DAVID RAYA has completed the first part of his medical ahead of his switch to Arsenal, according to reports.
The Brentford goalkeeper will move on a £3m season-long loan, with the option of a £27m permanent transfer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal rivals Tottenham have been linked with a shock move for Folarin Balogun.
And he could be joined by Douglas Luiz in North London with the Gunners reviving their interest in the Aston Villa star.
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Follow ALL of the latest from the Emirates Stadium below…
- By Nyle Smith
Arsenal labelled banter club
The Gunners have been labelled a "banter club" after an admin issue prevented them from registering David Raya before the deadline.
Clubs must register players with the league by midday on the working day before the match for them to be included in the squad.
The rule means Arsenal had until 12pm on Friday to register Raya for him to be included against Nottingham Forest on Saturday but they couldn't get it done.
- By Nyle Smith
Curtain raiser
Arsenal will begin their Premier League campaign at the Emirates TODAY as the Gunners take on Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta's side pushed Manchester City as far as they could last season, but fell short in the final weeks as City wrapped up their historic treble.
The Gunners did manage to get one over on Pep Guardiola's side last weekend though when they kicked off their season in style by beating the Cityzens in the Community Shield.
But it's a different kind of challenge on today as they welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates to get their league campaign underway.
- By Ian Tuckey
Arsenal and Chelsea still in Mo race
Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly still in the running for Mohammed Kudus.
Brighton agreed a £34.5million deal for the Ajax midfielder
But Dutch media claimed the Ghana star’s representatives want a release clause, whereas the Seagulls are said to be less keen.
That’s thought to have put Arsenal and Chelsea back on alert for the 23-year-old.
- By Ian Tuckey
Declan set to partner Partey
New boy Declan Rice seems sure to partner Thomas Partey for Arsenal’s Prem start at home to Nottingham Forest today.
And fellow midfielder Jorginho is expected to be fit too – with a bench place likely.
It’s also now possible Oleksandr Zinchenko could make the squad.
That’s despite boss Mikel Arteta earlier suggesting the left-back was “close” to returning but might need more training.
- By Ian Tuckey
Gunners could lure Villa ace
Aston Villa may face a late Arsenal bid for Douglas Luiz before deadline day.
According to Football Insider, Villa are looking at possible replacements for Luiz, who is valued at around £35million.
So far Thomas Partey appears likely to play alongside record signing Declan Rice when the Gunners open their Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
But the Brazil international is the latest option mentioned as the North Londoners appear out of the running for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
- By Mark Irwin
Arteta sure Gunners won't run out of steam again
Mikel Arteta is promising that it’s not going to be the same old Arsenal this season as he sets out to shake up his title challenging squad.
No Premier League manager made fewer changes to his starting line-up last season than Arteta, who relied on the same core group of players for virtually the entire campaign.
With Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Gabriel Magalheas, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli starting almost every game and William Saliba an ever present until missing the final two months of the campaign, it meant the team virtually picked itself every week.
But that consistency came back to bite them when Arteta’s young players ran out of steam in the home straight of the title race and handed the crown to Manchester City.
Now Arteta is adamant that is not going to make the same mistake again after signing Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya to provide genuine competition for every position in his team.
Ahead of today’s big kick-off at home to Nottingham Forest, Arteta said: “We want to use the squad in a different way this season, especially as we’ll also be playing in the Champions League.
“Last season we made a decision to rest certain players for the Europa League so this season you’re certainly going to see a shift in approach.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Inter tipped to pull out of Balogun hunt
Folarin Balogun's immediate future remains intriguing – after two more transfer twists.
Claims Tottenham could be interested in the Arsenal striker coincide with reports that Inter Milan are dropping out of the hunt.
Monaco remain favourites ahead of Atletico Madrid to sign the 22-year-old.
The French giants have reportedly agreed personal terms with the former Reims sensation.
And it's also been suggested he'd prefer to depart the Prem in his search for a permanent move.
- By Mark Irwin
Mikel demands 'best balance'
Mikel Arteta has explained why Aaron Ramsdale must fight to stay Arsenal No1 ahead of new loanee David Raya.
I want the best possible squad with the best possible balance. You can’t isolate the goalkeepers and treat them differently to the full-backs or the centre-backs who are competing with each other.
I have to encourage everyone with the sense that they are all important and to do that they have to play matches.Football is a collective sport but only 11 players start and there are a lot of others who are not happy with that situation most of the time.
It’s all about how they accept that role and deal with it, because we’re going to have a game every three days and the team is going to change.
Whether you’re playing or not, your contribution to the team tells you a lot about the human being and the professional.
I want players who are happy when the team wins regardless of their part in the game because this is a team sport and that’s the spirit we have to build.
Mikel Arteta
- By Mark Irwin
Arteta won't say if Ramsdale will remain No1
David Raya is ineligible for Arsenal's home Prem opener with Nottingham Forest tomorrow lunchtime despite signing from Brentford tonight.
Arsenal paid a £3million loan fee for the Spain keeper with the option of a £27mpermanent deal next summer.
And boss Mikel Arteta is refusing to give any guarantees to crowd favourite and current No1 Aaron Ramsdale, who only recently signed a lucrative new long-term Emirates contract.
- By Mark Irwin
Mikel hails greater depth
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explained his delight at having cover for most positions.
He said: “We have been trying to increase the depth and the quality of our squad to give us the ability to be more flexible and more unpredictable.
“Selecting a consistent team last season had its advantages. The chemistry and understanding of the group was excellent.
“And even if the opponent knows what you’re going to do, if you do it at the top level it’s still not easy to go against it.
“But for sure the new signings mean we can play different formations and shapes. We can move structures in different ways that in the past we haven’t been able to do.
“And I don’t want players to stick in one position because when you open your mind to other things you are more unpredictable and you get very good surprises.
“We have many examples of that in the squad, but you need to understand when to make positional changes and whether the player is capable of doing it at that moment.”
- By Mark Irwin
Arteta promises 'new approach'
Mikel Arteta is promising that it’s not going to be the same old Arsenal this season as he sets out to shake up his title challenging squad.
No Premier League manager made fewer changes to his starting line-up last season than Arteta, who relied on the same core group of players for virtually the entire campaign.
With Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Gabriel Magalheas, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli starting almost every game and William Saliba an ever present until missing the final two months of the campaign, it meant the team virtually picked itself every week.
But that consistency came back to bite them when Arteta's young players ran out of steam in the home straight of the title race and handed the crown to Manchester City.
Now Arteta is adamant that is not going to make the same mistake again after signing Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya to provide genuine competition for every position in his team.
Ahead of today’s big kick-off at home to Nottingham Forest, Arteta said: “We want to use the squad in a different way this season, especially as we’ll also be playing in the Champions League.
“Last season we made a decision to rest certain players for the Europa League so this season you’re certainly going to see a shift in approach."
- By Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'value Inter target Takehiro at £30m'
Arsenal reportedly want £30million for Takehiro Tomiyasu amid claims Inter Milan are keen on the Japan right-back.
Sport Witness have relayed claims the Gunners are willing to sell Tomiyasu, 24,
Credit: Getty The 24-year-old's versatility is regarded as an asset by Emirates boss Mikel Arteta.
But new defender Jurrien Timber has that in abundance.
And last season Ben White showed he too has that asset as he was converted from central defence to right-back – replacing Tomiyasu.
- By Ian Tuckey
Spurs linked with shock Balogun bid
Arsenal's Folarin Balogun is rated a surprise option to replace legend Harry Kane at Tottenham.
Gazzetta dello Sport claim Spurs have joined Monaco, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan in monitoring the USA striker.
Credit: Getty Monaco are already thought to have agreed personal terms for the 22-year-old.
And only yesterday it was also suggested the former England Under-21 star was keen to move abroad.
That followed links with West Ham early in the summer.
But tonight it's suggested he's on Tottenham's list of attacking alternatives.
And if Spurs do show interest, that might be another matter for the New York-born starlet, who was a massive hit on loan for Reims last season.
Having said that, there aren't many more daunting jobs than succeedingBayern Munich-bound Kane.
- By Ian Tuckey
Gunners dig Doug
Aston Villa may face a late Arsenal bid for Douglas Luiz before deadline day.
According to Football Insider, Villa are looking at possible replacements for Luiz, who is valued at around £35million.
So far Thomas Partey appears likely to play alongside record signing Declan Rice when the Gunners open their Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
But the Brazil international is the latest option mentioned as the North Londoners appear out of the running for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
- By Ciaran Wiseman
Gunners dubbed a 'banter club' over Raya mishap
David Raya is set to miss Arsenal's Premier League opener with Nottingham Eorest tomorrow even if he is signed before the match.
The Gunners have been labelled a "banter club" after an admin issue prevented them from registering the keeper on loan from Brentford in time.
Clubs must register players with the league by midday on the working day before the match for them to be included in the squad.
But Sky Sports report Arsenal have been unable to register his arrival in time.
One fan reacted by tweeting: "Banter club."
Another commented: "Of course we were too slow."
Others were less concerned, however, with a third supporter saying: "He wouldn't have played anyway" – as Aaron Ramsdale is expected to keep his place.
- By Ian Tuckey
It Kud yet happen
Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly still in the running for Mohammed Kudus.
Brighton agreed a £34.5million deal for the Ajax midfielder
But Dutch media claimed the Ghana star's representatives want a release clause, whereas the Seagulls are said to be less keen.
That's thought to have put Arsenal and Chelsea back on alert for the 23-year-old.
- By Ian Tuckey
Rice set for debut with Jorginho also fit
New boy Declan Rice seems sure to partner Thomas Partey for Arsenal's Prem start at home to Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
And fellow midfielder Jorginho is expected to be fit too – with a bench place likely.
It's also now possible Oleksandr Zinchenko could make the squad.
That's despite boss Mikel Arteta earlier suggesting the left-back was "close" to returning but might need more training.
- By Ian Tuckey
Saka fine, Zinchenko 'close'
Arsenal believe star winger Bukayo Saka is fully fit for tomorrow's lunchtime Prem opener at home to Nottingham Forest following a pre-season niggle.
And boss Mikel Arteta reckons left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is finally "close to returning".
Arteta said: “I think he’s going to start training with the team and hopefully we will have him back very soon.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Frank admission on Raya
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has confirmed David Raya will sign for Arsenal imminently.
A £3million one-season loan has been agreed for the Spaniard, with the Gunners then having the option of buying him for around £30m.
The Athletic quote Frank as saying: “I expect a deal will be completed soon.”
- By Kostas Lianos
Arteta on inflated squad
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was asked if his squad is inflated ahead of Premier League kick-off.
I think you have to treat everybody with the sense that they’re important and to do that you have to play matches.
It tells you a lot about the human being what your contribution is when you’re not playing.
I want players that have the feeling that they’re happy when the team wins regardless.
Mikel Arteta
Credit: Getty - By Kostas Lianos
Inter pull out
Inter Milan could be ready to admit defeat over Arsenal ace Folarin Balogun.
Monaco are now favourites to sign Balogun amid reports he’d rather move abroad than to a Premier League rival like West Ham.
Inter, rivals AC Milan and Atletico Madrid have all been linked with the 22-year-old ace.
But reports suggest the cente-forward has agreed personal terms with Monaco.
And it’s thought the Nerazzurri are quelling their interest in the USA international.
- By Kostas Lianos
Arsenal ‘target’ Douglas Luiz
Aston Villa may face a late Arsenal bid for Douglas Luiz before deadline day.
According to Football Insider, Villa are looking at possible replacements for Luiz, who is valued at around £35million.
So far Thomas Partey appears likely to play alongside record signing Declan Rice when the Gunners open their Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
But the Brazil international is the latest option mentioned as the North Londoners appear out of the running for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
- By Kostas Lianos
David Raya details
David Raya is set to join Arsenal on initial loan deal from Brentford worth £3million.
That includes a £27m buy option clause, as The Athletic recently reported.
According to transfer insisder Fabrizio Romano, the Bees accepted this deal as it helps the Gunners with Financial Fair Play.
The buy clause will automatically be activated after a few fixtures.
- By Ian Tuckey
Frank admission on Raya
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has confirmed David Raya will sign for Arsenal imminently.
A £3million one-season loan has been agreed for the Spaniard, with the Gunners then having the option of buying him for around £30m.
The Athletic quote Frank as saying: “I expect a deal will be completed soon.”
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