ARSENAL are back in training as the Premier League's return draws closer, with talks over full contact set to take place this week.
And we have all the latest transfer news including the Gunners' exciting potential move for Philippe Coutinho, with boss Mikel Arteta having "already confirmed" his intention to sign the Barcelona misfit.
Elsewhere we have updates on Ousmane Dembele, Ryan Fraser and Bukayo Saka, while defender Rob Holding has responded to rumours he could be sold this summer.
Get the latest news, gossip and updates from the Emirates here…
LAND OF THE FREE
Arsenalare reportedly planning for a lean summer transfer window in which they will not be able to spend any money.
The Telegraph claim the Gunners are facing a scenario where they will only be able to bring players in on free transfers, loans or swap deals.
The report adds that the only option for the club to pursue their top targets is if they can raise significant funds through cashing in on either Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal captain Aubameyang is a target for both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain as he enters the final year on his current Emirates deal.
While the Gunners are said to be interested in a swap deal with Atletico Madrid involving Lacazette and former target Thomas Lemar.
Arsenal are expected to be facing a battle to keep pace with the rest of the Premier League's powerhouses in the market this summer following the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
HOLD ON
Rob Holding has appeared to respond to rumours he could be leaving Arsenal.
The defender has been named as a potential star the Gunners could look to sell in order to recoup money lost amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But in a cryptic social media post, Holding looks to be paying no notice and instead focusing on training.
He said: “Focus your energy on what you can control.”
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Focus your energy on what you can control ?⚽️
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MATT'S YOUR LOT
Jeremie Aliadiere has urged Matteo Guendouzi to grow up if he wants to progress with the Gunners.
He told Goal: “He's grown up as a player, he's matured massively as a player and every year he gets better.
“I think that's what he's missing and that's why he's not playing as much under Mikel [Arteta] because Mikel is not really up for that.”
He added: “You can be the best player, but if you don't have the right attitude and right mentality, that will cost your career. I don't care how good you are.”
ART ATTACK
Mikel Arteta is reportedly prepared to listen to offers for three of his central defenders this summer.
David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed the Gunners will listen to bids for Rob Holding, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi.
The Arsenal boss is planning to strengthen his defence this summer by bringing in some fresh faces.
Arteta has been linked to the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Samuel Umtiti and Jerome Boateng.
But first, he must get rid of the deadwood in his squad.
HAD THE BLUES
Bacary Sagna admits Arsenal feared playing Chelsea because “in our heads they were bigger than us”.
Sagna told the club's In Lockdown podcast: “I believe we under-evaluated ourselves. Playing for Chelsea image-wise was something different
“They used their image a lot, they used to have some big players in the national team and we used to talk about them more than they talked about us. Maybe in our heads, they were bigger players than us.
“On the pitch, we had as much quality as they had whenever we played, and when we played the Arsenal way nobody could beat us.
“I believed nobody could beat us. We used to play simple passes, one, two-touches maximum. But I believe we under-evaluated ourselves which is a big mistake in life.”
BELE ACHE
Barcelona will reportedly listen to loan offers for winger Ousmane Dembele, putting the likes of Arsenal and Juventus on red alert.
The Gunners are said to be in competition with the Old Lady in the race to sign the French winger at the end of the season with the Blaugrana looking to ship him off.
According to the Daily Mail, Barcelona are prepared to let Dembele leave on an initial loan deal as they look to get him off their wage bill.
They state they don't want his value to carry on dropping, and hope a loan spell will see his price increase at which point they can flog him.
BATTLE OF WILLS
Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting tooth and nail to sign Chelsea star Willian with their transfer budgets hit hard by coronavirus.
The North London clubs have both been hit in the pocket due to the enforced break from football.
They will therefore be forced to settle for free transfers, player swaps and loan moves in order to improve their squad for 2020-21.
Willian is one of the biggest free agents this summer, with 86 players currently either returning to their parent clubs from a loan or available for nothing.
The Brazilian, 31, is almost certain to call time on his Stamford Bridge career, with the club not willing to offer him a length of contract he seems suitable.
Arsenal and Tottenham could now fight to take advantage, while Liverpool and Barcelona have also been linked with the former Shakhtar Donetsk man.
COUTINHO TO ARSENAL LATEST
Mikel Arteta has “already confirmed” his intention to sign Philippe Coutinho for Arsenal and is “convinced the player can regain his best level” and help the club compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
That is according to Spanish outlet Diario ABC, who claim Barcelona are ready to negotiate a sale for around £70million to help them raise funds for moves for Lautaro Martinez and Miralem Pjanic.
Coutinho cost Barca £105m plus £35m in add-ons when he joined from Liverpool in 2018 but like a number of former Arsenal players has struggled after switching from the Premier League to the Nou Camp.
The 27-year-old has spent this season on loan at Bayern Munich, but last week they turned down the option to sign him permanently.
Diario ABC add that Barca are awaiting a call from Arsenal to start negotiating Coutinho's transfer, with the player having “already confirmed” his priortity to return to England.
GOOD MORNING, ARSENAL FANS
The Gunners are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Rob Holding, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi.
Pablo Mari and David Luiz are set to start off as Mikel Arteta's first-choice centre-back partnership.
The Gunners boss has identified these three players as the ones he is prepared to sell to bring in funds.
Also, Arsenal target Nicolas Tagliafico's agent has told Ajax his man will leave the club this summer.
The Argentinian joined the Dutch side in 2018 but his performances have attracted attention all over Europe.
Also, Arsenal are set to thrash out a deal with Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho this week with the attacker Mikel Arteta's “dream” signing.
Bayern Munich have rejected the chance to turn the Nou Camp outcast's loan deal into a permanent arrangement.
AL HE WROTE
Jeremie Aliadiere has urged Matteo Guendouzi to grow up if he wants to progress with the Gunners.
He told Goal: “He's grown up as a player, he's matured massively as a player and every year he gets better.
“I think that's what he's missing and that's why he's not playing as much under Mikel [Arteta] because Mikel is not really up for that.”
He added: “You can be the best player, but if you don't have the right attitude and right mentality, that will cost your career. I don't care how good you are.”
FREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER
Arsenal are “confident they are favourites” to sign Ryan Fraser, according to the Daily Mail.
The Bournemouth winger is a free agent at the end of the season and was targeted by the Gunners in last summer's transfer window.
He was also strongly linked with Liverpool in January, but the North Londoners reportedly believe they are now back in pole position for his signature.
TRI YOUR BEST
Arsenal are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Rob Holding, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi.
Pablo Mari and David Luiz are set to start off as Mikel Arteta's first-choice centre-back partnership.
The Gunners boss has identified these three players as the ones he is prepared to sell to bring in funds.
TURN OF FRASE
Arsenal are reportedly in pole position to land Bournemouth ace Ryan Fraser this summer despite interest from rivals Tottenham.
The Cherries winger, 26, looks set to leave the South Coast for free when his contract expires at the end of the season.
And, according to the Daily Mail, the Gunners are “confident” of sealing a summer swoop for the Scottish international.
That is despite recent reports that Fraser would snub Mikel Arteta's side for neighbours Spurs… and a shot at the Champions League.
FEK OFF
Arsenal are reportedly unwilling to meet the asking price of former Liverpool target Nabil Fekir.
The Frencham almost joined the Anfield outfit as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho.
But instead he left Lyon to join Real Betis.
But the LaLiga side was £44.5m for the attacking midfielder and that is far too much for pretty much every club in light of the coronavirus crisis.
TAG YOU'RE IT
Arsenal target Nicolas Tagliafico's agent has told Ajax his man will leave the club this summer.
The Argentinian joined the Dutch side in 2018 but his performances have attracted attention all over Europe.
Agent Ricardo Schlieper said: “We are looking for a transfer from Tagliafico.
“We have agreed with Ajax for a departure this year.
“After spending two and a half seasons at the club, now is the perfect time.”
GO WITH THE FLO
Arsenal have confirmed a new signing – to their medical team.
Flo Newton has been appointed first-team doctor to Mikel Arteta's side.
She has been working with the senior setup on occasion since the summer where she joined them on their tour of the USA. Her appointment was officially confirmed today by the Twitter account of the Arsenal Performance and Research Team.
The message read: “Huge welcome to Flo Newton who has officially joined as first-team doctor.
“Flo is a familiar face to all at Arsenal having worked as part of the Academy for a number of years.
“Flo will work alongside [head of medical services Dr] Gary [O'Driscoll] and the rest of the team.”
BEATEN TOON IT
Newcastle have opened talks with Philippe Coutinho and lead Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign him, according to reports.
The Magpies have moved to land the ex-Liverpool man ahead of their imminent mega-money Saudi backed takeover.
Reports earlier today suggested the Gunners plan to start discussions with the 27-year-old soon while United and Chelsea have been linked for months.
But the Toon have beaten the Premier League trio to the punch and begun talks with the playmaker and his camp, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
LOAN RANGER
Arsenal have received a big boost with Barcelona reportedly willing to let Ousmane Dembele leave on loan last season.
The Daily Mail report that Barca are very keen to get the former Dortmund man off their wage bill and would be willing to accept an initial loan deal.
It had already been reported that the Catalans had dropped their asking price to £37m for the winger.
COUT OUT
Two conditions will have to be agreed before Arsenal can make their move for Philippe Coutinho.
According to Caught Offside, the Gunners only want to sign him on loan.
Barcelona want around £70million for the former Liverpool star and Arsenal are not prepared to splash the cash.
Mikel Arteta's cash-strapped side also want Barcelona to contribute towards his £250,000-per-week wages.
GUNNER TRAIN
Arsenal's squad were back at the training ground today – in small groups, of course.
Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette are among the stars that were spotted at London Colney.
WORK OF ART
Mikel Arteta was barking orders from behind his facemask at Arsenal training today.
THREE & EASY
The Premier League have finally given the go head for 3pm games to shown live on TV – with some matches even set to be aired for FREE.
Top-flight bosses have dropped its opposition to the game being shown to compensate for them being behind closed doors.
The long-standing blackout was lifted last month, but Prem bosses initially claimed they still wouldn't allow 3pm matches to be broadcast.
But now they have had a “change of heart”, according to The Times – with the previously blocked games now allowed to be shown.
There are 92 Premier League matches left to be played this season, with the restart pencilled in for June 12, although some fear it may be more like June 26.
Every match will be broadcast via some medium to make up for the fact fans are not allowed to watch live from inside the stadium.
GUNNER GET ONE
Bolstering Arsenal's defence is at the top of Mikel Arteta's to-do list.
The Gunners have been linked to a number of big names ahead of the summer transfer window.
Here's some of the most likely options…
PHIL US IN
The Gunners are set to thrash out a deal with Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho this week with the attacker Mikel Arteta's “dream” signing.
Bayern Munich have rejected the chance to turn the Nou Camp outcast's loan deal into a permanent arrangement.
According to Mundo Deportivo the Emirates camp are so desperate to land the midfield maestro that they have pressed for negotiations to start within “the next few days” to get a deal over the line.
Arteta reckons Coutinho will undergo a resurgence if he moves to the Emirates, and will “lead Arsenal to compete against both Liverpool and Manchester City”.
Barca are thought to be asking around £71million for the Brazil ace – which has put a spanner in the works for the cash strapped Gunners.
THIERR UP
Manchester United reportedly rejected the chance to sign Thierry Henry before he joined Arsenal as Sir Alex Ferguson claimed “he's always f***ing injured”.
According to Old Trafford's former head of security Ned Kelly the Red Devils were the Frenchman's “first choice” ahead of the Gunners.
Kelly told beIN Sports: “In the tunnel after the game my phone goes, Eric's [Cantona] older brother Jean-Marie says, 'Ned, tell Alex [Ferguson] that Thierry Henry wants to come to the club',
“Now this was before he went to Arsenal, his first choice was Manchester United. So I go to the boss and say, 'boss, I've just had Jean-Marie Cantona on the phone, he had said Henry wants to come to the club'.
“He [Ferguson] says, 'no way, he's always f****** injured'. He went to Arsenal, the rest is history.”
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