ARSENAL suffered a defeat at Aston Villa last night as the Premier League season hurtles towards its finale.
And off the pitch the Gunners are also said to be closing in on securing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a new contract.
Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…
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GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Aston Villa rocketed themselves out of the bottom three with a win over the Gunners last night.
Mikel Arteta's men were unable to get back into the game after Trezeguet's opener in the first half.
The Gunners – who entered the game after consecutive wins over Liverpool and Chelsea – failed to register a single shot on target.
During the game, fans flew a huge “Back Arteta Kroenke Out” banner over Villa Park as they supported their frustrated manager's transfer demands.
The blunt message was even longer than the plane it trailed from – as the Gunners below took on lowly Aston Villa in a Premier League game vital to both sides for contrasting reasons.
Arsenal boss Arteta has already warned club owner Stan Kroenke not to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – with the Spaniard also insisting the star striker wants to sign a new contract.
And fans have grown increasingly worried that Gabon ace Aubameyang will be sold this summer.
In other news, Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira has issued a “come and get me” plea to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Gunners manager Arteta is known to be looking for a no-nonsense midfielder to add steel in the middle of the park.
He told Stats Perform News: “I think he [Arteta] is doing a really, really, good job there.
“He is a really good coach who started as the second coach at [Manchester] City, so he has a little experience and Arsenal play very good football and I think he is doing very well there.
Before he added: “The style I think I can fit there, the way he plays also thinking on the ball, the team always has to be together – I think it is a good way to play.”
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PLAYER RATINGS
The Gunners made a number of changes from the side that put in a brilliant display against Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final win.
Lucas Torreira had a shocker while Dani Ceballos showed glimpses of brilliance in the midfield.
Click here to read SunSport's player ratings.
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IT'S ALL OVER
Arsenal have LOST 1-0 to Aston Villa… yep, you read that right.
The Gunners could now find a way back after Trezeguet's opener in the first half.
Villa are now above Watford and out of the bottom three.
Click here to read the full match report.
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TAKING THE MIK
It's half time at Villa Park… and Arsenal are losing 1-0.
Trezeguet scored in the 27th to give the home side a huge boost.
Let's hope Mikel Arteta produces some words of wisdom during the interval.
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PLANE SAILING
This banner calling out Arsenal club owner Stan Kroenke has been flown over Villa Park.
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GAME ON!
There's less than half an hour until Arsenal's clash against Aston Villa kicks off.
Click HERE to tune into SunSport's live blog for all of the build-up and live updates of the game as it happens.
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TEAM NEWS
Here's how the Gunners will start tonight's clash.
Surprise surprise, there's no Mesut Ozil.
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TEAM NEWS
Who isn't fit to feature for Arsenal tonight?
- Shkodran Mustafi – Right hamstring.
- Bernd Leno – Right knee.
- Calum Chambers – Left knee.
- Pablo Mari – Left ankle.
- Gabriel Martinelli – Left knee.
GUNNER WIN?
Arsenal's showdown against Aston Villa will kick-off at 8.15pm.
Here's how the two clubs have fared during previous Premier League meetings…
BARC FOR MORE
Barcelona are STILL interested in signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
The striker's current deal with Arsenal is set to expire next summer.
But he will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England in January 2021.
And according Mundo Deportivo, that appeals to the Spanish giants.
FIVE STAR
Thomas Partey may be able to keep his favoured number 5 shirt if he joins Arsenal, according to reports.
The midfielder has worn the number at current club Atletico Madrid, as well as with Real Mallorca and the Ghana national team.
The Gunners' current number 5 is Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who the Telegraph claim is out of favour with Mikel Arteta but not keen on a move away from the Emirates.
Therefore it is very possible that Partey will be handed the jersey whether Sokratis stays or goes.
GUNNER WIN
Charlie Nicholas has made his prediction for Arsenal's clash against Aston Villa.
The former Gunners star told Sky Sports: “I do expect Arsenal to win this – they need to go after a Europa League spot still, especially if they lose to Chelsea in the FA Cup final, who should still get a top four spot.
“Arsenal want improvement in the Premier League, and it will be another win for them here.”
WHAT'S YOURS IS 'MINE
Mesut Ozil’s stunning wife Amine is reportedly the driving force behind rumours linking him with a switch to Turkey.
The German midfielder, whose heritage is Turkish, is married to former Miss Turkey, 27, who was born and raised in Sweden.
The pair have been together in London throughout his career in England, but according to Bild she has had a say in rumours linking him to Istanbul club Fenerbahce.
It would appear a SuperLig club would struggle to afford his £350,000-a-week wages that he currently earns at Arsenal.
But how long can he go on not playing?
Doğum günün kutlu olsun ömrüm ??nice mutlu senelere inşallah?? seni çok seviyorum iyiki varsin❤️?
A post shared byAmine Özil (@gulseamine) on
SEAGULL SWOOP
Brighton are keen on Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports.
The versatile Gunner has failed to nail down a regular starting XI spot under Mikel Arteta and has reportedly attracted interest from the Seagulls.
The 22-year-old started the Gunners’ FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday but that was just his second start since lockdown.
And Brighton are tracking the Arsenal academy product who is open to leaving the club at the end of the season, according to the Standard.
Maitland-Niles can play at full-back or midfield and even played left-wing on the weekend.
He is said to believe his Arsenal career is over.
HE'S MY IDOL
Danilo Pereira has welcomed comparisons with Arsenal’s French midfield legend Patrick Vieira.
Pereira, 28, said: “It is an honour to be compared to this kind of legend.
“I also have to thank Abel Xavier for these words, sometimes I don't like to be compared to another football player but to me it is an honour to see Abel Xavier talking about me in that way.
“I grew up seeing Patrick Vieira playing in Arsenal, he is one of my idols so it is very good to hear that.”
IT'S NO PIE IN THE SKY
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has stated once again he is confident Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will put pen to paper and agree a new deal at the Emirates.
The Gunners striker still faces an uncertain future in North London with his contract at the club to expire in 2021, with Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly weighing up moves.
Juventus have also been linked with the Gabon international, but it is claimed that Aubameyang favours a switch to the Nou Camp should he depart Arsenal.
Arteta said: “I don’t know, to put a date right now is very difficult.
“I like the way the conversations are going, I like what I’m hearing. I’m sure for both parties, the quicker we can do it, the better for everyone.
“I am confident he will extend his stay.”
PATRICK PER-EIRA
Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira has issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to Arsenal.
He told Stats Perform News: “I think he [Arteta] is doing a really, really, good job there.
“He is a really good coach who started as the second coach at [Manchester] City, so he has a little experience and Arsenal play very good football and I think he is doing very well there.
“He is a Spanish coach, he is a bit similar to Portuguese coaches, they also want to play with the ball and improve with the ball, so I think he is a good coach.
“The style I think I can fit there, the way he plays also thinking on the ball, the team always has to be together – I think it is a good way to play.
“Of course I like to be here in Porto to be here in my country, but I want to be in a better league like the Premier League.”
STONES MOVE ODDS
John Stones could be set for a sensational move away from Manchester City this summer.
The England ace has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad and Ladbrokes make it just 5/2 he reunites with former coach Mikel Arteta at Arsenal when the transfer window opens.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “If Arteta wants defensive reinforcements and familiar faces then he could kill two birds with one Stones later on this summer.”
IT'S ISTAN-BULL
Mesut Ozil has reportedly snubbed a move to Fenerbahce but could be offered an Arsenal escape route by Istanbul Basaksehir.
The 31-year-old winger has yet to feature under Mikel Arteta since the Premier League’s restart and only has 12 months remaining on his £350,000-a-week deal.
Despite being frozen out, German publication Bild claim he has rejected an advance from Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.
They claim his massive wages prove to be the major stumbling block, with the star now planning to sit out the rest of his contract.
However, newly-crowned Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir are ready to make an offer for the 2014 German World Cup winner.
That is according to 90min, who have “been informed that Istanbul Basaksehir are prepared to formalise interest in Ozil that initially began last summer” once the window re-opens.
START THE DAY WRIGHT
Blimey, doesn't Wrighy look jacked these days?
The former Gunners record scorer shared this image from his trip to the gym.
Good morning! ?????????
A post shared byIan Wright (@wrightyofficial) on
WHY PEP HIT OUT
Pep Guardiola took a swipe at Arsenal because he is unhappy at their pursuit of a harsh ban for Manchester City.
City, who play Watford tonight, also have a suspicion the North London club were the ringleaders in a bid to keep them out of the Champions League.
Eight clubs went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in March to urge them to block any City attempt to get their appeal against a Uefa two-year Champions League ban delayed.
Guardiola hit out at the group in a stinging tirade last week — and the belief at the Etihad is the Gunners and Liverpool were behind the plot.
City also suspect they were involved in a group call between clubs to plan their next move after CAS had overturned the ban.
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Mesut Ozil has reportedly been handed a career lifeline by Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir.
The newly-crowned Super Lig champions already boast a number of ex-Premier League stars including Demba Ba, Martin Skrtel and Gael Clichy.
And 90min claims Ozil is the next name on their shopping list.
With only a year left on his £350,000-a-week contract, Arsenal are keen to get him off their wage bill.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery is set to take the reins at Spanish side Villarreal.
Current boss Javi Calleja will leave the La Liga side despite leading them to a Europa League place this season.
Marca report that Emery has already been signed up to replace him at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
The 48-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by the Gunners earlier this season.
In other news, Dani Ceballos says he is “very happy” at the club amid uncertainty about his future.
The Spaniard has been on a season-long loan at the Emirates from parent club Real Madrid.
He told Sky Sports: “The truth is I'm very happy at Arsenal.
“It's a club in which I already have a year of experience, so it would be very easy to return.
“I wouldn't have to adapt to a new league or new club with a different manager and players. I think it would be a good step for me.”
PEP SWIPE
Pep Guardiola took a swipe at Arsenal saying he does not respect the club’s hierarchy.
Manchester City were unhappy at how the Gunners lured Mikel Arteta as manager back in December.
And following Arsenal’s shock FA Cup semi-final defeat of City on Saturday, Guardiola said: “I have all the respect for what they are on the pitch, not much off the pitch.
“So congratulations to them and good luck in the final.”
MADE OF STONE
Arsenal may have received an unexpected boost in their pursuit of John Stones.
That's because Man City are on the verge of snapping up Bournemouth's Nathan Ake for £35m.
Stones is already on the fringes at the Etihad and would almost certainly be up for sale should Ake join.
Mikel Arteta is known to be a keen admirer of the former Everton man from his time as City assistant.
GUEN THEN
Axed Arsenal duo Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi have been warned: Show your team-mates you are worth keeping.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Aston Villa, Arteta said: “It’s not just me that needs to give a green light. Everybody has to be supportive.
“Without that support it’s very uncomfortable.
“If you show you have decided to do the best not only for yourself but for the club, I think everyone will welcome you.
“I sense great chemistry at the moment. They’re all on board and they can rely on each other.
“Most important on the pitch is they know what to expect from each other, not a flick of a coin with a few players.”
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