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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kwame Boakye

Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta backs gesture as Gunners ‘interested’ in Fabian Ruiz transfer

Arsenal face Watford on Sunday looking to keep their excellent run of recent form going in their hunt for fourth spot.

Gunners fans will travel to Vicarage Road to show support for their side, but are also planning to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine following Russia's invasion.

Mikel Arteta has backed the supporters' plans to wear the country's colours and insists he's "behind any initiative that is to demonstrate that we have to live in peace."

Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly lining up a summer move for Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz and Paul Merson has delivered a withering assessment of Nicholas Pepe's transfer value.

Here are Mirror Football's latest Arsenal headlines.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed Arsenal fans plans to show support for the people of Ukraine (Arsenal TV)

Arteta backs fans Ukraine pledge

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed Arsenal's fans amid plans to wear yellow and blue in support of the people of Ukraine.

Supporters of the London club have made the pledge after similar shows of solidarity in stadiums up and down the country, including at Wembley Stadium before last weekend's Carabao Cup final.

More than a week has passed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the death toll rising amid shellings and air strikes across the European country and reports emerging of Russian forces seizing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

As the Premier League prepares for more shows of support this weekend, either official or unofficial, Arteta was asked about the reports concerning Arsenal fans and gave his backing to the plans.

Read the full story here.

Gunners ‘interested’ in Ruiz

Arsenal are reportedly lining-up a move for Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz this summer.

The rumour emerges just days after former Gunners midfielder Matteo Guendouzi insisted his permanent transfer to Marseille is the “best choice” he’s made in years.

Ruiz, 25, is currently enjoying his fourth season at Italian giants Napoli and has just 15 months remaining on his existing deal.

He is a 15-cap Spain international - representing his country at Euro 2020 - and has previously played for Real Betis and Elche, making 257 club appearances to date.

Read the full story here.

Merson’s verdict on Pepe

Paul Merson reckons Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe has more than HALVED in value since they signed him for £72m.

And the Gunners great, who won five major trophies with the club in his playing days, believes talk of Pepe finally living up to his potential this season is premature.

Pepe came off the bench to score and help Arsenal to a massive comeback win over top-four rivals Wolves last week.

But writing in his Daily Star column, Merson said: "Don't expect Nicolas Pepe to suddenly become an Arsenal legend - he's a £72m sub they'd bite your hand off to get rid of.

Read the full story here.

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