A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Declan Rice fumes at one Gunners target in England’s draw against Denmark and Edu closes in on a transfer for a 43-goal striker.
Arsenal star Declan Rice’s England role leaves Alan Shearer ‘frustrated’
Three Lions legend Alan Shearer admits that watching how Arsenal star Declan Rice plays for England is ‘frustrating’ after their 1-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024. The Premier League all-time top goalscorer took real issue with how Gareth Southgate is utilising the midfielder.
Shearer finds it mystifying that Southgate only seeks to task Rice with sitting back to unleash Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield. It also means John Stones cannot make the centre-half’s advancing runs like he does for Manchester City. All the while England look like a tired team.
England seemed shattered as they hung onto a 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday. But the way that Southgate plays Arsenal star Rice frustrates Shearer, who feels the England boss is failing to get the most out of the talented stars at his disposal over their first Euro 2024 ties.
Shearer told BBC Sport: “I spoke after the game about John Stones and how, in two games at this tournament, we have not once seen him come out of defence with the ball or operate in midfield like he does all the time for Manchester City.
“Similarly, if you were listening to my co-commentary of the Denmark draw, you would have heard how frustrated I was that we are not seeing Declan Rice burst forward from midfield the way he does for Arsenal.
“Gareth is a bright guy, so he will know what is coming. He will also know that his job is to get the best out of his players, and he is not doing that at the moment.”
Read more about what Shearer has said about watching Rice for England, here.
Arsenal close in on securing Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer from Sporting CP
Arsenal sporting director Edu is close to an agreement with Sporting CP over the transfer of striker Viktor Gyokeres. That is according to Leonino, which reports that talks have reached an advanced stage to bring the 26-year-old to north London following a 43-goal campaign.
Gyokeres only joined Sporting from Coventry City last summer but instantly adapted to the Leoes. The Sweden striker also scored 29 of his 43 goals in 33 Liga Portugal games plus five in nine Europa League ties. Now, Arsenal are determined to clinch Gyokeres’ transfer to N5.
Mikel Arteta told Edu to sign a striker after Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus only scored five and four goals in 27 Premier League games each last term. Gyokeres will want to prove his worth in the English top-flight after firing 41 goals in 110 Championship games at Coventry.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Gyokeres’ transfer from Sporting, here.
Declan Rice fumes at Arsenal target Jordan Pickford as England draw with Denmark
Gabby Agbonlahor fears it is ‘not a good sign’ that England players were arguing during their 1-1 draw with Denmark after Arsenal star Declan Rice tore into Jordan Pickford. The 53-cap midfielder let rip at the Everton goalkeeper as Pickford rushed his long kick and lost the ball.
Rice pleaded with Pickford to play the ball short to try and instil some control in the game as England laboured. But the 30-year-old’s attempted pass just turned over possession again in Frankfurt. Agbonlahor also claims they were not the only England players to have a clash.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT (21/06/24, 09:27): “Pickford wanted to get the ball and kick it quickly long. Declan Rice was screaming at him, saying calm down [and] play it short. You were seeing a bit of arguing between the players, as well. That’s not a good sign.”
Seeing Rice and Pickford clash over the goalkeeper’s desire to play quickly may not sit well with Arsenal, as well. TEAMtalk has linked the Gunners with an interest in the 63-cap shot-stopper. But Arsenal may have to contend with Chelsea for Pickford’s transfer this summer.
Read more about Rice and Pickford’s spat as England drew with Denmark, here.