7pm Arsenal news LIVE: Emery backed after Enrique says no, Xhaka to AC Milan, Messi and Ronaldo nearly joined – The Sun, Thesun.co.uk

Live Blog

• (Nov) ,20 : 28
• Updated: (Nov) ,20: 28

• Anthony Chapman13 minutes agoNovember 11, 2019

  UNAI EMERY is a “great coach”, says Gary Neville.

  Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Manchester United defender said: “The fans are getting very impatient at this time.

  “I don’t think anyone was surprised that Leicester went and won that game as they did.”

  Before he added: “Unai Emery is getting put under big pressure – I do know that Unai Emery is a great coach.”

• Anthony Chapman(1 hour ago******************* (November) , 2019

  GRANIT XHAKA has reported “ lost the respect ”of some Arsenal players by refusing to privately apologise for his foul-mouthed rant at fans.

  The midfielder was stripped of the club captaincy after telling Gunners supporters to “f *** off” in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace last month.

  Some of the players believe Xhaka has been “thrown under the bus” for the row against Palace.

  But others have lost respect for the former Borussia Monchengladbach star after he stormed away from the Emirates following the incident and refused to privately apologise to the rest of the players .

  The Athleticadds that Xhaka was involved in a heated exchange with a teammate in training ahead of the 1-1 draw with Wolves on November 2.

• Sam Street2 hours agoNovember 11, 2019

  MANCHESTER CITY will NOT stand in Mikel Arteta’s way if Arsenal coming looking for a new manager, writes SunSport’s Daniel Cutts.

  The Gunners are on a shocking run of form at present with just six wins in their last 19 Premier League matches.

  There have been calls for Unai Emery to be sacked by fans and pundits, and the club’s hierarchy are looking at his position.

  It is understood the North Londoners have their former player on a shortlist of candidates as a future boss.

  Arteta was devastated last year after being snubbed for the job as Emery came in to replace Arsene Wenger.

  An Etihad source said: “Mikel loves working at City and learning from the best manager in the world in Pep.

  “Everyone knows he wants to be his own man one day, though.

  “Mikel still has a lot of affection for Arsenal from his playing days there.

  “He knows City would never dream of standing in the way of his ambitions if an attractive offer came from a top club.

  “That’s not how they work, nor Pep. They want to empower people and see them get on.

  “It was the same with Patrick Vieira when he was behind the scenes at City before wanting to manage at New York City FC.”

  It is believed Arteta turned down a job to take over at Newcastle last summer, before Steve Bruce took over.

  The 37 – year-old did not think it would be the right fit for him, and wants to take over at Arsenal.

  There is also a suggestion he could one day be Pep Guardiola’s replacement at City, with just a few years left on his deal.

• Anthony Chapman(3 hours ago)November 11, 2019

  MANCHESTER CITY attacker Riyad Mahrez has revealed his “frustration” at not being able to leave Leicester earlier and join a “top team” like Arsenal in 2016.

  The Algerian won his second Premier League title last season, adding to his against-all-odds triumph with the Foxes back in the 2015 / (season.)

  But the 28 – year-old feels that he wasted two years of his career fighting relegation, when he should have been at a big club challenging for honors.

  Mahrez saw crucial team-mate Ngolo Kante depart for Chelsea, where he won another title in 2017 – with Danny Drinkwater following suit a year later.

  Although star-striker Jamie Vardy stayed – Leicester were not the same force.

  And Mahrez told France Football: “After the title, if I’d left for a top team, it wouldn’t have been the same story.

  “For me, it’s clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25.

  “Leicester blocked me. They told me: ‘You’re not leaving, you’re not leaving’.

  “My agent had spoken to (Arsene) Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated.

  “It wasn’t easy to go from being the best player in the Premier League to being a part of a team fighting against relegation.

  “It’s not the same job. Everyone is waiting for you around the corner. ”

• Anthony Chapman3 hours agoNovember 11, 2019

  ARSENE WENGER has once again frustrated Arsenal fans with a claim that he almost signed Cristiano Ronaldo and tried to sign Lionel Messi.

  The 70 – year-old is notorious for his audacious claims over players he “nearly” brought to North London.

  Having previously revealed stories of attempts to sign the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane among others – Arsenal fans have grown bored of the three-time Premier League winner’s claims.

  It was even revealed earlier this year that Wenger had bungled the chance to sign Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane for just £ 4million in 2012.

  So when a clip circulated on Sunday of their former manager claiming he nearly signed Cristiano Ronaldo and tried to get Lionel Messi, Gunners fans were not impressed.

  One wrote: “goes on about the same thing every week”, prefaced with a snoring emoji.

  Another joked: “And I almost met Santa Claus ..”

  While another was scathing: “They couldn’t have been the players they’re today ..”