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Football London
Football London
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Scott Trotter

Arsenal news: Agent makes claim about transfer target, Napoli star dismisses Gunners' quality

A European semi-final and on course for a place on the top four, things are going pretty well so far this season for the Gunners.

Unai Emery and co are preparing to face Crystal Palace on Sunday after their win over Napoli with plenty still on the line.

There's been some shade thrown the Gunners way following their European progression, while there's also been an early transfer blow as the search for a new left back goes on this summer.

We've compiled the latest Arsenal news for your perusal below:

Napoli star's shocking claim

Arsenal may have comfortably qualified for the semi-final of the Europa League, but they left one Napoli star pretty unimpressed.

Dries Mertens dismissed the Gunners' quality after they moved on to face Valencia in the next round.

"The first 10-15 minutes, we had a few chances to score and that would’ve changed everything," he said, in comments translated by Football Italia .

Dries Mertens in action for Napoli. (Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

"We conceded a goal and our heads dropped. We said in the locker room that we still believed, because Arsenal aren’t that good. There isn’t a real gap between us. We got it very wrong at the Emirates and that ruined everything.

"We weren’t well set out, Arsenal took advantage and we tried everything to make up for it, but they defended well."

Predicted Arsenal XI

The Gunners have a few injury worries and will have to manage their squad carefully over the next few weeks as their busy schedule begins to take a toll.

Aaron Ramsey of course was forced from the field in Naples with a hamstring injury, something the Welshman has a history of, though he could play again before the season ends.

Another injury doubt for that game is Lucas Torreira, who appeared to suffer a further flare-up of the groin pain that has been dogging him over the past week, though he managed to stay on the field until the end of the quarter-final second leg with Emery having already made his three substitutions.

Denis Suarez is unlikely to be able to boost Emery's options as he struggles with an ongoing groin injury, though he has long since fallen down the pecking order and is set to return to Barcelona once his loan spell ends.

Every word Arsenal boss Unai Emery just said on Aaron Ramsey, Napoli win and Europa League dream  

Meanwhile Granit Xhaka has also emerged as a doubt after suffering an injury to his hip that will be assessed ahead of Sunday's game.

Take a look at who James Benge expects to start against Crystal Palace below.

Probable Arsenal XI: Leno; Mustafi, Mavropanos, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Torreira, Guendouzi; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Iwobi; Lacazette

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal look to have been dealt a blow in the race to sign Nicolas Tagliafico after the Ajax star's agent seemed to hint that a move to Italy could be on the cards.

Tagliafico has rejected Ajax's offer of a new contract and his representative Ricardo Schlieper has said the defender is now prepared to move on, while football.london  understands that head coach Unai Emery is keen to sign a left-back this summer.

The 26-year-old's agent noted that Ajax 'do not want to sell' but that does not seemed to have deterred the representative from speculating over his client's future.

Schlieper told FC Inter News : "Inter and Italian football are always attractive destinations for Argentine players.

 

"Let’s not forget, like it was once said, that we’re Italians who speak Spanish. Everything’s very familiar. It’s like being at home."

Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from  football.london  via the free  football.london app  for  iPhone  and  Android .

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