ARSENAL have been given the go-ahead from Steven Gerrard to go in for Ollie Watkins, according to reports.
And we've also got the latest of the Gunners' pursuit for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
Meanwhile Arsenal are buzzing after beating Watford 3-2 at Vicarage Road.
Gabriel Martinelli scored a superb team goal, which had a fantastic finish to match.
But Kieran Tierney appeared to ask Watford's Cucho Hernandez to meet him outside after a fiery incident between the pair at the end of the game.
Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates in our live blog…
- Jake Lambourne
Morning Arsenal fans
Bukayo Saka should leave Arsenal if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, says former Spurs forward Garth Crooks.
Crooks, 63, wrote in his BBC column: “The reason the Gunners are still flirting with a top-four place is due largely to the brilliance of Bukayo Saka.
“The England international has grown tremendously since he played in the European championships and seems to glide through games these days.
“If Arsenal can’t provide Champions League football for the youngster then I suggest he finds it somewhere else. Talent like this shouldn’t hang around.”
In terms of incomings, it looks like Arsenal could finally sign unsettled Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto this summer.
The Gunners were reportedly keen to recruit the 30-year-old in January transfer.
It looks like the chance will open up again, with Mundo Deportivo reporting Roberto is set to leave the Nou Camp when his contract expires in the summer.
Some of the Gunners’ summer transfer kitty might come from business with Marseille.
Arsenal will reportedly ask the French club to pay £27million if they want to sign on-loan defender William Saliba.
The 20-year-old made the temporary switch last summer and has impressed in Ligue 1.
Discussions are set to get underway and the Gunners would want to recover the £27m they paid Saint-Etienne for him in 2019, according to L’Equipe.
And there were some amusing scenes among the Arsenal following at Watford on Sunday.
Gunners fan Ashley Day’s wig came off as he celebrated Martin Odegaard’s opener in the 3-2 win!
Fellow Gunners supporter George Bateman took a snap of the embarrassing moment… and then shared it on Twitter.
Good sport Ashley took the banter in good spirit, and has now vowed to use more glue to keep his thatch in place.
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Kane over takes Henry's tally
Spurs striker Harry Kane overtook Arsenal legend Thierry Henry's Premier League goals total with a brace in the win over Everton this evening.
France World Cup winner Henry bagged 175 English top-flight goals for the Gunners, and England skipper Kane now has 176.
It also means Kane is now just one Prem goal behind Frank Lampard – manager of the Toffees side smashed 5-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight.
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Neville backs United for fourth
Gary Neville still believes Manchester United will finish fourth in the Prem this season – but believes they must beat Tottenham next week.
Arsenal are above the Red Devils in fourth and have three games in hand.
Those fixtures are tough, though, as they are a home clash with title-chasing Liverpool, away to Champions League champs Chelsea, and a trip to bitter North London rivals Spurs.
Sky Sports pundit Neville said: “I still think United could do it (get fourth place). I don’t trust Arsenal fully.
“Manchester United have still got to go to Arsenal, there’s a long way to go. United have got to beat Tottenham next week.”
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Henry talks about Arsenal exit
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has opened up about the tough time he had after leaving Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007.
The Gunners' all-time top scorer has revealed that at the time he was battling injury and going through a divorce with then wife Claire Merry.
He told L'Equipe: "When I left Arsenal for Barcelona it took me a year to be well.
"I arrived injured, I'm going through a divorce, I have to learn a new system… you mix it all up, keep playing the mind."
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Saliba price 'set at £27million'
Arsenal will reportedly ask Marseille to pay £27million if they want to sign on-loan defender William Saliba.
The 20-year-old made the temporary switch to the French club last summer and has impressed in Ligue 1.
Discussions between the two clubs are set to get underway and the Gunners would want to recover the £27m they paid Saint-Etienne for him in 2019, according to L'Equipe.
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Best combined Arsenal-United XI
With the two Prem giants battling it out for a Champions League spot, SunSport has put together its best suggested combined Arsenal and Manchester United XI.
In defence we have gone for United's David De Gea in goal with his team-mate Raphael Varane in central defence alongside Gunner Gabriel.
Arsenal duo Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the full-backs.
And it is a couple of Gunners – Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard – holding – in our midfield.
The width is provided by Arsenal duo Emile Smith Rowe and in-form Bukayo Saka, with United's string-puller Bruno Fernandes in behind United legend Ronaldo up front.
A combined Man Utd and Arsenal XI - [email protected]
Gunners' tough games in hand
Arsenal have three games in hand over top-four rivals Manchester United – but they are all tough.
The Gunners moved above United and into fourth by beating Watford on Sunday.
But to strengthen their bid for a Champions League place they will be looking to take advantage of three tough games-in-hand.
Those fixtures are a home clash with title-chasing Liverpool, away to Champions League champs Chelsea, and a trip to bitter North London rivals Spurs.
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Crooks: Saka is carrying Gunners
Bukayo Saka should leave Arsenal if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, says former Spurs forward Garth Crooks.
TV pundit Crooks, 63, wrote in his BBC Team of the Week column: "The reason the Gunners are still flirting with a top-four place is due largely to the brilliance of Bukayo Saka.
"The England international has grown tremendously since he played in the European championships and seems to glide through games these days.
"If Arsenal can't provide Champions League football for the youngster then I suggest he finds it somewhere else.
"Talent like this shouldn't hang around."
- [email protected]
Gunners closing on Barca's Roberto
Arsenal could sign unsettled Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto this summer.
The Gunners were reportedly keen to bring the 30-year-old in during the January transfer window.
And it looks like the opportunity to land him will open up again in the after this season, with Mundo Deportivo reporting Roberto is set to leave the Nou Camp when his contract expires in the summer.
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Keep your wig on!
Arsenal fan Ashley Day's wig came off as he celebrated Martin Odegaard's opener in Sunday's 3-2 win at Watford!
Fellow Gunners fan George Bateman took a snap of the embarrassing moment – and then shared it on Twitter!
Good sport Ashley tweeted back and took the banter in good spirit, and has now vowed to use more glue to keep his thatch in place.
Gunners' fan Ashley Day's hair-raising moment was snapped by a fellow fan - Sam Dymond
Young Gunners on target again
Arsenal once again proved that you can win with kids as they saw off Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.
At 23 years of age, Martin Odegaard was the senior scorer for Mikel Arteta's side, and he was joined among the goals by two 20-year-olds in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
The latter's strike took him to five goals for the season, and, in doing so, Arsenal became just the fourth side in Premier League history to have three played aged 21 and under net five or more times in a single campaign.
Martinelli, Saka (9) and Emile Smith Rowe (10) ensure the Gunners follow the lead of Chelsea (2019-20), Leeds (1998-99) and Manchester United (1995-96).
- Sam Dymond
Saka one of world's best
Thomas Partey has labelled his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka 'one of the best young players in the world' and urged the 20-year-old to commit his long-term future to the Gunners.
Saka scored one and set up one in Sunday's 3-2 win at Watford, and afterwards Partey paid tribute to the England international. He said: “I think he is doing a great job. I hope he stays with us for a long time and does what he can, and tries to take this team far."
The Arsenal youngster has two years to run on his current deal, and has been subject to speculation linking him with big-money move to Liverpool and Manchester City.
Saka recorded some impressive numbers during his performance at Vicarage Road.
- Minutes: 90
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 1
- Shots: 1
- Touches: 67
- Chances created: 2
- Crosses: 6
- Passes in final third: 25
- Duels won: 4
- Ball recoveries: 3
- Tackles: 3
Premier League clubs tracking Rashford
Arsenal are among three Premier League clubs on red alert after news broke today of Marcus Rashford's unhappiness at Manchester United.
The England international is reportedly concerned by his lack of playing time at Old Trafford, and is now considering his future options.
And now 90min understand that West Ham, Newcastle and The Gunners are preparing to make a move for the forward to tempt him away from the Red Devils.
Rashford has a year to run on his current deal with United, although the club do have the option of triggering a one-year extension.
Gallagher defends Arteta's touchline act
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Mikel Arteta did nothing wrong in rushing from his technical area to retrieve the ball during Arsenal's 3-2 win at Watford.
The Gunners boss quickly returned the ball to Bukayo Saka to take a throw-in, and eight seconds later, it was in the back of the net via Gabriel Martinelli's emphatic finish.
Discussing the incident on Sky Sports News' Ref Watch, Gallagher said: "The fourth official is the sole judge of the technical area. He will stop managers from encroaching on to the pitch and coaching.
"[Arteta] hasn't really committed an office, he's become a ballboy by retrieving it and throwing it back. You wouldn't expect him to let the ball go past him.
Guest Stephen Warnock agreed and praised the Spaniard for his part in what turned out to be Arsenal's winning goal. He added: "It's really quick-thinking. It was really clever from Mikel Arteta."
Martin leaves Merson red-faced
Martin Odegaard put in another fine showing at Vicarage Road yesterday to help Arsenal continue their march towards the Champions League.
The influential Norwegian against led by example in the 3-2 win over Watford, setting the Gunners on their way with a fifth-minute opener.
And afterwards The Mirror shone light on some embarrassing comments from an Arsenal hero of the past.
Writing in his Daily Star column in August, Paul Merson labelled the signing of Odegaard as 'lazy' and 'a mistake.'
"What are they doing signing Odegaard? He didn’t exactly pull up any trees on loan, did he? He only scored two goals! I think it’s a mistake. I think it’s another lazy signing. No other Premier League team was going for him."
- Sam Dymond
Gunners closing on Barca midfielder
Arsenal have been given the green light to snap up Barcelona's Sergi Roberto in the summer.
The 30-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the Nou Camp in June, and – barring any surprise u-turns – will leave the Catalan giants.
The Gunners have been constantly linked with the Spaniard this season, and are thought to be favourites to land the player by Sport Witness.
Sergi Roberto has been at Barcelona for the entirety of his career, making more than 200 La Liga appearances.
However, his current campaign has been disrupted by injuries, leading to just four starts in the league.
- Sam Dymond
Bukayo belongs in Champions League
Arsenal's dazzling youngster Bukayo Saka deserves to be playing his football in the Champions League, and, if he continues his current form, will be doing so with the Gunners next season.
That's the view of Charles Watt, the Arsenal correspondent for Goal, who watched on as Saka contributed another goal and assist in Sunday's 3-2 success at Watford.
And the journalist believes that the 20-year-old is 'getting better every time he steps out onto the pitch.'
The Gunners moved a point clear of Manchester United in the race for the top four and, crucially, still have three games in hand over their rivals.
Against all odds, it's the Londoners who are now clear favourites to qualify for the Champions League, and Watt believes that with 'Saka in this type of form, they have every chance.'
- Sam Dymond
Roy's keen on Arsenal revival
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal players were showered with praise from a most unlikely source following their win at Watford on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners moved into the prized position of fourth in the Premier League, having recorded their eighth win in ten games.
And now Manchester United's former midfielder Roy Keane believes the Londoners have the right blend of ability and attitude to go on and land Champions league football.
In his role as a Sky Sports pundit, Keane said: “It’s been an amazing turnaround considering where they were at the start of the season. Now they’re probably the favourites to finish in the top four.
“We’ve always questioned whether there’s a bit of softness to them, but they’re in a good moment now and they’ve always had that quality.
“Against Wolves they found a way to win the football match, they kept going and grabbed a late goal. That’s the key to success.
“You can have off days, but you find a way to win and that was a huge three points for them."
- Jake Lambourne
Morning Arsenal fans
Mikel Arteta claimed Bukayo Saka’s penalty heartbreak in the Euros was ‘GREAT for his career’.
Saka bravely stepped up in the penalty shootout final against Italy at Wembley in July.
But the winger was joined by team-mates Jadon Sancho, 21, and Marcus Rashford , 24, in missing, with Italy winning the trophy.
The trio of young England stars were then subject to horrific racial abuse from idiotic fans.
Saka, 20, has bounced back and is in fine form this season, with his goal in the 3-2 win over Watford being his ninth of the campaign.
In other news, Arsenal have been dealt a transfer blow with reports target Gianluca Scamacca is ‘destined’ to join Inter Milan.
The Gunners are in the hunt for a new striker, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving in January.
Now, Goal claim that Inter have struck a deal for the 6ft 5in striker dubbed the new Ibrahimovic.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender William Saliba will NOT leave Arsenal despite speculation over a permanent move to Marseille.
- Jon Boon
Tierney offers Hernandez fight 'outside'
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney appeared to 'offer to meet Cucho Hernandez outside' as the pair clashed earlier today.
The two faced off in the closing stages of the Gunners' 3-2 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.
Moussa Sissoko's late goal made it a nervy affair for Mikel Arteta's side – with Arsenal forced to hold on in stoppage time.
As the Gunners wasted time, Tierney infuriated the Hornets faithful.
Watford forward Cucho attempted to put the ball in the Scot's hands, as the North Londoners dawdled over a throw-in.
Tierney embarrassingly went down from the minimal contact – much to the ire of Hernandez.
The left-back's team-mates attempted to calm the opposition forward down.
According to the Mirror, injury-prone Tierney then motioned to the 22-year-old that they could meet outside to settle the dispute.
- Jon Boon
Arteta's Odegaard demand
Martin Odegaard showed his class with a brilliant display as Arsenal saw off Watford 3-2 to move into the top four.
Before the game, Arteta waxed lyrical about his Norwegian playmaker.
"Martin for us is a really important player, that's for sure," he said.
"He's showing that every single week. He's phenomenal to work with. He's developing areas of his game that we discussed, that he agreed, and that we believed could help him impact matches in a much more powerful way.
"His whole mindset, the way he prepares himself, the way he treats people, the way he plays the game, is just exactly what we want from an Arsenal player."
However, he called on the midfielder to score and create more goals.
"He needs to play close to the opponents' box, for sure," Arteta continued.
"He needs to create more goals, he needs to score more goals, he needs to make more runs in behind, he needs to be closer to the strikers to give them support, and he can do that.
"He needs to score more free kicks. He can still contribute more on our set pieces. His defensive work is phenomenal.
"There are areas where he can only get better, and the only way to get better is to agree on on them, and then practise."
- Jon Boon
Saka penalty miss was 'great' for his career
Mikel Arteta claimed Bukayo Saka’s penalty heartbreak in the Euros was ‘GREAT for his career’.
Saka bravely stepped up in the penalty shootout final against Italy at Wembley in July.
But the winger was joined by team-mates Jadon Sancho, 21, and Marcus Rashford , 24, in missing, with Italy winning the trophy.
The trio of young England stars were then subject to horrific racial abuse from idiotic fans.
But Saka, 20, has bounced back in fine form this season, with his goal in the 3-2 win over Watford, being his ninth of the campaign.
Gunners manager Arteta put the shootout misery as a character-building moment for his young forward.
He said: “I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players would ever have and I think it was great for his career because the football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him.
“I think that was a big boost for him to realise in difficult moments that people are going to give him support, and the club did exactly the same as his team-mates.
“Then it’s about giving him that space. What he is already doing is phenomenal and he needs that room.
"Don’t read too much, do what you do. Football is his priority in life and you can see that every day in training and he needs to continue to behave and live the way that he is doing.”
- Jon Boon
Scamacca blow
Arsenal have been dealt a transfer blow with reports target Gianluca Scamacca is 'destined' to join Inter Milan.
The Gunners are in the hunt for a new striker, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving in January.
And the futures of both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are up in the air with their contracts set to expire in the summer.
Now, Goal claim that Inter have struck a deal for the 6ft 5in striker dubbed the new Ibrahimovic.
Inter hope that Scamacca could be the long term replacement for Edin Dzeko, who is now 35.
- Jon Boon
History maker Miedema
Jonas Eidevall hailed Vivianne Miedema for playing her way into the history books as Arsenal survived a scare against Birmingham.
The Netherlands hotshot became the first player to make 100 WSL goal contributions as the Gunners beat Blues 4-2, piling pressure on Chelsea.
But they endured a late fright with the league strugglers exploiting some nervy defending to bag two goals in six minutes.
The win, which included a first Gunners goal for Rafaelle, saw Eidevall’s aces move eight points clear of Chelsea who have three games in hand.
- Jon Boon
Fabregas purrs over Saka and Odegaard
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were exceptional as the Gunners beat Watford 3-2.
Both got on the scoresheet and led Mikel Arteta's men going forward with some sublime attacking play.
And it drew praise from ex-Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas.
The Spanish playmaker tweeted: "Saka and Ødegaard are the present and future of Arsenal. Two big, big talents."
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