Here is your Arsenal morning digest on Sunday, April 17.
Arsenal linked with move for Grillitsch
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch, the Austrian international will be available on a free transfer this summer with his contract set to expire in June.
However, according to the Daily Telegraph, the Gunners face competition for his signature from Premier League rivals; Everton and Leeds. Grillitsch is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also provide cover at centre-back, and his versatility makes him an attractive option for clubs.
The signing of Grillitsch would not only provide Arsenal with a replacement for Mohamed Elneny, who is set to depart the Emirates when his contract expires in June. But would also give Mikel Arteta more squad depth ahead of an expected return to Europa/Champions League football next season.
In total Grillitsch has made 151 appearances for Hoffenheim scoring eight goals and notching 11 assists.
Arteta's verdict after Saints loss
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has claimed that he cannot fault the attitude of his players following his side's 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the Premier League.
The Gunners found themselves sitting fourth and six points clear of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur just last month. However, Arteta's men have since lost four of their last five league outings, including a run of games that has seen them lose their last three matches.
Now, the north London outfit sit three points behind Spurs and they also now find themselves behind Manchester United on goal difference following the Red Devils' 3-2 victory against Dean Smith's Norwich City. Speaking after the loss at St. Mary’s Stadium, Arteta has claimed that his team played well, putting the loss down to the performance of Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
"I'm very frustrated and disappointed because when you see what happened on the pitch, to concede and lose the football match I think it's very difficult scenario to imagine", the Spaniard said after the match. "We tried to do everything that we could have done in the best possible way, I can not fault the attitude of the players.
Read the full story here.
Neville proven right on Gunners
Manchester United icon Gary Neville's gut-feeling on Arsenal has been proven right after Mikel Arteta's side lost 1-0 to Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners found themselves heavy favourites to finish fourth just a few weeks ago, but three successive Premier League defeats have seen them slip down to sixth, behind both United and Tottenham Hotspur, who sit fifth and fourth, respectively. Arsenal supporters heavily criticised Neville after claiming that he didn't trust the north London outfit to finish ahead of the Red Devils in early March.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former England international said: "I still think United could [get fourth place]. I don't trust Arsenal fully.
"Manchester United have still got to go to Arsenal, there's a long way to go." Neville then doubled down on his comments less than a fortnight later, claiming that pressure could get to Arteta and Co in the season's final weeks.”
Read the full story here.
