{"id":852,"date":"2026-04-06T12:24:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T12:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=852"},"modified":"2026-04-06T12:24:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T12:24:16","slug":"arsenal-news-mikel-arteta-handed-129m-transfer-update-after-telling-sign-on-touchline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=852","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta handed \u00a3129m transfer update after telling sign on touchline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_f5ffc0\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Mikel Arteta has received two key messages surrounding Arsenal, transfers and their strategy in the wake of the Gunners&#8217; FA Cup exit at Southampton<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">10:22, 06 Apr 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 10:25, 06 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35941630\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mikel Arteta\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article35941630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/7_Untitled-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article35941630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/7_Untitled-1.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article35941630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/7_Untitled-1.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article35941630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/7_Untitled-1.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mikel Arteta's approach has been slammed\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mikel Arteta&#8217;s approach has been slammed<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As the dust settles on yet another disappointing result for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has come under intense scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Gunners&#8217; stunning 2-1 loss to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals represented their second cup elimination in consecutive matches. There were alarming indicators for the Gunners as sloppy defensive work enabled the Saints to secure a dramatic late triumph. Any expectations that Arteta&#8217;s squad would recover following their Carabao Cup final loss to Man City prior to the international break appeared to be misplaced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The north London outfit cannot afford to dwell on their recent setbacks, though, as they gear up for a vital Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting CP on Tuesday. Now, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>Daily Star Sport <\/em><\/strong>examines two of the latest news developments concerning the Gunners.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36970759\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36970759\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta looks on during the English FA Cup quarter final football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on April 4, 2026. \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36970759.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_GettyImages-2269270571.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36970759.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/2_GettyImages-2269270571.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36970759.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/2_GettyImages-2269270571.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36970759.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_GettyImages-2269270571.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mikel Arteta has been dumped out of the FA Cup\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mikel Arteta has been dumped out of the FA Cup<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FB!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thedailystarsport#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">  Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_f5ffc0\">Mikel Arteta criticised for &#8216;nervous energy&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Theo Walcott directed criticism towards Arteta after Saturday evening&#8217;s defeat by highlighting the manager&#8217;s &#8220;nervous energy.&#8221; Both the Gunners chief and his team in recent seasons have faced accusations of failing to deliver when the pressure mounts, reports <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/arsenal-mikel-arteta-alvarez-transfer-36971518\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The loss to Southampton has heightened those concerns, with some fearing their lacklustre performance could seep into and disrupt their Premier League title chase. Ex-Arsenal star Walcott, also a former Saimts player, believes the Spaniard&#8217;s sideline behaviour isn&#8217;t helping.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking to the BBC, he said: &#8220;They have to not let the season run away from them. Everything they have built this season, don&#8217;t let it affect them. They have been in this situation before and they don&#8217;t want to relive that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Visually watching Mikel on the sidelines, it was elements of previous years where that energy reflected into the team. It was a nervous energy, it was very tense.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Not just Mikel but a lot of the staff were out there at times. It was like too many cooks in the kitchen, too many messages. Play your best team was the right thing to do tonight. It&#8217;s easy if I say that now, but you want a reaction off the cup final and it wasn&#8217;t that tonight, it was worse.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_f5ffc0\">Julian Alvarez transfer chatter &#8216;crossing the line&#8217;<\/h3>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36971375\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36971375\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Atletico Madrid present has sent a clear message to any Julian Alvarez transfer suitors\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36971375.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Julian-Alvarez.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36971375.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Julian-Alvarez.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36971375.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Julian-Alvarez.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36971375.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Julian-Alvarez.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Atletico Madrid present has sent a clear message to any Julian Alvarez transfer suitors\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Atletico Madrid present has sent a clear message to any Julian Alvarez transfer suitors<cite aria-label=\"Image: (Photo by Bruno Penas\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images)\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: (Photo by Bruno Penas\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images))<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo lambasted the Spanish press over the weekend for their incessant conjecture about Julian Alvarez&#8217;s summer move. Alvarez is reportedly being targeted as a crucial acquisition by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But, speaking ahead of Atletico&#8217;s La Liga loss to Barcelona, Cerezo hinted that Alvarez might stay at the club next season, having a swipe at the assembled press along the way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;You are crossing the line a little with (questions and reports about) Alvarez. He&#8217;s an Atletico Madrid player and has a long contract with the club.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Barcelona proceeded to claim victory, with Robert Lewandowski &#8211; the very player Alvarez would be tipped to succeed should he make the move &#8211; netting a late winner from the bench.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Argentina international Alvarez has notched 17 goals and nine assists across all competitions this season, catching the eye of several of Europe&#8217;s elite clubs in the process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Atletico are believed to have slapped a \u00a3129million valuation on the 26-year-old.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mikel Arteta has received two key messages surrounding Arsenal, transfers and their strategy in the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":853,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=852"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/852\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=852"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=852"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}