4pm Arsenal news LIVE: Aouar transfer UPDATE, Flamini resurrects career at 36, Martinelli latest, Molde build-up – The Sun
ARSENAL will return to Europa League action on Thursday as Mikel Arteta's side face Molde.
New signing Thomas Partey is getting lavish praise after a strong start in a Gunners shirt, while Bukayo Saka has been included in a list of the top 10 most valuable youngsters in the world.
Follow ALL of the latest Gunners transfer gossip and news below…
- William Pugh
DEAL OR NO DEAL
The ten highest release clauses in world football are ALL from LaLiga.
Not a single Premier League star makes the list as Real Madrid and Barcelona are taking no risks when it comes to losing their big-name stars.
Barca found out the hard way in 2017 when Paris Saint-Germain matched Neymar's £198m release clause and landed the Brazilian.
Therefore it is no surprise that they have since learned their lesson.
Barca and their fierce rivals dominate the list of the highest release clauses in world football as SunSport reveal the top ten.
- William Pugh
MIKEY TAKER
Mikel Arteta has played down his contribution to Arsenal's upturn in form.
Speaking ahead of their Europa League game against Molde, Arteta said: “No, it's down to the players on how they perform and what they are able to achieve and do on the football pitch.
“I'm just here, another piece around the club to help them achieve as much as possible.
“To give them confidence, to pass onto them my idea of how we have to play, how we have to live together, how I understand this profession and I know how complicated it is.
“It's been almost 11 months, almost four of them sitting at home, for the first job I think it's very special circumstances and I think we have tried to manage it in the best possible way.”
- William Pugh
KS-AYE AYE
Arsenal have tweeted to congratulate YouTube star KSI for a second week at number one in the charts for his song 'Really Love' with Craig David.
KSI is a huge Gunners fan.
- William Pugh
NO WAY JOSE
Jose Mourinho insists Harry Kane is not a cheat like other Premier League stars.
The Tottenham boss is furious after his striker was accused of winning a VAR penalty against Brighton’s Adam Lallana on Sunday.
Mourinho said: “You are confused because you could be speaking about some Manchester United players.
“You could be speaking about some Man City players, you could be speaking about some Liverpool players, you could be speaking about some Chelsea players and yet you're speaking about Harry Kane?
“He was in a position to control the ball in a dangerous position and Lallana came in with a very reckless action and committed a foul.
“What are you speaking about being clever or being not clever? Being clever is to hold the ball and shoot and score. It was a foul.”
- William Pugh
SHEAR CLASS
Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer is impressed with Arsenal's recruitment this summer.
Speaking after the Gunners' impressive win at Old Trafford on the weekend, he heaped praise on Gabriel and Thomas Partey.
He said of Gabriel: “Kept Manchester United’s twin threat of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood very quiet on a memorable afternoon for Arsenal. Another impressive signing.”
And describing the Ghanaian midfielder, Shearer said: “Partey was magnificent and looks to be developing a great partnership with Mohamed Elneny. He could prove to be a brilliant signing.”
- William Pugh
FAB SELECTIONS
Cesc Fabregas has shared his Fantasy Premier League team online and he has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as captain.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea man also snubbed old rivals Manchester United with ZERO Red Devils in his squad.
- William Pugh
DOWN IN THE DOMPS
AC Milan are reportedly preparing a January bid for Arsenal target Dominik Szoboszlai.
Italian outlet Gazetta dello Sport suggest the Serie A outlet will make a £22million bid for the RB Salzburg ace.
The Gunners have been linked with the playmaker for months.
Szoboszlai finished last season with 18 assists and 12 goals in all competitions.
And the 20-year-old has managed five goals and eight assists so far this campaign.
- William Pugh
LU-K WHO IS BACK
David Luiz is fit for selection ahead of Arsenal's Europa League game against Molde.
An update on the Gunners' website explained the Brazilian has got over a thigh injury sustained against Leicester on October 25.
It read: “David Luiz. Left thigh. Sustained slight thigh issue during Leicester City (h) on 25 October.
“Now back in full training and available for selection.
“No further issues from Sunday’s match.”
- William Pugh
DAN AND OUT
Southampton and England have suffered a huge injury blow after Danny Ings was ruled out until Christmas which could see him miss the Saints' game at Arsenal on December 15.
The hotshot striker has been in scintillating form for both club and country this season.
Ings, 28, was forced off in the 85th minute of the 4-3 Premier League win at Aston Villa on Sunday with a knee injury.
Now he will be out between ‘four and six weeks’ after surgery tomorrow after breaking down in training with the blow on Tuesday.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed: “The scan was not too bad, he started running yesterday and the knee was swollen afterwards.
“He had pain and it was a situation where he immediately stopped. We decided to have another look and it was decided to have the operation now.”
- William Pugh
ON BAL-ANCE
Arsenal fans want Folarin Balogun to make his first start against Molde tomorrow.
The Gunners face the Norwegians in the Europa League, and Mikel Arteta is expected to make changes.
Arteta shuffled his pack for the Dundalk game last week and Gonners think Balogun could benefit from the policy this time around.
The 19-year-old striker made his Arsenal debut off the bench against Dundalk.
But Gunners fans want to see the teenager from the off against Molde.
- William Pugh
HELPING HAND
Diego Maradona is “resting” in his room after an 80-minute operation for a blood clot on his brain.
The 60-year-old legend faces up to a week in hospital before he is allowed home after undergoing surgery at the private Olivos Clinic on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Daughter Dalma, who rushed to her father’s side on Tuesday after it emerged medics had discovered the bleed on his brain during a CT scan, tweeted overnight: “I’ve just left the clinic and I want to thank everyone for their constant displays of love for my dad. Thanks to all those of you who prayed for him.”
The retired footballer’s personal physician Leopoldo Luque, speaking around an hour after the op finished at 10.20pm local time, added: “Diego tolerated the surgery excellently and he’s doing very well.
“We’ve left a small tube in to facilitate drainage which will be removed today. Him coming round after the surgery was a very big step. The haematoma has been evacuated very well and his brain beat is recovering.
“His evolution now has to be monitored day by day. The beginning has been very good for an operation which is not of high-complexity, but is nevertheless brain surgery.”
- William Pugh
EL OF A PLAYER
Mohamed Elneny is lighting up Arsenal after winning over Mikel Arteta with his sunny disposition.
The Egyptian international has been a bit-part player at the Emirates ever since he was signed from Basel for a bargain £5million fee almost five years ago.
And it looked as though he had reached the end of the road when he was shipped out on loan to Besiktas by Unai Emery last season.
But Arteta said: “I like players who have zero ego, who want to contribute to the team whether it’s for one minute or 96 minutes and contribute all the time to our culture by giving positive feedback all the time.
“That’s not just on the pitch, but also on the training ground when you are not selected. What can you bring to the group, how can you help and what are you contributing?
“What Mo transmits to the team is special. Don’t forget that I played with him and I know his qualities as a person.”
- William Pugh
PUT A PIN IN IT
Arsenal are reportedly among a number of European clubs chasing Cruz Azul winger Orbelin Pineda.
The 24-year-old Mexican was linked with Manchester City in 2016 when he was playing for Guadlajara.
But he snubbed a move to England and moved to Cruz Azul for £10million instead.
Tottenham, Wolves, Everton, Southampton, Newcastle and West Ham are also said to be keen on the Mexico international.
Pineda has managed eight goals and seven assists in his 68 appearances for Cruz Azul.
Ajax, PSV, Porto and Monaco are also keeping tabs on the South American star.
- William Pugh
CHUK IT IN
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly tracking long-term Arsenal target Samuel Chukwueze.
90min claims the 21-year-old Villarreal star is attracting suitors from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Arsenal have been fans of Chukwueze for some time.
But they have now been joined in the hunt by rivals United and Chelsea.
Chukwueze has already clocked up 84 appearances for Villarreal despite his young age, scoring 12 goals in the process.
But any interested parties will have to meet Chukwueze’s release clause, which stands at a mammoth £80million.
- William Pugh
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
October was an up-and-down month for Arsenal.
But who do you reckon was your best player, Gunners fans?
Hector Bellerin, Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes are your contenders!
- Gary Stonehouse
MORNING, ARSENAL FANS
The Gunners are still riding a high from their 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, their first triumph at Old Trafford since 2006.
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno has hailed his side’s defensive improvement since boss Mikel Arteta arrived last year.
The German, 28, said: “Our players were brilliant and I think everybody had the right attitude and mentality to win. It was very hard for Man United to create chances.
“At the end of the day, this is the key. The collective performance and defensive work were really important and I think we've worked on that.
“You can already see that it's much more impressive than it was one or two years ago.
“It's a long, long process and we still have a lot of work ahead of us. We need consistency.”
Arsenal are set to be down a defender next season, however, if former striker Kevin Campbell is to be believed.
He revealed to Football Insider that Shkodran Mustafi will shortly be departing North London: “That is a done deal. I think it is a done deal from both sides.
“Mustafi has taken a lot of stick in the past. It is difficult for players to take but we know what fans are like. If you make the mistake the fans will be on you but if you play well they will pat you on the back.
“That is just the way high level football is right now. We have all suffered it.
“If you have a bad game you can suddenly be the worst thing since sliced bread. Mustafi has had a good run at Arsenal but it is definitely coming to an end.”
- Etienne Fermie
ICYMI – RIVALRY REVISITED
Mauricio Pochettino claimed Tottenham finishing above Arsenal is like 'winning the Chammpions League.'
Before his time at Spurs, the club were constantly in the shadows of their north London rivals.
But that changed in the 2016/17 campaign when Spurs finished second, only behind Chelsea.
He said on Sky Sports last night: “When we arrived it was 20 or 22 years always behind Arsenal.
“That was like so painful for our fans.
“People on the street would stop us or fans ‘we cannot finish below’ to break this run for us. That was like winning the Champions League for the people [Spurs fans].”
- Etienne Fermie
SAL YOUR FAULT
William Saliba is 'fed up' at Arsenal and hoping to re-join Saint-Etienne on loan in January.
That's according to French outlet But! Football Club.
The 19-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for the Gunners, instead featuring twice for their Under-23s side.
- Etienne Fermie
POCH SHOT
Former England striker Darren Bent has insisted that Mikel Arteta is a better manager than former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
He said on talkSPORT: “Look at Arteta at Arsenal, too. He’s a better coach than Pochettino as well.
“He’s not even been a manager for a year and look at what he’s done there.
“He’s identified the players he’s got there and knows definitely they weren’t great defensively. He’s changed that all completely around.
“He’s gone in there and won an FA Cup and a Community Shield, while beating some of the biggest teams out there.
“He’s managed to find a way of winning things.”
- Etienne Fermie
STAYING IN EUROPE
Arsenal take on Molde in the Europa League on Thursday night at Emirates Stadium.
Here's how the Gunners got on last time out in Europe…
- Etienne Fermie
MUST GO
Shkodran Mustafi will leave Arsenal at the end of the season, according to former Gunners striker Kevin Campbell.
He told Football Insider: “That is a done deal. I think it is a done deal from both sides.
“Mustafi has taken a lot of stick in the past. It is difficult for players to take but we know what fans are like. If you make the mistake the fans will be on you but if you play well they will pat you on the back.
“That is just the way high level football is right now. We have all suffered it.
“If you have a bad game you can suddenly be the worst thing since sliced bread. Mustafi has had a good run at Arsenal but it is definitely coming to an end.”
- Etienne Fermie
THE WRIGHT STUFF
Arsenal legend Ian Wright celebrates his 57th birthday today.
What was your favourite Wrighty moment, Gooners?
- Etienne Fermie
NO MIK TAKING
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was kicking every ball from the touchline as Arsenal edged past Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday.
The triumph was the North Londoners' first at Old Trafford since 2006.
- Richard Forrester
CLASS PART
Rio Ferdinand has vented his frustration at former club Manchester United for not signing Arsenal new boy Thomas Partey.
Ferdinand, 41, had been urging United to sign Partey last season but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Partey, 27, then went to join their fierce rivals Arsenal and the new arrival was phenomenal against United who they beat 1-0 on the weekend.
Speaking on his performance to the FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: “Partey – what?! I said a while ago back in April or before that when I was talking about who United should buy – that was my guy!”
- Richard Forrester
STARS IN THEIR EYES
Four Premier League players from Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City have been named in the top ten Most Valued Young Players list.
Four of those players included in CIES Football Observatory’s list of players born in the 2000s are England internationals.
But it is Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies that sits top of the pile after an algorithm was used to determine their value.
Here SunSport runs you down the top ten list.
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