Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League match at home to Bournemouth (12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta said he has a "good headache" as all of his squad are fit and available for selection, including summer signing Jurrien Timber, who has recovered from a long-term knee injury.

• On reports that Jorginho is close to signing a new contract: "I would love to keep him, he knows that and the club is fully supportive of that. He makes us better so we want him to stay."

• On his team's success scoring from corners: "It's a combination of a lot of things. We work on lots of phases of play to make us more competitive and help us win matches. These things can help us win matches and score more goals. They can be major in football."

• The Gunners play before title rivals Manchester City on Saturday and Arteta said: "It is what it is. We are clear, our job is clear. We have to win our game and then we have to wait."

• Arteta was full of praise for the "fantastic job" done by Bournemouth boss and childhood friend Andoni Iraola: "To come into the Premier League and do what he's done - huge credit to him and his coaching staff and the players. They had a difficult start but it's unbelievable what they have done and the manner in which they have done it. A fantastic achievement. It will be a really tough match but the team is ready."

• Asked about a message to his players ahead of the title run-in, Arteta said: "Focus and put all your in energy into finding that determination and willingness to do our best and earn the right to win games. The first is Bournemouth and there will be a fantastic atmosphere. Be present in the moment and see what happens."

Follow Friday's Premier League news conferences

Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, 27, is prepared to fight for his place at Arsenal amid reports of a potential summer exit. (Sun), external

Bayern Munich are interested in signing 16-year-old Arsenal striker Chido Obi-Martin this summer (Telegraph), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Reuters

Arsenal's Jorginho has been offered a new contract by Mikel Arteta and the midfielder is expected to sign it at some point in the next few weeks.

The Italy playmaker moved to Emirates Stadium from Chelsea on at the start of February 2023 on an 18-month deal and has played a key part as the Gunners have competed on four fronts this season.

He has made 51 appearances for the Gunners, scoring once and making three assists.

Keep an eye on Bukayo Saka this weekend.

If the Arsenal forward sets up a goal against Bournemouth, it will be a landmark achievement for the 22-year-old.

One more assist in Arsenal's final three games would take the 22-year-old up to 10 for the season and become only the second after Dennis Bergkamp to achieve this in a Gunners shirt - after the Dutchman did it in 1997-98 and 1998-99.

So far in 2023-24, Saka has 15 goals and nine assists.

A bonafide Arsenal legend, Bergkamp scored 120 goals and set up a further 102 more during 422 trophy-laden appearances for the club.

Arsene Wenger's side won the Double in 1997-98 with Bergkamp contributing 16 goals to the cause, before they finished second behind Treble-winning Manchester United the following year.

Meanwhile, Saka registered 14 goals and 11 assists last season as Arsenal finished second, five points behind Manchester City.

This campaign, Arsenal top the Premier League as it approaches its final stages although City could go above them if they win their game in hand.

Regardless of what happens, the winger has played a prominent role in the Gunners having a chance at a first league title since the 2003-04 season.

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Arsenal and Bournemouth in the Premier League.

• Arsenal have won all six of their home Premier League matches against Bournemouth. The Gunners have only played more home games against Stoke while maintaining a 100% record (10/10).

• Bournemouth have only picked up five points in 13 Premier League matches against Arsenal and have never kept a clean sheet against the Gunners. The Cherries have only played more games against Manchester City (14) without recording a shutout.

• Arsenal have scored a league-high 85 goals in their 35 Premier League games this season - with their average of 2.4 goals-per-game their highest across a single campaign since 1934-35, when they scored 115 goals in 42 matches (2.7 per game).

• Since Bournemouth picked up their first Premier League win of the season at the end of October (v Burnley), they have picked up 45 points in 26 matches (W13 D6 L7); only the current top four sides have more in this time. They have never won more matches in a top-flight campaign than their 13 in 2023-24 (also 13 in 2018-19).

• Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert has registered as many goal involvements in his past six Premier League games (four - three goals, one assist) as he had in his first 23 in the competition (four goals).

Image source, Reuters

Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney says it would be "unfair" to call Arsenal "bottle jobs" if they are pipped to the Premier League title again by Manchester City this season.

Despite trailing the Gunners by eight points on 7 April last season, Pep Guardiola's side were crowned champions with a game left to play.

But this time round, just one point separates the two with City currently trailing Arsenal but boasting a game in hand.

So, if the same happens this year, can it be classed as a successful season for Mikel Arteta's side?

"They will have been leading the Premier League twice, and last season was by quite a way, so if Manchester City catch them twice everyone will say they have bottled it," said Cairney on the Footballer's Football Podcast.

"It is unfair to say that because of the points tally they have been getting and the strength of the City team chasing them.

"I would not call them bottle jobs this time because he [Arteta] has improved Arsenal and has taken them to the next level. They are so competitive in every fixture and they batter teams.

"He has done an incredible job, but he is up against a super machine."

Listen to the Footballer's Football Podcast on BBC Sounds

Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for their 27-year-old Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus this summer. (Athletic - subscription required), external

The Gunners are hopeful Italy midfielder Jorginho, 32, will snub interest from Juventus, Lazio and Napoli to sign a contract extension. (Standard), external

Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Newcastle are among the favourites to sign Everton's Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana, 22. (Football Transfers), external

Finally, Bologna's 22-year-old Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee would prefer a summer move to Arsenal over Italian sides Juventus and AC Milan (Givemesport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's gossip column

Three to play. Three to win. That will be Mikel Arteta's message to the players as they approach crunch time this season.

With Josko Gvardiol the latest Manchester City player to say he is "exhausted", Arsenal have to be ready to pounce if Pep Guardiola's side slip up in one of their final four matches.

Saturday will be very tough for Arsenal. Bournemouth have been the fifth-best team in the Premier League since 1 November, taking 42 points from 25 games.

Thomas Partey's return to the Arsenal side has offered Arteta the chance to play Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard together again. They have only played as a midfield three on three occasions this season. You do wonder how many more points Arsenal would have had if they could get them on the pitch more times this season.

There is more good news for Arteta, with Jurrien Timber close to a Premier League return for the first time since August 2023. The defender, who can play across the back four, made a big impression on Arteta in pre-season and has come through two matches with Arsenal's under-21 side in recent weeks.

He trained on Wednesday and could be in the squad for the early kick-off at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Referees' chief Howard Webb says Michael Oliver "will be really disappointed" to have not initially awarded a penalty for Declan Rice's foul on Ben Davies in Sunday's Premier League derby between Tottenham and Arsenal.

In his attempt to clear the ball in the box, Arsenal midfielder Rice caught Tottenham defender Davies without touching the ball.

Referee Oliver initially waved away appeals for a penalty before the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened and recommended he reviewed the decision, which was then overturned.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Mic'd Up programme, Webb said: "It's a clear and obvious error not to give the penalty. I know Michael [Oliver] will be really disappointed. He had a really good game. He's one of our top referees, he's one of the top referees in the world.

"But I know you [as fans] will be disappointed he misread that in the moment and we all can misread things in the moment. I did that many times myself. But thankfully we've got VAR that can look at these situations very quickly.

"Michael went to the screen, looked at it, quickly saw the error and gave a penalty. And as you say, without VAR this would have stayed as a non-awarded penalty. It would have been hugely controversial. So a really good use of the VAR facility here."

Image source, Getty Images

I thought this week could be Arsenal's biggest test. Huge derbies against Chelsea and Spurs would finally answer the "bottlers" question. At half-time in the second game, they were a combined 8-0 up in the two ties. Oh me of little faith.

With nothing to lose, Ange Postecoglou's side had a go in the second half and David Raya helped with a howler but the Gunners passed their toughest tests with flying colours. There will be no implosion this time round because they have toughened up mentally and physically.

They have also become the most dangerous team from corners in the league. It is not just desire and height but also the long hours on the training ground and the intelligent work from the set-piece specialists. I have always been amazed how haphazard the top teams have been from these situations. Whereas Sean Dyche, Tony Pulis and others always knew the importance of set plays, it seemed almost beneath the likes of Arsenal and Man City.

The advantage some of the more direct teams once had has now mostly gone, even if Dyche's Everton are still up there - rising at the back post - with the best.

Wouldn't it be amazing if an old fashioned headed corner was the tactic that allowed Arsenal to pip City in the end?

It could happen.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

Arsenal have offered Italy midfielder Jorginho a new contract and the 32-year-old is expected to sign it. His current deal expires in June, (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

Nick asked: Has Declan Rice made the difference to Arsenal in the title race compared with last year?

Simon replied: I think so. I have never made any secret of the fact I am a huge Declan Rice fan.

He was clearly captaincy material from a young age at West Ham and I felt he would stop Arsenal’s performance levels dropping off the way they did last season. Yes, he conceded a penalty at Tottenham but that is one moment in one game.

Someone like Rice has the calm mentality to restore order when situations are going wrong.

In the end, it may not be enough this season because Manchester City are a phenomenal team but Rice is a key element of Arsenal running them closer. That said, I would like to see him scoring more goals.

Tottenham had two weeks to prepare for the north London derby, with Arsenal having to navigate a series of tricky games in that spell. Despite that, the Gunners' quality won the game in the first half on Sunday.

This is the best Arsenal team in 20 years, so winning two big derbies in a week and scoring eight goals in the process, must be appreciated and enjoyed by fans and players.

The reality is that despite this team possibly breaking points and goal difference records at the club, Arsenal may come away from the season empty-handed.

That is the nature of being up against one of the best Premier League sides of all time and a team that won the Treble last season.

Arsenal need to continue this sensational 2024 form for three more games and ensure they at least make it a nervy last day for Manchester City.

Fans should enjoy the excellent football on show and appreciate how much progress there has been, even if no trophy comes at the end of it.

This team keeps getting better and with a young core of players and manager, coupled with ambitious owners and technical staff with market nous, they will be right there again next season.

Oli Price-Bates can be found at The Fresh Arsenal podcast, external

After Arsenal tied the record for the most goals scored from corners in a Premier League season in their north London derby victory over Tottenham on Sunday, Leon Osman has said "it's no surprise to see Mikel Arteta's teams are very good at corners" after playing alongside the Spaniard during his time at Everton.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former midfielder Osman said: "They're very good at a number of things. They're winning a number of metrics throughout the Premier League this season.

"[At Everton] Arteta was the one that was delivering them in. He had great set-piece delivery and it was our fault if we didn't get on the end of them and didn't score."

Watch the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer or listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya says he was "mentally very strong" to react to his mistake in Sunday's North London derby and has urged his side to stay focused on their own run-in and not Manchester City's.

City have a game in hand over top-of-the-table Arsenal, which is at Tottenham on 14 May, but Raya dismissed suggestions they would support their rivals.

"I don't want to focus on that. I just want to focus on the team, on us, and focus on next Saturday," he said.

"We cannot focus on other teams because you lose your focus on yourself and you don't start playing the same way.

"You have to focus on yourself and the team, on what you can control. If you focus on things that you cannot control, things are not going to go well.

"Every game is important and we have got three games. We have to think about the next game, which is Bournemouth at home.

"We just have to carry on with this momentum, try to get the three points on Saturday and we will see what happens in the end.

"I like challenges and I don't feel under pressure. I feel like that when there is pressure, in the way that you say, it's an opportunity to show what you are capable of. I am really, really enjoying this challenge."

The Gunners made sure they would remain top of the Premier League going into May with a 3-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday but, having led 3-0 at half time, Raya's mistake allowed Cristian Romero to bring Spurs back into the game.

"We had gained control until I made a mistake for the first goal," the Spanish goalkeeper added. "The last few minutes was a little bit more shaky for the people outside, but for us that's our job.

"I really, really enjoyed that challenge to keep the ball out of the net and trying to help the team as much as possible on crosses. We showed great character collectively and it showed on the pitch.

"I thought I was mentally very strong and I just forgot about the mistake, carried on playing my game and tried to help the team."

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).

The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.

The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.

The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.

“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA

“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

One fan asked: Can you tell me why David Raya is a better goalkeeper than Aaron Ramsdale? As an Arsenal fan I found it embarrassing the way Mikel Arteta was fawning over Raya at the end of a game in which his deficiencies almost cost us.

Simon replied: It is difficult to pinpoint an individual reason but Arteta clearly wanted Raya in the summer and sees something in him he feels makes his team better. I realise that is quite vague but it is the reality.

Sometimes, it can be a quite technical reason, like opening your body in a slightly different way to take or give a pass, the speed of the pass, the accuracy of it. Sometimes it can be basic trust in a player to do what they are being asked. It goes beyond making big saves.

Raya made a mistake yesterday and it cost a goal. Arteta may argue Raya was a reason why Arsenal were 3-0 up – or why they are top of the Premier League. I don’t feel you can isolate individual mistakes to highlight whether a decision has worked or not. You have to look at the bigger picture. We will never know if Arsenal would be in their current position with Ramsdale in goal, we know they are with Raya.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal writer for The Athletic, Art De Roche believes the Gunners must avoid focusing on Manchester City in the title run-in in order to prevent "indecision" like that shown by goalkeeper David Raya in Sunday's 3-2 win at rivals Tottenham.

Raya's poor pass allowed Cristian Romero in to score when his side led 3-0 and a late Heung-Min Son penalty ensured a nervy finish.

"Very tense," Roche told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "When we got to that hour mark I felt Arsenal needed to make the game boring.

"As was the case against Bayern Munich in the first-leg and against Aston Villa as well they just let indecisiveness get in their way which led to a very tense end to the game and was not needed.

"Luckily, thankfully, they managed to get over the line."

Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest later on Sunday to immediately reduce Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to one point and know winning their last four matches would secure a fourth title in a row because of their game in hand.

"The one game that sticks out is the Tottenham game just because of City's record against them in recent years," Roche added.

"From an Arsenal point of view they can't concentrate on that, they've got to just keep producing as they have been doing since going out of the Champions League.

"Since then they've looked really energised, especially since Leandro Trossard's goal against Wolves. They've looked a different side because before that they were a bit leggy, a bit tired. Now they have a real energy which will help in the last few weeks of the season.

"They can't focus on what Manchester City are doing because that's when those little moments of indecision will come in again. From our point of view it's a straight sprint to the finish line and see where it gets us."

Listen to the full discussion from 08:20 on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal fan Amanda from the Same Old Arsenal podcast believes Mikel Arteta having almost an entirely fit squad to select from is why the Gunners are better equipped to deal with the title run-in than they were last year.

Arsenal never recovered from losing two-goal leads in successive weeks at Liverpool and West Ham in April last season when key central defender William Saliba was sidelined alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Sunday's 3-2 win at rivals Tottenham opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League which Manchester City immediately cut back to one with victory at Nottingham Forest.

"It's not the same old Arsenal because we are virtually injury-free which is what we didn't have last year and why we didn't win the league," Amanda told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"It was nothing to do with bottle - that's a ridiculous statement - it was all down to injuries and this year we have a full team going into the last three games so it should be interesting.

"The last nine minutes against Tottenham were the worst of my footballing life, I was pacing and concerned. We gifted them both goals, it was our own fault.

"There is progress in terms of mentality and attitude. If you watch the goals we scored we didn't go off wildly celebrating we got into a huddle to discuss what is next. I love it, I've never seen that before.

"We can win it if City drop points but I don't think they will. It seems to be going in City's favour at the moment so we wait and see."

Listen to the full chat from 06:20 on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Sunday's match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Here are some of your answers:

Spurs fans

Dave: We just can’t keep gifting teams goals from corners. Aside from that, I thought Spurs were the better team and were unlucky with some of the decisions. Arsenal are better than us at the moment and I'm always one to give credit where it's due, but I thought we put in a good shift and gave them a good game. It shows that we're not that far away.

Gareth: The scoreline flattered us. This Spurs team and Postecoglou's tactics (or lack of them) are an embarrassment. We cannot defend, cannot create chances, don't have a recognised goal scorer and follow the same woeful script week in week out. Somehow we are hoping that the outcome will be different. Postecoglou may still have his supporters, but I'm not one of them.

Cliff: Typical Spurs. We were useless in the first half, got better in the second half, but failed to win against an excellent Arsenal side. We deserved nothing and got nothing - that is why we win nothing. Nothing will change under overrated Ange.

Pat: Is there any actual coaching or management taking place at Spurs? Week after week we get the same tactics, the same failings and the same missed opportunities. The defending is atrocious, the midfield ineffective and the strikers non-existent. What on earth is Postecoglou doing to prepare this team for their matches?

Arsenal fans

Lewis: A good win and that's what matters. It is a derby - we saw how dangerous a derby can be on Merseyside - and we came out the other end of it with all three points. People say that Manchester United away was our 'hardest' game left, but it was always this game. Simply because it's the north London derby. Vamos!

Terry: A compelling first half with a deserved three goals, making the home side look very ordinary. What a change in the second half, Arsenal slowed up and the Raya fiasco gave Tottenham the belief they needed. They could have got something from the game. Fortunately, the resilience was there to hold on and we came away with three valuable points.

Reginald: Another outstanding match from Arsenal! It's going to be a tough fight to the end of the season. The goal difference helps us because it could come down to goal difference at the end of the season. Well done Arsenal, you can do it. Come on you Gunners.

Phil: Once again the Raya v Ramsdale issue has raised its head. Raya is supposed to be much better with his distribution, but he always looks a bit too eager to get us going forward to me. Because of this, he has made a number of distribution errors that have led to us conceding goals or facing very near misses.

Image source, Getty Images

Queens Park Rangers captain Asmir Begovic says Arsenal's defensive consistency has been the key to them challenging Manchester City so closely for the Premier League title.

"They have the look of a team that can win the league," said Begovic on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "They have competed at the top part of the table for so long because they are so well drilled.

"Their consistency in the back four helps a lot. The central pairing of Saliba and Gabriel is as good as it gets. They feed off each other and there is nothing better than when you are comfortable with who you are playing with.

"Their impressive defensive display is showing in results."

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