Arsenal news LIVE: Smith Rowe DECISION, Gnonto UPDATE, Premier League legend backs Gunners to sign Mac Allister – latest

Loanees under threat

Playersloaned out by Arsenal face face a huge fight to be retained whne they return this summer.

That's the claim tonight after more talk of a summer clear-out.

The players mentioned are: Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and Alex Runarsson - plus of course Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe heads list of Gunners fighting for future

Arsenal sporting director Edu could look to offload as many as seven players this summer - to free up cash and squad places for manager Mikel Arteta.

Despite topping the Prem by eight points from champs Manchester City, boss Arteta still believes the Gunners are just a work in progress.

He expects to tie Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to new long-term deals - following on from Gabriel Martinelli's.

But he is also tipped to have a mini clear-out - with Nicolas Pepe likely to head any list of outgoing stars.

Making Emile of big decision

Arsenal are preparing to make a decision on Emile Smith Rowe, according to reports.

Smith Rowe has struggled with injuries throughout the season, which has seen game time limited.

And with Arsenal’s Last 16 exit from the Europa League, Smith Rowe will be a casualty of the fewer games they now have to play.

According to Football.London, the expected arrival of Declan Rice will leave Mikel Arteta with a decision to make on Smith Rowe, with even fewer opportunties to play in midfield.

The January arrival of Leandro Trossard have already seen Smith Rowe’s playing minutes ducked.

Something to grab Gnonto?

Wilfried Gnonto is at the centre of a transfer battle as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City eye the Leeds star, reports suggest.

Leeds find themselves in one of the Premier League’s most competitive relegation battles ever despite Gnonto’s own impressive performances.

And whether or not they escape the bottom three could impact on Gnonto’s future at the club.

Relegation may mean the club could have to sell the 19-year-old winger at a bargain price and there are no end of Premier League clubs interested in him.

Fans love all the Ras-matazz

Arsenal fans all said the same thing after reported transfer target Rasmus Hojland ran riot for Denmark in his international debut.

The Atalanta hitman - who has been compared to Erling Haaland - led the line for the Danes in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Finland on Thursday night and bagged a hat-trick in the Nordic clash.

Hojland's man-of-the-match display quickly did the rounds on Twitter and impressed many of the Emirates faithful.

One Arsenal fan tweeted: "Hojland is the next Haaland ."

Another said: "We need Hojlund @ Arsenal."

And another said: "Players linked with Arsenal scoring today 9Declan Rice and Hojlund)."

One remarked: "Arsenal, kindly bring Hojlund Rasmus to the carpet."

Denmark chief Kasper Hjulmand was full of praise for Hjoland - who the Gunners are reportedly willing to splash £44million - after the match.

Do you know the way to San, Jose?

Alexis Sanchez has revealed Jose Mourinho persuaded him to snub Manchester City and join Manchester United by promising him the No.7 shirt.

Sanchez completed a shock move to Old Trafford from Arsenal in January 2018, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving the other way.

A reunion with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at the Eithad was on the cards for the Chilean before he moved to the red side of Manchester.

But Mourinho twisted his arm by promising him the iconic No.7 shirt.

Sanchez said: "I was about to go to City. I spoke to Guardiola every day, he told me happy birthday.

"He was like my dad. He was my dad at Barcelona and he was like my dad at City.

"We talked, we talked every day, he sent me messages.

"And everything was ready, there was a player who was going to go to Arsenal.

"Then [Arsene] Wenger tells me you are not leaving because the other player did not want to come and they do not have another.

"Suddenly the cell phone rings. Mourinho tells me: 'Alexis, here is the seven [shirt] available for you.'"

Mac Allister would be top Gunner

Premier League legend Andy Cole has tipped Arsenal to sign Alexis Mac Allister this summer.

However, he does not believe he can work in tandem with the club’s primary target Declan Rice.

Speaking to King Casino Bonus, he said: “Alexis Mac Allister would be a good buy for Arsenal and could replace Granit Xhaka.

“But then if Declan Rice went too, how would they all fit in? Mac Allister had great energy and contributed to some great goals in the World Cup.

“They will make an absolute fortune on him because he only cost them £7m, I can see him going for at least £60m in the summer.

“Fair play to Mac Allister, he’s come from South America and impressed straight away and at a fashionable club like Brighton too.”

Veiga fancies Real over Prem giants

Rumoured Manchester United and Arsenal target Gabri Veiga would prefer to join Real Madrid,

That's according to reports in Spain amid claims Liverpool are also keep on Celta Vigo's 20-year-old midfielder.

The Spanish Under-21 international has notched nine goals and three assists for his mid-table LaLiga side this season

But Cadena SER say he'd rather join home-country giants Real than move to the Prem.

Veigas is thought to have a release clause of around 40million euros - about £35million.

Coronation pickin'

The Premier League have confirmed which games have been selected for TV coverage on the weekend of King Charles' Coronation.

New dates for previously postponed fixtures have also been confirmed.

And there are two awkward kick-off times for Manchester United.

There is an 8pm KO for the trip to Brighton on May 4, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Then just three days later the away game at West Ham on May 7 will now get underway at 7pm.

That clash will be shown live on BT Sport.

Other games selected for TV include Manchester City vs West Ham (May 3 at 8pm), Liverpool vs Brentford (May 6 at 5.30pm), Manchester City vs Leeds (May 7 at 2pm), Newcastle vs Arsenal (May 7 at 4.30pm), Brighton vs Everton (May 8 at 5.30pm) and Nottingham Forest vs Southampton (May 8 at 8pm).

Just four matches will be played on May 6, the day of King Charles' Coronation.

Bournemouth vs Chelsea, Spurs vs Crystal Palace and Wolves vs Aston Villa will all kick-off at 3pm, with Liverpool vs Brentford to be shown on TV later that evening.

Sansom joy as he rebuilds his life

Arsenal legend Kenny Sansom reveals a life-threatening drink problem robbed him of his best footballing memories - but he's now in recovery.

The former England left-back says booze "ruined my life" but he finally "feels like I'm a dad again".

The Sun exclusively told last month how the 86-cap Londoner, 64, was "proud" to walk his daughter down the aisle.

And he explained to the The Mail how he is putting some shocking low points behind him for more family highs as he continues to get better.

The ex-Crystal Palace hero was in a coma at one stage, unable to eat or drink.

He was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff and, after he caught pneumonia too, his family were warned he would not be resuscitated if his body failed.

Before that Sansom would often sleep rough - once estimating he downed nine bottles of wine a day.

But as he rebuilds his life he said: "Sometimes I get the hump with myself, sometimes I feel happy. 

"I think April will be three years without a drink - that takes some doing.

"Drink ruined my life – that’s one thing I can say for sure. And I know that now, I physically know it, I’ll never drink again."

He added: "I can enjoy my kids and my grandkids.

"I can take them to football matches…I can take them wherever they want, when I want. It’s up to me. It’s all I want to do now."

"I feel like I’m their dad. Whereas before? I was a drunk."

Seven Gunners under threat?

Arsenal sporting director Edu could look to offload as many as seven players this summer - to free up cash and squad places for manager Mikel Arteta.

Despite topping the Prem by eight points from champs Manchester City, boss Arteta still believes the Gunners are just a work in progress.

He expects to tie Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to new long-term deals - following on from Gabriel Martinelli's.

But he is also tipped to have a mini clear-out - with Nicolas Pepe likely to head any list of outgoing stars.

I'm always Gunner scream!

Oleksandr Zinchenko has blasted critics of Arsenal celebrations after admitting he rolls down the window of his car to scream after every game.

Zinchenko joined the club in the summer from Manchester City and has been key in leading the Gunners on an unexpected title charge.

And the Ukrainian revealed he loves to soak in the fervour of the Gunners faithful after every game.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "This is one of my favourite corners in London.

"Every time I pass this pub – because it's the way to my home – and every time there is a lot of Arsenal fans.

"Every time I try to put my window down and scream because after (a game) I have incredible energy. And you just want to share these emotions with them."

Arsenal have been slammed on a number of occasions this season for their overzealous celebrations.

He added: "We are not robots, we are human beings. We're just doing our job and when this job is successful, why are we not allowed [to celebrate]? I don't understand.

"Of course we didn't win the Premier League yet and there are still a lot of games to play. But every single game in the Premier League is so tough… that's why we celebrate."

Folarin in talks with England U-21 chief

Arsenal loanee has been in talks with England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley.

Balogun has led a superb season at Stade Reims, but was forced to pull out of the England junior squad through injury.

However, according to Football.London Balogun is weighing up a change of international allegiance.

Due to him being born in New York, United States, he is eligible to represent the USMNT.

This is despite already appearing 28 times for the Three Lions in youth catergories, though Balogun has also appeared for the US Under-18s too.

Arsenal Gnonto battle

Wilfried Gnonto is at the centre of a transfer battle as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City eye the Leeds star, reports suggest.

Gazzetta dello Sport report that City, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the Italian, who could come up against England in the Euro qualifier tonight.

Leeds find themselves in one of the Premier League's most competitive relegation battles ever despite Gnonto's own impressive performances.

And whether or not they escape the bottom three could impact on Gnonto's future at the club.

Relegation may mean the club could have to sell the 19-year-old winger at a bargain price and there are no end of Premier League clubs interested in him.

Andy Cole backs Gunners Mac Allister transfer

Premier League legend Andy Cole has tipped Arsenal to sign Alexis Mac Allister this summer.

However, he does not believe he can work in tandem with the club's primary target Declan Rice.

Speaking to King Casino Bonus, he said: “Alexis Mac Allister would be a good buy for Arsenal and could replace Granit Xhaka.

"But then if Declan Rice went too, how would they all fit in? Mac Allister had great energy and contributed to some great goals in the World Cup.

"They will make an absolute fortune on him because he only cost them £7m, I can see him going for at least £60m in the summer.

"Fair play to Mac Allister, he's come from South America and impressed straight away and at a fashionable club like Brighton too."

Peeping Pepe

Arsenal are ready to ditch £72million club record signing Nicolas Pepe but fear they might have to pay him to leave.

The 27-year-old winger is currently on loan at Nice and plays no part in Mikel Arteta’s plans.

But he still has another year of his £140,000-a-week Emirates contract to run and has attracted no offers from any potential buyers.

Nice, owned by Manchester United bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have suggested that they might be willing to sign Pepe on a permanent deal in the summer.

But there has been no indication that they are prepared to pay a transfer fee for the player who became the most expensive signing in Arsenal’s history when he joined them from Lille in 2019.

You can read the full story here.

Gabri Veiga stats

Here's a look at Gabri Veiga's numbers in La Liga this season.

Celta Vigo president on Veiga transfer

Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino has revealed Gabri Veiga is expected to depart the club soon.

But Arsenal have been handed a boost with transfer rivals, Real Madrid yet to ask about his availabilty.

He told Mundo Deportivo: "We cannot do anything. We know some of their offers and it is impossible to get there. Gabri is a Celta player, he has that feeling.

"There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. For us, and to make it clear, he is not for sale.

"We have nothing to negotiate with anyone. We refer to the clause. From the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him. The decision is Gabri’s, he will play wherever he wants."

Arsenal have £35m Xhaka plan

Arsenal star Granit Xhaka could depart the club in order to make way for £35million-rated Gabri Veiga, according to Football.London.

The Celta Vigo midfielder, aged 20, is wanted by both Arsenal and Real Madrid and could be targeted if the Gunners fail to land Declan Rice.

The £35m tag relates to Veiga's release clause with the La Liga.

Carsley on Balogun

On the switch rumours relating to Balogun, England U21 boss Carsley said: "He didn’t give me any inkling that there was an issue or that he was thinking of doing anything in the future.

"He said he is looking forward to the summer and all the rest of it so will obviously follow that up after camp. I

"I'll make sure that I go over (to France). I’ve been to France a couple of times now to watch the players and I’ll make a point of going over and meeting Flo.

“You can’t twist someone’s arms to play for England. You know we can only make him feel as welcome as we can. We rate him highly.

"We’ve supported him when things weren’t great. We called him into the 21s when he was playing for Arsenal’s Under-23s because I knew what potential he had.

“He had the loan move to Middlesbrough which was OK.

"He’s done excellent this season, he’s really going in the right direction if you think about the development that he’s on he’s going in the right direction and hopefully we can still be a part of that.

"He is is big player for us.”

Balogun international talks

Arsenal loanee has been in talks with England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley.

Balogun has led a superb season at Stade Reims, but was forced to pull out of the England junior squad through injury.

However, according to Football.London Balogun is weighing up a change of international allegiance.

Due to him being born in New York, United States, he is eligible to represent the USMNT.

This is despite already appearing 28 times for the Three Lions in youth catergories, though Balogun has also appeared for the US Under-18s too.

Decision time

Arsenal are preparing to make a decision on Emile Smith Rowe, according to reports.

Smith Rowe has struggled with injuries throughout the season, which has seen game time limited.

And with Arsenal's Last 16 exit from the Europa League, Smith Rowe will be a casualty of the fewer games they now have to play.

According to Football.London, the expected arrival of Declan Rice will leave Mikel Arteta with a decision to make on Smith Rowe, with even fewer opportunties to play in midfield.

The January arrival of Leandro Trossard have already seen Smith Rowe's playing minutes ducked.

Morning, Arsenal fans

Moussa Diaby, Rasmus Højlund and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia lead the transfer speculation.

The Gunners and now Newcastle are said to be monitoring £62million-rated Bayer Leverkusen winger Diaby.

Atalanta striker Højlund, 20, also won't come cheap, having been rated as potentially better than Erling Haaland.

But recruiting Napoli wideman Kvaratskhelia looks a long shot.

That's because the runaway Serie A leaders believe they can afford to keep him - if as expected Victor Osimhen leaves.

Osimhen is tipped for a summer move, with Manchester United warm favorites for the Nigeria forward ahead of PSG.

So Napoli will be extra keen to retain their other main attacking menace, Kvaratskhelia. 

Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun is said to have a growing list of admirers willing to bid in the summer.

The Arsenal goal-getter, 21, has been a loan sensation for Reims in Ligue 1.

Arsenal duo nominated for award

Both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for March.

The duo are included in a six-man shortlist of the best performers from the month, as they look to follow in Martin Odegaard’s footsteps who came out on top in November/December.

Arsenal fans can vote for the winner with Mo Salah, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Tyrone Mings also up for the prize.

Balogun in demand

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that “many, many clubs” are interested in signing Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun this summer.

He said: “There are really many, many clubs interested in Folarin Balogun. But we have to remember it’s still March and not time to decide the next move.

“Arsenal director Edu will meet with Balogun’s agents in May/June to prepare the market and decide together. For sure, Balogun wants to play.”