Arsenal news: £129m striker told to snub transfer as training ground frustration emerges

An Arsenal star has shared what he told his team-mate behind the scenes to "p*** him off"

Arsenal’s long run of games in cup competitions continues this coming week in the aftermath of their FA Cup quarter-final clash with Southampton. Following Saturday’s trip to St Mary’s, the Gunners will now shift their focus to the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta will be quietly confident about his side’s chances of dispatching Sporting CP in the quarter-finals of the competition, having earned a relatively favourable draw. But they will still need to be in top form during Tuesday’s away trip to Lisbon to avoid another cup exit, having lost the Carabao Cup final in their last game before the recent international break.

Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton in March was their only Premier League game across the past six fixtures, with the Gunners earning an extended break from the pressures of trying to lift a first league title since 2004. The north Londoners currently top the table by nine points, albeit with a game in hand over Manchester City and a tantalising fixture at the Etihad Stadium still left to play.

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Now, Mirror Football takes a look at two of the latest stories involving the league leaders.

Jesus 'p***es off' Eze

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has admitted that he may have "p***ed off" Eberechi Eze with his constant tactical advice. Eze has had a mixed season since completing a dream transfer to his boyhood club last summer, enjoying incredible highs such as his five goals against Tottenham and stunning goals against Bayer Leverkusen, Crystal Palace and Mansfield Town.

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But the former Palace playmaker has also been very inconsistent, going large parts of the season without registering a goal involvement and drifting in and out of games. Eze’s experienced team-mate, Jesus, has recently sought to help the England midfielder by repeatedly urging him to get on the ball more often in games and in training, so he can have a greater impact.

Jesus joked that Eze is probably upset with him because of that. The Brazilian said on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel: "Ebs is the one that, I think, last two-three weeks, he is a little bit p***ed off with me maybe, in a good way.

"Because I tell him all the time, ‘Look, you have to have the ball at your feet at least 20 times per game. Tell people, scream. If they don’t pass to you, tell him to pass.’

"And not to drop in there (number six role). This is a holding midfielder’s role, to build and give the ball to the attacking players. I keep saying to him every day now. Before the game, I say, ‘I’m counting now.’

"Because he is that good, you know? When you see someone who is so good, and you see him not having an impact or doing well, you want to help."

Julian Alvarez verdict given

Pundit Ally McCoist believes Chelsea is a better destination for Julian Alvarez than Arsenal this summer. The Gunners have been linked with the Atletico Madrid striker in recent months.

The Argentine has managed 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions this season, impressing some of Europe’s top clubs in the process. The Gunners are understood to be interested in acquiring Alvarez’s services, though they are unlikely to want to pay the £129million price-tag Atletico have slapped on the 26-year-old, having spent £64m on Viktor Gyokeres last summer.

McCoist thinks the competition from Gyokeres and Kai Havertz could mean fewer minutes for Alvarez at the Emirates Stadium than if he joined rivals Chelsea, who are also targeting the former Manchester City man.

He told talkSPORT Bet Casino: "Oh, without a doubt. I think he’s got a better chance of playing more regularly at Chelsea, to tell you the truth, than he would at Arsenal. The squad at Arsenal is phenomenal. They’re playing Kai Havertz, sometimes as a false nine, Gabriel Jesus is through the middle and Leandro Trossard has played there.

"Alvarez is a real talent. As I say, it would surprise me to see him coming back. But in terms of where he went, I think he’d probably get more game time. And you know something? Chelsea might appeal to him because they are a young side with a lot of potential.

"If he came to Arsenal, they still haven’t got over the line at this moment in time. I think they will and I think they will in a couple of years, but it’s a big six weeks coming up for Arsenal, there’s no doubt.

"You look at the size of Arsenal’s squad, it’s absolutely massive. So, he’s probably got a better chance of getting more regular playing time with Chelsea."

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