11am Arsenal news LIVE: Juventus make Aubameyang decision, Partey deal ‘close’ LATEST updates, Balogun EXIT – The Sun
ARSENAL have qualified for the FA Cup semi-final, where they will meet Man City.
And Atletico Madrid, rather conveniently, are reported to be interested in Matteo Guendouzi, while Arsenal still want Atleti's Thomas Partey.
Follow all the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip below…
IV HAD ENOUGH
Arsenal could be thwarted in their efforts to land Dominik Szoboszlai as a successor to Mesut Ozil.
The Gunners are reportedly eyeing the Red Bull Salzburg playmaker in this summer transfer window.
But former Emirates chief exec Ivan Gazidis could get in the way of a deal.
AC Milan – where Gazidis now works – have also had a long-running interesting in Szoboszlai, with claims in Italy they are also in talks over a move.
Gazidis, who left Arsenal in 2018 to join AC Milan, is said to be eyeing Szoboszlai as part of an exciting, young group of players to form the backbone of their rebuilt.
AUBA AND OUT
Juventus have reportedly made a decision on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future.
And the Arsenal striker will seemingly NOT be heading to Serie A.
Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik is Maurizio Sarri's preferred choice, according to reports.
However, Atletico Madrid are also in for the 26-year-old Polish international and have promised to double his wages.
PARTEY TIME… AND MORE!
Arsenal are “close” to landing Thomas Partey and have THREE more LaLiga options lined up, according to reports.
One of whom has a huge £136million release clause.
Mikel Arteta is said to have his eyes on three more midfield stars in the upcoming window.
Spanish publication La Razon say a deal for Atletico midfielder Partey is “close”.
The Ghana international, 27, is contracted at the Wanda Metropolitano until 2023 but will ONLY leave this summer if his £47m release clause is triggered.
Levante midfielder Enis Bardhi is another player Arteta is interested in and he is valued at around £18m.
Marc Roca is on Arteta's radar too and could be signed for less than his £36.4m valuation is Espanyol are relegated.
Valencia's Carlos Soler is also said to have got the attention of Arsenal scouts.
He has a colossal £136m release clause but Valencia are said to need to “balance the books” and could sell him on the cheap.
World football transfer fees are set to plummet in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
LUIZ CHANGE
David Luiz took a considerable pay cut to stay at Arsenal for one more year, according to reports.
Gunners fans reacted with horror when the ex-Chelsea man was given a new contract.
Luiz had a shocker against Man City and another howler against Brighton.
He limped off injured in yesterday's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Sheffield United.
The Telegraph reports that Luiz's pay cut has helped Arsenal to finance the permanent transfers of Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares.
NIK IT IN THE BUD
Arsenal are looking to complete a deal to sign Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, according to reports.
The 19-year-old is understood to be a long-term target of the Gunners, with the club said to be interested in signing him last summer.
And their interest in the Hungarian youngster has remained, with the North Londoners keeping tabs on his performances for the Austrian outfit this term.
According to French journalist Manu Lonjon, Arsenal face competition from AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign the player.
And he states that Salzburg would be willing to sell their prized asset for a fee in the region of £22million-£27m.
FOL OVER
Promising striker Folarin Balogun is set to leave Arsenal, according to reports.
The Athletic say a new contract between Balogun and the club could not be agreed.
The 18-year-old has just a year left on the professional contract he signed in February 2016, and the Gunners are ready to sell him in the coming weeks rather than losing him for nothing next summer.
Aubameyang praised Balogun on social media last year but the teenager will continue his development elsewhere.
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS,
Mikel Arteta hailed his player's attitude following their FA Cup quarter-final win over Sheffield United.
The Blades thought they had sent the game to extra-time when they scored at the death to cancel out Nicolas Pepe's penalty
But Dani Ceballos struck moments later to send Arsenal into the FA Cup semi-finals.
Asked what he liked most about the performance, he said: “I think the attitude and the commitment of every single player that was involved in the game or that was waiting for his opportunity.
“There were really good moments where we played and we did the things I asked them to do and the way we dealt with Sheffield United’s play.
“They are really good at what they do, the way they commit people forward, the way they play in the second phases, the way they defend outside the box.
“I knew there were some phases that we were going to suffer and how we dealt with that… I am really, really pleased.”
David Luiz is set to undergo a scan on his ankle after the Arsenal defender limped off against Sheffield United.
The Brazilian was forced off in the 54th minute in an innocuous incident when he let the ball run off for a goal kick.
Luiz immediately signalled to the bench before being taken off and was later seen icing his ankle in the stands at Bramall Lane.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Matteo Guendouzi, according to France's state broadcaster TF1.
Diego Simeone and co are said to have joined Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSG in making contact with the player's representatives.
And Atleti may well prove to be among the most appealing options should Arsenal choose to sell, as they are keen on signing Los Colchoneros midfielder Thomas Partey.
Guendouzi is said valued at around £36m by Arsenal while Partey has a £45m release clause with Atletico Madrid.
And with both clubs tightening the purse strings due to coronavirus, a swap deal could be to everyone's convenience.
EUR WHAT?
In a slightly worrying sign of Arsenal's new and more modest levels of ambition, Mikel Arteta has urged his side to win the FA Cup… so they can qualify for the Europa League.
He said after the win at Sheffield United: “I am really pleased. This is a difficult place to come and get a win.
“We are back at Wembley. I am really happy with the attitude and performance of the players.
“It is a great opportunity to try to win a trophy and play in Europe.”
The Gunners are currently eleven points off the Champions League – a gap that falls to nine points if Man City are banned and fifth place secures qualification.
And they are also one point below Sheffield United in eighth – the lowest possible position that will grant a European place next season.
LUIZ CHANGE
David Luiz took a considerable pay cut to stay at Arsenal for one more year, according to reports.
The Brazilian defender put pen to paper on a new deal this week despite suggestions he may have played his last game for the Gunners following a defensive horror show against Manchester City ten days ago.
The Telegraph reports that Luiz's pay cut has helped Arsenal to finance the permanent transfers of Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares.
According to Sportrac, Luiz was Arsenal's fifth-highest earner on around £125,000-a-week prior to his renewal.
After his red card in Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Man City last week, the 33-year-old returned to the Arsenal lineup in their 2-1 win over Sheffield United today – only to be forced off with an ankle injury in the second half.
Left-footed centre-back Mari was injured himself in the loss at the Etihad and has since been ruled out for the season.
THE SANT HAS RISEN
Santi Cazorla would love to return to Arsenal as a coach under Mikel Arteta, according to Guillem Balague.
However the midfielder, who starred in a 2-0 win over Valencia for Villarreal today, is keen to continue playing for as long as possible.
Cazorla, 35, played with Arteta at the Emirates from 2012 until the Gunners boss' retirement in 2016.
PART-ING COMPANY
Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Matteo Guendouzi, according to France's state broadcaster TF1.
Diego Simeone and co are said to have joined Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSG in making contact with the player's representatives.
And Atleti may well prove to be among the most appealing options should Arsenal choose to sell, as they are keen on signing Los Colchoneros midfielder Thomas Partey.
Guendouzi is said valued at around £36m by Arsenal while Partey has a £45m release clause with Atletico Madrid.
And with both clubs tightening the purse strings due to coronavirus, a swap deal could be to everyone's convenience.
CITY OF LONDON
Arsenal will face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Gunners booked their place after edging past Sheffield United this afternoon while Pep Guardiola's side later swept aside Newcastle.
Mikel Arteta can then expect a Wembley date with either Chelsea or Manchester United should he make it past his old side.
FINE ART
Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal's attitude following their FA Cup quarter-final win over Sheffield United.
Asked what he liked most about the performance, he said: “I think the attitude and the commitment of every single player that was involved in the game or that was waiting for his opportunity.
“There were really good moments where we played and we did the things I asked them to do and the way we dealt with Sheffield United’s play.
“They are really good at what they do, the way they commit people forward, the way they play in the second phases, the way they defend outside the box.
“I knew there were some phases that we were going to suffer and how we dealt with that… I am really, really pleased.”
FA CUP DRAW
Arsenal have been drawn against either Manchester CIty or Newcastle in the FA Cup semi-final.
The Gunners edged past Sheffield United this afternoon and are expected to face Pep Guardiola's side who are currently leading the Magpies 1-0.
You can keep up to date with all that action on our SunSport Live blog.
TOP TIER
Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is expecting big things from Kieran Tierney at Arsenal.
He said: “He’s been training incredibly hard through [the] COVID-19 [lockdown].
“It’s been a tough moment for him in the last six or seven months and to move here from a different city, a different football club.
“He is a kid with an incredible attitude and he is so willing to learn and to put in everything he has. He has a massive heart and I am delighted to have him in the team.
“He’s a kid who is going to get better and better and better.”
DEVIL MAY CARE
Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he would have been 'very upset' with Dean Henderson over his gaffe against Arsenal
He BT Sport: “I spoke about this a while ago, as a defender I would be very upset with the keeper there.
“I'm saying to the keeper 'the front post, nothing goes through the front post'.
“The goalkeeper union might suggest something different but when I was playing that was how I used to feel.
“I'd tell my goalkeeper: 'You defend the near post, if it comes across us defenders have to deal with it and if it goes into the far stick, one of us has to be there'.
“You wouldn't want that to happen if you were playing in that game.”
LU SCAN ON
David Luiz is set to undergo a scan on his ankle after the Arsenal defender limped off against Sheffield United.
The Brazilian was forced off in the 54th minute in an innocuous incident when he let the ball run off for a goal kick.
Luiz immediately signalled to the bench before being taken off and was later seen icing his ankle in the stands at Bramall Lane.
Arteta revealed after the game: “He has hurt his ankle. He will get assessed tomorrow but he was in pain.”
RV-TEASE
Robin van Persie has said he would bully Arsenal defender David Luiz if he played against him now.
He told BT Sport: “If you play against him, I would go at him, almost try to bully him and to make physical contact with him and move around him and try to tease him a little bit because he is vulnerable.
“The first job you have to do is to defend, be solid and be trustworthy.
“If you have extra, you can dribble, do some nice passes perfect but he needs to focus on his job.”
ALL YOU NEED IS LOV
Liverpool have reportedly moved ahead of Manchester City in the race for Kalidou Koulibaly by offering Dejan Lovren as part of a transfer.
Italian outlet Tuttosport claim the Reds believe they can get Napoli to lower their £90million asking price for the Senagalese by offering them the former Southampton defender.
Croatian Lovren, 30, has made just 10 Premier League appearances for the champions this season and has a year remaining on his contract at Anfield.
Liverpool were hoping to get just under the £20m they paid Southampton for the defender back in 2014 amid interest from Arsenal and Tottenham.
WORK OF ART
VAN WITH A PLAN
Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has warned it will take 'years' to fix the club's problems.
He told BT Sport: “You can see [Arteta's] hand on this team. But you can see that this team is not fully connected yet.
“If you look at the connection from defence to midfield to strikers, they are not connected, they are not moving as one.
“He is still searching, but I do believe that if you give him time – and he should have all the time he needs, not just months, he should get years – I do believe that he can get it right.”
He added: “The they should now finally find a way to fix set pieces against, corners against, free-kicks, crosses.
“It’s like every cross against Arsenal, you are holding your breath, it’s almost a goal, almost a goal. How do you fix that? You fix it with mental toughness.
DAN THE MAN
Here's Dani Ceballos' winner for Arsenal!
FULL-TIME!
What a crazy ending to the game!
Sheffield United thought they had sent the game to extra-time when they scored at the death.
But Ceballos struck moments later to send Arsenal into the FA Cup semi-finals.
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-2 ARSENAL
Dani Ceballos has scored in injury time to spark wild scenes from the Arsenal players.
The Spanish substitute took the ball off Pepe and fired low underneath Dean Henderson from a narrow angle.
What a finish!
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 ARSENAL
Calamity at the back!
A long throw has caused the Gunners defence all sorts of problems, with David McGoldrick capitalising on a Sead Kolasinac mistake.
Source: Read Full Article