Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners sent message over Neto, Arteta on Mbappe, Barcelona ‘closely follow’ Martinelli

Buy Mbappe!

Arsenal fan Darren Bent has urged the Gunners to sign Kylian Mbappe.

Bent told talkSPORT: “To my beloved Arsenal, I stand before you with a burning desire, a plea echoing from the depth of my soul – you must sign Kylian Mbappe.

“Imagine the Emirates Stadium pulsating with anticipation as Mbappe – the maestro of magic – graces our hallowed turf.

“His blistering pace, dazzling skill and ice-cold finishing would electrify our hearts and redefine our destiny. In him, we see shades of Thierry Henry, our mortal king, whose artistry once painted the Premier League red and white.

“For too long we have yearned for a hero, a talisman, to lead us back to glory, Mbappe is that hero. His arrival would not only signal a transfer, but a seismic shift, a declaration of intent, a promise of resurgence.”

Leah Williamson blow

Leah Williamson has withdrawn from the England squad after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Arsenal defender missed yesterday's 3-1 win over Manchester United.

And now she will miss the Lionesses games against Austria and Italy.

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall described Williamson's injury as "really minor" and predicted she wouldn't make the England squad over the weekend.

Neto blow

Wolves boss Gary O'Neill is determined to keep hold of Arsenal target Pedro Neto.

“I have been asked a few times about the summer already. I am not interested in discussing Pedro Neto leaving the football club," the boss said.

“He is a fantastic player that we spent a lot of money on and have worked very hard on.

“As far as I am concerned we do not want to lose our best players. We have a long way to go yet this season and hopefully he stays with us.”

Arsenal legend makes England call

Arsenal legend Ian Wright is calling for Man Utd ace Kobbie Mainoo to be included in the next England squad.

"Kobbie Mainoo has to be in the next England squad," he wrote on X.

"Such maturity in chaotic conditions that we've not seen from a England player in a long time. Impressed every time I watch him."

Barnes doubts Arsenal's title credentials

John Barnes has thrown doubt on Arsenal's title credentials.

"City are the favourites, I make Liverpool the second favourites," Barnes told Premier League Productions.

"Arsenal were in a better position last year, but I've said since the Premier League started: March, April is when you really start to look at who the runners and riders are, because you have teams like Aston Villa and Tottenham who [looked like contenders] six weeks ago.

"When you're coming into the end of February/March, it's all about whether you can just get a result, and Man City are all conquering, all dominant in that respect.

"Liverpool for me are the closest challengers because there are certain games where Liverpool haven't played well but have got a result.

Barnes added: "Arsenal have to play well to win and if they don't play well they may not win, and that is why as much as they're doing well now I still think it's between Man City and Liverpool.

"Liverpool winning today is going to put the pressure on. Man City will handle that pressure. City won't get nervous that Liverpool are getting away from them because they are such an incredible team. Liverpool playing first will affect Arsenal but not Man City."

Goal difference is key

Mikel Arteta has stressed his team understand the importance of building up their goal difference in the title race.

Even the subs know that adding a goal could be crucial in the standings, before the season comes to a close.

"We want more and we know how important it is to be up there in the goal difference," he revealed.

"Every player that you bring [on], whether it is one minute or 30 minutes, the contribution they are willing to give to the team is really positive. Let's keep doing it."

Unlikely praise

Piers Morgan was full of praise for Kai Havertz after his performance against Burnley on Saturday.

The German was also on the scoresheet in the resounding 5-0 win.

Morgan took to X to write: "Great performance, Kai.. you’re making a lot of critics, including me, eat our words."

Arsenal lead Zirkzee race

Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

A number of top European clubs have been linked with the 22-year-old in recent weeks.

According to Calciomercato, though, the Gunners are "first and foremost" with their pursuit of the Dutch forward.

Zirkzee has scored nine Serie A goals so far this season as well as four assists for Bologna.

Arsenal 'not in title race'

John Barnes is not convinced by Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League this season.

The Gunners are currently second in the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

However, Barnes told Premier League Productions: "City are the favourites, I make Liverpool the second favourites. Arsenal were in a better position last year, but I've said since the Premier League started: March, April is when you really start to look at who the runners and riders are, because you have teams like Aston Villa and Tottenham who [looked like contenders] six weeks ago.

"When you're coming into the end of February and March, it's all about can you just get a result, and Man City are all-conquering, all dominant in that respect.

"Liverpool for me are the closest challengers because there are certain games where Liverpool haven't played well but have got a result.

"Liverpool winning today is going to put the pressure on. Man City will handle that pressure. City won't get nervous that Liverpool are getting away from them because they are such an incredible team. Liverpool playing first will affect Arsenal but not Man City."

Havertz 'feels good'

Kai Havertz has called on Arsenal to "continue the hard work" after beating Burnley.

The Gunners trail Liverpool by two points in the title race following their latest win.

Following the match, Havertz said: "We are in a good moment, we have won all of the games so far so it feels good.

"Behind that was hard work and there are many hard games to come. We have to continue the hard work."

Arsenal almost signed Benzema

Arsenal almost signed Karim Benzema in 2014, according to Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan forward has claimed he came close to joining Real Madrid instead of Barcelona a decade ago, with Benzema set to leave for the Gunners.

He told La Mesa: "Before the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid wanted to sign me and everything was on track. They were planning to sell Benzema to Arsenal, it was all done.

"When the World Cup started, Barca joined the race, and obviously I preferred Barca. With the bite situation, Madrid lowered their interest, and Barca became more interested.

"In the end I had both options and I chose Barcelona because it was my dream."

Arsenal's next five

Arsenal's next five matches could go along way to defining their season.

Following Saturday's win at Burnley, the Gunners travel to Portugal to face Porto on Wednesday.

League fixtures against Newcastle, Sheffield United and Brentford follow their return to Champions League action.

Arsenal then welcome Porto to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg on March 12.

Saka 'enjoyed' win

Bukayo Saka has reacted to Arsenal's win over Burnley on social media.

The winger scored twice in the Gunners' 5-0 victory at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Posting to Instagram after the match, Saka wrote: "5 stars from the boys today!

"We enjoyed that one, hope you did too Gooners!"

O'Neil on Neto

Gary O'Neil is keen to keep hold of Pedro Neto this summer.

The Wolves winger has been strongly linked with a move, amid interest from the likes of Arsenal.

Speaking on Saturday, O'Neil said: "We’re not planning to lose Neto. But there will always be a plan in place.

"The club’s stance will be decided in the summer on who we think we can lose — and what the price needs to be."

Arteta 'pleased' with win

Mikel Arteta has given his thoughts after Arsenal's 5-0 away win at Burnley.

Speaking to Match of the Day, he explained: "We are really pleased because it is a difficult place to come and Burnley have been very competitive in the big games they have played so far this season.

"Today we managed to break them down early in the game and made it look a little more comfortable but they are a team which digs in so much."

Smith Rowe wanted

Emile Smith Rowe is being chased by multiple Premier League clubs.

The Arsenal midfielder has been limited to nine league appearances this season.

According to Football Insider, Newcastle and Aston Villa are leading the race to sign the 23-year-old this summer.

Smith Rowe still has over two years remaining on his Gunners contract.

Arsenal since Dubai

Arsenal went to Dubai for some warm winter training, after a dismal run saw their titles hopes take a hit.

However, they have come back firing on all cylinders ever since.

Five games, five wins.

21 goals scored, just two conceded.

Arteta on Odegaard's cheeky celebration

Mikel Arteta has had his say on Martin Odegaard's goal celebration.

I don’t know, I didn’t notice that he made that gesture. But he was really happy in the dressing room. The way he played again today, he was exceptional. I don’t think he needs to send any message, he needs to be himself. He needs to do what he thinks, and if he thinks to do something, do it and deal with the consequences, because some people are going to like it, and some people won’t, but we really like him."