Layth

My beloved Arsenal-supporting dad sadly died in the early hours. He fought bravely after breaking his hip & getting pneumonia before Christmas. Having witnessed the kindness and care shown by the NHS I’d like to thank all the nurses & doctors for their professionalism. RIP Dad 💔

Thirty years ago today I was at the Parken Stadium on a never to be forgotten night in Copenhagen. Three decades on Arsenal are 90 minutes away from the Champions League final, with Mikel Arteta’s vintage having a chance to write themselves into the history books…

And that’s the end of the Arsenal squad’s official open training for the media here at London Colney. Just to confirm club captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber were all absent from this morning’s session. We’ll learn more from the press conferences later

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta with Gabriel Heinze and his staff at training this morning here at London Colney ahead of the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday evening

The Arsenal squad are taking part in a team building exercise on the far pitches here at London Colney

My @theofficialfwa Player of the Year, Declan Rice heads out for open training here at London Colney ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates on Tuesday evening

Gabriel, Saka and Eze head out for Arsenal training here at London Colney

The Arsenal squad head out for training here at London Colney. As expected no sign of Odegaard, Havertz or Timber

Hincapie and MLS share a joke before Arsenal training here at Colney

Gabriel Heinze chats to Max Dowman here at Colney

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta runs out to take training here at London Colney

Max Dowman and Marli Salmon are here at Colney

Albert Stuivenberg is here

Made it to London Colney for Arsenal’s open training for the media ahead of the Gunners Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates on Tuesday evening

Fulham boss Marco Silva says: “We made their life too easy…we were not at the level for this type of game…we expected Arsenal to start the way they did. We wanted to start strong.” He adds: “we were not at the level…the first half was a big frustration…”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaks warmly about Per Mertesacker: “A legend of this club. “What he did as a player, we were teammates, then for the academy, and at every level. “One of the best people I have met in football.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: “We keep the dream alive…”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: “We want to use the momentum and the belief towards Tuesday…”

Arsenal boss Arteta on Saka: “we know what he’s capable of…and now he’s fresh…” On substituting Saka he added: “We have to [we have to] careful as we need him on the pitch.” On the fans: “I appreciate the behaviour and the energy they brought to the stadium..”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is asked if he will watch Everton vs Manchester City: “yes,” he replies, “because I am a football fan.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says: “Very happy with the team performance…we knew how difficult it was going to be, especially after getting back from Madrid so late…but we talked about hunger…it was a critical game.” On MLS earning accolades after his display: “He fully deserves it. I’ve been tough on him, he had some difficult moments [but] today he stepped up.”