Gunners rival Spurs for Jesus, Leno set to 'join' Benfica, Kroenke to 'back' Arteta – Everton win reaction
ARSENAL capped off their Premier League campaign by pummelling Everton 5-1 at the Emirates.
However, the Gunners still missed out on fourth spot to their North London rivals as Tottenham thrashed Norwich 5-0.
And Spurs could also pip Arsenal to the signing of Gabriel Jesus who's preferred destination is to a club with Champions League football.
Meanwhile, Bernd Leno is all set to join Portuguese giants for a reported fee of £8.5 million this summer.
Whilst Josh Kroenke has vowed to back Mikel Arteta in the transfer market, hinting at internal shake up.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates…
- Sam Dymond
Gunners ready to part with Pepe
Arsenal will consider selling their record signing Nicolas Pepe this summer – but don't hold out hope of recouping the £72m that they paid for the forward.
The Ivorian arrived at the Emirates in 2019, but has struggled to make a consistent impact in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old has scored 16 goals in 80 league games for the Gunners, but has found himself down the pecking order in the past year.
And it appears as though the former Lille man would welcome a move away.
Fabrizio Romano, writing for Caught Offside, revealed that Pepe had recently changed agents in order to actively pursue his options across Europe.
- Sam Dymond
Top four failure ends Sterling hope
Arsenal's hopes of signing Raheem Sterling have been dealt a knockout blow following their failure to land Champions League football.
The Gunners were understood to be tracking the England international, who had previously enjoyed a prosperous working relationship with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City.
And the 27-year-old had indicated a desire to link up with the Arsenal head coach again with his City future up in the air.
However, following the North London club's fifth-place finish, any deal is said to be 'impossible'.
Sterling's contract at the Etihad runs out at the end of next season.
- Sam Dymond
Gunners face battle for Jesus
Arsenal fans are reeling from losing out on Champions League football to Tottenham – and now face the prospect of losing out to their rivals again in their pursuit of Gabriel Jesus.
The Gunners have been tracking the Manchester City forward for months, and have even spoken to the player's agent since the Premier League champions confirmed the purchase of Erling Haaland.
However, Mike McGrath at The Telegraph now reports that Spurs are interested in the Brazilian following their fourth-place finish yesterday.
Antonio Conte is keen to strengthen his squad for the next campaign, and has shortlisted Jesus, who is capable of either playing through the middle or out wide.
- Sam Dymond
Good morning Arsenal fans
Despite recording a 5-1 win over Everton, Arsenal have missed out on Champions League football to Tottenham.
The Gunners will, instead, be playing in the Europa League next campaign.
This summer will be pivotal in Arsenal’s squad improvement, as they look to close the gap on the top four.
And director Josh Kroenke has promised major investment before the next campaign.
“On a recruitment standpoint I will always defer to Edu and Mikel but I know they have a blueprint of the type of player and specific positions that we need to reinforce heading into the summer,” he said.
“So I’ll defer to them and support them in every way that we can in their pursuit of elevating the quality of the squad and also ensuring that we have the right mentality of player coming in.”
According to reports, Mohamed Elneny has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
The Egyptian international was out of contract at the end of the season.
- Jon Boon
Family affair
It was a family affair for Mikel Arteta at the Emirates today.
After the game, he was joined on the pitch by his three sons as the players and coaching staff thanked fans for their support.
All in all, it was a disappointing ending to the campaign for the Gunners who missed out on Champions League football.
But, a 5-1 win was the perfect way to cap off a season where improvement was made.
- Jon Boon
Morgan sticks the boot in
Piers Morgan isn't Mikel Arteta's greatest fan.
And the The Sun columnist has revealed where it all went wrong for his beloved Gunners.
He tweeted: "If Arsenal had sacked Arteta as he deserved after disastrous 20/21 season & losing first 3 games of this one, hired Conte & kept Aubameyang – we’d have come at least 4th.
"You can’t compete in the Premier League these days without a world-class manager & world-class strikers."
- Jon Boon
Elneny deal
According to reports, Mohamed Elneny has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
The Egyptian international was out of contract at the end of the season.
However, with injuries taking their toll, he was brought into midfield to steady the ship.
Telegraph journalist Sam Dean tweeted: "To be officially confirmed but… I understand Mohamed Elneny has now signed a one-year contract extension at Arsenal, with the option of another year."
- Jon Boon
Real deal
Real Madrid have reportedly opened talks with Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni in a blow to a string of Premier League sides.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the teams who had been targeting the highly-rated midfielder.
Madrid will be hunting for high-profile summer signings after being snubbed by Kylian Mbappe on Saturday.
And journalist Santi Aouna reports that the Spanish club has been in contact and ready to make an offer.
- Jon Boon
Cryptic Arteta
Mikel Arteta has remained cryptic about the futures of Eddie Nketiah, Mo Elneny, and Alexandre Lacazette.
The trio are out of contract at the end of the season, and their futures at the Emirates remain in the balance.
But, it appears, the Spanish tactician already knows what lies ahead for them.
Arteta revealed: "It's been decided, but it's very difficult to communicate it. What they deserve is to have what they had today."
- Jon Boon
Recruitment for next season
This summer will be pivotal in Arsenal's squad improvement, as they look to close the gap on the top four.
And director Josh Kroenke has promised major investment before the next campaign.
"On a recruitment standpoint I will always defer to Edu and Mikel but I know they have a blueprint of the type of player and specific positions that we need to reinforce heading into the summer," he said.
"So I’ll defer to them and support them in every way that we can in their pursuit of elevating the quality of the squad and also ensuring that we have the right mentality of player coming in."
- Jon Boon
Premier League 2021-22
This is where we finished, and who did what in terms of European qualification.
Title: Manchester City
UCL: Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs
UEL: Arsenal, Manchester United
UECL: West Ham
Relegation: Burnley, Watford, Norwich
- Jon Boon
5-1
Arsenal are putting on a show for their home support.
Odegaard has netted their fifth, as they continue to thrash the Toffees.
Seems Arsenal and Spurs are in a shootout for who can score more goals today.
It's all academic, mind.
- Jon Boon
That settles it
If there was any doubt, Norwich are now down to Spurs.
The Gunners will have to settle for Europa League next season, with bragging rights in North London going to their rivals.
That said, Arsenal are ending the season with a bang.
They lead Everton 4-1.
- Jon Boon
As things stand
Champions -Man City
Champions League – Liverpool – Chelsea – Tottenham
Europa League – Arsenal- West Ham
Relegated – Burnley
- Jon Boon
2-0 now!
Nketiah has scored – in what might be his final game in an Arsenal shirt.
The Gunners are now cruising, but the pressure is off.
But, just as they do that, Spurs go two up at Norwich.
It's who else but Harry Kane. More terrible defending from the Canaries.
Is that top four done and dusted then.
- Jon Boon
Martinelli scores
Gabriel Martinelli has rifled home a penalty, as the Gunners take the lead after 27 minutes.
Still, with Spurs winning that won't be enough for Champions League football next season.
But, they will want to finish on a high with a win.
Playing well, though, the Arsenal.
- Jon Boon
Spurs lead
Close your ears Arsenal fans…
Spurs lead after 16 minutes – thanks to 'Super Swede' Dejan Kulusevski.
It's easy tap in for the winger, terrible defending from Norwich.
Advantage Tottenham.
- Jon Boon
Dominating possession
The Gunners are bossing the ball in the first five minutes.
They boast a whopping 95 per cent of the ball, as Everton sit back.
An early goal will have Spurs twitchy, but Arsenal fans will know it's out of their hands.
However, Tottenham have missed a big chance early on through Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
- Alex Cole
Norwich vs Tottenham teams
Here is the Norwich City team that the Gunners need to beat Tottenham…
Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Byram, Giannoulis, Normann, Sorensen, Dowell, Lees-Melou, Rashica, Pukki.
And Spurs starting line up…
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Sanchez, Dier, Davies, Emerson, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal starting XI for today
A strong Arsenal team for today, as you'd imagine for this must-win game.
Holding starts in defence for White.
Martinelli in for Smith Rowe.
Tomiyasu misses out in the matchday squad with a tight hamstring, so Cedric Soares comes in.
- Alex Cole
No Gunners shooting for the stars
There are no Arsenal players in the race for the Premier League top scoring honours.
Harry Kane collected the trophy last season with 23 goals, but it is his attacking teammate Hueng-min Son who is chasing it this year with 21 goals.
The man leading the charts for the golden boot – currently on 22 goals – is Liverpool talisman Mo Salah.
Mo Salah (Liverpool) – 22 goals
Heung-min Son (Tottenham) – 21 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) – 18 goals
Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 16 goals
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – 15 goals
Diogo Jota (Liverpool) – 15 goals
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – 15 goals
Jamie Vardy (Leicester) – 14 goals
Raheem Sterling (Man City) – 13 goals
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) – 13 goalsBukayo Saka has 11 for Arsenal, whilst Emile Smith Rowe has 10.
- Alex Cole
Last five form for Arsenal
L – L – W – W – W
The Gunners may have thrown a Champions League spot away after defeats to Spurs and Newcastle in their last two games.
Wins against Man Utd, West Ham and Leeds prior to that had put them in a great position.
Three points against Everton today is a must, whilst Tottenham need to lose at Carrow Road…
- Alex Cole
Arsenal have ‘failed’ if they finish fifth, says Richards
Micah Richards was asked if it would be a failure for Arsenal to finish fifth.
He told the Daily Mail: “It is and it isn’t. At the start of the season, no one expected them to be here, fighting for fourth.
“But the way they’ve ended the season, you’d say they have failed. Arteta likes them to play a particular way.
“But when you’re going into a north London derby with a top-four spot at stake, just manage the game! You don’t need to go out all guns blazing.
“It felt a little naive of Arsenal, what they did against Tottenham and then Newcastle, the last game of the season at a jumping St James’ Park. You’ve got to find another way to play.”
- Alex Cole
How Gunners could line up vs Everton
Boss Mikel Arteta could shake up his Arsenal team when Everton visit on the final day of the Premier League season, writes JOSHUA MBU.
The Gunners lost their grip on the final Champions League spot with back-to-back losses to rivals Tottenham and Newcastle.
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are likely to retain their places but Gabriel Martinelli could return for Emile Smith Rowe.
Alexandre Lacazette hopes to start up top = and as skipper – in what might be his final game for the Gunners as his contract expires this summer.
It may be the Frenchman’s final game for the North London club with his contract due to expire and the end of next month.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal outcast Leno set for Premier League exit
Benfica are reportedly willing to offer Bernd Leno an escape from his Arsenal nightmare in a potential £8.5million deal, writes Jake Lambourne.
Leno, 30, has been limited to just four Premier League appearances this season with Aaron Ramsdale ousting him as the No1 choice.
It took just three games of the campaign for Leno to lose his starting spot under Mikel Arteta.
Following the 5-0 defeat away at Manchester City on August 28, Leno had to wait until March 19 for his next top-flight outing.
Leno kept a clean sheet in the absence of then-injured Ramsdale as he helped the Gunners beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the Midlands.
That looks set to be his last appearance for the North London outfit with the England international expected to feature in the final match against Everton on Sunday.
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