The Gunners, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are among the clubs interested in Roma's 25-year-old Ivory Coast defender Evan Ndicka, who is rated at 40m euros (£33.4m). (Caught Offside), external
Saka 'lifted the stadium' - Artetapublished at 23:16 1 April
23:16 1 April
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports about goalscorer Bukayo Saka: "Good opportunity to see how much people love him and missed him.
"When you are away it's good to understand who you are as a person and the reception was magnificent. He lifted the stadium, he deserved it and he deserved it because he does things every day. Good example.
"It was for the team who helped him during the rehab. It was a good moment. It's about energy and when the stadium is behind the team and showing support and encouragement it lifts the whole place. Exactly what we need.
"We deserved to win the game. We were dominant but it's true we conceded the goal because we didn't defend the box well enough. When you concede a goal two minutes to go in the Premier League you hang in there for the rest.
"We expected this [from Fulham], well coached, difficult to get through. Have to be patient and aggressive, our front line was and [Gabriel] Martinelli had a good game.
"We are strong as a team, the culture is strong, the willingness to adapt and go for it is also there."
On Gabriel: "We are worried because he never wants to come off. He's not sure about how big it is and what it is exactly.
On if it was a hamstring injury: "He felt something there yes."
On whether he is a doubt for Real Madrid: "It depends, the way he is normally, difficult but lets see."
On Jurrien Timber injury: "He was struggling earlier and yesterday he wasn't at his best but we lost Ben [White] as well so he did a big effort to try and play."
Saka return 'a real boost' - Ricepublished at 22:54 1 April
22:54 1 April
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, speaking to Sky Sports about Bukayo Saka: "The reception speaks for itself. That's why he's one of the best wingers in the world because he attacks the box and sniffs the goal.
"You take them, he's in the right position at the right time and topped off a great night for him and for us.
"He gives us an outlet. All of our front players are so different and rotate so well. [Gabriel] Martinelli - unbelievable tonight, real outlet for us and done well for Bukayo's goal. With Bukayo back it's a real boost."
On the overall game: "Tough. Most teams play back fives here now and it's down to us to break that down. Tough when they come to the edge of the box. You have to be mindful. It was comfortable but probably the last 10-15 minutes we were a bit naive and they could've scored two or three."
On Gabriel injury: "I don't know what's happened, I hope he's OK because he's been arguably our best player this season and we need him for big matches and big occasions."
On Liverpool and league title: "We know we're behind them in the league. We can only control what we can do and that's to win our eight games. We've slipped up one too many times this season, we will keep hunting them down and keep putting pressure on them that's all we can do."
Arteta must 'proceed with caution' around Sakapublished at 16:42 1 April
16:42 1 April
Laura Kirk-Francis Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
With Premier League football returning for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has a tricky job on his hands balancing the run-in with Champions League ambitions.
On Monday, Arteta confirmed Bukayo Saka, who has not played for Arsenal since before Christmas, is fit to return to face Fulham. The immediate reaction from fans has been first excitement and relief. Saka has been an enormous miss for the Gunners for the past few months. He will surely receive a rapturous welcome back should he play.
However, the majority of fans will still have one eye on the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. This is one of the biggest games in Arsenal's recent history, and the type of match-up fans have been craving.
There are two games before that: Fulham and then the trip to Goodison Park on Saturday. Sure, seeing Saka back will be great, but there is a sense the more important fixture is still a week away.
This is a delicate situation. While chasing down Liverpool is unlikely, the last thing Arsenal need is to be dragged into a scrap for the top four. Arsenal are currently nine points above fourth-placed Chelsea, but will need their attention on the Champions League if they are to win any silverware this season.
The Premier League title might be all but lost, but Arsenal cannot afford to take their eye off these next few games entirely.
Saka is the player Arsenal need the most to overcome the Spanish champions. As such, fans will be urging Arteta to manage his return carefully and proceed with caution.
'It's going to be a big one' - Arteta on summer transfer windowpublished at 11:46 1 April
11:46 1 April
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta anticipates a "big" summer of spending to take "the next step" in their hunt for silverware.
The Gunners' transfer business has been a topic of conversation for the past few campaigns, with particular emphasis on the absence of a number nine.
As things stand, the Gunners will finish as runners-up for the third consecutive Premier League season, though they are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Following the departure of sporting director Edu, Arteta will be working with his successor Andrea Berta to strengthen his squad in areas that have particularly suffered in the past few months as they try to "evolve the team".
"It's going to be a big one [summer] and we are very excited about it," said Arteta. "When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.
"Every summer is big because it is an opportunity - and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now, that is necessary.
"But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team."
'We need to protect Saka... Real Madrid game is more important'published at 11:12 1 April
11:12 1 April
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Former Wolves striker and Arsenal academy product Jay Bothroyd says he does not want Bukayo Saka to "come back too soon", with the Gunners winger set to return from injury in Tuesday's visit of Fulham.
Mikel Arteta said in his pre-match news conference that Saka was "ready to go" and in contention to start for the first time since limping off against Crystal Palace on 21 December.
"Obviously there has been a lot of talk about Saka coming back but, if I'm honest, I'm going against the grain," Bothroyd told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"I don't really want to see Saka for a while because the hamstring can be a funny injury and it was a rupture - he did have it reattached.
"I don't want him to come back too soon. There is the big Real Madrid game coming up, which is more important. Maybe give him a few minutes but if Arteta is thinking about starting him then I'm not on the side of that.
"We need to protect Saka. He's been playing since such a young age week in, week out. It's caught up with him and that's why he's got that type of injury now.
"But, it's great that he could potentially be back soon."
Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Fulhampublished at 08:34 1 April
08:34 1 April
Arsenal's title hopes may only be faint but they have still got to try to exert a bit of pressure on Liverpool.
Win this, and they are nine points behind the leaders before Arne Slot's side play again. I want to see Liverpool pushed, and no other result will do.
It won't be easy for Arsenal, though - I was at the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage in December, which finished 1-1, and that was a typical Fulham performance in that they were dangerous on the counter-attack.
They showed that day what a capable side they are, and they have several former Arsenal players in their squad who will want to prove a point again too.
Marco Silva's side had a disappointing defeat at home by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup on Saturday, but they actually played really well in the first half of that game.
It's hard to know where some teams are at form wise, coming out of the international break, and if Arsenal are not at the races then Fulham are going to cause them more problems this time.
I actually think the Gunners will find a way to win this one, though.
Bukayo Saka's return after more than three months out will lift Emirates Stadium even if he starts the game on the bench and, if they need it, he will supply a spark whenever he gets on the pitch.
Arsenal v Fulham: Did you know?published at 07:25 1 April
07:25 1 April
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Arsenal have never lost in 31 home league games against Fulham, winning 24 and drawing seven. It is the most home games one side has played against another without losing in English Football League history.
However, Fulham are unbeaten in their past three league games against Arsenal (W1 D2) and only once have they had a longer run without defeat against the Gunners (four between May 2011 and November 2012).
Arsenal have won all seven of their Premier League games on 1 April by an aggregate score of 25-3. No team has a better 100% win record on a specific date in the competition's history.
Arsenal are considering 22-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt and France Under-21 striker Hugo Ekitike as an alternative to Newcastle United and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25. (Mirror), external
Bukayo Saka will enter new contract talks, with the Gunners' new sporting director Andrea Berta keen for the forward to sign a long-term deal. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Arteta on 'ready to go' Saka, Berta's arrival and Fulhampublished at 11:39 31 March
11:39 31 March
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game at home to Fulham (19:45 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Arteta confirmed Bukayo Saka has returned from injury, is "ready to go" and in contention to start on Tuesday: "All the careful things are already done so now it's about putting him in the grass in the right moments. We worked to all the deadlines. He is really pushing - we had to hold him back."
He added that Riccardo Califiori suffered a "really unfortunate" knee injury while playing for Italy. He added the injury "could have been much worse" and will be "hopefully a matter of weeks" but Arsenal will "have to see how the injury evolves".
Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber has suffered "quite badly" with an illness but "has felt much better in the last few days" and is available.
On what Saka's return promises for Arsenal: "Bukayo is a massive weapon that we have. We know the impact he has in the team and how important his role and contribution is to our success. It's great to have him back again."
On the arrival of Andrea Berta as sporting director: "Big addition to the club. It's about building now that chemistry and belief. We are all very excited to have him. He is a very honest and straightforward person. He has a very clear vision of what he wants to do. He was so willing to join us, which is positive. He had many other possibilities but has chosen to come to us"
On returning from the international break: "We had a good time to reflect and put ourselves in a really good position to go for the most exciting part of the season. The preparation is to be better than Fulham and beat them. If we do that, we will start to build a momentum that will help us in both competitions."
When asked about Myles Lewis-Skelly scoring on his England debut against Albania, Arteta said: "Great moment. We are all so happy for him. A very special week for him."
Arsenal to face Spurs in Hong Kongpublished at 08:17 31 March
08:17 31 March
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Arsenal will travel to Asia as part of their 2025-26 pre-season tour and face rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on Thursday, 31 July.
The Gunners, who have not been to the continent since 2012, will kick off at the new Kai Tak Stadium at 11:30 BST.
Managing director Richard Garlick said: "Everyone at Arsenal is excited to be visiting Hong Kong in July. It's great to be back with our men's first-team squad after 13 years, and gives us the opportunity to meet so many of our fantastic supporters in the region again.
"Playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium will be a great experience for both teams and supporters, and will be a very important part of our pre-season preparations."
Gossip: Cunha and Gyokeres on Berta's shopping listpublished at 07:28 31 March
07:28 31 March
Arsenal could be a possible destination for Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, who has a £62.5m release clause, as new Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta helped sign the forward for Atletico Madrid in 2021. (Mail), external
Berta has also been a long-term admirer of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and the 26-year-old Sweden forward is a prominent candidate as Arsenal look to bolster their attacking options. (Athletic - subscription required), external
