Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mbappe ‘willing to join Gunners’, Chelsea ‘in battle for Williams’, Neto updates

Pundit heaps praise on Saka

Garth Crooks was full of praise for Bukayo Saka after he starred in Arsenal's 6-0 win over West Ham.

The BBC pundit said: “He’s come a long way since he missed his penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout.

the way the England international put his spot-kick past Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal to put Arsenal 2-0 up seemed to suggest Saka hasn’t lost a wink of sleep about taking penalties since that fateful evening.

“I said then that the experience would make a player out of him and it has. He’s not only become one of the best players in the country, he’s Arsenal’s most consistent goalscorer.

“Meanwhile, as emphatic as their win was against the Hammers, Arsenal cannot win the title without a top-class natural finisher at centre-forward and they don’t have one.”

Henry weighs up Champions League chances

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was shocked to learn the Gunners have the same odds of winning the Champions League as REal Madrid with the bookies.

“Wow,” responded Henry after being told Arsenal have the same odds as Real Madrid.

On whether it’s an overstatement: “I don’t know about odds. I don’t do odds. It will be a tough game against Porto away. If we pass that well, then we can beat them at home.

“There was a massive decision about. Does Arsenal need a number nine? What they needed to do was put the ball into the back of the net. When Arsenal does that, it’s 6-0. In every game, it could have been the same. In the cup against Liverpool, they didn’t do it. They did it, with a bit of help, in the league from Liverpool.

“But when Arsenal are on point and put the ball in the back of the net, it doesn’t matter who plays. Trossard will score. Declan Rice has been scoring. Gabriel has been scoring. It doesn’t really matter. If we turn our opportunities into goals, then we are going to be a very difficult team to beat."

Mbappe 'willing to join Arsenal'

Kylian Mbappe is reportedly willing” to sign for Arsenal in a blockbuster move so he can follow in the footsteps of his hero Thierry Henry.

However, this update from The Independent also adds that PSG chiefs still expect Mbappe to join Madrid in the summer.

But It is believed Madrid's proposal was lower than what they put on the table two years ago for the striker with Mbappe still sitting on the fence about the move.

Gunners 'too predictable'

Ex-Manchester United frontman Alan Brazil claims Arsenal are too predictable and lacking a natural goalscorer.

Yet the pundit still believes the Gunners are genuine title contenders.

Brazil told talkSPORT BET: My main problem with Arsenal is, who’s going to score the goals?” 

“Yes they scored plenty against West Ham, but they still don’t have a proper centre-forward. 

"Defensively and in midfield they’re great with the likes of Martin Odegaard, who I think is a great player, but they can be a bit predictable.

“There are still a few issues for Mikel Arteta to sort but there’s no doubt in my mind that they’re in the title race.

"The wins over Liverpool and West Ham will have been a huge relief and they’ll be pleased to show those who had written them off that they’re not finished yet.”

Thierry reveals why Gunners don't win 6-0 more often

Thierry Henry says erratic finishing is the only reason Arsenal don't dish out more 6-0 thrashings.

The Gunners' strike legend believes Sunday's Prem win by that score at West Ham could easily have been repeated regularly this season.

Boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen on bringing in a world-class goal-poacher.

And Frenchman Henry told CBS Sports: “There was a massive discussion about if Arsenal needs a #9 - what they needed to do is put the ball in the back of the net.

"When Arsenal does that, it’s 6-0. In every game it could’ve been the same. When we do, we’re tough to beat.”

Sak's appeal grows

Arsenal fans rate Bukayo Saka the "best winger in the league" after amassing an awesome 26 goal contributions in 31 games in all competitions this term.

The 22-year-old England star has shrugged off a modest opening to the campaign.

And he notched two more goals in Sunday's 6-0 demolition of West Ham.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer has 25 goal assists in 31 matches, with Manchester City wideman Phil Foden on 23 from 35.

But Saka's current form puts him top of the England starlets.

And one fan posted: "Arsenal's star boy just keeps getting better & better."

Emile hurt in training

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has been crocked in training.

The Times say the three-cap Englishman, 23, was hurt trying to leap over a slide tackle in training.

The Londoner is said to have suffered bruising and swelling after landing uncomfortably

It's claimed Smith Rowe wanted to try to play through the pain but Arsenal refused to take any risks.

Prem giants queue for Mitoma

Brighton left-winger Kaoru Mitoma is reportedly interesting at least four Premier League giants.

Manchester United and City, plus Arsenal and Chelsea, are said to be keen on the Japanese 26-year-old.

And it's claimed in Spain tonight that the Seagulls will be ready to listen to offers in the summer.

The suggestion is that Ibrahim Osman's £16million arrival at the end of the season from Nordsjaelland will "open up the possibility" of Mitoma moving.

Thierry verdict on why Klopp is quitting Liverpool

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp decided to leave this coming summer as he "has to take care of himself".

The France Under-21 manager likened Klopp's exit to current Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola taking a year off after his stunning stint at Barcelona before joining Bayern Munich.

Henry reached out to Klopp via CBS Sports: "Good for you.

"Pep was at Barcelona, took a sabbatical year. Klopp is at Liverpool, is stopping. Xavi is at Barcelona, he is also stopping. Three great clubs.

“That’s a dream job normally and they are stopping. That tells you a story. The pressure, everybody has a voice, social media and whatnot.

"It is tough to be a manager and no one cares about you. You’re going to have to take care of yourself at one point."

Henry added: "He was missing his family, he was missing his own time, he was missing his sanity. So good for him. When I got the news, I was like: ‘Good for you'.”

'Strange' to see Rice NOT celebrate

Arsenal legend David Seaman found it "strange" that Declan Rice declined to celebrate his wonder goal in the Gunners' 6-0 defeat of his old club West Ham.

Seaman hailed Mikel Arteta's men for a "brilliant performance" in cementing third spot in the Prem.

The ex-England keeper told his Parimatch-sponsored podcast Seaman Says: “What a goal it was not to celebrate!”

“To see him not celebrate was strange for me, because it was just such a good goal and the icing on the cake on an incredible day for him and the club.

“I was so happy for Declan because he was getting a lot of stick from West Ham fans.

"He got a lot of stick at the Emirates recently when they beat Arsenal, so I was so happy for him for turning it around on Sunday.”

Gunners 'open to selling Kai'

Arsenal will reportedly consider selling £65million summer signing Kai Havertz at the end of the season.

Spanish outlet Fichajes suggest the Gunners are “running out of patience” as the former Chelsea attacker struggles to tie down a specific role in the team.

The 42-cap German, 24, has notched five goals from 33 matches this term.

And publicly, Emirates boss Mikel Arteta is strongly supportive of the ex-Bayer Leverkusen star's impact.

Arteta said: “His confidence is growing and he feels more secure on that field.

"Overall, though, taking that apart, the performances that he shows on the pitch and his aggression, is top. (They are) really good.”

'Branthwaite is United's TOP target'

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been rated as Manchester United's main summer target.

The Mail claim United want the centre-back, 21, as Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Chelsea and Real Madrid have also been linked with the 6ft 5ins England Under-21 star.

Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof's future at Old Trafford could also be in doubt in the summer, despite the Swede signing a 12-month extension.

Harry hails Saka and 'world class Rice'

Harry Redknapp praised Declan Rice for his "world class" display and "subdued celebrations" after scoring an "absolute screamer" against this old club.

Rice and England team-mate Bukayo Saka made former Tottenham chief Redknapp's Prem team of the week following Sunday's 6-0 demolition of West Ham.

Ex-Hammers player and manager Redknapp admitted it was a "hard watch" for him personally.

But he told BetVictor: "I have to include Declan Rice in my team this week. What a performance against his old club.

He was booed by the West Ham fans but he showed his professionalism, remaining focused on the game and putting in a world-class performance.

He showed his class with his subdued celebration after he scored an absolute screamer. What a strike!

And Redknapp said of winger Saka: "The lad just keeps on coming up with the goods.

"Another two goals for him after he ran rings around the opposition. He took his penalty with confidence and topped it off with a sublime second."

Utd and Arsenal in Neto boost

Wolves could listen to summer offers for Manchester United and Arsenal target Pedro Neto.

Molineux boss Gary O'Neil might have to sell an A-lister to fund his own transfer plans.

And Portuguese wideman Neto is rated the main contender - with this Saturday's Prem opponents Tottenham also thought to be keen.

O'Neil reportedly wants a new striker, centre-half and winger - but has to do so within strict Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Liverpool are among the many Prem giants previously linked with Neto, 23.

'Bukayo needs a rest'

Arsenal have been urged to give Bukayo Saka a break.

The England winger has been a driving force in the Gunners' revival back up to third in the Premier League.

But Rio Ferdinand believes, aged just 22, Sako should still be managed carefully.

The ex-Manchester United defender and TNT Sports pundit said: "I think Saka’s been unreal.

"I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid."

Big Ben moment coming soon

Versatile Gunners' defender Ben White is finally tipped to tie up a new contract.

Arsenal have been keen to retain the England ace and Japan full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu to lengthy deals.

And The Telegraph believe White could be first on the dotted line as negotiations are at an "advanced" stage.