GABRIEL JESUS helped himself to a stunning hat-trick as Arsenal battered Sevilla 6-0.
Elsewhere, boss Mikel Arteta has named Martin Odegaard as the club's new captain.
Meanwhile, the club have agreed personal terms with Leicester's Youri Tielemans according to reports.
But the Gunners are still yet to come to an agreement with Leicester over the figure for the sale.
However, Arsenal have managed to thrash out a deal with League Two side Crewe for the loan move of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
Get all the latest transfer news from around the world…
IN: Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko
OUT: Alexandre Lacazette (released)
- Ian Tuckey
Odegaard pulling strings
New captain Martin Odegaard orchestrated Arsenal's latest impressive pre-season show, their 6-0 defeat of Sevilla.
Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu and new £30million midfielder Fabio Vieira are still struggling with injury.
But overall Arsenal's warm-up to next week's big kick-off could hardly be going better.
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal 6 Sevilla 0
Gabriel Jesus grabbed a hat-trick as goal-hungry Arsenal added the Emirates Cup to their pre-season collection, writes MARK IRWIN.
A week after beating Chelsea 4-0 in Orlando to win the Florida Cup, Mikel Arteta’s men were at it again as they put another Champions League opponent to the sword.
Having won all four of their previous warm-up games in Nuremberg and the USA, Gunners fans were eager to see if their team could maintain that momentum against the side which finished fourth in La Liga last season.
And they didn’t have to wait long for an answer as Arsenal ran riot with an astonishing four-goal burst in the opening 19 minutes.
Bukayo Saka started the Emirates massacre when he converted a ninth minute penalty after being barged over in the box by Karim Rekik. Jesus doubled their lead five minutes later when Sevilla keeper Bono pushed Granit Xhaka’s low cross straight into the path of the lurking Brazilian.
And Arsenal’s new £45million signing from Manchester City struck again within seconds when he ghosted in behind Seville’s dozing defence to convert Gabriel Martinelli’s ball over the top.
Even worse was to follow for the visitors when Bono passed straight to Saka as he tried to play out from the back and Arsenal’s newly crowned Player of the Year was never going to look that gift horse in the mouth.
It was to be another hour before Jesus completed his triple with another opportunist strike, his seventh goal for the Gunners. Eddie Nketiah completed the rout on 88 minutes after replacing Jesus while William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko were applauded for every touch in their first Emirates appearance for Arsenal.
- Ian Tuckey
Hector linked to Bellerin
Hector Bellerin could get free transfer back to Betis
Arsenal are reportedly considering ripping up Hector Bellerin’s contract.
The right-back is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans this season.
And a return to loan side Real Betis is on the cards.
Besoccer now claims Arsenal could let Bellerin join them for free as they look to save wages for potential new additions.
- Alex Cole
Sevilla hit for six!
The party continues in North London as the season draws closer.
What a win for the Arsenal.
- Alex Cole
Jesus walks
Gabriel Jesus has nabbed a hat-trick!
This could be a very nice season for the Gunners is the Brazilian continues to score at this pace when the campaign begins.
- Alex Cole
Fan reaction to Odegaard captaincy
Manager Mikel Arteta has appointed Odegaard captain on a permanent basis just a year after he joined in a £30million move from Real Madrid.
And Arsenal fans were clearly pleased with the announcement.
One fan said: "Well in Martin."
Another user added: "A VIKING IS LEADING US. VICTORY AWAITS."
- Alex Cole
Odegaard confirmed as skipper
Martin Odegaard has been confirmed as Arsenal’s new captain following Alexandre Lacazette’s summer move to Lyon.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal 4-0 Sevilla
Arsenal score FOUR in the first 20 minutes against Sevilla!
Two from Bukayo Saka and two from Gabriel Jesus.
- Alex Cole
ICYMI – Tavares joins Marseille on loan
Nuno Tavares has joined Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille on a season-long loan deal.
The 22-year-old left-back joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021 from Benfica, and made 28 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions last season, scoring once and assisting twice.
- Alex Cole
Liverpool vs Manchester City TODAY
And just like that, the new season is upon us.
Less than 10 weeks after Manchester City pipped Liverpool to the Premier League title in dramatic circumstances….
The two sides come up against one another in the Community Shield TODAY.
The match kicks off at 5pm UK time.
It takes place at the King Power Stadium due to England women’s team hopefully lifting the 2022 Euros trophy at Wembley.
- Alex Cole
Paqueta not keen on Gunners
Lucas Paqueta is reportedly not keen on joining Arsenal
L’Equipe claims he’d rather sign for Man City or Spurs.
It comes as a bitter blow to Mikel Arteta, who is a huge fan of the midfielder.
- Alex Cole
Luiz sees red for Flamengo
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star David Luiz saw red while playing for new club Flamengo.
The defender unleashed an X-rated blast at the ref.
And he was duly shown a straight red card.
Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star David Luiz sent off for X-rated blast on referee during Flamengo clash
- Alex Cole
Bellerin could get free transfer back to Betis
Arsenal are reportedly considering ripping up Hector Bellerin’s contract.
The right-back is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans this season.
And a return to loan side Real Betis is on the cards.
Besoccer now claims Arsenal could let Bellerin join them for free as they look to save wages for potential new additions.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal struggled without Tomiyasu or Tierney, says Petit
Earlier in the 21-22 season, Emmanuel Petit told SunSport that Arsenal looked weaker when Tavares was in the team.
The Gunners dip in form coincided with first-choice full-backs Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu unavailable.
Petit said: "With all the respect I have for Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares, they are not on the same level as Tomiyasu or Tierney.
"The relationship between Tavares and [Gabriel] Martinelli and Cedric and [Bukayo] Saka on the opposite side, it's not working."
"We've seen when Arsenal don't play with Tomiyasu or Tierney, they struggle."
- Alex Cole
Tavares' tough 21-22 season
Tavares endured an up-and-down first season with the North London giants.
The Portuguese full-back made 28 total appearances for Arsenal last season, scoring once and adding two assists.
Although he looked reasonably dangerous going forward, he was found out at the back.
He was hauled off at half-time in a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
- Alex Cole
BREAKING – Tavares joins Marseille on loan
Nuno Tavares has joined Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille on a season-long loan deal.
The 22-year-old left-back joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021 from Benfica, and made 28 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions last season, scoring once and assisting twice.
- Alex Cole
Not even Arthur chance of signing him
Arsenal’s interest in Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo has reportedly ended.
That’s sent speculation soaring over Leicester superstar Youri Tielemans.
But the Foxes say no offer has come in this summer for the Belgium hero, who has also been linked to Manchester United.
- Alex Cole
Crazy golf Gooners
The club have dropped an amusing video on social media from the US tour.
The team played mini golf in Orlando and it looked a hoot.
Mikel Arteta's squad will hope to move fore-ward now as they face Sevilla back in London today.
- Alex Cole
More on possible starting XI against Sevilla
Zinchenko made a winning start to his Arsenal career in the 4-0 demolition of Chelsea, with fellow summer signing Gabriel Jesus grabbing his fourth goal of pre-season against the Blues.
Jesus was brought off against Chelsea but is believed to be fit to start against Sevilla, and the Brazilian could light up the Emirates in his first appearance at the stadium in Arsenal colours.
He will feed off service from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard, who are all sure to start given Smith Rowe’s fitness woes.
Granit Xhaka is another certain starter and could be joined in midfield by Mohamed Elneny, with summer signing Fabio Vieira having an outside chance of making the team after returning to training last week.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal vs Sevilla – the info
Arsenal host Sevilla on Saturday in the Emirates Cup.
It is scheduled to kick off at 12.30pm UK time.
Arsenal roll out the red carpet for Sevilla, Emirates Stadium in North London will be the allocated arena.
The Gunners lost an Emirates Cup match to Sevilla back in 2017.
- Alex Cole
More on Arteta's lineup
Will the Spaniard use today as a dress rehearsal for Palace next week?
- Alex Cole
Possible season starting XI against Sevilla
Arsenal host Sevilla in the Emirates Cup for their final pre-season match TODAY.
And Mikel Arteta almost has a full strength squad at his disposal, though he is still missing first-team trio Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe.
Picking a right-back could be the Spaniard’s biggest dilemma against Sevilla, who finished as runners-up in the Emirates Cup in 2017.
Cedric Soares deputised for Tomiyasu last season when the Japanese was unavailable, but Ben White could be moved to full-back which would allow a place in the side for William Saliba.
Gooners will be keen to get their eyes on the Frenchman following his impressive pre-season form, with Saliba possibly partnering Gabriel in central defence.
Oleksandr Zinchenko will likely play at left-back – already showing why his versatility will be vital to Arsenal this season.
- Alex Cole
Bellerin could get free transfer back to Betis
Arsenal are reportedly considering ripping up Hector Bellerin’s contract.
The right-back is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans this season.
And a return to loan side Real Betis is on the cards.
Besoccer now claims Arsenal could let Bellerin join them for free as they look to save wages for potential new additions.
- Alex Cole
Okonkwo joins Crewe on loan
Arthur Okonkwo has joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a season-long loan.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper joined the Arsenal academy aged eight and has continually impressed throughout the age groups.
Having been promoted to the first-team at the beginning of last season, Arthur featured in the Gunners' matchday squad seven times.
- Alex Cole
Good morning Arsenal fans!
The Gunners play Sevilla today in the Emirates Cup.
And Gabriel Jesus will be hoping to score again.
Brazil legend Rivaldo claims he has given tips to Jesus on how to become an Arsenal hero.
Rivaldo said: "After moving from Man City to Arsenal the best thing that could happen for Gabriel Jesus was starting strongly with his new club.
"I spoke with Jesus after the Chelsea match, wishing him the best in this new phase of his career, praising his qualities as a player, and asking him to keep focused to start the new season very strongly.
"How he starts at the club will probably be crucial to his success with the Brazilian national team at the World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Nuno Tavares is on the brink of a loan move to Marseille.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Arsenal defender is currently undergoing a medical in France.
And Tavares will spend the season in Ligue 1 after dropping down the rankings at Arsenal.
Finally, Celta Vigo are at war with ex-Arsenal loanee Denis Suarez, who is refusing to leave.
Celta president Carlos Mourino said: "We have given Denis Suarez four offers that increased his salary and all of them were rejected because they benefited RC Celta.
"He is forcing us to fire him to harm the club. I will not consent to it.
"Denis Suarez is the only one who has denounced his club for [not being called up] because he does not want to help, he wants to harm the club.
"He has been carrying out a great smear campaign against the club for a year on all its social networks, in unconfirmed information, in opinions that speak of his close circle."
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