Arsenal news LIVE: Rapinha transfer wanted, Morata deal still on, Tierney to Barcelona – latest updates

Friedel heaps praise on Turner

Brad Friedel has tipped Arsenal's new American signings Matt Turner and Auston Trusty to be a success at the Emirates.

The 50-year-old, who featured 82 times for the USA national team, knows the pair well having coached them across the pond.

Speaking to SunSport via bet365, Friedel said: "I coached Matt and gave him his professional debut. Matt is an outstanding shot-stopper.

"He will be able to put pressure on Ramsdale, I've no doubt about it.

"What I would say, is this will be the first time in Matt's Career that he sees what competition for places truly is. He's such a good kid and a solid human being.

"Can he challenge? Yeah, absolutely - but like anyone he'll need to adapt and get used to the pace of the game."

Arsenal eye Atletico Madrid forward

Arsenal are keen on a deal for Atlético Madrid striker Joao Felix, with Mikel Arteta specifically asking for his signature.

That’s according to journalist Eduardo Inda, who says Atlético manager Diego Simeone is happy to let the Portuguese go if he can replace him with Valencia’s Goncalo Guedes.

Felix’s current deal with the Spanish side runs until 2026, but there are doubts about his future at the Wanda Metropolitano moving forwards.

Schmeichel wary of Arsenal threat

Peter Schmeichel believes only Arsenal can stop Manchester United qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: “I think Arsenal have shown some great form.

“But actually, on current form in the last five games, Man United is a little bit better than Arsenal. It’s hard to see but they are.

“I think having the points on the board rather than games in hand [is more important].

“It was a great win (against Leeds), let me absolutely clear about that it was a great win, but I still think there is a long, long, long way to go for this team.

“They’ve still got, in terms of football, so many more things to prove.”

Roma reignite interest in Xhaka

Chris Wheatley has told Football London that it is certainly possible that Granit Xhaka will leave Arsenal this summer, with Roma expected to make a fresh move for the midfielder.

Wheatley was asked about Xhaka’s future in a Q&A for Football London. And he hinted that there could end up being a willingness from all sides for the Swiss to move to the Italian capital this summer.

He said: “As for a summer move, it’s certainly possible.

“Roma are expected to come back in for Xhaka with Jose Mourinho a long time admirer of the Swiss international. Arsenal would let him go for the right price.”

Aubameyang gave up Arsenal salary

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has admitted he gave up his £350,000-a-week salary at Arsenal in order to join Barcelona.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the striker revealed that he knew he could end up signing for Barcelona a week before the deal went through.

He said: "I really wanted to go to Barca. I gave up my salary because it is an opportunity that you have once in your life."

Saka 'the perfect Liverpool player'

Bukayo Saka has been advised to consider a move to Liverpool if Arsenal fail to finish in the top four.

TalkSPORT's Adrian Durham suggested that a move to Anfield would give Saka the Champions League football his abilities deserve and boost his chances of being a regular starter for England.

Durham said: “I’m more than comfortable with Bukayo Saka being in the England XI every time.

“If Arsenal don’t make the top four… his talents belong on the Champions League stage, I think he is made for Liverpool.

“He’s the perfect Liverpool player with the energy he’s got, his attitude, everything.

“I’d love to see him play under Jurgen Klopp in that system.”

Arsenal given Martinez transfer boost

Arsenal have been put on red alert with Inter Milan reportedly prepared to sell star striker Lautaro Martinez in the summer.

The Gunners were linked with a move to bring the 24-year-old to the Emirates last year with the club prepared to offer him a £275,000-a-week deal.

It was reported last week how the North London outfit have reignited their interest in the 2021 Copa America champion.

And now Calciomercato have claimed that the player is facing an uncertain future in Italy.

They state that a number of Premier League teams are interested in Martinez, with Arsenal believed to be one of those clubs.

It is understood that the Serie A giants would be willing to part ways with Martinez should they receive a fee in the region of £67million.

Maitland-Niles struggling at Roma

Roma manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly already started looking for alternatives to Ainsley Maitland-Niles as he’s decided he doesn’t want to keep the on-loan Arsenal ace.

Maitland-Niles made the move from the Emirates Stadium to the Stadio Olimpico in January, but he’s not impressed in his time in Italy so far and it looks like his stay will be a short one, according to the Daily Mirror.

The report even claims that Mourinho is already looking at Barcelona’s Sergino Dest as his preferred option to replace Maitland-Niles in the summer, so this will give Arsenal a difficult decision to make in the transfer market.

Aubameyang reveals Mikel Arteta contact

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed Mikel Arteta DID contact him ahead of his acrimonious departure from Arsenal.

Aubameyang was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy earlier this season following a disciplinary breach which also resulted in him being frozen out by his now former manager.

Asked whether Arteta spoke to him before he signed for Xavi’s rapidly improving team, Aubameyang told Mundo Deportivo: "Yes, Arteta wished me luck at Barca.

"Some of the things we did with Arteta are similar," he added when asked to compare Arsenal’s style to that of his new employers.

"I still have to get used to it but I am eager to learn. When I see how the boys play I want to do the same."

Arsenal eye Brazilian wonderkid Danilo

Arsenal will attempt to sign Brazilian talent Danilo having held new talks over a potential summer deal, according to Bolavip.

The Gunners are believed to have opened new talks to try and force through an early deal for Danilo, months in advance of the summer window.

It’s stated that Arsenal already had a look into signing Danilo during the January window but didn’t pull the trigger on a move.

Arsenal reportedly know that Palmeiras aren’t going to sell Danilo easily, and their current stance is that Danilo isn’t for sale at any price.

Arteta speaks on captaincy issue

Mikel Arteta appears to have thrown further doubt on the future of the Arsenal captaincy after his side's 2-1 victory over Brentford at the weekend.

On Saturday television footage appeared to show Lacazette attempting to hand the armband to Granit Xhaka as he came off, only for the Swiss international to seemingly refuse the responsibility, with Kieran Tierney eventually having to take over.

This sparked outrage from pundits around the globe with the likes of Piers Morgan taking to Twitter to describe at as the club's "biggest problem" since Patrick Vieira had left.

Arteta confirmed after the game to Sky Sports "Kieran was the next in line."

But the Gunners boss also told press that Martin Odegaard would be a suitable candidate for the role after another impressive display.

'Big clubs will be looking'

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal ‘are bang in trouble’ if they lose Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.

Ferdinand predicts both players will be targeted by ‘big clubs’ in the summer window but has praised Arteta for creating an environment which has allowed the two Arsenal academy graduates to shine.

Ferdinand told Vibe with Five: "West Ham will put up a fight but come up a bit short just because of the [lack of] depth in their squad… but they’ll finish above Arsenal.

"I think Saka and Smith Rowe, if anything happens to them they [Arsenal] are bang in trouble. ESR is doing his thing, I’ve loved him from the beginning of the season. I think he’s one other big clubs will be looking at.

"I think Mikel Arteta is building something there, all jokes aside."

Morning, Arsenal fans

Jonathan David, Danilo and Michael Olise are under a fierce transfer spotlight this morning.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are tipped to fight it out for Lille striker David this summer.

The £30million-rated Canadian speedster, 22, has netted 12 Ligue 1 goals this season.

The Gunners have been linked with David before, even ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure to Barcelona.

But now the battle to sign him will be even tougher as the Gunners could face being outbid by bigger Prem spenders.

David told Telefoot: “The Premier League attracts everyone. It is the most competitive championship in the world.”

Meanwhile, Palmeiras midfielder Danilo is again regarded as a leading target for Emirates boss Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal were said to have been willing to splash £16million on the Brazilian last month.

And the suggestion from his home country today is that the Gunners will lead the chase for the 20-year-old in the summer.

Crystal Palace winger Olise  is interesting Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

And Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is already good enough for Real Madrid or Barcelona but would be too expensive - according to BBC pundit Garth Crooks.

Finally, Manchester United legend  Peter Schmeichel believes Arsenal are the only side who can threaten the Red Devils' grip on fourth place.

The Gunners are four points behind in sixth spot but have three games in hand.

Arsenal, Chelsea & Bayern in for Olise

Crystal Palace are facing a fight to keep Michael Olise this summer.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Lille and Bayern Munich are among those keeping tabs on the exciting 20-year-old Eagle.

Palace pulled off a coup by pipping a number of bigger Prem and European clubs to sign him from Reading in an £8million deal in July.

But the south Londoners are already staring at the prospect of losing him in the next window following his increasingly impressive displays for them this season.

The Hammersmith-born rookie has made just 18 top flight appearances, with 12 of those as a sub.

But the way he has settled seamlessly into Premier League football has kept him on the radar of a number of clubs at home and abroad.

His latest eye-catching performance came in Palace’s 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

The reigning European and world champions were among several clubs interested in signing him before Palace swooped last summer.

The Eagles had hoped their capture of Olise would have cooled interest in him. But the France Under-18 international’s rise has resulted in even more clubs courting him.

Aubameyang's Nou world record

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had already made history in his short spell at Barcelona.

The Gabon striker smashed in a hat-trick in Barca's 4-1 thrashing of Valencia on Sunday.

It was the ex-Arsenal captain's fourth game for his new club after sealing his January switch.

And the La Liga hat-trick earned Auba a place all of his own in football's record books.

The 32-year-old became the first player ever to score hat-tricks in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and French Ligue 1.

The Gabon striker scored 37 league goals in 87 games for St Etienne in France, which earned him a move to Dortmund. He'd also had loan spells at Dijon, Lille and Monaco in the country of his birth.

Aubameyang hit the ground running under Jurgen Klopp in Dortmund and continued his hot-streak after the manager left.

The 32-year-old scored 98 league goals in his time in the Bundesliga before moving to Arsenal. And Aubameyang banged in 68 Premier League goals at the Emirates before falling out with Mikel Arteta.

Saka 'too expensive for Real or Barca'

Arsenal flier Bukayo Saka has been rated good enough for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

England winger Saka, 20, slotted the in-form Gunners' second goal as Saturday's 2-1 win over Brentford left them pressing hard in sixth place in the Premier League.

And former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks told BBC Sport: “I don’t think there is any more I can say about this player that I haven’t already said.

“We are, however, coming into a period in the modern game when English players are starting to look attractive to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid again.

"Although in the current climate I doubt whether they can afford the likes of Saka. Which is fortunate for Arsenal.”

'Only Arsenal can catch Utd'

Old Trafford legend Peter Schmeichel believes only Arsenal can threaten Manchester United's grip on fourth place.

The Gunners beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday but United moved four points clear in the battle for the final Champions League spot with yesterday's 4-2 win at Leeds.

Former Denmark keeper Schmeichel, 58, said: “I think Arsenal have shown some great form.

“But actually, on current form in the last five games, Man United is a little bit better than Arsenal. It’s hard to see but they are.

“I think having the points on the board rather than games in hand [is more important].”

Newcastle join Arsenal hunt for David

Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle could fight it out for Lille striker Jonathan David this summer.

The £30million-rated Canadian speedster, 22, has netted 12 Ligue 1 goals this season.

Jeunes Footeux say Eddie Howe's improving Magpies are David's latest admirers.

And it's suggested some players cautious about joining Newcastle in January will be more willing to join the Saudi-backed Toon at the end of the season if they stay up.

David has told Telefoot: “The Premier League attracts everyone. It is the most competitive championship in the world."