Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Ben White new deal CONFIRMED, Tierney asking price set, Gabriel Martinelli injury latest
BEN WHITE has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal, the club have confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have reportedly set their asking price for Kieran Tierney.
The Scotland international, currently on loan at Real Sociedad, is on the radar of a number of Premier League sides as well as boyhood club Celtic.
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Raya on penalty heroics
David Raya has said his Porto penalty heroics were one of the biggest moment in his career to date.
I think it’s one of the biggest moments in my career, my whole career. I put it up there and hopefully there’s many more to come here.
David RayaWhite contract announced
Ben White's new contract with Arsenal has been officially announced by the club.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has said: "It’s great news that Ben is committing his future to the club.
"Ben is a key player for us, a top professional with a winning mentality, and one of the guys who leads by example every day.
"Ben’s ability, determination and positive attitude are so important, but he is also a great character and human being. We all look forward to continue working with Ben in the coming years."
Credit: Getty United always Mount priority
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Mason Mount always had his eyes set on a move to Manchester United last summer despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
The title rivals were both reportedly interested in Mount right before the summer window, but ultimately saw him head to Old Trafford in a £60m deal.
And Romano has now explained that the England international was always prioritising a move to the Red Devils over the other clubs interested.
Speaking to Caught Offside, he said: "My understanding is that there were contacts with both Arsenal and Liverpool while his situation remained uncertain at Chelsea, but this was not in the summer, it was around April when clubs started to ask about Mount deal conditions.
"That’s it, but Man United was always the priority for the player.”
Tomiyasu done
After reports claiming Ben White has now signed his new contract with Arsenal it has also been said that his teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu has done the same.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Japan international has signed an extension at the Emirates alongside White and an official announcement is coming soon.
White contract details
Reports have emerged that Ben White has penned a fresh set of terms at Arsenal.
The in-form defender's current deal was set to expire in 2026, but Fabrizio Romano has claimed the new contract will see him stay at the Emirates until at least 2028.
It's said that the new deal will expire in June 2028 with an option for a further year to keep White with Arsenal until 2029.
Credit: Getty Raya 'level above' Ramsdale
Jamie Carragher has claimed David Raya is a "level above" teammate Aaron Ramsdale following his penalty saving heroics for Arsenal in the Champions League.
The Spaniard saved two penalties as Arsenal scraped past Porto in the quarter-finals of the competition after Mikel Arteta put his faith in the Brentford loanee from early in the season.
And now Carragher has claimed that Raya has repaid the manager's faith and proven than he is a better keeper than Ramsdale.
Speaking on CBS Sports, he said: "He is the hero isn’t he [Raya],
“Fair play to the manager as well, there was a lot of criticism when he brought him in. There was a lot of talk about the two goalkeepers.
“But I don’t think there is any doubt that Raya is a level above Ramsdale. You see the hug from his manager. He has repaid him.”
Credit: Getty New White Deal
David Ornstein of The Athletic is reporting that Arsenal are set to tie down Ben White to a new 'long-term' deal.
The defender has been in fine form this season playing at right-back and has 'agreed a new and improved long term contract'.
His current offer already runs until 2026, but it is not yet known when this new deal will expire.
Prem giants fight for Olise
Arsenal and Chelsea target Michael Olise would “100%” grab any chance to join Manchester United.
That’s the claim from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano as the Crystal Palace winger is also linked to other Prem giants such as Liverpool.
It follows a report that the Frenchman, 22, is a diehard United fan.
Olise raised a few eyebrows when he failed to celebrate his stunning late point-saver against the Red Devils in January 2023.
I dream of Mbappe & Haaland link-up
Pairing Kylian Mbappe with Erling Haaland would be the dream Premier League partnership.
That’s the claim from ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas – amid contrasting situations for the strike heroes.
Haaland is battling back from injury while PSG’s Mbappe is strongly tipped to join Real madrid next summer.
Ex-Tottenham ace Gallas told : “I’d sign them both! They’re both unbelievable players who have completely different styles for scoring goals.
“At the moment, Erling Haaland has not been at his best since he came back from his injury. Haaland has missed a lot of chances, like the one against Manchester United.
“He’s not back in his best shape yet, but I would still sign both players to win a treble at a club like Arsenal or Chelsea.
“Every opponent would be in trouble if they played together.”
Gunners should chase Nico'
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams would be "devastating2 in the Prem.
So says ex-France midfielder Emmanuel Petit, whose old clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are both keen on the Spain flier.
Real Madrid and Liverpool have been tipped to launch summer approaches for the 21-year-old.
But Petit, 53, told : "Would Nico Williams be a good fit at Arsenal? Absolutely, he’s been one of the best young players in Spain this season.
"He’s got five goals and ten assists already this season. He’s fast, powerful and always runs towards the goal and facing defenders with great skills and dribbling.
"He can play on the right or left and every time I watch Athletic, they always give him the ball because he’s so good at facing two defenders.
"He’d be a very good addition to any team as his skills are devastating. I love players who are always provoking defenders."
Who Arsenal could face in quarter-final draw
Arsenal are into the Champions League quarter-final draw after beating Porto on penalties on Tuesday evening.
Teams in the quarter final draw…
- Atletico Madrid or Inter (0-1 on aggregate)
- Borussia Dortmund or PSV (1-1 on aggregate)
- Barcelona
- Bayern Munich
- Manchester City
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Real Madrid
Champions League quarter-final draw details
The draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday at 11am UK time.
As well as the quarter-finals, the remainder of the competition will also be mapped out, including the semi-final and final draws.
Meaning fans can work out which opponents Arsenal may face at each of those rounds should the Gunners progress.
'Arsenal target Olise would love Utd deal'
Arsenal and Chelsea target Michael Olise would “100%” grab any chance to join Manchester United.
That’s the claim from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano as the Crystal Palace winger is also linked to other Prem giants such as Liverpool.
It follows a report that the Frenchman, 22, is a diehard United fan.
Olise raised a few eyebrows when he failed to celebrate his stunning late point-saver against the Red Devils in January 2023.
Ramsdale tipped to 'come out of it really well'
Aaron Ramsdale has been backed to thrive with a "big" summer move.
The England keeper gifted Brentford a goal last week in his first Arsenal appearance for two months.
Despite being dropped again, Aaron Ramsdale shared Arsenal's joy after fellow keeper David Raya was the star performer against PortoCredit: Getty David Raya then came back in to produce shootout heroics as the Gunners KO'd Porto in the Champions League last-16 on penalties.
But ex-Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves told : “I think Aaron Ramsdale will come out of this really well.
“He will probably end up leaving Arsenal in the summer and go be a regular somewhere else. Some people are a better fit for certain places.
“He did a great job for Arsenal last season. The manager decided a different way this season.
"I am sure if I was Aaron, I would be thinking ‘right I am going to play. I don’t want to sit on the bench at such a peak time of my career’.
“But he is a brilliant goalkeeper. I am sure Ramsdale is going to get a big job in the summer if he fancies it.”
Saka confident of DOUBLE
ARSENAL are targeting a stunning Premier League and Champions League DOUBLE this season.
And star winger Bukayo Saka believes the Gunners can now go to the Etihad and beat title rivals Manchester City after reaching an historic European quarter-final.
Mikel Arteta’s side won a nervy penalty shoot-out at the Emirates to beat Porto on Tuesday night – booking a Champions League last eight spot for the first time in 14 YEARS.
Credit: Rex Currently top of the Premier League with 10 league games left, Arsenal face rivals City on March 31 with the chance to go four points clear.
Asked after the Porto victory whether they want the Premier League or the Champions League, keeper David Raya – who saved two penalties in the shoot-out – said: “Both.”
Saka echoed his teammate, adding: “I want both.”
On whether they can win at Etihad in the Prem there for the first time since 2015, the England star continued: “Yeah, we can.
“Right now, we are top of the league and we are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as we go into the international break.
“That gives us a lot of momentum, a lot of belief, that we can go to the Etihad and get a result.”
Why Kai could be a fine buy after all
THE decision by Arsenal to spend £75million on Kai Havertz was met with surprise and derision by fans across the Premier League, writes LEE SCOTT.
German international Havertz, 24, had been largely labelled a flop during his time at Chelsea having failed to look comfortable as a No9.
Credit: Rex But if you take a step back, were Arsenal truly overpaying for Havertz?
He is a German international with 42 caps and 14 goals, and scored the winning goal for Chelsea in a Champions League final.
He is also a versatile attacking player having played as a No8, No10 and No9.
When the deal for Havertz was announced there was a sense that Mikel Arteta had planned to play Havertz in the midfield where he would add physicality and attacking quality.
Here we assess his key areas of influence - including movement and linking play.
United hunt ex-Arsenal target
Manchester United have reportedly place Barcelona’s Jules Kounde on their list of centre-back targets.
say the former Arsenal-linked Frenchman is a top option alongside names like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Juventus star Gleison Bremer.
The Spanish outlet believe United are “very interested in the ex-Sevilla hero, 25, who has won 24 caps.
Arsenal's perfect penalty record
Arsenal have taken 17 penalties this season (including shoot-outs) and have scored every single one.
- Bukayo Saka - 6
- Martin Odegaard - 4
- Kai Havertz - 2
- Fabio Viera - 2
- Leandro Trossard - 1
- Jorghino - 1
- Declan Rice -1
Stat shows how lucky Arsenal were
Arsenal may have got through to the Champions League quarter-finals - but they left their shooting boots at home against Porto.
Mikel Arteta's side were limited to only four shots on target across both games.
And all of them came on Tuesday's tense affair at the Emirates - just two on target attempts in each half.
One fan wrote: "Arsenal had the same number of shots on target in the penalty shoot-out (4), as they did in 180 minutes over the two legs against Porto (not including extra time)."
While : "Over 210 minutes of football, free-scoring Arsenal managed to get 4 shots on target against Porto. All 4 came tonight at home. Sergio Conceicao, ladies & gents."
But tihs is a far cry from Arsenal's free-scoring domestic form, which has left them top of the Premier League.
When is the quarter final live draw?
The draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, March 15 at 11am UK time.
As well as the quarter-finals, the remainder of the competition will also be mapped out, including the semi-final and final draws.
Meaning fans can work out which opponents Arsenal may face at each of those rounds should the Gunners progress.
Henry caught leaving during penalty shootout
Thierry Henry was spotted leaving during Arsenal's penalty shoot-out against Porto.
Wendell missed from the spot for Porto and with Arsenal netting every spot-kick, it was down to striker Galeno to keep his side in it.
But as soon as he placed the ball down Henry left his seat and headed for the exit door - as he knew he would miss.
The former Arsenal striker was right to feel the way he did as Galeno's effort was saved by David Raya, who sent the North Londoners through to the next round.
Henry explained his decision on CBS Sports, saying: "The way he put the ball down, it looked suspicious to me so I left."
Who Arsenal could face in quarter-final draw
Arsenal are into the Champions League quarter-final draw after beating Porto on penalties on Tuesday evening.
Teams in the quarter final draw...
- Atletico Madrid or Inter (0-1 on aggregate)
- Borussia Dortmund or PSV (1-1 on aggregate)
- Barcelona
- Bayern Munich
- Manchester City
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Real Madrid
Havertz called ‘lucky’ after ‘naughty’ push
Kai Havertz was "lucky" to get away without any punishment after he pushed Porto manager Sergio Conceicao.
As Havertz tried to control a high ball he went off the pitch before pushing Conceicao on the touchline.
The Porto boss was not happy but referee Clement Turpin just gave the midfielder a talking to.
TalkSPORT's Darren Bent said: "Little bit naughty from Havertz, he's a little bit lucky there."
'Time traveller's' prediction on Odegaard came true
Arsenal fans were left stunned after an old tweet making a huge prediction was unearthed.
Posted on December 16, 2014, it made a bold prediction about Martin Odegaard - who was 15 at the time - and Arsenal’s Champions League hopes.
The tweet read: “If Arsenal do sign Martin Odegaard, they’re a shoo-in for the 2024 Champions League quarter-finals.”
Fast forward almost 10 years and Odegaard, now Arsenal captain, netted his side’s first penalty in the shootout to seal a place in the quarters.
Arsenal’s official X account responded to the old tweet, posting a picture of a crystal ball.
How Arsenal looked in last Champions League Round of 16
Arsenal have at last broken their last 16 Champions League curse by booking their place in the quarter-final.
The Gunners won 1-0 on the night thanks to Leandro Trossard's opener which levelled the tie on aggregate.
Following a shootout victory, Arsenal are into their first Champions League quarters since 2010.
And here is how the team lined up against Barcelona in 2010 when they lost against Barcelona 6-3 on aggregate.
