Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to a third successive runner-up finish in the Premier League but will need to strengthen with the expectation that the Gunners’ rivals also improve
As Arsenal continue to wait on Martin Zubimendi, they’ve been busy in other departments. Midfield and attack appear to be the main priorities this summer, while there has already been movement when it comes to offloading players who have found themselves on the fringes of late.
Kieran Tierney and Jorginho are leaving the club this summer, while Neto and Raheem Sterling will return to their parent clubs after loan spells. There will be a fair bit of summer investment, though, with co-chair Josh Kroenke pointing to the arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta as a precursor to a busy few months.
“We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season,” Kroenke wrote in the programme ahead of Arsenal’s final home league game. “We’re delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea, who will play an important role in this.
“He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way.”
It’s not just about new signings, though, with Arsenal also attempting to tie key men down to new contracts. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.
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Gabriel contract talks progressing
Arsenal are in advanced talks over a new deal for Gabriel after the centre-back’s impressive season. According to BBC Sport, an agreement for the Brazil international is drawing ever closer.
Gabriel and fellow centre-back William Saliba are both under contract until 2027, and there is a sense the Gunners want to avoid the risk of either entering the final year and potentially leaving for nothing. Real Madrid are known to be fans of Saliba, while Gabriel’s form last season served Arsenal well in the league and in Europe.
The 27-year-old has played more than 200 times for Arsenal since joining from Lille back in 2020. He also made his senior Brazil debut while with the Gunners, and has played in 13 of his country’s 14 World Cup qualifying games.
Striker dilemma addressed
Arsenal’s search for a new striker has been whittled down to two men – Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. Mirror Football has weighed up the pros and cons of the pair, while Gyokeres’ international manager has given his verdict on the Sweden star’s next move.
“No, of course not,” Jon Dahl Tomasson told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet when asked if he had a preference over Gyokeres’ next move. “Because then it would be blown up like this [stretches arms].
“There are definitely players changing clubs! We know that each year,” he continued. “If you look at each player, you need to make the right choice.
“You actually don’t know if it’s the right choice before you’re at the club. You have family as well you have to have in mind. It’s not easy, but at the end of the day, that’s [football].”
Ndicka deal off the table
Evan Ndicka is set to stay at Roma despite interest from Arsenal. The French centre-back has impressed in Serie A despite a tumultuous season for his club, who cycled through three managers en route to a fifth-place finish.
The Ivorian international, who joined the Giallorossi in 2023, didn’t miss a minute in the league under Daniele De Rossi, Ivan Juric or Claudio Ranieri. He was also a regular as Roma reached the round of 16 in the Europa League eventually losing to Athletic Bilbao.
According to Corriere dello Sport, though, he’s going nowhere this summer. The publication names him as one of eight “immovable” stars set to stay in the Italian capital, with Gian Piero Gasperini expected to take over as manager next term.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
