MIKEL ARTETA COULD BLOCK JULIAN ALVAREZ TO ARSENAL TRANSFER AS GUNNERS EYE £130M SWOOP

Julian Alvarez continues to be linked with a blockbuster move to Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal are reportedly willing to spend £130million on the signing of Julian Alvarez, but Mikel Arteta will insist on guarantees that he is genuinely keen on joining the Gunners. The forward is desperate to leave Atletico Madrid ahead of next week's deadline, having initially been eager to join Barcelona before their efforts were firmly rebuffed. It has left Alvarez in a sticky spot, with Atletico fans turning on him during their draw with Villarreal over the weekend.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to spend £130million on the signing of Julian Alvarez, but Mikel Arteta will insist on guarantees that he is genuinely keen on joining the Gunners. The forward is desperate to leave Atletico Madrid ahead of next week's deadline, having initially been eager to join Barcelona before their efforts were firmly rebuffed. It has left Alvarez in a sticky spot, with Atletico fans turning on him during their draw with Villarreal over the weekend.

The move would also require the Gunners to balance their finances, with Gabriel Martinelli edging towards a £50m move to Saudi club Al-Hilal.

That would represent a club-record sale for the newly-crowned Premier League champions.

Arsenal are also looking to offload Fabio Vieira with Hamburg driving to complete a deal, while Napoli have shown interest in Gabriel Jesus but the primary obstacle has been the forward's salary.

Jesus has also wished to remain in England but recognises his opportunities at Arsenal will be restricted.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal would even consider a swap deal for Alvarez that would see Viktor Gyokeres move the other way.

Mikel Arteta wants assurances that Alvarez is genuinely keen on the move (Image: Getty)

Reports in Spain have suggested that the Gunners could table a £55m bid with Gyokeres thrown in as a makeweight to drive down Atletico's asking price.

Meanwhile, the prospect of signing Juventus star Kenan Yildiz appears increasingly unlikely given the winger requires knee surgery.

The Gunners have already splashed out considerably this window on Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, meaning it is entirely plausible they could refrain from further activity even if Martinelli leaves.

Eberechi Eze remains an option to cover the left flank and Arsenal may choose to bide their time, but if the opportunity to land Alvarez arises and the player proves willing to make the switch, the north Londoners are thought to be receptive.

- John Cross and Archie Griggs

STUNNING GYOKERES HAT-TRICK FIRES SWEDEN TO WIN

Viktor Gyokeres netted a fine hat-trick to help Sweden move one step closer to World Cup qualification with a 3-1 win over Ukraine.

Sweden headed to Valencia for the European playoff semi-final, with our summer signing opening the scoring after just six minutes.

Viktor doubled his tally on 51 minutes before firing home a penalty to ensure he would take home the match ball. 

Sweden, managed by Graham Potter, will now face Poland, who defeated Albania in their semi-final, in Solna, with the winner advancing to the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

NORGAARD NETS 

There was more joy for our stars in the European playoffs as Christian Norgaard scored for Denmark as they took a step closer to qualifying for a third straight finals.

The Danes took on North Macedonia in Copenhagen and opened the scoring in the second half through Mikkel Damsgaard. The Brentford attacker then doubled his tally on the night before Rasmus Hojlund added a third.

There was still enough time for Christian to find the net, producing a bullet header from Christian Eriksen's cross to round off a fine night's work.

Denmark will now take on Czechia, who came from 2-0 down to beat Ireland on penalties and will host the playoff final in Prague.

CALAFIORI ONE AWAY FROM WORLD CUP

Elsewhere, Riccardo Calafiori ensured it was three wins from three in the European playoffs for our Gunners as Italy downed Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo.

Richy started for Gennaro Gattuso's side as Italy looked to right the wrongs of two previous failed qualifications - and it took 56 minutes to make the breakthrough courtesy of Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.

Former Everton attacker Moise Kean scored the second for Italy, who will now face Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the summer tournament in Zenica.

MARTINELLI MINUTES

Away from World Cup qualification, Gabriel Martinelli picked up his 21st cap for Brazil as the five-time World Cup champions took on France in Foxborough, USA.

Gabi started for Carlo Ancelotti's side and went close early on, bending his shot narrowly wide at the Gillette Stadium. 

Our forward played 62 minutes as goals from Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike gave Les Bleus a 2-1 victory, with Gleison Bremer netting for The Seleção.

Finally, Max Dowman played 88 minutes in England under-19s 2-0 defeat against Serbia. Max was bright throughout, forcing Vuk Draškić into two good saves.

FULL LIST OF CONFIRMED INTERNATIONAL GAMES

*all times UK

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

England U19 0-2 Serbia U19

Max Dowman started, played 88 minutes

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

Denmark 4-0 North Macedonia

Christian Norgaard netted late on in the victory

Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland

Riccardo Calafiori played the full 90 minutes, kept a clean sheet

Ukraine 1-3 Sweden

Viktor Gyokeres netted a hat-trick

Brazil 1-2 France

Gabriel Martinelli played 62 minutes

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Andorra U21 v England U21 (Setford, Lewis-Skelly)

Euro U21 qualifier | Andorra | 6.30pm

England (Saka, Madueke, White, Rice) v Uruguay

Friendly | Wembley | 7.45pm

Switzerland v Germany (Havertz)

Friendly | Basel | 8pm

Spain (Raya, Zubimendi, Mosquera) v Serbia

Friendly | Villarreal | 8pm

Morocco v Ecuador (Hincapie)

Friendly | Madrid, Spain | 8.15pm

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

England U19s (Dowman) v Poland U19s

Euro U19 qualifier | Guimaraes, Portugal | 11am

MONDAY, MARCH 30

Germany (Havertz) v Ghana

Friendly | Stuttgart | 7.45pm

TUESDAY, MARCH 31

Portugal U19s v England U19s (Dowman)

Euro U19 qualifier | Guimaraes, Portugal | 4pm

England U21s (Lewis-Skelly, Setford) v Moldova U21s

Euro U21 qualifier | Norwich | 7pm

Bosnia and Herzegovina v Italy (Calafiori)

World Cup qualifier | Zenica | 7.45pm

Czech Republic v Denmark (Norgaard)

World Cup qualifier | Prague | 7.45pm

Sweden (Gyokeres) v Poland 

World Cup qualifier | Solna | 7.45pm

England (Saka, Madueke, Rice, White) v Japan

Friendly | London | 7.45pm

Netherlands v Ecuador (Hincapie)

Friendly | Eindhoven | 7.45pm

Spain (Mosquera, Raya, Zubimendi) v Egypt

Friendly | Cornella | 8pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

Brazil (Martinelli) v Croatia

Friendly | Orlando USA | 1am

- Arsenal 

MIKEL ARTETA JUST MADE BIG STATEMENT THAT SHOWS ARSENAL CAN DO TJE UNTHINKABLE THIS SEASON

Arsenal are up and running in the Champions League thanks to their 2-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao.

The Gunners, who are also second in the Premier League table, struck in the second half through Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Martinelli fired Arsenal into the lead just 36 seconds after coming off the bench as he latched onto a ball over the top by Trossard in the 72nd minute.

Martinelli then repaid the favour, teeing up Trossard for an effort which was deflected into the net via the post in the 87th minute.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made a big statement in the win at San Mames which shows the Gunners can do the unthinkable this season.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Arsenal’s strength in depth is among the best in the league

Modern-day football is not only more intense than ever, but the workload has increased hugely over the past few years.

As a result, it’s not enough to have a brilliant first XI any more – any team that wants to challenge on multiple fronts needs to have great strength in depth.

Arsenal have had a strong XI for a number of years now, but all too often their title hopes were derailed by key injuries or fatigue.

Now, the Gunners boast incredible strength in depth, as they showed at the San Mames.

The two players who made the difference, both in terms of goals and assists, came off the bench after a mixed performance from those who started.

It wasn’t that long ago that the prospect of having Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and William Saliba out would have caused panic among Arsenal fans.

Now, it’s no longer a huge issue, as Arsenal showed on Tuesday – and even if those who start aren’t quite delivering, the subs are more than capable of making the difference.

Strength in depth is what turns teams that challenge for silverware into teams that win trophies.

Why there is more to come from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard

Martinelli and Trossard have split the Arsenal fanbase for a while now, but all the signs are pointing to the two players delivering many more contributions this season.

Trossard is yet to start a game for the Gunners this term, while Martinelli has been dropped to the bench for their last two matches, along with being an unused substitute against Leeds.

However, both have likely put themselves in contention for a starting spot against Manchester City on Sunday with their heroics against Bilbao.

Standards have risen massively all across the board, and those on the bench will be eager to work hard to reclaim a starting spot.

Meanwhile, those who start will be well aware that those on the bench will be snapping at their heels for those spots in the XI.

With that in mind, there will no doubt be much more to come from Trossard and Martinelli, along with all the other forwards competing for starting spots.

- Giuseppe Labellarte

ARSENAL PLAYER WAGES

 

BUKAYO SAKA REVEALS CHAT WITH ARSENAL LEGEND ON DAY OF FAMOUS REAL MADRID WIN

Gunners winger has also explained his goal celebration that evoked memories of Thierry Henry’s heroics at the Bernabeu

ARSENAL HERO: BUKAYO SAKA WAS ONE OF THE STARS OF THE SHOW AS THE GUNNERS BEAT REAL MADRID AGAIN AT THE BERNABEU

Bukayo Saka has revealed that he spoke to Thierry Henry on the morning of Arsenal’s latest famous victory over Real Madrid, but insists he did not deliberately evoke his famous Bernabeu goal celebration.

Saka set the Gunners on their way to a second successive victory over the current Champions League holders on Wednesday evening, atoning for his early Panenka penalty attempt that was easily saved by Thibaut Courtois as he executed a brilliant lofted finish to put Mikel Arteta’s side ahead on the night and stretch their commanding aggregate lead in the quarter-final tie.

Arsenal eventually won 2-1 in Spain after Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time effort that followed Vinicius Jr quickly responding to Saka’s opener after a blunder from William Saliba, completing an emphatic 5-1 victory overall after Declan Rice had produced two stunning free-kicks to inspire an initial 3-0 first-leg success at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Paris Saint-Germain now stand between them and a place in the Champions League final at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31, after the reigning French champions just snuck past Aston Villa on Tuesday night despite a rousing second-half fightback that saw Unai Emery’s men win 3-2 on the night but go down 5-4 on aggregate.

Barcelona meet Inter Milan in the other semi-final tie after their respective wins over German giants Borussia Dortmund and Bayern.

Saka was once again one of Arsenal’s star performers against Madrid as he made up for his missed penalty with a superb goal and afterwards revealed that he had spoken to club icon Henry ahead of the game.

Asked on CBS Sports if he planned a post-match FaceTime with the French legend - part of the interview as a pundit - Saka said: "100 per cent. I spoke to him this morning already but if he wants to speak again later, I'm going to be up. I'm not going to sleep tonight, let's be real."

Arsenal are the first English team ever to win twice at the Bernabeu, having become the first ever to do it in the Champions League back in the last 16 of the 2005/06 season, when Henry’s second-half goal sealed a 1-0 first-leg victory in Madrid.

A goalless second-leg draw at Highbury then sent the Gunners through and they later beat Juventus and Villarreal before losing in agonising fashion to Barcelona in their first and only Champions League final appearance to date in Paris.

Saka’s “shushing” reaction after scoring on Wednesday was the same as Henry produced at the Bernabeu 19 years ago, with the England winger posting pictures of the two celebrations side-by-side on Instagram after the game.

And while he certainly appreciated the symmetry, Saka insisted he did not deliberately replicate Henry after his own memorable moment at one of European football’s most iconic venues.

"To be fair, not really,” he said. “I just wanted to have my own moment, but of course Thierry has done the same here and it's nice that we can share this picture. It's nice."

- ADAM DAVY/PA WIRE

MIKEL ARTETA REVEALS RETURN PLAN FOR BUKAYO SAKA AHEAD OF REAL MADRID SHOWDOWN

Saka has been sidelined since December (Picture: Getty

Bukayo Saka is stepping up his recovery from a hamstring injury with the Arsenal star aiming to be in peak condition for the Champions League showdown with Real Madrid next month.

Saka has not featured since December, undergoing surgery after tearing his hamstring.

His absence has been a key factor behind Arsenal’s fading title challenge with Kai Havertz also sidelined for the rest of the season.

The England international has been working diligently on his return and it is hoped he will be able to make his comeback following the international break when Arsenal take on Fulham at the Emirates on 1 April.

A week on from that game, Arsenal welcome Real Madrid to north London for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The return leg follows a week later in Madrid with a home game against Brentford separating the two fixtures.

With most of the Arsenal squad set to head off on international duty after the weekend, Saka will step up the final stages of his rehabilitation before returning to full first-team training.  

Arsenal have missed their talisman (Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

‘He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground], hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had,’ said Arteta.

‘That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own.

‘Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.

‘He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making a very good progress I would say. So, let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.’

Arsenal have also been boosted by the return of Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian international also suffered a hamstring injury in early February, missing four games.

The Brazil international was back among the subs last Sunday for the 1-1 draw at Manchester United and came off the bench to get 11 minutes under his belt against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.  

- Tony Mogan

GABRIEL MARTINELLI WITH GABRIEL MAGALHÃE' DAUGHTER MAYA

Gabriel Martinelli with Gabriel Magalhães’ daughter Maya at the Emirates ❤️

ARSENAL CONFIRM KAI HAVERTZ'S DEVASTATING HAMSTRING INJURY AND REVEAL HOW LONG HE IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT

•  Arsenal have confirmed that Kai Havertz will need surgery on his hamstring  

• The German international suffered a hamstring injury during their trip to Dubai 

• LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Will Liverpool recover from Everton blow in season-defining week? 

Arsenal have confirmed that Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury while training in Dubai - and the prognosis for his time on the sidelines is a major blow.  

Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Tuesday night that the Arsenal star had suffered the worrying hamstring injury scare while on club’s training tripin the United Arab Emirates. 

Well-placed sources indicated that the injury will result in Havertz spending a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Now the club have confirmed that Havertz will have surgery in the coming days befoe undergoing a recovery and rehabilitation programme which will extend into pre-season.

'Everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible,' the club said in a statement on its website.  

The news arrives as a crushing blow to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is already without several attacking players with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli all missing through injury.

Havertz is the club’s top scorer this season with 15 goals and his absence will hit their ambitions of overhauling Liverpool at the top of the table this season.

Arsenal were criticised for not adding an attacker to their ranks during the January window and the injury to Havertz will only serve to intensify the backlash.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have explored the option of Takehiro Tomiyasu undergoing surgery to cure his long-standing knee problem.

The Japan defender has played just six minutes of football this season, coming on as a late substitute in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton in October following a three month recovery from a knee injury that saw him miss the start of the season.

But he has not featured since that win over the Saints after suffering an injury setback.

Indeed, Mail Sport understands there is emerging concern for Tomiyasu’s long-term fitness with club medics believed to have given serious consideration to the option of an operation for their versatile defender.

It is unclear whether a final decision on surgery has been made - but it has been an option discussed at the club’s London Colney HQ.

A new operation would require a lengthy rehabilitation programme and likely rule Tomiyasu out for a significant period of time.

In 2023, Tomiyasu underwent his first knee operation which kept the 26-year-old out of action for three months.

With that in mind, a second procedure on the joint would arrive as a blow to Tomiyasu, whose time at Arsenal has been beset by injury issues.

Speaking last month head coach Mikel Arteta provided a positive update on Tomiyasu’s fitness saying: ‘Tomi has done some stuff on the pitch, but now because it’s been a long-term injury, we need to see how quickly he can progress and how he reacts.’

But there is now some pessimism regarding Tomiyasu’s fitness amplified by the discussions over a potential operation.

The imminent return to fitness of Ben White will help to soften the blow of Tomiyasu’s ongoing unavailability.

White, who himself underwent knee surgery in November, is set to return and could be named in the squad to face Leicester this weekend.

- LUKE POWER and SAMI MOKBEL

ARSENAL LEGEND THIERRY HENRY SPEAKING ON ARSENAL'S CURRENT FORM

 

CHELSEA MANAGER MARESCA SAYS TEAM ON BRINK OF BEATING TITLE RIVALS

Chelsea.com

Enzo Maresca is adamant Chelsea are on the verge of knocking over one of their title rivals after seeing his side draw 1-1 with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Chelsea are third in the Premier League, and had Pedro Neto's 70th minute goal to thank for their point against Arsenal after Gabriel Martinelli opened the score for the visitors after 60 minutes.

The result means Chelsea are still waiting for a statement win in the league under Maresca having fallen to defeats to both Manchester City and Liverpool.

But after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Maresca is confident Chelsea will soon get the elusive win over those teams at the top of the table.

"I said many times, do you think we deserve to lose to Liverpool? No. Very soon we will win these kinds of games -- the performance is important as if you draw tonight and you didn't play well, you would be happy. But look -- Bournemouth away we didn't deserve to win, and we did. Against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, we deserved to win, and we didn't. Soon we will win -- the performance was good."

He added: "We are very happy. For me we are behind these kinds of clubs like City and Arsenal as they've worked every day with the same manager. We are behind them, but Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world and we need to compete and try to win games. We tried to compete and very soon we will win these kinds of games."

Chelsea started Cole Palmer after he picked up an injury against Manchester United last weekend after being on the wrong end of a robust challenge from Lisandro Martínez. He was seen limping after the draw with Arsenal, but Maresca allayed any concerns over his fitness ahead of the international break.

"I don't think we took any risks," Maresca said. "He was a doubt, but his performance was very good. He's painful now, but it's not something important."

And Maresca said he had no concerns over Noni Madueke's reaction after the winger looked angry at being substituted in the 68th minute.

"The problem is when you change a player, they are never happy," Maresca said. "Probably the only way to be happy is after a hat trick, but it's not only about Noni, it's about the players as they want to be there through to the end.

"At that moment [in the match] we saw a different way. We thought Pedro [Neto] with [Jurrien] Timber could be more aggressive -- so it was a tactical decision."

- Tom Hamilton, Senior Writer

ARSENAL RATINGS: SAKA, TROSSARD STAR IN WIN VS. LEICESTER

Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka celebrate after Arsenal take the lead vs. Leicester City in the Premier League. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they secured a 4-2 victory over Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners dominated the first half and got themselves in front when Jurriën Timber crossed low towards Gabriel Martinelli, who registered his first Premier League goal of the season with an accurate finish. Martinelli was a regular spark for the home side's attack throughout the opening 45 minutes, and he was involved again before the break when providing the assist for Leandro Trossard to double the lead.

Manager Mikel Arteta looked comfortable as his side enjoyed 76% possession by the end of the first half, but it was just moments after the restart when the Foxes responded, with James Justin's effort deflected off Kai Havertz from Facundo Buonanotte's free kick.

Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen kept his side in it with saves against Gabriel Magalhães and then Trossard, before a spectacular effort from Justin was smashed in off the post to level the scoring. Hermansen was involved again when a poor pass out from the back allowed Declan Rice to play in Trossard, only for the 29-year-old to see his effort saved.

Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri were introduced as Arsenal looked to get a late winner, and after Hermansen made one more save from Riccardo Calafiori, it was one corner too many in the 94th minute as Trossard's effort was deflected in by Wilfred Ndidi to win the game. Havertz added a late goal to seal it with one of the final kicks of the match.

Positives

Arsenal's victory puts them on level points with Manchester City, while they continued to show how they continue to win games late, while being the best in the league at converting set pieces. Bukayo Saka's performance was also noteworthy, in an almost faultless display on the day.

Negatives

There were some moments when concentration could have been better, with Calafiori taking a chance on a yellow card -- but those were minor negatives in an otherwise convincing performance.

Manager rating (1-10)

Mikel Arteta, 7 -- Arteta's side created more than enough chances to win the game, and the Arsenal manager was unlucky to see his side concede from a deflected set piece and then a spectacular strike. Some might argue he could have made the introduction of Sterling sooner, but the Gunners did have a massive chance to retake the lead a minute before he came on.

Player ratings (1-10; 10: best. Players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)

GK David Raya, 5 -- There was little to do for Raya as Arsenal dominated the first half, but he had to pick the ball out of his net moments after the restart, with Leicester City converting from their free kick.

DF Riccardo Calafiori, 6 -- The Italy international combined well with Martinelli when advancing up the left flank, and was encouraged to shoot by the Emirates Stadium crowd after his effort against Manchester City last week. He could have been tighter to Justin before his strike, and was also careless with some challenges which may have seen him sent off on another day. Almost scored the winner with a powerful header but was denied by Hermansen.

DF Gabriel Magalhães, 6 -- Gabriel was a constant danger on set pieces as usual and came close to scoring when forcing a save from Hermansen. Composed in possession, and helped quickly restart attacks for his side after receiving the ball.

DF William Saliba, 7 -- A strong display from Saliba saw him regularly win the ball back with aggressive challenges high up the pitch, which allowed Arsenal to maintain pressure when their opponents tried to clear the danger. Involved in the first goal when challenging Jamie Vardy who claimed for a foul before the Gunners scored, but there didn't look to be too much in it. Booked in the second half for a foul on Vardy.

DF Jurriën Timber, 7 -- Timber fared well against Leicester City's attempts to counter-attack and dealt well against the threat of Stephy Mavididi. Registered an assist with a low cross that was delivered across the box to Martinelli.

MF Thomas Partey, 6 -- Kept things ticking in midfield by moving the ball on to Arsenal's more creative players, but didn't have too much to do defensively, with the majority of Leicester City's attacks going down the flanks.

MF Declan Rice, 7 -- An all-round strong midfield performance saw Rice help control the game as well as win possession back consistently, impressing with his decision-making. Played in Trossard after a big error from Hermansen, and was unlucky not to get an assist after the goalkeeper made amends with a save.

MF Kai Havertz, 6 -- The 25-year-old timed his runs well into the penalty area and was able to connect with multiple crosses but couldn't trouble the goalkeeper. He was also too deep from Leicester City's free kick, deflecting Justin's effort into his own goal. Got himself on the scoresheet late on to seal Arsenal's 4-2 victory.

FW Gabriel Martinelli, 8 -- Martinelli always looked to beat his marker down the left-flank and where he provided a regular option when Arsenal won the ball back high up the pitch. Got things up and running with a strong finish from Timber's low cross, and then turned provider to assist Trossard as the Gunners made it 2-0. Replaced by Sterling in the second half.

FW Leandro Trossard, 8 -- The Belgium international got into consistent intelligent positions and was rewarded at the end of the first half as he finished accurately from Martinelli's cut-back. Missed a big chance in the second half but made amends with his effort that was deflected into the goal in the 94th minute.

FW Bukayo Saka, 9 -- There was always a sense that something could happen when Saka had the ball on the right-flank, where Leicester City even struggled to deal with the 23-year-old when they doubled up on him. Impressed when beating his man down the line as well as cutting inside, and he consistently carried the ball into dangerous areas before creating shooting opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes = no rating)

Raheem Sterling (on for Martinelli, 74"), N/R -- Positive in possession and tried to beat his marker down the line, but couldn't get his deliveries into the box.

Ethan Nwaneri (Partey, 85"), N/R -- Brought on and provided an instant lift to the crowd amid a confident performance, and was involved as he helped win the corner that put Leicester under all sorts of pressure.

Gabriel Jesus (Trossard, 98",) N/R -- Introduced as Arsenal looked to play the remainder of the game out.

- Adam Brown

GABRIEL MARTINELLI MILESTONE

 

ARSENAL FIND SCORING FORM IN 5-0 WIN OVER CRYSTAL PALACE

Gabriel's ninth minute header gave Arsenal an early lead against Crystal Palace.
Getty

 Arsenal returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 drubbing of toothless London rivals Crystal Palace to climb into third in the Premier League on Saturday.

Gabriel's headed goal from a corner and a Dean Henderson own goal -- courtesy of another Gabriel header from a corner -- put Mikel Arteta's side in control in the first-half. Leandro Trossard furthered their lead just short of the hour mark with a clinical finish from a sweeping move.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli added gloss to the scoreline with two almost identical finishes in added time.

Palace, who are 14th, had a few chances of their own and almost equalised when Jefferson Lerma's swerving shot was well-saved by David Raya shortly before Arsenal made it 2-0.

Such was Arsenal's comfort that Arteta was able to make four substitutions late on with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Trossard and Gabriel all being given a breather.

Arsenal's victory ended a run of three successive defeats in all competitions and put them level on 43 points with Aston Villa and champions Manchester City. Arsenal's goal difference is superior to Villa's but worse than City's. 

ARSENAL MOVE 5 POINTS CLEAR IN PREMIER LEAGUE AFTER LAST-GAP WIN BUT RAYA'S FORM REMAINS A CONCERN

AP Photo

As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya sprinted the length of the field to celebrate the last-gasp winner with his jubilant teammates.

No player will have been more relieved than Raya to see Declan Rice's glancing header creep into the corner and seal a chaotic 4-3 victory over Luton in the Premier League on Tuesday.

While Rice is proving value for money after his club-record signing in July, Raya — another offseason recruit — remains an issue for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as the team bids to win the league title after last season's near miss.

Arsenal moved five points clear with its fourth straight victory in the league, overcoming errors from Raya that led to two goals for Luton by netting in the seventh minute of stoppage time through Rice at Kenilworth Road.

“The spirit of the team — how we fought, showed our quality in the right moments and never gave up,” Arteta said. “We went for it and got our rewards.”

Arteta chose not to talk about the mistakes by Raya, which looked like they'd be costly for Arsenal.

The team was leading 2-1 in the 49th minute when the Spanish goalkeeper was beaten in the air at a corner by Elijah Adebayo, who powered in a header for an equalizer.

Eight minutes later, Raya allowed a shot by Ross Barkley to go under his body as he dived to his left.

Luton, a promoted team likely to be battling relegation this season, was suddenly 3-2 ahead and Raya didn't know where to look.

RICE SCORES LATE WINNER FOR ARSENAL IN 4-3 VICTORY OVER LUTON IN PREMIER LEAGUE AFTER RAYA'S ERRORS

AP Photo 

LUTON, England (AP) — Declan Rice scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to earn Premier League leader Arsenal a wild 4-3 win over Luton and spare the blushes of teammate David Raya on Tuesday.

Raya made errors that led to two goals for Luton, leaving Arsenal on the cusp of dropping two points at Kenilworth Road.

However, with the clock having run past the six allotted minutes of stoppage time, Rice got on the end of Martin Odegaard's cross and glanced a header into the bottom corner for a victory that lifted Arsenal five points clear of second-place Liverpool.

“Those are the moments you look back on,” Rice said. "What a game — to score the winner is an honor.”

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored either side of Gabriel Osho’s equalizer for Luton as Arsenal led 2-1 at halftime, with Mikel Arteta’s team going in search of a fourth straight victory in the Premier League and sixth in a row in all competitions.

Then came Raya's mistakes.

THE TWO GABIS...| BRAZIL 🇧🇷 | ARSENAL 2-1 SEVILLA

 

GABRIEL MARTINELLI OUT FOR THE SEASON

 

Gabrielle Martinelli will not be able to play in thenlast two games for Arsenal after injuring his ankle in their loss against Brighton & Hove Albion.

CELEBRATING BEFORE SCORING | MARTINELLI | ASTON VILLA VS. ARSENAL