Arsenal news LIVE: Eddie Nketiah future LATEST, Chelsea WIN reaction, Man Utd build up – latest updates
ARSENAL beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge to ensure they kept in the Premier League top four race - and next up is Manchester United at the Emirates.
The Gunners will finish their season going head to head with rivals Tottenham for the final spot, and even dragged Chelsea back into the race with their decisive victory.
Mikel Arteta said: "It was a great night and the players deserve it. It has been a tough two weeks but you have to bounce back and show spirit.
"We have been criticised and rightly so, with the expectations we have. But me it is worth taking that for these players.”
Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates in our live blog...
Saliba needs Arsenal tactical tweak
William Gallas believes Arsenal will need to play with three at the back in order to accommodate William Saliba next season.
He told : “I don't know why Saliba hasn't had an opportunity to show what he can do at Arsenal.
“If he comes back to Arsenal (from Marseille), he has to be ready and he has to know it will be difficult for him to be in the starting XI because right now, they have Ben White.
“But 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.”
Smith Rowe urged for consistency
Nigel Winterburn believes Emile Smith Rowe’s path to regular football will be helped if he becomes more consistent.
Winterburn told : “Smith-Rowe's goalscoring record is right up there. He’s one of the top Arsenal goal scorers this season and that shows he’s got goals in him.
“It’s a case of when he gets into the team, he needs to produce in order to stay there and as soon as he has a dip, he’s out and another player will take his position.
“Smith-Rowe will be disappointed that he’s not starting every game. He has had good game time, but once you’ve had a taste for playing regularly, you want to feel that your name is going to be the first on the team sheet.
“Smith-Rowe is doing nothing wrong. He’s an outstanding talent and he’s a different player to Martin Odegaard. He’s an excellent runner with the ball, his finishing is good, and he has excellent composure in and around the box.”
Winterburn backs Nketiah against United
Nigel Winterburn believes Eddie Nketiah deserves to start against Man Utd.
He told : “One question you’d have to ask Mikel Arteta is why Eddie Nketiah hasn’t had more game time?
“Against Chelsea, he was outstanding. It was such a strong performance from a young man that’s come into the team.
“He showed intelligence, and he’s quick but mainly, it was the coolness in his finishing, the second goal was instinctive. I would be amazed if Nketiah doesn’t start at the weekend.”
Aubameyang continues Barcelona hot streak
Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it nine goals in 11 league games as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0.
The striker is now Barca's top goalscorer, despite only joining them in January.
Mikel Arteta allowed Aubameyang to leave on a free transfer following a bust-up behind the scenes.
But the Gabon international is proving he can still deliver the goods at the highest level, with Barcelona now second in LaLiga.
Parker writes off United chances
Paul Parker believes Man Utd have no chance of beating Arsenal at the Emirates.
He told : "Arsenal is such a big game. Emirates is gonna be sold out and I don’t think that they (Manchester United) got a chance there.
"The only thing consistent about United this season they have been awful. When they have won games, they’ve been awful.
“So, that’s virtually like a playoff game and virtually if United blows that one, they’re out.
“To be honest, I think United are not going to make Champions League.”
Arsenal given bargain Thielmann price
Arsenal have been told they can land FC Koln star Jan Thielmann for £12.5 million this summer.
The 19-year-old right winger has caught the eye in Bundesliga this term.
And Tag24 states that Koln are willing to cash in if they receive an offer of £12.5m.
They claim the club can “hardly say no” to such a figure due to the financial impact of the coronavirus.
Willian set for Corinthians exit
Former Chelsea and Arsenal star Willian and his family are reportedly “scared to leave their house” following threats made on social media.
The 33-year-old winger is back playing in his Brazilian homeland with Corinthians.
But cops were called in to investigate after several players were threatened following their shock loss to Always Ready
Willian’s young twin daughters are afraid to go to school, while his wife is refusing to leave home unless it is absolutely necessary.
And the veteran could now leave South America for fears over safety.
Premier League top manager salaries
Mikel Arteta is the sixth best-paid manager in the Premier League.
The Arsenal boss takes home £8.3million a year.
But he's still well short of Man City's Pep Guardiola, who collects £19m each season.
Ozil sends support to Maguire
Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has sent Manchester United’s Harry Maguire a message of support following the star’s terrifying bomb scare.
Ozil tweeted: “Just read the news about Harry Maguire ... this is just insane.
“Football can never ever be that serious to be threatening a player and his family. I'm shocked.
“Sometimes football brings out the worst in people. Hopefully all people involved get punished.”
Next up for the Arsenal
Let's take a look at Arsenal's next five fixtures...
Good morning Arsenal fans
Stamford Bridge has been renamed ‘Emile Smith-Rowe’s playground’ after the Gunners star’s contribution for Arsenal against Chelsea.
Smith-Rowe got himself on the score-sheet in Arsenal’s 4-2 win over the Blues on their home turf.
And the Gooners gave the midfielder ownership over the West London ground on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has admitted that he was nervous for Bukayo Saka after he took Arsenal’s winning penalty against Chelsea.
Saka missed a penalty kick for England in the Euro 2020 finals against Italy.
And Arteta was a bit apprehensive when Saka stepped up to take the penalty at Stamford Bridge.
And Gunners star Eddie Nkietah has revealed how happy he was to score a brace against former club Chelsea.
He said: “I think scoring it here makes it that little bit more special.
“You always have that chip on your shoulder to come here and to try and prove yourself. But today, I scored two goals.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the team and bouncing back and getting the three points.”
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to get behind the club when Man United come to The Emirates.
The Gunners made light work of Chelsea on Wednesday night and Arteta wants more of the same against the Red Devils.
He said: “I’m now thinking about Manchester United.
“This one is done now, we have already enjoyed it in the dressing room. Now it is about recovery, preparing mentally.
“We don’t have any time to prepare for the match, so we are going to have to need our people to turn up and make the Emirates a real place against Manchester United.”
Finally, Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Alexandre Lacazette to apologise to Arsenal for claiming he is in talks to join other clubs.
Agbonlahor said: “If he wants to play Champions League football the only team he’ll be playing it at is Partizan Belgrade or Panathinaikos.
“He won’t be playing it at a big club because he can’t hit a barn door.
“The audacity to say that he wants to play Champions League football when he’s putting in performances that are lacklustre is an insult to Arsenal, to be honest.
“I think he should apologise.”
Saka's still owes homework
Bukayo Saka's former schoolteacher claims the Arsenal star still owes an old piece of homework.
While describing how the striker was at school, his old teacher said: "He was just a normal teenage boy. Smiling and joking with his friends. Very respectful, very well brought up.
"I do think he still owes me some English homework. So if he gets those done and sends it through I'll mark it."
Wright praises Saka
Ian Wright has praised Bukayo Saka after he scored Arsenal's winning penalty against Chelsea.
Wright said: “Fantastic penalty. When you talk about what he has been through, with penalties and how to take them.
“With all the melee and what was going on before it. He has shown great composure and he has stuck it away. And that is a magnificent result for us.
“I was really happy for him because he was under a lot of pressure for that penalty and he took it brilliantly.”
Lacazette urged to apologise
Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Alexandre Lacazette to apologise to Arsenal for claiming he is in talks to join other clubs.
Agbonlahor said: "If he wants to play Champions League football the only team he’ll be playing it at is Partizan Belgrade or Panathinaikos.
"He won’t be playing it at a big club because he can’t hit a barn door.
"The audacity to say that he wants to play Champions League football when he’s putting in performances that are lacklustre is an insult to Arsenal, to be honest.
"I think he should apologise.
"Maybe he would be playing Champions League football for Arsenal if he could score a goal."
Wright on Xhaka
Ian Wright was impressed by Granit Xhaka's performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
He even compared the midfielder's stellar display to his impressive form for Switzerland at Euro 2020.
Wright raved: "Come on, Granit Xhaka. That was Euro’s Granit Xhaka we saw there. Man was energised.
“He was very, very, very good yesterday. If Xhaka is putting those performances in on a regular basis, we are doing a lot better than we’re doing because that was inspirational captain leading from the front kind of stuff, that was.”
Arteta's 'unfair' admission
Mikel Arteta has admitted he's been unfair with Eddie Nkietah after the striker netted a brace for Arsenal against Chelsea.
He said: "If there is one player that I have been unfair with, I think it is him.
"He has given me every right to do something different. So if Eddie hasn’t played more, it’s my fault.
"And because as a manager I have missed something or I haven’t had the courage to play him more.
"And today he showed me again how wrong I was."
Ian Wright slammed Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta has been slammed by Ian Wright for conceding a penalty for Chelsea against Arsenal.
Wright said: “Look at Azpilicueta there, experienced player, one player in the box and he’s given away a penalty like that.
“It deserved to be a penalty. He’s saying he’s holding him but he should be defending that.
“He should be the defensive side but he’s not even looking at the ball. What does he expect the referee to do?”
Varane back for United
Arsenal may have to contend with Raphael Varane in Man United's defence this weekend.
Varane has missed United's last three games due to injury.
But the Frenchman is reportedly back in training ahead of the Prem clash, according to Manchester Evening News.
Art of war
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to get behind the club when Man United come to The Emirates.
The Gunners made light work of Chelsea on Wednesday night and Arteta wants more of the same against the Red Devils.
He said: ";I’m now thinking about Manchester United.
"This one is done now, we have already enjoyed it in the dressing room. Now it is about recovery, preparing mentally.
“We don’t have any time to prepare for the match, so we are going to have to need our people to turn up and make the Emirates a real place against Manchester United.”
Nkietah's Chelsea joy
Eddie Nkietah has revealed how happy he was to score a brace against former club Chelsea.
He said: "I think scoring it here makes it that little bit more special.
"You always have that chip on your shoulder to come here and to try and prove yourself. But today, I scored two goals.
"It’s not about me, it’s about the team and bouncing back and getting the three points."
Arsenal's Morata issue
Arsenal have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of Alvaro Morata.
The Atletico Madrid striker had a rough spell with Chelsea.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, his nightmare at Stamford Bridge is making him reluctant towards a Premier League return - albeit with Arsenal.
But the Gunners are still in with a shout of signing the striker as Atleti would prefer selling him to the North Londoners.
Gabriel's hairline debate
Fans are convinced Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes has had a hair transplant after spotting the defender's amazing new look.
The 24-year-old showed off an incredibly sharp hairstyle during Wednesday night's end-to-end 4-2 win against Chelsea.
But some Gunners fans were left more impressed by Gabriel's incredible hair transformation than the actual result.
The Brazilian defender wowed onlookers with a smart short back and sides trim at Stamford Bridge.
Compare that to pictures of Gabriel from earlier this month, and the Arsenal man is almost unrecognisable.
Training snaps taken at the Gunners' London Colney base show Gabriel with a visibly receding hairline.
Arteta was nervous about Saka
Mikel Arteta has admitted that he was nervous for Bukayo Saka after he took Arsenal's winning penalty against Chelsea.
Saka missed a penalty kick for England in the Euro 2020 finals against Italy.
And Arteta was a bit apprehensive when Saka stepped up to take the penalty at Stamford Bridge.
He said: "When I saw that Bukayo took it, honestly, my first thing that I thought was back in the summer and what happened.
“But again, I said to you guys, when that happened to Bukayo, that happened for a reason and he learned so much and he matured so much, that’s why he’s having the season that he’s had.”
Smith-Rowe's playground
Stamford Bridge has been renamed 'Emile Smith-Rowe's playground' after the Gunners star's contribution for Arsenal against Chelsea.
Smith-Rowe got himself on the score-sheet in Arsenal's 4-2 win over the Blues on their home turf.
And the Gooners gave the midfielder ownership over the West London ground on Twitter.
One fan wrote to Smith-Rowe: "Stamford Bridge is your playground.
While another concurred: "Stamford Bridge is Smith Rowe’s playground."
Gunners 5th biggest spenders in Europe
JOSHUA MBU reveals that Arsenal have been Europe's FIFTH biggest spenders since the 2012/13 season.
The Gunners have spent a whopping £486m.
They have won the FA Cup four times since but have failed to win the Premier League in that time.
