Arsenal news LIVE: Lewandowski linked, Guendouzi AGREES deal, Smith Rowe returns to training – updates
ARSENAL are lining up a shock move for Polish talisman Robert Lewandowski according to reports.
Contract negotiations have stalled with current club Bayern Munich, so the goal machine could be on the move this summer.
Marseille president Pablo Longoria has announced that out of favour Gunners midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has AGREED to sign for Marseille on a permanent basis.
Meanwhile Emile Smith Rowe has returned to training having contracted Covid-19 last week.
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- Etienne Fermie
Elneny opens up on Afcon experience
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has lifted the lid on his Africa Cup of Nations' experience – having experienced penalty shoot-out heartache in the final.
The Egyptian told the club's official media: "The Africa Cup of Nations is always something special, for us and the people in Egypt, for the kids who are waiting for it every two years.
“They were really excited, all my team-mates as well – no one had won it one time [personally]. We won the most titles in Africa, we won it seven times.
"This makes me want to win it at least one time because we reached the final two times but unfortunately we didn't win.
"I’m really, really proud of my team. [In the knockout stages] we went 120 minutes for three games before the final and this isn’t something I think so many teams can do.
"There’s no recovery actually, it’s just one day to recover. It’s something I’m really, really proud of my team [for]."
- Etienne Fermie
Arsenal loanee in Spurs cup joy
Gunners youngster Folarin Balogun helped Middlesbrough to a stunning 1-0 FA Cup victory over Tottenham last night.
The forward was brought on for Duncan Watmore in the 75th minute, with the score tied at 0-0.
Balogun, 20, was given a bonus half hour to shine when the match went to extra time.
And it was fellow substitute Josh Coburn that bagged Boro's 107th minute winner.
- Joshua Jones
Good morning Arsenal fans
Bukayo Saka remains happy at Arsenal, according to reports.
The Gunners and England forward has been linked with a move away from the Emirates as his contract negotiations continue to stall.
But the man who is tied down until 2024 is thought to still be pleased with his life in North London.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano said: “Bukayo Saka’s really happy with his Arsenal life.
“He loves the club, he’s only focused on the race for the Champions League spot and that’s why new contract talks won’t take place immediately.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are one of five teams involved in the battle to sign out of favour Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, according to reports.
The Gunners are in need of a striker after terminating Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract in the January transfer window.
Boss Mikel Arteta may also have to replace Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, with both attackers out of contract in the summer.
And according to Fichajes, Arsenal have already started identifying potential targets ahead of the summer window and Real’s Jovic is a top target.
However, the Gunners are one of five teams from across Europe hoping to acquire the services of the 24-year-old.
- Dylan Terry
Odegaard’s Arsenal transfer discussed
Spanish publication Marca have questioned Real Madrid’s decision to sell Martin Odegaard to Arsenal.
Odegaard’s been one of the Gunners’ stand-out stars this season – leading Marca to question Real’s handling of the midfield maestro.
Marca wrote: “Arsenal have put faith in him, giving him a deal which runs until 2026, while Real Madrid didn’t show any real willing to keep him in Spain.
“Arteta has shown he trusts Odegaard, and many other young players for that matter, and his youthful Arsenal side are really enjoying their football at the moment and, importantly, delivering on the pitch.
“With how he’s performing at the moment, you have to wonder if Real Madrid made a mistake letting him go 12 months ago.”
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal vastly improve home form
Arsenal have significantly improved their home form this season compared with the previous campaign.
They have already eclipsed the points total they managed in the last term in six fewer games this season.
- Dylan Terry
No return for Arsene Wenger
Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has ruled out Arsene Wenger returning to the Gunners in a professional capacity.
He said: “He (Wenger) is always welcome here, but of course with his new role at FIFA he is in Zurich, and travelling, much of the time.
“There are no plans for a formal role.
"He believes Mikel was responding to media asking if he would like him to be around which of course we would.”
- Dylan Terry
White ever-present for Arsenal
Ben White has been a stalwart at the back for Arsenal so far this season.
And the statistics back that up. He has played more minutes than any other Gunners player.
- Dylan Terry
Juve eye permanent Morata deal
Juventus look set to deal a blow to Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s rumoured hopes of a transfer swoop for Alvaro Morata.
Reports claim the Italians hope to steal a march on the Premier League rivals by making his temporary Serie A move from Atletico Madrid permanent.
Spanish newspaper Sport reports the player has indicated he wants to stay with Max Allegri’s team with whom he has a two-year loan deal which expires in 2023.
It is thought the former Chelsea forward, 29, who agreed to extend his temporary move for a further season last June, has become an integral part of Allegri’s side.
This is despite the January arrival of Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbia forward, 22, has enjoyed a storming start to his Turin career netting four goals in six top-flight appearances for the club.
Tuttomercato claim Arsenal are keen on a summer move for Morata with the Spain forward’s Atletico contract set to end in June this year.
- Dylan Terry
No FA Cup action for Arsenal
Arsenal are not in midweek action because they have already been eliminated from the FA Cup.
The Gunners were knocked out of the tournament in the third round by Nottingham Forest.
The positive? Mikel Arteta has more time to prepare himself for their clash against Watford on Sunday.
- Dylan Terry
Martinelli hails Arsenal promise
Big talk from Gabriel Martinelli earlier today. The Arsenal man thinks they can be the best side in the world in the coming years.
Do you agree Gunners fans?
- Dylan Terry
Tierney positive about top four battle
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has revealed that the Gunners are feeling upbeat in their battle to clinch the Premier League fourth spot.
Tierney said in an interview with The Face when asked about the mood at Arsenal: “Very positive.
“We know what we’re doing, we know where we want to be and we know it’s going to be hard.
“But we’re positive and we believe. We know we’ve got a young squad, but what we do have is that belief and that’s the main thing.”
- Dylan Terry
Rio in favour of Aubameyang sale
Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s transfer to Barcelona benefitted both parties.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand argued: “People undervalue and underestimate how important your happiness is when you’re a footballer – or any job that you’ve got you’ve got to have that element of happiness and fulfillment.
“And he (Aubameyang) just wasn’t having that at Arsenal.
“Both have benefited from him leaving. Arteta has got even more of a stranglehold on the squad, more respect, they know where they stand now, there’s a line that they don’t go beyond, we don’t know the details of that.”
- Dylan Terry
Smith Rowe back involved
Emile Smith Rowe has returned to training with the rest of the Arsenal squad.
He is set to be in contention for the Gunners' clash away at Watford on Sunday.
- Dylan Terry
Campbell hails 'incredible' Odegaard
Kevin Campbell reckons Martin Odegaard deserves far more plaudits for pulling the strings in Arsenal’s midfield.
Campbell, 52, who made 226 Arsenal appearances, told Football Insider: "He is an absolutely exceptional player. He is so, so talented.
"A lot of fans do not value him enough. Most of the time he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
"But he has an economy to his play and a wand of a left foot. He lends the ball, gives it and gets it back. He makes the team tick.
"When he gets a striker of note next to him, watch him shine. He is going to be incredible."
- Dylan Terry
Premier League unveil new ball
The Premier League have unveiled their third and final ball of the season with a striking white, blue and crimson design.
Fans will get a first look at the new ball this weekend when Leicester welcome Leeds to the King Power Stadium in Saturday's early kick-off.
The first Nike Flight design, which boasted colours of white, black and orange, was released in the summer and lasted until November.
It was then replaced by the yellow winter ball, with supporters loving the comic book style design.
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal's horror captaincy curse
It has not yet been announced who Arsenal's next permanent captain will be.
Alexandre Lacazette is currently wearing the armband, but the stripping of departed forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left them without a long-term successor.
Lacazette's contract is up at the end of the season, so it is highly unlikely he will be the new permanent captain.
- Dylan Terry
Saka happy at Arsenal
Bukayo Saka remains happy at Arsenal, according to reports.
The Gunners and England forward has been linked with a move away from the Emirates as his contract negotiations continue to stall.
But the man who is tied down until 2024 is thought to still be pleased with his life in North London.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano said: "Bukayo Saka's really happy with his Arsenal life.
"He loves the club, he's only focused on race for Champions League spot and that's why new contract talks won't take place immediately."
- Dylan Terry
Felix spotted at cup final
Arsenal target Joao Felix was at Wembley watching Liverpool's victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final – and his presence has fuelled rumours of a move to England.
Sat in the Liverpool end, the Atletico Madrid striker watched The Reds make history by lifting the trophy for the eighth time.
Last week reports claimed Arsenal were preparing a summer move for Felix as a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeng.
But the youngster has an asking price of £120million and that could deter interest from The Gunners.
The forward is also said to be a target for Manchester United and their interest likely increased following his goal at the Wanda Metropolitano last week.
- Dylan Terry
Arsenal next five games
Arsenal are out of the FA Cup so only have the Premier League to focus on for the rest of the season.
Next up for the Gunners is a trip to Watford, before they then take on Leicester, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
- Justin Lawrence
Odegaard's Arsenal transfer discussed
Spanish publication Marca have questioned Real Madrid's decision to sell Martin Odegaard to Arsenal.
Odegaard's been one of the Gunners' stand-out stars this season – leading Marca to question Real's handling of the midfield maestro.
Marca wrote: "Arsenal have put faith in him, giving him a deal which runs until 2026, while Real Madrid didn’t show any real willing to keep him in Spain.
"Arteta has shown he trusts Odegaard, and many other young players for that matter, and his youthful Arsenal side are really enjoying their football at the moment and, importantly, delivering on the pitch.
"With how he’s performing at the moment, you have to wonder if Real Madrid made a mistake letting him go 12 months ago."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal in Jovic transfer battle
Arsenal are one of five teams involved in the battle to sign out of favour Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, according to reports.
The Gunners are in need of a striker after terminating Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract in the January transfer window.
Boss Mikel Arteta may also have to replace Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, with both attackers out of contract in the summer.
And according to Fichajes, Arsenal have already started identifying potential targets ahead of the summer window and Real's Jovic is a top target.
However, the Gunners are one of five teams from across Europe hoping to acquire the services of the 24-year-old.
- Justin Lawrence
Mor competition
Juventus look set to deal a blow to Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s rumoured hopes of a transfer swoop for Alvaro Morata.
Reports claim the Italians hope to steal a march on the Premier League rivals by making his temporary Serie A move from Atletico Madrid permanent.
Spanish newspaper Sport reports the player has indicated he wants to stay with Max Allegri’s team with whom he has a two-year loan deal which expires in 2023.
It is thought the former Chelsea forward, 29, who agreed to extend his temporary move for a further season last June, has become an integral part of Allegri’s side.
This is despite the January arrival of Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbia forward, 22, has enjoyed a storming start to his Turin career netting four goals in six top-flight appearances for the club.
Tuttomercato claim Arsenal are keen on a summer move for Morata with the Spain forward’s Atletico contract set to end in June this year.
- Justin Lawrence
Smith-Rowe back training
Emile Smith-Rowe is back in training after missing Arsenal's last game against Wolves with an illness.
But Smith-Rowe seems to be back in good health ahead of the Gunners' next game.
- Justin Lawrence
Campbell: Odegaard's undervalued at Arsenal
Kevin Campbell reckons Martin Odegaard doesn't get the credit he deserves at Arsenal.
He told Football Insider when speaking on Odegaard: “He is an absolutely exceptional player. He is so, so talented.
“A lot of fans do not value him enough. Most of the time he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
“But he has an economy to his play and a wand of a left foot. He lends the ball, gives it and gets it back. He makes the team tick.
“When he gets a striker of note next to him, watch him shine. He is going to be incredible.”
- Justin Lawrence
Tierney speaks on Celtic affection
Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney has spoken about his deep affinity with Celtic that began when he was a kid.
Speaking to Arsenal's media he said: "The very earliest memory I have of being a fan was from when I was about three or four.
"I lived in a tower block in Muirhouse and I remember my dad telling me 'we are going to the Celtic game this week'.
"I remember watching them on TV before that, but that's my first memory of actually going there.
"I had the Celtic strip, I had the scarf and I remember how excited I was going to bed that night.
"Then I remember going in on the supporters' bus to the game. I couldn't tell you who it was against or the score or anything like that – it's the experience of going to the stadium that I remember.
"It was the first time I'd ever been to a football stadium."
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