ARSENAL were on the receiving end of a Man City masterclass as they were beaten 3-0 at the Emirates.
Freddie Ljungberg's chances of getting the manager's job full-time were dealt a huge blow by Kevin De Bruyne's first-half brace, with Sport's Personality of the Year nominee Raheem Sterling also on the scoresheet.
And now it is a man who was in the opposite dugout, Mikel Arteta, who is the hot favourite to take over at Arsenal.
Meanwhile, the Gunners were handed a tricky trip to Greece as they were drawn against Olympiacos.
Follow all the latest gossip and transfer news from the Emirates below…
-
A RETURN to Serie A is on the cards for Lucas Torreira as Napoli make contact over a move for the Arsenal midfielder.
Gooners would be sent into meltdown once again if the popular Uruguayan is allowed to leave for a reported £25million.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Partenopei sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli wants to sign the player on an initial 18-month loan spell.
That involves just a £2.5m fee before Napoli hand over £22m to make the deal permanent.
Since arriving from Sampdoria 18 months ago, Torreira has struggled to nail down a consistent starting spot.
Departed boss Unai Emery rotated him in and out of the team this season, the 23-year-old making just five league starts under the Spaniard before earning more chances to impress under caretaker Freddie Ljungberg.
-
-
SAM ALLARDYCE has claimed he would sort out Arsenal's defence quickly following their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Arsenal have lost their way at the moment.
“They need to bond and connect as a squad, somebody needs to get in the dressing room.
“I could come and work on Arsenal’s defence and make them better tomorrow, not a problem whatsoever.
“I’ve done it everywhere I’ve been – Newcastle, Blackburn, Bolton, West Ham Crystal Palace, Everton, I’ve done it all there.
“But what you can’t do is get the front line performing that much better, you’ve got to hope you’ve got good quality players up there, and Arsenal have.”
-
IAN WRIGHT has claimed Arsenal's former chief executive Ivan Gazidis is the main culprit for his former club’s problems.
The Gunners legend told Premier League Productions: “No, they’re not [any further on than when Wenger left].
“Whatever people say it was time for Arsene [to leave], simply because of the way the players were.
“It went stagnant, it wasn’t happening anymore for Arsenal.
“They tried with Unai Emery, it didn’t work out but you have to look at recruitment at the time and management of the club at the time under Gazidis and the mismanagement of funds and recruitment.
“This is where Arsenal are at the moment, I think they’re reeling from his time there, Gazidis.
“We’re seeing that we’re right in the middle of it now, the crux of it now.”
-
ARSENAL are expecting Napoli to bid £21million for midfielder Lucas Torreira if their loan offer is rejected, it's been claimed.
The Uruguayan has been out of favour at the Emirates since Matteo Guendouzi established himself as the first choice holding midfielder.
According to Il Mattino, last season's Serie A runners-up are hoping to steal him away for a loan spell, but may be forced into a permanent deal.
Source: Read Full Article