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Arsenal fell to a 3-1 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night in an FA cup fourth round clash.

The Gunners have been dumped out of the cup, and also saw centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis forced off the pitch with injuries. In his post-match press conference (arsenal.com), Unai Emery could not be certain as to the extent of these injuries, but both could certainly be absent for Tuesday’s Premier League meeting with Cardiff City.

If Sokratis and Koscielny are to be on the treatment table with fellow defenders Rob Holding (arsenal.com) and Hector Bellerin (Sky Sports), then Emery will have to devise a plan for protecting his weakened rearguard.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video below to see for yourself…

On the chalkboard

Arsenal need to pack their midfield in deep areas to ensure they win the battle against Cardiff in the middle of the park. In doing so, they shall also offer their defence a much-needed layer of protection.

Emery employed this tactic for his side’s recent 2-0 triumph over Chelsea. On that occasion, he fielded a central trio of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. The same three ought to be called on again to reprise this system against the Bluebirds.

Emery has taken stick for setting his side up too defensively at times this season, and fans may not want to see three defensive midfielders start at home against a side locked in a relegation battle, but the boss simply must protect whatever makeshift back four he selects.

Maintaining an edge

Packing the midfield does mean that Arsenal lose a man from their attack. However, Emery ought to be able to place his faith in the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to be able to find a way through Cardiff anyway.

What’s more, playing with three deep midfielders, all offering cover for any vacated spaces at the back, gives the Gunners’ full-backs license to push forward into attacking areas with security. Sead Kolasinac can then be effective for Arsenal in the final third, ensuring that Emery’s side maintain their attacking edge despite being an attacker short. 

Newcastle United have reportedly now ‘moved’ to try and sign Paulo Dybala in the summer.

The Lowdown: Out of contract

Dybala is out of contract in the summer, and so he is expected to leave Juventus at the end of the season as a free agent.

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Currently rated at £36m by Transfermarkt, whoever is able to sign him will be getting a real bargain on their hands – the Argentina star has scored eight times in 20 Serie A starts this season, racking up a huge 3.7 shots, 1.5 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game (Whoscored).

The Latest: Newcastle move

As per Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), both the St. James’ Park faithful and Arsenal have now ‘moved’ for Dybala, with his preference to move abroad from Italy.

However, they have not ‘gone beyond the show of interest’, but would have a chance of signing him from a financial perspective.

The Verdict: No-brainer

To get a player of Dybala’s quality for free is surely a no-brainer, perhaps regardless of whatever his potentially remarkable wage demands are.

Hailed as ‘world-class’ by former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson, the Argentina international has won as many as five Serie A titles with the Old Lady, as well as many other accolades (Transfermarkt).

He has over 200 combined goals and assists for club and country over the course of his career so far, and at 28 years of age, is still at the peak of his powers.

Nonetheless, bringing him in through the door on Tyneside would certainly send out a big message to the rest of the world that the Magpies mean business.

In other news, find out what three other strikers are on PIF’s shortlist here!

Everton have seen many players coming the Merseyside club over the past few years, some for very significant amounts of money in terms of transfer fees.

However, looking back along, there has one player on whom the Toffees should have been much quicker to splash the cash, only to miss their opportunity.

According to former Toffees manager David Moyes (via Daily Express), the club were chasing the Belgian while he was at Lille before making his way to England with Chelsea, but a lack of sufficient funds meant that a potential move to Goodison Park wouldn’t have been possible.

Moyes said: “We knew all about Hazard because of Marouane Fellaini and the Belgium boys. But it was always going to be biggish cash for us – and we’ve had a few like that, I can tell you!”

During his time at Lille, the winger scored 50 goals and provided 53 assists in 194 appearances before joining the west Londoners in 2012 in a deal worth a reported £32m.

In 352 appearances with Chelsea across all competitions, the 31-year-old scored 110 goals, provided 92 assists and won numerous titles and individual awards along the way. This shows just how brilliant a piece of business it was from the west London club to bring him to England.

Having left the Premier League in the summer of 2019 for a move to Real Madrid, the Belgian has found goalscoring rather hard, only scoring six times in 65 appearances while also struggling with numerous injuries.

Labelled an “unbelievable” player in his prime by former Chelsea team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek and called a “superstar” by Jamie Carragher, Hazard has totalled 166 goals and 155 assists in 611 senior club appearances throughout his career.

Taking all this into account, mostly the goal contributions the Belgian delivered during his time in England, it’s safe to say that it was a real calamity from Bill Kenwright to somehow not find the funds for Everton to swoop in and sign Hazard before Chelsea set their sights on him.

Had the Toffees been able to bring the attacker to Goodison Park when they had him on their radar, he could have been a crucial figure for the club for many years due to his immense talent.

In other news: Alan Myers drops four word Everton update which will leave supporters relieved

West Ham United made it through to the semi-finals of the Europa League last night after beating Olympique Lyon 3-0 away from home.

The Hammers went in at halftime 2-0 up after coming through a barrage of Lyon attacks throughout the first period of their second-leg clash.

Three minutes into the second half, Jarrod Bowen found the back of the net to put David Moyes’ side 3-0 up with one foot in the semi-finals.

Having got through the game with a clean sheet and three goals scored, this was a magnificent night for the east London club, who deservedly made it through to the next stage of the tournament.

In terms of individual performances, one figure that stood out from the crowd in a West Ham shirt on this occasion was defender Craig Dawson.

With the French side having 17 attempts at goal in total, the centre-back had a lot to deal with throughout the night.

Labelled as a “set piece savant” by commentator Maximiliano Bretos, the 31-year-old put his side 1-0 up with a headed goal from a corner.

However, it was his work defending his own goal where the Englishman really stole the show.

With just 32 touches of the ball in total, the defender made four clearances, six blocks and one interception, showing just how vital he was for the Hammers in keeping Lyon out of their goal.

He also managed to win 67% of the duels he was involved in, highlighting how much of a tough opponent he was for the opposition players.

This display ultimately earned the veteran an impressive overall match rating of 8.5/10 for his efforts, making him the highest-rated Hammers player on the day according to SofaScore.

Having picked up a higher rating than fellow goalscorers Bowen and Declan Rice, this shows just how solid he was at the top and bottom of the pitch and that he was a massive reason why the team have gone through.

The 52k-per-week centre-back’s display caught the attention of West Ham journalist Roshane Thomas who described Dawson’s performance as “superb.”

Moving forward, with the east London club now set to take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals, they will need their defensive powerhouse to be just as impressive next time out as he was in midweek if they want to reach the final.

In other news: Moyes can form “dangerous” duo as GSB plot bid for £25m gem who could “explode” at WHU

Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic has returned to training ahead of tomorrow evening’s Premier League clash with Leeds United.

The Lowdown: Milivojevic’s absence

The club captain has only played 31 minutes of Premier League action over the last two months and didn’t travel with the squad for the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday.

Milivojevic, who Roy Hodgson labelled as ‘outstanding’, suffered a hamstring injury in the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea last weekend.

It looks as if he could return to the squad for the visit of Jesse Marsch’s side, though, after a positive injury update emerged days before the game.

The Latest: Back in training

Football.london relayed comments from Patrick Vieira’s pre-match press conference on Friday.

The Eagles boss confirmed that Milivojevic was going to be in training on Saturday, while Michael Olise was also going to be assessed yesterday after he was withdrawn early on at St. James’ Park.

The Verdict: Good news

Although Milivojevic hasn’t been a regular started in Vieira’s first season in charge, it is good news knowing that he appears to be over his muscular problem relatively quickly.

Hopefully, he’ll now be able to give Vieira another central midfield option from the bench against the Whites alongside Will Hughes and Jams McArthur.

Who knows, the Palace boss may even look to shake things up following three successive defeats, and he could be forced into one change, should Olise fail to recover in time.

In other news: Source: Freedman now stepping up Palace move for ‘phenomenal’ left-footed star as news emerges. 

West Ham United are continuing to push hard to sign Sheffield Wednesday starlet Bailey Cadamarteri.

What’s the story?

According to recent claims from The Star, the likes of Brentford and David Moyes’ side have been scouting the 16-year-old forward, and there has now been an update on that transfer race.

The report said: “If it was up to the Hammers, then the talented teen would be on his way down south in the future, with David Moyes’ side believed to be extremely keen on trying to sign him.

“The Star understands that the London-based outfit have already made enquiries about the striker as they seek to tempt him further south, however indications are that the forward is happy where he is and is eager to keep progressing at the club with whom he’s been since he was just nine-years-old.”Moyes would love him

Despite only being 16, the young striker has caught the eye for the Owls’ under-18s and under-23 sides, and he netted a superb hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Ipswich Town last season.

His father Danny, who of course has had Premier League experience himself having played for the likes of Everton, Fulham and Sheffield United, spoke to The Star about his son’s potential, saying: “It’s great for him, and physically he can cope because he’s quite a big boy for his age. It’s nice experience for him.

“He started to get a bit more credit for his own performances then, rather than people thinking it was because of me.”

At just 16, Cadamarteri is very much an exciting young attacker who would be one for the future at the London Stadium, but Moyes would certainly be delighted to get him in through the door and shore up the Hammers’ future up front.

While Hammers fans may not see Cadamarteri really come into his own any time soon were he to make the move down south, he could develop even quicker and realise his potential with the help of the Hammers’ Premier League-quality coaches and staff.

Meanwhile, West Ham have made this predator their main transfer target…

Leeds United have been credited with an interest in Aston Villa defender Matt Targett, 90min report.

The Lowdown: Newcastle loan

Targett has been on the books at Villa Park since 2019 but made the move to Newcastle United on loan in January after Steven Gerrard brought in Lucas Digne.

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The 26-year-old, who Villa Park legend Gabby Agbonlahor believes is ‘really comfortable on the ball’, has made 12 appearances for the Magpies, helping them climb up the Premier League table under Eddie Howe.

Jamie Carragher has hailed the left-back during his time at St. James’ Park, and it looks as if his displays have now caught the eye of Leeds chiefs.

The Latest: Leeds links

90min shared a Newcastle transfer story on Tuesday evening, which involved an update on Targett.

They claimed that Leeds, Leicester City and Wolves all hold an interest in Targett, although his preference is to stay at Newcastle, who have a ‘broad agreement in place’ ahead of a £15m permanent deal.

The Verdict: Firpo replacement?

It is interesting that Leeds have been credited with an interest in Targett, as they have also been linked with Celta Vigo left-back Javi Galan earlier this month.

Junior Firpo was the club’s main marquee signing last year from Barcelona but has had a first season to forget, making just 15 Premier League starts and picking up more yellow cards than any other Leeds player.

Links to two left-backs this month could mean that the Whites are looking to replace the Spaniard ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season in charge, however, relegation back to the Championship could blow the club’s transfer plans wide open in regards to both incomings and outgoings.

In other news: ‘Big blow…’ – Sky Sports man now reacts to ‘dramatic’ confirmed Leeds news for run-in. 

A major Newcastle United transfer claim has been made over their chances to sign Ousmane Dembele…

What’s the talk?

According to AS, sources close to Barcelona have claimed that he is closing in on a transfer to PSG and is ‘guaranteed’ to sign a contract with the French giants this summer.

His deal with the La Liga outfit expires at the end of the current campaign and he is now set to leave for £0, with the Magpies being one of the teams linked with a swoop to snap him up for nothing.

Shocker

PIF are heading for a major shocker over Dembele as missing out on being able to sign him on a free transfer would be a huge blow.

The France international would be a sensational signing for Eddie Howe’s team and the Saudi Arabian consortium must attempt to hijack this move by convincing him to make the switch to the Premier League. He has been in sensational form of late for Xavi’s side and is showing the kind of form that would make him a fan favourite at St. James’ Park.

In La Liga this season, he has averaged an incredible SofaScore rating of 7.62. He has produced a stunning ten direct goal contributions in 12 appearances for the club, scoring once and providing nine assists from the right wing.

His former teammate Lionel Messi previously called him a “phenomenon” and Barcelona club president Joan Laporta once claimed “he is better than Mbappe” – highlighting how highly he is rated by people who have seen him up close in the flesh on a regular basis. 

His form in the Spanish top-flight shows that he is starting to live up to the hype around his hype as he has been a consistent creative threat for the Catalan giants. He has created 2.3 chances per game in La Liga and provided his teammates with eight ‘big chances’, despite only starting eight matches.

The forward is also still in the early parts of his career, at the age of 24, and has the potential to continually improve over time. Therefore, PIF are set to miss out on a gem who can make a huge impact in the short term and a player they could potentially sell on for a huge profit in the future, which is why this looks set to be a big shocker from the owners in the summer.

AND in other news, Sold for £30m, now worth £13.5m: Ashley played a blinder for NUFC over £83k-p/w flop…

Having played every minute of Crystal Palace’s opening 16 league games, Vicente Guaita has featured just twice in the Eagles’ last four games, with regular understudy Jack Butland starting to receive a few opportunities between the sticks.

The Spaniard was on the bench for Palace’s 2-2 draw at home to Southampton before Christmas and was absent entirely from the squad which lost 3-0 at Spurs on Boxing Day.

After returning between the sticks for the 3-0 win over Norwich and 3-2 defeat to West Ham, it was assumed that the 35-year-old had reclaimed his status as first-choice. However, Butland was once again preferred in the 2-1 FA Cup win at Millwall and the 1-1 derby stalemate at Brighton last weekend.

However, it is now time for Palace manager Patrick Vieira to reacquire the services of his former first-choice and keep Guaita in between the sticks for the remainder of the season, injury permitting.

In his cameo appearances, Butland hasn’t offered much to the Palace setup other than saving what was, in truth, a terrible penalty against Brighton last time out.

The 28-year-old made a howler against Millwall which had given the Championship outfit the lead before the Englishman’s blushes were spared in the second half as Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta turned the tie around for the visitors at The Den.

Whilst being in goal for the Eagles this season, Butland has conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game, whilst Guaita has let in 1.39 goals per game. Moreover, the Englishman is yet to keep a clean sheet this season, whilst the Spaniard has managed five.

According to SofaScore, Guaita is also superior when it comes to ball distribution, with a 78% passing accuracy per game compared to Butland’s 64%. Granted, the 28-year-old averages slightly more saves per game with three compared to the 35-year-old’s 2.8, but he has saved 60% of shots faced as opposed to his older team-mate’s 67%.

It is vital for teams to have a familiar face in between the sticks, especially for defenders so that they feel comfortable when they need to pass to their goalkeeper.

It’s no surprise that the only game Palace have won with Butland in goal was an FA Cup tie against a Championship side, whereas with Guaita on the pitch, the Eagles went on an impressive seven-game unbeaten run in the league during the autumn.

Indeed, last season the Spaniard was the subject of high praise from pundit Jermaine Beckford after an impressive performance against Everton. He stated that, with Guaita in their side, “Crystal Palace will pick up a lot more points”.

Former Palace manager Roy Hodgson was also a big fan of the Spanish ‘keeper, labelling him as “excellent” on one occasion.

The £57k-p/w veteran has made 114 appearances for the south London club since his move from Getafe in summer 2018, and he has now been the Eagles’ first choice between the sticks for the best part of four years.

There is little evidence as to why that should change for the remainder of the campaign.

In other news: This Palace ace returned to training ahead of the Liverpool clash

Roma goalkeeper and Sheffield United loanee Robin Olsen is set to have his loan deal at Bramall Lane cut short in order to join Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season.

What’s the story?

According to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Olsen is set to make the move from the Championship up to the Premier League and become Steven Gerrard’s third signing as Aston Villa manager after the exciting captures of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne.

Romano tweeted: “Robin Olsen from Sheffield [United] to Aston Villa now at final stages, agreement in place. Last details to be resolved.

“AS Roma will cancel loan to Sheffield [United] and then will let Olsen join Aston Villa until the end of the season. Olsen already agreed personal terms with Villa.”

Olsen had spent last season on loan at Premier League outfit Everton, making 11 appearances for the Toffees as their second-choice behind Jordan Pickford.

The Sweden international was signed by former Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic as a short-term replacement for Aaron Ramsdale who joined Arsenal in the summer and has made 11 appearances in the Championship thus far.

However, it appears as though the 32-year-old will cut his spell in South Yorkshire prematurely and return to the English top-flight with Aston Villa.

Fans will be buzzing

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s status as first-choice ‘keeper is under very little scrutiny after another impressive campaign so far for the Villans with five clean sheets in 18 Premier League matches.

However, what Steven Gerrard does lack is a reliable backup should the Argentinian ever be absent from the Englishman’s side.

Jed Steer is currently the West Midlands club’s only other recognised goalkeeper and has only played two Premier League matches since Villa’s promotion in 2019.

With Olsen, Gerrard’s side will be better equipped should any factor that would make Martinez unavailable arise. Moreover, they will have a goalkeeper with plenty of experience, having played in Serie A, the Premier League, the Champions League and the Europa League.

There may be a slight concern regarding the fact that the 32-year-old hasn’t had the most impressive spell at Sheffield United, keeping just one clean sheet in 11 matches.

However, being a loan deal, it is an ideal solution to what is a major problem in Villa’s squad depth and the presence of Olsen will undoubtedly improve Gerrard’s squad.

In other news: Villa have “agreement†for £13k-p/w ace with a “big presenceâ€, Gerrard will be elated