Arsenal news LIVE: Tony Adams EXCLUSIVE, Gunners ‘tipped’ to secure Brandt, Saka contract UPDATE – latest

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Fresneda 'proud' of Arsenal interest

Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda is "proud" to be linked with a move to some of Europe's top clubs.

He said: "I’m proud but I always say it, I’m also at a big club, Valladolid."

On his efforts to learn English, Fresneda added: "I have always valued studies with a view to the future, beyond football.

"I am a person who likes to learn languages."

Gunners legends dine out together

Arsenal icons including Ian Wright and Thierry Henry gathered for dinner this week.

The star-studded dinner contained several winners from Arsenal's Invincibles team.

But can you guess who else was at the feast?

SEE THE GOONERS HERE

Five alive for Super Mik

Arsenal are reportedly scouting five strikers, including two England internationals and “the next Erling Haaland”, ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Standard claims Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic is back on Mikel Arteta's list.

England internationals Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Everton, and Roma’s Tammy Abraham, also both “fit the mould” of what he is looking for.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen is there too, and the fifth is the man many are comparing to Man City hotshot Erling Haaland - 6ft 3in Rasmus Hojlund.

Morning, Arsenal fans

The Gunners are confident key midfielder Thomas Partey will be fit for Saturday's Prem resumption at home to Leeds.

Partey returned from Ghana duty early through injury.

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka will become Arsenal’s top earner with a new five-year contract worth up to £300,000 a week.

That more than quadruples the 21-year-old England winger's current weekly wage of £70k.

But it comes as the Gunners are linked with a summer move for Borussia Dortmund wideman Julian Brandt.

Gunners' legend Tony Adams reckons only Lionel Messi is currently as good as Saka.

And Adams even believes Arsenal wouldn't be top without the Three Lions' winger.

But despite The Gunners' eight-point lead, the ex-England defender feels the title is MAN CITY's to lose.

That's mainly because the champions have more experience in such situations as well as a huge squad.

Lastly, Real Madrid are again being tipped to consider a summer bid for fit-again Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus.

He's making a Rod for our back

Arsenal fans were convinced Manchester City's Rodri tried to injure two of their stars players ahead of their Premier League title run-in.

Rodri started in midfield in Spain's two Euro 2024 qualifying matches and had collisions with Arsenal's Martin Odegaard and Kieren Tierney.

In particular, Tierney was subbed off on 76 minutes after a tough tackle but Odegaard saw out the match.

Still Gooners online accused Rodri of trying to take out the Arsenal pair as the title race continues.

One said: "Rodri has tried to injure Odegaard and Tierney within a few days."

Another added: "That’s both Odegaard and Tierney Rodri’s managed to take out during this international break.

"If I was a conspiracy theorist I’d go as far as saying that’s more than coincidental."

One fumed: "Wait a minute. Rodri injured Tierney just as he tried to injure Odegaard a couple days ago as well?"

Another raged: "Rodri again? Odegaard just escaped a tackle days ago, now it's Tierney."

Spain emerged 3-0 winners against Norway but were stunned in a 2-0 loss to Scotland.

Only Messi's as good as Saka

EXCLUSIVE: When Manchester City paid £100million to sign Jack Grealish 18 months ago, I couldn’t believe that they didn’t even try to buy Bukayo Saka, writes TONY ADAMS.

Even now I’m gobsmacked that Arsenal have been able to hang on to a kid who is already one of the best talents in the world.

Hopefully, they will soon get Bukayo tied down to a lengthy new contract, so I can stop worrying.

Like me, he’s a London-born Arsenal fan who graduated through the academy and has the club in his blood. But they should never take that loyalty for granted.

If Arsenal hadn’t shown the level of commitment I was looking for at the time, I would have been out the door like a shot when Manchester United wanted to buy me in 1996.

But they proved their ambitions by signing Patrick Vieira and Nicolas Anelka and that was good enough for me to sign on the dotted line.

Playing in the Champions League next season will be a whole new ball game for this Arsenal team.

At the moment they need Bukayo, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Oleks Zinchenko playing every week because they have a team that almost picks itself.

But I’m sure they’ll give Bukayo that hefty new contract to keep him at the Emirates because they know he is irreplaceable.

If there’s a better player in world football at the moment, someone who both scores and makes goals, the only one I can think of is Lionel Messi. Bukayo is absolutely on fire and the reason Arsenal are top of the table.

Hard to take

Jorginho's girlfriend Catherine Harding showed off her bikini body by plunging into a cold bath.

The singer songwriter - who starred on The Voice in 2020 - has 24,500 Instagram followers and gives fans an insight into her life with Jorginho.

And now Catherine has revealed her current "health kick" routine of taking a cold bath.

She braves the cold for four minutes with some deep breathes before getting out to dry off.

Catherine shot to fame on the BBC's talent show and was mentored by pop star Olly Murs.

She also has a seven-year-old daughter Ada with actor Jude Law following their brief relationship in 2014.

Catherine met Jorginho in 2019 after the Italian international split up with ex-wife Natalia Leteri.

The couple welcomed their first child, son Jax, to the world in September 2020.

They live in London together, where Jorginho moved in 2018 after signing for Chelsea.

But he swapped West London for the North in January following a shock move to league leaders Arsenal.

Adams: Title is City's to lose

If Manchester City were eight points clear with ten games to go, there would not even be a question about the title race already being over, writes TONY ADAMS.

But because it’s Arsenal in that position, I still don’t think they’re favourites to be champions.

Speaking from personal experience, I know just how difficult it is to get over that finishing line for the first time.

Arsenal are going to get tighter and tighter with every game they play.

In our last ten games of the season we were scrapping at home against teams who had absolutely nothing to play for.

We lost 2-1 at home to Derby and Dean Saunders scored twice. I was ready to rip his head off. I was screaming ‘Jesus Christ, why are you trying so hard? Do you want Liverpool to win the title again?’

He told me he was  trying to win the Golden Boot and I said ‘well just stop it’.

But that’s how it’s going to be for Arsenal over the next two months because every game is going to feel like a cup final.

City might have as many as 18 more games to play but Pep Guardiola has so much talent at his disposal that he can pick one team in the league and another for the cup competitions. They’ve won the title before and because they’re coming from behind they will be able to play with much more freedom than Arsenal.

Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise that Arsenal have been knocked out of the Europa League.

Even with their best players available, they might not do it. I might be the only person saying this but I still think it’s  City’s title to lose.

Brandt new winger?

Borussia Dortmund winger Julian Brandt is tipped to be on Arsenal's summer wishlist.

The German sees his contract at the club expire next summer.

Mikel Arteta is supposedly tracking the player and he is on a shortlist of potential signings.

Bukayo 'contract curse'

Arsenal fans fear that Bukayo Saka could still leave the club despite agreeing a new long-term contract.

The deal will see the England international become the club's highest-paid player, with a salary of up to £300,000 per week.

Saka has been in stunning form for the club this season, helping them to the top of the Premier League table.

The 21-year-old has scored 12 goals and assisted ten more in his 28 league appearances.

While he has certainly earned his new deal, it does not guarantee his form will continue.

Former club stars such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil all saw their effectiveness fade after signing new contracts.

One Arsenal supporter tweeted: "Saka contract curse is pending…."

While a second asked: "Will Saka beat the "improved contract" curse?"

However, some were more hopeful, as a third fan added: "Saka about to break our £300,000 big player contract curse."

Ozil was a star player for Arsenal and he was awarded with a whooping contract worth £350,000 per week just six months before he was set to leave the club on a free transfer, according to The Mirror.

Saliba hails Grin-chenko

William Saliba rates ‘crazy’ Oleksandr Zinchenko as his funniest Arsenal team-mate.

The Frenchman told Stadium Astro: ‘[Rob] Holding is very funny, Ben White is funny as well.

"[But] Zinchenko is the best for me, the most funny.

‘So funny, he’s crazy! We have a lot of different types of guys in the dressing room, it’s always good."

Gunned out of TikTok

No players for leaders Arsenal or Liverpool make the top 10 list of most-followed Prem TikTokers.

Man utd and City have three apiece but Spurs' Brazil striker Richarlison is way in front on nine million.

Vertical sports site Sport World News produced the data.

Gunners predicted to nick crown from City

Arsenal will win the Prem by two points from champions Man City - with United way behind in third.

That's the prediction from spread betting firm  Sporting Index as the table-topping Gunners chase their first top-flight crown for 19 years.

United are tipped to finish four points clear of Newcastle - narrowly ahead of Spurs and Liverpool.

And Brighton are backed to come seventh - six points above Chelsea.

Neville Burdock, Head of Sportsbook at Sporting Index, said: “After composing a brilliant six-game winning run before the March international break, we now forecast Mikel Arteta’s side will finish on 88 points, two points clear of Manchester City

“We forecast high-flying Newcastle will secure European football for the first time since the 2013/14 season.

“It’s equally tight in the battle to beat the drop, with Everton forecast to avoid relegation by a single point, while West Ham and Leeds will finish only two points clear of the bottom three.”

Fans worry over Saka future

Arsenal fans fear that Bukayo Saka could still leave the club despite agreeing a new long-term contract.

The deal will see the England international become the club's highest-paid player, with a salary of up to £300,000 per week.

Saka has been in stunning form for the club this season, helping them to the top of the Premier League table.

The 21-year-old has scored 12 goals and assisted ten more in his 28 league appearances.

While he has certainly earned his new deal, it does not guarantee his form will continue.

Former club stars such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil all saw their effectiveness fade after signing new contracts.

One Arsenal supporter tweeted: "Saka contract curse is pending…."

While a second asked: "Will Saka beat the "improved contract" curse?"

However, some were more hopeful, as a third fan added: "Saka about to break our £300,000 big player contract curse."

Ozil was a star player for Arsenal and he was awarded with a whooping contract worth £350,000 per week just six months before he was set to leave the club on a free transfer, according to The Mirror.

Fans baffled by Sanchez's late winner direct from CORNER

Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez scored a bizarre corner winner for Chile, leaving fans baffled.

The 34-year-old now plies his trade in France for Marseille after winning a Serie A title with Inter Milan.

But Sanchez remains a key player for his country.

He won his 153rd international cap for Chile in Monday's friendly game against Paraguay. And he scored his 51st goal with 15 minutes left to level the score at 2-2.

But Sanchez wasn’t finished yet as he landed a winner for Chile in the 92nd minute. Sanchez fired in a corner as time ticked down to the final whistle. And somehow the ball ended up in the back of the net at the near post, sparking wild celebrations.

Replays showed that Paraguay goalkeeper Antony Silva had actually palmed the ball straight into his own net when trying to punch what should have been a routine save away.

And TV viewers were left puzzled by his horrendous mistake, which later went down as an own-goal.

One said: “I didn’t understand Alexis’ shot but even less what Silva did.” Another declared: “He fished for the ball and caused the goalie to make an error, the quality of Sanchez.”

One asked: “How on earth has that gone in?” Another added: “The best player Chile has ever produced.”

Award stops with Buk

Ex-Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos believes that Bukayo Saka has been the key man in Arsenal’s rise to the top of the Premier League table.

Senderos exclusively told Ladbrokes’ Fanzone: “Saka is their player of the season. He’s just been so impressive, pretty much in every game, and his progression is just continuing and going from strength to strength.

“Teams have started doubling up on him, but he still manages to do his job, scoring and creating goals. He’s the main guy this year.

People forget how much experience he has, seeing him week-in, week-out, playing for club and country.

“But he’s still young; he’s in his early twenties, which means there’s still so much learning, developing and progressing to be done. The team is getting better around him, they know how best to use him, and he’s picking up new traits with every game.

“He’s so, so dangerous, so smart, and he’s been the real difference for Arsenal this season.”

Arsenal eye Brandt

Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move for Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt.

The German sees his contract at the club expire next summer.

Mikel Arteta is supposedly tracking the player and he is on a shortlist of potential signings.

Iwobi opens up on exit

Everton star Alex Iwobi has opened up on his exit from Arsenal in 2019.

In an interview with The Beautiful Game Podcast, he said: "Arsenal just signed a new winger [Nicolas Pepe] and there were a few players there who were not ready to go.

"So they said 'we have received a bid for you, it's a high bid, we're not going to get this sort of money from anywhere else.

"It was a nudge, it's a winger as well someone who is probably going to play in your position. It's up to you sort of thing.

"So I thought 'cool, they have given me that and Everton's a club that's a very big club that wants me'. I want a new challenge so why not pursue it."

In action tonight...

It's a busy night of football for Arsenal fans tonight, with six of your stars in action on the international stage.

Martin Odegaard leads Norway against Georgia - kick-off 5pm.

Fans can then keep an eye on Fabio Vieira as Portugal's Under-21s play Norway at 7pm.

Then Gooners need eyes everywhere at 7:45pm as Emile Smith Rowe will be hoping to add to his goal in the last game for the England U21s as they face Croatia.

Elsewhere, Leandro Trossard's Belgium clash with Germany in a friendly, Kieran Tierney's Scotland play Spain and Granit Xhaka's Switzerland look to beat Israel.

'So wholesome'

Arsenal star Matt Turner revealed that he and his wife are having a girl with a cute gender reveal on the pitch.

The goalkeeper helped guide the United States to a 1-0 win over El Salvador and at the end of the game, all his team-mates gathered around him.

The 28-year-old was handed a football by the squad and fans begun a countdown for him to kick it.

Turner booted the ball and pink smoke came out, meaning he and his wife are due a girl.

The stopper was congratulated by his team-mates before going across to his wife Ashley Herron and his first child.

Xhaka nearly joined Stoke

Granit Xhaka almost joined Stoke City on loan before eventually landing a lucrative gig at Arsenal.

Max Eberl, director of sport at Xhaka’s former club Borussia Monchengladbach, claims the Swiss midfielder was close to a Potters loan move after a disastrous start to life at the German club.

Xhaka struggled to adapt to the speed of the Bundesliga and was wanted by Stoke in 2014.

However, Eberl claims he talked Xhaka out of linking up with Mark Hughes, warning the midfielder that he would never secure a move to a big club should he go to the bet365 Stadium.

Xhaka thought he would leave

Granit Xhaka thought he was going to leave Arsenal before his incredible rejuvenation in form, according to Philippe Senderos.

Senderos exclusively told Ladbrokes’ Fanzone: "Granit is a good friend of mine.

"I think everyone - including him - thought he was going to leave the club a couple of years ago.

"But he's had this massive turnaround, and that's down to his character; he's a leader both on and off the pitch. He's someone you want to follow, because he's going to put his heart and soul into everything he does."

White a perfect fit

Ex-Gunner Philippe Senderos has praised Mikel Arteta for moving Ben White from centre-back to right-back.

The more defensive Englishman offers cover for when Oleksandr Zinchenko on the opposite side drifts forward or central.

Senderos exclusively told Ladbrokes’ Fanzone: "In terms of Ben White, he's made that right-back position his own, he's spent a lot of time playing out of his natural position, but he's done a fantastic job this season.

"That role is best occupied by someone who is naturally a centre-back, because it gives you much more balance. That's something Mikel Arteta can take a lot of credit for, because he's identified how to get the best out of both of his full-backs and exploit their strengths."

Saka is "player of the season"

Ex-Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos believes that Bukayo Saka has been the key man in Arsenal's rise to the top of the Premier League table.

Senderos exclusively told Ladbrokes' Fanzone: "Saka is their player of the season. He's just been so impressive, pretty much in every game, and his progression is just continuing and going from strength to strength.

"Teams have started doubling up on him, but he still manages to do his job, scoring and creating goals. He's the main guy this year.

People forget how much experience he has, seeing him week-in, week-out, playing for club and country.

"But he's still young; he's in his early twenties, which means there's still so much learning, developing and progressing to be done. The team is getting better around him, they know how best to use him, and he's picking up new traits with every game.

"He's so, so dangerous, so smart, and he's been the real difference for Arsenal this season."