7am Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Saka takes No 7 shirt, Saliba No 4; Thomas Partey LATEST, Bergkamp wants coaching return – The Sun

ARSENAL go into their final Premier League game of the season at home to Watford on Sunday knowing they have missed out on Champions League football.

But the Gunners are in an FA Cup final next weekend against Chelsea, which could land Mikel Arteta the first silverware of his managerial career.

And off the pitch we have the latest on the Thomas Partey transfer saga.

Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…

  • NO LACA-EDDIE BEEF

    Alexandre Lacazette has insisted there are no problems between him and Arsenal team-mate Eddie Nketiah.

    “Between me and him [Nketiah], things are very good, there are no problems,” Lacazette told Canal Plus.

    “We support each other.

    “We know that everyone wants to play and it is the coach who makes the decisions, but between me and him there are no problems.

    “I like to speak with the young guys. Even at Lyon, I really always got on well with them.”

  • GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS

    Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has revealed he is interested in a return to football and has hailed the Gunners as the “ideal” place to coach.

    He told FourFourTwo: “When the time is right, I’d love to go back and get a role somewhere.

    “At the moment we’re great in Holland. I’ve got a young family and have been out of coaching for a little while now.

    “But I must admit, I have the urge to go on the pitch again and help, whether it’s with the technical or coaching staff.

    “It might be a bit too early, but you never know. We’ll see what comes my way.”

    Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Tony Adams has criticised Nicolas Pepe's first season in English football.

    He said: “I was very against Pepe to be honest with you because we had Saka coming through, we’ve got Eddie [Nketiah], Reiss Nelson, Martinelli.

    “We’ve got a lot of kids that need to play and to go and buy [Pepe for] £72m, I thought it could have been used in different areas.”

    Finally, Nigeria have stepped up their efforts to lure Bukayo Saka away from the England team.

    The Arsenal star, 18, has represented England at youth level – but remains torn over where his international future lies.

    The Daily Mail claim Nigeria are prepared to fast-track Saka into their first-team.

    But he has played for England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19.

    And he is on track to break into Gareth Southgate's senior squad following his remarkable spell of form.

  • GAME ON

    Here are all the matches for your viewing pleasure on the final day.

    • Leicester City v Manchester United – Sky Sports Main Event
    • Arsenal v Watford – Sky Sports Premier League
    • Chelsea v Wolves – Sky Sports Football
    • Everton v Bournemouth – Sky Sports Golf
    • Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur – Sky Sports Action
    • Burnley v Brighton – Sky Sports Arena
    • Southampton v Sheffield United – Sky Sports Mix
    • Manchester City v Norwich City – Pick & Sky One

    SAMBA STYLE

    Arsenal are weighing up a shock move for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

    90min claims the Brazilian could be heading to the Emirates this summer regardless of whether Villa stay in the Premier League.

    Luiz has been one of their best players this term and could be rewarded with a move to Mikel Arteta's side.

    However, he could yet end up at former club Man City, who are considering triggering his buy-back clause.

    GIME MORE

    Chelsea have reportedly scouted Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez.

    The Telegraph claims the Uruguayan could be the man to shore up Frank Lampard’s defence this summer.

    Gimenez has long been linked with a Premier League switch and was tipped to join Manchester United last year before they opted for Harry Maguire.

    Gimenez was also a target for ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery but was deemed to expensive by club chiefs.

    BUK THE TREND

    Nigeria have stepped up their efforts to lure Bukayo Saka away from the England team.

    The Arsenal star, 18, has represented England at youth level – but remains torn over where his international future lies.

    The Daily Mail claim Nigeria are prepared to fast-track Saka into their first-team.

    But he has played for England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19.

    And he is on track to break into Gareth Southgate's senior squad following his remarkable spell of form.

    DRESS CODE

    Kieran Tierney claims Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hector Bellerin are Arsenal's flashiest fashionistas.

    He told Esquire: “There are a few who are brave, and I like that.

    “Auba and Hector are probably the most out there. Not for me, but I’d say they’d vote themselves the most stylish.

    “Hector’s tried to take me under his wing a few times, but I stick to what I know. Plain and simple.

    “The London style and lifestyle is totally different to what I knew in Glasgow, so it was kind of a culture shock for me. But it’s good to be different.”

    PEPE TALK

    Arsenal legend Tony Adams has criticised Nicolas Pepe's first season in English football.

    He said: “I was very against Pepe to be honest with you because we had Saka coming through, we’ve got Eddie [Nketiah], Reiss Nelson, Martinelli.

    “We’ve got a lot of kids that need to play and to go and buy [Pepe for] £72m, I thought it could have been used in different areas.”

    MORE FROM BERGKAMP

    “At the moment there hasn’t been any contact about that, but as soon as I make my decision, let’s see what happens.

    “Of course it would be ideal at Arsenal – I spent 11 years there and have a good feeling with the club.”

    “I’m really interested in Mikel Arteta and how he’s doing at Arsenal, as there have been signs that he wants to change their philosophy.

    “It looked good in the few matches I watched earlier in the year. But my future, who knows? In football, one day is not the same as the other.”

    COLD-AS-ICE BERG

    Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has revealed he is interested in a return to football and has hailed the Gunners as the “ideal” place to coach.

    He told FourFourTwo: “When the time is right, I’d love to go back and get a role somewhere.

    “At the moment we’re great in Holland. I’ve got a young family and have been out of coaching for a little while now.

    “But I must admit, I have the urge to go on the pitch again and help, whether it’s with the technical or coaching staff. 

    “It might be a bit too early, but you never know. We’ll see what comes my way.”

    NO REVENGE MISSION

    Arsenal can take their ultimate revenge on Troy Deeney this weekend by condemning Watford to relegation.

    But Mikel Arteta says his players have no right to nurse a grudge against the straight-talking Hornets skipper.

    Arteta insists: “Whenyou are annoyed and want revenge it’s probably because you feel that what has been said is correct.

    “Every player is free to say whatever they want.

    “It’s a very personal thing that can justify the way you approach a game and the way you fight.

    “But if you don’t think the comments are right, it doesn’t affect you.”

    WE'VE UNDERACHIEVED

    Mikel Arteta did not hold back when asked to review Arsenal’s underachieving season.

    The Gunners sit tenth in the table going into their final Premier League game of the campaign at home to Watford on Sunday and Arteta said “the table doesn’t lie.”

    Asked if that would constitute a decent season, Arteta said: “No. For me, this club deserves the best and you have to be fighting for every title.

    “Obviously after everything that happened, if we are able to win the final and qualify for Europe, we can say that it’s OK.

    “But it’s not the level for this football club.”

    SUNDAY ODDS

    The market for Sunday’s game against Watford largely depends on which Arsenal turn up.

    The one that faced Man City and Liverpool, or the one that lost to Villa the other day?

    SunSport's best bets

    • Watford to win either half: 23/20
    • Over 2.5 goals at the Emirates: 4/7
    • Nketiah on the scoresheet: 8/5

    LOOK FAMILIAR?

    Villarreal have sent social media into meltdown after announcing the appointment of Unai Emery as their new manager using the EXACT same picture from his Arsenal unveiling.

    The former Gunners manager has landed a three-year deal with the Spanish outfit, having been without a job since he was axed at the Emirates in November last year.

    Villarreal took to Twitter on Thursday to announce their new boss after turfing out Javi Calleja despite him leading them to a Europa League place this season.

    The Spanish side shared an image of Emery with his arms folded, a red tie and Arsenal blazer on in the same snap used by the North London club when he arrived in 2018.

    Villarreal just about managed to photoshop the Gunners crest out of the pic but didn’t quite get round to replacing the red Arsenal tie for the club’s famous yellow strip.

    GETTING TWITCHY

    Arsenal are among four European powerhouses to team up with Twitch to stream live matches and behind the scenes content.

    The Gunners will be joined by Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain in signing a partnership with the Amazon-owned platform.

    As part of Twitch’s dedicated sports content channel launch, all four clubs will use the streamer to expend their live content.

    Amazon’s game streaming platform will initially collaborate with Arsenal on the production of behind-the-scenes content.

    The American juggernaut are already gearing up to showcase exclusive footage from rivals Tottenham for the web giant’s ‘All or Nothing’ documentary.

    Yet Sports Pro claim that Arsenal’s deal with Twitch also has the potential to broadcast live youth and first-team friendly matches as well as club press conferences.

    WIN TO LUIZ

    Arsenal are interested in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to reports.

    But the Gunners may face competition from Manchester City who are said to be considering triggering their buy-back clause.

    The Brazilian has played 41 times in all competitions for Villa this season scoring three and providing two assists.

    And the 22-year-old’s performances have attracted interest from the Gunners, according to 90min.

    The Midlands side signed Luiz from Man City last summer for around £15million.

    TAKE YOUR PICK

    Here are Sky Sports’ live games on Sunday at 4pm and the list of channels they will be on.

    • Leicester City v Manchester United – Sky Sports Main Event
    • Arsenal v Watford – Sky Sports Premier League
    • Chelsea v Wolves – Sky Sports Football
    • Everton v Bournemouth – Sky Sports Golf
    • Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur – Sky Sports Action
    • Burnley v Brighton – Sky Sports Arena
    • Southampton v Sheffield United – Sky Sports Mix
    • Manchester City v Norwich City – Pick & Sky One

    LOOKING SLICK

    There are plenty of new promo snaps of Arsenal's kit on social media.

    HEC OF A FASHION SENSE

    Kieran Tierney has revealed that Hector Bellierin and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have Arsenal’s boldest fashion sense.

    The Scottish full-back told Esquire: “There are a few who are brave, and I like that.

    “Auba and Hector are probably the most out there. Not for me, but I’d say they’d vote themselves the most stylish.

    “Hector’s tried to take me under his wing a few times, but I stick to what I know. Plain and simple.

    “The London style and lifestyle is totally different to what I knew in Glasgow, so it was kind of a culture shock for me. But it’s good to be different.”

    GOT YOUR NUMBER

    There are some big squad number changes coming up for the Gunners from next season.

    Notably, Saka, Saliba and… Elneny!

    A KIT OF ALRIGHT

    Arsenal have unveiled their new home kit.

    What do we think, Gunners fans?

    LUCKY NO7

    Bukayo Saka is set to be given the No7 shirt at Arsenal, according to reports.

    The English winger, who turns 19 in September, currently wears No77 at the Emirates.

    And Mikel Arteta is ready to give him the coveted jersey number, which has been unoccupied since Alexis Sanchez vacated the shirt over two years ago.

    PREM CYBER ATTACK

    A Premier League club nearly lost £1million when it was targeted by cyber criminals during a transfer deal.

    Hackers infiltrated a club director’s email account as negotiations took place to sell a player to a European team.

    He was conned into revealing his username and password in a phishing attack.

    Using the details, the crooks nearly succeeded in getting the £1million payment diverted to their own account.

    They failed only because the club’s bank clocked the dodgy transaction and blocked it.

    GIVE YOURSELVES A CHANCE

    Arsenal’s alarming lack of creativity has been laid bare as stats reveal they are the fifth-worst in the Premier League for chances created.

    The Gunners dropped to tenth after a disappointing 1-0 away loss to relegation battling Aston Villa.

    Arsenal had just six shots throughout the game, with none on target.

    Mikel Arteta’s side have created just 288 chances this season – 18th placed Watford have made 290.

    They have scored 53 goals throughout the league campaign but conceded 46.

    Mesut Ozil has currently created their most amount of chances this term with 52.

    HONEST TONY

    Tony Adams has added to the criticism of Arsenal's £72m signing of Nicolas Pepe.

    Pepe has underwhelmed following his summer switch from Lille last year, but has managed eight goals in 40 games this season.

    But Adams said: “I was very against Pepe to be honest with you because we had Saka coming through, we’ve got Eddie [Nketiah], Reiss Nelson, Martinelli.

    “We’ve got a lot of kids that need to play and to go and buy [Pepe for] £72m, I thought it could have been used in different areas.”

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