2pm Arsenal news LIVE: Aubameyang toilet break, Ozil-Mertesacker row, manager interviews begin – The Sun
IT was another miserable evening in North London as Arsenal extended their winless run to nine Premier League matches.
Freddie Ljungberg's homecoming couldn't have gone much worse as his below-par Gunners were deservedly beaten 2-1 by an energetic, hard-working Brighton.
Follow ALL of the latest Gunners news, updates and transfer gossip below…
ENGLAND'S biggest clubs could leave the Premier League and break off into a new European Super League.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City could all be approached by Fifa as part of an ambitious new project that will reshape football.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has held talks with Fifa chief Gianni Infantino over holding two leagues featuring 40 of Europe's wealthiest sides.
It would also mean there would be a promotion and relegation format that is designed to bring through huge amounts of revenue.
Encouraging the Premier League clubs will prove a challenge but they have been told their revenues will double.
The world's biggest clubs from Spain, Italy, France and Germany will also be involved including the likes of Fenerbache.
It would also spell the end of the Champions League which already brings in huge amounts of cash for Uefa.
MESUT OZIL'S rant at the end of Arsenal's drab defeat to Brighton was aimed at interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, NOT Alexandre Lacazette as some had suggested.
That is the view of former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who claimed the German's performance during the 2-1 loss meant he was wrong to throw a tantrum.
He said: “You can’t play that way and be critical of the coaching staff. If he plays with his heart on his sleeve you could accept it, obviously if Freddie say that he wouldn’t be happy.’
“I don’t think it was aimed at Per, it was aimed at Freddie. He didn’t do enough, Mesut Ozil.
“To have that reaction… I love Mesut Ozil more than anyone, but he didn’t do enough in the game to warrant that reaction.
“I love him in a functioning team, he’s one of the best creators and best passers we’ve had in the Premier League. He is, he can do that.
“As a football player he’s a beautiful player to watch but his intensity levels aren’t good enough at this level. Too many managers have accommodated that and that’s why he struts around and plays that way.
“But essentially if Freddie is going to say ‘I’m going to play you, Mesut, but I need you to lead’. He didn’t, definitely not. If you’re a manager at some point there’s got to be consequences for the player. That’s unacceptable.”
LEICESTER CITY have announced that Brendan Rodgers has signed a new five-and-half-year deal at the King Power Stadium.
The new contract puts an end once for an all to speculation surrounding a potential move to Arsenal for the Northern Irishman.
Rodgers ditched Celtic for the Foxes back in February, and has dramatically improved the club's fortunes.
After transforming the mood around the club after Claude Puel's dour reign, Rodgers quickly fuelled his talented squad with confidence and belief.
And fired up by the goals of Jamie Vardy and the creativity of James Maddison, Leicester find themselves second in the table – ahead of the likes of Manchester City.
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG has opened up on whether Arsenal should hire a permanent manager.
The interim boss said: “It's up to the club and what they want to do.
“There’s nothing I can get involved with I said I love this football club and I’ll help them with whatever they need help with and it’s up to them to make a decision.”
The Gunners are five points above the relegation zone after 15 games played.
CHELSEA FANS were in hysterics after witnessing another Arsenal horror show from their former defender David Luiz.
The Brazilian, who won the Premier League and Champions League with the Blues, has been a calamity alongside Sokratis at the back for the Gunners this season.
And with Chelsea in fourth position already sitting TEN points above managerless Arsenal, jubilant fans were quick to thank their curly-haired former stalwart for his awful performances.
One Blues fan posted: “Selling David Luiz for 8m has to be one of the best bits of business we've done in recent times. Mans cost them so many games this season and people actually thought he was going to improve them when he's actually made them worse”.
Another laughed: “My God David Luiz is such a liability in defense. Gets beaten in so many different ways. He's a complete defender from that aspect. Full arsenal of ways to allow a goal.”
One gushed: “Thank you @DavidLuiz_4 you've made Chelsea so much money in transfers to PSG n @Arsenal respectively..you left my club for anothef rival thinking you were going a step forward..instead you've made football better with your expect defensive play..enjoy getting relegated”.
Another added: “Thanks mate @DavidLuiz_4 Chelsea legend!”
Even non Chelsea fans were laughing at the badly out-of-form Gunners: “Yo who remembers when Arsenal fans acted like they were gonna win the league when they signed Pepe and David Luiz?
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