ARSENAL are preparing a major summer move for Paulo Dybala according to reports.
The Argentine international has stalled on his contract negotiations with Juventus and could be heading elsewhere in the transfer window.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are also reportedly looking at £20 million Djed Spence as a full-back option.
However, bitter rivals Tottenham, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are all considering his services.
And goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has revealed Bukayo Saka's role in making his decision to sign for Arsenal.
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- Justin Lawrence
Arteta defends Saka
Mikel Arteta has defended Bukayo Saka after Steven Gerrard slammed the youngster for asking for more protection from referees.
Arteta said: "I think Bukayo said he was not going to complain, but he wanted some consistency in the refereeing.
"The only person who can protect the players is the referee because he guides the level of the game and the level of the contact and physicality that is allowed or not allowed in a football match.
"I think we have to protect our best players and that’s in the hands of the referee, that’s all."
- Justin Lawrence
Lacazette transfer hunt
Alexandre Lacazette is being tracked by both Barcelona and Lyon, reports claim.
The Gunners star's contract ends this summer and he hasn't been offered a new one yet.
And if that doesn't change, both Barca and Lyon are willing to offer Lacazette a new home, according to SPORT.
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal chase Djed Spence
Arsenal are lining up a £20million move for on-loan Nottingham Forest right-back Djed Spence, according to reports.
According to the Mirror, Arsenal are plotting a £20m move for Spence.
But rivals Tottenham and Manchester United could also make a move for the on-loan star.
German giants Bayern Munich has also been watching Spence regularly.
The youngster is contracted to Middlesbrough until 2024 but could be allowed to leave with the club developing the equally impressive Isiah Jones into their first-choice right-back.
- Justin Lawrence
Saka's role in Ramsdale transfer
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale has revealed Bukayo Saka got him to the club not Mikel Arteta.
It wasn’t him, to be honest – it was Bukayo! I heard rumours that Arsenal were interested in me when I was at the camp before the Euros, and Bukayo had mentioned that he and the boss had been talking about me. As the transfer window gathered pace, I went back to Sheffield United and there were bids getting rejected.
When one was accepted, I finally spoke to the manager and he told me, “We don’t see anyone as No.1 or No.2.”
"He told me that it might take a year to win the main shirt. The manager’s great – you can speak to him about anything.”
- Alex Cole
Good morning, Gunners fans
Arsenal are reportedly ready to launch a move for Paulo Dybala rather than Darwin Nunez in their hunt for a new forward, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
Mikel Arteta’s side allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave for nothing in January and face the prospect of losing both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah for free when their contracts expire in June.
That has led to the Gunners being linked with a host of names as potential replacements.
And Tuttosport claims that they will instead attempt to sign Dybala this summer.
The 28-year-old will become a free agent at the end of the campaign after Juventus withdrew their offer of an extension.
The Argentina ace’s wage demands have proven to be too much for the Italian club as they look to dramatically reduce their wage bill.
Now Arsenal are one of the teams hoping to capitalise on that situation with Tuttomercatoweb already stating they have opened talks with Dybala's representatives.
The South American has played 29 times this term and has found the net 13 times for his club.
But he has struggled fitness-wise over the past two years, missing 18 games last season and 15 already in the current one through injury.
- Alex Cole
Gunners third shirt leaked
Arsenal's third kit for the 2022-23 season has been leaked online with the club set to play in pink for the first time, writes JAKE LAMBOURNE.
Both of the Gunners' rumoured home and away strips have already surfaced on social media with fans loving the designs.
But now the pink third shirt has been unveiled too.
The Arsenal badge, Adidas logo, their kit sponsor, collar and the three stripes on the shoulder are all in black.
And there is even a subtle pattern of so-called ermines all over the kit to complete the look which are often seen in coats of arms.
The design is a nod to the old Arsenal badge before it was updated in 2002.
- Alex Cole
Gunners next five
Arsenal face London rivals Crystal Palace in their next game.
Boss Mikel Arteta spoke about Arsenal's last bout with the Eagles, via their official site.
The Spaniard said: "We scored right at the end and it was a tough match.
"We had some really good periods, some periods where we struggled.
"We conceded two very poor goals in that game with simple giveaways that put the game into a really difficult position.
"The team, especially at home, is doing really well and the coaching staff are doing a great job and we know how it is to play in their stadium."
A tasty back-to-back awaits Arteta's men at the end of April.
They face Chelsea at Stamford bridge, followed by Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium three days later!
- Alex Cole
Arteta on Viera
Patrick Viera and Wayne Rooney have become the latest two former players to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
And boss Mikel Arteta discussed the moment with the Gunners official site.
Arteta said: "Well, it's a huge achievement.
"You have to be very special to be nominated to be there and I think Patrick deserves it for what he brought to the English game, what he did for Arsenal and what he brought to English football."
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd - Alex Cole
Arteta gives update on Tomiyasu
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta gives an update on the fitness of Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of Monday night's clash with Palace.
Arteta said: "I think it will be close.
"Tomiyasu's been training more and more.
"He has the boys back now, so he will be joining some sessions this week, and let’s see how it is. "
Credit: Reuters The Spaniard also discussed his right-back's recovery and why it’s taken longer than expected.
He added: "Tomiyasu had a recurring injury, but in the other calf, which was a strange and difficult to predict.
"He’s been through a lot in the last two years with all the Covid and the amount of games that he’s played.
"The transition to a different league with the intensity – it’s completely different.
"We can find the right reasons and hopefully don’t go through that situation again because especially for him it’s been tough."
- Justin Lawrence
Cody Gakpo race heats up
Arsenal could be joined by Manchester United in the bidding war for PSV Eindhoven star and transfer target Cody Gakpo, reports suggest.
That is according to Manchester Evening News, who claim that United may turn to Gakpo as they will need at least one attacker in the summer to replace the departing Edinson Cavani.
The Amsterdam giants' manager Erik ten Hag must be impressed with what he's seeing, and he's the favourite to take over at the United dugout this summer.
However, Arsenal are also determined to land the £42million-rated Netherlands international.
Recent reports even suggested that the Gunners are favourites to price the 22-year-old away from the Philips Stadion.
- Justin Lawrence
Petit speaks on Henry's arrogance
Emmanuel Petit has revealed he savaged Thierry Henry's "extremely arrogant" attitude during their time together at Arsenal.
Petit, 51, revealed the bust-up during a French TV discussion about on-pitch celebrations.
He told RMC: "I had a conversation with Titi [Henry] in front of Arsene Wenger when we were playing for Arsenal.
"We had played a few days before, I think at Highbury, and Titi had scored twice.
"I hadn't liked his celebration one little bit. He had gone over to the corner flag, with an extremely arrogant attitude.
"I told him that myself and some of the other players didn't like the way he celebrated.
"He understandably didn't take what I said at all well. But it was all too much as far as I was concerned.
"I challenged Arsene, and told him it wasn't my job to tell Henry off – instead it was down to him."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal want Djed Spence
Arsenal are plotting to hijack Tottenham.s pursuit of Djed Spence, reports claim.
And the Gunners have already initiated contact with the Middlesbrough star who's on loan at Nottingham Forest.
If the reports are true, the Gunners will have to meet Boro's demand of £12million to recruit the right back.
- Justin Lawrence
'It's like Hamilton vs Verstappen'
Jamie O'Hara has accused the FA of manipulating the drama like F1 chiefs have done with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
The ex-Spurs star made the claims after the FA scheduled Arsenal and Tottenham to play each other in the final week of the season.
He told talkSPORT: "It’s like a Formula 1 moment.
“You think about last season, the Hamilton and Verstappen moment, when they manipulated the race to make it brilliant for the public to watch.
“As a Spurs fan, I’m actually quite happy about it, because it gives us a chance to pile some pressure on Arsenal, go into the last week of the season and have a huge fixture. It’ll probably be midweek, under the lights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
"But I understand the Premier League are manipulating this fixture for the drama – is that right?”
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal's new Bergkamp
Arsenal youngster Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand is loving life with the Gunners and wants to emulate Dennis Bergkamp.
He said:“Yes, I also know those similarities, but I am often compared here with Dennis Bergkamp, because of my sense on the ball.
"Bergkamp is a legend, so that’s nice.
“But what I especially want is to make a name for myself. Then, like Bergkamp did, you can really write history.”
- Justin Lawrence
O'Hara makes Arsenal/Spurs comparison
Jamie O'Hara thinks Tottenham is a more attractive proposition for players nowadays than Arsenal – unless your Ben White that is.
O'Hara said on talkSPORT: "Say Manchester United sneak into the top-four and Arsenal and Tottenham are going for the same player, where does he go?
“It’s Tottenham. If it’s Tottenham or Arsenal, you’re going to Tottenham.
“Number one, Tottenham have got an incredible stadium, one of the greatest stadiums in the world, [they’ve got] the best training ground in the world, one of the best managers in the world, one of the best strikers in the world, one of the best left-wingers in the world.
“If you’re looking at a football club that you’d go to, you’d go to Tottenham. Why would you go to Arsenal? Unless you’re Ben White from Brighton…”
- Justin Lawrence
Barnes on Pepe's poor form
John Barnes thinks Nicolas Pepe is struggling at Arsenal because he doesn't suit their style of play.
Barnes told BonusCodeBets: " The style of football at Arsenal clearly doesn’t suit Nicolas Pépé as much as Lille’s did. As a player, you have to find a club that suits you.
“It’s okay to say a player should be moved on, but if he’s got a contract, you can’t always just sell them if they don’t want to go. And equally, players cannot force a club to sell them.
“For the sake of his own career, he may feel it is best to move on. And if Arsenal receives a bid that they deem sufficient, it could happen. It’s clearly not worked out.
“If there’s a compromise between Nicolas, the club and all other parties then it’s best that he accepts it. Arsenal will get a bit of money back and can use it to buy someone.”
- Justin Lawrence
Neville on Arteta fears
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could leave at the end of the season because his team can't compete with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.
That is according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville.
He said on Sky Sports: "Mikel Arteta is a brilliant coach, I love that we’re seeing a team that he’s getting the maximum out of.
"But he gets to fourth [and] if he was really hard about it, he’d probably say “right, that’s the best I can do there, I’m going now and getting my next job."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal and Spurs showdown set
Arsenal are set to face bitter rivals Tottenham on the final week of the Premier League season.
May's North London derby could be a do-or-die Champions League decider, with both clubs locked in a race for fourth.
According to the Daily Mail, both Arsenal and Tottenham have been told by the Premier League that they're rescheduling the fixture for the week beginning May 9.
The crunch match will take the spotlight with no European club fixtures scheduled for that week.
And the game is expected to be broadcasted on Sky Sports, who were originally meant to show the game before it was postponed on January 16.
- Justin Lawrence
Carragher on Arteta
Mikel Arteta needs to bring in players on the level of Liverpool stars Alisson and Virgil Van Dijk to compete with the best.
That's the view of Jamie Carragher who urged Arteta to take a leaf out of Reds manager Klopp's book.
He said: "Arsenal need to get fourth and if we liken it to what [Jurgen] Klopp did at Liverpool, Arsenal are at the stage where they haven't got a [Cristiano] Ronaldo, they haven’t got a [Harry] Kane.
"Their next two or three signings have to be an Alisson or a Van Dijk. To take them from sort of challenging for the top four to making that jump where you're competing with City, Liverpool and Chelsea."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal prefer Dybala over Nunez
Arsenal are reportedly ready to launch a move for Paulo Dybala rather than Darwin Nunez in their hunt for a new forward.
Benfica’s Uruguayan star Nunez, 22, is the latest man that Arsenal are believed to be targeting – although he has at least a £68million price tag on his head.
However, Tuttosport claims that they will instead attempt to save millions of pounds by going for Dybala instead.
The 28-year-old will become a free agent at the end of the campaign after Juventus withdrew their offer of an extension.
- Justin Lawrence
Gary Neville on Arteta
Gary Neville has declared his admiration for Mikel Arteta but fears fourth spot in the Prem is the highest place he can take the North London side.
Speaking at a Sky Sports fan debate, he said: "I really like Mikel Arteta, I think he’s a brilliant coach. I think the team is fantastic in terms of the young players they’ve got.
"But it’s interesting when you’re in a cycle of a club and you depress the ambition and have a significant period of failure because you then get really happy about finishing fourth.
"I found myself saying that about Manchester United. But it’s because of a depressed ambition.
"I think Mikel Arteta is a good operator. My concern is if Arsenal finish fourth this season – which to be fair, I think is 50/50, I still think there’s a long way to in that race – but if they finish fourth, that’s in some ways as good as it gets.
"You’ve got Pep [Guardiola], [Jurgen] Klopp, Man United, Chelsea, where can Arsenal go? They’re not going to compete."
- Justin Lawrence
Toure speaks on Pepe's form
Arsenal legend Kolo Toure has implied that the Gunners are to blame for Nicolas Pepe's dip in form for the Ivory Coast.
Toure said: “We have Pepe, who at the minute, is struggling at Arsenal.
“He is a player you can really trust.
“We (Ivory Coast) have enough quality up front, in the middle and at the back as well. We struggle with a few players not playing with their current teams.
“It makes us suffer a little bit because when they come to the national team they aren’t really fit.”
- Justin Lawrence
Gakpo to the Prem?
Man United have been linked with a summer move for PSV attacker Cody Gakpo.
The Red Devils need a replacement for the outgoing Edinson Cavani whose contract expires next season.
Plus, they'll need a new hitman to provide the goals when Cristiano Ronaldo likely leaves the club the following season.
And according to Manchester Evening News, Gakpo could be the man to fill the void left by the pair.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag whose in the frame to become United's new manager could play a key role in recruiting Gakpo who has scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists this season.
However, Arsenal are also keen on the hot-shot striker.
- Justin Lawrence
Xhaka's unpredictable shooting technique revealed
Granit Xhaka's shots are a nightmare for a goalkeeper, Arsenal stopper Bernd Leno has revealed.
While analysing a compilation of his Gunners teammate's best goals on Arsenal's YouTube channel, Leno said of the Swiss star's shooting technique: “It’s very difficult for the goalkeeper.
"It’s a long distance, but the ball is moving and going to the goalkeeper’s right. We all know that Granit’s shot is very, very powerful so.
“His shots are very unpredictable, they’re impossible to catch and it’s not easy for the goalkeeper."
- Jack Figg
Morning, Arsenal fans
Leeds winger Raphinha tops big names on the transfer gossip front around the Emirates this morning.
Benfica striker Darwin Nunez and Bayer Leverkusen frontman Patrick Schick are also being talked up.
But the biggest scrap could be for Raphinha – especially if Leeds go down.
Liverpool, Chelsea and particularly Barcelona have reportedly shown interest in the Brazil star.
And it's claimed the Gunners are willing to bid for the 25-year-old in the summer.
As for £68million-rated Nunez, the suggestion is that the Uruguay hero wants Champions League football next season.
And that means Arsenal are currently in a stronger bargaining position than his other main suitors, Manchester United.
The fourth-placed Gunners enter this weekend's return to Prem action four points clear of the Red Devils, with a game in hand.
United host Leicester on Saturday before the Gunners visit Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Meanwhile, luring Schick looks a troublesome proposition.
Leverkusen insist they won't sell their Czech Republic ace at the end of the season.
Anand even if they relent, Manchester City, Spurs, West Ham and Everton have also been linked with the 26-year-old.
Finally, Brazil boss Tite has dismissed reports he could land a technical role at the Emirates after the World Cup.
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