7am Arsenal news LIVE: Leno LATEST – ‘out for a YEAR’, Hart eyed as goalkeeper replacement, Guendouzi potential ban – The Sun
ARSENAL are continuing the assess the serious injury suffered by Bernd Leno, and could bring in Joe Hart as a replacement.
The former England goalkeeper is being released by by Burnley next week and would compete with Emiliano Martinez for the number one jersey.
Follow all the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip below…
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Matteo Guendouzi escaped a three-match ban for grabbing Brighton's Neal Maupay around the neck.
The French midfielder, 21, was filmed throttling the Seagulls ace at the end of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at The Amex.
An FA statement read: “Matteo Guendouzi’s conduct during this incident was not seen by the match officials at the time, but it was subsequently reviewed by the VAR, so he will face no further action.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners are reportedly considering an emergency swoop for Joe Hart.
The Express claims Mikel Arteta could sign England’s former No1 after seeing Bernd Leno suffered a serious injury against Brighton.
The German was stretchered off during the first half of the defeat at the Amex.
And Arsenal fear Leno could be out for some time, leaving just Emiliano Martinez between the sticks.
However, Hart is said to have emerged as an option after Burnley confirmed his exit at the end of the month.
Elsewhere, super-agent Mino Raiola is reportedly in talks with both Arsenal and Roma over a potential swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Justin Kluivert.
Italian outlet Calcio Mercato claim the Serie A side are keen on keeping Mkhitaryan at the club after a successful loan stint this season.
And the Gunners are hoping to leverage the Armenian in a move for Dutch prospect Kluivert, with Raiola in contact with the club over a swap deal.
Yet Roma are said to be unwilling to accept a straight swap and believe Kluivert is more valuable than Mkhitaryan.
SWEET FA
Exclusive by Charlie Wyett: FA Cup replays could be axed completely next season.
Football chiefs are looking at ways to ease fixture chaos in what will be a jam-packed campaign.
And one option is getting rid of all replays due to the late restart of English football — even though some clubs could lose out financially.
The plan will be popular with clubs facing playing two games a week for much of the next season, as both the Premier League and EFL are likely to start in mid-September.
This season saw the FA Cup scrap replays from the fifth round onwards.
GUNNER BE TOUGH
Ally McCoist has echoed SunSport's Alan Shearer in claiming that Arsenal face being ‘seriously average for the foreseeable future’ unless they spend big in the transfer market.
He told talkSPORT: “It’s worrying for them.
“What’s worrying is if the club don’t address this situation before their contracts run out, which they’ve got a history of doing which is shocking business; really, really poor business.
“Arsenal are weak. I’m watching them play against a team like Brighton, who are fighting for their lives and fighting for survival and I just don’t see it with Arsenal.
“I see one or two really talented players, particularly Aubameyang and Pepe, who scored a great goal, but I just think they lack a bit of spine, they lack a hardness about them right through the spine of the team.
“And I’ll tell you what, if they don’t spend serious money they are going to be average for the foreseeable future.”
FERGIE TIME
Gary Neville has urged Mikel Arteta to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson to solve Arsenal’s defensive crisis.
Speaking on his podcast, the former United defender said: “They just need defenders with better concentration.
“There were elements of me that were emotional when I was a player Sir Alex Ferguson would knock it right out of me.
“He always said ‘I hate emotional defenders’. He thought defenders have to be ice-cold. You are going to make mistakes as a goalkeeper and a defender.
“But it's the second mistake where you try to win it back and you give away a penalty. It's where you try and win it and you can't win it.
“You've got to put away your ego when you're a defender. Delaying helps because your team-mates come back. You get too many defenders who try and win the first ball and try to dive in, and we've seen that with Arsenal's defenders over the years.
“David Luiz, [Shkodran] Mustafi, Sokratis [Papastathopoulos] when he plays, they like to challenge when they don't have to challenge.
“They feel like they have to win the ball, and sometimes it isn't there to win.”
TAKING THE MKHI
Super agent Mino Raiola is reportedly in talks with both Arsenal and Roma over a potential swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Justin Kluivert.
Italian outlet Calcio Mercato claim the Serie A side are keen on keeping Mkhitaryan at the club after a successful loan stint this season.
And the Gunners are hoping to leverage the Armenian in a move for Dutch prospect Kluivert, with Raiola in contact with the club over a swap deal.
Yet Roma are said to be unwilling to accept a straight swap and believe Kluivert is more valuable than Mkhitaryan.
OVER THE MEUN
Arsenal and Spurs target Thomas Meunier has reportedly signed a four-year deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Bild claims the Belgian right-back, 28, will move to Germany once his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires at the end of the month.
Meunier joined PSG from Club Brugge for just £5million in 2016.
He made 128 appearances in the French capital and won a number of trophies including three Ligue 1 titles.
PLANE STUPID
A plane carrying a message “white lives matter Burnley” has flown over the Etihad during their clash with Manchester City.
The disgraceful incident came just moments after all players took a knee in solidarity for the global Black Lives Matter movement.
PHIL ME IN
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes his old club must do “all they can” to bring Arsenal target Philippe Coutinho back to Anfield.
He told Sunday World: “I think Liverpool should do all they can to bring him back to Anfield.
“I know there will be some fans out there who might be surprised by my call for Liverpool’s owners to hand Coutinho a route back to Anfield, but let me explain why I think this transfer could work for all parties.
“Despite his troubles in Spain, we are talking about a class player here who lit up the Premier League. He was a big hero of the Anfield faithful during his time at the club.
“He understands how English football works and would not need long to acclimatise if he returns to Liverpool. Crucially, this loan move could be funded within the tight financial boundaries Klopp is working with this summer.”
SHEAR DROP
SunSport columnist Alan Shearer has claimed that “unless Arsenal seriously back boss Mikel Arteta in the transfer market then they will have to get used to being mediocre.”
The Toon legend wrote: “With an FA Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United next weekend they do still have a chance to salvage their season.
“But if they don’t make Europe they will find it very hard to attract the names I’m sure fans are screaming out for.
“I heard Arteta say if they don’t spend then they will not move forward.
“I’m sure he knows what he needs but he is going to need substantial backing just to ensure they don’t stand still and move even further away from the top teams.
“If he’s not given the money to spend, I find it very hard to see Arsenal closing that gap any time soon.”
SURREAL ESTATE
David Luiz has given fans a glimpse inside his footballer's mansion complete with a huge garden and plush kitchen.
The Arsenal flop will have plenty of time to make the most of his huge house after being sent off in the disastrous 3-0 defeat at Manchester City last week.
Featuring on MTV cribs, Luiz gave viewers a tour of his London home alongside close pal Gustavo who was filming it on his phone.
LU BLEW IT
Ruud Gullit has admitted that he’s never understood the hype around David Luiz.
The Dutch legend told Ziggo Sport: “Yes, David is not doing well.
“I think he’s an overrated player, really. When he played in midfield I thought he was reasonable, but then there was already discussion about what he actually is as a player.
“But he preferred to play as a defender… Well, we all remember the match between Brazil and Germany (7-1 at the 2014 World Cup). I just can’t understand it!
“Most clubs have done away with him, but he keeps coming back somewhere.”
TITLE TALK?
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed that Arsenal could be among the challengers for the Premier League next season.
He told the Manchester Evening News: “I think every season the opponents get stronger. Liverpool will remain the strong team they are, we are seeing how Chelsea are investing in this transfer market.
“We saw in the last period how Man United made a step forward. Tottenham are going to recover a lot of injured players, with Son, Harry Kane and other players and with an experienced manager like [Jose] Mourinho they are always going to be strong.
“Arsenal with more time with Mikel [Arteta] is going to happen – and Leicester you know.”
GOOD NIC
Former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka has named Arsene Wenger and Sam Allardyce as his two best managers.
The Frenchman has played under the likes of Chelsea coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Guus Hiddink, and Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Yet Anelka believes none of those three were able to get the best out of him.
He told Bolton’s official website: “For me, I take into consideration football, attitude, my understanding with the coach, mentality and how he used me on the field and because of this there is only two names: Big Sam and Arsene Wenger.
“They knew how to use my qualities to get the best out of me.”
ON THEIR ARSENALS
Arsenal have lost two games from two since football returned from the coronavirus blackout.
And if the Gunners' form does not improve under Mikel Arteta, they could come 15TH which would be their worst Premier League finish ever.
Arsenal have just 40 points from 30 games so far – eight points above Brighton in 15th.
And Gunners could easily move down the table rather than up as four of their last eight Premier League games are against opponents above them in the League.
They have to travel to Wolves and bitter rivals Tottenham, as well as hosting high-flying Leicester and champions in waiting Liverpool.
The Gunners' worst ever Premier League finish was 12th in the 1994/95 season.
But since then, they have not finished lower than sixth in the English top flight.
VAR REVIEW?
SunSport's Duncan Wright reckons VAR should have looked at Guendouzi's throat grab on Maupay.
A lot of fans are bemused that the French midfielder has been let off.
MORE ON GUENDOUZI
Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi has somehow escaped a three-match ban for grabbing Brighton's Neal Maupay around the neck.
The French midfielder, 21, was filmed throttling the Seagulls ace at the end of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at The Amex.
An FA statement read: “Matteo Guendouzi’s conduct during this incident was not seen by the match officials at the time, but it was subsequently reviewed by the VAR, so he will face no further action.”
Referee Martin Atkinson was only a couple of yards away when frustrated Guendouzi lashed out after the final whistle.
But he did not take any action for what appeared at the time to be a clear red-card offence.
Both clubs were reminded of their responsibilities following a feisty end to the clash – which was Arsenal's second straight defeat since the season resumed, where Bernd Leno suffered what appeared to be a season-ending injury.
SHOULD HE BE BANNED?
How has the French midfielder skipped any censure for this?
GUENDOUZI SKIPS BAN
Matteo Guendouzi has managed to dodge a three-match ban for grabbing Neal Maupay by the throat.
TUNE IN
Here are Arsenal's upcoming games and where to find them on the telly.
DEAL OR NO DEAL: DANI CEBALLOS
The jury is still out on Ceballos, but fan site Arseblog is reporting that a deal has already been reached for the midfielder to see out the season.
Ceballos himself has given mixed messages regarding where he sees himself next season.
When he first joined on a season-long loan the 23-year-old hinted he would be keen to turn it into a permanent deal.
But only last month he said he still sees himself as “a Real Madrid player” and told TVE that he wants to fight for his place at the Bernabeu.
DEAL OR NO DEAL: CEDRIC SOARES
Arsenal fans will be wondering just why Soares was ever signed in the first place.
The loan from Southampton could cost as much as £5m in total – despite the right-back never playing a game yet.
His contract at St Mary's runs out on June 30, with it likely he won't be getting a new one.
There will be eyebrows raised if he has done enough to prove to Arteta that he is worth an Emirates extension.
DEAL OR NO DEAL: PABLO MARI
The Spaniard had looked decent in the few games he had played for Arsenal since joining on loan from Brazilian club Flamengo.
But an injury picked up in the Manchester City loss could have cost him his chance.
Mari's loan is up and if no deal is agreed he could return to South America.
But the Gunners could exercise a buy-option for just £14m, and it's clear he had added some steel int he backline before picking up his ankle injury.
DEAL OR NO DEAL?
Arsenal have less than 24hours to decide whether to keep four of their players for the rest of the season.
Let’s look at these four players and what their futures hold in store.
David Luiz
Gunners thought they had snaffled a bargain when they snapped up Luiz for just £8m from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
But Luiz has made a number of high-profile errors, the latest coming in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City when he gave away a penalty and was then sent-off.
After that game the defender said the defeat was “his fault” and then said that he “should have made a decision” about his future.
The option for the one-year extension is up and it's anyone's guess whether Arteta sees him as the future.
LAYVIN IN WAIT
Arsenal face a transfer tussle with Chelsea as the Blues join the race for PSG’s free left-back Layvin Kurzawa.
Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for bargain deals this summer after the Gunners’ already limited budget was further hit following the coronavirus crisis.
The Blues have reportedly eyed Kurzawa, 27, as a back-up option to top target Ben Chilwell as SoccerLink claim the Leicester man’s eye-watering £80million fee has put a spanner in the works.
According to recent reports, Brendan Rodgers’ side are confident of keeping the 23-year-old safely in their clutches this summer.
Marcos Alonso and Emerson have both struggled to hit the ground running this season meaning the West Londoners are on the look-out to revamp their left-flank this coming window.
RUUD REMARK
Ruud Gullit has branded David Luiz as “overrated” and wonders why Arsenal signed a player who flopped for Brazil at the World Cup six years ago!
The Dutch legend told Ziggo Sport: “David is not doing well. I think he’s an overrated player, really.
“When he played in midfield I thought he was reasonable, but then there was already discussion about what he actually is as a player.
“But he preferred to play as a defender… well, we all remember the match between Brazil and Germany (7-1 at the 2014 World Cup). I just can’t understand it!
“Most clubs have done away with him, but he keeps coming back somewhere.”
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