8am Arsenal news LIVE: Umtiti transfer LATEST, Ozil donates kids’ meals, Dundalk build-up, Mike Dean Man Utd ref – The Sun
ARSENAL aim to bounce back this week when they take on Irish side Dundalk in the Europa League.
And then at the weekend it's old rivals Manchester United in a HUGE Premier League clash.
Follow ALL of the latest Gunners transfer gossip and news below…
- Jack Figg
GUNNER TEAR UP
Alexander Hleb cried when he spoke to Arsene Wenger before leaving for Barcelona.
He told Arsenal's In Lockdown podcast: “Barca, of course, were the best team at the time and everybody wants something to try but really I was 100 per cent happy at Arsenal.
“I cried when I talked to Arsene [Wenger]. We talked in the holiday before I left and he told me he wanted to keep me and I was important.
“I cried. I didn't know what to do in that moment.
“Of course, Barca is a fantastic team. I won titles and everything but I didn't play as much as I did at Arsenal.
“This is only my mistake because at the time, a lot of things happened in my private life. I started very nervously [at Barcelona].”
- Jack Figg
GUNNER HELP
Mesut Ozil has pledged to help end child poverty after donating 1,400 meals a DAY to 11 North London schools.
The selfless Gunners star, 32, began supporting local food shelters at the beginning of lockdown in March.
With the coronavirus pandemic leaving at-need families stranded, Ozil was quick to react to help his community.
But now – seemingly inspired by Marcus Rashford's heroic works for charity – Ozil has begun helping schools as well.
Selected children in the country are entitled to a free meal per day – but not during the school holidays.
Manchester United star Rashford has been lobbying the Government for months demanding that changes.
- John Hutchinson
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Rio Ferdinand claims Mikel Arteta must change Arsenal's “mentality” after “reality hit home” with defeat against Leicester.
Manchester United legend Ferdy believes Sunday's trip to Old Trafford could already be crucial for the Gunners after they picked up just three points from their past four games.
The former West Ham star told his FIVE YouTube channel: “They’ve been having a party since Partey signed. Reality hits home now.
“They’ve been having a party since Partey signed. Reality hits home now,
“They’ve got to respond. I’ve said it about Everton and I’m going to say the same thing about Arsenal. It’s how you respond to these situations.
“Too many times in the past Arsenal have not responded in these situations and have gone on runs losing games and they drift away. They can’t have that happen this season.
“I think Arteta has been a breath of fresh air at the Emirates. This is now a big time to say to the boys: 'Listen, you’ve lost, that’s it, we move on'.
“And that’s the mentality shift that he has to implement in this squad. Can he do it? We’ll wait and see.”
Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil has pledged to help end child poverty after donating 1,400 meals a DAY to 11 North London schools.
The selfless Gunners star, 32, began supporting local food shelters at the beginning of lockdown in March.
With the coronavirus pandemic leaving at-need families stranded, Ozil was quick to react to help his community.
On Tuesday, pictures circulated on social media showing the German star's incredible act of generosity.
One image showed boxes of food in a crate which had been sent to Whitings Hill school in Barnet.
The bumper package is claimed to be able to feed around 70 children for a whole week.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, with Ozil also supplying free meals to TEN other schools in the area.
All in all, it's claimed the Gunners ace is handing out 1,400 meals every day to those in need.
And finally, William Saliba WILL prove to be a top Arsenal signing, according to an old team-mate.
Saint-Etienne defender Harold Moukoudi believes the youngster has ‘enormous potential’ that he can fulfill in London.
He told French outlet Fotboll Transfers: “With the qualities he has, I'm sure he will take the chance when he gets it.
“He has enormous potential and he will succeed, I am sure of that.”
- Joe Brophy
BARC-ING UP THE WRONG TREE
Samuel Umtiti has committed his future to Barcelona after a tricky transfer window.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were linked with the defender.
Umtiti has admitted that former club Lyon held talks with Barcelona but he always wanted to remain at the Camp Nou.
He Canal Football Club: “Lyon is my team, it is my city. It is the team that has given me the opportunity to play in Europe, in Barcelona and with the national team.
“There were talks with them during the transfer market, but there was never anything concrete.
“I don’t see myself in a club other than Barcelona. I have been clear with everyone on this issue.”
- Joe Brophy
OUR HOUSS
Ian Wright has not given up hope of Arsenal signing Houssem Aouar.
The midfielder committed his future to Lyon ahead of the transfer window shutting and the Gunners signed Thomas Partey instead.
While the Ghana midfielder does impress Wright, he wants to see Aouar arrive too.
The former striker told Premier League Productions: “Already from [Partey’s] first game he’s got more interceptions individually than the rest of Arsenal’s midfield. He’s somebody that can win the ball but he can progress the ball.
“They still need more, he’s not the main one and that’s why Arsenal went for Houssem Aouar as well.
“I’m hoping they can still get him at some stage but Partey is a massive improvement on what Arsenal have got.”
- Joe Brophy
SAL OF THE CENTURY
William Saliba WILL prove to be a top Arsenal signing, according to an old team-mate.
Saint-Etienne defender Harold Moukoudi believes the youngster has ‘enormous potential’ that he can fulfill in London.
He told French outlet Fotboll Transfers: “With the qualities he has, I'm sure he will take the chance when he gets it.
“He has enormous potential and he will succeed, I am sure of that.”
- Joe Brophy
WEN WE WERE YOUNG
Jack Wilshere has spoken to Arsene Wenger for his next step after leaving West Ham.
The former Arsenal star is without a club and contacted his old boss for help with agreeing a settlement with the Hammers.
He told BBC: “I spoke to Arsene when we were negotiating everything with West Ham and he was helpful.
“When the time is right, as and when I have some options, where they are and what would be best for me, he would probably be the one I would call, yes.”
- Joe Brophy
AU ABOUT THAT?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to disappoint since signing his new £350,000-a-week contract at Arsenal.
The 31-year-old is now without a goal in five Premier League games after he drew a blank in the 1-0 defeat against Leicester on Sunday.
His last strike in the top-flight came in the season-opening win against Fulham at Craven Cottage – before he put pen to paper on his lucrative deal.
Prior to his new deal, the ex-Borussia Dortmund striker averaged 2.8 shots per game, but it is now down to just one.
And his shots on target have dropped from 1.3 to 0.6, with his touches in the opposition box now at 2.4 every match from 4.8.
- Joe Brophy
MIKE FRIGHT
Mike Dean has been named the referee for Manchester United's crunch clash with Arsenal on Sunday.
But the appointment did not go down well… with BOTH sets of supporters left 'upset' and 'equally worried'.
He has reffed more matches (513, second is 415), shown more red cards (105, second is 67) and awarded more penalties (173, second is 96) than any other official in Premier League history.
Arsenal fans were also quick to point out his and United's penalty records.
One said: “Mike Dean ref for the Arsenal United game? Yeah, congrats on the two penalties and the win.”
Another wrote: “Mike Dean has given Man United more penalties than any other team. Manchester United get penalties every other game.”
- Joe Brophy
HLEB ME GO
Leaving Arsenal was a tough decision for Alex Hleb – with the midfielder opening up on how he cried as he left for Barcelona.
The opportunity to join Pep Guardiola’s LaLiga giants was too good to turn down but Hleb admits to regretting the decision now
He told the club podcast: “I cried when I talked to Arsene.
“We talked in the holiday before I left and he told me he wanted to keep me and I was important.
“I cried. I didn't know what to do in that moment.”
- Joe Brophy
LAUR UNTO HIMSELF
Mesut Ozil’s exile from the Arsenal team is his own fault, claims Lauren.
The former Gunners defender says the fact that Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta both struggled with Ozil shows it is first and foremost the player who must get this act together.
Lauren told Sky Sports: “All of us who follow Arsenal want to see the best players but this situation has not come from now. I believe it is the same with Emery and Arteta.
“Arteta would love to have the best players in the squad. If Ozil is not there it's a consequence of many issues.
“First of all, it's the fault of the player. I believe if you have the quality, if you are a top player, if you are not involved week in, week out I believe that is your own fault.
“But the fact that with Emery and now with Arteta he hasn't been consistent it is not the manager. I believe it is more the player than the manager or the club.”
- Joe Brophy
CHANGE OF ART
Rio Ferdinand claims Mikel Arteta must change Arsenal's “mentality” after “reality hit home” with defeat against Leicester.
Manchester United legend Ferdy believes Sunday's trip to Old Trafford could already be crucial for the Gunners after they picked up just three points from their past four games.
Former West Ham star Ferdy told his FIVE YouTube channel: “They’ve been having a party since Partey signed. Reality hits home now.
“They’ve been having a party since Partey signed. Reality hits home now,
“They’ve got to respond. I’ve said it about Everton and I’m going to say the same thing about Arsenal. It’s how you respond to these situations.
“Too many times in the past Arsenal have not responded in these situations and have gone on runs losing games and they drift away. They can’t have that happen this season.
“I think Arteta has been a breath of fresh air at the Emirates. This is now a big time to say to the boys: 'Listen, you’ve lost, that’s it, we move on'.
“And that’s the mentality shift that he has to implement in this squad. Can he do it? We’ll wait and see.”
- Joe Brophy
YOUNG GUNS
Arsenal sit fourth in a table of the world’s most successful academies.
There are currently 18 Manchester United kids starring in the Premier League – either with them or at rival clubs, topping the table according to bettingodds.
That's four more than the next-best club, Chelsea, with 14.
The only other club with eight academy products in their current senior squad are West Ham, including the likes of Mark Noble and Declan Rice.
Southampton (13) sit ahead of the Irons, with Arsenal level on 11 and Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all on 10.
- Joe Brophy
GUNNER HELP
Mesut Ozil has pledged to help end child poverty after donating 1,400 meals a DAY to 11 North London schools.
The selfless Gunners star, 32, began supporting local food shelters at the beginning of lockdown in March.
With the coronavirus pandemic leaving at-need families stranded, Ozil was quick to react to help his community.
On Tuesday, pictures circulated on social media showing the German star's incredible act of generosity.
One image showed boxes of food in a crate which had been sent to Whitings Hill school in Barnet.
The bumper package is claimed to be able to feed around 70 children for a whole week.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, with Ozil also supplying free meals to TEN other schools in the area.
All in all, it's claimed the Gunners ace is handing out 1,400 meals every day to those in need.
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