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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'I asked Arsene Wenger who he'd sign at Arsenal – he instantly had name in mind'
Arsene Wenger was quick to name Newcastle star Alexander Isak as the player he would like to see Arsenal sign this summer, according to Gunners icon David Seaman Legendary ex- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger quickly singled out Newcastle frontman Alexander Isak as a star the Gunners should sign this window. Arsenal once again wrapped up an impressive yet trophyless season under Mikel Arteta's stewardship, finishing second in the Premier League behind Arne Slot's dynamic Liverpool while failing to clinch silverware in any cup tournaments. Now, with a pivotal summer beckoning, their gaze shifts toward strengthening their attacking options. For the first time since 1924, not a single Arsenal player hit the 10-goal milestone in the league, with Kai Havertz falling just shy at nine. Therefore, the hunt for a reliable No. 9 has become a pressing concern for Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta in the upcoming transfer window. While there's been chatter about potential moves for sharpshooters like Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, Wenger pinpointed Newcastle's talisman Isak during a conversation with the club's celebrated goalkeeper David Seaman. Appearing on his Seaman Says podcast, brought to you by Betway, the ex-Arsenal man shed light on a recent exchange with Wenger at a charity dinner, where he probed the Frenchman for insight into who should be targeted in the transfer market. "I had a dinner with Arsene Wenger, a charity dinner, about three weeks ago, and I asked him that question. I said, 'You're the boss, who would you sign this summer?'" relayed Seaman. "'Isak,' he said, as quick as that." Ian Wright chipped in when Wenger's sentiment was revealed, adding: "Exactly. It's not being disrespectful to them (Newcastle), but he is brilliant." However, snaring the 25-year-old Swede is far from straightforward. Back in May, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe laid down the law, asserting that Isak is not for sale. "He's not for sale from my perspective," Howe declared. "I want to build a squad, I want the strongest squad possible for next season. There is a lot to look forward to here, hopefully. The end of the season is crucial for us. "I think that we have a strong squad and, if we can add players for the first time in a few windows, that will make a massive, massive difference for us. "That's what I'm focusing on, not the other way around. We want to keep our best players. I think I've made that very clear. That's not just the wish from me, that's the wish from everyone at the club." While Howe's intention to hold onto key players was clear, he refused to give a cast-iron guarantee when quizzed a few weeks later whether Isak - reportedly valued at over £150million - will remain at Newcastle after the window closes: "I never make those guarantees about any player. "It's not to do with Alex's future, I'd be foolish to sit here and do anything like that. We want to keep our strongest players. I have said that as long as I've sat in this seat." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Ian Wright disappointed Arsenal missed out on signing £50m star this summer
Arsenal legend Ian Wright says he would have 'loved' to have seen the club sign Dean Huijsen this summer. Huijsen, 20, enjoyed an exceptional debut season in the Premier League with Bournemouth, establishing himself as one of the most promising young centre-backs in European football. The Gunners had been keeping close tabs on Huijsen's progress on the south coast, along with Manchester United and Chelsea, with all three teams on the hunt for defensive reinforcements ahead of the transfer window. But La Liga giants Real Madrid moved quickly to agree personal terms with Huijsen before triggering the Spaniard's £50million release clause at the Vitality Stadium. Huijsen has committed his future to Madrid until 2030 and becomes the first signing of Xabi Alonso's reign at the Bernabeu. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. While Arsenal already boast arguably finest centre-back partnership in the league in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, club legend Wright believes Huijsen would have been an excellent addition at the Emirates. Discussing Arsenal's priorities for the summer, Wright told the Seaman Says podcast: 'I'd probably have a back-up centre-back. 'I would have loved us to buy Huijsen off Bournemouth, but he's gone to Real Madrid. 'They [Madrid] saw it and they just come in and go, 'Bang!', but we just need a couple more. 'We need a bit of luck with the injuries and the referees, PGMOL, we need some accountability for them. But at the end of the day, that's out of your control. 'I just think we're so close and second place is part of the journey as a fan, as frustrating as it is. Hopefully, when you do finally get over the line, you look back at this and it doesn't matter so much.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In addition to a new defender, Wright believes Arsenal need to strengthen their attack with a 'main striker and another forward' if they are to start winning trophies again. Asked if the Gunners had progressed this season, Wright replied: 'You have to see it as a progression because second again, it's close. It's a mental thing now. 'What they showed towards the end of the season, they're mentally very strong because it's important that we finished second, especially with the way Manchester City were coming, and get something out of the season. 'Mentality-wise, I think it's very strong and I think it's going to be vital who he adds to that group. 'Apparently [Martin] Zubimendi is there, there's talk about [Viktor] Gyokeres, whether's it is Sesko… I don't know who it's going to be. But I believe that we need a main striker and another forward.' Wright is adamant Arsenal had a better season than Tottenham, despite Spurs ending their 17-year wait for silverware with victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final. Asked which club had enjoyed the better campaign, Wright replied: 'We have. We started the season trying to win the league and we've finished second. 'Spurs didn't start the season wanting to finish 17th, stink the place out, win the Europa League, lose 22 matches in the Premier League. 'If Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester were fractionally better, Manchester United and Tottenham are in a relegation fight for half of that season. It's just that they were so poor.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Manchester United vs ASEAN All-Stars LIVE: Latest score and updates from friendly MORE: Jose Mourinho issues warning to Chelsea over Conference League final MORE: John Terry speaks out on Chelsea fans' frustrations with Enzo Maresca
Metro
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
No trophies but Arsenal have the ‘two best young players in Europe'
Arsenal have been hailed for producing the 'two best young players in Europe' by ex-England defender Stuart Pearce. Gunners fans have been left disappointed after Mikel Arteta's side went a fifth successive season without a trophy. Arsenal failed to keep pace with Premier League champions Liverpool and were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals by PSG. The Gunners also fell short in the domestic cup competitions, with Arsenal now facing a crucial summer to improve Arteta's squad and end the club's trophy drought. Despite the lack of silverware, Pearce says 'very stable' Arsenal are still on an 'upward trend' and only need a couple of shrewd signings to go to the 'next level'. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Pearce's confidence in Arsenal stems partly from the fact he believes the Gunners have the 'two best young players in Europe' in Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Saka continues to have a huge impact for club and country while Lewis-Skelly, 18, is also rated as one of the best players in the Premier League after a breakout season at the Emirates Stadium. Asked whether Arsenal had 'gone backwards' since last year, Pearce said on the Seaman Says podcast with Betway: 'I think it's a little bit difficult this year when you compare to last year, because this year you've had three teams that have been relegated and hardly got any points, but you've had a mid-band of teams that have been even stronger. 'Fulham have been strong, Brentford have been strong, Forest have come strong again, Brighton and Crystal Palace too. So they're getting points off the teams above them. 'You've got the likes of West Ham and Tottenham that can win any game on any given day, and Manchester United did that to Arsenal in the FA Cup. So you've got teams right at the bottom of the league, not in the relegation places, that can all pick points up. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'That probably is directly reflective of the lack of points Arsenal have picked up this year. I probably look at it from a coach or manager's viewpoint and say, is there an upward trend at Arsenal? Are they a very stable club in what they're trying to achieve? 'And the answer is yes. I think to myself that they're permanently in the Champions League places, no doubt about that. 'They've probably been permanently one or two players away from really going to that next level. So I would stick with the manager. He's a consistent manager who is growing and growing.' More Trending On Arsenal's failure to sign a top striker in recent years, Pearce added: 'I've found this before, people think it's easy to go out and buy a centre-forward that can get you 25 goals a year. 'It's the hardest thing in the world to do. Then the trouble is the likes of Chris Wood turns up, all of a sudden gets 20 goals a season – 'well why didn't we sign Chris Wood then?' It's just ridiculous, but that's football. 'We talk about Arsenal bringing players in and recruitment, they've got the best two youngsters in European football in Saka and Lewis-Skelly that they bought through the academy system. So that's a real plus for Arsenal as well.' Arsenal beat Southampton 2-1 on the final day to clinch second place in the Premier League for the third year in a row. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo drops major hint about his future in cryptic Instagram post MORE: Child and three adults pinned under car that crashed into Liverpool fans MORE: Julian Alvarez stance on Premier League return as Arsenal and Liverpool line up shock moves
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
I covered Liverpool trophy celebrations for TV – having to pretend was terrible
Lee Dixon has recounted how there was very little atmosphere as Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy at the end of the 2019/20 season due to unfortunate limitations from the Covid-19 pandemic Lee Dixon has recalled how he had to try to create an atmosphere as Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy back in the 2019/20 season. Under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds secured their first-ever title since the league's foundation in 1992, however, celebrations were cruelly cut short due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Dixon was at Anfield for the trophy presentation in July 2020, which was held behind closed doors due to social distancing measures. And speaking on David Seaman 's Seaman Says podcast, on behalf of Betway, he explained: "The last time they won it, I was there doing the presentation during Covid with no fans there. "They set the press up on the halfway line and they were on the Kop getting the [trophy]. "We were all waiting for the interviews and me and Graham Le Saux, working for NBC, were standing there with these mics. And I said, 'We're gonna have to make an atmosphere here.' "So, we're all trying to pretend there were fans there and do different voices. It was terrible. But you know, they deserve an Anfield reception. They certainly do." As a result of the pandemic, the 2019/20 season was halted on March 13, 2020, and wasn't picked back up until June 17 – with the season being extended until July 26. However, upon the resumption of the season, the last nine games of the season were played behind closed doors to prevent the spread of Covid-19. This meant that fans were unable to see Liverpool lift the trophy in the flesh. Writing in his autobiography on the eerie experience at the time, club captain Jordan Henderson said: "I wanted the fans to be there and I felt cheated for them but I felt cheated myself, too. "The experience of winning this prize that the club had been chasing for so long wasn't going to be the same without them. I had to keep reminding myself how lucky we were just to be playing at all. "You've got people dying, people stuck in the house for months on end and I'm disappointed because the fans aren't there and the atmosphere isn't better? Come on. "You feel bad for thinking that. But Liverpool fans are obsessed with football and they had waited 30 years to win a league title and for them not to be able to be there to share it with the players was hard. It was hard for the players and the fans because it meant so much." Despite lockdown measures suggesting that people stayed at home whenever possible, thousands of Liverpool fans flocked to Anfield to celebrate a 19th top flight title with one another on the evening that Liverpool were crowned champions – following Chelsea's 2-1 win over Manchester City on June 25. However, the Reds finally got a real party after five years in the making at Anfield on Sunday following their final game of the 2024/25 season with Crystal Palace, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports. Liverpool wrapped up the 2024/25 Premier League title with four games to spare thanks to a 5-1 demolition of Tottenham on home soil last month, with their subsequent clashes with Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Palace coming as all but a victory lap of the UK with no real pressure on results. The roars could practically be heard from miles as Arne Slot's side hoisted the Premier League trophy on Sunday in front of a jam-packed Anfield, somewhat making up for the lack of an official celebration last time around. Players and staff will also enjoy an open-top bus through the city on Monday, with hundreds of thousands of fans expected to line the route and cheer. The victory parade sets off from Allerton Maze at 2.30pm, before ending in Blundell Street. It is thought that the procession will last between three and five hours in total. Speaking on the celebrations, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for culture and public health Councillor Harry Doyle said: "Bank Holiday Monday is set to be a day to remember for the whole city, and with an event of this scale, a bit of planning goes a long way. "That's why we've created a clear, easy FAQs, to make sure everyone has the key information they need to feel confident, stay safe, and enjoy the day in their own way." The Council has also asked people not to bring flares or to fly drones at the procession. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
'I can't believe he said that!' - Seaman slams Carragher over Rice comments
David Seaman has dismissed Jamie Carragher's recent comments about Declan Rice, confidently backing the midfielder to be a central figure in Arsenal's long-term future. Arsenal fended off strong interest from Manchester City to sign Rice for a club-record £100million deal in 2023 and the 26-year-old has quickly established himself as a fan favourite in north London. However, the Gunners going another campaign without winning any trophies means Rice is still yet to lift any silverware – barring the Community Shield – since arriving through the doors at the Emirates. Rice's Europa Conference League triumph with West Ham stands alone as his only major title to date and the England international will no doubt be desperate to put that right next season. While Rice has made no indication that he could be considering his future with Arsenal, Sky Sports pundit Carragher suggested doubts could start to creep in should next season go the same way for Mikel Arteta's men. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'I don't think right now, I think maybe [that could be the case] for other players who have been there a bit longer,' the outspoken ex-Liverpool defender said following Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Anfield. 'But in terms of Declan, I think he's been Arsenal's best player this season. I think those doubts maybe kick in in another 12 months.' Rio Ferdinand echoed these comments on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, claiming Rice could get 'itchy feet' and begin looking elsewhere if Arsenal come up short in pursuit of major trophies again next term. However, former Arsenal goalkeeper Seaman is not in the least bit concerned about Rice agitating for a move, blasting Carragher for even entertaining the idea in the wake of Sunday's heavyweight clash on Merseyside. Asked for his thoughts on Carragher's remarks on the Seaman Says podcast, Seaman replied: 'Wow. So we've not even finished this season and he's talking about [Arsenal] not doing anything next season… and then someone that might leave in the next season! 'Let's get Uri Geller on and ask him!' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Seaman added: 'No, I can't believe that he [Carragher] has said something like that because I'm excited about next season with Arsenal. 'They're getting better and better, they're contending consistently. 'I said at the start of this season that if you finish above Manchester City, you win the league, and then Liverpool come in. 'Then, we end up playing PSG that were a fantastic team so Declan will stay. There's no problem, not at all.' Seaman later joked: 'He can do what he did at West Ham: win a trophy and then leave!' The ex-England shot-stopper was stunned by the boos Trent Alexander-Arnold received at Anfield and believes the mood inside the stadium actually helped Arsenal in rescuing a point from the game. 'I think it affected Liverpool in a negative way because when you see one of your best players getting treated like that, it must have a strange affect on you,' Seaman explained. 'Whether that gave Arsenal that extra lift they needed… it did look like that. 'Liverpool got the two goals within like two minutes and I was like, 'Here we go!', and then Arsenal just steadied it and came out in the second half and, by all accounts, it looked like Mikel had given them a right rollicking at half-time.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal tipped to replace 'erratic' star as part of summer transfer rebuild MORE: Arsenal urged to sign 'proven' Premier League star if £150m transfer fails MORE: Edwin van der Sar praises Man Utd transfer target and criticises Arsenal star David Raya
