12pm Arsenal news LIVE: Thomas Partey urged to join Arsenal by team-mate, Aubameyang transfer LATEST, Gunners kit leaked – The Sun
ARSENAL got in the mood for their return to Premier League action with a 6-0 friendly win over Charlton at the Emirates on Sunday as hotshot Eddie Nketiah scored a hat-trick.
Off the pitch uncertainty reigns over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future but former defender Martin Keown has urged the club to strip him of the captaincy.
While Thomas Partey has been urged to join the Gunners by a team-mate on the Ghana national team.
Follow all the latest updates from North London below…
UP AND AT 'EM
Arsenal will have to move quick if they want to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.
The Gunners are sure to make moves to improve their backline this summer.
And centre-half Upamecano is just one of a long list of names to be linked with a switch to the Emirates.
The 21-year-old, who has struggled since the resumption of the Bundesliga after coronavirus, has a release clause of £53m.
And according to German newspaper Bild, Leipzig could ACCEPT a bid for the player rather than lose him for free in the summer of 2021.
But Arsenal need to get moving as the release clause expires on June 30.
NOT A FAIR CHANCE
Dwight Yorke has called out club owners for not giving black managers a fair chance.
Rooney Rule that was brought in last year, but the former Manchester United forward is not impressed, saying: “This Rooney Rule hasn’t been implemented for years.
“I know Sol Campbell, I spoke to Sol Campbell. He went to Grimsby, he was trying his nuts off just to try and get a job.
“He went to Macclesfield, someone who’s played the level he has, and now he’s at Southend.
“When you see other players – I can call names, but I won’t – other players have been fast forwarded and fast-tracked.
“The one response I get – I’ve applied for the Villa job twice now – I get one response from the CEO and his response to me was, ‘I need experience.’
“Where am I going to go and get experience if I’m not being given a chance?”
WHO'S IN THE MASK?
Kieran Tierney stood on the touchline during Arsenal's mid-season friendly against Charlton last week.
The Scot is nearing a return from injury.
'CAPTION THIS'
Bukayo Saka asked for a caption competition on his latest Instagram post and his Arsenal team-mates responded in kind.
Gabriel Martinelli said: “What a player.”
And David Luiz said: “I love this boy.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's response was the funniest though.
View this post on Instagram
Caption this ?
A post shared byGod’s Child ? (@bukayosaka87) on
ROCA 'N ROLL
Arsenal are “still favourites” to land Espanyol’s Marc Roca, according to reports.
The Express claim that the midfielder is under contract until next summer and the club will likely have to make sales due to their position at the bottom of LaLiga and the financial effect of coronavirus.
According to La Razon, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners is the most likely destination.
Roca reportedly has a £35million release clause.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
It's a happy 32nd to Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has urged the club to strip contract rebel Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy despite him only taking over from Granit Xhaka in November.
The wantaway striker, 30, is edging closer to the Emirates exit door with just a year left on his current deal.
The 53-year-old told talkSPORT: “I think the message needs to be to the player, ‘Look, we can’t have you captaining the club if there’s uncertainty around your contract’, in the last year of his contract, that can’t be allowed to happen.
“I think he’ll leave with a heavy heart.
“I think he’s the nearest thing I have seen to Thierry Henry at the football club and the club will have to make swift decisions.
“They can’t allow what happened a few years ago with the transfers just going on and on. The club needs direction.”
Meanwhile, Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits his Arsenal future is out of his hands.
The Armenian told the Futbol with Grant Wahl podcast: “Of course I would like to be at Roma next season, not only next season [but] for another few years, but I still have a contract with Arsenal and it’s not up to me.
“It’s up to Arsenal and Roma if they will agree terms of the transfer fee.
“Of course, if I’m not going to stay at Roma I have to go back to Arsenal.
“I’m not complaining, football life changes so quickly so you have to be ready to play wherever you are.
“If not in Rome, I’m going to go back and play for Arsenal, if not, I’m going to stay here and play for Rome.”
Finally, Arsenal target Thomas Partey has been urged to test himself in a new country.
Ghana pal Joseph Larweh Attamah told Mundo Deportivo: “I would be happy if he goes to Arsenal. He’s done everything at Atletico, and is recognised as one of the world’s best midfielders.
“He has to go to another league to prove himself.
“He needs people to know he is capable of succeeding outside of Spain.”
STAT'S NOT IDEAL
Here are some Opta stats ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash with Man City.
- Arsenal have lost their last five league matches against Man City; they last had a longer losing run against an opponent between 1974 and 1977 against Ipswich Town (seven in a row).
- This will be both Manchester City’s and Arsenal’s second competitive match played in the month of June in their histories – Man City beat Newport County 5-1 at home in a second tier match in 1947, while in the same year Arsenal lost 1-2 at Sheffield United in the topflight.
- 12 of the last 16 Premier League goals Man City have scored against Arsenal have been in the first half, scoring at least twice in the opening 45 minutes in four of their last six meetings.
PARTEY TIME
Arsenal target Thomas Partey has been urged to test himself in a new country.
Ghana pal Joseph Larweh Attamah told Mundo Deportivo: “I would be happy if he goes to Arsenal. He’s done everything at Atletico, and is recognised as one of the world’s best midfielders.
“He has to go to another league to prove himself.
“He needs people to know he is capable of succeeding outside of Spain.”
ANDY ADVICE
Ander Herrera reckons Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are key to Man Utd’s future success.
But the trio can first give Utd a boost in the current top four hunt against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Herrera, now at PSG, told The Athletic: “They have the quality to be among the top 10 in the world.
“Why do we admire Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, or Hazard, who I also think is one of the best in the world?
“We admire them because they keep that form for a long time.
“If they do it, they will become… maybe not Messi or Cristiano, because they are unique in the history of football… but they can be top five or top 10.
“But they have to do it for a long time and keep it up.
“It is the same for Paul [Pogba]. Rashford is on his way to doing it. And Paul can be the best midfielder in the world if he keeps playing those games where we are all amazed by him.
“But to keep it at that level is the most difficult thing in football. To keep at it Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday, every time.
“If those three can do that, Manchester United will win the Premier League soon, for sure.”
‘NO HESITATION’
Tino Anjorin has revealed why he snubbed Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Borussia Dortmund to stay at Chelsea.
He said: “It’s a brilliant feeling. I’ve been at the club since I was six so to get to this stage and then be offered a five-year contract is amazing.
“I had no hesitation but to take it straight away because to play for the club I always dreamed of playing for is really special to me.
“I’ve been at Chelsea for so long so it feels really special to get this new long contract.
“It gives me a few years to keep developing and try to push into the first team.
“I still have a lot of hard work to do to get there but hopefully I can do it and inspire the next group of youngsters coming through.”
TINO TIME
Tino Anjorin has signed a new five-year Chelsea contract amid the coronavirus crisis.
The young attacking midfielder has been at the club since he was six years old.
Anjorin broke into the first team earlier this season and was wanted by Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
He can play in midfield, as a striker or on either wing, and could fill the void left behind by Pedro and Willian.
NEVER SAY NEVES
Spurs are lining up a summer swoop for Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
The Portuguese playmaker has also been linked with Arsenal.
Jose Mourinho reckons he can beat Mikel Arteta to Neves' signature when the transfer window opens.
But it remains to be seen if Neves fancies a move away from Molineux.
LIVE A LITTLE
Liverpool are two wins away from winning the title – and no one will be able to claim they have paid their way to the top.
New statistics show Manchester City's net spend over the last five years is nearly six times more than Liverpool's.
RU THE DAY
Juventus outcast Daniele Rugani could be on his way to the Emirates next season alongside returning loan ace William Saliba to form a revamped defence.
Is this how the Gunners will line up under Mikel Arteta in the 20/21 campaign?
I'LL LEAVE OR ROMA-IN
Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits his Arsenal future is out of his hands.
The Armenian told the Futbol with Grant Wahl podcast: “Of course I would like to be at Roma next season, not only next season [but] for another few years, but I still have a contract with Arsenal and it’s not up to me.
“It’s up to Arsenal and Roma if they will agree terms of the transfer fee.
“Of course, if I’m not going to stay at Roma I have to go back to Arsenal.
“I’m not complaining, football life changes so quickly so you have to be ready to play wherever you are.
“If not in Rome, I’m going to go back and play for Arsenal, if not, I’m going to stay here and play for Rome.”
KIT'S OUT OF THE BAG
More images of Arsenal's shirt for next season have been leaked online.
WON'T MAX OUT CREDIT
Arsenal have joined rivals Tottenham in the transfer race for Norwich right-back Max Aarons but refuse to pay the £30m valuation, according to reports.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to add another right-back into his squad to compete with Hector Bellerin but limited funds in the Emirates camp could prove a stumbling block.
Aarons has shone for Daniel Farke’s side despite their relegation struggles this campaign, clocking up 27 appearances out of a possible 29.
But the bottom-of-the-table Canaries look set to lose one of their most-prized assets in the summer, with Arsenal now joining Spurs and Manchester United in the battle for the London whizkid, according to Goal.
The 20-year-old, who last summer signed a five-year deal to tie him to the club until 2024, is primarily a right-back but has proven to be equally as comfortable on the opposite side.
GET YOUR FIX
The weekend of Friday June 19 to Monday June 22 is currently looking like THE weekend for football after its return following coronavirus.
Here's how it looks.
Friday June 19
PL Norwich vs Southampton (6pm), Spurs vs Man Utd (8.15pm)
Saturday June 20
PL Watford vs Leicester (12.30pm), CH Fulham vs Brentford (12.30pm), BU Dortmund vs RB Leipzig, Bayern vs Freiburg (2.30pm), CH WBA vs Birmingham, PL Brighton vs Arsenal (3pm), West Ham vs Wolves (5.30pm), Bournemouth vs Palace (7.45pm).
Sunday June 21
CH Cardiff vs Leeds (noon), PL Newcastle vs Sheffield Utd (2pm), Aston Villa vs Chelsea (4.15pm), Everton vs Liverpool (7pm), SA Inter vs Sampdoria (8.45pm)
Monday June 22
SA Lecce vs AC Milan (6.30pm), PL Man City vs Burnley (8pm), SA Bologna vs Juventus (8.45pm)
KIT'S ALRIGHT
Has PES leaked Arsenal's home and away kits for next season?
Kit designer for the game (an unofficial one anyway) Nikita_23 has shared his designs on Instagram.
Pretty slick if you ask me.
Arsenal FC Home kit 20/21 Link sider version: https://yadi.sk/d/A18nEIDY6ZkP5Q You can donate to my project PayPal: [email protected] #arsenal #arsenalkit #epl #england #efootballpes2020 #peskits #kitspes #kitmaker #pes #kits #officialpes #myclub #jersey #pes2020 #pes19 #pespatch#adidasfootball#pesedit #konami #football #soccer#futbol #[email protected] @officialpes @the.arsenal.way#kits_nikita23k
A post shared byNikita23K ?? (@nikita_23k) on
STAT'S NOT IDEAL
Opta have released their pre-match preview stats for Arsenal's game against Manchester City.
Plenty of food for thought for Mikel Arteta here.
- Manchester City have won their last six matches against Arsenal in all competitions, their best ever winning run against the Gunners.
- Arsenal have lost their last five league matches against Man City; they last had a longer losing run against an opponent between 1974 and 1977 against Ipswich Town (seven in a row).
- This will be both Manchester City’s and Arsenal’s second competitive match played in the month of June in their histories – Man City beat Newport County 5-1 at home in a second tier match in 1947, while in the same year Arsenal lost 1-2 at Sheffield United in the topflight.
- 12 of the last 16 Premier League goals Man City have scored against Arsenal have been in the first half, scoring at least twice in the opening 45 minutes in four of their last six meetings.
HISTORIC
Who could ever forget, one of the biggest days in Arsenal's history.
HE'LL LEAVE WITH HEAVY HEART
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has urged the club to strip contract rebel Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy despite him only taking over from Granit Xhaka in November.
The wantaway striker, 30, is edging closer to the Emirates exit door with just a year left on his current deal.
The 53-year-old told talkSPORT: “I think the message needs to be to the player, ‘Look, we can’t have you captaining the club if there’s uncertainty around your contract’, in the last year of his contract, that can’t be allowed to happen.
“I think he’ll leave with a heavy heart.
“I think he’s the nearest thing I have seen to Thierry Henry at the football club and the club will have to make swift decisions.
“They can’t allow what happened a few years ago with the transfers just going on and on. The club needs direction.”
USE YOUR HEADS
Mikel Arteta has been telling his Gunners players to start thinking on their feet during games.
The Spaniard has, according to the Express, been showing the players how to work on their “situational understanding.”
In plain speak, they need to react to what’s going on during games.
There is no doubt that Arsenal’s players have become slowly naive over the past few years, especially in defence.
Arteta has been working on their tactical nous ahead of the huge Premier League clash on June 17.
ROOF AUBA HIS HEAD
Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has given fans a glimpse of his stunning mansion by letting MTV Cribs in to film around his luxury pad.
The Gunners striker let football fans get a good glimpse of what Premier League riches can buy you.
The tour kicked off with his children's playroom.
Gabon international Aubameyang suggested the space for his two sons, Curtys and Pierre, was the “craziest room in the house”.
He explained on MTV: “I remember when I was young I didn't have a lot of space. I'm a guy who wants the best for them so I try to give them the most space.”
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