Arsenal news LIVE: Gunners urged to sign Rice, Ollie Watkins interest, Gabriel Jesus injury update
FORMER Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has urged the Gunners to sign West Ham skipper Declan Rice this summer.
He told Premier League Odds: "I'm a big fan of Declan Rice. It is time for him to leave West Ham and play at a higher level to reach his potential.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on England forward Ollie Watkins.
But Arsenal already have a plethora of attackers to choose from and may need to sell before they can buy.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are reportedly hopeful of having Gabriel Jesus back before the March international break.
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Gift of the Gab
Arsenal have been handed a title boost with star striker Gabriel Jesus back training on grass and "pushing the boundaries" ahead of a highly anticipated return to action.
Jesus, 25, has been sidelined since the World Cup after hurting his knee while playing for Brazil.
Arteta said on Jesus: "He's doing more and more on the field. The knee is not reacting, really positive. He's pushing the boundaries right now."
The Spaniard added: "We want him back as quick as possible, but also respecting the timescale that the doctors and the specialists are giving us."
A picture of the star with the ball in training has also gotten fans excited.
Milestone Approaching
Takehiro Tomiyasu is closing in on his 50th appearance for Arsenal.
If the 24-year-old appears tomorrow against Everton, he will reach the milestone.
He told club media: “I didn’t know, it’s come so quickly!
“It’s special to me because Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I’m happy to play for this club.
“When I arrived here, I didn’t know what to do for the team because I didn’t know how Mikel wanted me to play, but now I understand. Hopefully I am better than when I arrived here!”
Manager Advice
Mikel Arteta has told Chelsea manager Graham Potter to not let the pressures of football management "destroy" his life.
The table topping Arsenal boss knows exactly what Potter is going through right now after enduring online abuse and demands for his dismissal last season.
But Arteta said it is important to stay on top of the challenges of the role and not let the pressure define you.
He says: “We all know the pressure, the demands and the uncertainty that this industry has.
"You can have difficulties in your job and challenges, which we do, especially when you lose, but when you are winning as well because this job is so demanding.
"But you cannot destroy your life because of that."
Run for Your Life
Takehiro Tomiyasu says victory against Everton tomorrow all comes down to one thing - running more than their opponents.
The defender says the Gunners have learnt from defeat and are now willing to outhustle the Toffees.
He told the club website: “We learnt a lot of things, the biggest one was we ran less than them. After the game, Mikel told us we had to run extra hard so first of all, we have to run more than them. Then we have to compete, and we have to focus on the basics.
“They like to fight, they like to run and they want to put the ball in the box a lot, so we have to defend our box.”
Big Month Ahead
The clocks go forward next month and Arsenal will be hoping their hunt for trophies goes in a similar direction.
This is how their next few fixtures pan out.
Tomorrow - Everton (H) - PL
March 4 - Bournemouth (H) - PL
March 9 - Sporting Lisbon (A) - Europa
March 12 - Fulham (A) - PL
March 16 - Sporting Lisbon (H) - Europa
March 19 - Crystal Palace (H) - PL
'Full tilt'
Mikel Arteta wants his squad to go all out to get revenge on Everton tomorrow.
He said: “We have to look at certain matches, what they do and try to get the right tactics to beat them - and as well the same mentality and expectation of what we demand in the game.
“We can’t control how the opponents are feeling or how they prepare for the games. What we have to do is tomorrow in front of our crowd go full tilt, go to win the game, play well and compete really well against this team.
“Tomorrow we expect to have the same support because with that, we’re going to be closer to winning the game for sure.”
Everton Improvement
Mikel Arteta is looking a big step up in performance tomorrow from the last time Arsenal played Everton.
Earlier this month a limp Gunners performance saw the Toffees take all three points at Goodison Park.
Arteta said: “It’s a case of doing things better than we did when we played them a few weeks ago and earning the right to win the game. Hopefully tomorrow we will play much better than we did that day.
“It’s like with any opponent. We showed [the players] what they do, what they are about, what we expect to do to try to beat them and nothing different.
“With Sean, it’s quite clear what he’s done and where the success they’ve had is coming from. Tomorrow we’ll prepare the game in an appropriate and similar way [to the away match].”
Tross What We Need
Leandro Trossard has made his presence felt since arriving at Arsenal.
The Belgian has added a zip and energy to the Gunners going forward and was unlucky to see his spectacular effort against Leicester ruled out by VAR.
This is how his season has panned out statistically for both Brighton and Arsenal so far.
Bittersweet Toffees
Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates tomorrow - only weeks after defeat at Goodison Park threaten to unravel their season.
The Gunners fell into an awkward patch of form after losing to the Toffees in Sean Dyche's first game in charge.
But they have since recovered and have back-to-back wins against Aston Villa and Leicester to take into tomorrow's game.
Arsenal know victory will take them five points clear of Manchester City.
Lindstrom to 'fit' Gunners' plan
Mikael Silvestre is backing Arsenal to make a successful move for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom.
He told bettingexpert: “I think he (Lindstrom) is one of those players that could play in any league. He is very clever and the way he moves is very clever.
“It depends on himself where he wants to go, it will be a personal preference for him but he could fit very well into any league in my opinion and do very well.
“Frankfurt is a selling club, and Lindstrom is very attractive because of his good performances, so it is completely normal that there is a lot of interest for him from big clubs.”
Rift of the Gab
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has broken his silence on a feud between Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
The centre-back partners exchanged angry words as they left the pitch after the Gunners beat Leicester 1-0 on Saturday.
Despite keeping their first clean sheet in seven games, they argued with each other and Saliba apparently gave Gabriel a shove.
Arteta said: "They love playing with each other. But they are really demanding of each other, which is good. Everything is fine.
"I don't want robots, I want players with feeling, with passion, that demand [more] from each other and that have a chemistry and those two certainly have that chemistry on and off the field."
Dom Gone
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is close to a return - but will miss Everton's crucial trip to Arsenal tomorrow.
The England star, 25, last played in the home win over the Gunners on February 4 but went off with a hamstring problem.
The injury-plagued Toffees striker has been restricted to just 28 Prem games since the start of last season.
Everton are looking to do the double over the Gunners after the win at Goodison Park earlier this month.
Arsenal hopes predicted by supercomputer
A supercomputer has predicted whether Arsenal go on to win their first title since 2004.
The Gunners have led the way for the entire season despite being closed down by Man City.
And as the season enters its crunch point, all the pressure is on Mikel Arteta's men.
Saka 'better player than Rashford'
Emmanuel Petit insists he'd rather have Bukayo Saka than Marcus Rashford in his football team.
The Frenchman told Premier League Odds: "I would love to take both Rashford and Bukayo Saka on my team. Rashford was so miserable last season and he was losing his confidence, but now he is a completely different player and back to perfect standards. He is also very clinical.
"Saka however is very important for Arsenal and does great things on the pitch and I love the pair of them. I am a massive fan of Saka and the way he plays - I think he will be the captain of Arsenal in the years to come.
"Both players are so important and clinical for their clubs. I think they could compete for the Ballon d'Or, if they keep playing the way they are. But as a Gunner I would stick with Bukayo Saka."
Arteta reveals more on 'row'
Mikel Arteta has broken his silence on the post-match "row" between William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
He said: "They love playing with each other. But they are really demanding of each other, which is good. Everything is fine.
"I don't want robots, I want players with feeling, with passion, that demand [more] from each other and that have a chemistry and those two certainly have that chemistry on and off the field.
"I love that even when winning, they want each other to do better."
Mbappe not right for Gunners
Arsenal have been warned NOT to pursue a deal for Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman's PSG future is up in the air once again.
But compatriot Emmanuel Petit has told Arsenal to stay away from the transfer race.
He told Premier League Odds: "Arsenal should not go for Kylian Mbappe. The only club that can entice Mbappe right now, and probably ever, is Real Madrid. "
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Everton
Eddie Nketiah could return to lead the line for Arsenal's clash against Everton.
The striker was benched in the 1-0 win at Leicester City.
Leandro Trossard did an admirable job up top, but with Everton leaking goals Nketiah could get the nod thanks to his fox-in-the-box reflexes.
Is this how the Gunners will line up?
Kiwior passing leaves fans stunned
Arsenal fans have been blown away by new boy Jakub Kiwior.
That's after he demonstrated some incredible passes for the U21s against Chelsea.
The £21million Pole put in a fine performance as he showed off his brilliant technical abilities.
Jesus injury return boosts Gunners
Gabriel Jesus is expected to return from injury BEFORE next month's international break.
Players depart their clubs for two weeks starting on March 19.
But Football London claims Jesus could feature for Arsenal before then.
The Brazilian underwent knee surgery after the World Cup and was not expected back until the start of April at the earliest.
Arsenal urged to sign Rice
Emmanuel Petit has told Arsenal to go all-out for West Ham's Declan Rice - but Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo would be nice options too.
He told Premier League Odds: "I'm a big fan of Declan Rice. It is time for him to leave West Ham and play at a higher level to reach his potential.
"I'm also still a big fan of Mac Allister and Caicedo from Brighton, since I first saw them play. I know Arsenal won't try and buy them all, but they would also fit next to Rice really well.
"But with all due respect to West Ham, it is time for Rice to go. It reminds me of Lampard when he first left West Ham and went to Chelsea and look what he achieved for himself."
Watkins lined up by Gunners
Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on England striker Ollie Watkins.
The versatile forward has impressed at Aston Villa this season.
And he could be picked up by the Gunners this summer if the price is right.
But Arsenal already have a plethora of attackers to choose from and may need to sell before they can buy.
Arsenal stars named in The Best Women's XI
Arsenal duo Beth Mead and Leah Williamson have been named in The Best Women's World XI alongside fellow England stars Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh.
Arsene arrives
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger has arrived at FIFA's The Best Awards.
Sterling Shock
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling.
Sterling joined the Blues in a £50million transfer last summer, but he has since struggled to establish himself as a regular first team starter.
According to 90Min, he could be offered an escape from Stamford Bridge with Arsenal keen on tempting him to north London.
Mikel Arteta is understood to be a huge fan of Sterling and he is keen on lodging a bid in the near future.
Young Guns
Jakub Kiwior and Emile Smith Rowe have both been named in the starting line-up for Arsenal U-21's ahead of their match against Chelsea this evening.
Kiwior signed for the club in January, but he is yet to make a first team appearance.
Meanwhile, Smith Rowe is yet to break back into Mikel Arteta's starting line-up following his long spell out of action with a groin injury.
