Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Martinelli to miss rest of season, Martin Odegaard 'set' for new contract, Rice latest | The Sun
ARSENAL star Gabriel Martinelli is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering ankle ligament damage in Sunday's defeat to Brighton.
Elsewhere, Gunners star Martin Odegaard is reportedly in line for a new contract at the Emirates.
The Norweigan has been in top form this season and has been key to the club’s title challenge.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to open talks with West Ham over a move for Declan Rice – and they are willing to smash their transfer record, according to reports.
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- Henry Tomlinson
Ferdinand blasts Arsenal's lack of leaders
Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Arsenal is lacking leaders to motivate the players after disappointing results.
He said on his podcast: "The first time I won the league right, we went and drew at Bolton away and the team we were chasing was Arsenal and they won that weekend.
"I was sitting in the changing room thinking we've thrown it away man. I was down, shoulders slumped in my chair sitting there thinking what are we going to do man?
"And I went in the shower and I remember hearing Roy Keane and Gary Neville going 'ah it's a great point. It's a hard place to come we'll go next week and go again this is a good point'. And my whole vibe changed, my body language, everything changed.'
"Now was there anyone doing that in the changing room at Arsenal after the games against West Ham, Southampton, Liverpool.
"Was there anyone in that dressing room who went to that young team, young players, all those inexperienced players that haven't been around titles.
"Was there someone going – 'Listen, wow 2-2 at Anfield is a big result for us. Where have they been the last few years, what have they done'."
- Henry Tomlinson
Doubts on Arteta title credentials
Simon Jordan has claimed that Mikel Arteta is not good enough to win the Premier League with Arsenal next season.
He told talkSPORT: "I worry – to use a Souness-ism – that Arteta is a son-in-law.
"I am not sure he has this particular gear in those narrowing of the eyes that concentrates players’ minds to get them to the next level. Something was lost and it wasn’t just [William] Saliba that didn’t get you past those games.’
"Well done for finishing second in the league. Not so well done for snatching defeat from the joys of victory.
"Are they going to build on it? Is the next step to win the league? I don’t think it is."
Credit: AP - Henry Tomlinson
Bent gutted if Arsenal star leaves
Darren Bent has insisted that he would be gutted if Arsenal sold Granit Xhaka this summer.
He told talkSPORT: "I’ll be pretty gutted about that because you said there he’s been exceptional.
“Certainly, the way he’s improved in that more advanced role, I think that suits him more.
"I’ll be gutted to see him leave.”
- Henry Tomlinson
Ramsdale looks up to Alisson
Aaron Ramsdale has revealed that he looks up to Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
He told the Premier League YouTube channel: "Alisson‘s a very good one. He always has time for you at Liverpool.
"And he’s probably one where you see his mentality, nothing will phase him. Mistake, goals.
"So he’s the goalie I look at mentality-wise and that’s where I want to get to."
- Henry Tomlinson
Martinelli to miss season finale
Garbiel Martinelli will reportedly miss the final two games of the season.
The Arsenal star limped out of the game against Brighton following a late challenge from Moises Caicedo.
According to The Athletic, the attacker will not feature again this season.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Henry Tomlinson
Henry warning for Balogun
Arsenal prospect Folarin Balogun has been warned by Thierry Henry to make sure he plays regular football next year to stop his career from stalling.
Henry told CBS: "For him next year, it is important that he plays.
"I don't know if he will play for Arsenal, With England, he had to battle with Callum Wilson, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Tammy Abraham, Harry Kane.
"He is a great player for USA as they are missing that No.9.
"He has been great in France, now he has to find a team where he will play next year."
Credit: AFP - Henry Tomlinson
Arsenal team news for Forest clash
Mikel Arteta has some setbacks of his own as wonderkid Gabriel Martinelli looks set to join William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny on the sidelines after coming off early in the Brighton loss with a foot injury.
But Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) could return after being spotted in last week's training session.
- Henry Tomlinson
Arsenal to look different
Mikel Arteta's potential line-up next season could look quite different after the summer transfer window.
The club have been linked with moves for Declan Rice, Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo.
This would see the team consist of four former Manchester City stars, including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.
- Henry Tomlinson
Arsenal 'in for Xhaka replacement'
Arsenal have been linked with a shock replacement for outgoing midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is a potential replacement, according to German outlet Bild.
The Etihad ace is out of contract at the end of the campaign and Pep Guardiola has publicly said he wants the midfielder to stay, but his future remains up in the air.
Bild claim Gundogan wants longer than a one-year deal, with Barcelona thought to be keen.
However, the reports states Arsenal have also emerged as potential suitors.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta previously worked with Gundogan when he was assistant coach at City.
Credit: Getty
- Henry Tomlinson
Forest have long injury list
Steve Cooper will have to navigate past Arsenal with another lengthy injury list.
Scott McKenna (shoulder), Neco Williams (head), Chris Wood (thigh), Gustavo Scarpa (knock) and Dean Henderson (thigh) are all expected to miss the encounter with Arsenal.
While, Omar Richard (leg), Emmanuel Dennis (knock), Jack Colback (head) and Giulian Biancome (cruciate ligament) is likely to join their other teammates in the treatment room.
- Henry Tomlinson
Burnley ‘looking at Arsenal ace’
Vincent Kompany is reportedly looking to add Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi-Lokonga to his squad ahead of next season.
A report in The Mirror, claims that the 23-year-old could be handed a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Kompany worked with the Belgian during his time as Anderlecht's manager.
Credit: PA - Henry Tomlinson
Another City raid
Arsenal are reportedly preparing a shock move for Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo.
The Portuguese defender was deemed to be surplus to requirements by City boss Pep Guardiola in January and farmed out to Bayern Munich on loan.
And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is hoping to bolster his squad this summer with the acquisition of the out-of-favour wing-back.
That's according to The Daily Telegraph, who claim the north Londoners have been alerted to his potential availability by his failure to impress new Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.
Although Arsenal are keen on Cancelo, they're concerned City won't sell him to them.
That's on account of the fact Arteta's troops have virtually taken the defending Premier League champions right down to the wire in a thrilling title race this season.
- Henry Tomlinson
Rice 'not worth £120m'
Former Arsenal star Gilberto Silva has poured cold water on the move for Declan Rice by claiming his price tag is too high.
He told Neue Online Casinos: "Normally you see this sort of price for strikers, not central midfielders.
"It feels quite high, even though there is no doubting the quality of the player, but it does feel like a very high price.
"When you compare him to other players who play in a similar position and have moved for big money, he offers a different perception and the price is totally different.
"Ultimately, it will all depend on the needs of the market."
- Henry Tomlinson
Arsenal boost for Rice
Arsenal have been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Declan Rice.
Former Chelsea star Florent Malouda has suggested that there would be no point in the midfielder joining the Blues as they are at the same level as West Ham.
He told BoyleSports about Premier League betting: "When you look at his quality, he’s one of the first names on the England team sheet and delivering every single week with West Ham. This is a player, like Mason Mount, who is yet to reach his full potential. He is used to the Premier League, so he would really not be a huge financial risk. Rice needs a lot of game time, so it becomes a question of where do you fit him in?
"He needs to play every game, he needs to continue to develop and then he can be truly scary. Declan knows Chelsea, but he will still be able to develop in terms of his performances because he wants to continue his performances with England and to win trophies, domestically and internationally.
"But what is the difference between Chelsea and West Ham right now? Apart from the wages and the transfer fee, there is not much Chelsea can offer him right now that West Ham can’t. So this brings us back to the project, where we have to try to compete with clubs who have Champions League football and title ambitions."
Credit: AFP - Henry Tomlinson
Aubameyang back in international football
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has announced his international comeback – after a stern talking-to from Gabon's president.
The former Arsenal striker ended his 72-cap Panthers career last year amid rows over unpaid bonuses.
But, as SunSport revealed, the west African country's president Ali Bongo Ondimba ordered Auba to his palace for talks last week.
The 33-year-old has now come out of retirement in time to face DR Congo next month.
Aubameyang said: "A few days ago I had the huge honour of being received by the president of my country. At the same time I was able to listen to his wise words, which he uttered like a father talking to his son.
"In consequence I am making myself available to my national team, and to the coach Patrice Neveu. Of course we have had discussions with him as well. Once a Panther, always a Panther."
- Henry Tomlinson
When is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?
- Nottingham Forest will look to end Arsenal's title hopes once and for all on Saturday, May 20.
- It is scheduled to get underway at 5:30pm UK time.
- City Ground in Nottingham is the allocated arena for this match and it can host approximately 30,445 fans.
- Arsenal ran riot in the reverse fixture by thrashing Forest 5-0.
Napoli 'want Arsenal flop'
Serie A giants Napoli reportedly want to sign former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.
According to Sport24, the Greek star is viewed as a replacement for Kim Min-Jae who has agreed to join Manchester United.
The 25-year-old only made seven appearances for the Gunners in the Premier League before leaving permanently in 2022.
Gunners linked with Simmons
Arsenal are reportedly a potential destination for PSV star Xavi Simmons.
The former PSG ace has excelled in Holland since joining the club on a free transfer in 2022.
Eindhoven manager Aad de Mos has said: "His agent change indicates that he is searching [for a new club].
"Maybe he's thinking about Arsenal. His new agents have a lot of contacts there."
Odegaard ‘in line for contract’
Martin Odegaard is reportedly set to be offered a new contract.
According to the Evening Standard, the Gunners are keen to tie down their club captain to a longer and improved deal.
Odegaard has been in top form this season and has been key to the club’s title challenge.
Young Gunners off to U17 Euros
Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis Myles-Skelly have both been selected for England’s campaign at the U17 Euro Championships.
They will be part of the squad that travels to Sunday for the finals between May 17 and June 2.
Nwaneri is set for a key role, having scored six goals in six games during the qualification process.
Myles-Skelly has also featured in every game, scoring one goal.
Arsenal to challenge again?
Limpar has also suggested that Arsenal will be a Premier League challenger yet again next season.
He told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "It's going to be a two-horse race next again next season; it's going to be Manchester City and Arsenal. Liverpool will be there or thereabout in third or fourth place, with Man United.
"But I think next season is a two-horse race. We're going to bring in a couple of top, young players who are going to be there long-term.
"This summer, and next season, is about learning from mistakes from this campaign. Last season was similar; we didn't show up for the last five games and it cost us Champions League football.
"That's the main thing which needs to be talked about in the dressing room: what happens mentally when it comes to the last few games of the season? It's the most important time of the year, you have to be 100% focused, all of the time. They have to talk a lot about their mentality this summer."
- Henry Tomlinson
Rice backed to score more at Arsenal
Former Arsenal star Anders Limpar has backed Declan Rice to score between 15 to 20 goals a season if he joins the Gunners this summer.
He exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "I'd like a Frank Lampard kind of midfielder; someone who can find 15 or 20 goals a season; a two-way player.
"We have good players in Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, but how many goals do they have between them this season in the league? Eight in 66 games… come on… they're such good sitting midfielders and excellent passers of the ball, but they have to produce 15 to 20 goals between them.
"If we can find a two-way player with 15 to 20 goals in their locker, we'll be up there next season. I think Declan Rice can be that man. OK, his numbers right now aren't at that level, but he's playing for West Ham, who are having a terrible season.
"If you put him in that Arsenal team, he's probably going to score 12 to 15 goals a season. He's the best in England in his position, so if you add him to that Arsenal team, he's going to produce goals, for sure.
"There are always question marks around transfer fees, and in my opinion, the figures being spoken about nowadays are absolutely crazy. But if Arsenal can get him in the summer, he'd be a great addition."
Credit: AP - Henry Tomlinson
Fans want attacker in Rice deal
West Ham fans have been discussing which players they would want in a potential swap deal with Declan Rice.
The Hammers captain looks set to leave the club this summer, but interested parties will want to bring down his £120million price tag.
And fans have suggested that if Emile Smith Rowe was offered in part exchange, then a lower price could be accepted.
One fan wrote: "£90m cash plus Smith-Rowe would be good business."
A second added: "If we could take Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson as part of the deal then that's better than anything we'd get off Chelsea and even Man city IMO."
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
Bayern ‘raving’ about Rice
Decision makers at Bayern Munich are reportedly raving about top Arsenal target Declan Rice.
The West Ham star is on the club’s shortlist, according to BILD.
However, the club are aware that a move will be very expensive and that they face competition from Premier League clubs.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Man United are all also interested in the England international.
Credit: Reuters - Henry Tomlinson
Caicedo celebrates win
Moises Caicedo has celebrated Brighton's crushing 3-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates.
He wrote: "➕3️⃣💪🏽🙏🏽"
The Ecuadorian was a top target of the Gunners in January and even submitted a transfer request to join the club.
However, the Seagulls refused, and he remained at the Amex.
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