ARSENAL continue to wait for news on the return of the Premier League.

But the Gunners may have an ulterior motive for not wanting it to come back, with Uefa reportedly considering allowing them into the Champions League if the season is cancelled.

Follow all the latest updates from North London below…

• FELIZ ANIVERSARIO

  Happy 33rd birthday to David Luiz.

  The man with the second-best big curly hair at Arsenal.

  

• PART OF THE PLAN

  Thomas Partey’s dad has confirmed his son has had talks with Arsenal.

  He told Ghanian radio Tru FM: “I called my son after hearing the rumours and he told me that the rumours are true.

  “He told me they are holding talks between him and Arsenal.

  “It all depends on the offer Atletico are demanding.

  “If he goes to Arsenal fine, they have a lot supporters in Ghana. “I will be happy if he decides to move to Arsenal.

  “What they are discussing now is how Atletico will release him.”

• THERE'S AN ART TO IT

  Mikel Arteta assured Arsenal's players including Mesut Ozil they would not be thought of negatively by refusing a pay cut, according to reports.

  Ozil, 31, is the Gunners' top-earning star with a weekly wage of £350,000.

  But he was one of three first-teamers to reject the 12.5 per cent 12-month pay cut and came under heavy criticism as a result.

  ESPN say, though, that Arteta made it clear to players like Ozil that opinions on them would not change depending on their decision on the wages.

  However, the Spaniard did remind his men of the values Arsenal stand for and the positive statement it would make if they were the first English side to agree a pay cut, rather than a deferral.

  Ozil's reasoning for not taking the pay cut – which will see the players paid back in full should they qualify for the Champions League – was because he did not want to be rushed into a decision while it is thought he remains in discussions about taking a cut, possibly of more than 12.5 per cent.

• NAB HIM

  Arsenal are keen on signing Real Betis' Nabil Fekir, according to AS.

  However, the report adds that Betis' £44m asking price will prove a stumbling block is no movement.

  But The Express recall that Tottenham were able to agree a £27m deal for Giovani Lo Celso last season, despite the La Liga side wanting a fee as high as £67m.

  And with the coronavirus striking and Fekir by far Betis' highest earner, it remains very possible that they will accept a reduced bid once the transfer window finally arrives.

  Arsenal are keen to replace on-loan Dani Ceballos, who is reportedly likely to return to Real Madrid in summer – and has interestingly been linked with a move to Betis next season.

  The Gunners are also aware that the Mesut Ozil situation could spiral out of control after he chose to reject a pay cut.

• THE RUBEN LOFTUS OF IT

  Chelsea are considering making a “cheeky” bid for Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer.

  Arsenal have reportedly accepted that the Gabon star will not accept a new contract and would be willing to let him go for as little as £50m when the season is completed.

  And Bleacher Report's Dean Jones says: “Lampard wants a lot. New keeper, new LB, new CB, new wide forward and a new striker.

  “Some targets include: Nick Pope, Ben Chilwell, (Kalidou) Koulibaly, Milan Skriniar, Timo Werner, Jadon Sancho, (Mauro) Icardi, Moussa Dembele, and even look out for a cheeky bid for Aubameyang.”

  When asked whether Aubameyang would leave Arsenal, Jones replied: “It’s more than likely.”

  However, even if the Gunners were to accept a £50m bid, it's not known whether that would apply to a bid from Chelsea – one of their most direct rivals geographically and competitively.

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