Chelsea News: Cesc Fabregas once took aim at Harry Redknapp in the tunnel
Arsenal News LIVE updates: All the latest from the Emirates
Wednesday October 4
United think Ozil is unhappy
18:20: Manchester United think Mesut Ozil is unhappy playing under Arsene Wenger.
That's according to Spanish outlet Don Balon.
Jose Mourinho wants a reunion with the Germany international.
And the Red Devils feel that his unhapiness with Wenger is one of the reasons why he wants to leave the Emirates.
Usmanov to sell?
17:56: Alisher Usmanov has denied he is in discussions to sell his 30 per cent stake in Arsenal to majority shareholder Stan Kroenke.
Reports had claimed Kroenke Sports Enterprise UK was set to offer £525million to buy the 18,695 shares held by Usmanov's Red and White Securities Limited.
Despite being the second largest individual shareholder in the Premier League club, Usmanov has not been given a seat on the board, leading to suggestions the Russian businessmen may be considering his long-term options.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, Usmanov moved to allay fears he was set to sell up to the American.
"In recent days there has been speculation relating to a possible offer for my 30 per cent stake in Arsenal. As part of that I can understand the anxiety that these rumours are causing to the fans as reflected by the Arsenal Supporters' Trust," Usmanov said.
"In light of this, I would like to be clear that I am not holding any talks with Mr Kroenke about a sale."
Gunners want Ozil out
17.00: Arsenal are now at a point where they want to sell Mesut Ozil in January, according to former Gunners midfielder Stewart Robson.
Robson thinks Arsene Wenger will be keen to get rid of Ozil in January in order to recoup some money for him.
“I think they’re at that stage (where they want to sell Ozil in January),” Robson said.
“Ozil has shown no indication to sign a contract at Arsenal.”
United turned down Ozil
16:30: Manchester United are again being linked with Arsenal star Mesut Ozil.
But the Germany international could already be plying his trade at Old Trafford if not for David Moyes.
The Daily Mail say Ozil was offered to United during his time at Real Madrid.
But Moyes rejected a transfer, which instead allowed Arsenal to sign him for a then club-record fee of £42million.
Goretzka blow
14:50: Schalke are reluctant to sell superstar Leon Goretzka in January, reports claim.
The talented attacking midfielder is reported to have Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona challenging for his services after countless impressive performances in the Bundesliga.
But they heavyweight trio may find it difficult to snap him up in January.
German newspaper Bild claim there are a number of clauses in Goretzka's contract that mean Schalke are unlikely to sell.
It’s suggested Schalke will be forced to pay a substantial cut of the fee to his former club Bochum, and his advisor.
Fabregas admits to throwing pizza at Fergie
14:15: Cesc Fabregas has admitted he was the player who threw pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson during the heated clash between Arsenal and Manchester United in 2004.
Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-0 in the clash in 2004 which sparked and infamous brawl in the tunnel after the final whistle.
The game ended the Gunners’ historic 49-match unbeaten run and a controversial Wayne Rooney penalty led to things boiling over.
Sir Alex Ferguson documented the incident in his 2013 autobiography, claiming he had been covered in chicken pizza by Cesc Fabregas.
And the 30-year-old has finally admitted it was him who threw the first slice during the post-match fracas.
When asked if he was the culprit, Fabregas told Sky Sports quiz show A League of their Own: “Yes!
"Martin Keown is a liar because I saw him in front of me just, like, punching people so he didn't see anything.
"All of a sudden, I heard noises and I thought what's happening? So I go out with my slice of pizza and I saw Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Martin Keown - everyone pushing each other.
"I was like I want to get in but I don't know how to and I threw, ‘peeew’ just threw it. Once I saw it was hitting, like, who it was hitting, which I didn't mean… I apologise Sir Alex, really didn't mean to do that.”
Fabregas: I told Redknapp his tactics were s***
13:10: Cesc Fabregas once told Harry Redknapp that his "team plays like s***," the player has revealed.
The Chelsea midfielder vented his frustrations at Redknapp after a 0-0 stalemate with Redknapp’s Portsmouth side in 2007.
Asked about it by James Corden on A League of Their Own, Fabregas said: “Nah… Actually yes!
“It was at the end of a game with Portsmouth and it was a nil-nil.
“I was young and you know, stupid, I want to win and I just saw him there in the tunnel of the Emirates and I just said: ‘Your team plays like s***’. He just turned around and said, ‘You are a horrible man.’
“I just run away. After that, we’ve been best friends. Every time we see each other we hug, we talk.”
Simon Jordan: Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal but in right way
Wilshere reveals Arsenal mentors
11:30: Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed Kolo Toure, Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song were his mentors as he came through the youth ranks with the Gunners.
“When I first got into the squad Kolo Toure was brilliant for me. And when I first got into the team, I was playing next to Fabregas, who was captain, and Alex Song,” he said.
“Cesc had come through at a similar age to me so he knew the pressure I was under and he was great for me too.”
Lacazette: Why I joined Arsenal
10:30: Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has revealed the prospect of playing alongside Alexis Sanchez was a factor in him signing for the Gunners.
The Frenchman’s arrival was seen as a coup for the club given his impressive goalscoring record in Ligue 1 over the last four seasons, and he’s already showcased his talents, scoring four Premier League goals in seven appearances.
And the 26-year-old has claimed the Gunners fans have Alexis Sanchez to thank for his move to north London this summer.
When asked about playing alongside the Chilean, Lacazette said: “That’s also one of the reasons why I wanted to come to Arsenal.
“To play with players of his calibre. Just seeing him in training, I like the way he plays and his mental attitude. His approach makes me want to play alongside him - hopefully for many years.”
‘Invincibles’ star Lauren: Arsenal won’t win the title
09:30: Former Arsenal full-back Lauren has listed three reasons why the North London club aren’t capable of winning the Premier League title this season.
He told the the Mirror Football podcast: “The first reason is that Wenger doesn't have those seven or eight players who are fighting for him.
"The second factor is that there are so many teams looking to win the league - five or six of them.
"And the third factor is that – with all my respect – we miss something in the dressing room. We miss something that drives teams to win and challenge for the Premier League – some leadership from inside.
"Nowadays, people are not fighting for the solution, they are not fighting for the flag, fighting for the whole institution. I’m talking about people in general, not just Arsenal. People are more selfish and looking more for individual success, rather than whole club."
Christmas Eve fixture in doubt
08:30: Arsenal’s potential Premier League clash with Liverpool on Christmas Eve has been cast into doubt due to stadium safety concerns.
The plan to stage Liverpool’s visit to Arsenal as part of a festive ’Super Sunday’ has caused widespread controversy.
Talks apparently remain ongoing between Arsenal, Islington Council, the Metropolitan Police and Liverpool over the proposal to broadcast the Premier League’s first Christmas Eve match since 1995.
Fans have supposedly threatened to boycott the timing of the fixture.
And now the Daily Telegraph claim there many not even be enough stewards willing to work the game.
This raises fears that regulations over safety will not be met as Arsenal were apparently unable to guarantee that sufficient numbers of stewards would be on hand to keep a watchful eye over fans.
Stuart Pearce thinks Arsene Wenger has learned from Liverpool drubbing
07:00: Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal players have learned their lessons from the 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool, according to Stuart Pearce.
The Gunners were tore apart with goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge condemning them to defeat.
Wenger and his Arsenal players were singled out for heavy criticism following the loss.
But they have turned their fortunes around since, winning six out of their last seven games in all competitions.
“Arsene [Wenger] is an intelligent manager and he has learned the lessons, as have the players who went to Liverpool and played so expansively that they got ripped apart by a team who are not unlike themselves,” Pearce told Yahoo Sport.
“They proved that with a 0-0 at Chelsea. The exposure on managers is very high at the moment and they are the one person that is interchangeable at the club: Chairman are not going to fire themselves and players are not going to step down and say they haven’t earned their money this week.”
Ian Wright on Alexis Sanchez
05:30: Ian Wright has detected no significant change in Alexis Sanchez, but is still waiting for the Arsenal star to sign a new deal.
The Chilean, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has shown no signs of penning an extension with the north London outfit.
Sanchez has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with Express Sport understanding the French outfit will pay him a £10million bonus if they can sign him on a pre-contract in January.
The 28-year-old along with team-mate Mesut Ozil came under fire after failing to attend a media activity day arranged by the club last month.
Despite the off-the-field issues surrounding Sanchez, Wright is convinced the forward still has his heart in it.
“He always plays hard. At the moment, he still plays like he does and keeps giving the ball away when other people are in better positions,” Wright told Sky Sports’ The Debate show.
“There’s no change to him and he’s playing how he normally plays.”
GETTY
Chelsea are considering a swoop for Alexis Sanchez
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We talked with PSG but soon I knew it was not where I wanted to go
Alexandre Lacazette
Chelsea plot Alexis Sanchez swoop
05:00: Chelsea are reportedly lining up a double swoop for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Juventus star Alex Sandro in a bid to keep hold of Antonio Conte.
Sanchez meanwhile, looks increasingly likely to leave the Emirates at the end of the season as he will be out of contract and has cut a frustrated figure at times this campaign.
Reports have suggested United are still interested, but they accept Manchester City are more likely to clinch a deal for the Chilean.
And according to the Daily Mirror, the Blues are ready to make a fresh move for £60million-rated Sandro as well as Sanchez.
The report suggests the west London outfit want to show ambition in the January window so as to keep Conte on side.
The Italian tactician has found himself linked with the AC Milan job, with Vincenzo Montella going through a tough spell at the moment with the Serie A outfit.
Kepa Arrizabalaga blow
04:30: Arsenal look set to miss out on Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is reportedly closing in on new deal to stay at the La Liga club.
Arrizabalaga is one of the rising stars in the Spanish game and he has drawn comparisons with Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea.
The 23-year-old reportedly issued a contract ultimatum last month, demanding he be paid more or else he would leave.
Currently, Arrizabalaga has an £8.8million buy-out clause inserted into his contract which expires at the end of the season.
But Spanish paper Marca claim Arrizabalaga is closing in on signing a contract extension.
The report doesn’t state how long the new deal will run for, however it is set to include a new £66.5m release clause.
GETTY
Alexandre Lacazette has revealed he turned down the chance to sign for PSG
Lacazette on rejecting Paris Saint-Germain
04:00: Alexandre Lacazette has admitted he came close to joining Paris Saint-Germain instead of Arsenal in the summer.
He has hit the ground running at the Emirates, scoring four goals in seven Premier League games.
He was a prolific striker in Ligue 1 for Lyon, averaging almost a goal a game and scored 20+ goals in his last four seasons in all competitions.
And he came close to staying in the French top flight after holding talks with PSG, but quickly decided against the move.
“We talked with PSG but soon I knew it was not where I wanted to go,” Lacazette told RMC Sport.
“In France, for me, it was only Lyon of the big clubs.”
