Transfer centre: Plan for Mbemba, Alvarez decision, Gibbs-White if not Rogers

By Danong 

While all attention turns to how some Arsenal players will fare at the World Cup, that is not all that is keeping Gooners busy this summer.

With it being transfer season, talk of who Arsenal might sign is equally exciting.

Here are the moves Arsenal are reportedly working on from the weekend.

Arsenal are eyeing PSG under-19 captain Emmanuel Mbemba. The club have established contact with the defender, with a deal set to be pursued this summer. Apparently, with Nuno Mendes blocking his pathway at the club, Mbemba wants out of Paris.

An Arsenal insider claims the plan is to sign Mbemba and loan him out, much like what happened with William Saliba. The Gunners rarely get it wrong with defensive signings, and the PSG prodigy has impressed Arsenal's data team so much so that they see him as a must-have.

The 18-year-old could be signed for just over £150k in training compensation money when his contract expires at the end of this month.

Beyond Mbemba, Arsenal are also eyeing Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White. Apparently, the Forest attacker, who managed 18 goals and six assists in all competitions last season, is Arsenal's plan B should they fail to sign Morgan Rogers.

As of the weekend, there had been little development on Arsenal's Rogers bid.

Meanwhile, while Andrea Berta would have hoped to add Julian Alvarez to those potential signings, that may not be the case, according to Cadena SER. Should Alvarez leave Atletico Madrid, he only wants to join Barcelona.

If not Alvarez, the English champions could turn to Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi. The latest on that pursuit is that Arsenal would have to pay £86 million to land him. The Cherries are in a strong position to hold firm on that valuation, with several top clubs circling the Frenchman. It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal have that kind of money to spend.

Transfer centre: £80m Fernandes tag, Monga agreement reached, direct Rogers contact

By Danong 

After three attempts under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have finally laid their hands on the Premier League title.

The boys in red and white are English champions at last. Lifting the league should have quenched the Gunners' thirst, yet a taste for glory only makes you yearn for more.

Arsenal will now look to establish themselves as a force and hold the 'champions' status hostage for years to come. To do that, Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal decision-makers must ensure they have the very best at the club.

On those lines, here are the players Arsenal have been linked with over the past few days:

Jeremy Monga

The Leicester wonderkid is tipped to leave the club this summer. The teen sensation, known for his blistering pace, elite dribbling ability, and versatility across the front line, had top Premier League clubs calling. However, it is Arsenal who have won the race. Personal terms have been agreed, as per an Arsenal insider, and all that remains is a club-to-club agreement for the 16-year-old.

Mateus Fernandes

Arsenal are among the top clubs linked with the Portuguese midfielder who made such a big impression at West Ham United last season. The race remains wide open, with The Athletic suggesting that whoever is willing to splash £80 million stands in the best position to land him. Fernandes' rare blend of elite technical control, positional versatility, and gritty defensive work rate is precisely what Arsenal want to inject into their engine room.

Sandro Tonali

On Thursday, Fabrizio Romano spoke about Arsenal's interest in Sandro Tonali persists, though Manchester City could yet emerge as competition. Should City fail in their pursuit of Elliot Anderson, they are expected to turn their attention to Tonali.

Rafael Leao and Morgan Rogers 

There have also been reports that Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Rafael Leao. The Portuguese winger is set to leave AC Milan in search of a fresh start, and Arsenal could provide exactly that if the Gunners take up the option.

That said, the most exciting transfer news of the week comes again from Romano, who claims Arsenal have made direct contact in their bid to sign Morgan Rogers. Arsenal are keen on securing a deadly winger, and Rogers, who has proven himself time and again at Villa Park, is as dangerous as they come. 

Though no concrete club-to-club talks have taken place, the Englishman is widely expected to change clubs this summer, and Arsenal's proactive approach could prove handy in winning the race.

 

Odegaard: Stay or go? The surprise call Arteta may make on Arsenal’s captain

By Danong 

Has this Arsenal team evolved beyond Martin Odegaard? Is the Norwegian skipper about to suffer the same fate as Aaron Ramsdale and Oleksandr Zinchenko, good players, but ultimately not good enough for where Arsenal were at?

Odegaard is expected to be one of Arsenal’s most productive figures. Yet three league goals and eight assists in the 2024–26 season, followed by just one league goal and six assists last term, is not enough.

Yes, one could argue his underlying numbers were strong in what was his worst, injury‑ridden campaign. However, injuries aside, across 24 league matches and eight Champions League outings last season, the Arsenal captain should have delivered more, more than his one goal and seven assists.

Odegaard has poured in effort, blood, and fight to help Arsenal reach this level. But now, the club must take the next step. Sadly, Arteta’s project may have outgrown him.

Strangely, it is nothing against him. He remains a fantastic player who could easily be the best midfielder on many other sides. Yet at Arsenal, he currently lacks the urgency and individual brilliance expected of a number 10.

For a player once bracketed alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes, he has failed to fulfil that potential. Still, while the clamour grows for Arsenal to move him on with Morgan Rogers touted as an upgrade, Odegaard may yet stay. He could be handed a chance to revive himself after two injury‑blighted campaigns.

Amid his struggles, it is worth noting that few organise the press as effectively as Odegaard. For Mikel Arteta, that tactical intelligence may be a decisive factor in keeping him. Selling that level of pressing nous without a superior replacement would be unwise, especially when a successor could learn directly from him.

Thus, the 2026–27 season could be Ødegaard’s last chance saloon. It may be the campaign in which he seals his Arsenal fate, and helps the Gunners decide whether he remains part of their future.

These smart transfer moves and Arteta’s fearless call are going to deliver the perfect title defence and beyond

By Danong 

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have finally laid their hands on the Premier League title.

This Arsenal side have ended a frustrating 22-year league title drought but winning the league is one thing. Defending it is another, and that is now precisely what the boys in red and white must do.

They must prove they are genuinely that good, and that winning the league was no stroke of luck.

That said, as good a team as Arsenal are, one thing is clear: to perform at their absolute best and pull off a successful title defence, they will need to inject even more quality into this squad.

With that in mind, here are some moves Arsenal should be thinking about.

Better the attack

It is high time Arsenal solved their left-wing problem once and for all, high time Arteta moved on from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in favour of a deadlier, Bukayo Saka-like wide option.

The Arsenal attack did well this season, but it would hit another gear entirely if the left wing were as lethal as the right is when Saka is at the peak of his powers.

Fortunately, there is talk of Arsenal pursuing Morgan Rogers. The Aston Villa star should comfortably represent an upgrade on the current left-wing options. 

A ball-to-feet, carry-and-dribble left winger and attacking midfielder hybrid, equally comfortable cutting inside or starting from wide areas and driving into the half-spaces to either shoot or create, Rogers would take Arsenal's left-hand side to a completely different level.

Beyond Rogers, Arsenal should also move for AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi.

Victor Gyokeres has been decent. For a striker many felt would struggle to adapt at Arsenal, 14 league goals is a fine return. The expectation is that he will kick on next season, yet Arsenal cannot rely on him alone as their sole striking option. 

They need another forward, and why not go young? Kroupi would not mind sharing the workload with the Swede, and the arrangement could suit both.

Thirteen goals in 21 league starts, the 19-year-old is one of the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League. He still has plenty to learn, but while he could push Gyokeres to his limits, he too would benefit enormously from playing alongside the Arsenal number 14.

Together, Kroupi and Rogers would take this Arsenal attack to crazy levels . Opposition defences would find them a handful.

Shore up the midfield

After sorting the attack, Arteta will need to bring in a proper defensive midfielder.

Martin Zubimendi started well but lost momentum as the season wore on, at times looking a shadow of himself. His struggles could have cost Arsenal the title, but Arteta acted decisively, dropping him and turning instead to a Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice midfield pairing.

Whilst that partnership could certainly work next season, Arsenal would be wise not to gamble on it. They would do better to sign another top-quality central midfielder.

There is talk that they are back in for Sandro Tonali, and he looks exactly like what they need. On the pitch, the Italian is disciplined, positionally sharp, and consistently available. He keeps things ticking, helps the team maintain structure, and makes intelligent decisions under pressure. 

Defensively, he adds an extra layer of security, reads the game well, tracks runners, and never leaves the back line exposed. He would offer Arsenal precisely what they wanted from Zubimendi but never quite got.

Cover at right back

With the attack and midfield addressed, signing a capable Jurrien Timber alternative would also be a shrewd piece of business.

Overplaying Timber ran him into the ground, and now, at the very moment he was most needed, he has not been fit. 

Had Arsenal been able to call on a trustworthy alternative, Arteta would not have had to lean on the Dutchman so heavily in the first place.

On that front, long-term target Ivan Fresneda, who has been a massive hit in Portugal with Sporting CP, could be the answer.

The Gunners have tracked the right back since his La Liga days, and having excelled for Sporting, now could finally be the moment to bring him to the Emirates.

And finally, embrace rotation

Ultimately, those signings would give Arsenal a stronger, more balanced squad, but they will only translate into a title defence if Arteta embraces proper squad rotation.

You cannot play Zubimendi into every match when you have a Premier League-proven option like Christian Norgaard available. Similarly, you cannot run Timber into the ground by overplaying him when alternatives exist.

Reinforcements and smart rotation will ultimately be Arsenal's greatest weapons in retaining the Premier League title and ushering in an era of domination and titles. 

Arteta's bold reshuffle that could ensure a win as Arsenal lift the PL title at Selhurst Park

By Danong 

Twenty-two years later, Arsenal are back as Premier League champions, with the crowning set to take place at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

With the result against Crystal Palace on Saturday doing nothing to affect Arsenal's title hopes, this is certainly a dead rubber fixture for the Gunners.

The boys in red and white have nothing to play for but pride. And while Mikel Arteta may wish to field his formidable line-up, it is unlikely he will do so with a big Champions League final just a week away.

The Spaniard will want to keep his key players injury-free, and he should, to field his strongest line-up against PSG in Paris.

So in the final game of the season, we could see a massive shuffle of the Arsenal line-up.

We could see:

Arrizabalaga

Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Norgaard, Zubimendi, Eze

Madueke, Gyokeres, Dowman

Key players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz may only be afforded time from the bench.

Unfortunately, Jurrien Timber and Ben White are expected to miss out once again due to injury.

That said, in eight meetings against Palace, Arsenal are unbeaten, and form is firmly with them. The Eagles, meanwhile, have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five games.

Notably, Arsenal have won each of the last 14 final-day fixtures, last losing on the final day in the 2004-05 season. Who would bet against them making it 15?

Courageous line up predicted for West Ham title decider

By Danong 

Sunday and Arsenal make the short trip east to take on city rivals West Ham at the London Stadium.

Their last two visits there have seen the boys in red and white pick up convincing wins.

Now the Gunners need to replicate those results as they edge ever closer to a league title.

West Ham have struggled this season and are in real danger of relegation. That tricky situation, desperate to avoid the drop, should see them throw everything at this one.

Yet Arsenal, as thirsty as they are for league glory, should have more than enough motivation to overpower them.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that both Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino will miss Sunday's clash.

There are no fresh injuries, however, so the Arsenal manager should still have a strong squad to call upon for this derby.

With the Champions League still around three weeks away, the Gunners can go full throttle in their bid to win the league, and that is precisely why Arsenal could field this fierce line-up:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori

Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard

Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

That is certainly the most front-footed line-up Arteta can go with.

Myles Lewis-Skelly has breathed new life into Arsenal's engine room, bringing calmness, control, and progression, qualities that Martin Zubimendi has struggled to provide of late.

Beyond the Lewis-Skelly factor, having both Eze and Odegaard on the pitch at the same time should see the Gunners creating chances in abundance, chances that ought to hurt West Ham.

Win this one, and it will be one down, two to go before Arsenal finally claim the champions' tag.

Significant changes predicted in midfield and in attack that will.propel Arsenal in the final of the CL

By Danong 

Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday, hosting Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The first leg ended all square, with the two sides playing out a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano. Tuesday night, however, a winner must emerge, and Arsenal will be hoping that on familiar ground, they are the ones who come out on top.

Earlier in the season, when the Gunners hosted Atletico in the Champions League league phase, they thrashed them 4-0. A similar result on Tuesday night will book the north Londoners a place in the 2026 Champions League final, set for the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday, 30 May.

On Saturday, Mikel Arteta reintroduced Ricardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka in his starting 11 in that convincing 3-0 win over Fulham, with Myles Lewis-Skelly replacing Martin Zubimendi in midfield also proving another astute tactical call.

Against the La Liga outfit, Gooners will be hoping Arteta produces similarly sharp thinking to outwit Diego Simeone.

Notably, the Arsenal boss is boosted by the availability of both Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, a significant lift ahead of such a high-stakes occasion.

With the returning duo back in the squad alongside the formidable side Arteta fielded on Saturday, Atletico have every reason to be worried.

Arteta could opt to play:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Odegaard, Eze

Saka, Havertz, Trossard

With this line-up, Arteta would be making some bold and necessary calls, the most significant being up front, Havertz for Gyökeres and choosing an attack oriented midfield by dropping Zubimendi for Odegaard. 

While Victor Gyokeres reminded everyone at the weekend just what a deadly finisher he is, Havertz represents the better option against Atletico. The German international's movement and work rate suit the demands of a tight two-legged tie far better.

His technical brilliance, alongside Eberechi Eze and Odegaard, could prove the key to unlocking Atletico's typically resolute defence, creating the openings for Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard to capitalise on.

That line-up should comfortably be too strong for Atletico, and could see Arsenal take a decisive step closer to European glory.

I hope Spurs win tonight!

 By 1970s Gooner 

The reason is pretty simple. City play Villa at the Etihad on the last day of the season, 24th May. You would ideally want Villa to be up for this game and try and get a result there.

But if they manage to hang on to the 5th place they hold right now or win the final of the Europa league (if they beat Nottingham Forest and qualify) then they will have very little incentive to be competitive for this game.

The final of the Europa League is four days prior to the last game of the season.

So I hope they loose tonight to Spurs, lose more games slipping away from European qualification and also fail to qualify for the Europa league final.

Time to add more creativity in the team. Predicted 11 Vs Fulham

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Arsenal are back at the Emirates on Saturday night, hosting Fulham as they look to keep their title charge alive.

Hoping to quench their thirst for league glory, it surely needs no emphasis that the Gunners simply cannot afford to slip. Only a win will do, with Manchester City breathing down their neck.

Bukayo Saka is back and trying to find his rhythm, whilst Ricardo Calafiori also returns. However, Arsenal will be without Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.

Even so, Mikel Arteta should have a capable enough side to dispatch the Cottagers. He could go for:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard

Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.

Alternatively if Odegaard cannot shake off the niggling knee problem that has followed him since the away game at Brentford there is the more attractive option of starting Eze. This will provide a more attacking threat as well as a player who can come up with a magic moment to win a what could be a close game.

There is the more attractive option to start both Odegaard, if he is fit, and Eze in midfield. Under this scenario Zubimendi will be rested for the second leg of the Semi-final against Athletico Madrid.

Against Atlético Madrid, Arteta made one brilliant tactical tweak, deploying Declan Rice as a six.

That adjustment made Arsenal more defensively strong and balanced, something the Gunners have been crying out for. Against Fulham, it could lay the foundation for yet another important win.

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Odegaard, Eze

Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Earlier in the season, when these two sides met, Arsenal came out on top with a 1-0 victory. Last season, too, the boys in red and white did not lose this London derby, winning at home and drawing at Craven Cottage.

Surely, when they absolutely need to beat Fulham, you would back Arsenal to do so.

Then the hope will be that Everton have enough in them to halt Manchester City on Monday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Arteta's perfect tweak to get Arsenal firing on all cylinders against Atlético

By Danong 

The Champions League semi-finals are here, with Arsenal heading off to Madrid to face Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.

With Premier League and Champions League glory both at stake, the boys in red and white will need to bring their A-game across these remaining fixtures.

Mikel Arteta and his squad will be hoping to build on the weekend's win over Newcastle, which saw them reclaim top spot in the league.

Bukayo Saka returned in that 1-0 victory over the Magpies and produced an eye-catching cameo, while Kai Havertz, who was withdrawn with a muscular issue, is not likely to be available. Eberechi Eze, who also picked up a muscular issue against Newcastle and could not finish the game, is similarly set to be fit.

Similarly, Martin Zubimendi felt unwell at half-time against the Magpies but should be fine to return, though Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are likely to remain unavailable. On the brighter side, Ricardo Calafiori could be back, a welcome boost.

All things considered, Arteta should have a pretty decent squad to call upon on Wednesday night, and could opt to go with:

Raya

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard

Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

This line-up should certainly have enough to take care of an Atlético side whom they put four past back in October's Champions League league phase clash.

That said, Saka and Eze should drown Viktor Gyokeres with chances, and hopefully, he brings his scoring boots. Arsenal needs goals badly. This is a game where they must really step up and put an end to the worrying run of just one goal in their last seven competitive outings.

That said, having kept an impressive eight clean sheets in this season's Champions League campaign, securing a ninth on Wednesday night would go a long way in helping the boys in red and white put one foot in the final.