ARSENAL have been handed a major transfer boost in securing the services of Moises Caicedo this summer.
Caicedo's agent Manuel Sierra said: "Arsenal is a great team for everyone, let's see what happens in the summer."
Meanwhile, ex-Gunner Matteo Guendouzi has admitted to feeling 'powerless' and could make a return back to the Premier League after struggling to get game time at Marseille.
And Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out Oleksandr Zinchenko despite reports claiming that he is out for the season.
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Stay up to date with all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium
- Alex Smith
Arsenal in Cancelo boost
Arsenal are interested in Man City wantaway full-back Joao Cancelo.
He is currently on loan at Bayern and they want to keep him, according to reports.
They have a £61m option buy him but the Germans think that is too expensive.
Therefore, this could open the door for Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Mikel Arteta knows Cancelo from his days at City and Pep Guardiola has no desire to keep the player after falling out with him.
- Alex Smith
Equalling the greats
Arsenal need just one win from their remaining three matches to equal their record of 26 Premier League wins.
They achieved the milestone both times they won the league in 2001-02 and 2003-04.
The team must win all their games left to get 90 points, the same number that the Invincibles achieved in 03-04.
- Alex Smith
Brighton's good Arsenal record
Brighton have won three of their past four away games at Arsenal.
To extend that run tomorrow, they will have to do it without key players Solly March and Adam Webster after they both picked up injuries in their previous outing versus Everton.
Arsenal's William Saliba-less defence will have to deal with ex-Gunner Danny Welbeck coming back to haunt his old club.
- Alex Smith
Saliba and Zinchenko injured
William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko will not be fit enough to play versus Brighton.
Saliba could be out for the rest of the season with Arsenal not ready to rush him back from his back injury but Zinchenko could still play a part this term if he can recover from his calf issue.
Jakub Kiwior and Rob Holding will be vying to deputise for the Gunners at centre-back with Kieran Tierney to come in for the Ukrainian international.
- Alex Smith
Trossard vs Brighton
Leandro Trossard will meet his old club tomorrow as Arsenal face Brighton.
The Belgian left for the Gunners in January and has continued his good form with the title-challengers.
He quit the Seagulls after a fallout with manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian boss said ahead of this weekend's match: "Trossard is a fantastic player, he was when he played us and he still is now.
"But we have other players I am proud for and I only want to speak of them and not other players.”
Credit: Getty - Dylan Terry
MORNING, ARSENAL FANS
Declan Rice and Granit Xhaka lead the transfer talk on possibly a make-or-break weekend for Arsenal's title hopes.
And Arsenal have reportedly contacted Galatasaray full-back Sacha Boey ahead of a possible £10million deal.
West Ham boss David Moyes has accepted for the first time there is a “good chance” Rice will leave this summer.
The other good news for the Gunners over the £100m-rated England midfielder is that they remain favourites to sign him.
But the less positive spin is that both the Manchester giants, United and City, are now regarded as serious suitors.
Hammers skipper Rice, 24, is under contract until June 2024 with a club option to extend by a year – but has rejected contract extensions over the past 18 months.
Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta has played down talk of current anchorman Xhaka departing, amid links to Bayer Leverkusen.
It comes as Newcastle and especially PSG are rated as rivals to Arsenal in signing Leverkusen winger Mousa Diaby.
On the pitch, the Gunners host Brighton in the Prem at 4.30pm tomorrow.
Jorginho could again keep out Thomas Partey with a place alongside Xhaka after impressing in last Sunday's 2-0 win at Newcastle.
Leaders Man City go to lowly Everton earlier tomorrow a point ahead of the Gunners with a game in hand
- Ian Tuckey
Jorginho hopes to keep Partey out again
Jorginho is tipped to again partner Granit Xhaka in midfield at home to Brighton on Sunday – having shone in last week's 2-0 win at Newcastle.
And winger Leandro Trossard is expected to remain on the bench against his old club.
Jakub Kiwior could replace Rob Holding at centre-back – with fellow defenders Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba definitely out injured for the rest of the season.
Possible Arsenal team: Ramsdale; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
- Ian Tuckey
Mikel rates Gunners 'very far' from finished product
Mikel Arteta has warned his Arsenal title chasers that they are still miles from where he wants the club to be, writes MARK IRWIN.
The Spanish perfectionist has vowed to push League leaders Manchester City all the way to the finishing line.
But he insists they are capable of so much more than they have already achieved this season.
And ahead of Sunday’s crunch home game against Brighton he says: “We don’t have a single player who has reached his peak. Not one.
“We are still very far from where I want us to be. We can be much, much, much better at a lot of things.
“There are certain players that have to go to a different level in terms of leadership and the responsibility they have to take.
“There is a lot to do and we have to give them the tools that they know how to manipulate.
“But now is not the time to do that because I don’t want to put them in a position that they are not going to be comfortable with.”
- Ian Tuckey
Moyes reveals 'good chance' of Rice leaving this summer
David Moyes has revealed for the first time that there is a “good chance” Declan Rice will leave West Ham this summer, writes JORDAN DAVIES.
Arsenal are favourites to snap up the Hammers skipper, 24, while the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are also keeping tabs on his situation.
Rice – whose current deal expires in June 2024 with a club option to extend by a further year – has turned down several contract extensions over the past 18 months.
Boss Moyes has admitted recently that he is planning for life with and without the England midfielder, but now appears to be resigned to losing him.
The Scot said: “We would love Declan to be a West Ham player but we are aware that may not be the case come the end of the season.
“That is one of the scenarios when it comes to planning. There are plans that we have Dec here but we are fully aware that there is a good chance we won’t have him.”
- Ian Tuckey
Arteta's Champions League dream
Mikel Arteta watched this week’s Champions League semi-finals and cannot wait to rejoin Europe’s elite, writes MARK IRWIN.
The Arsenal boss could hardly take his eyes off Manchester City’s gripping 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and was thrilled by the atmosphere in the San Siro as Milan’s deadly rivals slugged it out the following night.
Now the Gunners are guaranteed to return to football’s biggest club competition after a six-year absence.
And Arteta is already counting down the days.
“The Champions League is a different level,” he says. “You see the presence of the players, the charisma, how they handle the occasion. It’s just magnificent to watch.
“It’s great for the prestige of Arsenal to be back in this competition, but that’s just the first step.
“The ultimate goal is to win the Champions League. It would be incredible to achieve that. But we still have to make many steps in the right direction to get there.
“So now we have to think about how we want to be as a club and how we are going to really represent ourselves at that level.
“There are certain ingredients you need if you want to play in that competition because the demands are very different to the Premier League."
- Ian Tuckey
Will-shock at Arsenal exit
Joe Willock has revealed the shock of not being wanted by Arsenal.
The midfielder has since turned a loan move to Newcastle into a successful £25million permanent deal in August 2021.
But the Englishman, 23, admits he probably would have stayed if the Gunners had valued him.
He told the Telegraph: “I’d enjoyed the loan but to make it permanent was a big call. I wasn’t sure I wanted to leave Arsenal.
“I probably thought I was going to go back and things would be the same. I’d be working to break into the first team again and everything would be familiar and comfortable.
“When the talk of a permanent move started I wasn’t sure, you know. The fans probably made that decision easier but also (then Newcastle boss) Steve Bruce.
“I wasn’t valued at Arsenal, that became clear. When I had a meeting with them, it was obvious they wanted me to go. Yeah, it hurt.
“At that meeting, it just felt like my time was up. I didn’t feel valued anymore and that was it, I was going to sign for Newcastle after that.”
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal confirm Barca friendly
Arsenal have added Barcelona on July 26 to their list of summer friendlies in the USA.
The Gunners are already facing Manchester United out of England for the first time, plus MLS Stars.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'close on Boey deal'
Arsenal have reportedly contacted Galatasaray full-back Sacha Boey.
Aksam say the £10million-rated France Under-20 star is closing on a summer move.
The Turkish outlet say the Gunners' approach has left Boey's other admirers taking a back step.
- Ian Tuckey
PSG dent Gunners' hopes of landing Diaby
PSG might come in for Arsenal target Moussa Diaby.
The French champions and Newcastle are reportedly keen on the Bayer Leverkusen winger.
Bu the 10-cap Frenchman, 23, could cost more than £50million.
- Ian Tuckey
Arteta dismisses Xhaka rumours
Mikel Arteta has played down reports linking Granit Xhaka with a move away from Arsenal.
German side Bayer Leverkusen reportedly hold an interest in the midfielder.
And Arteta was asked about those links today.
However, the Spaniard said: “I am not going to be replying to certain stories but I am extremely happy with Granit.
“I think he is having an incredible season, probably the best he is having at the club and we are really happy to have him.”
- Ian Tuckey
Double injury blow for Gunners
Arsenal will be without two key defenders for the rest of the season.
William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko will both miss the Gunners’ title run-in with injuries.
Arsenal are praying Man City slip up so they can sneak back into top spot.
But they will have to do it without two of their most important players.
- Ian Tuckey
Moyes reveals 'good chance' of Rice leaving this summer
David Moyes has revealed for the first time that there is a “good chance” Declan Rice will leave West Ham this summer, writes JORDAN DAVIES.
Arsenal are favourites to snap up the Hammers skipper, 24, while the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are also keeping tabs on his situation.
Rice – whose current deal expires in June 2024 with a club option to extend by a further year – has turned down several contract extensions over the past 18 months.
Boss Moyes has admitted recently that he is planning for life with and without the England midfielder, but now appears to be resigned to losing him.
The Scot said: “We would love Declan to be a West Ham player but we are aware that may not be the case come the end of the season.
“That is one of the scenarios when it comes to planning. There are plans that we have Dec here but we are fully aware that there is a good chance we won’t have him.”
- Ian Tuckey
Spurs ahead of United in race for Emi
Tottenham are winning the race to sign former Arsenal goalie Emi Martinez.
TYC Sports claims Man United and Chelsea are keen on landing the Argentina World Cup winner.
But Spurs have stolen a march as they look to replace Hugo Lloris.
Martinez has told Aston Villa he wants to leave and hopes to agree a swift exit once the season ends.
- Ian Tuckey
Could McTominay exchange be key to Rice deal?
Manchester United offering Scott McTominay in part-exchange could be the key to landing Declan Rice.
That anyway is the theory of Stan Collymore, who believes Old Trafford rather than Arsenal would be "best" for West Ham's England midfielder.
Ex-Liverpool and Three Lions' striker Collymore said in his column for Caught Offside: “He’s obviously in demand and is likely to be at the centre of a summer battle.
"But I actually think going to Manchester United would be the best move for Declan Rice.
“Rice is the exact type of midfielder they’ve been crying out for, for years. He’s powerful, dynamic and can run box-to-box for days.”
Collymore argued: “Although the Red Devils probably wouldn’t want to splash £120m on one midfielder, especially when we all know how much Erik Ten Hag wants a new striker, I can definitely see a situation where they offer some money and a player.
“I think including Scott McTominay in an offer would be quite appealing to West Ham.”
- Ian Tuckey
Dahoud'set for Brighton not Arsenal
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud is likely to join Brighton rather than Arsenal.
So says transfer guru Fabrizio Romano after it was all but confirmed the twice-capped German will leave the Bundesliga on a free transfer in the summer.
Sky Germany revealed the Gunners' interest in Dahoud back in March.
Romano tweeted:“Brighton are closing in on verbal agreement to sign Mahmoud Dahoud as free agent.
"Deal’s now very advanced, waiting to fix final details and then sign documents.
“Could be 3rd signing after João Pedro [done] and Milner [almost done] — if all goes to plan.”
- Ian Tuckey
Toon eye McTominay if they can't sign Rice
Newcastle will focus on signing Scott McTominay if they miss out on Declan Rice.
That's the latest claim after Manchester United and their neighbours City were tipped to rival Arsenal for West Ham's main man Rice.
Scotland star McTominay has mainly been used off the bench in his 21 Prem games for the Red Devils this season.
And Toon chief Eddie Howe is a long-term admirer, with theIndependent suggesting the Magpies are increasingly keen.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's status as overwhelming favourites to recruit £100million-rated England anchorman Rice has weakened.
And yesterday it was even suggested the Gunners would prioritise Rice if a huge-money move for a world-class striker like Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen came to nothing.
- Ian Tuckey
Zubimendi keen NOT to move
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has appeared to rule out a summer move to Arsenal.
He said: “I have never planned to leave Real Sociedad — I always say that.
“I love life here, at home, I’m so happy here.
“The value of this club are same as mine so I feel very good, I always said that I’m happy.”
- Ian Tuckey
Tuchel hails role models Arsenal
Thomas Tuchel claims Arsenal are role models for his goal-shy Bayern Munich side.
The ex-Chelsea chief is impressed at how the Gunners spread their goals around.
And Tuchel admits it's tough to find a world-class centre-forward like Harry Kane – as "everyone wants one".
Bundesliga leaders Bayern have bagged just nine games in eight games since Tuchel launched his reign with a 4-2 win over title rivals Borussia Dortmund in March.
He said: "The big teams in the Champions League that are dominating at the moment have a reliable No.9 at absolute world class level. Everyone is looking for one, everyone wants one.
"Arsenal are an example of spreading the goals across several shoulders.
"If we’ve been together for a while and had a good preparation, we’d be able to create chances even if we don’t get a world-class No.9.
"Our goal is to have several players with around 16 goals."
- Ian Tuckey
Liverpool told to pursue 'Arsenal target' Caicedo
Liverpool have been urged to rival Arsenal for Moises Caicedo.
Reds legend John Barnes reckons the Brighton anchorman is a better option than Bayern Munich outcast Ryan Gravenberch.
The former England winger also believes Liverpool need a powerhouse like Caicedo rather than more attack-minded midfielders like his Seagulls' team-mate Alexis Mac Allisteror Chelsea's Mason Mount.
Barnes told Wettfreunde: “I would go for Moises Caicedo because Mac Allister is decent but he’s more inclined to get forward and we need more defensive midfield players.
“Caicedo for me is the obvious choice because Liverpool have so many attacking midfield players already.”
“We don’t need a creative midfielder player. We need someone to sit in front of the back four and Caicedo is one of the best defensive midfield players in the league.”
- Giacomo Pisa
De Zerbi gives Brighton team news
Brighton will be without Solly March and Adam Webster for Sunday's game against Arsenal.
March was forced off with an injury in last weekend's 5-1 home defeat to Everton.
But talented striker Evan Ferguson is fit to face the Gunners.
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi said: "We are not in such good condition but we will decide on the squad tomorrow.
"Solly March, Adam Webster won't be available for Sunday, but Evan Ferguson is."
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