A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Patrick Vieira admits he feels ‘sorry’ for the Gunners amid claims surrounding coach Mikel Arteta’s contract at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have the edge over Chelsea and Manchester United to sign Michael Olise
Arsenal have the edge over Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. That is according to the Mirror, which claims that the trio, Liverpool and Newcastle United are all studying swoops for the 22-year-old after his productive campaign.
Olise only featured in 19 and started 14 Premier League games due to injury in 2023/24. Yet he still managed to score 10 goals and laid on a further six assists from 1,277 minutes. Now, Crystal Palace face a fight to keep Olise in south London with Chelsea preparing a firm offer.
The Eagles will want £60m to sell the forward with Oliver Glasner preparing for next season with the France U21 gem in his plans. But he could force a move if the right suitor comes to his door. Olise is keen to play Champions League football next term, gifting Arsenal an edge.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Olise’s transfer from Crystal Palace, here.
Patrick Vieira admits he ‘felt sorry’ for Arsenal in the 23/24 title race
Highbury legend Patrick Vieira has admitted that he ‘felt sorry’ for Arsenal after Manchester City won the Premier League title. But he predicts Mikel Arteta will oversee another bid for the crown next season after seeing the north London side play some ‘unbelievable’ football.
Vieira respects the defence and attack that Arteta has built to see Arsenal push Manchester City for the past two seasons. No side conceded fewer goals than the Gunners (29) through the 2023/24 season. Only the Citizens (96) also outscored Arteta’s men (91) over 38 games.
The only ‘problem’ for Arsenal, as far as Vieira is concerned, is that Manchester City did not have a bad season. Both squads won a division-high 28 games in 23/24. But Pep Guardiola’s squad drew seven and lost three, while Arteta stomached five defeats and took five draws.
Vieira told the Manchester City website: “To be honest, I felt sorry for Arsenal because they had a really good season and I really enjoyed watching them. They played some really good football. They have some really good talent and the problem for Arsenal was City.
“If City had a bad season, Arsenal would win the league. Arsenal are very strong defensively. Up front, they have some really good players and they played fantastically well. I watched some of their games and they were unbelievable.
“Arsenal closed the gap and it will be even more interesting next season if they can keep that momentum. I think they will be challenging City.”
Read more about what Vieira has had to say about the Premier League title, here.
Arsenal are ‘convinced’ that Mikel Arteta will sign a new contract
Arsenal are ‘convinced’ that Mikel Arteta will sign a new contract and reject a possible move to FC Barcelona. That is according to Dean Jones, who reports Camp Nou chiefs retain their admiration of Arteta after sacking Xavi Hernandez, despite his U-turn after deciding to stay.
Barcelona had initially studied a move to convince Arteta to return to Catalunya when Xavi resigned in January. But president Joan Laporta convinced Xavi to stay a month ago, only to now sack him. But Arsenal have ‘every confidence’ that Arteta will soon sign a new contract.
Arteta is currently only under contract at Emirates Stadium until June 2025. But Arsenal will push to have him put pen to paper on new terms before the end of 2024. The Gunners also hope they can convince the Barcelona product to extend his commitment to the club soon.
Read more about what Jones has had to say about Arteta’s Arsenal contract, here.