Change of style ecpected from Arsenal tomorrow

By Danong 

Arsenal kick off their title defence on Friday night with a clash against Coventry.

A convincing 3-0 Community Shield win over Manchester City last weekend should have set the tone for how this season ought to pan out.

The Gunners ought to be dangerously sharp in tearing apart opponents while also being rock-solid and impossible to break down.

While Frank Lampard and his side will be looking to upset Arsenal, Mikel Arteta will be looking to stretch his brilliant record against the Chelsea legend.

In the six meetings between the two, Arteta has won four times, drawn once and lost once.

Keen to protect that record and to send a message to the rest of the League, the Spaniard will be setting his team up for a more open attacking display aiming for as big a win as possible. 

Arsenal are expected to welcome Bukayo Saka back into the starting line-up, though Declan Rice could be given more time to recover and may again feature as a second-half substitute.

The starting line-up should look like:

David Raya

White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Guimaraes, Odegaard

Tzolis, Havertz, Saka

Arteta will also have a pretty decent bench to call upon should he need to switch things up. It will be interesting if Martinelli was on it...

Unfortunately, though, Arteta will still not be able to call upon Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, who both remain out injured. 

Understanding between the lines, during his game presser, these two maybe longer term absentees than we thought so. And this may explain our acquisition of Konsa...

Either way, Arsenal go into this game with a strong team and should have little trouble stretching their five-game winning run over Coventry to six.

Arteta makes Vinicius Jr a personal promise as Lewis-Skelly dilemma emerges

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for highly-rated Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon.

Alan Nixon claims that the Gunners are close to striking an agreement worth around £ 2 million for the eighteen-year-old to sign for them.

Tyjon will prove a fantastic addition to Arsenal's setup, as his pace, movement and eye for goal should see him excel.

Elsewhere, Manchester United look set to test Arsenal's resolve over Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Red Devils are on the hunt for a left-back and a midfielder, and they may see Lewis-Skelly, capable in both positions, as a tempting transfer option.

Apparently, the suggestion is that a move for Bruno Guimaraes could block Lewis-Skelly's pathway at Arsenal. As a result, the player may grow keen on a move, and a tempting bid could see Arsenal sanction his departure.

However, having let Christian Nørgaard move to Everton, Guimarães would effectively be replacing him rather than Lewis-Skelly. Therefore, Lewis-Skelly should still stay, as he can play a key role. With plenty of games still to come, and with Declan Rice unlikely to feature heavily at the start of the season following a busy summer, Lewis-Skelly can prove useful.

Meanwhile, in pursuit of Real Madrid star man Vinícius Júnior, Arteta has personally told the Brazilian that his Arsenal project will be built around him.

Interestingly, this comes just days after we covered a piece revealing that the attacker had his team assess which club he fits best and Arsenal came out on top.

Vinicius Junior advisors indicate he fits Arsenal best

By Danong 

Arsenal may boast one of the most formidable midfield pivots in the Premier League if reports from Thursday evening prove accurate.

It emerged across various outlets that Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Bruno Guimarães, with the Gunners expected to pay north of £70 million for the Brazilian.

Should the deal go through as expected, it would represent a massive coup for Arsenal, who would then possess a midfield pivot to be envied by every one of their rivals.

Declan Rice would finally have a partner who complements him, someone capable of shouldering build-up responsibility while still allowing him to operate as the deeper-lying six.

Moreover, both players share a knack for crashing the box and finding the net from the edge of the area, and both rank among the game's elite set-piece takers. In short, this would be Mikel Arteta's dream midfield.

That said, while Guimarães arrives, Ethan Nwaneri appears to be heading out. Arsenal have made the bold decision to let him leave, with Matteo Moretto reporting that the youngster is now "not untouchable."

AC Milan hold an interest, as do RB Leipzig, though European clubs are not alone in monitoring the situation; Fulham and Everton are also keeping tabs on developments.

Arsenal remain willing to sanction a permanent departure but do not wish to relinquish their hold on the player entirely, so an interesting clause may well feature in any exit deal.

Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior, according to Hand of Arsenal, has been advised by his representatives, following an analysis of where he might move next, that he suits Arsenal's tactical setup.

Consequently, a switch to the Emirates could well represent the best path forward for him.

Is Vinicious having us on?

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

It is now merely a matter of days before Bruno Guimaraes can finally make the switch from Newcastle United to Arsenal.

On Saturday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported that serious talks would take place this week, with the Gunners set to offer more than the initial £70 million they had lined up for the midfielder.

As fans look ahead to how these talks pan out, it will interest Gooners that Newcastle boss Eddie Howe seems to suggest that Guimaraes' future is out of his hands entirely. He told the media over the weekend:

"Look, I do not know what is going to happen with Bruno's future. That is for other people to, one, speculate about, but also conversations that I am not part of."

That aside, over the weekend David Ornstein dropped the bombshell that Arsenal are toying with the idea of signing Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior.

If there is any remote chance this deal can happen, Arsenal should go for it. One big concern surrounding the move has been whether the English champions can afford Vinicius' hefty salary.

However, sources suggest the Gunners are willing to meet the winger's wage demands, meaning it could now come down to Real Madrid's willingness to sell and Arsenal's willingness to splash the cash. 

The latest news on this however is that Real Madrid and Vinicius representatives are to meet in order to come to an agreement on a new contract with improved wages of course. 

This may in fact stink of a deliberate attempt by Vinicius' entourage to use Arsenal's interest for the player to draw Real back to the negotiating table. Dont be surprised if in a few days time Vinicius is kissing the Real Madrid badge...

Elsewhere, as Arsenal focus their energy on Vinicius and Guimaraes, they may well miss out on another top target in Alex Scott. The Gunners are known admirers of the AFC Bournemouth star, and if they truly consider him a must-have, it may be time to act, otherwise they risk losing him to city rivals Chelsea.

The fact that Berta has not made a move for Scott up to now shows that the capture of Guimaraes may be considered as very likely...

Guimaraes agreement reached as Arteta moves to offer key man for top attacking target

By Danong 

Arsenal are finally set to approach Newcastle United as they push on with their pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes.

According to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms are already agreed; now all that remains is a club‑to‑club agreement before the Brazilian midfielder swaps St James’ Park for the Emirates.

The Gunners are expected to table a £70 million offer, though many feel that will not be enough to convince the Magpies to sanction a sale. Even so, it should at least bring both sides to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, as Arsenal hope to strike a deal for Guimaraes, Chelsea, as per Simon Phillips, are also keen on the midfielder. Even then, the suggestion is that Arsenal remain favourites in the race.

Speaking of favourites, The Mirror report that Manchester United have now stepped away from the Alex Scott chase. The Red Devils cannot afford to pay £70 million plus for the Englishman, and that U‑turn reshapes the battle for the Premier League standout. It is now an Arsenal‑versus‑Chelsea fight for Scott. Notably, Chelsea have already seen a £60 million bid rejected, with Bournemouth determined to resist a sale.

Elsewhere, keen to find cover for William Saliba, who is set for a spell out with a back issue, the English champions have, according to Caught Offside, been offered the chance to sign Sporting CP’s Zeno Debast.

Although the move is yet to receive Arsenal’s green light, it is one to watch, especially with uncertainty surrounding Saliba’s return after he opted against surgery in favour of rest and rehabilitation.

Furthermore, as per Gary Jacob, Mikel Arteta is desperate for Arsenal to sign Julian Alvarez.

The Argentine is his dream attacking addition, and Arteta wants him so badly that he is willing to include Viktor Gyokeres in a deal to bring the Atlético Madrid striker back to the Premier League.

On a brighter note, Christos Tzolis has already been unveiled as an Arsenal player. All eyes now turn to what he can deliver. There is plenty of expectation on his shoulders, particularly with the need to replace Leandro Trossard’s goals. Yet with 22 goals and 29 assists last season, he looks well equipped to step up.

Arsenal's perfect Morgan Rogers response as Berta plots to derail City's transfer plans

By Danong 

Arsenal have missed out on their top summer target, Morgan Rogers.

Reports suggest Aston Villa stood firm on their demands, and Arsenal were unwilling to meet the hefty asking price slapped on their attacker. Chelsea, however, saw an opportunity to show their appetite to spend and did just that, giving the Villans what they wanted: £117 million for Rogers.

While the attacker could have snubbed the Blues and picked Arsenal instead, forcing Villa to negotiate with the Gunners, he chose not to. In fact, it is suggested that he preferred Stamford Bridge over the Emirates.

Had the transfer gone through, Rogers would have come in as a left winger. Arsenal have, of course, already secured a left winger in Christos Tzolis, but the Greek is seen as more of a backup to the marquee left-winger signing the English champions still intend to make.

With Rogers no longer an option, Fabrizio Romano has now suggested Arsenal may turn to Yan Diomande to satisfy their left-winger need. 

The Italian transfer guru says, "Arsenal, over the last few days, made some checks with the agents of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig to understand if there was still a chance to enter the deal. Arsenal made some calls to understand the situation."

The Ivorian international is one of the deadliest wingers out there. Explosive and two-footed, he combines electrifying pace with elite one-v-one dribbling skill that sees him easily create goalscoring chances for himself or his teammates.

He too will not come cheap, and inexperienced as he is, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners would offer £100 million plus for his services, the fee Borussia Dortmund want to sanction a sale.

Beyond the winger search, Arsenal must also address William Saliba's fitness, with the Frenchman potentially sidelined for months. He has spent the past few months playing through pain because of a back issue he has been managing.

John Stones and Ezri Konsa have already been touted as transfer solutions, but a new option has now emerged: as per Ben Jacobs, the Gunners are among the clubs interested in Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

In pursuing the Frenchman, though, they may be setting themselves up for a transfer battle with Chelsea, who are already in talks with Crystal Palace.

A battle with Chelsea will not be the only one the English champions face, either. According to L'Equipe, Arsenal are set to press hard for Ayyoub Bouaddi, and in doing so will go head-to-head with Manchester City for the World Cup standout.

Stones transfer opportunity too good to ignore as Morgan Rogers bid set to open talks

By Danong 

After letting Leandro Trossard leave, Arsenal have moved quickly to sign Greek winger sensation Christos Tzolis.

For only £33.9 million, Tzolis, who scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists in 52 games for Club Brugge last season, arrives to replace the goals Trossard used to deliver.

But interestingly, alongside Tzolis, Arsenal are also set to expedite a move for Morgan Rogers, certainly the Gunners' first-choice left-winger target.

Arsenal now feel motivated to submit their first bid. Whether it proves a winning bid remains to be seen, but it will clearly bring both sides to the table, where they can reach a compromise.

If Rogers arrives then Arsenal will theoretically have three options for the left wing, Tzolis, Martinelli and Rogers. It looks as though Rogers will also be utilised as a left sided midfielder, a versatility that Arteta values a lot.

Beyond Rogers, Arsenal are still pressing for Julian Alvarez. Atletico Madrid are willing to do business, but the ball sits in the forward's court, and he is said to want a move to Barcelona instead. Unfortunately for him, Atletico Madrid are not ready to sell to a direct rival. So, should the Argentine agree to a move to the Emirates, Arsenal can probably strike a deal.

But we shouldn't count out the possibility of Alvarez staying put!

That said, some frustrating news has emerged. It has been revealed that William Saliba may to undergo surgery to treat his chronic back pain and if so Arsenal expect the France international centre-back to be out of action for four to five months. That should certainly impact the Gunners' transfer plans.

While Christian Mosquera can step up, Arsenal would be wise to add another defensive option to fill the gap Saliba leaves behind.

We have already covered reports of Arsenal pursuing Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa as cover for Saliba; whether they go through with that deal remains to be seen.

But what if, instead of Konsa, they turn to free agent John Stones? Stones ranks among the most decorated English players of all time. 

Elite in possession and now available on a free transfer, he represents a no-brainer move for Andrea Berta. He could suit Mikel Arteta's game plan perfectly and provide ideal defensive cover for Arsenal.

Arsenal offer to Brugge imminent as personal terms with Tzolis revealed

By 1970s Gooner 

Christos Tzolis has agreed personal terms with Arsenal on a contract running until 2031, according to Italian journalist Nicolò Schira. 

The Greek winger is now one step closer to joining the English champions. He has agreed to a five-year deal worth €3 million per year. 

Arsenal are now preparing to submit an official offer to Club Brugge for his transfer. 

The Gunners have reportedly been scouting Tzolis several times since February after he enjoyed an outstanding season in Belgium, recording 19 goals and 24 assists in all competitions. 

The transfer fee is expected to exceed €40 million. 

Tzolis puts another offer on hold to wait for Arsenal and Atletico set their terms

 By Danong 

According to Florian Plettenberg, Besiktas have done everything in their power to secure the green light for Leandro Trossard. A tempting contract proposal is on the table, ready for the Arsenal forward to sign.

A club-to-club €20m agreement is already in place, meaning all that is left is Trossard's final decision. A decision is expected very soon, and although the German journalist confirms Trossard has several options on the table, Besiktas are waiting for his final answer.

The hope is that Trossard greenlights a move to Besiktas, as the Gunners are ready to strike a deal for Greek winger Christos Tzolis as his replacement.

The Club Brugge winger, who scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists in 52 games last term, is tipped for a big move.

Fabrizio Romano now says that Tzolis wants the move and has put another proposal on hold to wait for Arsenal.

That said this blog"s 1970s Gooner is dead against this move as he considers Trossard an excellent and reliable winger who has greatly contributed to Arsenal's triumph last season.

According to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, Arsenal are attempting to complete a deal for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez before pre-season.

PSG have cooled their interest in the forward, while Atletico do not wish to sell to domestic rivals. The Gunners are keen and pushing and have been told it will take more than £100 million to strike a deal.

Interestingly, Delaney suggests that, in addition to Alvarez, Arsenal will also look to sign Morgan Rogers, with Mikel Arteta wanting both players next season. However, both deals currently hinge on the players' involvement at the World Cup.

Berta much closer to Guimaraes and two other signings

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Apparently Arsenal have been told that the only way to get the Morgan Rogers deal done this summer is to meet Aston Villa’s full valuation.

The Midlands club demand £130 million even to consider opening talks with the Gunners over their talisman, so it remains to be seen whether the English champions will break their transfer record.

It appears that Villa have set a mammoth valuation on Rogers so that they can get to their dream transfer fee of around 100m.

Manchester City's purchase of Anderson for 116m has unfortunately set the bar at an inflationary level. The sooner City are told of the panel's decision on the 115+ charges the better....

Meanwhile, with Leandro Trossard expected to join Besiktas, Arsenal appear to have already lined up his replacement. The Gunners are now close to completing an agreement with Club Brugge to sign Christos Tzolis for a fee in the region of £35 million.

It looks an exciting capture, given the winger’s impressive tally of 22 goals and 29 assists in just 52 appearances last season. But 35m implies that he will not be a nailed on starter. Rogers may be that...

Elsewhere in a major development on the Bruno Guimaraes front, the Brazilian has asked Newcastle United to let him join Arsenal. Transfer guru Ben Jacobs has revealed that Guimaraes has already verbally agreed terms with the Gunners.

Newcastle still insist their captain is not for sale and deny any direct negotiations so far, but Arsenal are expected to lodge a formal bid shortly. This is definitely one to watch. And what a midfield we will be able to field the coming season.

With the player keen and Arsenal ready to commit, the Magpies may have little choice but to give in, given their captain’s head has been turned.

That said, Arsenal have signed another goalkeeper. The Gunners have brought in Illan Meslier, their ninth keeper arrival since Mikel Arteta took charge. With Kepa Arrizabalaga set to leave, the former Leeds man will arrive as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper.