ARSENAL have officially announced the signing of Ukrainian captain Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The former Manchester City ace was reduced to tears having made the £32 million switch to his boyhood club.
And this move could play into the hands of Italian outfit Atalanta who are closing in on a loan deal for Arsenal full-back Nuno Tavares.
Meanwhile, the North London hierarchy are still trying to tie Bukayo Saka down to a new contract which will reportedly be around the £200,000-a-week figure.
IN: Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates…
- Alex Cole
Odegaard's silky turn sends fans wild
Martin Odegaard displayed a mind-blowing move at training last week that Arsenal fans just can't stop talking about.
Spirits were high in the Gunners' camp mid-way through their tour of the US.
And a video has done the rounds on social media of the Norwegian international producing the turn of the century.
Reuell Walters was bamboozled as Odegaard, 23, executed the silkiest of skills.
With the ball on his left foot, the play maker turned 180 degrees with a flashy flick of his right toe to nudge the ball and create space between him and the defender.
The control and the body contortion required for the turn was made to look effortless by Odegaard.
- Alex Cole
More on bellerin to Betis
Iglesias previously proposed the idea of crowdfunding a move for Bellerin on Twitter, but the Spanish side could instead sell Alex Moreno to fund the transfer.
Bellerin has been patient for a move and is still working hard in training despite reportedly having no intention to stay at Arsenal.
The defender has also attracted the attention of Jose Mourinho at Roma and is also believed to have held talks with Atletico Madrid about a transfer, which means his time could soon be up in north London.
- Alex Cole
Borja Iglesias on Bellerin to Betis
Arsenal star Hector Bellerin wants to move back to Real Betis, according to his former team-mate Borja Iglesias.
Iglesias is keen to reunite with the Spaniard and in an interview with Estadio Deportivo he said: “Yes, I miss Hector Bellerin.
“I’m thinking of doing the crowdfunding we said we would do to get him back.
"I come out of training and people ask me if Bellerin is coming, and they tell me that they are starting a piggy bank here to raise money.
“Bellerin really wants to come back. He has always said that he wants to play here, what happens is that he has been there for a long time at Arsenal.
"It is a complicated situation because he has a contract. I have always said it. I hope he is here as soon as possible because he gives us a lot inside and outside the locker room.”
- Alex Cole
Will the Gunners finish the 2022-23 season with a flourish?
April promises to be a tough period as they travel to Leeds, Liverpool, West Ham and Manchester City.
And they also will host Southampton and Chelsea in the penultimate month of the season.
A tricky visit to St James' Park to take on Newcastle on May 6 could prove pivotal if Arsenal are to finish in the top four.
The Gunners lost against the Magpies last season which saw Tottenham leapfrog above them in the table.
Brighton and Nottingham Forest then follow, with Arsenal to once again finish the campaign at the Emirates, with Wolves their last opponent.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal's winter period
November will see Arsenal play just two games before the 2022 World Cup – trips to Chelsea and Wolves.
The Gunners' first game back after the global tournament will be a Boxing Day tie against West Ham at home, before concluding 2022 with a visit to Brighton on December 31.
Just two days later they will welcome Newcastle to the capital, before facing Spurs away and United at home.
Arteta will see February and March as an opportunity to pick up points in his quest to secure Champions League football.
They will face no team that finished in the top seven of the Premier League in the 21-22 season.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal's opening three months
Following the opening night clash, the Gunners host Leicester, before pitting their wits against newly-promoted sides Bournemouth and Fulham.
They conclude the month with a home clash against Aston Villa, before travelling to Manchester United on September 3 in their first massive contest of the campaign.
It stands to be a torrid October for Arteta's men who welcome North London rivals Tottenham to the Emirates at the start of the month, with the return fixture set for January 14.
And while juggling Europa League football, they will square off against Liverpool and Manchester City at home on October 8 and October 18 respectively.
They will also travel to Leeds and Southampton in what will prove to be a challenging time for Arsenal.
- Alex Cole
Gunners' Prem kick-off in just TWO weeks!
Arsenal have a favourable start to the 2022-23 Premier League season with the club not having to face any of the 'Big Six' in the opening month.
For the second year running, Arsenal will play away on a Friday night to kick off the new term on August 5.
And they will be desperate to avoid a defeat like they did at Brentford last season.
It all kicks-off in TWO weeks!
- Alex Cole
Bellerin wants to be back at Betis
Arsenal star Hector Bellerin wants to move back to Real Betis, according to his former team-mate Borja Iglesias.
The right-back, 27, spent last season on loan at Betis – the club he supported as a boy.
And Bellerin seemingly wants to move back to Spain, where he made 23 La Liga appearances last season.
He is likely to act as back-up to Takehiro Tomiyasu at the Emirates this season and several clubs are interested in Bellerin, including Betis.
- Alex Cole
Milinkovic-Savic wanted by Arsenal and Chelsea
Chelsea and Arsenal have contacted Lazio about midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, reports in Italy claim.
Calcio Merca say the London giants admire the Serbia star’s box-to-box style and goal record.
But Calciomercato, suggest the Gunners, in particular, have been put off by the Serie A club’s valuation – of around £60million to £68m.
Milinkovic-Savic netted 11 times for Lazio last term, having joined from Genk in 2015.
- Alex Cole
Zin-credible
Mikel Arteta has hinted new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko will be utilised in the No10 role at Arsenal.
Arteta worked with Zinchenko while he was an assistant coach at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard said: “He can play in both defence and midfield. He was a natural No10 early in his career and we converted him into a left-back which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing.
“That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full-backs, so I'm really happy."
- Alex Cole
Zinchenko was 'main focus' of summer, says Edu
Technical Director Edu said: “I'm very pleased to see how we're working as a team here in the club.
"We put a plan together early and Oleksandr Zinchenko was a main focus on our list.
"We’re pleased to have Alex with us now because he has the attributes which I’m sure are going to put our squad at a different level.”
- Alex Cole
Arteta 'delighted' about Zinchenko transfer
Oleksandr Zinchenko has joined Arsenal on a long-term contract from Manchester City and boss Mikel Arteta is "delighted".
The Spaniard added: “We’re so happy Alex has joined us. He’s a player that I personally know really well and continued to follow him after my time at Manchester City.
"Alex is a high quality player who will give us options and versatility. It's not only about the positions he can play but as well, the versatility he will give us in attack and defence.
"Alex is a person with great human qualities and character, and I’m delighted that everyone has made this huge effort to bring Alex to the club."
- Alex Cole
£30million Zinchenko move finalised
Oleksandr Zinchenko has completed a £30million move to Arsenal from Manchester City.
Zinchenko joins Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira as new arrivals to the club.
The Ukrainian has joined up with the Arsenal squad at the pre-season training camp in Orlando.
- Alex Cole
BREAKING – Arsenal announce Zinchenko
Arsenal have announced the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The 26-year-old becomes the Gunners' fifth transfer this summer.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal eye Gakpo transfer
Arsenal are reportedly interested in a move for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.
Football London claims Gakpo has emerged as a target after Arsenal miss out on Leeds ace Raphinha to Barcelona.
Gakpo, 23, has 42 goals in 135 games for PSV and is now a regular for Holland under Louis van Gaal.
- Alex Cole
ICYMI – Bould speaks after boot
Former Arsenal coach Steve Bould has spoken out after he was sacked by the club in 2021.
He told the Daily Mail: “Of course.I always look out for the Arsenal because you know what it’s like — once you’ve been associated with them, it’s hard not to.
“I love the club. I’ve got nothing to moan about whatsoever. It happens to a lot of people.
“It’s part of football. You’re always going to get removed at some stage somewhere. Honestly, Martin, there’s no bitterness whatsoever. People have opinions and that’s what they do, so there’s no issue.”
- Alex Cole
Zinchenko spotted in Gunners gear
Oleksandr Zinchenko was spotted signing autographs wearing Arsenal training shorts.
He left Manchester City’s American training camp earlier this week after saying his goodbyes to his former team-mates and headed for his medical to complete his £30million transfer.
The 25-year-old full-back was then spotted watching from the stands during the Gunners' pre-season win over Orlando City.
He is believed to have already penned a four-year deal with the North London club.
Now Zinchenko has been spotted in Orlando talking to Gooners and signing autographs despite still no official announcement being made by Arsenal.
- Alex Cole
Martinelli’s shirt number joy
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli is revelling in his new shirt number.
The Brazilian forward has been given the No11 shirt ahead of the new season.
Martin Odegaard donned the digits last season, but it now belongs to Martinelli who’s delighted with the decision.
He posted himself on Instagram in the shirt, writing: "new number looking…" with an 'OK' emoji.
Credit: Getty - Alex Cole
Vieira gets help settling in
Fabio Vieira’s introduction to life in England is getting helped along by Cedric Soares.
Soares revealed to ESPN that he’s made it his duty to make sure his Portuguese compatriot is comfortable at The Emirates.
Soares said: “He has a similar mentality to me, which is great to see. I’m helping him to settle.
"Fabio is a very intelligent player from what I saw in Portugal. I never played with him but from what I saw, analysing games and watching his performances, he had a really good season. He has fantastic quality.
"He is a technical player with quality and ability. He has a lot of vision for the last pass as well.
"This quality that you look a lot for in the players, I think Fabio has got it. I am sure he will adapt quick, he is intelligent you know?”
- Alex Cole
You’re out of here
Arsenal transfer target Youri Tielemans will sit down with Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers to discuss his future this week, according to reports.
The Belgium international, 25, has just one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
Tielemans has consistently refused offers on new terms but has remained committed to playing for the Foxes.
He is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal target Melo left out of Juve pre-season tour
Arsenal are in the running to sign Arthur Melo from Juventus and the midfielder has stayed in Italy for pre-season, reports claim.
The Italians want to get rid of the 25-year-old to help them lighten their wage bill ahead of the new season.
The Brazilian has even been left out of the squad's pre-season tour so they can try to push a move through, according to La Republicca.
- Alex Cole
Champions League football is the target, says Soares
Arsenal will be gunning for a top four spot next season.
That’s according to Gunners star Cedric Soares, who reckons his side need to secure a Champions League place after missing out to rivals Tottenham last season.
He insisted to ESPN: “I think a club like Arsenal wants to fight for [the top four] and right now, the group is more experienced, the project is very clear, the idea of the coach is very clear.
“I think we should have this target.”
- Justin Lawrence
Jesus reveals England switch horror
Gabriel Jesus has revealed he wanted to quit former club Man City just one month after moving to England from Brazil.
That's because of the dramatic weather change between the two countries, and the living conditions he had to get accustomed to.
Jesus told Podpah: "In the first month, in my head, I thought about leaving. I left Brazil with a lot of heat and on holiday. I was supposed to arrive on January 4th, I arrived on the 2nd. I left Brazil with 35°C, I arrived there with -5°C, snowing, horrible.
There, at 3pm, it was already getting dark. I was living in a hotel. I went with my family, and for them it was bad too. I spent a month eating pizza and training in the morning. I was training alone for two weeks because of the documentation. I’d leave training, go to the hotel and eat pizza. That was 1pm. Then I played video games or went to the mall with my friends. Returned to the hotel at 3pm, slept and woke up at 7pm. There I slept at 10pm and would wake up at midnight.
And he felt like that the hunt for silverware convinced him to stay put.
Jesus added: “In my head, it was: ‘I want to leave’. It was the dream of being in a good club, with good players, with the Premier League, the Champions League… that motivated me”.
- Justin Lawrence
Nketiah willing to make Jesus sacrifice
Eddie Nketiah is open to playing on the left wing in order to let Gabriel Jesus thrive up front for Arsenal.
Nketiah revealed: "Yeah, that’s fine. Obviously, I like to play in the middle but I can play on the left as well and enjoy that.
“I’m just happy to be on the pitch in areas where I know I can be a threat and be dangerous.
"And when Gabby came on in the second half it was good to link up with him.”
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal eye Gakpo transfer
Arsenal are reportedly interested in a move for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.
Football London claims Gakpo has emerged as a target after Arsenal miss out on Leeds ace Raphinha to Barcelona.
Gakpo, 23, has 42 goals in 135 games for PSV and is now a regular for Holland under Louis van Gaal.
The versatile attacker is understood to be keen on a Premier League, where several compatriots including Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk ply their trade.
And Arsenal could be set to make a move before the start of the new season.
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