Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mbappe ‘willing to join Gunners’, Chelsea ‘in battle for Williams’, Neto updates
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KYLIAN MBAPPE is reportedly “willing” to sign for Arsenal in a blockbuster move so he can follow in the footsteps of his hero Thierry Henry.
Elsewhere, the Gunners are reportedly eyeing up a summer move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams ahead of a potential summer transfer.
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Arsenal targeting Hato
Arsenal are looking for defensive reinforcement ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to the , the Gunners are keeping tabs on Ajax ace Jorrel Hato.
The Netherlands international can operate at left-back and centre-back.
The North Londoners see the 17-year-old as a replacement for Jakub Kiwior.
Jakub Kiwior interest
Arsenal ace Jakub Kiwior has been targeted by several Italian clubs, such as AC Milan.
According to the Evening Standard, Milan and other Serie A teams are expected to revive their interest in Kiwior during the summer transfer window.
That is to see if the Gunners could be tempted into selling or loaning the versatile defender.
Sevilla also showed interest in the Poland international last summer.
Players wanted Nwaneri
Arsenal stars were calling for manager Mikel Arteta to bring on 16-year-old Ethan Nwaneri against West Ham.
Arteta revealed he could hear his substitutes whispering "bring Ethan in", during Sunday's 6-0 win at the London Stadium.
There is something you have to earn in your team and that’s the trust of your team-mates.
I had two things. One the players on the bench whispering ‘bring Ethan in’ which is a great thing to hear.
The second thing is for your team-mates to give you the ball all the time.
If they do that, it’s because they really trust you and you only have to see how many times he was involved to see that. It’s a great sign.
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal's combo deal
Arsenal star Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes already knew what they would do before their third goal against West Ham.
The Gunners thrashed the Hammers 6-0 at the London Stadium to put their Premier League title bid into full gear.
Gabriel practically sealed the three points in the 44th minute following centre-back partner William Saliba's opener and Bukayo Saka's penalty kick.
The North Londoners showed exactly why they are the most dangerous Premier League team on set pieces a few minutes before half-time.
Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans noticed Gabriel and Rice having a secret chat after the visitors got a free-kick from a promising position down the left.
That led to a wonderful combination between the defender and the former West Ham superstar.
Predicted Premier League table
Arsenal will lift the Premier League title, according to a supercomputer.
Artificial intelligence has the Gunners first, followed closely by Liverpool in second and last season's champions Manchester City slumping to third.
Aston Villa round out the top four, despite this weekend's defeat to Champions League rivals Manchester United.
The data was crunched by algorithm named BETSiE, which simulates the Prem season 100,0000 times.
Not world class?
Bukayo Saka is undoubtedly one of Arsenal's key men - but Rio Ferdinand isn't convinced he's world class. Yet.
The Man Utd and England legend told his Vibe with Five podcast: "Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal.
"I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid. But I think, it’s almost like what is world-class?
"He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages.
"Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet."
Blue card dilemma
Goalkeepers will not be exempt from receiving blue cards under the proposed new rules.
Last week it was reported that football lawmakers want to introduce sin bins to the game in a major disciplinary change.
And claim that keepers will not be immune of the new rule.
That means managers will be forced to choose between putting an outfield player in goal or making a substitution.
Mourinho on celebration police
Jose Mourinho has piled into the debate surrounding Arsenal’s celebrations following their victory over Liverpool.
Mourinho was never one to shy away from toasting victory on the pitch.
The Special One even ran the full length of the Old Trafford pitch after his Porto side dumped United out of the Champions League in 2004 en route to winning the competition.
Posting a compilation of some of his wildest party moments during matches, the Portuguese tactician quoted his favourite catchphrase in a caption on Instagram: “What do I think of managers’ celebrations after a victory?
“’I prefer not to speak’.”
Amadou Onana transfer war
Barcelona will join the race to sign Everton star and Arsenal transfer target Amadou Onana.
However, Barca will only move for Onana if the Toffees drop their £51million asking price.
Like the cash-strapped Merseysiders, the Blaugrana have their own financial issues and cannot afford to go beyond £34m as things stand.
Everton will hope to generate an auction for the midfielder this summer.
Manchester United, the Gunners and Chelsea are all among the clubs to have the Belgium international on their shortlist.
Nico Williams transfer war
Arsenal and Chelsea have sent scouts to watch Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams.
Williams is shining bright for Bilbao this season with five goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners and the Blues have sent representatives "multiple times" in the Basque Country to follow the Spain international's progress.
However, there is nothing advanced between the 21-year-old and any of the Premier League rivals at this stage.
The transfer race is "completely open" meaning more suitors could swoop in for Williams.
United have transfer edge
Manchester United will reportedly have the advantage in the race to sign Khephren Thuram this summer.
The Nice midfielder has been linked with both the Red Devils and Arsenal, amongst other clubs.
According to , the Ineos link between Nice and United could impact his future in the transfer window.
Nice owners Ineos have agreed to buy a 25 per cent stake in United.
Arsenal's next five matches
Following Sunday's 6-0 win over West Ham, Arsenal are next in action away to Burnley on Saturday.
The Gunners then travel to Portugal for their Champions League last 16 first leg against Porto.
Mikel Arteta's side conclude February at home to Newcastle before facing Sheffield United and Brentford at the start of March.
Luiz could join
Aston Villa are reportedly concerned Douglas Luiz could join Arsenal in the summer.
According to , there are fears behind the scenes that the Brazilian will leave if Villa fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Following Sunday's defeat to Manchester United, Villa are fifth in the table, which could prove enough for qualification.
Arsenal have been linked with the midfielder in recent months along with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.
"Lovely day" for Arsenal
Ben White hailed Arsenal's performance on social media after their 6-0 win over West Ham.
The Gunners blew the Hammers away at the London Stadium on Sunday to keep up the pace in the title race.
Posting to Instagram after the match, White shared a snap of himself in action.
Alongside the picture, he wrote: "Lovely day."
Set-piece specialists
Arsenal's 6-0 thrashing of West Ham on Sunday improved their impressive set-piece record in the Premier League this season.
Excluding penalties, the Gunners have now scored 16 goals from set-pieces, more than any other team.
They also have the most goals from corners at 11.
Bukayo Saka's converted penalty was Arsenal's seventh from seven spot-kicks, which is also the most in the Premier League this term.
Gunners blow
Arsenal are set to suffer a blow in their hopes of signing reported target Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker has been strongly linked with a move to North London in recent months.
However, now report that Juventus are keen to offer Vlahovic a new long-term deal.
The 24-year-old, who has scored 12 league goals this season, is currently out of contract in 2026.
Arsenal eye Neto
Wolves forward Pedro Neto is expected to attract bids this summer.
According to , both Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in the 23-year-old.
Neto has eight assists in the Premier League this season, the second-most in the division.
Gunners scout Williams
Arsenal are one of a number of clubs to have sent scouts to watch Nico Williams.
The Athletic Bilbao winger is attracting interest from across Europe ahead of the summer.
According to , Arsenal and Chelsea scouts have seen him play on multiple occasions.
The 21-year-old has scored five goals and added 10 assists so far this season.
Kiwior chase
Sevilla are set to rival Italian's AC Milan and Juventus for Jakub Kiwior.
According to Estadio Deportivo, via Fichajes, the Spanish side believe they can prise the Polish defender away from the Emirates.
The LaLiga giants are weighing up a move in the summer.
However, the report adds Arsenal won't sell Kiwior on the cheap, having splashed out £21m to sign him last year.
Morgan and Rice
Piers Morgan shared an image together with Declan Rice, after the ex-West Ham ace dismantled his old club.
The England midfielder scored a worldie, and was instrumental in Arsenal's 6-0 win at the London Stadium.
Morgan took to X on Sunday evening to share an image with Rice, captioning the snap: "RICE RICE BABY!"
Saka's frustration
Bukayo Saka may have been man of the match against West Ham.
But the hard taskmaster, who notched his 50th goal for Arsenal with his first, was gutted he didn't net a hat-trick.
He told Sky Sports: "We were 4-0 up in the first half and I think we could've scored many more, including myself, but we still smelt blood and went for the kill.
"We're happy. To be honest, I'm really happy to achieve that [50 goals], but not sure I can be happy today. I missed some chances that I thought I could've scored. But obviously it's a great achievement, so I'm proud of that."
Odegaard's game in numbers
Martin Odegaard delivered a midfield masterclass for the Gunners against West Ham.
Here's how he ranked.
◉ Most touches (121) ◉ Most passes completed (107/113) ◉ Most passes in final third (48) ◉ Most final third entries (12) ◉ Most chances created (7) ◉= Most assists (2) ◎ 100% duels won (3/3) ◎ 100% take-ons completed (1/1)
Premier League table
Arsenal closed the gap on the top two with their thumping 6-0 win over West Ham.
Even their goal difference took a massive leap and is the same now as City's.
It's getting tight at the top.
Keane defends Arsenal's celebrations
Roy Keane has defended Arsenal after they were accused of over-celebrating against Liverpool.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "It happens but you can't get carried away but that's the nature of the best.
"Teams get excited and get giddy, we see it every week now. Obviously we saw Arsenal get criticised last week, but we see teams every week now [celebrate] when they get a big result.
"Yes, celebrate and get photographs, but as we know, there's a long way to go in that league challenge and you can't get too carried away. We know what football does to you, it kicks you in the teeth."
Williams battle
Arsenal are set to be rivalled for the signature of Nico Williams in the summer by a rival Premier League club.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Gunners will face competition from Chelsea for the 21-year-old winger.
Williams has been a revelation in LaLiga for Athletic Bilbao.
Mikel Arteta is said to be looking for cover for Bukayo Saka.