Arsenal ‘must sign Umtiti to get Depay’, Gabriel Jesus transfer EXCLUSIVE, new kit LAUNCHED – latest updates
ARSENAL have made an enquiry to sign Barcelona forward Memphis Depay this summer, according to reports.
The Dutchman could be the perfect replacement for Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette who are both set to leave the club in June.
But Barcelona are reportedly insisting the Gunners also sign France World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti as part of the deal.
Reports in Spain says Umtiti is looking for a coach who could offer him minutes and their confidence, with Mikel Arteta being seen as fitting the bill perfectly..
And Gabriel Jesus could still be open to a move to North London despite the club set to miss out on Champions League football.
In the midfield, the Gunners could be ready to sign Jesus' Man City team-mate Ilkay Gundogan.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog...
Arteta denies "them against us" culture
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has denied that he is trying to create a "them against us culture."
The Spaniard was critical of the refereeing performance from Paul Tierney after he sent off Rob Holding and gave Tottenham a penalty in the North London derby.
"What I have tried to do in years here is not make any complaints.
"I have no complaint and I didn’t complain on Thursday. I just said I could not give a clear assessment on what I thought about the game, and that’s it."
Arteta claimed he could not express his thoughts on the referee's decision because he would end up getting suspended.
O'Hara praises Arteta
Despite Jamie O'Hara's comments on Arsenal he has praised Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.
He said: "They’ve (Arsenal) had a great season. I was on the Sports Bar the other night and Arsenal fans were phoning up after the derby saying ‘Arteta out’ and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
"He’s just put this team together and they are fighting for a top four spot, which really and truthfully is incredible."
The talkSPORT pundit still backs Tottenham to clinch fourth spot though highlighting the lack of experience in the Arsenal squad.
O'Hara thinks Arsenal will "crumble"
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara has told that he thinks Arsenal will "crumble" under the pressure versus Newcastle.
He said: "Arsenal are going to crumble tonight. Howay the lads.
"I’m very confident Newcastle will get a result tonight. It’s pressure time for Arsenal and it’s a tough game.
“We saw yesterday with Tottenham, that was a tough afternoon. The pressure was on and there were nervy moments.
"Arsenal have to win and it’s a big, big night.
This is a tough game. Newcastle have been in great form with Eddie Howe and fair play to Arsenal, they’ve given themselves a chance."
The Gunners are two points behind Spurs in the race for fourth place.
Mavropanos set to leave permanently
Stuttgart are set to complete the permanent signing of Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavrpanos according to various sources.
The Greek centre-back has spent the season on loan at the German club.
They sealed their Bundesliga status for another year on the final days of the season triggering a clause in his contract making the move permanent for £2.7million.
With West Ham and Borussia Dortmund interested, there remains the chance he doesn't stick around at Stuttgart for next season despite the signing.
Elneny on his Arsenal future
His contract expires at the end of this season and it remains to be seen whether Elneny will extend his stay in North London or not.
"I've said before, if Arsenal want me, it's my club, my family, but it's not my decision,
"I have to wait for them to say 'Mo, we want you'.
"Since the first day I have been here, it has felt like a family. We really work like that here, it's such a beautiful club."
Elneny on his playing time
The Egyptian only made one Premier League start between August and April but he has now had to come into the team with Thomas Partey injured and Elneny has played well.
He said: "I always believed,
"I do my job, I let Mikel (Arteta) do his job too and respect his decisions. He always does the right thing for the team, that's what I believe.
"Partey and Granit Xhaka were playing and doing really well, there was never anything to explain, I understood.
"I just knew I had to be ready, we work as a team and in football everything can change in one second.
"When you suddenly are playing and the fans can see you, when you feel you play well, when you're winning, you feel that change.
"I'm really proud when I hear something good about me, and they see how hard I work for this club."
Elneny: Arsenal squad unfazed by Spurs loss
Mohamed Elneny continued to say that Arsenal have already recovered from the demolition they were on the receiving end of versus Tottenham.
He said: "We've spoken about Thursday, that is behind us.
"It's already gone, and we are going there (to Newcastle) on Monday to win the game. We're focused on that 100 per cent."
Elneny confident of top four finish
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has spoken with confidence regarding Arsenal's top four hopes.
He said to : "It (the loss to Tottenham) does not change anything.
"We've got two games, if we win them, we will be in the top four.
"Of course I'm confident - it's still in our hands.
"It's not in someone else's control. Everything is down to us and of course we're going to fight for it."
Ideal opponents?
Arsenal have won 17 of their last 18 fixtures against Newcastle, with the one defeat coming in 2018.
It's a must win match for Mikel Arteta's side and with that record perhaps the North Londoners will be confident.
They sit two points behind Spurs in the table after their win over Burnley yesterday.
Newcastle vs Arsenal - Magpies Team News
The hosts are set to be without influential midfielder Jonjo Shelvey as he has a calf strain.
Former Gunner Joe Willock will not be able to haunt his former club as he is also injured with a knee problem.
Newcastle will also be without Federico Fernandez.
However winger Ryan Fraser is back in training after missing the last five matches and he could feature tonight.
Newcastle vs Arsenal - Gunners Team News
Centre-backs Gabriel and Ben White face late fitness for tonight's game.
White was an unused substitute in the disappointing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in the North London derby, still nursing a hamstring problem.
Gabriel went off injured in the game with a thigh issue.
Rob Holding will miss out this evening due to his red card in the derby.
Thomas Partey (thigh) and Kieran Tierney are both out for the remainder of the season.
Morning Arsenal fans
Mikel Arteta is expecting a reaction from his players, after their 3-0 defeat to Spurs on Thursday.
The Gunners are back in action on Monday against Newcastle – knowing a win will put them back into the top four in the hunt for a Champions League place.
And the Spaniard has been buoyed by what he’s seen at training since that North London defeat.
“The excitement that they’ve shown me every day,” he said.
“The way they’ve come in today with the energy that they were with today to play the game and very willing to go there and perform at the highest level.”
According to reports, centre back pair Gabriel and Ben White face a late fitness test ahead of the crucial Premier League match.
Meanwhile, the Gunners reportedly look set to land young Brazilian star Marquinhos for a cut price of £3million following a legal issue.
The 19-year-old forward, who currently plays for Sao Paulo, was thought to be tied down to a five-year deal at his current club – a contract he signed in 2019.
However, Fifa have now ruled that the contract is only valid for three years – the maximum length for a player signing their first professional deal.
And Arsenal outcast William Saliba has been named UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, after an impressive season with Marseille.
Saliba award
William Saliba has been crowned as UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
The £27million defender has been in impressive form for Marseille, on loan from the Gunners, this season.
Saliba has now come to the end of his loan move and is set to return to North London with his future up in the air.
However, manager Mikel Arteta reportedly wants to keep the towering centre half - and plans to integrate him into his squad for next season.
Pepe talks
Arsenal are considering adding another Pepe to their ranks - a Brazilian version!
The Porto winger, 25, is a target for the Gunners, according to Correio da Manha.
However, Arsenal face competition for his services from a former player.
Patrick Vieira is also said to be interested in taking Pepe to Crystal Palace too.
Marquinhos axed
Arsenal target Marquinhos has been left out of the São Paulo squad to face Cuiabá in tonight's match.
Reports suggest the 19-year-old forward is on the verge of signing for the Gunners in a cut-price £3million deal.
The transfer is said to be in the final stages, with formalities expected to be completed next week.
Defensive blow
Centre backs Gabriel and Ben White were reportedly both absent from training today, ahead of Arsenal's crunch game with Newcastle.
The Gunners travel to St James' Park looking to reclaim fourth spot, after Tottenham moved ahead of them in the race for a Champions League place.
However, they may have to do it without the pair who have been at the heart of Arsenal's defence this season.
They will have late fitness tests, with manager Mikel Arteta facing a team selection headache.
Arteta full of praise for Howe
Ahead of Arsenal's crunch clash with Newcastle on Monday, Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Eddie Howe.
Howe took on the Newcastle job with the club struggling in the relegation zone, but has transformed their fortunes.
Arteta said: "Well, you can see what Eddie and the coaching staff have done.
"Straight away they tried to modify the way they were playing, they have changed formation a few times, but after that they've been quite consistent and they have turned the place around I think in a really good way, and so merit to them."
Dybala set to leave
Paulo Dybala has confirmed he will leave Juventus in an emotional message addressing his future.
The Argentine, 28, is out of contract in the summer and is ready for a different challenge amid interest from Inter Milan.
Arsenal are one of the interested parties for the forward’s signature, but face competition from Man Utd and Tottenham.
Arsenal close to Marquinhos
Arsenal reportedly look set to land young Brazilian star Marquinhos for a cut price of £3million following a legal issue.
The 19-year-old forward, who currently plays for Sao Paulo, was thought to be tied down to a five-year deal at his current club - a contract he signed in 2019.
However, Fifa have now ruled that the contract is only valid for three years - the maximum length for a player signing their first professional deal.
As a result, this means Marquinhos, who has scored three goals in 15 games this season, will become a free agent in the summer.
According to Globo Esporte, Sao Paulo have attempted to negotiate a new deal but the teenager is not thought to be interested.
The report states he is keen for a move to Europe and Arsenal appear to be the frontrunners.
Arteta expecting a reaction
MIKEL ARTETA is expecting a reaction from his players, after their 3-0 defeat to Spurs on Thursday.
The Gunners are back in action on Monday against Newcastle - knowing a win will put them back into the top four in the hunt for a Champions League place.
And the Spaniard has been buoyed by what he's seen at training since that North London defeat.
"The excitement that they've shown me every day," he said.
"The way they've come in today with the energy that they were with today to play the game and very willing to go there and perform at the highest level."
Pressure is on Arsenal
Arsenal are under huge pressure to win their next game after Tottenham beat Burnley this afternoon, Jamie O'Hara reckons.
O'Hara wasn't happy with Spurs' performance but the victory appeased the football pundit.
O'Hara shared his views on Twitter and said: "That was painful to watch, terrible performance but all that matters is the three points. Huge pressure on Arsenal now, have to win #TOTBUR"
Merson reveals Arteta frustration
Paul Merson has revealed his frustration with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal tactics as of late.
Merson made the admission to Sky Sports host Jeff Sterling whilst assessing the Gunners' recent performances.
Merson ranted: "It frustrates me Jeff. He’s supposed to be a top-drawer manager.
"We all know Tottenham are one of the best teams in the world at counter-attacking football.
"They’ve drawn with Liverpool twice and done the double over Manchester City.
"Why don’t they play that way [like Brighton did in North London]? Why do you have to go out with this ‘we’re going to play the right way, this is the way football is played’.”
Arteta on Champions League spot
Mikel Arteta is confident Arsenal are in a good position to clinch the final Champions League spot.
The Gunners lost to Tottenham but Arteta insists the defeat shouldn't derail his teams plans of finishing fourth.
Arteta said whilst assessing Arsenal's remaining fixtures: "Two games and two wins is a good place to be."
Keane’s disdain for Fabregas
Roy Keane once threatened to ‘smash Cesc Fabregas in’ when the midfielder clattered into him.
Fabregas risked Keane’s wrath after tackling the Irishman really hard when Arsenal played Man United in the FA Cup final.
Keane let Gerard Pique know just how close Fabregas was to a beating a few years later.
Fabregas recalled to : “I tackled Roy Keane really hard and I felt really good about it because he was always giving me a tough time.
“A few years later, Gerard Pique [his friend from Barcelona’s La Masia academy] said to me that at half-time Keane said, ‘That Spanish friend of yours, I will smash him, he killed me.’”
Arsenal agree Hickey transfer deal
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a £21 million transfer fee with Bologna to sign Aaron Hickey.
Hickey operates mainly for Bologna at left full-back and has attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle, in the past.
And now it seems that it is the Gunners that have won the race for the Scotland international’s signature.
That’s according to , who state that a transfer fee of £21m has been agreed between the two clubs.
They claim that Bologna’s sporting director Riccardo Bigon allegedly flew to London recently for talks with the Gunners.
And those discussions led to an agreement being made for the player.