomenal.
“There's a sign outside the dressing room, written on the wall: ‘This is our time' and that's exactly what it is. It is their time right now. Never mind what's gone on before, they've got a chance of making it their time.
“The mentality is right at the club now – I think that's why you see all that excitement, especially after the last-minute goal to beat Bournemouth on Saturday.
“Everybody went crazy because they know what it means. Because there are many that haven't been there before they're so excited about it, but it's about keeping that calmness as well.”
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