⏪ In a rare move, Thierry Henry delivered a farewell message to Arsenal fans before leaving for Barcelona, on this day in 2007. 👋
🗣️ “I’ll always remember you guys & have you in my heart. Arsenal will always be in my blood. Once you’re a Gooner, you’ll always be a Gooner.” ❤️🔥
🚨🇦🇷 Leo Messi: “I honestly don’t play thinking about how old I am but rather about how I feel physically”.
“From there, I just try to give my maximum, regardless of my age, and give everything I have. The truth is that I feel physically good”.
Is Julian Alvarez a player you’d like to see at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta next season?
It’s looking increasingly likely the 26-year-old will leave Atletico Madrid this summer.
🏴💫 Declan Rice: "I wouldn't ever take corners or set-pieces, but set-piece coach Nico Jover and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn't. They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo Saka."
"From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that. As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece - whether it's a corner or a wide free-kick - I feel like I'm going to get an assist or make something happen that's dangerous."
"That's a good mentality to have over set-pieces... and England fans can be excited." (BBC)
🚨 Fulham in process of closing deal to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as new head coach - although #FFC insist 2 candidates remain in contention. Proposed 3yr contract for Spaniard & staff, pending final decisions. W/ @GuillermoRai_@MarioCortegana@TheAthleticFC https://t.co/mZNbpv47OT
🚨🚨Le journaliste Joaquín Bruno :
« J’ai déjà dit à ma femme de lui préparer un cadre spécial, car cette photo doit rester sous nos yeux tous les jours. » 🩵
🚨 BREAKING from @gastonedul:
“Julián Álvarez had asked Atlético to let him leave; his desire is to take a step forward in his career. When he says “fulfill a dream,”he's referring to Barcelona, but if it's not Barcelona, Julián can easily ask them to accept another offer.” 🇦🇷
🚨 Andrea Berta has maintained contact with Julian Alvarez’s camp since last summer & has explored ‘different structures & mechanisms’ to sign him in recent months. Alvarez is very open to joining Arsenal, should his dream move to Barcelona NOT materialise. 🕵️♂️🇦🇷 [@HandofArsenal]
🔥🏴 Thomas Tuchel on Declan Rice: “I am proud to be his coach. He is one of the very best midfielders in the world. He's humble, ready to be a team player, ready to give quality and energy to the group”.
“He learns every day in his career”.
🚨 Cuti Romero: “I knew this could happen to me. I had a little issue there, I felt it again, but in 3 or 4 days I’ll be fine again, so that’s that”.
“It’s nothing serious. Keep the head up and I'll come back stronger than before”.
🚨 Folarin Balogun expected to leave Monaco this summer. Contract 2028 but no talks over new deal + striker favours move. Interest from PL & Europe building amid #FIFAWorldCup form; anticipated #ASMonaco will seek ~€50m to sell #USMNT star @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/mGbUoZF9Wj
🚨 Declan Rice: “Lionel Messi, I think what we're witnessing right now is truly very special and what he's doing at this age is unbelievable”.
“As a football fan, a football enthusiast and also as a footballer, watching him is an incredible pleasure”.
🚨Jeremy Monga will be an Arsenal player next season, as per @HandofArsenal.
The 16-year-old joins the Gunners from Leicester City.
First signing secured. Many more to come.
Julian Alvarez Update
If you remember, I stated there was another attacker I chose to keep anonymous. That player was indeed Julian Alvarez. The reason I said it was sensitive was because one of our players (Gyökeres) was potentially involved but let me just provide the facts for Arsenal fans. To my understanding the following statements are 100% factual.
• The players dream is Barca (personal terms agreed already)
• Barca have always wanted Julian to go public with his desire to force Atleti's position
• Atleti are adamant they will not to sell to Barca and would rather sell abroad but it wont stop Barca from trying
• PSG to my understanding left the race due to Campos / Enrique not wanting a player who doesn’t absolutely prioritise them but I wont be shocked if they return due to the players quality
• Julian has been a target for Arsenal since last summer
• After our group stage game Arteta made it clear we must atleast be in the race for the Argentine
• I can 100% confirm Atleti have interest in Viktor Gyökeres
• Andrea Berta has maintained contacts with the camp since last summer and has explored 'different structures & mechanisms' to bring Julian Alvarez to North London in the recent months…
• Reports about 'the English weather' being a reason Julian and his family would not return to England are absolutely false.
• The player would be very open to joining Arsenal and has directly told us should his dream to Barca become impossible
• Arsenal are yet to officially formalise their interest but Atleti are well aware of our interest.
The situation is chaotic but my role is to provide the absolute facts to the best of my knowledge in real time not predict the future. Its difficult enough tracking Berta and his 1000 spinning plates technique, its even harder when he silently speaks to ex-colleagues at Atleti with whom he has a lot of trust with but I have presented the facts. Genuinely feel a lot of relief talking about this all as its been exhausting to track for 14 months. I need to sleep now as I have been awake all night contacting sources 😂