Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Two stars set to AGREE new contracts EXCLUSIVE, Martinelli latest, Gunners’ ‘striker list’

Tomiyasu agrees new deal

Gunners chiefs have handed fresh contracts to a number of stars and SunSport can reveal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu’s new deal is signed and sealed.

The 25-year-old Japanese star, who is currently out injured, will double his wages to about £100,000 a week.

It is not unusual for clubs to hold fire on an announcement while a player remains out of action.

But once he is back, which could be any day now, the new deal will be announced.

Ben White, 26, is another player who is extremely close to signing a new deal — and that could be sorted this month.

Follow our Arsenal WhatsApp channel

Keep up to date on all things Arsenal with our dedicated WhatsApp channel.

Click HERE to join.

Thierry Henry warning

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has explained exactly where his former club need to be careful when looking at the remaining fixures.

For me when I look at it, this one will be a difficult one [Chelsea at home] because Chelsea play ever so well against teams that are on the ball, especially when they are away from home.

Having said that, looking at that, how Manchester City is going to go, who knows?

Brighton away, Wolverhampton, I won’t name that team [Tottenham], we all know that they are going to make sure that we don’t win it and that [Manchester] United game away is going to be tricky.

Thierry HenrySky Sports

Ben White next

Arsenal ace Ben White is another player who is extremely close to signing a new deal — and that could be sorted this month.

Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale have also penned fresh terms with the Gunners since last May.

Gabriel Martinelli did the same 13 months ago, too.

More from Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hinted that his team's goal is to win all remaining games.

It's going to be crucial if we win the remaining games. In order to do that, we have to beat Brentford and that's the most important thing now.

We really love our players and our job is to improve them and to give them the resources and to put them in situations where they can explore their qualities.

The fact so many are scoring creates confidence and threat around the team that anyone can score a goal.

I know how tough it is going to be against Brentford. It always is.

We are trying to prepare the game in the best possible way. Performing the way we are doing, and earning the right to win the game.

Mikel ArtetaSky Sports

Mikel Arteta's new target

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is solely focused on Saturday's Premier League clash with Brentford after thrashing Sheffield United 6-0.

I love the way the team played, the quality that we showed, the aggression we showed with and without the ball.

We were really determined from the beginning, we were all worried as it's a tricky game against a tricky team who had played well against some big teams.

We have to continue what we are doing, I'm really happy with how we played, really happy to get players back after a long time like Fabio [Vieira] and Thomas [Partey].

On Saturday is Brentford, we enjoy it today then tomorrow is Brentford, Brentford and Brentford.

Mikel ArtetaSky Sports

Declan Rice loses count

Arsenal star Declan Rice lost count of the score during Monday's 6-0 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Rice held out four fingers in celebration after netting the Gunners’ fifth goal before half-time.

Martin Odegaard got the opener before strikes from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Ben White and Jayden Bogle’s own goal left the hosts’ goal difference at -50.

And hitting the Blades for six lifts the North Londoners to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Victor Osimhen blow

Manchester United are emerging as one of the favourites to sign Napoli star and Arsenal target Victor Osimhen this summer.

Osimhen is set to be on the market with his contract including a release clause worth around £94million.

United are eager to become more "forward thinking" with their transfer strategy.

According to The Independent, the striker will be seen as an ideal signing due to his age and adaptability.

Should the Red Devils bring the Nigeria international to Old Trafford, he will provide a different option to Rasmus Hojlund up top, where Erik ten Hag's side currently lack depth.

Anthony Martial is set to leave on a free transfer, while Marcus Rashford feels more at home on the left wing.

VICTOR-Y LAP

Man Utd 'one of favourites to land Osimhen ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal'

Arteta wine-d up

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder gave a hilarious response after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta claimed he has "learnt a lot" from him.

The Gunners destroyed the Blades with a score of 6-0 at Bramall Lane on Monday.

But before the match, Wilder was told that Arteta was "very complimentary" about his coaching and that he has "learnt a lot" from him.

To which the 56-year-old tactician jovially replied: "Has he been on the red wine?"

Predicted Premier League table

A supercomputer has predicted the final Premier League table with Arsenal top on goal difference.

The Gunners kept pace at the summit on Monday by battering lowly Sheffield United 6-0 at Bramall Lane.

The North Londoners' win saw them climb to third; a point off champions Manchester City and two behind leaders Liverpool.

And Bettingexpert have crunched the numbers to produce BETSiE, a supercomputer tasked with predicting sporting outcomes.

According to BETSiE, the title race is set to go down to the wire with Mikel Arteta's men just ahead of the Reds and City by the narrowest of margins.

Carragher's Prem prediction

Liverpool will best Arsenal and win the Premier League this season, according to Kop legend Jamie Carragher.

I think since the five substitute rule has come in, no one's utilised it better than Jurgen Klopp.

We spoke about Arsenal earlier on and you think how they can win the league.

They're the best defensively, Manchester City are probably the best team with the best individuals, but this is where Liverpool can win the league from the bench, because Klopp always uses five subs.

Jamie CarragherSky Sports

Blades of glory

Sheffield United suffered another disastrous loss to Arsenal that adds to their relegation fears as they are still with 13 points, but which former Premier League clubs fared worse than the Blades?

• SUNDERLAND 2002/3 - 19 points
• ASTON VILLA 2015/16 - 17 points
• HUDDERSFIELD 2018/19 - 16 points
• SUNDERLAND 2005/6 - 15 points
• DERBY COUNTY 2007/8 - 11 points

Song almost returned to action

Arsenal hero Alex Song has revealed he recently held talks about joining a club in Cameroon.

Song spent seven seasons with the Gunners and also had four years with Barcelona.

The 36-year-old's CV further includes spells with West Ham, Charlton, Bastia, Rubin Kazan and Sion.

The former midfielder moved to the football backwater of Djibouti in 2020, winning multiple trophies with Arta/Solar 7.

The ex-Cameroon international Song announced his retirement from football last November.

But Song has now said leading Cameroon club Canon tried to sign him up late last year, only for a potential deal to break down over financial terms.

Marc Guehi situation

Crystal Palace are preparing for Marc Guehi’s potential exit in the summer following reports linking him with Arsenal.

According to The Telegraph, Palace have drawn up a shortlist of potential candidates to replace Guehi in a sign that chances of a potential departure have grown significantly.

The centre-back has only two years left on his contract, which means this summer may be his club’s final chance to sell him for a major fee.

The England international is reportedly worth more than the club-record £50million Manchester United splashed for Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019.

GUE-SS WHAT

Man Utd boost in Guehi bid as Crystal Palace draw up shortlist of replacements

Victor Osimhen update

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have emerged as two main contenders to land Napoli star and Arsenal transfer target Victor Osimhen in the summer.

Osimhen comes with a staggering release clause worth a reported €110million (94m).

According to The Independent, United see the 25-year-old as a sensible signing as they need another centre-forward and a long-term investment.

PSG, on the other hand, need someone to replace Kylian Mbappe who is going to Real Madrid.

Arsenal striker shortlist

Arsenal have compiled a three-man striker shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window

According to The Athletic, the Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta has identified three targets to spearhead his attack.

The North Londoners are keeping tabs on Brighton's Evan Ferguson, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal are still strongly linked with a move for a new centre-forward despite their recent goalscoring prowess following their warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

Martinelli and Saka fitness boost

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has eased fears regarding Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka's fitness after they went off on Monday at Sheffield United.

Saka went off at half-time and Martinelli had to be carried off during the second half.

Bukayo was feeling sick and wasn’t feeling right so we decided to take him off and bring Fabio [Vieira] in.

With Gabi it is just a cut. So, he had a tackle and got a slight cut. We will have to see how he is.

Mikel ArtetaSky Sports

Rice says Arsenal don't need a No.9

Declan Rice believes Arsenal have finally proved they do NOT need a No.9 after netting 31 goals in seven games.

Boss Mikel Arteta chose not to cave to those demands in the January transfer window, trusting his wider squad to get the job done without a true No.9 to rely on.

They repaid his faith. Since January 1, Bukayo Saka has seven Prem goals.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have four apiece. Kai Havertz has three. Odegaard and Rice have two each. Gabriel Jesus – owing to missing games through injury – has one.

And don’t forget the defenders. Gabriel has three, while Ben White, William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior each have one.

Midfielder Rice – who now has a total of five goals and five assists this Prem campaign – said: “There was a narrative that we weren’t creating chances, that we needed a No9, but in all honesty, we have been playing like this all year.

“All season we have been playing really well. Obviously the goals weren’t as free flowing as they are now, but that was never a problem that we needed a No9.

“We have got Gabi [Jesus], we have got Kai [Havertz], we have got Eddie [Nketiah] and we have got Leo [Trossard], who can play as a false nine. Goals are going to come.

“So, I don’t think that has ever been a big problem. Now we are really in our groove and we are looking really threatening in front of goal.”

Piers Morgan makes climb down on Arteta vision

Piers Morgan has issues an apology to Mikel Arteta after admitting he was doubted a number of the Spaniard's decisions.

Taking to Twitter, Morgan said: "I doubted Arteta's decision to replace Ramsdale with Raya. He was right.

"I doubted Arteta's faith in Havertz. He was right.

"I doubted Arteta's refusal to buy a striker in January. He was right.

"I've stopped doubting @m8arteta."

David Raya has been an important figure in Arsenal's ability to build-up play from the back and a crucial element to them keeping clean sheets since replacing Aaron Ramsdale in goal.

Many believed Kai Havertz would be a flop in his new midfield role when Arsenal signed him, but he has adapted to that role or playing up front and to life in north London following a slow start.

Arteta also caused fury among the Gunners fanbase by not pursuing a striker in January, though with Arsenal now scoring goals for fun this seems to be a moot point.

Prem sides can take massive leap to earning fifth UCL spot this week

England's Euro adventurers can take a massive step towards securing the Prem a fifth Champions League spot for next season this week.

Uefa’s competitions revamp will see the Champions League extended to 36 teams and a “Swiss model” league system from next season.

Two of the extra places go to the top two performing nations across the three Uefa competitions in the preceding campaign.

England go into the completion of the last 16 stage of the Champions League - and the full equivalent in the Europa League and Conference League - in third position in the table, behind Italy and Germany.

But unlike the first stage of post-Christmas knock-out action, when only Manchester City and Arsenal were involved, all six of the Prem’s remaining teams will play this month.

And by the time the quarter-final survivors are known, it will be far clearer if England is on course for an extra place - or if the race for the top four will become even more vital.

EUR KIDDING

Prem's Euro adventurers facing crunch week in fight to land fifth spot in UCL