Arsenal news LIVE: Eddie Nketiah future LATEST, Chelsea WIN reaction, Man Utd build up – latest updates

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Mikel Arteta admits he is set to start Eddie Nketiah against Man Utd, saying: “Eddie has the capacity to succeed. What he needs is opportunity, time and support, especially when he has difficult moments.

“In spite of his contractual situation, he doesn’t give anything less than his best in training every single day.

“The way he wants to improve, the attention he pays and the way he behaves even when he isn’t playing have all been exceptional.

“He’s just a phenomenal player and he has shown what type of person he is to the whole team. And that is why he is so respected in the dressing room.”

Arteta also admitted that he can’t comprehend the pain Cristiano Ronaldo must be feeling after the death of the Man United star’s newborn son.

Speaking before the Gunners take on United, Arteta said: “I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about something like that because unless you experience it you cannot be on the same level to express or to go through the pain.”

A win for the Gunners will edge them closer to clinching the last Champions League spot.

But Darren Bent reckons a top-four finish will be an over-achievement for Arteta’s side.

He said: “So, for me, if Arsenal get in the top four this season, they have overachieved and it has been a fantastic season.

“I always said top-six would be an outstanding achievement, back into Europe, but if they get top-four they have overachieved, absolutely overachieved.”

Elsewhere, Alvaro Morata has dropped his clearest message yet that he could join Arsenal this summer.

Morata said: “Luckily, my wife and my sons are prepared to think about my happiness.

“The only thing they want is to see my happy. Alice [his wife] supports me in every decision I’ll make. 

“I have good options and as long as I am with them, I could go everywhere, even to the moon.”

However, Juventus striker Paulo Dybala has been warned not to join the Gunners by Alessandro Del Piero.

The Italian legend said: “A league like the Spanish one would help him in all respects.

“The more physical championships like in England and France… I think of Messi when he went to a league which was difficult from a physical point of view.  

“In Spain and Italy, Dybala would do very well.”

The Gunners are in the market for a new hitman with Alexandre Lacazette set to leave this summer.

And David Seaman believes the French star only has himself to blame for his decline at Arsenal.

Seaman said: “You look at Lacazette and he’s not scored many goals at all this season.

“People say that he’s contributed in the play and everything, but he should be doing that anyway.”

And finally, Martin Odegaard has opened up on being given the Arsenal captain armband.

He told tv2: “It’s big, of course, but it does not change much. I feel like I’m doing the same things.

“There are more people around who think about it. But it is a great recognition and a great declaration of trust.

“I take that as a big compliment, but beyond that I do the same as always.

“I’ve only been here a little over a year, so I did not think so. But everything has gone very well from the start.

“I quickly got into it and slipped into the environment, the group and the team. Everything has gone faster than I expected.”

Ronaldo to bag 100th goal?

Cristiano Ronaldo is just one strike away from his 100th Premier League goal.

And CR7 may bag his centurion against Arsenal on Saturday.

Ronaldo is back in the United squad for the weekend clash after missing the Red Devils’ 4-0 loss to Liverpool.

Merson makes Nkietah/Wright comparison

Arsenal star Eddie Nkietah has been compared to Gunners legend Ian Wright by Paul Merson.

Merson told the Daily Star: "Eddie Nketiah reminded me of Ian Wright against Chelsea and he should play every game now for Arsenal until the end of the season.

"He is a better finisher than Alexandre Lacazette and should score more goals, so I'd leave him in there and let him have a run in the team."

Gallas on Saliba

William Gallas has revealed how Willaim Saliba can fit into Arsenal's team next season.

He said, via Football.London: "If Arteta changes his system and plays with three at the back, Saliba could fit in that position.

"Also, if Arsenal are in the Champions League, he will have more competitions to play in during the season, so Saliba could have more opportunities to play games.

"Saliba has to be ready and must know he has to fight to show he’s a good player and that he deserves to play for Arsenal.”

Lacazette set for Arsenal exit

Alexandre Lacazette will leave Arsenal this summer - and it's all Mikel Arteta's fault.

That's the opinion of ex-Gunner William Gallas, who claims the French ace's issues with the Arsenal boss will drive the striker away from The Emirates.

He said to : "I think he’s going to leave because of the problems he’s had with Arteta since last season.

“When Arteta became the manager, Lacazette was in good form, scoring goals, playing up front with Aubameyang on the wing.

"But slowly there started to be an issue between the manager with Lacazette not playing as many games.

“So that’s why I think he’ll want to leave the club. It can be difficult for players like Lacazette because as a big player, you always want to play in the big competitions.”

Man United drop Maguire

Man United will rest captain Harry Maguire for Saturday's clash with Arsenal.

Maguire joined the rest of the team at Manchester Airport before flying to London.

But the centre-back won't start the game, although he could still be named on the bench after falling victim of a bomb threat late on Thursday.

Arteta behaved like Wenger's son

Mikel Arteta was nicknamed 'Arsene Wenger's son' by the Arsenal squad, his former team-mate Emmanuel Frimpong has revealed.

Speaking exclusively to SunSport via , Frimpong said: "He was someone that I used to think he was a player, but he used to act like a manager."

Frimpong then stated that he isn't surprised that he took up a life in management after hanging up his boots in 2016.

He added: "No surprise, no surprise at all, he was the type of person that you knew would be a manager because he never stopped talking and never stopped learning. 

"I remember we used to call him Wenger's son because every time we used to go out on the training ground, he’d be there talking, asking Wenger questions.

"He was somebody that was never afraid to ask questions, it’s no surprise he's become a manager to be honest."

Arsenal urged to sign Rice

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has urged the club to break the bank and bring West Ham star Declan Rice to the Emirates.

Speaking exclusively to SunSport via , Frimpong said: "I would like to have Declan Rice.

"He's a very good player, improved a lot and shown a lot of maturity for his age. He's done really well for West Ham, I'm a huge fan of his.

"A midfield of him and Partey would be a very strong midfield partnership. I'd also like another left-back to compete with [Kieran] Tierney.

"I feel like we're really struggling in that department at the moment. 

"I'd also want us to sign a striker - there aren't any that come to mind that are realistic signings at the minute, but that's one position we really need to strengthen."

Seaman's baffled by Xhaka postions

David Seaman is confused by how Granit Xhaka's been used for Arsenal recently.

Seaman said: "Xhaka has been really consistent, but I’ve seen him playing on the left side, at left-back or on the left of a back three.

"And I just can’t get my head around that."

Lawrenson predicts a draw

Mark Lawrenson has predicted a draw between Man United and Arsenal.

He told the BBC: “The only thing that is stopping me going for an Arsenal win is that they have been in a position before where they had a grip on fourth place – in fact, they could almost have guaranteed it by now.

“They have not dealt with that scenario very well in the past few weeks so I am not convinced things will be different this time.

“It has to be said, though, that United are all over the place at the moment. With the players he has available, we don’t know how Ralf Rangnick will pick a team and decide on a formation. A point would be a very good result for them in the circumstances.

“Prediction: 1-1”

Maguire dropped for Arsenal game

Harry Maguire won’t be in Man United’s team to face Arsenal.

The defender has been dropped to the bench for the clash by Ralf Rangnick, according to The Athletic.

The report also states that Raphael Varane may take MNaguire’s space in the line-up.

It comes just days after Maguire was the target of a bomb scare at his Manchester home.

Arteta praises 'phenomenal' Elneny

Mikel Arteta reckons Mohamed Elneny doesn't get the credit he deserves at Arsenal.

Arteta said: "I have always said that for me he’s one of the most important players in the squad.

"For what he does when you give him the chance to play and for the things that he does when he doesn’t play.

"He’s a phenomenal person and a great footballer that sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves."

Odegaard on Arsenal captaincy

Martin Odegaard has opened up on being given the Arsenal captain armband.

He told tv2: "It’s big, of course, but it does not change much. I feel like I’m doing the same things.

"There are more people around who think about it. But it is a great recognition and a great declaration of trust.

"I take that as a big compliment, but beyond that I do the same as always.

"I’ve only been here a little over a year, so I did not think so. But everything has gone very well from the start.

"I quickly got into it and slipped into the environment, the group and the team. Everything has gone faster than I expected."

Lacazette's problem discussed

David Seaman has revealed what Alexandre Lacazette's problem has been at Arsenal this season.

He said: "You look at Lacazette and he’s not scored many goals at all this season.

"People say that he’s contributed in the play and everything, but he should be doing that anyway.

"Look at Harry Kane, he wasn’t scoring but he was contributing, but now he’s scoring lots of goals.

"That’s where I think the main problem has been, the lack of goals from the main number nine."

Dybala warned against Prem transfer

Alessandro Del Piero has warned Paolo Dybala against a transfer to Arsenal or rivals Tottenham.

Del Piero said: "A league like the Spanish one would help him in all respects.

“The more physical championships like in England and France… I think of Messi when he went to a league which was difficult from a physical point of view.  

“In Spain and Italy, Dybala would do very well.” 

Saka is 'carrying' Arsenal

Bukayo Saka is keeping Arsenal alive, according to Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink.

The former Chelsea striker said: "He is carrying this team. It does not affect him and he is the same person.

"For me, he is someone that will get better, only get better and he has a bright future.

"He needs to score more goals, but he has got a bright future ahead of him.”

Arteta's Arsenal overachievers

Darren Bent thinks Arsenal would have overachieved this season if they grabbed the last top four spot.

Bent said on talkSPORT: "So, for me, if Arsenal get in the top four this season, they have overachieved and it has been a fantastic season.

“I always said top-six would be an outstanding achievement, back into Europe, but if they get top-four they have overachieved, absolutely overachieved.”

Scholes gives United verdict

Paul Scholes gave a scathing review of Manchester United’s season and predicted they will lose their upcoming games against Arsenal and Chelsea.

The Red Devils were on the wrong end of a crushing 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, the 47-year-old said: “You just can’t see them finishing fourth on that performance.

“Arsenal on Saturday? and Chelsea straight after?

“Those are two games they are going to lose.

“If it’s anything like tonight, they will lose those two games as well.”

Tuchel on Hamilton’s Chelsea bid

Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he is a big fan of both Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams after the pair joined Sir Martin Broughton’s Chelsea bid.

Tuchel said: “I just heard it, I just got a briefing and heard that they are part of it (Broughton’s bid).

“I can tell you not more but I am a big admirer of both of them.”

Tuchels' comments come after it was revealed that Hamilton is an Arsenal fan.

Mikel Arteta on Ronaldo's pain

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that he can't comprehend the pain Cristiano Ronaldo must be feeling after the death of the Man United star's newborn son.

Speaking before the Gunners take on United, Arteta said: "I don't think I'm allowed to talk about something like that because unless you experience it you cannot be on the same level to express or to go through the pain.

"What this country and league have shown with what happened at Anfield the other day I think is exceptional.

"Sports should be leading to find some unity at the human level that sometimes is missing.

"It was a great example and something to be really proud to be participating in a league where some clubs and people involved in this sport are able to show such a thing."