After the resilience they showed against West Ham United last weekend, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see the Gunners letting this opportunity slip from their grasp.

There was nothing glamorous about the 1-0 win at the London Stadium.

For long periods Arsenal looked tense, short of rhythm and weighed down by the pressure of the moment, but champions are often defined less by their fluent victories and more by the difficult games they somehow survive.

That was the feeling surrounding Arsenal after Leandro Trossard’s late winner and the dramatic VAR intervention that denied West Ham an equaliser in stoppage time.

It was the type of afternoon title-winning teams usually come through.

The Gunners now return to the Emirates Stadium for their final home league game of the season with the chance to move another step closer to glory, while maintaining pressure on Manchester City, who are still waiting for any slip-up.

There will naturally be a huge sense of occasion around the stadium.

Supporters know they could be watching the closing stages of a title-winning campaign that has felt painfully close on several occasions under Mikel Arteta before now.

The atmosphere should reflect that tension and excitement.

Arsenal’s home form also gives them every reason for confidence.

They have won their last three league games at the Emirates without conceding, while the overall level of control they have shown in North London throughout the campaign has been one of the foundations of their title challenge.

Burnley, meanwhile, arrive with their relegation already confirmed, but that does not necessarily make them easy opponents.

If anything, their situation removes a layer of pressure.

Their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa last weekend showed they are still capable of playing with freedom and causing problems when allowed space.

Arsenal will also be aware that matches like these can quickly become uncomfortable if the breakthrough does not come early.

The expectation from the crowd, the knowledge of what is at stake and City remaining close behind all add another psychological dimension to the game.

That is why Arteta will probably care less about style and far more about control.

The resilience Arsenal showed against West Ham may ultimately prove more important than any of their dominant wins earlier in the season because it demonstrated a side finally capable of handling the emotional demands of a title race deep into May.

There was a point earlier this spring when Arsenal looked as though they were drifting towards another collapse after a damaging run of form.

Instead, they have responded with maturity and composure.

Now they stand on the verge of turning a brilliant season into a historic one.

Burnley are unlikely to simply roll over, but Arsenal have reached the stage where results matter more than performances.

If they maintain the discipline and focus they showed in East London, it would be a major surprise if they failed to take another decisive step towards the Premier League crown on Monday night.

The post Why a pressure-free Burnley pose the scariest psychological threat to Arsenal’s season first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The Serbian ace has been with the Bianconeri since January 2022, but his future is uncertain after he snubbed a contract renewal beyond the summer.

Vlahovic reportedly wants £7 million per year to stay, but the Bianconeri have only offered £5m annually. As a result, the striker is set to leave on a free transfer.

Atletico Madrid have been offered his services through an intermediary in the last 24 hours, but they are not alone in the race for the 26-year-old marksman.

Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Arsenal are among the top European clubs closely monitoring his situation.

Vlahovic talk could be agent-driven

Vlahovic was a top target for the Gunners in the winter of 2022. However, the ex-Fiorentina man turned down the club to join Juventus in a deal worth £67 million.

It was considered a huge coup for the Turin giants at the time, given Vlahovic had netted a stunning 33 goals for Fiorentina in Serie A in the previous year (2021).

Since then, Vlahovic has never met expectations. The Serbian has scored just 66 goals from 166 appearances across all competitions for the Bianconeri.

He has also struggled with nagging injury concerns. The ongoing campaign has undoubtedly been his worst, with 25 games missed due to an adductor problem.

Vlahovic may have lowered his wage demands to £134,000 per week, but his injury record and inconsistent finishing mean he is no longer an elite striker.

His agent could be behind the speculation linking him with Bayern, Barcelona and Arsenal. He could be eyeing a huge commission for his client’s Bosman move.

Mundo Deportivo claim that Atletico could also look at cheaper options, considering the striker would want a significant signing-on fee as he will be out of contract.

Hence, we don’t believe Arsenal will return for Vlahovic with the high financial costs involved, despite the lack of a price tag. His previous snub won’t be forgotten, either.

Instead, the club should pursue a deal for Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi as a backup striker behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, with Gabriel Jesus poised to leave.

The German has 26 goal contributions this term for the Belgian heavyweights. Sporting director Andrea Berta has already opened negotiations with Brugge for the 21-year-old.

Stats from Transfermarkt

The post Arsenal have entered race to sign £67m striker on free transfer first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The Gunners secured a third-straight league win with a slender 1-0 victory at West Ham United last weekend.

Leandro Trossard scored the winner in the 83rd minute, but there was some controversy before the final whistle.

The Hammers believed they had equalised late into stoppage time, but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review.

Pablo Felipe was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper David Raya in the lead-up.

Arsenal are now two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table with two games to play.

They can extend their advantage by beating Burnley on Monday, given the Cityzens only face Bournemouth on the road 24 hours later.

Ahead of the game, we anticipate manager Mikel Arteta to make three changes to the XI.

Cristhian Mosquera returns at right-back

Arteta made a bizarre decision to field Declan Rice at right-back after a first-half injury to Ben White last weekend. It hampered the club’s control in the centre of the park. The Spaniard quickly realised his blunder and substituted Mosquera in at the interval.

White has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, which should hand an extended role to Mosquera on the right side of the Gunners’ defence. Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with a groin issue but has an outside chance of returning this term.

Piero Hincapie reinstated as the left-back

Riccardo Calafiori has started the last three matches in all competitions as the left-back. The Italian picked up an injury scare against the Hammers and was substituted at the interval. Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started the derby in central midfield, moved to left-back. Hincapie was an unused substitute.

Hincapie was the Gunners’ Player of the Month for April but has been used sparingly in recent weeks. Calafiori was back in full training with his teammates yesterday, but we won’t be surprised if the Bayer Leverkusen loanee makes the starting XI for the first time this month.

Martin Odegaard in the no.10 role

Eberechi Eze lacked the cutting edge as a playmaker in the London derby against the Hammers. He had a passing accuracy of 97 percent but did not pose a goal-scoring threat. Club captain Odegaard replaced the Englishman in the 67th minute. The Norwegian made a big impression.

Odegaard has received his fair share of criticism from a small section of the fans, but he stepped up to the occasion. He linked up brilliantly with Declan Rice before putting the ball on the plate for Trossard’s dramatic winner. The £30 million signing bagged a goal and an assist in his last appearance against Burnley, and he should get the nod as the attacking midfielder on Monday.

Stats from Transfermarkt & Sofascore

The post Arteta to make three big changes vs Burnley as £30m Arsenal star returns first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

Rice officially joined Arsenal from West Ham United in July 2023 for a club-record £105 million transfer fee.

During an interview with Joel Beya, Fernandes revealed that he wanted Man United to sign Declan Rice before his blockbuster transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

The United star said: “I admire him a lot. First of all, as a person, because I’ve known him from the Algarve when we were training together and everything.

“I’ve always said, Rice was a player to play for Man United, I was really sad when he chose to go Arsenal.

“I always thought he would be a perfect fit for our club.”

Those comments perfectly sum up how badly United misjudged the situation.

For years, United were linked with Rice, yet they hesitated when it mattered most.

The Gunners shattered their transfer record and that player is now ready to drive them towards their first Premier League title in 22 years.

While Mikel Arteta continues building a side capable of competing for the biggest trophies in Europe, United are once again heading into another rebuilding phase after an inconsistent campaign.

Rice has completely transformed Arsenal both on and off the pitch since arriving in north London.

The England star has become the heartbeat of Arteta’s side, combining elite leadership with dominant performances in midfield week after week.

He has been exceptional throughout the season and could yet inspire Arsenal to a historic Premier League and UEFA Champions League double.

United supporters can only imagine what a midfield partnership involving Rice and Fernandes could have looked like at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils also missed out on signing Viktor Gyokeres last summer.

The Swedish striker has exploded into superb form in recent months and could become another painful transfer regret for the Manchester giants in the years ahead.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

The post Fernandes admits Arsenal struck gold with one transfer in 2023, he was ‘perfect fit’ for Man United first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The Gunners registered a third-straight league win with a slender 1-0 victory over the Hammers on the road. Leandro Trossard was the game-changer with an 83rd-minute winner for the club.

However, the London derby did not end without controversy. West Ham striker Calum Wilson thought he had scored the equaliser deep into stoppage time, but the goal was chalked off after a prolonged VAR review.

The slow-mo replays showed that Pablo Felipe had held onto Raya’s arm, which restricted him from getting hold of the ball. Jean-Clair Todibo also pulled the Spaniard’s shirt by his shoulder, but referee Chris Kavanagh at the time adjudged Pablo to have fouled Raya from a corner.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions from pundits and players, and when asked about the incident, Silva acknowledged that there was a foul on Raya before the Hammers found the back of the net.

However, the Portuguese playmaker acknowledged that VAR have been inconsistent during the campaign and such contact has been allowed at times. He told The Athletic: “I think it’s a foul. The only problem is the consistency of the referees.

“It’s not just this (the foul by Pablo on Raya). It’s everything that happens around, so in this picture, you see three or four fouls taking place. It’s a foul (on Raya), but it’s quite frustrating when they allow this type of contact at times during the season, and then they decide not to allow it in such a game.”

Arsenal were on the wrong end of several refereeing decisions during the 2024/25 campaign. There were some bizarre red cards handed out. The club have had the rub of the green this term.

Regardless of what others say, it was a foul on Raya on the day. Pablo and Todibo were both hampering Raya’s ability to retain possession, and the goal was rightly chalked off after a long review.

Silva may talk about refereeing inconsistency, but he is one of those who tends to get away with goalkeeper fouls from corners. If Man City were in the same situation as Arsenal against West Ham, the Portuguese would have just admitted the foul without speaking about previous instances.

The result last weekend means Arsenal are still two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the league, with two more matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace. They host the Clarets on Monday night.

If the Gunners were to beat Burnley, it could put pressure on the Cityzens, who have a trickier challenge at Bournemouth, who are on a 16-match unbeaten league run. The title could well be decided before the final day.

The post Bernardo Silva makes David Raya VAR admission vs West Ham first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The Gunners could enter the transfer market for a defensive midfielder with the possibility of Christian Norgaard heading for the exit door.

Correio da Manha today claim that Hjulmand’s departure from Sporting CP is gaining momentum.

The Dane initially planned to leave the former Portuguese champions last summer, but settled on a gentleman’s agreement to delay his exit.

Hjulmand will now be allowed to leave during the upcoming transfer window.

The midfielder has a staggering £70 million release clause in his contract, but he will be permitted to depart for just £35m during the summer.

Arsenal and Manchester United are ‘leading the race’ to sign the 26-year-old.

Hjulmand would be an upgrade on Norgaard

Norgaard was signed as a backup defensive midfielder behind Martin Zubimendi last term, but he has hardly played for the Gunners in the Premier League.

The former Brentford man has managed just 59 minutes of regular league action, and we won’t be surprised if the 32-year-old decides to push for an exit.

Arsenal could likewise open the door for his transfer to pursue an upgrade. Hjulmand would be a fine addition to the ranks, given that he shares similar traits with Zubimendi.

The former Lecce man completed 93 percent of his passes in Sporting CP’s Champions League campaign. He won six duels and two tackles per game alongside six recoveries and two interceptions.

Manchester United are also hot on the trail of Hjulmand, as per Correio da Manha, but Arsenal should have an edge, given he is a boyhood Gunners fan and has the club’s crest tattooed on his arm.

The big question remains whether he would be prepared to compete with Zubimendi for a starting role. At United, he could be seen as a regular starter with Casemiro on his way out on a free transfer.

Stats from Sofascore

The post Arsenal "leading the race" to sign 26yo midfielder, £35m asking price first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The Gunners are currently on 79 points after 36 matches, two ahead of Manchester City.

They can extend their advantage when they take on the Clarets in their final home game of the season.

Ahead of the encounter, the London giants have received a timely boost with Riccardo Calafiori spotted in today’s open training session after an injury scare against West Ham United.

The Italy international made his third-straight start for the Gunners at the London Stadium, but he was unfortunately substituted at the half-time interval, with manager Mikel Arteta citing an injury.

However, those fears have been put to bed with the £42 million signing spotted in full training with his teammates earlier today. Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz confirmed his availability on X.

He wrote: “Positive news for Arsenal. Riccardo Calafiori in open training this afternoon. Seems to have avoided injury after coming off at half-time against West Ham.”

Arteta has the luxury of picking one of Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly or Piero Hincapie at left-back. Hincapie won the club’s Player of the Month award in April after a string of top-notch displays.

Despite this, he has surprisingly started on the bench in recent matches. The Ecuadorian was an unused substitute against the Hammers, and it remains to be seen whether he is reinstated into the XI.

Meanwhile, Lewis-Skelly has been fantastic since moving into a central midfield role against Fulham. He was pushed to left-back in the second half against West Ham due to Calafiori’s untimely injury.

With Burnley likely to operate with a low defensive block, we won’t be surprised if Lewis-Skelly continues alongside Declan Rice. Martin Zubimendi has been the regular midfield partner to Rice in his debut season, but his performance levels have notably dropped over the past couple of months.

The post "Positive news": £42m Arsenal star returns to training before Burnley first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

Fernandes has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most closely monitored young midfielders after an impressive campaign at the London Stadium despite West Ham’s struggles near the bottom of the table.

According to reports, Arsenal view Fernandes as a strong option to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s midfield rotation ahead of another season competing on multiple fronts.

The Gunners already possess significant depth in central areas through players such as Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino, but Fernandes is believed to be admired for his versatility and long-term potential.

Fernandes joined West Ham from Southampton in the summer of 2025 and has quickly established himself as one of the club’s standout performers.

The Portugal international has contributed goals and assists from midfield while also showing an ability to operate in several different roles across the pitch.

He has played as a deeper midfielder, an attacking midfielder and even in wider areas during the campaign.

That tactical flexibility is believed to appeal strongly to Arteta, who values players capable of adapting to different systems and positions.

Fernandes has also impressed with his energy, technical quality and ball-carrying ability in difficult circumstances at West Ham.

His performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are all reportedly tracking the midfielder, while Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan have also been linked with interest.

Liverpool have previously targeted talented players from relegated Premier League sides, and reports have suggested Fernandes fits the profile they admire.

West Ham are understood to value the midfielder between €65m and €75m despite signing him only last summer.

The club are reportedly already preparing for the possibility of losing Fernandes as they plan their summer recruitment strategy.

That situation could become even more likely if West Ham suffer relegation from the Premier League.

Fernandes was previously regarded as one of Sporting CP’s brightest academy talents before leaving Portugal for Southampton in 2024.

Since then, Fernandes has continued his rapid development in English football.

He earned a senior Portugal call-up earlier this year and made his debut under Roberto Martinez after impressing consistently at club level.

Arsenal’s interest now adds another major name to the list of clubs monitoring his situation.

With Arteta continuing to build a squad capable of challenging for both Premier League and Champions League honours, Fernandes appears to fit the profile of the young, technically strong and adaptable players Arsenal have increasingly targeted in recent years.

The post Arsenal set to raid relegation-threatened rival for Premier League’s most wanted teen first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

The quartet have played central roles in Arsenal’s push for a first Premier League title in 22 years, with the Gunners also reaching the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

The Premier League confirmed the eight-man shortlist for the Player of the Season award earlier today, with Arsenal leading the way through three nominations.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, Brentford striker Igor Thiago and Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White were also included.

Gabriel’s nomination comes after another commanding season at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.

The Brazilian has helped Arsenal concede a league-low 26 goals while contributing three goals and four assists in 30 league appearances.

His aggressive defending, dominance in aerial duels and threat from set-pieces have again made him one of the division’s standout centre-backs.

Raya has also earned recognition after securing the Premier League Golden Glove for the third successive season.

The Spain international has kept 18 clean sheets in 36 league matches and has delivered several decisive saves throughout the campaign, including crucial interventions against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United.

Rice’s inclusion reflects his enormous influence across Arsenal’s midfield during the title race.

The England international has scored four league goals and registered five assists while taking on multiple tactical responsibilities throughout the season.

Rice has operated deeper in midfield, played in a more advanced role and even filled in defensively when injuries hit Arsenal’s squad.

His consistency and versatility have become key parts of Arteta’s side.

Arteta himself has also been shortlisted for the Premier League Manager of the Season award after leading Arsenal through another impressive domestic campaign.

The Spaniard has guided the Gunners to 24 wins and seven draws from 36 league matches while keeping Arsenal at the top end of the table for most of the season.

It is the third time in four years Arteta has received a nomination for the award.

Keith Andrews, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola, Andoni Iraola and Regis Le Bris have also been shortlisted.

Arteta additionally led Arsenal to their first Champions League final in 20 years, further strengthening the case for recognition after another season of progress under his management.

Supporters can vote for both awards until 12pm on Monday, May 18, with the final decision combining fan votes and a panel of football experts.

Arsenal last had a Premier League Player of the Season winner in Thierry Henry, while Arsene Wenger remains the club’s most recent Manager of the Season recipient after the Invincibles campaign in 2003-04.

The post Arteta’s quadruple threat: Inside the nominations that prove Arsenal are now the kingpins of England first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.

Arsenal legend David O’Leary made 722 appearances for the club between 1975 and 1993.

During his legendary spell in north London, O’Leary helped Arsenal win two First Division titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups.

Now the former defender has delivered a brutally honest warning to manager Mikel Arteta and his players about the enormous opportunity in front of them this season.

During an appearance on The Overlap, Gary Neville asked O’Leary whether he would rather see Arsenal win the Premier League or the UEFA Champions League if only one trophy was possible.

The Arsenal legend delivered a passionate response that highlighted the pressure currently surrounding the club.

The centre-back replied (via The Overlap): “I have to go because of the way it would look. I would say the Premier League because the people would accuse of bottling it.

“I think if we don’t win it this year, we will never have the better chance to win it.

“This squad is probably the best one, balance wise. If you are not going to win with this squad in this position you are now, I fear you will never do it.”

Winning the UEFA Champions League would be a dream come true for many Arsenal players.

However, the Gunners cannot afford to sacrifice their Premier League ambitions while chasing European glory.

Arsenal currently sit two points clear of Manchester City with only two league matches remaining in the campaign.

That means Arteta and his squad still control their own destiny in the title race.

Two victories would finally allow Arsenal to reclaim the Premier League crown after a painful 22-year wait.

The Gunners will next welcome Burnley to the Emirates Stadium in a fixture many supporters expect them to dominate.

Their final game of the campaign is against Crystal Palace.

Palace may also heavily rotate their squad for that fixture because of their upcoming UEFA Conference League final just three days later.

Arsenal could have won the league title with a few games remaining but they allowed Man City to come back into the title chase.

Despite those setbacks, the Gunners remain in pole position and still have fortune firmly in their own hands.

As O’Leary warned, Arsenal simply cannot afford to let this golden opportunity slip away.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

The post ‘Bottling it’: David O’Leary explains why Premier League title is non-negotiable for Arsenal first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.