Arsenal told to sell Nicolas Pepe this summer and Mikel Arteta has clear transfer target

Mikel Arteta to avoid signing 'Chelsea rejects' after reportedly holding a meeting with Eden Hazard's agent.Hazard is set to leave Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, with his time at the Bernabeu continuing to be a nightmare. The winger recently underwent surgery, having started just nine games in all competitions so far this season.He has been one of the biggest flops in the La Liga giant's history, scoring just six goals since he was bought from Chelsea three years ago.

Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal's decision to let five players leave in January without being replaced.But the Gunners boss now expects a busy summer with at least one striker top of his agenda as he bids to rebuild a threadbare squad decimated by injuries while also battling for a place in the Premier League top four.Arsenal are short of bodies ahead of Saturday's clash with Brighton, with Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey now both in danger of missing the rest of the season. But Arteta insists it was NOT a mistake to let Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all leave.He said: "They were players that we did not really use.

Rio Ferdinand has told Manchester United to follow Arsenal’s lead as Erik ten Hag seemingly closes in on the managerial job.

Arsenal's season is at risk of falling apart following news that Kieran Tierney will miss the rest of the season due to injury.The 24-year-old defender returned from international duty with Scotland complaining of discomfort in his knee a few days ago and has now been told that he needs surgery following a series of scans and specialist consultations.The news comes as the second of a devastating one-two punch for the Gunners, whose hopes of finishing qualifying for the Champions League were significantly dented following their 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last night, which saw them miss the opportunity to leapfrog arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur into fourth.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted after the game that Tierney's injury didn't look positive, and now those fears have been confirmed.Earlier today, Arsenal released a statement, reading: "A specialist consultation took place on Tuesday, and as a result of further discussions with Kieran and our medical team, it has been decided that Kieran requires surgery to his knee. This procedure will take place in London in the forthcoming days."Kieran's rehabilitation programme will start immediately after his surgery, at which stage a clearer understanding will be established on his recovery timescale.

Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has labelled Arsenal ‘pathetic’ after they were humiliatingly beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday night.The defeat means that North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur now occupy fourth spot in the Premier League, though the Gunners do have a game in hand over their neighbours. However, they won’t be able to capitalise on that if they perform as poorly as they did at Selhurst Park.Speaking about the defeat on BBC Radio 5 Live, the ex-Premier League striker said: “Arsenal's first half performance was really pathetic when you think of the position they had got themselves in.

Arsenal and Portugal defender Cedric Soares has compared Gabriel Martinelli to Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Piers Morgan has insisted that the dominance of Crystal Palace over Arsenal came as no surprise to him - despite the Gunners winning seven of their last eight Premier League outings and only failing to do so against Liverpool. The divisive broadcaster has been a long-standing critic of Mikel Arteta, notably over the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and hasn't changed his stance despite the fine form of his beloved club in recent months.

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira majorly dented his former side’s chances of securing Champions League football as Crystal Palace beat the Gunners 3-0 and moved into the top half.Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring for the Gunners after just 16 minutes as he nodded home from close range following an unconventional headed cross from Joachim Andersen. The Danish defender was the provider once again eight minutes later as Jordan Ayew latched on to his drilled past from central defence and slotted past Aaron Ramsdale.

Have you been surprised by Cedric Soares' impact in the Arsenal side? Let us know in the comments section.“You can start to blame the coach, or your teammates, or the environment or whatever - and look for something else.“What he’s tried to do is improve, stay focused, to learn more and wait for his opportunity. And when he needs to talk, he talks on the pitch - not into the microphone, where it’s very easy to talk.“That could be seen as a dig at the club's troublesome former captains, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil - both eventually given the boot by no-nonsense Arteta.Yet, equally, it could apply to some of current crop struggling to get a start into Arteta’s outfit, who head to Crystal Palace this weekend aiming for a sixth successive away win.While on international duty with Ivory Coast, the club’s £70million record-signing Nicolas Pepe spoke about playing second fiddle to England winger Bukayo Saka – available for Selhurst Park after recovering from Covid.Asked about Pepe’s comments and attitude, Areta claimed: “I want to hear that...

Mikel Arteta opted to give new signing Aaron Ramsdale a chance between the sticks.The former Sheffield United star impressed and Leno - who is contracted at Arsenal until 2023 - has been left out in the cold.Arsenal are now ready to let him leave at the end of the season and it's understood any sensible offers between five and £10 million will be considered.Leno is one of several experienced goalkeepers Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is looking at - including Chelsea flop Kepa Arrizabalaga.However, the German international fancies a return to his homeland and former club Bayer Leverkusen are also sniffing around.Should Newcastle try to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea? Let us know in the comments section.Leno's top priority is first-team football after nearly a whole season sitting on the sidelines.

Manchester United captain Gary Neville was taunted by Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling, following the former right-back's recent suggestion Mikel Arteta should consider leaving Arsenal. Neville insinuated the Gunners’ boss should consider his next job if he manages to qualify for Champions League football.

Hull City’s new owner Acun Ilicali is looking to sign former Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, according to reports.The German attacker is currently under suspension at Fenerbahce just a year after he signed for them to bring an end to his contentious time with the Gunners. The Premier League side terminated his contract after his public fallout with manager Mikel Arteta and he left for Turkey in January 2021.But now he has locked horns with Fenerbahce boss Ismail Kartal and has subsequently been suspended for an unspecified period.

Antonio Conte has begun to ramp up his mind game battle with Mikel Arteta as the season enters its final two months. Spurs and Arsenal are both battling to finish in the Champions League qualification places, with the Gunners currently occupying fourth place.

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is attracting plenty of interest with the summer transfer window approaching, and both Manchester United and Arsenal would like the forward to return to the Premier League. Abraham left the Blues ahead of the start of the season to join AS Roma in a deal worth approximately £34million and has taken to the Serie A like a duck to water.

Arsenal need to do in order to reach the "next level".Mikel Arteta's side have stunned the Premier League this season after coming back from three defeats in their opening three matches to becoming serious top-four candidates. Yet the Gunners are some way off challenging for the league title, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea still the stronger sides.Sky Sports pundit Carragher believes the north Londoners have come a long way but are at a crucial point where they need to sign two key players to continue their upward trajectory.

Arsenal are reportedly set to beat Liverpool and Barcelona to the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV.The Dutch international looks to be on the move this summer, with some of Europe's biggest names said to be interested in him. Gakpo, who operates either as a left winger or through the middle, is having an absolutely stellar season in the Eredivisie.The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals and made 15 assists in 37 appearances, alerting some of the world's biggest clubs to his attention.

Newcastle have already drawn up a five-man shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window with big spending set to continue. And news of three of them will likely perturb Mikel Arteta - as they have also been linked to Arsenal. Eddie Howe splashed the cash in January in a bid to keep the Magpies in the Premier League after a shoddy start to the season from Steve Bruce.

Arsenal full-back Nacho Monreal has revealed that Mesut Ozil had a problem with 'everyone' at the Gunners. Ozil unceremoniously split from the North London side last season after he fell out of favour with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Gabriel Martinelli after the winger during a small-sided game held during a Brazil training session.Martinelli has starred for the Gunners this season, scoring five goals and notching four assists from the left wing. That form earned him a call-up to the Brazil squad for their final two World Cup qualifiers, making his long-awaited debut in the first of those against Chile.Tite's men are now preparing to travel to Bolivia, with top spot in the South America qualification group already secured.

Stan Collymore believes Arsenal will "choke" during the Champions League run-in and hand a top-four spot to either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal could offer Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford an avenue away from Old Trafford in the summer, according to reports.