ARSENAL are stepping things up as the transfer window enters its final furlong.
The Gunners have reportedly held initial talks regarding the signing of Pedro Neto.
They value the Wolves man at £35m while the Black Country side want a fee of £50m.
Youri Tielemans is said to remain the club's top transfer priority as they look to bring in a central midfielder.
But Lyon's Lucas Paqueta has received high praise from Edu and could come into the Gunners' thinking if they fail to land Tielemans.
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- Sam Dymond
Norton-Cuffy is a merry Miller
Arsenal wonderkid Brooke Norton-Cuffy has joined Rotherham United on a season-long loan.
The 18-year-old right-back recently put pen to paper on a new long-term contract at the Emirates, and is now heading out to gain first team experience in the Championship.
The England U19 international spent a similar spell at Lincoln in League One last term, making 17 appearances and scoring one goal.
- Sam Dymond
Odegaard: We've done nothing yet
Two-goal hero Martin Odegaard insists that Arsenal have achieved nothing despite their perfect start to the new Premier League season.
The Gunners captain bagged his first brace for the club in Saturday's 3-0 win at Bournemouth to leave the Londoners sitting top of the table with a maximum nine points on the board.
However, in conversation with the Evening Standard, Odegaard insisted: "We haven’t done anything yet.
"We have to stay calm, we have to keep working hard and stay humble. We always look for the next game and play every game as a final."
“That’s what we want to do. That’s the mindset now that we have. We go to the next one and try to win that one.
“It has been a good start; I think especially compared to last season. It looks a bit better this time! We are happy at the moment; three wins and three good games."
- Sam Dymond
Wolves name their Neto price
With the revelation this morning that Arsenal have made Pedro Neto their transfer priority, the Molineux club have struck back by slapping a £50m price tag on their star.
That's according to talkSPORT, who also believe that Manchester United are looking at the Portuguese winger.
It remains to be seen whether Wolves' valuation is beyond the Gunners' spending power in light of Financial Fair Play.
The 23-year-old made 13 Premier League appearances last season, having missed ten months with a fractured knee cap.
- Sam Dymond
Arsenal stuck in the Mud
Arsenal are considering an offer for Ukrainian hotshot Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to reports.
Media Foot believe the Gunners are keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, who can play anywhere off the central striker.
Mudryk, who has five caps for his country, has been valued at around £20m by his club, Shakhtar Donetsk.
Mikel Arteta's primary target remains Wolves' Pedro Neto, but the Londoners may move for Mudryk if Financial Fair Play limits their spending power.
- Sam Dymond
Loanee Balogun firing for Reims
Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun has already made history with loan club Reims.
The striker joined the Ligue 1 outfit on a season-long loan deal earlier this month, and scored in his first two matches for his new side.
And on Sunday, the 21-year-old made history in his third game, netting an 81st minute equaliser against Strasbourg.
Balogun's strike earned Reims their first point of the season, and ensured he became the first player to score in their first three matches for the club in 47 years.
Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun celebratesafter scoring a penalty kickduring the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and Clermont Foot 63 at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northestern France, on August 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP) (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images) - Sam Dymond
Next five up for Arsenal
Three games down, a maximum nine points on the board, and suddenly Arsenal fans are wondering how long their winning start to the season can continue.
And looking at their next five fixtures, there's no reason why it won't last a little longer with future opponents Aston Villa, Manchester United and Everton all in some sort of disarray.
Indeed, remarkably, it is the West London pair of Fulham and Brentford that are likely to give Arsenal their biggest test on current form.
- Sam Dymond
Arsenal hope to Net-o Pedro
Never mind Youri Tielemans, Arsenal's transfer priority is Wolves' Pedro Neto.
That's according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, who reports that discussions between the Gunners and Neto's agent, Jorge Mendes, have been going on for over a month.
However, Wolves are reluctant to sell the 22-year-old, and Arsenal's spending power is limited after a fruitful summer in the transfer market.
Financial Fair Play limitations mean the Londoners are looking at creative ways to land the winger, and this has all the makings of another saga that will run right up to the close of the transfer window on September 1.
- Sam Dymond
Nice option for flop Pepe
It's been a wonderful start to the season for Arsenal with everything going right on and off the pitch.
However, one of the Gunners' biggest mistakes still looms large at the Emirates.
Nicolas Pepe joined the Londoners for a club record £72m from Lille in 2019, but has failed to replicate the form that made him such a standout talent in France.
The 27-year-old has now been told he can leave Arsenal, but he is in a race against time before the transfer window closes.
Nice are interested in bringing the Ivorian back to Ligue 1 and talks have begun, while Sevilla are also said to be interested.
- Joshua Mbu
Morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table following Manchester City’s draw at Newcastle.
The Citizens were held to a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park after coming back from 3-1 down to snatch a point.
It means that the Gunners are the only side that boasts a 100 per cent winning record in the Premier League so far.
Regardless of the result between Manchester United and Liverpool, Arsenal will be top heading into matchweek four.
Meanwhile, Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is reportedly close to returning to Barcelona.
The Spanish defender, who has also been linked with a move to Real Betis, was nabbed by the Gunners from Barca’s academy in 2011.
Bellerin will be allowed to depart Arsenal this summer with Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares preferred instead.
According to transfer guru Gerard Romero, there is a growing feeling that the 27-year-old will join the Blaugrana in the coming days.
In other news, Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on William Saliba following his dazzling display against Bournemouth.
He said: “What he is doing at 21 years old is rare. He remains really humble.
“He wants to learn, he wants to train every day and he is really demanding of himself and he is giving a lot to the team.
“It is very important to get the clean sheet as well. Everybody is scoring goals and that’s good.”
And finally, Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has created history for Reims as he continues to shine on loan.
The youngster scored for the third match in a row since arriving at the French cluv.
He scored in the 81st minute away at Strasbourg to snatch a point for the visitors.
In doing so, he became the first Reims player to score in each of their opening three games since Jacques Vergnes in August 1975.
- Jake Lambourne
Pino gets on score sheet
Arsenal target Yeremy Pino broke the deadlock in Villarreal's 2-0 win away at Atletico Madrid.
The 19-year-old latched onto a loose ball inside the area in the 73rd minute to rifle home a shot into the bottom left corner.
And Unai Emery's men sealed a famous victory in the 97th minute after Gerard Moreno doubled the visitors' lead.
Pino has been identified by Mikel Arteta as a potential target to compete with right winger Bukayo Saka.
- Jake Lambourne
Bellerin close to Barcelona switch
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is reportedly close to returning to Barcelona.
The Spanish defender, who has also been linked with a move to Real Betis, was nabbed by the Gunners from Barca's academy in 2011.
Bellerin will be allowed to depart Arsenal this summer with Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares preferred instead.
According to transfer guru Gerard Romero, there is a growing feeling that the 27-year-old will join the Blaugrana in the coming days.
Bellerin is yet to feature in any game for the North London outfit this term.
- Jake Lambourne
Zinchenko hails Bournemouth victory
Oleksandr Zinchenko has expressed his delight at keeping a clean sheet in the 3-0 win at Bournemouth.
He told Arsenal's website: "It’s a great feeling to get three points and we don’t concede a goal.
“It’s always important to score in the beginning of the game because this first goal can give you some confidence to control the game and that’s what we did.
"We did well, especially in the first half, the opponent didn’t create anything – they had zero shots on target.
“In the second half they started to play with three at the back and we were suffering at some points, but in the end we didn’t concede, that’s the most important thing.
"There are still a lot of things to improve, but I think we are on the right way.”
- Jake Lambourne
Morris back Aubameyang's Chelsea switch
Former Chelsea star Jody Morris has backed Chelsea to make a move for Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
After the Blues were humbled 3-0 by Leeds, Morris stressed the need to bring in a centre-forward.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, he was asked whether ex-Arsenal skipper Aubameyang would be a solution for Thomas Tuchel.
To which he said: "You’d have to say he’d improve the team at the moment because he’s a renown goalscorer.
"I think he would function more as a No.9, I don’t think you’d find him out wide or playing on the left like he did quite a few times for Arsenal.
"I think if Chelsea were to sign him they’d want him to operate down the middle.
"I’m not sure if there are others out there or whether that’s the one they’re doing for, but they definitely need something."
- Jake Lambourne
Arteta stunned by Saliba strike
Mikel Arteta has revealed he was taken aback by William Saliba's wonder strike against Bournemouth.
Speaking to Arsenal's website on Saliba's curler, Arteta was asked whether he thought the Frenchman was capable of such a goal.
To which he said: "To be fair, no. That is individual talent and a moment of quality that he showed today but I am really pleased with his performance.
“What he is doing at 21 years old is rare. He remains really humble.
"He wants to learn, he wants to train every day and he is really demanding of himself and he is giving a lot to the team.
“It is very important to get the clean sheet as well. Everybody is scoring goals and that's good.”
- Jake Lambourne
Arsenal top of the pile
Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table after Manchester City's draw at Newcastle.
The Citizens were held to a 3-3 draw at St James' Park after coming back from 3-1 down to snatch a point.
It means that the Gunners are the only side that boasts a 100 per cent winning record in the Premier League so far.
Regardless of the result between Manchester United and Liverpool, Arsenal will be top heading into matchweek four.
- Jake Lambourne
Guardiola on Jesus, Zinchenko, Sterling departures
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended his decision to sell Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal and Raheem Sterling to Chelsea.
He said: "If you force one person to stay when he doesn’t want to stay how can you get the best from him? It’s impossible.
"I wouldn’t want to move anyone on now. I love this squad I have.
"I feel comfortable training with them because after six, seven years we know each other incredibly well.
"In the bad moments I know how they react; they are incredible professionals.
"I would love to stay all together but at the same time the transfer window ends in 10-15 days and if a player wants to leave then we will find a solution. Which one, I don’t know but we will find it."
- Jake Lambourne
Hag-ing a laugh at United
Arsenal and Fulham fans became the latest to mock Manchester United with chants during their Premier League games this weekend.
The Red Devils sit second from bottom of the table following a pair of dreadful results at the start of the season.
A 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford in their opening fixture was followed up by a 4-0 loss to Brentford.
Bees supporters mocked Erik ten Hag's men by singing "You're going down with the Fulham" during their comprehensive victory at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Then this weekend, Arsenal and Fulham supporters followed suit with their own versions of the chant.
As the fans at Craven Cottage watched Fulham beat Brentford 3-2, they began singing "You're going down with United".
A couple of hours later, Gunners supporters rolled out the same song at the Vitality Stadium as they eased to a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.
- Jake Lambourne
Zinchenko best of the rest
Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has starred since joining from Manchester City this summer.
And it's no surprise the Gunners have won their opening three top-flight matches with the Ukraine international in the starting XI.
The 25-year-old boasts the best win percentage of any player in Premier League history.
Zinchenko has won 82.3 per cent of the games in which he has featured in the Prem.
He has played in 79 matches, winning 65 of those.
- Jake Lambourne
Udinese out of Bellerin race
Hector Bellerin will NOT be joining Udinese this summer.
That is according to transfer guru Matteo Moretto, who has insisted the Serie A side have ruled themselves out of the running.
Udinese are keen to sign a right-back having sold Nahuel Molina to Atletico Madrid.
But Bellerin is longing for a return to his native Spain, with Real Betis and Barcelona linked.
And with Udinese in a hurry to sign a replacement for Molina quick, Moretto has insisted they are now looking elsewhere.
- Jake Lambourne
Folarin Balogun creates Reims history
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has created history for Reims as he continues to shine on loan.
The Gunners youngster scored for the third match in a row since arriving at the French cluv.
He scored in the 81st minute away at Strasbourg to snatch a point for the visitors.
In doing so, he becomes the first Reims player to score in each of their opening three games since Jacques Vergnes in August 1975.
- Alex Cole
Odegaarding his future
Two goals from Martin Odegaard effectively settled yesterday's match within the first 11 minutes before William Saliba made certain with his first goal for the club.
Odegaard has only just been appointed Arteta’s new captain and is already proving that the Arsenal armband is not as cursed as some might have believed.
Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil, Granit Xhaka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Lacazette all struggled to cope with the demands of the role.
But Odegaard is clearly not going to be weighed down by the responsibilities of his new job.
- Alex Cole
Gunners are flying!
The last time Arsenal picked an unchanged team for their first three games of the season, they went on to win the league in 2003-04.
And while no-one is suggesting that this lot are Invincibles, they are playing with the kind of swagger which is reminiscent of Arsene Wenger’s all-conquering champions.
Another comprehensive victory leaves Mikel Arteta’s hungry young team sitting pretty in pink with maximum points at the top of the table, at least until champions Manchester City take on Newcastle this afternoon.
- Alex Cole
Saliba is a star, says Smith
Former Arsenal player and Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith was full of praise for Saliba, who has impressed since returning to the club from his spells out on loan.
Smith said: "Saliba has been welcomed into the fold by the players and the fans.
"He would have gained a lot of confidence in France and especially making his debut for national team, when really he couldn't find a place at his club.
"He's come back, Arteta has shifted Ben White to right-back and we will see if that continues. Fair play to Arteta."
- Alex Cole
Arsenal squad singing the Saliba song
William Saliba was the hero in the Arsenal dressing room after scoring his first goal for the club against Bournemouth.
The centre-back, 21, curled a brilliant effort into the top corner from outside the area to seal the three points in a convincing 3-0 win.
That sent Arsenal's travelling fans wild and they responded by singing a new song for Saliba.
Saliba's name is sung to the tune of 'Tequila' – the song made famous by The Champs.
The catchy chant has caught on amongst the players too, with Mikel Arteta revealing it was sung by his squad after the match.
Arteta said: "The boys were singing it in the dressing room it is a good song."
- Alex Cole
Zin-credible reaction to Saliba’s worldie
Oleksandr Zinchenko hilariously reacted to William Saliba’s stunning strike against Bournemouth.
The Gunners were already coasting at the start of the second half thanks to a Martin Odegaard brace.
But centre-back Saliba then stepped up to bag his first goal for the club with a special curling effort from the edge of the box.
He struck the ball first time with his left foot and it swerved away from Cherries keeper Mark Travers and into the far corner.
Left-back Zinchenko dropped to his knees in disbelief at the quality of the strike, staring straight up to the heavens as the Arsenal players ran to the corner.
He then got back to his feet but remained absolutely astonished, cupping his hands on his head.
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