ARSENAL have announced the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City.
Meanwhile the North Londoners have reportedly made a significant breakthrough in extending French international William Saliba's deal this summer.
The 2021/22 Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year is yet to competitively feature for the Gunners since 2020 but Mikel Arteta was keen to offer him a contract extension.
And the North London club could be tempted into adding Saliba's French compatriot Thomas Lemar to the roster with reports suggesting that Atletico Madrid are desperate to offload the winger.
Elsewhere Juventus are pushing for Arsenal to take Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo off their hands according to reports.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates…
- 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.
- Justin Lawrence
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.”
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal linked with Juventus flop
Arsenal are in the running to sign Arthur Melo with Juventus desperate to offload the midfielder, 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.
And following the return of Arsenal's interest in the player, who they failed to land in January, the Old Lady are pushing for a deal.
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.
Another Italian outlet, Tutto Juve, has backed this up by saying the Bianconeri are even willing to allow him to leave on loan.
- Justin Lawrence
Merson makes Gabriel transfer claim
Arsenal fans shouldn't fear losing Gabriel to Juventus this summer.
That's according to Paul Merson who reckons there's no appeal for Gabriel to leave Arsenal to join fallen giants Juventus.
He wrote in the Daily Star: "I think he will stay at the club. I mean he plays every week. It's not like he's not playing. I don't think he'd leave to join Juventus.
"Him and Ben White look very very solid together and Mikel Arteta clearly rates him very highly. He's been their first choice for a while now.
"Juventus are not the Juventus of old either, are they? Years ago, if a team like them came running, you'd go. They were up there with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
"I don't really think that's the case at Juventus anymore. Even Mathijs De Ligt is leaving them. I'd be shocked if Gabriel left. I don't think Arsenal fans should worry that his head will get turned."
- Justin Lawrence
Saliba 'agrees Arsenal contract extension'
William Saliba has reportedly agreed to extend his contract with Arsenal.
That's according to football reporter Freddie Paxton.
He claims the Gunners see Saliba as an important part of their squad and future.
Saliba held positive talks with the Gunners before they embarked on their US tour.
But there's been no date slated for an official confirmation of the new deal, it was added.
- Justin Lawrence
Bellerin desperately wanted by Betis
Hector Bellerin's return to Real Betis may be facilitated with the help of crowd funding, a player for the club joked.
Bellerin spent last season on loan with the Spanish giants.
And he's sorely missed by Borja Iglesias who will do anything to get the Gunners star back to Spain, including raising cash.
Iglesias quipped to Estadio Deportivo: "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 Hector is coming, and they tell me that they are starting a piggy bank here to raise money.
“Hector 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.”
- Justin Lawrence
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 a hand emoji.
- Justin Lawrence
Roma make Torreira contact
Roma have reportedly made contact with Arsenal star lucas Torreira.
Torreira spent last season on loan with Fiorentina and reluctantly returned to Arsenal when a permanent deal fell through.
He's made it clear that he wants to leave the Gunners and has been omitted from their pre-season squad as they tour America.
But he may have a career lifeline as Roma have initiated talks with the Gunners over a possible transfer, according to Calciomercato.
- Justin Lawrence
Top four is the target
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
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?"
- Justin Lawrence
Soares reveals Arsenal dream
Cedric Soares has revealed it was his destiny to join dream club Arsenal.
He told ESPN: "Arsenal was always my dream club since I started to play in Southampton.
"I always had the goal to move to Arsenal, and this didn't change. Of course you are more happy when you are involved. Being involved here in a massive club like this, with the project we have and the goals the team is fighting for, I want to be here.
"I feel much more established. I feel I earned my space inside the group and I want to keep growing."
- Justin Lawrence
Jesus praises Martinelli's work rate
Gabriel Jesus is in awe of Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Martinelli's work rate.
Jesus has been blown away by Martinelli's tireless displays since the striker moved to The Emirates.
When asked about his Brazil counterpart, Jesus gushed: "Woah!
“Martinelli. He’s an animal. Animal. He never gets tired!”
- Justin Lawrence
Keep hold of Gabriel
Arsenal have been urged to keep hold of Gabriel Magalhaes as Rob Holding isn't a viable replacement at the heart of their defence.
That's according to Mikel Silvestre who made the assessment amid reports linking Gabriel with Juventus.
Silvestre told Lord Ping: "I hope Gabriel stays because he was looking good and it’s important to have two centre-backs to work together, so it’d be a big loss for Arsenal.
“I like Rob [Holding] but he’s not up to the same level as Gabriel and he wouldn’t be as strong with Ben at centre-back.”
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