ARSENAL players are back in individual training as the Premier League targets a June 12 restart.
There looks to be a busy summer ahead at the Emirates with the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still uncertain, while we've the very latest on Thomas Partey and Luka Jovic.
Follow all the very latest updates from North London below…
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“They may be able to argue that point. And they can always find an excuse not to make themselves available, citing an injury.
“But it’s also the case that there’s an extra issue with French, Dutch and Belgian players.
“Their families are asking why they are possibly going to be put at risk by the Premier League and their clubs when football has been stopped by the governments in their own countries.
“At the same time, they are looking at a higher death figure in the UK — and yet seeing football wanting to return soon.”
SAFETY FIRST
The Premier League’s foreign legion are coming under pressure from their families over allegedly being railroaded into playing again.
Premier League chiefs are determined to bring players and coaches inside the tent and ensure they have a full voice in restart discussions.
But there are particular issues with players from France, Holland and Belgium — where football has been cancelled until September.
One PL insider explained: “There’s an argument that all players might have a legitimate legal standpoint to say their health and safety is being compromised, or even threatened by being made to play…
WEMBLEY WAY OUT – EXCLUSIVE
Wembley is back on the agenda as a potential venue to complete the Premier League season.
The FA had offered both the national stadium and St George’s Park to be used from June to August.
Last week top-flight teams made clear they wanted only club grounds used as neutral venues.
Government officials are in talks with stakeholders and yesterday stressed playing under the Arch should be a serious option as it fits all the criteria.
As a result, Premier League clubs are expected to do a U-turn and consider the north-west London arena.
HOLLOW THREAT – EXCLUSIVE
Ian Holloway has warned that football could end up “killing” players if they rush back and he reckons if players do not die, then it could kill the bus driver taking them to games.
He said: “You see a film about zombies and everybody runs away from them but if football kicks off too early we will be running straight at them.
“We go too early with this and players might end up dying.
“It’s madness to even be thinking about playing when the dangers — according to the Government — are as bad if not worse than when this all started. It’s not only players at risk.
“I don’t want to be responsible for the death of the bus driver taking us to a game. How would I be able to look his wife and family in the face? I couldn’t live with myself.”
SNACK TO WORK – EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal and West Ham donated £50,000 worth of snacks to hero NHS workers on last Friday.
Crisps and soft drinks were taken in lorries to hospitals where medics are putting their lives on the line helping look after coronavirus patients.
The stock came from Delaware North managed Wembley Stadium, The Emirates Stadium and The London Stadium.
Deliveries went to field hospital NHS Nightingale in East London and the Whittington Hospital in North London.
A source told The Sun: “”Pallets of stock were just sitting there in the stadiums and bosses wanted to put it to good use – and give the hard working NHS staff some snacks.”
GUNNER GO
Aaron Ramsey admitted he ditched Arsenal for Juventus to escape his “comfort zone” after eleven years without winning the title.
Ramsey told Foot Truck: “Juventus is a massive club, one of the top teams around in the world so when they come calling for you it’s hard to turn them down.
“I was in a position where I was at a club for a very long time and I fancied a change to get out of my comfort zone to learn a new language.
“Again to test myself in a different league and all the cup competitions we’re still in.
“We’re a top team and hopefully we can go far in many things and win many trophies and titles here.”
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His friend, TV host and big Fenerbahce fan Acun Ilicali said: “I receive lots of questions about Mesut Ozil.
“I believe in the future the good things will happen. I’m not in a position to give details but I know our president is also working hard for this.
“When his contract with Arsenal will expire, the favourites would be Fenerbahce. We are also working on that front.
“I really wanted to tell you in more detail, but I cannot. We’ll talk about these things when the time comes.”
TURKISH DELIGHT
Fenerbahce are reportedly “working on a transfer” for Arsenal star Mesut Ozil.
That is according to a close friend of the midfielder who thinks the Turkish giants would be “favourites” to sign the 31-year-old.
He has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce for years, even reportedly telling his mother that he would play for them one day.
And now, in an interview with SportX as reported by Sport Witness, Ozil’s next move could take him to Turkey…
FREE FOOTBALL
Some Premier League games are set to be shown on YouTube for FREE when the season restarts following the coronavirus lockdown.
Under a proposal currently being discussed, all 92 matches still due to be played are to be broadcast on Sky Sports, BT Sport or on YouTube.
It is hoped the 2019-20 season can still be finished in a jam-packed seven-week summer schedule
But with games set to be played in front of empty stadiums, football bosses want fans to be able to watch EVERY game live.
Under the plans, most games will be shown on main broadcasters Sky Sports and BT Sport.
Amazon will have a selection of other matches and with no games due to be shown live on the BBC or ITV, YouTube is being discussed as a free-to-air option.
WILLING THEM ON
Kevin Campbell thinks Arsenal can improve their team this summer without significant investment in the transfer market.
Picking up free agents could be key in the coming window and Premier League pair Ryan Fraser and Willian are ideal targets, according to the ex-Gunners striker.
The 50-year-old told Metro: “You can get Ryan Fraser on a free transfer, his assists for Bournemouth were double figures last year, I know he suffered injuries but he’s still been having a decent season. “That’s playing for Bournemouth, when you’re playing for Arsenal, he’s going to get more of the ball in the positions he wants and give more opportunities, because there’s a lot more threats for Arsenal than some of these other teams.
“There’s talk of Willian, I like Willian, there’s still a lot of life left in him.
“He actually suits what Mikel Arteta wants to do, playing in a three, he’s got pace, he can beat people, he can score goals and we could get him on a free, and he’s experienced.”
GIVE US A HUG
Manchester United teen target Joe Hugill will have to wait to complete his dream move from Sunderland – because of the coronavirus – reports Alan Nixon.
Hugill's deal has been agreed between the clubs and he will head to Old Trafford after reported links to Arsenal and Tottenham.
United will pay around £200,000 initially with extras if Hugill, 16, makes strides and cracks the first-team.
Personal terms have also been thrashed out and he will sign his first pro contract on decent wages after rejecting terms at the Stadium of Light.
However Hugill is not allowed to travel to Manchester or have a medical until lockdown is lifted.
There should be no snags, but the Sunderland starlet will have to be patient before completing his transfer.
LAYOVER
Arsenal are “ready to fight” for Layvin Kurzawa, according to reports in Spain.
Barcelona reportedly want to sign the Paris Saint-Germain left-back in the summer yet have the Gunners as competition.
Some believe that Mikel Arteta is ready to sign Cedric Soares permanently to bulk up his full-back options – which already include Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney.
Yet Arsenal are described here as holding talks with Kurzawa over a deal.
Of course, the Catalan outlet reckons Barcelona are in pole position to snap up the Frenchman.
DON’T THIA-GO
Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara wants to see Philippe Coutinho stay with the Bundesliga club next season.
Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea are among the sides reportedly tracking the on-loan Barcelona winger
Thiago told La Vanguardia: “I know him well. He’s very good. I’ve seen him play since he was 12 years old.
“I played futsal against him in Brazil and he loved it. He doesn’t think he lacks anything.
“I love playing with high-level footballers and he is a phenomenon. He is a spectacular guy, super hard-working, with an unbeatable technique and incredible definition.
“Players go through good and not so good moments and he is giving us a lot. We hope to have him next year too.”
LAUR UNTO THEMSELVES
Arsenal Invincibles were always fighting in training, according to former Gunners defender Lauren.
Arsene Wenger masterminded a squad full of quality and character to the league title in the 2003/04 season, going undefeated.
Speaking to the Arsenal website, the 43-year-old said: “Of course there was fighting. I love at Arsenal that the journalists didn't go to the training sessions.
“In our time if the journalists were to attend training there would be history every single day.
“How competitive we were – all fighting between ourselves. I had a fight with Thierry [Henry], Thierry with Martin [Keown], Patrick with Freddie [Ljungberg].
“We were all very competitive and we were all fighting because we all had big egos, big personalities but by the time the games arrived, we were fighting for the same goal.”
YOU CAN CALL ME RAY
Today, Arsenal are celebrating the 18th anniversary of Ray Parlour’s stunning goal past Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
The Romford Pele’s effort in the 2002 Cardiff showpiece was famously accompanied by Blues fan Tim Lovejoy dismissing the player as he ran towards the box.
“It’s only Ray Parlour,” claimed the presenter.
The rest is history…
TOUGH GIGG
Arsenal fans remember their 2001/02 title win at Old Trafford with fond memories.
But right-back on the night Lauren has revealed it was a very tough day at the office – at the hands of Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs.
The Cameroonian told Arsenal’s In Lockdown podcast: “2001/02 was unbelievable because finally we won the league at Old Trafford.
“I think in that game, in my opinion it was one of the best games I played in as a defender because personally I was suffering a little bit because of Ryan Giggs.
“Giggs was unbelievable, he was one of the most intelligent players I played against because he knew the movement, he was always looking behind, he didn’t stand still, he was unpredictable.
“Sometimes he would go inside, sometimes he would go outside, sometimes he took on players, sometimes he played one touch, two touch, so you could never guess his movement.
“I didn’t want to anticipate, I didn’t want to stay, so I was thinking how to stop this guy. I think when we finished that game it was one of my best games because I managed to find out how to cope in this position and I managed to cope against this top player.”
OZIL AND OUT
Mesut Ozil looks set to leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of next season, a close friend has claimed.
Turkish TV host Acun Ilicali is said to be a big friend of the playmaker’s as well as the Istanbul side’s president.
And Ozil is described as very much up for grabs when his time in England comes to an end.
Ilicali is quoted by Sports Witness as telling an Instagram Q&A: “I receive lots of questions about Mesut Ozil. I believe in the future the good things will happen.
“I’m not in a position to give details but I know our president is also working hard for this.
“When his contract with Arsenal will expire, the favourites would be Fenerbahce.
“We are also working on that front. I really wanted to tell you in more detail, but I cannot. We’ll talk about these things when the time comes.”
TAKING A MKHIT
Arsenal have lowered their asking price to just £10million for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to help raise transfer funds.
The 31-year-old has spent this season on loan at Roma and is about to enter the final 12 months of his Gunners contract.
The Serie A side are keen to sign the Armenian international and have discussed a potential player-plus-cash deal.
However, despite Arsenal dropping his price tag, the Daily Mirror claim Roma’s valuation still falls short of that.
The Premier League club prefer cash and will only do a deal if they feel the circumstances are right.
ART ATTACK
Arsenal and Chelsea are set to battle it out for Orkun Kokcu this summer, according to reports.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been keeping a close eye on the £23million Feyenoord midfielder for several months.
Arsenal have already made contact with the 19-year-old's representatives following his impressive spell of form.
But Voetbal International journalist Martijn Krabbendam has revealed the Gunners are not the only interested club -Chelsea are also keen.
Feyenoord have tried to tie down the Turkish star with a new long-term contract, but he swiftly rejected their approach.
Real Betis and Sevilla will hope to lure Kokcu to Spain but Roma and Atalanta want him to play for them in Serie A.
GUNNER BEAT YA
Arsenal stars have been working harder than anyone to maintain their fitness in the coronavirus lockdown.
A leaderboard on top of the range fitness tracking app STATSports has been dominated by Gunners stars.
And it is Kieran Tierney – who has not played since dislocating his shoulder in December – who comes out on top.
One of the most important categories is high metabolic load distance (HMLD), which measures how intense the running load is.
The metric records the total amount of high speed running an athlete does, coupled with the total distance of accelerations and decelerations throughout a session.
And it is Tierney who covered the most distance at the highest intensity, with 10,333m in the past week alone.
WE GO AGAIN
The draw for the second ePremier League Invitational has been made…
Sixteen top-flight sides will be represented by famous faces in the FIFA 20 tournament with funds raise for the Players Together NHS initiative.
A preliminary round will kick things off tomorrow with Arsenal’s contender facing Burnley defender Charlie Taylor.
Games will be streamed live and Phil Foden’s Manchester City await the Gunners if they progress.
Here’s the first round schedule:
3pm – West Ham vs Spurs (Spencer Owen v Ryan Sessegnon)
4pm – Burnley vs Arsenal (Charlie Taylor v Arsenal)
5pm – Newcastle vs Man Utd (Rolando Aarons v Jofra Archer)
6pm – Leicester vs Bournemouth (James Maddison v Callum Wilson)
OUTFLANKED
Thierry Henry has opened up on the steep learning curve he found upon signing for Barcelona.
Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola played the Arsenal icon on the left wing, teaching him an entirely new game in the process.
He told a Puma video: “You arrive at Barcelona and I had Rijkaard asking me to stay on the left and then when Pep arrived, Pep is an amazing coach first and foremost but he’s very demanding, very intense and it’s almost like you play chess with him.
“You always want to be a step ahead of what you’re doing. To do that you have to stay in your position in order to make the pitch as big as possible for the midfielders to operate what they need to operate.
“And you need to make fake runs to take the backline away, create space for the No10 on your side because we were playing with one holding midfielder and two No10s so I had to make sure Iniesta was going to get the ball – and if you don’t you kill the space.
“Then I started to understand space, move in the space. It was a different type of game and then once I did adjust and adapt then in 2009 we went on the year of winning everything possible.”
GETTING ARSEY
Jens Lehmann has revealed Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson’s fury after a tense 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Manchester United in 2003.
A missed Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty in the final seconds led to a famous confrontation between the title rivals.
Football365 quote the German as telling beIN Sports: “I remember after that game I wasn’t looking into the eyes of my teammates I was looking into the eyes of Arsene.
“He was having Alex Ferguson at a short distance [clenching his fists]. He grabbed him and each of them were very angry with each other and almost started to fight with each other. It wasn’t about me or the players it was more about the manager.
“I came in late and I remember that there were two crowds of people confront each other and I spilt some of my water onto them, accidentally of course. It was funny to watch, I wasn’t involved.
“You always expect me to be involved but I wasn’t in this situation. We were talking [the following Monday] but we were waiting for fines to be handed out and of course to United.”
LIB IT UP
William Saliba is expected to join Arsenal for real in the summer but coaches have already been in his ear about how to improve his game.
Last summer, the defender is said to have worked at the Gunners' training base while recovering from a groin problem.
That led to coaches identifying Saliba's physical condition as one area to work on – The Express cite The Athletic's David Ornstein as telling the Arsenal Supporters' Trust.
The Frenchman has spent the season back at Saint-Etienne, the Ligue 1 club narrowly avoiding relegation after the season was ended early.
KAN DO WHATEVER I WANT
Thierry Henry has praised Denis Bergkamp and Nwanko Kanu for making his life “easier” at Arsenal.
In conversation with Sergio Aguero for Puma, the French legend spoke of how he liked to run the channels while keeping the dangerous forwards in the centre of the pitch.
He explained: “At Arsenal I could go wherever I wanted. Like [Aguero] when you played with Diego Forlan.
“It was much easier for me at Arsenal because I had either Bergkamp or Kanu.
“They liked staying in the middle which allowed me to drop back, move on the right side, left side.”
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