Arsenal face Sporting test as Saka and Timber miss out
Power rankings place Bayern and Barcelona in form. Arsenal need to regain momentum before facing Sporting, while Liverpool confront PSG.
Rio Ferdinand urges Arteta to protect teenager Max Dowman by starting him wide to reduce collisions, citing Wilshere. Gabriel Jesus hails Dowman’s strength and skill, tipping him to impact Arsenal’s run-in.
Arsenal visit Sporting in the UCL quarters. Hjulmand is suspended, while Arsenal weigh Saka and Timber fitness and Gabriel a doubt. Gyökeres returns to Lisbon as Raya anchors a defence with the best UCL record.
Arsenal great Aaron Ramsey, 35, retires. The ex-Wales captain won 3 FA Cups with Arsenal, scoring two final winners, earned 86 caps with 21 goals and starred in Wales’ Euro 2016 semi-final run.
Ex-Arsenal technical director James Ellis, who oversaw squad planning and recruitment, is interviewed by Bristol City for sporting director, with Norwich also keen. He left the Emirates last month.
Bayern’s Leon Goretzka, linked with Arsenal on a free, says he chose to stay until summer as ‘anything is possible’. A potential midfield option if he leaves at contract end.
Arsenal monitored Barcelona’s Dani Olmo amid Saudi interest, but he stayed. Keith Hackett expects no further action after Martinelli’s shove on referee Sam Barrott in the Southampton defeat.
Profile of David Raya’s rise and resilience, from Southport to Arsenal’s No 1. Praised for sweeping, shot-stopping and leadership, he is backed to steady Arteta’s side after exits to Man City and Southampton.
Report claims Arsenal held talks over a £130m left winger as they seek attacking reinforcements, aiming for their best left-sided option since Alexis Sánchez.
Opinion moots benching Ødegaard after an off day and starting an Arsenal creator likened to Mesut Özil to spark the attack.
Arsenal prepare a formal bid for Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane amid Real Madrid interest, after the Cameroon forward’s eye-catching AFCON displays.
Arsenal and Liverpool track RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old Yan Diomande. Report claims Arsenal’s Champions League status and early contact give them an edge, though Leipzig want around £87m.
Arteta says Gyökeres is ‘very excited’ for his Sporting return after a £64m move. The striker has 17 goals this season and seeks to fire Arsenal in Lisbon, with Raya urging the squad to use recent pain as fuel.
Saka and Timber miss the Sporting quarter-final first leg, but Rice, Gabriel and Trossard are fit. Arteta eyes a response after defeats to Man City and Southampton before next week’s Emirates return.
