8am Arsenal news LIVE: Lacazette blasted for attitude in warm-up, Arteta suggests Guendouzi may be sold, David Luiz wage – The Sun
ARSENAL are in FA Cup action as they visit Sheffield United.
And the whole club is reportedly united in trying to sign Dayot Upamecano if a price can be agreed.
Follow all the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip below…
GUNNER GET HIM
Arsenal are in 'advanced' talks to sign 19-year-old Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
Szoboszlai is also wanted by PSG and AC Milan after impressing at Red Bull Salzburg this season.
“PSG asked about (RB Salzburg). Profile quite similar to that of Milinkovic-Savic,” French journalist Manu Lonjon said on Twitter.
“Other big clubs on it. The player's entourage was probed and not insensitive to interest. Cost 25/30M.”
“Arsenal and AC Milan well advanced.”
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Alexandre Lacazette has been slammed for his attitude in a pre-match warm-up.
The French striker had his boot laces undone while swapping passes with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Southampton.
Former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle, a pundit for French TV, said: “Lacazette is a substitute and doesn't have his laces tied up – these are the little things that you have to guard against and be careful about.
“These little things unfortunately speak about the attitude and the team spirit at the moment.
“Arteta's not their father and he can't be a cop who's behind them all the time – they're professional players who have an image to give off and these are things that you have to sort out very, very quickly.”
Meanwhile, Man Utd, Barcelona and Real Madrid have got the green light to go for outcast Matteo Guendouzi – after Mikel Arteta suggested he could be on the way out at the Emirates.
Guendouzi was dropped by Arteta for the trip to Southampton on Thursday following his antics and ill-discipline in the defeat to Brighton.
The Gunners chief publicly rebuked the Frenchman, who in turn reportedly suggested he could quit North London.And Tottenham have joined the race with Arsenal and Chelsea for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Spurs have launched a £27million bid for the player to try and grab him from under the noses of their London rivals and Italian side Napoli, according to football website Fichajes.net.
The 22-year-old Brazilian centre-half has made 24 appearances for the French side this season.
CUT DOWN TO SIZE
Arsenal fans who have been furious with the club for offering a new deal will be relieved to discover that he has reportedly agreed significantly reduced terms.
The Telegraph claim that the Gunners were only willing to hand Luiz a contract extension if he took a hefty cut, which he ultimately agreed.
Luiz history of winning titles with Chelsea and PSG is seen as crucial in aiding the development of the Gunners' young squad, particularly incoming centre-back William Saliba.
THE ONLY WAY IS UP
Arsenal's manager, owners and transfer team are united in their desire to sign Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig this summer, but reportedly have concerns about his price tag.
The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel told the Touchline Fracas podcast: “I think everyone from the manager to the recruitment staff, to the board, are on board with trying to get Upamecano over the line.
“I just think the finances would preclude that and again, that is a problem.
“He would be an expensive signing, he looks like he’s going to be a top player from what I’ve seen, he’s got all the attributes to be a success in the Premier League.”
OX IN THE CASH BOX
Arsenal are set to receive a surprise cash boost that could boost chances of agreeing a deal for Thomas Partey.
The Mail claim that Liverpool are set to pay out millions of bonuses to their domestic rivals after winning the Premier League.
According to Football London, Arsenal will net a seven-figure sum, which could be as high as £3million, for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
And the outlet claim that money will be a boost in their pursuit of Thomas Partey.
RED HERRING
Arsenal have been handed a boost after Timm Klose received a red card against Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.
The 32-year-old was given his marching orders for pulling back Odion Ighalo and his one-match suspension will see him miss the Arsenal clash next week.
Norwich will already be without Christoph Zimmermann, Sam Byram and Grant Hanley for the trip to north London due to injury.
ART OF WAR
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he only wants players ready to jump “on the boat” following rumours about Matteo Guendouzi's future.
He said: “All the players that are here, I am counting on them.
“If they want on the boat, they are more than welcome and that's always my mindset.
“I am here to help all of them to improve individually and collectively, and that is my job.”
SOAR POINT
Joe Cole also questioned the work Arsenal's technical director Edu in giving Cedric Soares a new contract.
He told BT Sport: “Cedric – if you're looking to go and compete with Liverpool and Chelsea and you go and sign a 29-year-old full-back who's arguably not played at that level where he's regularly competing against top sides, and you're asking him make a difference, then giving him a four-year contract.
“If I'm an Arsenal fan, I would be asking questions of Edu and the people making these decisions.
“I feel sorry for Arteta because he's got a lot of promise as a young coach.”
BRAZIL NUTS
Joe Cole has slammed Arsenal chief Edu over his transfer policy after giving David Luiz a new deal.
The Chelsea legend said on BT Sport: “The one person I feel sorry for in all this is Mikel Arteta.
“Because he looks like a great coach and it looks like there is some kind of system he is trying to implement.
“We know David Luiz has been a top player and won everything in the game, but the performances this season, I don't know who's taking the decision to make him another year's contract.
“Arguably one of their biggest games of the season, Arteta left him out.
“For me that's a big signal, he's left his most experienced player out of the biggest game against Man City – and then you give him another years contract. [It's] muddled thinking.”
BEER WE GO AGAIN
Fans may once again be allowed to get on the booze in sight of a Premier League pitch with clubs set to campaign to end the 25-year ban on doing so.
Supporters have been banned from drinking alcohol from their seats since 1985 but things could be about to change.
The Times report multiple clubs are believed to be negotiating over the law largely due to fears it “encourages binge drinking” among football fans.
TalkSPORT suggest Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Doncaster Rovers, Accrington Stanley, Port Vale, Forest Green Rovers, Lincoln City, Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town are in favour of a pilot scheme.
Further clubs such as Gillingham, Newport County and Grimsby Town have shown interest in the movement.
A further issue that will have to be decided is whether booze can be served mid game with the potential for fans to be coming and going and obstructing others – a complaint regularly heard in rugby.
BEER WE GO
Premier League clubs are reportedly set to launch a petition for fans to be able to drink in their seats’ and end English football's 25-year booze ban.
Supporters have been banned from drinking alcohol from their seats since 1985 but things could be about to change.
The legislation states that fans can drink away from their seats and 15 minutes either side of a game.
The Times report multiple clubs are believed to be negotiating over the law largely due to fears it “encourages binge drinking” among football fans.
There is no such booze ban for other popular sports in the UK like rugby and cricket and clubs are considering pushing the Premier League to change the status quo.
One suggestion is that a trial period with the law change could take place amid social distancing.
Because when fans are eventually allowed to return to stadiums it could prevent them congregating together on the concourses if they were permitted to take their drink to their seat.
A top-flight chairman told The Times: “The ban actually encourages binge drinking, because you have fans trying to down three or four pints in an hour or less. A law change could promote more responsible drinking and behaviour.”
WIZARD OF OZ?
Arsenal's highest earner Mesut Ozil was an unused substitute in the club's 2-0 win over Southampton.
BLADE RUNNERS
Arsenal face Sheffield United tomorrow in a repeat of what was once one of the FA Cup's most controversial ties.
In the 1998/99 season, Kanu scored the winner as the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners over the Blades at Highbury.
However, Steve Bruce's visitors were incensed by a lack of sportsmanship as they had kicked the ball out due to an injury and expected it to be returned.
As a result, Arsene Wenger agreed to void the result and replay the tie in North London, with Arsenal also winning the rearranged match 2-1.
However, Bruce would later declare himself disappointed that the second game wasn't played at Bramall Lane, as tomorrow's tie will be.
GUNNER LEARN
Joe Willock has revealed how Arsenal training has changed lately – for the better!
He told the club website: “There was a bit of edge in training, people were a bit angry, we had to test each other, we had to push each other to the limit and try to come out and show it in the game today.
“I feel like we defended well together and got a clean sheet and scored two goals.
“The edge in training is a good thing.”
ED TURNER
Chelsea icon Joe Cole has questioned why Arsenal technical director Edu extended the contracts of David Luiz and Cedric Soares.
He told BT Sport: “The one person I feel sorry for in all this is Mikel Arteta. Because he looks like a great coach and it looks like there is some kind of system he is trying to implement.
“We know David Luiz has been a top player and won everything in the game, but the performances this season, I don't know who's taking the decision to make him another year's contract.
Arguably one of their biggest games of the season, Arteta left him out.
“For me that's a big signal, he's left his most experienced player out of the biggest game against Man City – and then you give him another years contract. [It's] muddled thinking.”
Before adding: “Cedric – if you're looking to go and compete with Liverpool and Chelsea and you go and sign a 29-year-old full-back who's arguably not played at that level where he's regularly competing against top sides, and you're asking him make a difference, then giving him a four-year contract.
“If I'm an Arsenal fan, I would be asking questions of Edu and the people making these decisions. I feel sorry for Arteta because he's got a lot of promise as a young coach.”
CHAIN OF COMMAND
HAVE A BASH
Sheffield United's Chris Basham has called for his team to “put things right” against Arsenal.
He said: “We have got a quarter-final in the cup on Sunday and we need to put things right and get that spark back which we had three or four months ago.
“We didn't lay a glove on Manchester United and are very disappointed with our own performance.”
“We are disappointed with the way we have let the manager and staff down.”
ARSENAL PRIDE
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DON'T DILLY-BALY
Liverpool have not given up hope of signing Kalidou Koulibaly, according to reports in Italy.
Speculation is rife that the Napoli defender has already agreed to join Manchester City in a deal worth over £72million.
However the prospect of aligning Koulibaly with Virgil van Dijk is said to be too good to dismiss for Jurgen Klopp's team.
TuttoMercatoWeb report on a Liverpool plan to launch an official bid for the centre-back in the coming days.
As well as Liverpool and City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been linked with a move.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is determined to bring in the full £90m asking price he has set for the 29-year-old.
MATT FINISH
Man Utd, Barcelona and Real Madrid have got the green light to go for Arsenal outcast Matteo Guendouzi – after Gunners boss Mikel Arteta suggested he could be on the way out at the Emirates.
Guendouzi was dropped by Arteta for the trip to Southampton on Thursday following his antics and ill-discipline in the defeat to Brighton.
The Gunners chief publicly rebuked the Frenchman, who in turn reportedly suggested he could quit North London.
Despite his short fuse, 'Sideshow Bob' lookalike Guendouzi has impressed since his £7million move from Lorient in 2018.
Arsenal held its own disciplinary hearing after the incident at Brighton when Guendouzi grabbed Seagulls striker Neal Maupay by the throat.
After that meeting, Guendouzi made it clear he would quit the club, according to reports in France.
HART BREAK
Celtic will offer Arsenal target and free agent Joe Hart a Scottish Premiership lifeline – if they fail to sign Fraser Forster in a permanent deal.
The Hoops are hoping to keep the on-loan Southampton goalie after an impressive campaign in Scotland.
But Saints could be ready to offload the stopper for a major fee after he rediscovered his old form.
So Bhoys chief Neil Lennon has lined up the ex-England keeper Hart as a back-up plan.
Hart, 33, will be released by Burnley.
He had struggled to displaced Tom Heaton and then Nick Pope over the last two seasons.
FORMER WIZARD OF OZ
GUNNING FOR THE CUP
OUT OF LAC
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been slammed for his attitude in a pre-match warm-up.
Lacazette had his boot laces undone while swapping passes with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Southampton.
Former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle, a pundit for French TV, said: “Lacazette is a substitute and doesn't have his laces tied up – these are the little things that you have to guard against and be careful about.
“These little things unfortunately speak about the attitude and the team spirit at the moment.
“Arteta's not their father and he can't be a cop who's behind them all the time – they're professional players who have an image to give off and these are things that you have to sort out very, very quickly.”
Fearing for Arsenal’s future, he added: “Arsenal have some very good young players who I think can become great players for Arsenal, but without the commitment, the harmony and soul that should be in this team, it's going to be difficult for the generations to come.”
GIFT OF THE GAB
Tottenham have joined the race with Arsenal and Chelsea for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Spurs have launched a £27million bid for the player to try and grab him from under the noses of their London rivals and Italian side Napoli, according to football website Fichajes.net.
The 22-year-old Brazilian centre-half has made 24 appearances for the French side this season.
Mourinho knows centre-half is the position he most needs to strengthen.
Jan Vertonghen is set to leave next month on a free transfer.
Although Toby Alderweireld signed a new contract, Mourinho has question marks over his pace.
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