An exciting summer transfer window has led to fresh optimism that Arsenal can finally return to the top four, with the convincing 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace adding further fuel to those hopes.
Five players have already arrived at the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta also thought to be hoping to bring in a winger before the end of the window. A move for Villarreal wonderkid Yeremy Pino is also close to be sealed, while Youri Tielemans continues to be linked with the Gunners.
But technical director Edu Gaspar appears to have turned his focus onto cutting down the number of outcasts in Arteta’s squad. Pablo Mari has joined Monza on loan, while Albert Sambi Lokonga is now the subject of transfer talks between the Gunners and AC Milan.
Be sure to stick with Mirror Football right here for all of Saturday’s transfer news from the Emirates.
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to Mirror Football’s live blog for all the latest Arsenal transfer news.
That’s it for tonight
Thank you for tuning in to our live blog tonight.
Arsenal return to Premier League action tomorrow with Leicester City the visitors to the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel commits future to Arsenal
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães has committed his future to Arsenal, following links away from the club this summer.
“I am convinced that, with the project we have, we can achieve a lot,” he said via afcstuff.
Willian close to Europe return
Former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian is edging closer to a move back to Europe after terminating his Corinthians contract, as per Fabrizio Romano.
The veteran winger wants a new challenge and could make the switch back to the Premier League.
Silvestre on Arsenal summer window
Former Arsenal man Mikael Silvestre believes the Gunners have done well in this transfer window.
He said to The Sun: “Man City getting [Erling] Haaland is very good and then Arsenal have been quite effective as well.
“They are the ones that achieved, I think most of their targets. So far I think Arsenal and City have been proactive. It has been quite a sensitive subject at Arsenal the last few years.
“It was necessary for the club to readjust their strategy and ensure that Mikel [Arteta] can build the squad like he wants to.”
Saliba backed for new Arsenal contract
Former Arsenal forward Kevin Campbell has told the Gunners to sort out William Saliba’s new contract after his impressive debut against Crystal Palace.
He told Football Insider: “I heard Virgil van Dijk followed him after the game on Friday. The Rolls Royce following the Bentley, I don’t mind that.
“Listen, Saliba is an incredible player and an incredible talent. Arsenal better get him signed up. The sooner the better.”
Merson wants Arsenal to adopt back-three
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes Arsenal need to revert back to a three-man defence with Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko operating as wing-backs to provide width and energy, giving Arteta a much more stable backline.
Writing in his Daily Star column, Merson said: “Mikel Arteta should switch to three at the back now that Saliba is in the team – even if it means giving Saka the graveyard shift.
“I think that system suits them. Oleksandr Zinchenko is a natural wing back for me, bombing on, and Saka can do the same job on the other side. Saliba looks like the perfect sweeper in between Gabriel and Ben White for me.”
Saka named on Kopa Trophy shortlist
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is the one Premier League participant to make the ten-man Kopa Trophy shortlist on the Ballon d’Or awards.
Saka’s England team-mate Jude Bellingham can be among the many nominees vying to be topped the world’s greatest U21 participant.
Karim Adeyemi, Eduardo Camavinga, Gavi, Ryan Gravenberch, Nuno Mendes, Jamal Musaila, Josko Gvardiol and Florian Wirtz spherical off the listing.
Pino boost
The Spanish international fits into the Arsenal criteria of being young at 19, but not totally inexperienced with a season of first team football at Unai Emery’s Villarreal under his belt, and now the former Arsenal manager has seemingly opened the door for Pino to leave Villarreal this summer.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Yellow Submarine’s game against Valladolid, Emery said: “If an offer arrives for players like Yeremy Pino, then he will have to leave.
“We have a responsibility with the club. It is what it is.”
Bellerin linked with Barcelona move
Hector Bellerin has been linked with a surprise move to Barcelona, with the Catalan giants looking for defensive cover this summer, according to Arsenal World.
The Spanish full-back spent last season on loan at Real Betis and made 32 appearances for the club as they won the 2021/22 Copa del Rey.
Nelson blow
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Reiss Nelson will spend a sustained period of time on the sidelines after suffering an injury in training, amid rumours of a loan move away from Arsenal.
“Things that happen, he felt something in training, we scanned it, and the doctors came with some bad news,” the Spaniard revealed. “It’s a muscular injury, and hopefully, he will be back soon.”
Aubameyang prefers Barcelona stay
Former Arsenal striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang would prefer to stay at Barcelona rather than join Chelsea this summer.
That’s according to SPORT, who claim the Gabon international would prefer to fight for his place at the Catalan giants following the arrival of Robert Lewandowski.
Arteta reveals transfer plan
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed he is still searching for new signings, with just three weeks until the transfer window slams shut.
He said in his pre-Leicester press conference: “We are still needing to finalise squad in the way we want. If we can add something great – but we still have to find some solutions for certain players.”
Gakpo blow
Arsenal looked at signing PSV star Cody Gakpo earlier this month but have cooled their interest in the player, according to The Times.
Gakpo’s most likely destination is Manchester United amid interest from Wolves and Leeds United.
Hutton on Xhaka
Alan Hutton believes Granit Xhaka is looking forward to signing a new Arsenal contract if the two parties can agree a deal.
He said: “He’s a battler and you need players like that. I think he’s capable of losing his head one or two many times but he’s committed to the club.
“I think that’s somebody that’s looking for a long term deal to tie him down and he’s letting the club know he’s willing to listen if they’re going to offer him one.”
Tuchel on Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be set for a return to the Premier League, just seven months after leaving Arsenal for Barcelona under a cloud.
Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for the Gabon international and Thomas Tuchel’s comments about his relationship with the 33-year-old, from their time together at Borussia Dortmund, suggests a reunion could be on the cards.
“I enjoyed a lot working with him. It was a pleasure,” Tuchel said. “This has nothing to do with the situation now, but some players stay your players over the years because you were very, very close.
“Straight away there was a huge bond. We have a very close relationship.”
Read more here.
Arsenal open for offers for duo
Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson in the coming weeks, according to Football.London.
The Gunners have offloaded many fringe players in the past few weeks, but remain keen to trim Mikel Arteta’s squad further.
Both Maitland-Niles and Nelson spent last season away on loan and could be moved on again. A move for Nelson has been scuppered by a muscle injury, which could keep him out for two months.
Diaby happy to stay put
Arsenal are keen on Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby – but the 23-year-old is settled in Germany and not in a rush to leave.
“I have taken my decision and I will play again for Bayer Leverkusen next season,” the Frenchman told RP Online last month. “[It’s] up to me to keep performing well and to make it [to the World Cup].
“I will do all that I can to be able to continue to be part of the squad. We have a really impressive team, uniquely with players at the highest level. I also need to be patient to find my place one day in this team.”
New deal for Norton-Cuffy
Brooke Norton-Cuffy has signed a new contract with Arsenal.
The 18-year-old right-back impressed on loan with Lincoln City last season and has attracted interest from Championship clubs this season.
“I’m really over the moon to sign for such a great club,” he told the club website. “I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time and I worked hard for this moment and I’ve got it, so I’m very proud.“
Arteta ‘strongly likes’ Diaby
Arsenal have a ‘soft spot’ for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, with Mikel Arteta particularly keen on the 23-year-old, according to Football365.
It’s easy to see why – Diaby registered 13 goals and 12 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances last season. He has three years left on his contract and that means Leverkusen can demand what they like but ‘an offer of €70million (£59m) could make it possible’ to land him this summer.
Milan reluctant to sell Tonali
AC Milan don’t want to sell Sandro Tonali to Arsenal.
Milan lost Franck Kessie on a free transfer to Barcelona and are still short in central midfield after missing out on the signing of Renato Sanches, who joined PSG.
They are therefore reluctant to sell Tonali. Nevertheless, Calciomercato says an offer of €55million (£46m) would at least allow them to fund two transfers in the position.
Gabriel helped Jesus transfer
Gabriel Magalhaes says he put in a good word with Gabriel Jesus before he joined Arsenal from Manchester City this summer.
“Gabriel is a really good guy,” he told Sky Sports. “Of course, it helps that we have the Brazilian link. When we were on international duty, we discussed his future and I was telling him, ‘Come to Arsenal! Come to Arsenal!’ Maybe I had a bit of an influence there.”
Barca an option for Bellerin
Barcelona have emerged as an option for Hector Bellerin this summer after his dream move to Real Betis stalled.
Bellerin is desperate to leave Arsenal on a permanent basis after spending last season on loan with Betis, but the Spanish side can’t afford the Gunners’ asking price.
His agent was in London this week to try and negotiate a contract termination, but there’s been no movement yet. However, Mundo Deportivo says that Barca are keeping an eye on the situation after missing out on signing Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta.
Barca would ‘look very favourably’ on bringing Bellerin back to the club he left as a 16-year-old.
Wenger backs Ramsey comeback
Aaron Ramsey has the “experience and ambition” to bounce back from a disappointing spell at Juventus, according to his former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Ramsey has joined French side Nice on a three-year contract after seeing his Juve contract terminated by mutual agreement.
“He had a few injuries in Italy. He needs time to get back to his best, physically. He’s creative, a finisher. He has the timing to be in the box at the right time,” Wenger said.
“He also has a sort of self-confidence that can help the team grow. He’s played a huge amount of big games, I think he can also contribute a lot to the team thanks to his experience and ambition.”
Read the full story here.
Gabriel ‘focused on Arsenal’ despite rumours
Gabriel Magalhaes has admitted he was flattered to be linked with Barcelona and Juventus this summer, but says he has no plans of leaving north London.
“It’s always nice to get that recognition but I’m really focused on Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports. “I am very happy here. I’ve got a good relationship with my team-mates and I am fully committed to the project. I am convinced that, with the project we have, we can achieve a lot.”
Man City want Tierney
Manchester City are plotting a late swoop to sign Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney this summer following Oleksandr Zinchenko’s move to the Emirates Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side are hoping to add another left-back to their ranks after letting Zinchenko join the Gunners in a deal worth around £32million last month. They are looking at Tierney and Atletico Madrid’s Renan Lodi.
Read the full story here.
Mari’s move
In case you missed it yesterday, Pablo Mari has joined newly-promoted Serie A outfit Monza on loan for the 2022/23 season.
He could move permanently too. If Monza stay in the Italian top flight, they will be obliged to sign Mari permanently due to a clause in the Spaniard’s contract.
He is the latest to be offloaded, following Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Nuno Tavares and Konstantinos Mavropanos out of the door. Arsenal still want to find new clubs for Hector Bellerin and Alex Runarsson, among others.
Tielemans ‘fed up of waiting’
Another day. Another day in which Youri Tielemans’ move to Arsenal has not materialised.
Football.london has reported that Arsenal feel Leicester’s asking price of around £32million is too high, given his contract expires in June 2023. They therefore think they can wait until he becomes a free agent. Of course, that could just be a bargaining tactic.
It could backfire, though. Transfer expert Dean Jones told GiveMeSport: “I think Tielemans has got a bit fed up of waiting for this. It’s been a long time we’ve been talking about him going to Arsenal or Manchester United, but the situation is still the same and nobody has actually knocked on the door with an offer.”
Yeremy state of play
Arsenal could strike a deal for Villarreal star Yeremi Pino, who is also known as Yeremy, with the Spanish side willing to do business in the summer transfer window.
GOAL reports that Yeremy has an €80 million (£67m) release clause in his current contract, but Villarreal could be tempted to accept a lower offer. They would shake hands for around €45m (£38m), but Arsenal are yet to make an official bid.
Tonali talks underway
Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Leicester’s Youri Tielemans all summer but could soon divert their attentions to seriously pursuing another target in AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali.
The 22-year-old is valued at £46m after establishing himself as an important figure at the San Siro last season. The Mail claims that the two clubs have already held talks, during which Milan informed the Gunners of their asking price for the midfielder.
It would be quite the surprise if Milan sanctioned Tonali’s departure given his showings last term but he certainly fits the age profile for the kind of squad Arteta is trying to build at the Emirates.
