Arsenal are preparing to reclaim the Premier League summit this Saturday after being dethroned in midweek. Manchester City's victory over Burnley on Wednesday relegated the Clarets and lifted City to the top of the table. With five games remaining, the title race remains tight. The Gunners can temporarily return to first place with a home win against Newcastle, while City are occupied with their FA Cup semi-final against Southampton.
Despite recent poor form, it is not all doom and gloom for Mikel Arteta's side. Mixed news has emerged both on and off the pitch as Mirror Football examines the latest headlines from the Emirates.
Neville and Keane Disagree with Rice's Refusal
Following Arsenal's defeat to City last Sunday, Declan Rice was seen on the Etihad pitch telling teammates that the title race is "not done." City boss Pep Guardiola praised Rice's attitude as a sign of Arsenal's mental strength. However, Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville hold a different view.
Discussing the incident on Stick to Football, Neville said: "If I was watching Declan Rice nearly in tears, and saying it's not done, I'd be thinking you're done. ... I look at him and think he's done." Keane interjected, questioning whether Rice had controlled the midfield battle, pointing to City's Rodri and Bernardo Silva as the dominant forces.
Guardiola remains a fan of Rice's resolve, but it is difficult to argue that City now have the upper hand in the title race.
Mingueza Likely to Leave on Free Transfer
On the transfer front, Arteta has received a boost in his pursuit of Celta Vigo's Oscar Mingueza. The former Barcelona academy graduate is out of contract this summer and is being tracked by several clubs, including Arsenal. Mingueza, who can play anywhere in defence, is seen as a potential replacement for Ben White if he leaves.
Celta Vigo manager Claudio Giraldez acknowledged the difficulty of keeping the player. "He's a fantastic player. He has a tremendous personality. I hope he can stay. But we know it will be difficult to keep him," Giraldez told Sport.
Mingueza, 26, joined Celta from Barcelona in 2022 for around £2.5 million. His value has since risen to approximately £15 million, according to Transfermarkt. A versatile defender on a free transfer presents an attractive option for Arsenal.
