Arsenal

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Arsenal are reigniting their interest in Aston Villa central defender Ezri Konsa.

Konsa, 28, is still on holiday after the World Cup and is not with the Villa squad for Wednesday's Super Cup game against Paris St-Germain.

The Gunners' initial summer move for Konsa did not materialise, with the London club only willing to pay in the region of £30m for the England international who is valued at £60m by Villa.

Konsa played 48 games in all competitions last season for Aston Villa, winning the Europa League.

Arsenal accept they will need to significantly improve their original offer if they are to be successful in their efforts to land Konsa but whether Villa are willing to let the defender leave for a fee under their valuation remains to be seen.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport the Gunners have also held exploratory talks with Tottenham over a potential move for their club captain Cristian Romero.

Spurs are thought to have no intention of selling the 28-year-old to Arsenal given the intense rivalry between the two north London clubs.

But that has not prevented Arsenal from making enquiries into what would be one of the most surprising transfers of the summer window.

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Ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey thinks turbulence in the Premier League can prove significant in the Gunners competing to defend their title next season.

Mikel Arteta's side have enjoyed relative stability off the field and have added a key player in Bruno Guimaraes in a bid to bolster their midfield.

But widespread managerial changes - including at their traditional competitors - are on show elsewhere, introducing a degree of uncertainty for clubs.

Speaking to a news conference as part of his new role as Oxford United head coach, Ramsey said: "It's absolutely brilliant that Arsenal have gone on to win the Premier League. I think what Mikel Arteta has done over the last few years has been remarkable.

"You can see that building, that confidence. The team looked ready last year to take that final step. It was a brilliant season for them and going so deep in the other competitions as well sets them up nicely now to really attack not just next season but the next few years. I think they have that stability there as well, where there's been so much change in the Premier League at this moment in time.

"So yes, I think that'll add to them and be a strength for them to go on and compete definitely this season."

Chelseaand Manchester Unitedhave been offered the chance to sign England midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly as Arsenalcould be tempted into selling the 19-year-old after the arrival of Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes, 28, from Newcastle. (Football London, external)

Napoli are exploring a deal for Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus but Arsenal will only consider selling the 29-year-old if offers begin at 20m euros. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Myles Lewis-Skelly wants to stay at Arsenal and is focused on working to try to establish himself as a first team regular at the club.

The 19-year-old ended the season in excellent form and helped Arsenal over the line as they won their first Premier League title in 22 years.

However, his performances have attracted attention from elsewhere with reports suggesting that Chelsea are interested in him.

His position in the Arsenal first team is also under threat after the arrival of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for £75m.

Lewis-Skelly signed a five-year-deal last summer after an excellent breakthrough campaign and has started the last two pre-season friendlies as the Gunners prepare for the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsenal are looking to sell before the transfer window closes with the club aware that they have to be flexible in the market.

Football in this era is as much about the business as it is about the game on the pitch and, with Lewis-Skelly an academy graduate, if the club were to sell him he would present "pure profit" in the club's accounts.

That fact is something that Lewis-Skelly is aware of, writing the caption "pure profit" on a picture of himself with the Premier League trophy when Arsenal celebrated the title at Selhurst Park on the final day of last season.

The club had considered listening to offers for Lewis-Skelly, but his excellent end to last season in his preferred central midfield position has been noted and that may have sparked a rethink over his status this summer.

Lewis-Skelly's excellent breakthrough campaign saw him rewarded with a call up to the England team and he has made six appearances for his country.

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Arsenal issued nine football banning orders and stadium bans during the 2025-26 season for offences including assault, racism, antisemitism, homophobia and other abusive or intimidating behaviour.

The sanctions range between one to three years, during which those banned will not be allowed to attend Arsenal matches.

In addition, the club is assisting the police with a further 13 investigations into alleged offences which have taken place either at Emirates Stadium or online.

The bans are broken down as follows:

• Three bans for assault

• Three bans for racism

• One ban for antisemitism

• One ban for homophobia

• One ban for antisocial behaviour

A club statement, external read: "During the 2025-26 season, we verified more than 17,700 posts and comments as abusive directed at individuals and accounts connected to us.

"This is a significant increase on the previous season."

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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West Ham and Arsenal are in talks about a potential move for winger Reiss Nelson.

Both a loan move and a permanent departure are being discussed and the 26-year-old is into the last year of his contract at Arsenal.

Nelson has spent the last two seasons on loan at Fulham and Brentford and is not in manager Mikel Arteta's plans for this season.

The winger was an unused substitute in Arsenal's 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in their friendly on Sunday.

West Ham are looking to strengthen their squad as they look to get out of the Championship at the first time of asking but it remains to be seen if Nelson can be convinced to drop down to that division.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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One big signing missed and one through the doors - it's been a mixed transfer window for Arsenal.

The Gunners were unsuccessful in what turned out to be a very public pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr but did manage to bring in fellow Brazilian and Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes for £75m.

The signing of Guimaraes is another of the "win now" signings like Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres last summer as he immediately raises the level and competition of the Arsenal squad.

Manager Mikel Arteta was asked if Arsenal supporters can expect more signings before the deadline and said: "Well, that's what we're trying to do. If we have the right player in the market to make us much better."

For Arsenal it is hard to find any winger who would bring the excitement levels as well as the elite numbers that Vinicius Jr can.

So what other options do the club and sporting director Andrea Berta have?

Kenan Yildiz is one player from Europe who is on Arsenal's list in a hunt for a left winger.

The 21-year-old had an impressive 2025-26 season for Juventus, scoring 11 goals and registering 10 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions.

The Turkey international can play across the frontline too which adds another dynamic that may make him appealing to Arteta.

Like all good wingers he is unpredictable and can go on either the inside or outside, which means it is hard for defenders to know if he is going to cross the ball or shoot.

And stats from Opta show that, of all players in Europe's top five leagues last season, only Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (98) and Werder Bremen's Romano Schmid (77) created more open-play chances than Yildiz, while it was only Vinicius (43) who created more chances after carrying the ball than Yildiz too (37).

However, Yildiz has just signed a new four-year deal and sources indicate that Juventus are unwilling to sell him.

• Read more on Arsenal's summer business

Real Madrid are interested in signing World Cup-winning Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 25, from Premier League champions Arsenal. (Football.London, external)

Arsenaland Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, 29, is open to a move to Napoli this summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Italian side AS Roma have held initial talks with Gabriel Martinelli's representatives as they explore a move for the 25-year-old Arsenal and Brazil winger. (Mirror, external)

Bradley Barcola, 23, has given the green light to Liverpool despite Arsenal making a late move for the Paris St-Germain and France forward, who is valued at about £130m. (Sun, external)

West Hamare in talks with Arsenalto sign Reiss Nelson, the 26-year-old English winger who spent the past two seasons on loan at Brentfordand Fulham.(Standard, external)

Atletico Madrid have launched a bid of 35m euro (£30m) for Lille's21-year-old Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. (L'Equipe - in French, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Alex Howell has been answering some of the questions you have sent in about Arsenal's summer transfer window strategy.

Adam asked: Arsenal are heavily rumoured to be after a left winger following the Vinicius Jr saga, so who do you think will be most likely to sign for the club in that position before the end of the window?

Alex answered: It is a tough position to be in when the club have had such a public move for a player not come to fruition, and also when there are only a small number of players who can fit the bill of what Arsenal are looking for.

The Gunners want players who can take them to the next level and that is hard to find after winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final.

Bradley Barcola is of interest to Liverpool and would require a huge fee if Arsenal were to try to make that happen.

As the league season gets closer, it will be harder for Arsenal to get top players out of their clubs.

However the Gunners may not only look for a left winger, as a forward who can play in multiple positions could come in to bolster the frontline.

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We asked for your views on how the signing of Bruno Guimaraes could evolve Mikel Arteta's style of play and where the deal takes your expectations.

Here are some of your comments:

Chinedu: As an Arsenal fan who has waited for 22 years to win the Premier League, the past 12 months has been phenomenal, both on and off the pitch. We have the best 11 players on the pitch and the best players on the bench in Europe. Bruno brings quality, bite and combativeness to our midfield, and Arsenal are now in a good position to retain the Premier League and win the Champions League for the first time.

Rachel: I've long been a fan of Bruno. He should give us a stronger edge, a bit more steel in midfield. My only worry is that he is a leader, as is Declan Rice. Hopefully that won't create a clash and these two can form a telepathic relationship. Two midfield maestros in action, I can't wait!

Neil: Very excited, but I hope that he can change something in the way we use Viktor Gyokeres. Get it to him quickly, without recycling and slowing things down. We have a 30+ goals-a-season man if we use him correctly.

Ola: Not sure about this, but Arteta knows what he needs so it's all good. It will support the development of an even more solid defence I think and will take some pressure off Rice. Midfield looks awesome.

Philippe: Imagine the control in midfield with a diamond shape of Odegaard, Rice, Bruno, and Zubimendi/Lewis-Skelly. Against less offensive teams I could also see Bruno taking up number six responsibilities or a 2-3-1 with Rice and Bruno at the base. Or even Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi and Bruno when we really want to lock down a lead. The options feel endless!

John: Bruno raises the level of our midfield in so many ways but crucially adds more goals and adaptability to styles of play we can use.

Arsenal have made contact with Bradley Barcola's camp as they bid to hijack Liverpool's move to sign the France forward, 23, from Paris St-Germain. (Give Me Sport), external

The Gunners and Tottenham showed an interest in Barcelona's Ferran Torres before the Spain forward, 26, agreed personal terms with Paris St-Germain. (TeamTalk), external

While Arsenal and Manchester United are among the clubs chasing Club Brugge's Belgium left-back Joaquin Seys, 21. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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Arsenal returned to Emirates Stadium for the first time since they were crowned Premier League champions but were defeated 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup.

Samuele Inacio opened the scoring with a neat finish before Konstantino Karetsas curled in an excellent second.

Substitute Ethan Nwaneri pulled one back for Arsenal after some good work from Christos Tzolis.

Joane Gadou scored a third for Dortmund following a corner before Viktor Gyokeres scored Arsenal's second from the penalty spot after Tzolis was fouled.

Before the match, both teams had agreed to practice penalties after the match regardless of the result. Arsenal won the shootout with Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri all scoring.

Alex Howell
Football reporter

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There's been a bit of a buzz on the touchline for a while before the players took to the pitch for this afternoon's pre-season friendly against Borrussia Dortmund and that is because new signing Bruno Guimaraes has just been unveiled.

He gets a huge reception from the fans inside the stadium and waves to the crowd.

The midfielder is not involved today but Arsenal have another game at the Emirates against Como on Wednesday.

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Did you know? According to Opta, Bruno Guimaraes has won more duels (1,030) and fouls (410) than any other player in the Premier League since making his debut in February 2022, while the only central midfielder to cover more distance than him (1,641km) is Declan Rice (1,703km).

On joining the club, Guimaraes was asked about his battled with the Gunners and said: "Very good, very good. [Declan] Rice sent me a message: 'Come here and please no more fights, now we're friends.' I was happy he messaged me, but the midfield we have here, in my point of view, is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is an amazing player, I'm so excited to start chatting and play, and know the players very, very well, but we have an amazing midfield."

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Bruno Guimaraes will allow Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to "further develop our playing style", says the club's sporting director, Andrea Berta.

Guimaraes, 28, has completed his £75m move from Newcastle and says he will be a "warrior" for Gunners fans.

He explained: "The message for me is thank you for everything you have done. All the messages you gave me, I'm so excited to join you. I will give you my best, I promise. Like I said, I'm your warrior, I'll never give up. Hopefully we can create many, many good memories together.

"I think, after playing two World Cups, I think I'm at the point of my life, I think I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it. I'm so excited to start. We have tough games to play this season, so the squad is going to be very, very important and I'm hopeful we can achieve our dreams."

Berta believes the deal sees Arsenal "strengthen the heart of our team".

He explained: "As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.

"Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies."

Arsenal fans, you must be elated - how do you see the style of play evolving? And where does this deal take your expectations?

Get in touch with your views here