Arsenal chase Barcola and €100m Yildiz, Saliba fit for France opener
Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice all scored in pre-World Cup friendlies, heading into the tournament in confident form.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra says Arsene Wenger broke playing-time promises in 2007, prompting his exit to Portsmouth before joining Real Madrid.
Arsenal are linked with €100m bid for Real Madrid’s Arda Guler after a 6-goal, 14-assist season, but Madrid are unwilling to sell the 21-year-old.
Rafael Leao says he likes Arsenal and London, fuelling renewed links, though his recent goal returns raise value questions for a left-wing move.
Arsenal track West Ham’s £80m midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but Man Utd currently lead the race after early moves and strong investment plans.
Arsenal pursue PSG’s Bradley Barcola, eye €100m Kenan Yildiz, intensify Ayyoub Bouaddi talks at €70m, explore €40m Christos Tzolis, and remain keen on Morgan Rogers. Real Madrid monitor Calafiori and Hincapie.
Roma’s Manu Koné, linked with Arsenal and Inter, says he will discuss his future only after the World Cup, focusing now on France and recovery from recent hamstring issues.
Michael Owen urges Arsenal to consider Marcus Rashford, arguing he upgrades the left and offers a centre-forward option, though wages and consistency pose risks.
Nottingham Forest reportedly bid £24.2m for Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira after his Hamburg loan. The 26-year-old logged 7 goals and 5 assists in 2025-26. Hamburg declined a £19m option.
Viktor Gyokeres says he wants to avoid France and ‘It’s Saliba!’ at the World Cup, praising the Arsenal defender he has faced before as strong, fast and clinical to battle.
Arsenal’s William Saliba returns to full France training after a back issue and is fit for their World Cup opener vs Senegal, boosting Deschamps’ defence.
David Platt reflects on his 1990 Belgium volley, City years and praises Mikel Arteta for prioritising winning football, saying Arsenal play ‘very, very good’ but pragmatic football.
Jurrien Timber admits he faces a lengthy layoff, saying tests in London will ‘draw up a plan’ and he does not expect to return soon after missing the World Cup through injury.
William Saliba says Arteta told him in 2020 he would not be in the squad, not even for the Europa League, leaving him ‘in a really bad place’ before loans preceded his Arsenal breakthrough.
Ousmane Dembélé’s shirt from PSG’s Champions League final vs Arsenal sells for €160,015 at auction, underlining PSG’s global pull after their shootout win.
Arsenal’s David Raya backs Unai Simón, saying Spain are in ‘very good hands’ before the World Cup opener vs Cape Verde, despite his own stellar Arsenal season.
Dion Dublin criticises Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Alisson for ‘terrible’ miscommunication as Ismael Saibari scores Morocco’s opener against Brazil in New Jersey.
Report claims Riccardo Calafiori prefers Real Madrid, with a fee touted at £43-51m. The Arsenal defender battled injuries last season as Madrid weigh options including Josko Gvardiol.
