ARSENAL will not play again in the Premier League until at least May after the season's suspension was extended due to coronavirus – but it could be longer.
Mikel Arteta has spoken out about having the virus while Bacary Sagna wasn't happy with something Cesc Fabregas said.
Elsewhere, we have all the latest transfer talk on the likes of Nabil Fekir, Ousmane Dembele and Dayot Upamecano.
Get all the latest Arsenal news and gossip here…
LOOK OUS TALKING
Arsenal are reportedly in a transfer battle with Liverpool in the race to snare Ousmane Dembele away from Barcelona.
The 22-year-old has flattered to deceive at the Nou Camp since joining from Borussia Dortmund for a fee believed to be in the region of £130million in 2017.
And with the French winger currently rocked by his tenth major injury since joining the Bluagrana, the LaLiga side appear ready to cut their losses on him.
AS report that the forward has been valued at around £70m, with the player said to be willing to make the move to England.
But they state that both the Gunners and Liverpool are unsure about forking out that much to prise the player away from Catalonia.
BAC OFF
Bacary Sagna has hit back at Cesc Fabregas after the Spaniard claimed only two players matched his quality at Arsenal.
Fabregas revealed he struggled under the pressure of carrying his team before leaving for Barcelona in 2011.
Now at Monaco, the 32-year-old controversially said that only Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie were on his wavelength at the Gunners.
He claimed: “I was the captain, I always felt so much pressure on myself. I had to lead this team to win something. I gave everything.
“Sometimes, I used to go home after we lost and I used to cry, I used to suffer, I used to spend sleepless nights suffering.
“I was putting pressure on myself to lead, to do everything and at one point I felt kind of lonely.”
Speaking to Goal, Sagna replied: “I was surprised to read this.
“From him I was surprised because he was supposed to be one of the leaders of the team, he was one of the great prospects and as a leader and a true player, you don’t speak like that about your club.
“So I was surprised because he is a nice guy, he’s still a nice guy, this doesn’t change anything. But I was kind of surprised.”
RICE CAKE
Arsenal must beat Chelsea to the signing of Declan Rice, according to Gunners legend Paul Merson.
The West Ham midfielder has been in scintillating form this campaign and has attracted admirers from across the Premier League.
The Blues are reportedly keen on bringing the England ace back to Stamford Bridge despite having N’Golo Kante and Jorginho already in the position.
Rice spent eight years coming up through Chelsea’s academy and remains best pals with Mason Mount.
But Merson, writing in his Sky Sports column, thinks Arsenal’s need is far greater than their West London counterparts.
He said: “Chelsea have been linked with him, but I don’t know why Arsenal aren’t looking at Declan Rice. Arsenal are crying out for a holding midfield player.
“They don’t need a midfielder who’s going to be on the edge of the opposition box, they need a disciplined defensive midfielder, who is going to sit in front of the back four and organise the side; one who, when he gets the ball, gives it simple with 10-yard passes.”
IT'S COMING HOME
Football's coming home after all!
Although England fans were devastated that the coronavirus pandemic postponed this year’s European Championships, ITV will broadcast the famous 96 tournament in its entirety.
Archive footage of all 31 games in 1996, featuring England’s historic semi-final run on home soil, will be available to binge on the ITV Hub.
While ITV4 will air five of England’s matches as well as screen Germany’s 2-1 win over the Czech Republic at the Old Wembley in May.
LOOK OUS TALKING
Arsenal are reportedly in a transfer battle with Liverpool in the race to snare Ousmane Dembele away from Barcelona.
The 22-year-old has flattered to deceive at the Nou Camp since joining from Borussia Dortmund for a fee believed to be in the region of £130million in 2017.
And with the French winger currently rocked by his tenth major injury since joining the Bluagrana, the LaLiga side appear ready to cut their losses on him.
AS report that the forward has been valued at around £70m, with the player said to be willing to make the move to England.
But they state that both the Gunners and Liverpool are unsure about forking out that much to prise the player away from Catalonia.
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