Arsenal have quietly announced their first sale of the summer transfer window, while Declan Rice's short-term role has come under scrutiny. The Gunners find themselves just three wins away from achieving greatness.
Following a nail-biting and controversial 1-0 victory at West Ham on Sunday, Mikel Arteta's men can lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004 if they win their last two league fixtures. That would set the north Londoners up for a potentially historic league and European Cup double when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 30.
Arsenal will be desperate to become European champions for the first time in their history in Budapest, though the calibre of their opposition and recent injuries suggest it will be no easy feat. Now, ahead of Monday's league clash with Burnley at home, Mirror Football brings you two of the biggest stories involving the Gunners.
Declan Rice Faces Sacrifice
Paul Scholes thinks Declan Rice should play at right-back for the remainder of the season. Rice was pushed to right-back in the first half of the win over West Ham following an injury to Ben White. He ultimately returned to his preferred central midfield role in the second half after the Gunners began to lose the midfield battle in his absence. But White's MCL injury ruling him out until the end of the season, and the ongoing concerns surrounding Jurrien Timber's fitness, have left Arteta short of options at a pivotal point in the campaign.
Manchester United legend Scholes believes Rice should sacrifice himself by playing out of position for the remainder of Arsenal's matches, despite Cristhian Mosquera being a more natural defender who can play there too. Scholes also appeared to take a jibe at Rice's apparent lack of creativity while making his feelings heard. He said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast: "Declan Rice looks like he would suit playing at right-back to me. He can play there. He's not a big creator anyway." Podcast co-host and fellow United legend Nicky Butt had compared Rice's versatility to Roy Keane's during his prime, saying: "Roy Keane played right-back for two-thirds of a season," to which Scholes said: "He played there loads and was brilliant."
First Arsenal Transfer Announced
Arsenal have announced Jakub Kiwior's departure to Porto in a permanent transfer. Kiwior joined the Portuguese side on a season-long loan deal last year which was expected to be made permanent this summer. Porto confirmed last week that they had triggered the option to sign the Pole on a four-year deal after agreeing a £14million transfer which could rise to £19m. Arsenal have now also confirmed the move in relatively subdued fashion in their weekly loan watch.
"Jakub Kiwior's move to Porto has now become permanent following the Dragaos' Liga Portugal title triumph last weekend," their post read. "The Polish defender was an unused substitute in this weekend's 3-1 defeat at AFS, in which the team was rotated."
