ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE emerged from the bench to seal the winner for Arsenal against West Ham.
But off the pitch they appear further away than ever from a new deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang, while Gabriel Martinelli is set to miss the start of next season.
Follow all the latest updates from the Emirates below…
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MORNING, ARSENAL FANS
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are almost ready to make waves.
After sub Alexandre Lacazette's late VAR-confirmed winner against unlucky West Ham, the Gunners boss said: “I'm happy because big teams find a way when they aren't playing well.
“We are turning the corner in terms of results, but our ship still has to turn a few times more to see what we want to see.”
This third straight home victory in a row put Arsenal ninth, five points off Chelsea in fourth.
It also confirmed the impressive way on-loan Dani Ceballos has slotted in after injuries.
But his “8” rating from SunSport's William Pugh contrasted with a bleak afternoon for midfield colleague Granit Xhaka, who got a “4”.
And assuming the Gunners fail to make a Champions League spot, Arteta has admitted the £60million shortfall from missing European football could see some big departures.
Lacazette and especially Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are regarded as the leading candidates to go.
And The Mail suggest Aubameyang could be sold in any case due to reported wage demands of £300,000 a week – a rise of £100k..
Meanwhile, the Gunners, Spurs and Everton have been linked with Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling, now thriving on loan for Roma.
United are said to have upped the asking price to £25m after the 30-year-old revived his career in Serie A this season.
AUBA HEADING OUT?
Arsenal are preparing for the possible exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with the Gunners skipper entering the final year of his contract this summer.
The North London team's star striker is demanding £300,000 a week to sign a new contract, according to reports.
It would see his current deal increase by more than 30 per cent and make him one of the club's highest earners.
Aubameyang has netted 17 times for the Gunners so far this season.
The Gabon international is the Premier League's joint top scorer alongside Leicester City's Jamie Vardy.
NOT SO PRETTY
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil admits it wasn't their finest performance in the 1-0 win over West Ham today but was delighted with the three points.
Ozil wrote on Instagram: “3 PL victories on the bounce.
“Wasn't very pretty today, but a must win game, so we'll take that!”
DAN THE MAN
Arsenal fans are raving about Dani Ceballos after the Spaniard put in a fine performance in the 1-0 win over West Ham.
One fan wrote:“My man of the match goes to Dani Ceballos.
“Brilliant all round display.
“He took the initiative in the build up and was super solid defensively.”
Another wrote:“Ceballos reminds me of Cazorla with tackles, passes and getting forward.
“Just needs to show us the class he has that Caz did so many times.”
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