ARSENAL are preparing to face Manchester City as the Premier League returns tomorrow – in a clash that will pit Mikel Arteta against his former boss Pep Guardiola.
On the transfer front, Arteta has been speaking positively about the Gunners' chances of extending Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract.
And we have updates on Arsenal's move for the 'Iranian Messi' and Thomas Partey.
Follow all the latest transfer gossip and Gunners news below…
GOLDEN BOYS
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have been named on the 100-person shortlist for the 2020 Golden Boy award.
The prestigious accolade recognises the best footballer in the world aged 21 or under and was won by Atletico Madrid hotshot Joao Felix last year.
Martinelli, 18, has impressed in his debut season in England with 10 goals, including a crucial strike at Chelsea.
While Saka, also 18, has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, filling it at left-back and making 29 appearances in all competition.
William Saliba, due to arrive at the Emirates soon, is also on the list.
Former winners of the Golden Boy award include Kylian Mbappe, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney.
MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Yesterday was a busy day as Marcus Rashford put pressure on the government to reverse their decision to refuse free school meal vouchers to children in England over the summer.
And at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta claimed he is feeling “pretty positive” the Gunners can reach an agreement to extend Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deal.
He said: “I’m pretty positive we can find the right agreement for all parties. It is our responsibility to make him feel this is the right next step in his career.
“In order to do that he needs to feel valued. He needs to feel like he belongs to us and we want him.
“He really needs to believe we can take this club forward in the way we want to do and he’s going to be a key player to do that.
“I’m extremely happy with how he’s performing and behaving. I have a really good relationship with him and we can discuss face to face a lot of things and I think he’s very happy at the club.
“We would like have liked to do things much quicker but our hands have been tied with time and communication. These unprecedented times bring a lot of uncertainty.”
Elsewhere, Arsenal are 'closing in' on the transfer of 'Iranian Lionel Messi' Sardar Azmoun with the help of former Gunner Andrey Arshavin.
The North Londoners are also said to be favourites to land Thomas Partey as Atletico Madrid 'accept midfielder will leave'.
And Arsenal have set their sights on Reims centre-back Axel Disasi instead of Dayot Upamecano to save massive £40m on transfer.
And an unnamed Premier League ace revealed he is “terrified” to come out as gay because he fears a football backlash.
MAN ON FIRE
Manchester City face four games in a 16-day shootout if they are to lift the Champions League for the first time.
Uefa are set to confirm on Tuesday that the business end of the tournament will be completed by a last-eight ‘mini World Cup’ to be held in Lisbon in August.
Pep Guardiola and his City side will discover the result of their Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal against Uefa’s two-year European ban by the middle of next month.
And three weeks later City restart their Euro quest by playing Real Madrid in the last 16, having won the first leg 2-1. All four uncompleted matches will be played over the weekend of August 7 and 8.
Uefa then plan to use the two major stadia in Lisbon for the remaining games, with the quarter- final ties, played as one-off matches, held on consecutive nights between August 12 and August 15.
Semi-finals will be on August 18 and 19, before the final at the Stadium of Light on August 23.
SUB-WOOFER
Premier League home teams can blast out ‘walk-on’ music for their subs from tomorrow night.
With all games in empty grounds, top-flight chiefs want to try and restore some advantage to the hosts.
So clubs can play music at “key moments”, including after goals and for subs.
It is unclear whether players will have individual tunes, or use the same music.
West Ham will run out to ‘Bubbles’ when they play Wolves on Saturday.
A club source said: “After ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, it’s probably the most distinct club song in the Premier League.”
NICE ONE MY SONS
Like Uriah Rennie, Jarnail Singh was a pioneer in refereeing.
And the first Asian to take charge of a Football League match shares Rennie’s frustration that there are no BAME refs at the top level of English football.
Now 58 and a referee-observer for League One and Two, Singh said: “I knew Uriah on a professional basis and had the privilege of working with him on a Premier League game as a fourth official.
“I am very disappointed about the number of BAME match officials that have reached the top level of the professional game.
“Hopefully both Sunny and Bhupinder and other match officials can change that in the years to come.”
STAT ATTACK
Arsenal's Premier League stats ahead of football's return on June 17.
ALL TIME TOP 20
SunSport mocked up the all time best table which shows which teams have accumulated the most points in top flight history.
AUBA TO YOU
Mikel Arteta claimed he is feeling “pretty positive” that Arsenal can reach an agreement to extend Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deal.
He said: “I’m pretty positive we can find the right agreement for all parties.It is our responsibility to make him feel this is the right next step in his career.
“In order to do that he needs to feel valued. He needs to feel like he belongs to us and we want him.
“He really needs to believe we can take this club forward in the way we want to do and he’s going to be a key player to do that.
“I’m extremely happy with how he’s performing and behaving. I have a really good relationship with him and we can discuss face to face a lot of things and I think he’s very happy at the club.
“We would like have liked to do things much quicker but our hands have been tied with time and communication. These unprecedented times bring a lot of uncertainty.”
STAR'S FEAR
A top footballer secretly living as gay says he is “terrified” to come out and says the game still needs to do so much more.
The star, who plays in the Premier League, is being counselled by a charity and has even confided in some of his team-mates.
The player said: “There needs to be education from top to bottom – it is about talking directly to fans, agents, players, managers and those running the game about the issue.
“For a player to make that step they need to know the support is there. At the moment it just isn’t.”
The star made the comments to Amal Fashanu who is supporting around seven players who are currently in touch with the Justin Fashanu Foundation.
PORT OF CALL
This year's Champions League final looks set to be played on August 23 in Lisbon. Uefa are expected to approve an 11-day mini tournament for the final eight teams left in the competition.
According Sky Sports reporter Bryan Swanson, plans are in place to host the matches from August 12 to August 23.
Lisbon – where the 2014 final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid was played – has been backed as the host city by the Portuguese FA.
It is understood that the Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played over just one leg this year. Goal claim that the remaining last-16 fixtures will be played in Barcelona and Turin.
The quarter-finals will be played between August 12 and 15, while the semi-finals will be played on August 18 and 19. But there has been no further information released regarding the plans for the Europa League.
HAVE A LAC AT THAT
Arsenal posted footage of Alex Lacazette's winner against West Ham during their last Premier League game before lockdown.
AL BE BACK
Alexis Sanchez showed off his insane leg muscles as he trained ahead of this weekend's game against Sampdoria.
The Inter Milan star, on loan from Manchester United, has scored just one goal in 16 appearances this season.
Sanchez has made a habit of missing the target – but proved with his latest picture that he does not miss leg day.
The former Arsenal forward left fans stunned as he shared a snap from the training ground to his Instagram page.
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Training ⚽️
A post shared byAlexis Sanchez (@alexis_officia1) on
SAID AND DONE
Chelsea have launched transfer talks with Brentford winger Said Benrahma, according to reports.
Blues boss Frank Lampard appears to have stolen a march on fellow top-flight sides Arsenal and Leicester who are also thought be interested in the Championship ace.
RMC Sport claim discussions have begun but an offer is yet to be submitted for the 24-year-old Algerian.
He has spent the last two seasons at Griffin Park after arriving from French side Nice in 2018.
Benrahma is a tricky wideman who has even been dubbed the 'Algerian Messi'.
He has played 34 of Brentford's 37 Championship matches so far this season, scoring ten goals – including a hat-trick in the 5-1 drubbing of Hull.
STARS AND STRIPES
Adidas have released a funny video to commemorate the return of the Premier League.
The reel features Matteo Guendouzi, Paul Pogba, Roberto Firmino and Arsenal players in a group huddle.
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Ready for @premierleague ! ?? ⚽️
A post shared byPaul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba) on
DOESN'T SKIP LEG DAY
Alexis Sanchez's legs looked ripped during his recent training session with Inter Milan.
The Chilean played 19 minutes in Inter Milan's 1-1 draw with Napoli on Saturday, while on loan from Manchester United.
UPCOMING GAMES
Here are the next few fixtures for the Gunners, following the coronavirus restart.
DIS-IRE
Arsenal could turn their attention towards Reims centre-back Axel Disasi as their hunt for a new defender continues, according to reports.
The Gunners had been believed to be prioritising a move for RB Leipzig stopper Dayot Upamecano as they seek to shore up their leaky defence.
But set to miss out on Champions League football once again as the table stands, they could struggle to stump up whatever fee the Bundesliga side will demand – even if they lower their asking price from his £54million release clause.
This has lead Mikel Arteta and Co to explore other options.
And according to Goal, Reims defender Axel Disasi is on their radar – having emerged as a key player in Ligue 1 this season.
MAN ON THE MOUN
Arsenal are reportedly in negotiations with Zenit St Petersburg over a deal to bring Sardar Azmoun to the Emirates.
Dubbed as the “Iranian Lionel Messi”, the 25-year-old has previously attracted the interest of Liverpool as well as Celtic, and now the Gunners are said to be in for the forward.
According to Area Napoli, the North London giants have made contact with former fan favourite Andrey Arshavin over a move to sign Azmoun.
Arshavin is currently in charge of transfers at the Russian side, and it has been claimed that Arteta is hoping his friendship with his former team-mate could lead to the potential signing.
It has been stated that further talks between the two are planned as Arteta looks to sign a striker in the upcoming transfer window.
The report also adds that Arsenal are weighing up whether Azmoun would suit the Premier League.
EVERY DAY'S YOUR BIRTHDAY
Ray Parlour has wished talkSPORT presenter and former Scotland forward Alan Brazil a happy 60th.
In a hilarious Twitter video, the Romford Pele said: “Al, happy birthday. Every day is your birthday!
“I've even got suntan lotion for your bonce, because it looks a bit red at times.”
PART-ING WAYS
Atletico Madrid have “given up” on keeping Thomas Partey, according to Spanish outlet Cope.
The report also adds that Arsenal are the most likely club to secure the Ghanaian's signature.
However if Partey joins the Gunners it remains to be seen whether they will meet his £43.5m release clause or offer Atleti target Alexandre Lacazette in exchange.
MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Ian Wright has urged Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay at Arsenal – with Brazil skipper Thiago Silva targeted to join him.
Skipper and top scorer Aubameyang, 31 next Wednesday, claims no new contract is being discussed as he enters the final year of his current deal.
But Gunners' legend Wright said: “If the season was still going and he continued scoring goals he'd be in a strong position.
“If he does see that contract out, are the same people going to come for him?
“Arsenal have probably got a deal on the table three, maybe four years for somebody that for me, we need to stay.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners are thought to be duelling Spurs for PSG club captain Silva.
The centre-back, 35, will be freed along with the French champions' record scorer Edinson Cavani at the end of the prolonged campaign. French hitman Odsonne Edouard is “flattered” to be linked with Arsenal – but claims he is focused on helping Celtic win a tenth straight Scotish title
And the Gunners, as well as Manchester City are said to be keen on Swedsh defensive midfielder, Armin Gigovic, 18.
He broke into second flight side Helsingborgs IF's team at the start of the season.
SPURS EYE ARSENAL TARGET SILVA
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho wants to beat Arsenal and Everton to Brazil skipper Thiago Silva on a free this summer.
Mourinho needs to boost his defence with Belgium stalwart Jan Vertonghen set to leave when his deal runs down this season.
Paris Saint-Germain say club captain Silva and record goalscorer Edinson Cavani will leave after the conclusion of the Champions League campaign.
Both players’ contracts are due to expire this month.
And the French champions’ sporting director Leonardo revealed they will not be handed extensions – beyond temporary ones to allow them to play in Europe.
GIG ECONOMY COULD BOOST GUNNERS
Arsenal and Manchester City are being linked to Swedsh prodigy Armin Gigovic.
Helsingborgs IF are reportedly prepared to sell the defensive midfielder, 18, this summer after being hit financially by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under-19 international Gigovic broke into his Swedish second-tier club's first-team at the start of the season.
PED-GO
Arsenal youth team goalkeeper Pedro Virginia is to return to Portugal and join Porto.
The 16-year-old shot-stopper signed for the Gunners four years ago when he was aged just 12.
He told Record: “It was a very good experience in England. It was four great years with a great team, but now I came to FC Porto, a super team, one of the best in Europe, and I am very happy.
“The scouts have been following me for eight years now and it was a dream of mine for a long time. The collective goals are to win as many competitions in training and the individual goal is to play at Estádio do Dragao.”
SILVA PLATTER
Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Thiago Silva.
The Brazilian centre-back will be released by Paris Saint-Germain this summer after eight years in the French capital.
The news was announced by PSG sporting director Leonardo and signals the end of an era for the 35-year-old.
But Silva revealed some good news for the Gunners – he wants to stay in Europe.
He told Brazilian magazine Caras: “Everyone knows the affection I have for Fluminense.
“But I still have goals to reach in Europe.”
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