The 22-year-old has two years left on his current deal.

It is thought Ajax want in excess of £30m, although personal terms are not thought likely to be a problem if an agreement over the fee is reached.

The Gunners, who finished second in the Premier League last season, are optimistic about completing a deal.

However, other clubs, including Bayern Munich, are known to be interested in signing the player this summer.

Timber made 47 appearances in all competitions for Ajax last season, including all six of their games in the Champions League group stage. He helped the Amsterdam side to win the Eredivisie title in 2021 and 2022.

He has 15 caps for the Netherlands, playing in four of their 2022 World Cup matches as the Dutch reached the quarter-finals.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his defence in what could be a summer of change at the club.

There is uncertainty over the futures of midfielders Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka amid ongoing interest in West Ham skipper Declan Rice.

The post Arsenal make £30m bid for highly rated Ajax and Netherlands defender, Jurrien Timber appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

However, it is understood the initial offer for the 24-year-old has left the Hammers unimpressed as it contains a number of clauses.

Sources at West Ham do expect further communication from Arsenal, although they are also anticipating an offer from Manchester City.

City are refusing to comment on potential interest in Rice.

There is uncertainty over the futures of City captain Ilkay Gundogan and team-mate Bernardo Silva, which could force the club’s manager, Pep Guardiola, into the transfer market.

West Ham chairman David Sullivan has said he is “99%” sure that Rice, who captained the Hammers to victory in the Europa Conference League earlier this month, will leave the club this summer.

Rice has played 245 games and scored 15 goals for West Ham, having made his debut in the 2016-17 season after coming through the academy.

He has been capped 41 times by England, playing in all five of their matches at last winter’s World Cup.

Rice has one year left on his contract, although the Hammers have the option to extend that until the summer of 2025, leaving them in a strong position to negotiate a substantial transfer fee.

The post West Ham turn down first Arsenal bid for England midfielder, Declan Rice appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

It is the first time since 1954 that the Gunners have lost their three opening games of the league season and this match was effectively over by half-time.

City captain Ilkay Gundogan and striker Ferran Torres scored in the first 12 minutes and any hope Arsenal had of an unlikely comeback was ended when midfielder Granit Xhaka was sent off for lunging into a challenge on Joao Cancelo.

A trademark teasing run from £100m man Jack Grealish set up Gabriel Jesus for an easy third just before the break, then Rodri guided home a fourth from 20 yards just after it.

Such was his side’s total control that City manager Pep Guardiola had used all three substitutes within 16 minutes of the second half starting. It turned into an extended keep-ball session for the hosts, who finished off the rout with Torres’ second six minutes from time.

Guardiola’s counterpart and former assistant Mikel Arteta looked shell-shocked in the other technical area as Raheem Sterling – twice – Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez wasted opportunities to increase the margin of victory still further.

By the end, Arsenal had managed a single shot – off target – and 19% possession. They are still to score in the Premier League this season and immediately after the international break play Norwich, the team they replaced at the foot of the table.

After being forced to abandon their hopes of prising Harry Kane out of Tottenham and opting not to pursue a deal for Manchester United-bound Cristiano Ronaldo, it appears Guardiola will attack the new season without an orthodox number nine.

If his side continue to meet opponents as accommodating as Arsenal, there will be no problem.

The Gunners defence was so flimsy, it scarcely did justice to their status as a Premier League outfit.

City’s opener looked good on the eye. But there was no challenge on Bernardo Silva as he strode through the visitors’ midfield, no effective closing down of Jesus as he lined up his cross and barely a challenge on Gundogan – hardly the greatest physical threat – as he rose at the far post. Add in Bernd Leno’s weak attempt to keep the ball out of his goal and it summed up everything that is wrong about the visitors.

At one point, Ederson stood for fully 10 seconds, not moving, as he decided where to aim his clearance. Eventually Emile Smith-Rowe closed the Brazilian down and forced him to do something.

Perhaps he was a little bored. Earlier, he had delayed for so long an intended pass from his own goal-line that Smith-Rowe almost nicked the ball but could only watch as it ricocheted off him and narrowly wide of the far post. That was as close as Arsenal came to scoring.

In his programme notes Guardiola proclaimed this would be a ‘tough game’ for his team. By the end, it was City’s biggest ever win against the Gunners and their third successive 5-0 home win in the league.

Arsenal’s performance dispelled any notion that a 6-0 Carabao Cup triumph over a team of West Brom youngsters in midweek might shunt Arteta’s under-firing group into life.

The return of skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and new signing Martin Odegaard made no noticeable difference to two previously tepid performances against Brentford and Chelsea.

The Gunners’ hapless state was exemplified by Xhaka.

An experienced international, needed to guide the youngsters around him, Xhaka’s response to his team going two goals down so early in a key game was to launch himself at Cancelo in a manner that made referee Martin Atkinson’s decision to brandish a red card automatic.

Arteta offered some sympathy to the Swiss as he made his way down the tunnel and spoke to the fourth official in a manner that indicated he felt the decision was wrong.

He may have a different opinion when he reviews the incident – but there is far more for Arteta to find criticism of from this.

Manchester City are next in action at Leicester on Saturday, 11 September (15:00 BST). On the same day, Arsenal entertain Norwich (15:00).

The post Man City thrash 10-man Arsenal appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Defeat meant Mikel Arteta’s side have now lost four straight league games at home for the first time in 61 years.

Gunners skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wretched run of form continued as he failed to score at the right end – and headed an own goal at the other end.

Burnley’s winner came after Xhaka was dismissed on 58 minutes for grabbing the throat of Clarets midfielder Ashley Westwood – the Swiss midfielder given a red card after referee Graham Scott reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor.

The Gunners had plenty of attempts at goal but most of them were dealt with comfortably by Nick Pope, a superb reflex save to keep out Alexandre Lacazette’s low strike aside.

Burnley’s victory lifts them out of the relegation zone, a point clear of Fulham, while Arsenal stay in a lowly 15th place.

Arteta will celebrate one year in charge of Arsenal on 26 December and his reign looked full of optimism when he led the club to FA Cup success last season.

Although they have reached the Europa League knockout stages this term, Arsenal’s league form has been woeful both at home and away – they have lost seven of their past 10 games overall – and questions will soon be asked of Arteta’s capabilities.

There were 2,000 supporters in attendance at a subdued Emirates Stadium and those watching will have been less than pleased at their side’s showing, while it was all too much for one supporter who covered his eyes with his face mask.

Arsenal’s profligacy in front of goal has now seen them go 12 hours and 32 top-flight minutes without finding the net from open play.

Mesut Ozil has been banished from the first team, but they badly lack a player of his quality, someone who possesses the cutting edge to create chances in the final third.

Of their openings, Kieran Tierney had a drive smothered by the inspired Pope, while Bukayo Saka’s strike was straight at the England international goalkeeper.

Lacazette had his side’s best chance in the opening period but the Frenchman now has just a solitary goal in his last 11 appearances, while Aubameyang – whose own goal settled the game – has scored only twice in the past 12 games.

They felt flat once Xhaka was shown a red card – the Switzerland international was initially given a yellow card for a trip on Dwight McNeil but lost his cool when Westwood came in to remonstrate.

It was the second time this season an Arsenal player has been sent off for violent conduct following £72m club-record signing Nicolas Pepe’s red card for a headbutt in the draw against Leeds last month.

This was just Burnley’s second league win of the season, moving them out of the bottom three in the process, and it came via an assured rear-guard performance and a large chunk of fortune.

The solid central defensive partnership of Ben Mee and James Tarkowski contributed a combined 15 clearances and four blocks, and they also regained possession eight times, while behind them Pope further highlighted his credentials with a well-deserved clean sheet.

When Chris Wood headed wide from eight yards out while unmarked in the first half, it looked like the visitors were going to badly rue that missed opportunity.

Aubameyang’s header into his own net did the job for them – but it was just their sixth goal in 12 games this season and they have managed only 29 shots on target all campaign, the lowest in the division.

Skipper Mee tested Bernd Leno from range and substitute Matej Vydra had an attempt late on, but although they could not add to their tally, the solitary goal enabled Clarets boss Sean Dyche to pick up his first victory over Arsenal in 11 attempts.

The post Xhaka sent off as Burnley stun Arsenal appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The Ivory Coast forward curled a powerful strike into the top corner after a difficult week following his dismissal at Elland Road.

Reiss Nelson doubled the Gunners’ lead shortly after with a tap-in from close range as Arsenal progressed to the knockout stage with two games to spare.

Substitute Folarin Balogun, 19, scored with his first touch to cement victory for Mikel Arteta’s side in Norway.

The North London side have won all four games in Group B and scored 12 goals in the process, displaying a consistency that is in contrast to their Premier League campaign.

After a bright but goalless first half, £72m signing Pepe broke the deadlock for the Gunners in a style befitting his price tag.

A lovely cushioned touch set the 25-year-old up to fire past goalkeeper Andreas Linde and put Arsenal on their way to last 32.

The Gunners quickly increased their advantage when Nelson, Arsenal’s best player along with Pepe, tapped home after a good pass into the box by Joe Willock.

A comfortable win was completed when Balogun swivelled in the penalty area and fired home a low strike to cap a positive performance by Arteta’s side.

With qualification to the knockout stage secured, the focal point for Arsenal in Europe will be the return of a small number of supporters to Emirates Stadium for the tie against Rapid Vienna on 3 December.

The club tweeted before the game in Norway: “It’s been a long nine long months without our fans. And our matches simply haven’t been the same. So we’re delighted to confirm we’ll be safely welcoming 2,000 fans back to Emirates Stadium for next week’s #UEL fixture.”

An away game in wintry Norway might not have seemed an ideal fixture for Arteta and Arsenal to face after a modest performance in the draw against Leeds and a sobering 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa in the Premier League.

But Pepe, red-carded for a headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski on Sunday, looked keen to repay Arteta’s pre-match words of support with a bright performance.

The former Lille winger’s first moment of threat came when he sprinted down the left and cut inside to make space for a shot but fired over the bar.

He got closer with his next effort from outside the area as his curling drive hit the crossbar with Molde goalkeeper Linde beaten.

The club’s record signing, who will now start the first of his three-match domestic ban against Wolves, eventually got his third goal in the Europa League this season with a neat piece of control and shot.

Pepe’s strike gave Arsenal’s youthful side an injection of confidence and, after a dearth of goals in their previous two fixtures, suddenly Arteta’s side looked dangerous with every attack.

Nelson, who turns 21 in December, was a bright note from the start at the Arker Stadium as he linked up well with captain Alexandre Lacazette and got an early effort on target.

The winger was rewarded for his persistence as he doubled the advantage from the six-yard box and then Balogun, linked with a move from Arsenal in the summer, staked his claim for a new contract by scoring on only his second appearance for the Gunners.

The post Pepe scores opener as Arsenal cruise into knockout stage against Molde appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The Gunners reached the halfway point of Group B with a 100% winning record courtesy of a solid victory.

But it could have been more as Eddie Nketiah had what looked like a legal goal ruled out for offside after Nicolas Pepe’s pass, with Molde leading 1-0.

Unlike the Champions League, VAR is not being used in the group stages of the Europa League.

“I don’t think it makes any sense when we have the technology and we all believe it is the right call for everybody to do it,” said Arteta.

“So I don’t understand, we were complaining with the referee because we were told he was clearly onside and obviously it’s a situation that can clearly change the game.

“So I think it is something they have to look at and if possible change it.”

For the second time in three group games, the Gunners had to come from behind after Martin Ellingsen beat Bernd Leno from 25 yards following a superb pass by former Manchester United reserve player Magnus Wolff Eikrem.

After Nketiah’s disallowed goal, Arsenal equalised at the end of the first half.

Kristoffer Haugen put past his own keeper while trying to intercept Nketiah’s cross to Joe Willock before Sead Kolasinac blazed a great chance over the bar.

The Gunners took the lead when Molde substitute Sheriff Sinyan turned Willock’s pass across the six-yard area into his own net.

Substitute Bukayo Saka picked out Pepe to make it 3-1 before Willock scored a deserved late goal, as Arsenal went three points clear at the top of the group with three games remaining.

Arsenal are three points clear at the top of Group B in the Europa League
Willock and Nketiah shine for Gunners

Arsenal, with two games to spare, could secure a place in the last 32 of the competition with victory in the return fixture in Norway on 26 November.

Arteta has now seen his side win three successive games in all competitions since they were undone by Leicester’s counter-attack last month.

Despite falling behind, Arsenal were able to brush aside their opponents without the need to bring on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette or Thomas Partey.

Arteta was all smiles at the end, fist-bumping Willock on the pitch after the full-time whistle, the 21-year-old pushing his claims for a first Premier League start of the season with a performance full of hunger and desire.

“The way he is approaching every opportunity shows how mature he is,” said Arteta when asked about Willock’s contribution.

“I’m impressed with the way he is communicating as well. I think he is developing the right way, he is a player I really like.

“He has some very special qualities and he deserves every minute that he’s playing and he’s showing it with performances, with goals and his attitude.”

The Gunners had fallen behind after failing to close down Ellingsen, whose excellent strike had Molde dreaming of one of the greatest results in their history.

It was the wake-up call the hosts needed, Arteta’s side playing with a higher intensity after equalising.

Arsenal’s future looks in good hands, Nketiah also impressing with his speed and work-rate while substitute Saka played a highly-intelligent pass to pick out Pepe for his goal.

The post Arteta calls for VAR in Europa group stage despite comfortable Molde win appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Vardy, 33, had missed two games with a calf injury but was reintroduced after a largely sterile opening hour at Emirates Stadium and promptly ended a 262-minute Leicester goal drought in the league.

The former England international headed home fellow substitute Cengiz Under’s smart pass to bring up a remarkable 11th Premier League goal against Arsenal in 12 appearances. Only Wayne Rooney, with 12, has more goals.

Until Vardy’s arrival Leicester had barely threatened but they have now won their opening three away league games for the first time.

Arsenal were disappointing and, despite dominating possession and having 12 shots on goal, never looked like seriously testing Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as they slipped to a first home league defeat of 2020.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticised the decision to disallow an Alexandre Lacazette header for offside early in the first half.

“I’m really disappointed. We had it in our hands in the first half and I don’t know how the hell the goal was disallowed.

Four summers ago Arsenal tried to prise Vardy away from Leicester and he continues to pile on the regret with every game.

He had only 11 touches after replacing Dennis Praet, but still scored the winner and was only denied a second by the head of Bernd Leno as he raced through on goal late on.

Leicester lined up with no forward at all in his absence, with winger Harvey Barnes nominally playing up front, and their lack of cutting edge meant James Maddison had all four of their efforts, all from outside the area, before number nine Vardy came on.

Their improvement was as marked as it was predictable with Vardy on the field, and it was no surprise when they grabbed the lead.

Youri Tielemans’ excellent pass over the top freed Under, and he squared for the free Vardy to score with a stooping header.

There is no more clinical player in the Premier League. Vardy has scored six goals from just nine shots this season – 20 fewer than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and one fewer than the champions’ full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Last season Leicester capitulated from a position which seemed certain to deliver Champions League football, when they were 14 points ahead of Manchester United at the start of February. Could they seal the deal this time around?

Arsenal thought they had scored in the opening minutes when Lacazette headed in from a corner, but Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were both offside.

From that point Arsenal controlled the game for the most part, but, despite Kieran Tierney raiding with intent down the left, they struggled to bust open the organised visitors.

Arsenal had 11 shots in the first half but Schmeichel’s only save of note came from the one effort after the break, pushing out a decent volley from Hector Bellerin.

Aubameyang, who has now gone five Premier League games without a goal for the first time, was largely anonymous.

Thomas Partey made a much-vaunted full league debut in midfield but was not alone in failing to shine as Arsenal moved the ball painfully slowly at times.

They have scored only eight goals in six league games this season. They have managed fewer at this stage in one of the previous 20 campaigns, when they scored five goals in 2015-16.

The post I don’t know why the goal was disallowed, says angered Arteta appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The Belgium midfielder, 29, was substituted in his country’s Nations League match against England on Sunday.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez said the move was a “precaution”, but City boss Pep Guardiola said he is not available for the 17:30 BST kick-off.

“I don’t think it is serious, but the next games I think he will be out. We will see,” he said.

De Bruyne returned to City after leaving the Belgium squad before their game against Iceland on Wednesday.

City are 14th in the Premier League table with four points from their first three games.

“I never complain about the international break,” added former Spain midfielder Guardiola.

“I know how important it is for players. It is an honour and a privilege. Always we want the players to come back fit, with no injuries. Sometimes you can’t control it.

“I think it’s not big. I don’t know how long – it’s not like for example Gabriel [Jesus] – but a few days and I don’t know how many games he will be out.

“[He has had] no pre-season and eight days off. With his family and a newborn [baby] he cannot go on holiday. He played really good as always but at the end the boy has a limit and he gets injured.”

Brazil striker Jesus is still out after he was injured in City’s win at Wolves on 21 September.

There has been better news for Guardiola on the injury front this week, with the return of Sergio Aguero from a long-term knee injury.

The 32-year-old Argentina striker suffered the injury against Burnley on 22 June, missing City’s Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League run-in, as well as their opening fixtures this season.

“He’s been training for three or four days, he has been training well. I am happy to see him on the pitch after so long – every team needs a striker,” said Guardiola.

Guardiola is yet to make a decision on whether Aguero will feature, but Portugal internationals Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva are both fit for the visit of the Gunners.

Since the new season began in September, last season’s top four have been involved in several surprising results.

Champions Liverpool were thrashed 7-2 at Aston Villa, Manchester United fell to a 6-1 home defeat by Tottenham, while Guardiola’s own side suffered a 5-2 home loss to Leicester.

And he says circumstances dictated by the coronavirus pandemic – such as a shortened pre-season and playing matches without fans – could impact the rest of the season.

“It’s weird – we cannot go to restaurants, we cannot have a social life. I don’t know what the impact of this situation [is], without spectators – for a short time it’s nice, for a long time it’s different,” Guardiola added.

“I don’t know if this is the reason why [we have] these results but maybe a little part of this must be.

“I don’t take any credit for Leicester, Villa or Tottenham, I don’t know if it will change the way they approach the games. For short times you can do it but over 11 months, I don’t know what is going to happen.

“Maybe there’ll be more contenders. Everyone can beat everyone, and it may not be what happened in the last three seasons.”

The post Man City midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne out of Arsenal match appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The 31-year-old’s future at the club remains uncertain after being persistently left out of the side by manager Mikel Arteta.

The Germany international has not played for the Gunners since March.

New £45m signing Thomas Partey has been included in the 25-man squad before their first Group B fixture against Rapid Vienna on 22 October.

The former Atletico Madrid midfielder joined the Gunners on deadline day.

There is also no place in Arsenal’s squad for defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos or William Saliba.

In addition to Rapid Vienna, the Gunners will also face Irish side Dundalk and Molde from Norway in the group stages.

On Tuesday, Ozil, who joined the club for a then record £42.4m in 2013 and whose contract is set to expire at the end of this season, said he would pay the salary of the man who plays club mascot Gunnersaurus.

It had been revealed that Gunnersaurus actor Jerry Quy was one of 55 people made redundant by the club.

The post Arsenal omit Mesut Ozil from Europa League squad appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Joint Premier League leaders Everton welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park, while Tottenham are away to Championship side Stoke City.

Meanwhile, Brentford’s reward for beating Fulham is a home tie against Newcastle United in the club’s first ever League Cup quarter-final.

All quarter-final ties are to be played the week commencing 21 December 2020.

Arsenal progressed in a penalty shootout against Liverpool following a goalless draw in the final tie of the fourth round on Thursday.

The meeting at Emirates Stadium with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who eased to a 3-0 win over Burnley, will see manager Mikel Arteta face his former club in a repeat of last season’s FA Cup semi-final, which Arsenal won 2-0 on their way to winning the trophy.

In-form Everton thrashed West Ham 4-1 to reach the last-eight and their upcoming opponents Manchester United claimed a 3-0 win over Brighton.

Stoke City defeated last season’s runners-up Aston Villa 1-0 on Thursday to set up their tie against Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, who overcame Chelsea on penalties.

Last season’s beaten Championship play-off finalists Brentford exacted revenge for that defeat on promoted Fulham with a 3-0 victory to record their best ever League Cup showing, with Steve Bruce’s Newcastle lying in wait after they edged past League Two Newport County on penalties.

The semi-final ties are then scheduled for 5 and 6 January 2021, with the final of the 2020-21 EFL Cup taking place on 28 February 2021 at Wembley.

The winners of this season’s tournament will not qualify for the Europa League as in the past, but will instead go into the Uefa Europa Conference League, a new European competition.

The post Holders Manchester City face Arsenal in Carabao Cup quarter-final draw appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.