Arsenal ‘plot six summer signings’ with three positions absolute priorities

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Tottenham Hotspur are still best placed to finish in the top four.Antonio Conte’s side host West Ham United in what could be a crucial fixture for their top four hopes. Victory over David Moyes’ side will see them leapfrog the Hammers and Manchester United heading into the international break, while also moving within three points of Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners opened a four-point gap over fifth placed Manchester United, courtesy of their vital 1-0 away victory over Aston Villa.

Arsenal are furious over the scheduling for crucial fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United and have complained to the Premier League that "it's always" them.Mikel Arteta's side are firm favourites to qualify for the Champions League after silently creeping up the table - the Gunners have a one-point buffer over United in fifth with two games in hand. But the north Londoners are outraged at the Premier League's decision to schedule their fixture against Chelsea for April 20 - just three days before another crucial clash in the race for the top four.

Arsenal are reportedly readying talks with William Saliba over a new contract with the young centre-back excelling at Marseille whilst out on loan.Despite failing to make a first-team appearance for the Gunners, Saliba, 20, has thrived since making the move south, missing just two matches for The Pharoceans all season. Jorge Sampaoli's side sit second in the Ligue 1 table, behind league-leaders PSG, and look destined to qualify for the Champions League.As a result, Arsenal are keen to reward his performances with a new contract.

Arsenal have been branded a 'retirement home for Chelsea' after being linked with Eden Hazard. Hazard, who has struggled at Real Madrid since leaving the Premier League in 2019, is the subject of interest from the Gunners.

Arsenal remain confident Mikel Arteta will stay the club amid reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain.The Spaniard has overseen a remarkable resurgence from the Emirates side, who are now strong favourites to secure a top-four Premier League finish and a subsequent Champions League return. Despite sitting bottom the standings after three league matches this campaign, the Gunners have battled back, and are currently in fourth spot, a point above Manchester United with three games in hand.

Arsenal in the 2-0 win over Leicester, proving to club legend Martin Keown that he was wrong to criticise the playmaker after joining from Real Madrid.The Norwegian signed for the Gunners in January 2021 on an initial six-month loan deal before making a permanent move for around £35million in August.The 23-year-old was quietly impressive in his loan spell, scoring three goals and assisting two in his 16 appearances for the club. But after joining permanently, Odegaard has proved to be a hit with Mikel Arteta and has commanded the role as Arsenal’s chief creator, consigning Emile Smith Rowe to the bench.

Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey have reaffirmed their confidence in clinching a top four finish, as they overtook Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification.

Mikel Arteta’s free-flowing Arsenal side roared back into the top four with an almost faultless display against Leicester City.Thomas Partey’s classy header and Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty saw the Gunners’ cruise past Brendan Rodgers’ side 2-0.It was a complete display from the confident Gunners who have now won five Premier League matches. But while there were many excellent aspects of the north Londoners’ performance, one cheeky moment from Ben White brought a smile to the faces of Arsenal fans.The incident came in the 73rd minute when Leicester, albeit huffing and puffing, were still in with a slight chance of turning the contest around.After Cedric Soares’ shot was blocked by Caglar Soyuncu, the ball fell kindly to James Maddison who instinctively looked to get his side up the pitch.In fact, the Englishman was one good pass away from triggering a two-on-one counterattack in the Foxes’ favour.And the former Norwich City ace’s pass would have been weighted to perfection if White had not already read the situation.

Arsene Wenger has shown just how much he still loves Arsenal as he analysed current Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal continued their charge towards securing a top-four finish in the Premier League after battling to a 2-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday.Mikel Arteta ’s side got off to a flying start when Thomas Partey took advantage of some poor marking to head home from Gabriel Martinelli’s corner Leicester responded towards the end of the half and Aaron Ramsdale had to be on top form to deny Harves Barnes from close range.Arsenal were awarded a penalty in the second half after Caglar Soyuncu was adjudged to have handled inside the area by VAR and Alexandre Lacazette doubled their advantage. The victory means Arsenal have climbed back up into fourth and have reinstated the one-point gap to Manchester United, with Arteta's men still having three games in hand on the Red Devils.

Mikel Arteta has been told to ensure that Bukayo Saka doesn't leave Arsenal this summer by handing him the armband following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure.The England international has been in fine form in the Premier League this season - and will have dreams of playing in the Champions League next time out.Although the Gunners look well-placed to secure a top-four finish, there could well be interest in Saka from European giants as a result of his increasingly impressive performances.Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has given his thoughts on the future of the 20-year-old, offering up some advice for his former Everton colleague Arteta.Speaking to LiveScore, Lescott said: "You need someone who is going to be playing every week, who can be accountable — and I think Bukayo Saka is that man."Though he’s still only young, he endured something in the summer with England that most wouldn’t face in their entire career."I think Mikel Arteta said it himself, that coming through that penalty miss has done wonders for his character and confidence and I think he’d relish that responsibility.Who should be Arsenal's next permanent captain? Give us your thoughts in the comments section"Also, from an Arsenal perspective, Saka is a player they have to keep hold of at all costs."He has aspirations to play in the Champions League next season, but by giving him the armband, I think he’d be far less likely to leave if they did miss out on the top four."He’s come through the ranks, he loves the club — he simply has to be a leading candidate."Joleon Lescott was speaking to LiveScore. To read his full column, click here.

Arsenal defender William Saliba has slammed his own loan spell at Marseille this season.The French centre-back has been on loan with the Ligue 1 side since the start of the season, where he has featured regularly under Jorge Sampaoli.Saliba enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign as Marseille looked set to mount a title challenge in December and January, but a poor run of form since February has since killed those aspirations.And the 20-year-old has not held back in his assessment of his own performances lately, calling them “very average” in a refreshingly honest interview with RMC Sport. Saliba bluntly admitted: “Since February, I’ve been very average.“There’s no need to hide.

Mikel Arteta has ordered his Arsenal stars to live in the present as they step up their bid to grab fourth spot.The Gunners host Leicester this afternoon in pole position to do that - and qualify for the Champions League. Coming into the weekend they were sitting fourth, one point clear of Manchester United with THREE games in hand over their closest challengers.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has won the club's player of the month award for February - despite only giving himself a rating of 4/10 for his Gunners career so far. Partey, 28, joined the north Londoners in October 2020 following a £45million deal with Atletico Madrid but has struggled with consistency due to injuries.However, the Ghanian star has enjoyed a good run of games of late, forming a solid partnership with Granit Xhaka at the base of the midfield.

Arsenal stars are set to be rewarded with an eye-watering £500,000 bonus if Mikel Arteta ’s side are successful in their bid to finish in the Premier League top four this season. The Gunners stretched their winning run to four games with a 3-2 victory over Watford on Sunday to put them firmly on course for Champions League qualification.

Manchester United might have to contend with an unhappy Marcus Rashford this summer, who is looking to leave.The England international is said to be considering his options ahead of the transfer window and has grown concerned with life under Ralf Rangnick.Though the German coach will leave his interim role as manager at Old Trafford at the end of the season, the Guardian report that Rashford has fallen down the pecking order.Anthony Elanga is now a preferred option to the 24-year-old, while Jadon Sancho now comfortably owns a spot in the starting XI.But where could Rashford end up in the summer if he does leave United?Perhaps the most favourable destination for Rashford would be Arsenal, a club that appear to be on the up under Mikel Arteta and are desperate for a striker.The Gunners have been in fine form in recent weeks and are the most likely to finish in the top four from the rest of the teams below Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.Arteta has made signing a forward a priority in the summer, though Rashford is seen more of a winger these days, but Arsenal’s fluid frontline would be suitable for a player that likes to drift in from out wide.There is plenty of speculation that there could be some changes to Chelsea’s attack this summer with Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku all linked with moves away.The Blues are blessed with plenty of striking options but could see Rashford as an ideal replacement for anyone that is thinking of leaving Stamford Bridge.However, whether Thomas Tuchel can promise the United ace the game-time he would demand is another matter with the German fond of rotating his options.Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant

Roy Keane has picked out a "problem" with Arsenal during their win over Watford on Sunday despite Mikel Arteta's side moving into the top four of the Premier League with games in hand.The Gunners took all three points following classy goals from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, taking them into fourth for the first time since January 1.Having said that, it wasn't the perfect performance from Arteta's men with Cucho Hernandez scoring a screamer and Moussa Sissoko ensuring it would be a nervy finish for the visitors.Keane has picked out that late goal as a reason for Arsenal fans to feel slightly concerned, especially in relation to how easily Ben White was beaten.Keane, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports, said: "This is Arsenal, poor defending, White has to do better there and it’s a problem for them (Arsenal)."Speaking to BBC Sport, Arteta admitted that the opposition deserved credit, but now has eyes on securing their place in the top four.He said: "Credit to Watford, they are fighting for their lives. They changed their team and it is hard to beat them.Where will Arsenal finish in the Premier League this season? Give us your thoughts in the comments section"We are getting better and better, the understanding between the players is getting better and we should have scored more today."Before adding: "We are there now and we'll go game by game.

Mikel Arteta was seen ‘providing the assist’ for Gabriel Martinelli as Arsenal beat Watford 3-2 at Vicarage Road.In the Premier League clash, the Spaniard was seen being the ultimate ballboy, quickly chucking the ball back to Bukayo Saka for a throw-in, with Martinelli scoring the Gunners’ third of the match.And fans online reacted to the actions of their fast-thinking boss.One wrote: “Arteta has gotten a huge moment for the amazon documentary. My gaffer.

Arsenal took a huge stride towards playing Champions League football next season as they beat Watford 3-2 away from home to move into the top four.It was an electric start at Vicarage Road as Martin Odegaard calmly slotted his effort past Ben Foster inside six minutes, before Cucho Hernandez equalised with an acrobatic effort just six minutes later.After assisting Odegaard, Bukayo Saka grabbed a goal of his own with a fantastic strike that ended a move of his own making, as he won back the ball before being set up by Alexandre Lacazette.Lacazette was again the provider but this time for Gabriel Martinelli shortly after the break, as Arsenal continued to look dangerous on every attack.But Watford did grab a late consolation through former Tottenham star Moussa Sissoko to make the end of the game uncomfortable for Arsenal, but they held on to secure all three points.Here Daily Star Sport take a look at what Mikel Arteta got right, and what he got wrong as Arsenal jump above Manchester United into the top four.What Arteta got right...Saka has been a revelation for Arsenal since coming through the academy, and he has quickly become one of the most senior players in the squad, even though he is only 20-years-old.His start against Watford was his 99th under Arteta, and the England international was clinical from the off as he provided a brilliant assist for Odegaard's opener, before putting Arsenal ahead before the break.His pace and energy continues to be a menace for defenders, and Watford's January signing Hassane Kamara was torn apart all game by the youngster.Saka's future is bright, but he is a star already, and he is usually involved in anything positive that comes Arsenal's way, and his performance against Watford was

Arsenal - but he has left the door open for a switch to Real Madrid or PSG.

Rio Ferdinand has suggested Arsenal should raid Manchester City for their Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacement.The Gunners failed to replace the now Barcelona striker after they allowed him to leave the Emirates in the January transfer window.They were linked with the trio of Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak and Dominic Calvert-Lewin - but none of those moves materialised.Mikel Arteta's need is only going to grow greater in the summer when Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah walk away at the end of their contracts.So the Spanish manager has been told to look to his former club in the transfer window by pundit Ferdinand.Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, the ex-Manchester United defender said: "If I was Arsenal, I would go and buy Gabriel Jesus."Jesus has been linked to the exit door at the Etihad with just over a year left on his contract.The Brazilian has shown a keen eye for goal at City, netting 88 times in 222 games.That is an impressive return for a man who has constantly been in and out of the side under Pep Guardiola.Arsenal fans - who do you want signed? Let us know in the comments section.Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.