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

Arsenal 'already back in for Danilo'

The Gunners are already lining up Palmeiras midfielder Danilo again, reports suggest.

Arsenal were said to have been willing to splash £16million on the Brazilian 20-year-old last month.

And the suggestion from his home country today is that the Gunners are keen to lead the field in the hunt for Danilo in the summer.

 claim the Gunners are his main European suitors.

He featured in Palmeiras' Club World Cup final defeat against Chelsea.

Prem Covid cases lowest since November

PREM bosses have recorded the lowest covid numbers since November – although the rate of positive samples was slightly up, writes MARTIN LIPTON.

League chiefs reported just nine positive tests in the seven days up to Sunday.

That came from 2,958 tests on players and staff across the 20 Prem clubs, compared with 14 positives from 6,299 tests in the previous seven days.

The total represented the lowest since the tests between November 22 and 28 saw seven positive samples.

Utd top table for scoring subs

Manchester United substitutes have scored ten goals in the Premier League this season, FOUR more than any other club, writes JOSHUA MBU.

Goals by Fred and Anthony Elanga were the latest Red Devils super subs, both scoring in the second half of the 4-2 win over Leeds.

And FIVE of the league goals coming from the bench have come under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

The German has been in charge since late November and has his bench firing at the right moments.

Edinson Cavani was the first man to grab a goal in a substitutes appearance under Rangnick.

The experienced forward scored late on against Newcastle to rescue a point after replacing Mason Greenwood at the start of the second half.

Marcus Rashford scored an injury time winner against West Ham from the bench last month and he also got another late on against Brentford.

The nearest clubs for goals from the bench are Liverpool with six.

Wilshere ready for Aarhus debut

Jack Wilshere is set to make his first start for new club Aarhus Gymnastikforening on Friday.

The ex-Arsenal midfielder joined the Danish side on Sunday and he's getting thrown straight into the deep end in the club's next game against Vejle BK, according to Sky Sports.

The 30-year-old hasn't played a competitive game since leaving Bournemouth last summer.

But he should be match-fit after training with the Gunners over the last few months.

And if Mikel Arteta's training sessions weren't robust enough, Wilshere's already started getting stuck in rehearsing with his new team-mates.

Earlier today, the fallen England hero was seen rubbing shoulders with AGF's team members on the training pitch.

And despite the language barrier, he was visibly determined to make an impression on his new squad.

Armed with a look of steel etched on his face, the former Gunners icon can be seen going toe to toe with a member of AFG's squad on the training ground.

How Gunners could line up

Mikel Arteta has suggested that Emile Smith Rowe could be the answer to his side's striker woes.

Arsenal have struggled to find the back of the net at times this season, but opted against recruiting another striker in January - despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure.

Alexandre Lacazette has stepped into Aubameyang's boots, providing industrious performances up top.

But the Frenchman has managed just three goals in 18 Premier League appearances this term - a tally that just isn't going to cut it.

Gunners fans saw their dreams dashed as top target Dusan Vlahovic moved to Juventus last month.

But Arteta believes they may only have to look in house for the solution to his side's problems.

Arteta still keen on Alvaro

Mikel Arteta hasn’t given up hope of bringing Alvaro Morata despite last month’s failing to materialise, .

The Spanish striker was one name being considered by the Gunners as they looked to bolster their forward line in the wake of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure.

However, Morata instead decided to remain with Juventus, who had already beaten Arsenal to the signature of Dusan Vlahovic.

The north London club may face competition from Barcelona come the summer with the suggestion that it may take a £29million offer to get the deal done.

Striking role for Smith Rowe

Mikel Arteta believes that Emile Smith Rowe can fill in as a makeshift centre-forward while Arsenal remain short of attacking options.

The Gunners boss was full of praise for the academy product that made it ten goals for the season with the opener against Brentford on Saturday.

And the Spanish coach hinted that he may utilise the versatile England international as a striker between now and the end of the campaign.

Arteta : “I think he can play in four positions - as a left winger, a left attacking midfielder, a right attacking midfielder, and he can play as a nine, very, very well.”

The Arsenal manager has previously used Gabriel Martinelli as a striker in training as he looks to provide cover fro Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.

Goals guaranteed when Wolves visit

Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Thursday when they host Wolves, and home supporters can almost take it for granted that they will have at least one goal to celebrate.

And that's because the Gunners have scored in each of their last 28 matches against the Old Gold in all competitions, a run that goes back to a 1-0 home defeat in February 1979 under Terry Neill.

It's a sequence that was extended just 11 days ago when Mikel Arteta's men returned from Molineux with a 1-0 win courtesy of Gabriel's goal.

The 28-match scoring run is the Gunners’ second longest current scoring streak against a specific opponent behind a 32-game ongoing run against West Bromwich Albion.

Real-ly special: fans recall triumph

Champions League football has been at the forefront of all Arsenal supporters' minds this Monday, and it seems fitting given the poignance of February 21.

Today's date marks the 16th anniversary of the Gunners' famous 1-0 win away to Real Madrid which made them the first English club to beat Los Blancos at the Bernabeu.

Thierry Henry's marvellous solo goal two minutes after half-time sealed Champions League Last 16 success for Arsene Wenger's men against a Real side featuring Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Ronaldo and...erm...Jonathan Woodgate.

One fan on Twitter recalled the special night: "Peter Drury's commentary on that goal still gives me goosebumps. 'Arsenal have been the thrusting force in this tie! No more, no less than they deserved.' Good Times. What a Champions League run to the final that was. Hope those days come back soon."

The Gunners went on to lose that year's Champions League final to Barcelona in Paris.

Gunners not getting carried away

Emile Smith Rowe insists Arsenal's young stars are not getting carried away by the recent form that has propelled them back into the battle for the top four.

The 21-year-old scored his side's opener in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Brentford, his tenth goal of the season that helped make it six wins in eight Premier League games for Mikel Arteta's men.

: “It’s looking good at the moment, but there are a lot of games to go.

“We are just going to keep focused on that. We are not too worried about the end of the season right now.”

“I am buzzing, the goals are really starting to come now, but the most important thing were the three points.

“We work so hard in training and after we are always working on our finishing. I feel like it is really starting to show."

Young Gunners in contention

Alan Hansen may have famously said that 'you don't win anything with kids,' but are they enough to guarantee a club Champions League football?

This season's crop of young Arsenal stars have certainly given themselves a chance of doing so after another win in Saturday's London derby with Brentford.

Mikel Arteta's team are currently in sixth spot, four points behind Manchester United in fourth, but with three games in hand.

The Gunners have put themselves in contention for the top four despite their starting XI having an average age of just 24 years and 252 days.

, only four sides have previously finished in the top four of the Premier League with an average age of 24 or under.

• Leeds in 1999-2000 (3rd)
• Liverpool in 1999-2000 (4th)
• Arsenal in 2008-09 (4th)
• Tottenham in 2015-16 (3rd)

Odegaard an Arsenal captain in waiting

Mikel Arteta believes Martin Odegaard has all the qualities necessary to become the next Arsenal skipper.

The 23-year-old is already captain of Norway, and could add the Gunners armband next season if Alexandre Lacazette leaves the club.

Lacazette has held the role since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club, but is out of contract at the Emirates this summer.

The Frenchman attempted to hand the armband on to another senior player, Granit Xhaka, when he was substituted on Saturday, only for the Swiss midfielder to refuse.

It has led to speculation that a new captain is going to be appointed by Arteta, and make him a surprise favourite.

“He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him,” said Arteta.

“He is such a nice, humble guy and he leads with the way he is. It is very natural for him and that will come.”

Boss Arteta facing Gab conundrum

Mikel Arteta must decide on whether to bring Gabriel Martinelli straight back into his first team after the player completed his suspension.

The Brazilian sat out Saturday's 2-1 win over Brentford following his bizarre red card at Wolves.

The Arsenal manager has shown himself to be big admirer of the winger's ability, but faces a selection headache if he is to immediately recall him to his forward line for Thursday's home match with Wanderers.

Emile Smith Rowe took Martinelli's place in the Gunners starting XI, and opened the scoring against the Bees, while Bukayo Saka was also on target.

With Arsenal's young Englishmen on form, and captain Alexandre Lacazette one of only two recognised strikers, Martinelli will have to impress in training if he is to reclaim his spot.

Auba hits La Liga treble

Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first goals for Barcelona last night with a hat-trick in a thumping 4-1 win at Valencia.

The Gabon international got off for the mark for his new club with the opener midway through the first half, and then added a second before the break as Barca raced into a 3-0 lead at the break.

The 32-year-old completed his treble just after the hour, inadvertently deflecting Pedri's shot in with his back, before being withdrawn by manager Xavi with ten minutes remaining.

Aubameyang's arrival has continued to elevate the Catalans up the table, and they now sit fourth in La Liga.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets described the club's capture of

Arteta on top-four pursuit

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits his team is getting closer to a top-four finish after beating Brentford.

Arteta said: "It’s a long way to go. We are a little bit closer today because we won our game and it’s what we want to do.

"We’ve got to go Thursday again and win our game against Wolves. It’s going to be a really difficult match.

"We need to play better and better and better. That’s the aim"

Arteta's Pep talk

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits he would understand if Nicolas Pepe wanted to leave this summer.

Arteta said: “I hope he [Pepe] does [see a long-term future at the Emirates).

“But I understand when a player doesn’t play he’s disappointed and Nico has been disappointed because he wanted to have more minutes.

“Hopefully he can play many more minutes and he can contribute to the team because he has the ability to do it"

Potential Arsenal sign-Ings

Arsenal legend Paul Merson claimed his former club should sign Aston Villa ace Danny Ings.

Merson told Sky Sports: "I definitely think [Villa manager Steven] Gerrard will be looking at his situation.

"Well, Ings for me is a goalscorer – Ings would go anywhere. If I was Arsenal, I’d take him all day long.

"I think he’s top-drawer, but he needs to be in the team and sometimes you go to other places and it doesn’t suit the way you play"

Art of the deal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed the reason why no additions were made in the January transfer window.

Arteta said: "Edu and his team did a fantastic job and they continue to do that.

"We only want the best players and the best people in this club.

"When we are in a rush and the reasons are not right for getting a player into the club, we decide not to do it"

Fabian Ruiz statement

Napoli star and Arsenal target Fabian Ruiz has admitted that he is flattered by links to Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Ruiz said: "It’s flattering to hear about these clubs' interest in me, that's for sure.

"Right now, I only think of Napoli, I am very comfortable here and we have big challenges ahead.

"The idea of returning to Spain in the future is always present: it is my home"

Wilshere reacts to move

Jack Wilshere has opened up on his move to Aarhus Gymnastikforening after almost a year as a free agent.

Wilshere said: “Since I started training with Arsenal, I have never hidden the fact that it was to be ready for 2022 and for a new club.

“Now the right club is here, and it will be an exciting new challenge for me. I am in a place in my career where I need to get started again after a difficult period and AGF have offered me that opportunity.

“For that I am very grateful, and I will do everything I can to live up to the expectations. I am very much looking forward to contributing to the team"

This is Gunner sting

Arsenal have been left 'angry' after it was revealed that Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic's representatives sabotaged a potential move to north London from Fiorentina.

The Gunners were also keen on using Viola loanee Lucas Torreira in the deal, swapping his loan move for a permanent transfer to the Seri A side.

According to Torreira's agent, Pablo Bentancur, the north Londoners are furious about the situation.

When speaking to Sport890, Bentancur said: "Now, Arsenal are a bit angry because they wanted Vlahovic.

"Fiorentina wanted to sell him, but the agents said he had to go to Juventus - you always do what the player wants"

Alv some of that

Arsenal are interested in signing Juventus loanee Alvaro Morata in a sensational summer transfer.

Morata has been put up for sale by his parent club Atletico Madrid and is free to leave from July.

According to , the Gunners have made the striker one of their targets going into the summer.

Manager Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring in new centre-forwards after losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona in January.

Arteta is also expected to be without Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah next season, with both out of contract in June.

The Spain international is understood to be open to a move to the Emirates, despite Premier League struggles while at Chelsea