Arsenal news LIVE: £100m transfer target Declan Rice and Odegaard meet after draw, Neville defends Gunners – updates

Morning Arsenal fans

William Saliba will NOT be back in time to face Manchester City.

That is according to the Evening Standard, who also say Oleksandr Zinchenko will be back in contention to play against his old side after missing the 2-2 draw with West Ham.

And this will not have done much to prove a supercomputer wrong after it tipped City to now go on to clinch the title.

But Granit Xhaka has insisted the title is still in their hands.

He said: “This is not about our mentality and I am certain everyone will see a reaction against Southampton on Friday.

“Everything is still in our own hands if we win our remaining games, so nothing has changed on that front.

“If anyone thinks that we’d get to this point of this season by smashing all our opponents without dropping points, I think they’re not in the right position.

“We are disappointed and when things are not going well it’s easy to show the finger to someone else. But now is the time for everyone to be together."

Elsewhere, Jamie Carragher has claimed Arsenal’s collapse against the Hammers was due to them “getting cocky”.

He explained on Sky Sports: “This idea that Arsenal have bottled it or not held their nerve, I think it’s completely the opposite.

“The problem Arsenal have had is they’ve got complacent, they’ve got cocky.

“That game (West Ham) was so easy. I couldn’t believe there was a way West Ham could get back in the game.

“The only way they could get back in the game was Arsenal doing something stupid.”

In other news, the club have reportedly offered a new deal to Reiss Nelson amid interest from Brighton and Aston Villa.

Arsenal have also suffered blows in their pursuits of midfield duo Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.

This is due to Newcastle earmarking them for a transfer after reportedly switching to a more aggressive and spend-happy transfer policy in the summer.

Xhak back

Granit Xhaka has hit back at naysayers who believe Arsenal do not have the mentality to win the Premier League.

Xhaka said: “This is not about our mentality and I am certain everyone will see a reaction against Southampton on Friday.

“Everything is still in our own hands if we win our remaining games, so nothing has changed on that front.

“We go into our next matches with the same objective, we’re not looking at what Manchester City are doing.

“Sunday’s game was similar to the match at Liverpool last week where we started very well, scored two goals but couldn’t get the win. We need to analyse why this happened twice in a row.

“But if anyone thinks that we’d get to this point of this season by smashing all our opponents without dropping points, I think they’re not in the right position.

“We are disappointed and when things are not going well it’s easy to show the finger to someone else.

“But now is the time for everyone to be together.

“We have taken on a challenge which no one was thinking about before this season started and now we have seven games to go, so let’s carry on.”

Sally army

Arsenal have been handed a big blow as William Saliba will reportedly miss the vital Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The Gunners face their title rivals on April 26 at the Etihad Stadium.

But they will have to face City without the help of defender Saliba, according to the Evening Standard.

They report the Frenchman is not expected to recover from the injury that he picked up in the Europa League clash against Sporting Lisbon in time for the crunch title clash.

Lescott on Arteta world-class claims

Joleon Lescott has given his thoughts on claims Mikel Arteta is a world-class coach.

Speaking to LiveScore HQ, Lescott said: "He's got to be regarded up there because Arsenal haven't been real contenders for so long and we've seen how hard it is for other coaches to do that.

"I think to create that environment takes time and obviously Arsenal were right to believe in the process...

"I knew Mikel had the abilities to be a coach but I didn't see it going the way it has so early in his managerial career.

"The consistency Arsenal have shown throughout the season is amazing. I was sceptical as to whether they could maintain it when Gabriel Jesus got injured.

"But Eddie Nketiah came in and did exceptionally well, while the team found a way to win — and I think that's been key."

'He could play for anyone'

Joleon Lescott has claimed Bukayo Saka could play for any club in world football, and that his future at Arsenal could depend on Mikel Arteta.

Speaking to LiveScore HQ, Lescott said: "Saka could play for anyone.

"I don't think any club would not take him and it wouldn't surprise me if he went on to play for a Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"But I don't see it any time soon, if at all. He's an Arsenal fan and he loves it.

"I think as long as Arteta is manager there, he won't think about leaving.

"The moment Arteta leaves, then maybe, because I think he's probably the only manager that could convince him to go elsewhere."

'That was garbage'

Eduardo Camavinga's agent has rubbished claims he could have left Real Madrid in the summer.

The likes of Arsenal and Man Utd had been linked with the Frenchman during the winter window, but Camavinga ended up staying in Madrid.

Speaking to Goal his agent Jonathan Barnett said: "That was garbage (exit rumours), it's something that wasn't going to happen.

“He never thought of playing for another team and Real would not let him leave.

"He is going to be one of the stars of Real Madrid in the future, so why would he leave? It was all rubbish."

'They got cocky'

Arsenal's collapse against West Ham over the weekend came because the Gunners got too "cocky".

That is the view of Jamie Carragher, who was speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool's clash at Leeds.

He said: "This idea that Arsenal have bottled it or not held their nerve, I think it's completely the opposite.

"You can't play as well as they have in the first half an hour at Anfield or this game, the football was out of this world.

"The problem Arsenal have had is they've got complacent, they've got cocky.

"That game (West Ham) was so easy. I couldn't believe there was a way West Ham could get back in the game.

"The only way they could get back in the game was Arsenal doing something stupid."

Gunners Gravenberch blow

Arsenal have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Ryan Gravenberch after a photo emerged online of him wearing a Liverpool shirt.

Gravenberch will reportedly be available for as little as £25m in the summer, and his lack of minutes at Bayern Munich mean he will be available for a transfer.

Arsenal 'never gave up' on star

Arsenal have not given up hope of signing Dusan Vlahovic, according to reports in Italy.

Calciomercato have claimed the striker, who previously snubbed the Gunners in favour of Juventus, is up for sale after some disappointing displays.

However, the report suggests Arsenal have "never given up" hope of luring Vlahovic to north London.

Mikel Arteta is in the market for a striker to bolster the club's firepower going into next season.

New plan

Newcastle are set to change their transfer strategy in the summer, which could wreck Arsenal's own summer plans.

According to The Telegraph, Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth have successfully argued for the club to use a more aggressive strategy in the market.

This means they will now target at least four elite stars, with Gunners targets Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Moussa Diaby all on the Magpies list.

Kieran Tierney has also been earmarked by the club, while they are also said to be big admirers of Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Reiss is the Word

Aston Villa and Brighton are both interested in signing Reiss Nelson, according to The Daily Mail.

Nelson's current contract expires in June, but the Gunners are in talks with him over a new deal.

However, Villa boss Unai Emery is understood to be keen to reunite with the 23-year-old.

Brighton are also exploring the possibility of a swoop.

Mac on Track

Arsenal target Alexis Mac Allister is set to leave Brighton at the end of the season, according to reports.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Amex Stadium since his World Cup triumph with Argentina in December.

And according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, he is "100% guaranteed" to leave when the summer transfer window opens.

Romano tweeted: "Understand Alexis Mac Allister and his camp consider summer move as 100% guaranteed. The expectation is for an early transfer.

"Alexis will give his best for Brighton until June.

"Liverpool and Man United will discuss with player side soon."

Sign of things to come?

Arsenal fans are all saying the same thing after Declan Rice was seen asking Martin Odegaard for an autograph.

The midfield stars faced off on the pitch on Sunday as West Ham held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw.

After the match, Rice and Odegaard were seen deep in talks.

An Arsenal jersey bearing the Norwegian’s name and number was then produced.

And Rice held it tight as Odegaard autographed the shirt with his signature.

England star Rice loves collecting jerseys from his biggest rivals, and boasts an incredible collection featuring the likes of Mason Mount, Harry Kane and Jack Grealish.

But Arsenal fans saw the interaction with Odegaard as a clear sign that Rice is going to join them this summer.

The powerhouse is looking to leave West Ham in search of Champions League football.

And Mikel Arteta is understood to have made Rice one of his top targets.

One fan said: “Rice is gagging to leave West Ham, wow.”

Another declared: “He is ours. He wants us.”

One noted: “100 per cent going to Arsenal.”

Another added: “He could have waited until the summer when on the same but I can’t blame the guy.”

Well I Nev-er

Gary Neville has offered Arsenal some advice ahead of their huge upcoming Premier League clash with title challengers Man City.

The Man Utd legend told Sky Sports: "Sir Alex Ferguson always used to say, if you have to win one game to win the league, would you take it? The answer was always yes.

"Arsenal, win at the Etihad - they win the league. It’s something to be excited about, not pressure.

"City will love this game because they’ve been there before. Arteta’s got to love this game and his players have got to love this game.

"Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard, Jesus - they can go and rip City to shreds, they can - they can go & score three at the Etihad.

"They’ve got to think they can go and create history. Think of Michael Thomas, think of Ljungberg at Old Trafford, think of all them times where their players and their predecessors have done it before. They’ve done it."

Gunned Down

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has claimed it would be a "disaster" if Arsenal fail to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

When speaking to Sky Sports, the former striker said: "They were seven points clear.

"It would be a disaster, you’ve been leading the whole way. To give it away in the last three matches, it’s a disaster.

"If doesn’t matter if you’re not thinking to be No 1 at the beginning of the season, you’ve been No 1 for the whole way!

"We don’t know what is going to happen next year, everyone is going to get stronger. They might not be in this position again. It’s not a terrible season - but they would have given it away!"

Will to Win

William Saliba is expected to return to Arsenal training soon, according to the Evening Standard.

The Frenchman suffered a back injury during the Gunners' Europa League defeat to Sporting Lisbon last month and he is yet to take part in full training.

While he is expected to return to fitness soon, he is unlikely to be available for Arsenal's trip to Manchester City.

Strike it Lucky

Arsenal have identified Dusan Vlahovic and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as key transfer targets ahead of the summer window, according to Football Insider.

Mikel Arteta has reportedly told the Arsenal board that Vlahovic is his priority target, with Calvert-Lewin the back-up option.

The Gunners attempted to sign Vlahovic in January 2022, but the striker decided to join Juventus from Fiorentina instead of making the switch to north London.

Supercomputer Predicts Final Prem Table

Arsenal spurned another two-goal lead on Sunday in a blow to their Premier League title hopes.

The Gunners' 2-2 draw with West Ham means they now sit four points above Manchester City.

But Pep Guardiola's men have a game in hand and also host Arsenal at the Etihad on April 26.

Back-to-back draws against Liverpool and West Ham have opened the door for the defending champions as we head into the final run-in.

Meanwhile, Tottenham and Newcastle both lost in pursuit of a top four place, while Leicester, Everton and Nottingham Forest were all beaten as they fight to avoid the drop.

So how does the supercomputer see the final Premier League table after the weekend's action?

Well, the algorithm produced by bettingexpert.com now has Man City as the narrow favourites to clinch the title.

But they can only separate the two title contenders on goal difference - with Guardiola's men projected to claim a fifth Premier League in six years as a result of scoring more and conceding fewer.

Mic Drop

Former Manchester City star Micah Richards believes Arsenal's 2-2 draw against West Ham could be a blessing in disguise for the Gunners.

In his column for the Daily Mail, he wrote: "Arsenal fans will not see things this way but what has happened over the last seven days has the potential to work in their team’s favour.

"Put simply, there is now no grey area around next week’s trip to Manchester — they have to get a result.

"Few sides in Premier League history, involved in a title race at this stage of a season, would have given up two points at West Ham, having led 2-0.

"However, it would be crazy if Mikel Arteta’s squad suddenly allowed doubts to consume them after all the outstanding progress they have made this season.

"Nothing has been decided and they absolutely have the ability to go to the Etihad on April 26 and come away with at least a point.

"It will be the game of the season, I’m convinced of it. There is no room for error for either side and I expect it will lead to fireworks."

Saka subject of racial abuse

Bukayo Saka has been subjected to sickening racial abuse following Arsenal's 2-2 draw against West Ham.

The winger missed a penalty during the second half of the Premier League clash on Sunday.

Had he scored, the Gunners would have extended their advantage to 3-1 with 36 minutes to play.

However, Jarrod Bowen levelled the score for the Hammers just 142 seconds after the miss.

West Ham went on to steal a point from the game on a frustrating day for Mikel Arteta's side.

Arsenal star Saka has since received horrific racial abuse from some so-called fans on social media.

Many supporters have taken to Instagram and Twitter to show their support for the 21-year-old and to report the sickening racist comments.

Arsenal are yet to comment on the matter.

All Zin

Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to return to the Arsenal squad ahead of Friday's Premier League clash with Southampton.

The full-back was ruled out of Sunday's clash with West Ham due to a minor groin injury which was sustained during last week's 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

However, according to The Telegraph, he is expected to return to full fitness before the end of this week.

Morning, Arsenal fans

Boss Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal lacked a "ruthless mindset" and skipper Martin Odegaard blasted their "stupid" mistakes as they again wasted a 2-0 Prem lead.

West Ham followed Liverpool by rescuing a 2-2 draw - leaving the Gunners just four points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Gabrile Jesus and Odegaard rewarded Arsenal's fluent start inside nine minutes.

But Said Benrahma's penalty reply changed the mood.

And straight after Bukayo Saka's woeful penalty miss, Jarrod Bowen volleyed the Hammers' brilliant, deserved equaliser on 54 minutes.

Arteta said: “We started extremely well, we dominated the game and scored two beautiful goals and then we made a huge mistake to stop playing with the same purpose to score again.

“It just looked too easy. We thought we could just play around them and maintain the result and at the moment we gave them hope.

“We conceded a terrible penalty and after that we got on the roller coaster where all the corners and throw-ins were coming at us and we never got away from that.

“We needed to do many things better than we did today and if you don’t defend the box the way you should you concede goals like we did."

Odegaard gave a similar verdict, saying: “We did the same thing at Liverpool last week. We started well but then we stopped and allowed them to play to their strengths.

“We started to do a lot of stupid things on the ball and gave them the game they wanted to play. And that’s on us.”

Sign of things to come?

Arsenal fans are all saying the same thing after main transfer target Declan Rice was seen asking Gunners’ skipper Martin Odegaard for an AUTOGRAPH following today’s 2-2 draw.

Odegaard scored as Arsenal went 2-0 up inside 10 minutes.

But West Ham produced an incredible comeback as they secured a 2-2 draw to dent the Gunners’ title hopes.

After the match, Rice and Odegaard were seen deep in talks.

An Arsenal jersey bearing the Norwegian’s name and number was then produced.

And Rice held it tight as Odegaard autographed the shirt with his signature.

England star Rice loves collecting jerseys from his biggest rivals, and boasts an incredible collection featuring the likes of Mason Mount, Harry Kane and Jack Grealish.

But Arsenal fans saw the interaction with Odegaard as a clear sign that Rice is going to join them this summer.

And Mikel Arteta is understood to have made Rice one of his top targets.

One fan said: “Rice is gagging to leave West Ham, wow.”

Another declared: “He is ours. He wants us.”

One noted: “100 per cent going to Arsenal.”

Olise to 'snub Gunners'

Rising star Michael Olise plans to stay at Crystal Palace next season – despite growing interest.

The French magician has been in dazzling form and top clubs in the Premier League including Arsenal are watching him.

And the Eagles midfielder has attracted the attention of multiple Champions League giants too.

However, SunSport can reveal he is settled with Palace and wants another full season at Selhurst Park to develop and get more consistency.

Palace have the Under-21 international under contract and are happy to know his opinion.

It will also soften the blow if Wilfried Zaha, 30, wants to try his luck and move on at the end of his contract.

Mikel backs Saka to bounce back

Mikel Arteta is sure Bukayo Saka will recover again from his new penalty trauma.

The winger missed in England's Euro 2020 final shootout final loss and fired wide with Arsenal 2-1 up in today's draw at West Ham

Boss Arteta said: “If we score that penalty it’s 3-1 and you have to win the match by a bigger margin.

“But I don’t know any player who takes penalties who hasn’t missed.

"If you’re prepared to take penalties you have to be prepared that the possibility to miss is 100 percent.

“Bukayo has been through this before and he will go through it again. If I had to pick one player to do that, it would be him again.”