7am Arsenal news LIVE: Ozil to run down contract, Partey told to make Gunners transfer, Kurzawa reveals wage demands – The Sun
ARSENAL fans are waiting patiently for news on Project Restart as the Premier League looks to get back on its feet.
And Mesut Ozil's representatives have said he intends to stay at the club until the end of his contract.
Follow all the very latest updates and gossip from the Emirates below…
GOOD MORNING GOONERS
Mesut Ozil is unlikely to leave the Emirates this summer, according to agent Erkut Sogut.
Fenerbahce have been linked with the German, whose contract expires in 2021.
Sogut said: “Mesut has a one-year contract. There will be no change in this regard.
“So what happens next, time will show. Mesut will be 32 years old and will have a few more years in his career.”
But one midfielder heading out the door is Dani Ceballos.
The Spanish international has endured a difficult, stop-start season at the Emirates.
And as a result, Mikel Arteta will let the 23-year-old head back to his homeland at the end of the season, according to Spanish outlet El Confidential.
The Gunners hope to reach an agreement with Real Madrid to keep Ceballos until the current Premier League season can be completed but they have no intention of keeping him for 2020/21.
Meanwhile, doubt has been cast on Arsenal’s ability to host matches when the Premier League restarts.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan believes it is “too early” to talk about capital teams getting back in action.
A spokesperson of Khan told the Standard: “Sadiq is extremely keen for the Premier League and professional sport in general to resume.
“However, with the country still in the grips of this crisis, and hundreds of people dying every day, he believes that it is too early to be discussing the resumption of the Premier League and top-flight sport in the capital.”
FEAR WE GO
Premier League chiefs will today host a crunch meeting to attempt to convince fearful players it is safe to return.
Clubs are aware of growing worry from some stars that they feel forced back into action.
The PFA union will express these doubts in the teleconference but SunSport understands the majority of players are now desperate to get back on the pitch.
And Prem bosses are confident that their safety protocols will convince the rest.
England stars Raheem Sterling, Tyrone Mings and Danny Rose — plus Manchester City’s Argentine striker Sergio Aguero — have publicly voiced fears over football returning while the coronavirus daily death toll is still well into three figures.
At least one representative from each club — either the captain or PFA delegate, or in a number of cases both — will dial in to today’s call ahead of a proposed June 12 restart.
NEU PLAN?
Premier League bosses face an uphill battle to persuade police chiefs to lift the demand to use neutral stadiums.
League chief executive Richard Masters held a virtual meeting with Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the country’s top football cop, and officials from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport after the 20 PL clubs urged him to seek a change in policy.
It was Dep Chf Con Roberts who told Premier League leaders there were 12-15 “high risk” matches that simply could not be played at home venues over fears of fans congregating outside grounds.
That led to the initial decision to proceed with the neutral stadium plan, before clubs united to urge Masters to push for home grounds to be used.
Dep Chf Con Roberts told SunSport in a statement that the meeting had been “positive”, adding: “We will be jointly exploring a range of options to identify a way forward.
“That needs to be one that minimises any risks to public safety and unnecessary pressure on public services but facilitates a sensible restart to the season, to support the economic and morale benefits associated with the sport.”
GO GO GOMES
Manchester United have set themselves a deadline for sealing Angel Gomes’ future amid interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.
Daily Mail report on the club planning to end negotiations by May 21 if a new contract cannot be agreed before it expires at the end of the season.
Barcelona, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be keen on the 19-year-old.
Gomes has only featured six times for United this season and was earlier said to have been offered a £30,000-a-week deal by the club.
EIR OF CONFIDENCE
The “energy” is back at Arsenal now Mikel Arteta is in charge, Patrick Vieira believes.
In a video for Adidas with Ian Wright, the former Gunners captain insisted he will always support the team but has newfound optimism under the current coach.
Vieira said: “When you're a Gunner, always a Gunner.
“So I keep watching them all the time.
“I watch their games and what is really interesting with Arteta is that he brings the energy back.
“And it looks like they are playing for the club, but for the manager as well. I think that’s really important.”
VENI VIVI VICI
A year ago today, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Vivianne Miedema bagged a special honour for Arsenal.
The pair both won their top-flight Golden Boot trophies.
Aubameyang shared the honour with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, each on 22 goals, and Gunners’ women’s star Miedema also finished on 22.
DEN’S DESIRE
Denis Suarez’s loan stint at Arsenal maybe didn’t go to plan… at all.
But the Spaniard has revealed that he rejected several offers, including permanent deals, to try his luck at Emirates Stadium.
Celta Vigo midfielder Suarez told The Athletic: “The truth is that I rejected the two clubs in Seville, as well as AC Milan, and I chose Arsenal.
“I took the risk of going on loan. I could have signed a four-year or five-year contract with the other clubs.
“This shows how much I wanted to play for the Gunners.”
PAT’S ALL FOLKS
There is no sense of rush for Patrick Vieira as he continues his coaching career following links to Arsenal.
Some thought the club’s Premier League winning captain was the ideal man to replace Unai Emery before Mikel Arteta was brought in.
But the Frenchman, 43, is content to continue learning his trade at Nice.
He told an Adidas promotion: “I really don’t know what the future will be, but you know doing this job it was like being a player. I want to play at a high level.
“I wanted to play for the national team. I wanted to go to the World Cup. I wanted to play with the best players and there’s no doubt that as a coach I have the same kind of ambition.
“I will want to manage a team that will have a chance to win the Champions League, to play in the Champions League competition. But at the moment, honestly, right here at Nice, I'm in the perfect place.”
ART OF THE DEAL
Dani Ceballos should utilise Mikel Arteta’s vast knowledge of the Spanish and English games to better adapt to the Premier League, says Philippe Senderos.
The Swiss defender believes the Arsenal boss is the best in the business at bridging the gap to football on these shores.
He told Radio Marca: “It's never easy to adapt to English football.
“But if you are to do it then the best possible coach is Mikel Arteta.”
NO KHAN DO
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan believes that it is still too early to see Premier League football return to the capital.
Top-flight chiefs are hoping to get the league back up and running as soon as possible, with the potential for games to be played behind closed doors at neutral venues.
A number of clubs are unhappy with the idea of surrendering home matches, however – including London trio Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
And a spokesperson of Khan told the Standard: “Sadiq is extremely keen for the Premier League and professional sport in general to resume.
“However, with the country still in the grips of this crisis, and hundreds of people dying every day, he believes that it is too early to be discussing the resumption of the Premier League and top-flight sport in the capital.
“As a Liverpool fan, Sadiq of course wants the Premier League to return, but it can only happen when it is safe to do so, and it cannot place any extra burden on the NHS and emergency services.”
PER FOR THE COURSE
Per Mertesacker believes Mikel Arteta is capable of leading Arsenal back to the glory days.
Now in charge of the club’s academy, the former defender believes the Gunners have the right man in charge to push back to Champions League football.
The Mirror quote him as saying: “His leadership is fantastic and I felt it myself, just being vice-captain and learning from him, how to handle situations, how to man up, be the captain and show it.
“But as well, to have the empathy and the feeling for people.
“I learned a lot from him and I can only say that our working relationship is great and our personal relationship is great, so I can see a fantastic future for us.”
SUT BACK DOWN
Mesut Ozil is going nowhere for now, the player’s agent Erkut Sogut has asserted.
Speculation is growing that Fenerbahce will make a move for the Gunners playmaker in the summer but his representative has moved to quell those rumours.
Sogut is quoted by Turkish-Football.com as saying: “Mesut has a one-year contract. There will be no change in this regard.
“So what happens next, time will show.
“Mesut will be 32 years old and will have a few more years in his career.
“Mesut and his family will make a decision. It will be the best of all.
“I cannot speak about Mesut and Fenerbahce because I have no right to speak on this matter according to the principle of confidentiality.”
SEND FROM HEAVEN
Philippe Senderos believes Thierry Henry was in a class of his own while at Arsenal.
After spending seven years on the Gunners’ books, the 35-year-old feels Henry and Cesc Fabregas were his best teammates in North London.
He told Radio Marca: “Henry in those years was on another level.
“However, the one who saw the game the clearest was Cesc Fabregas.
“He played with us like he was a child playing in the garden of his house.”
Senderos also praised Arsene Wenger for “revolutionising” English football.
NU SHOULD GO
Thomas Partey could make a move to Arsenal as the Premier League is the “best in the world”, Ghana teammate Kasim Nuhu has stated.
The midfielder's international colleague believes there is little difference between the stature of Atleti and the Gunners.
And therefore a move to North London would represent a step up in swapping LaLiga for the English top-flight.
Bundesliga defender Nuhu told TV3: “Atletico Madrid is a very good club so he is playing one of the biggest clubs in the world and Arsenal are also one of the biggest.
“For me, it is his decision because playing for Atletico Madrid is the same as playing for Arsenal.
“The two teams always make the same category in the league, fighting for the third and fourth place to play in Champions League.
“But as we all know the Premier League is the best league in the world so if he joins Arsenal I will be happy for him.”
RON TO WATCH
Reported Arsenal target Philippe Coutinho could fulfill a Lionel Messi-liked role at a new club, according to Ronald De Boer.
The former Dutch star believes any side who signs the Barcelona playmaker will be landing one of the world's best attackers.
He told talkSPORT: “I think Coutinho was a player where everything went through him, every ball went to him at Liverpool.
“He could probably do less work, basically what Messi does with Barcelona.”
GUNNER GO?
Mohamed Elneny's agent has claimed the Arsenal midfielder – on loan at Besiktas – is at the centre of a four-nation tussle for his services.
Alaa Nazmy said: “There are many clubs interested in Elneny, and Besiktas also want to keep him.He may extend the loan deal, or join Besiktas permanently.
“He could return to Arsenal, or join a new club.Anything is possible.
“Elneny is a very successful player in his European career, and he has offers from top flight clubs in Germany, Spain and England.
“The possibility of him moving to a club in Egypt or the Arabian Gulf is highly unlikely.
“Ahead of the current coronavirus crisis Besiktas were eyeing keeping Elneny's services, but no official steps were taken as it was too early.
“The pandemic stopped everything, and made the future unclear.”
WHATSAPPENING?
Premier League players are using a WhatsApp group to express fears over Project Restart.
The Government have given the go ahead for the Premier League to resume behind closed doors from June 1 but some of the top flight's biggest stars are worried about returning to work.
The welfare of players is still one of the biggest issues facing the prospective return of matches on June 12 – even though no fans will be in attendance.
And a WhatsApp group containing some of the League's biggest stars is full of concerned messages over the return while coronavirus continues to kill hundreds of people every day in the UK.
Some players reportedly feel their worries are being overlooked so the Government can make political gains by “boosting the nation's morale”, according to the Mail.
Prem clubs will consult their players on the latest plans over the next 48 hours and the stars' concerns will be relayed back to team chiefs during those calls.
ROD ONES OUT
James Rodriguez is in advanced talks with Atletico Madrid over a summer transfer, according to reports.
The news will come as a blow to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United who have both been linked with the Colombian playmaker.
Real are willing to sell Rodriguez, as his contract expires in the summer of 2021, meaning he is free to negotiate with other clubs in January.
But he is likely to be shipped out before then to ensure Los Blancos can recover some cash for the midfielder.
And Atletico are leading the way, according to prominent Colombian journalist Javier Hernandez Bonnet.
Speaking on Blu Radio, he said: “If Real want to get some money back, they have to close a transfer.
“James has several cards to play, but we have been told he is convinced by Atletico in all aspects – in the sport and in the staff – and it is 80 per cent sure he will be a new player for Atlético Madrid.”
LEW BEAUTY
Arsenal are reportedly nearing a deal to sign 19-year-old winger George Lewis.
According to Goal, the teenager impressed during a two-year week trial with the Gunners earlier this year.
He is available for nothing after leaving former club Tromso.
Speaking of the player, his former coach at Tromsdalen Jonathan Hill said: “He’s very quick and direct. He likes a stepover and has a range of tricks.
“He can beat a player – whether he can beat a Premier League full-back though is a different thing.”
WELL I NEV-ER
Gary Neville has called for Project Restart to be delayed until July as “25 per cent” of players are concerned about playing.
The Government have given the go ahead for the Premier League to resume behind closed doors from June 1.
But the former Manchester United defender has urged the English top-flight to consider pushing back the restart date.
Speaking on Sky Sports' The Football Show, he said: “I don't think anybody is clear, in football or in the country.
“You've all seen the fallout of the rambling mess we had to witness on Sunday night.
“It became a little bit clearer yesterday with the further info that was released, but I think the Premier League were hanging their hat on further guidance that they didn't get.
“Maybe at this moment in time they need to be thinking on a July start rather than a June start. We're getting closer and closer to a deadline.”
STRIP TEASE
Leaked images appear to show Arsenal's home kit for next season – but it has been met with a mixed reaction from fans.
The new design has stepped away from the club's traditional look as it has a subtle pattern plastered across the jersey.
Footy Headlines have released several images of the home kit – which will be used for the 2020/21 campaign.
The leaked pictures show the kit has white sleeves, white shorts and three Adidas stripes running down the body.
It also has a small cannon printed just below the neckline on the back of the shirt.
ALM WRESTLE
Man Utd have stolen a march on Premier League rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Argentine talent Thiago Almada, according to reports.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to invest in youth as he looks to transform his Red Devils squad.
And the 19-year-old Velez Sarsfield playmaker fits the bill following his four goals in the Argentine top division this campaign.
It was previously revealed how Almada has attracted interest from Premier League rivals Manchester City linked.
But Solskjaer is not willing to hang around and reports claim he has already swooped for his signature.
According to Tutto Mercato Web, the boss has made contact with the club over his potential availability.
It adds that the player has a £22million release clause but Solskjaer is looking to pay in the region of £16m.
CE-BYE-OS
Arsenal are ready to pull the plug on Dani Ceballos' loan at the end of the season as they have no plans to sign him permanently, according to reports.
The playmaker is on loan at the Gunners from Real Madrid and looks set to head back to the Bernabeu sooner rather than later.
The Spanish international has endured a difficult, stop-start season at the Emirates.
And as a result, Mikel Arteta will let the 23-year-old head back to his homeland at the end of the season, according to Spanish outlet El Confidential.
The Gunners hope to reach an agreement with Real to keep Ceballos until the current Premier League season can be completed but they have no intention of keeping him for 2020/21.
REISS LIGHTNING
ART DEALER
Here is a rundown on a number of Arsenal's centre-back targets this summer.
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