Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been dealt another blow with an injured star now facing several weeks on the sidelines.

Arsenal navigate plethora of injuries to top Premier League table

Considering the sheer number of key first team players who’ve been sidelined at various points already this season, Arsenal’s position at the top of the Premier League table is all the more impressive.

The Gunners have endured a torrid season with injuries, much like last campaign, which has severely tested Arteta’s squad depth.

While Arsenal have still begun the campaign very strongly, and are unbeaten in their last 18 matches across all competitions, their relentless succession of fitness problems has affected big-name personnel across multiple positions.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

August proved particularly damaging, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Ben White and William Saliba all sustaining injuries.

Odegaard’s MCL knee injury against West Ham in early October proved especially problematic, keeping the captain out for nearly two months and robbing Arsenal of their creative heartbeat during crucial fixtures.

Gabriel Magalhaes remains absent for weeks following a thigh injury sustained during Brazil’s November friendly against Senegal. His regular partner Saliba has battled recurring problems, missing recent matches against Chelsea and Brentford due to an unspecified knock.

Arsenal handed Declan Rice injury twist after pre-Aston Villa update

The England international has been their arguable player of the season.

ByEmilio Galantini 6 days ago

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera compounds Arteta’s concerns after suffering a ‘complicated’ ankle injury that will require further testing to determine his recovery timeline.

Declan Rice provided fresh worries after limping off late against Brentford with a calf problem, and while the England midfielder insisted he felt “fine” ready to play against Aston Villa this afternoon, Arteta suggests he’s subject to a late fitness test.

Leandro Trossard has missed matches with muscular issues but should return within ‘days’ according to Arteta’s latest briefing, with the same going for Saliba.

Havertz suffered a setback in his knee rehabilitation and won’t return until possibly late December, while Gabriel Jesus finally returned to contention recently after missing nearly a year recovering from an ACL tear.

Summer signing Noni Madueke was out for two months after knee damage against Man City in September, though scans cleared him of cruciate ligament damage. The winger has since returned to action, providing Arteta with a renewed attacking threat.

That is a staggering 10 first-team stars who’ve been sidelined at various points, or still are, with a pretty concerning update now coming to light on Mosquera’s condition.

Cristhian Mosquera facing eight weeks out after Arsenal injury blow

The Spaniard was forced off early doors during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brentford in midweek, and according to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, Mosquera now faces ‘at least’ six weeks out through injury in ‘another blow’ to Arsenal.

The key phrase there is ‘at least’, and it could be as long as two months, with Saliba’s fitness now becoming more crucial than ever.

If the Frenchman is still unable to start, then Arteta will have little choice but to play Jurrien Timber alongside Piero Hincapie for this afternoon’s crunch clash against Villa in the Midlands.

White would then likely be handed his second consecutive league start at right-back for the first time since May, with Arsenal’s strength in depth now set to play an even more pivotal role in their quest to win a first league title in 22 years.

It is important to note that the timeframe for Mosquera’s injury lay-off are initial concerns from within Arsenal, with the ex-Valencia starlet set for further testing to determine his exact recovery timeline.

It is a blow for the centre-back personally after his fine start to life at N5, despite having to contend with being a back-up to Arteta’s first-choice centre-back pairing.

Arsenal believe Mosquera could become one of the best centre-backs in world football in a few years, according to some reports, and nothing we’ve seen so far disproves that theory.

da bet7： Aston Villa are now willing to meet the price tag to sign an “explosive” new attacking talent this summer, according to a new report.

Several ins and outs expected at Villa with PSR deadline looming

da poker： The Villans have until the end of this month to balance their books with PSR’s hammer looming, so before any incomings can happen, there needs to be some movement in the exit department. That may not be far away now, as it appears there are already two players on their way out of Villa Park, as Emiliano Martínez and Lucas Digne look to seal permanent moves away.

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Unai Emery has his sights set on bringing a Barcelona defender to the Premier League

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Martinez has attracted strong interest from Manchester United in the last week or so, as the Argentine is said to favour a move to Old Trafford over joining FC Barcelona, who are also interested in a transfer.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Digne is in talks with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid over a move to Spain, as they look to bolster their options in that area of the team. The Frenchman is in the final 12 months of his contract at Villa, and it now seems he is free to leave the Premier League side, after being in and out of the team last season.

These potential exits could allow Villa to enter the market and bring in players who they believe can improve Unai Emery’s options. According to ex-Villa chief scout Mick Brown, Aston Villa could look to make a move for Manchester United’s Mason Mount, with Emery a fan of the midfielder.

Aston Villa willing to pay £27m+ transfer demand for Paixao

The Villans don’t just have their eyes on Mount as a new attacking option; according to Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa are now keen on signing Igor Paixão from Feyenoord.

Feyenoord have already received record sales from the departures of Santiago Giménez and Mats Wieffer in recent times, but the Dutch side are now open to selling Paixao, as long as they receive a larger transfer fee. The report states that Feyenoord are looking to get more than €32 million for the winger, which is roughly £27 million.

This fee has done nothing to put Villa off, as the report adds that the Premier League side are willing to pay this transfer fee, although as things stand a transfer is still a “long way off at the moment”.

The 24-year-old, who can operate on both flanks, has emerged on Villa’s radar after scoring 16 goals in 34 Eredivisie games last season, and a further two in the Champions League.

Igor Paixão’s Feyenoord stats

Apps

129

Goals

39

Assists

29

Paixao, who has been dubbed “explosive” by scout Jacek Kulig, recently spoke in an interview with Globo Esporte and revealed he “dreams of playing for a big club”.

Paixao said, as quoted by Sport Witness: “Showing my football, being recognised by the big clubs, is gratifying. I dream of getting to a big team; it is the fruit of my work. If it is meant to happen, it will happen.”

MatériaMais Notícias

da leao： O Goiás venceu o São Paulo pelo placar de 2 a 0 no Estádio da Serrinha, em jogo válido pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão. Os gols do Verdão foram marcados por Hugo e Morelli, ambos no primeiro tempo. Na reta final do jogo, o Tricolor ainda precisou ouvir gritos de ‘olé’ da torcida mandante. Veja os melhores momentos no vídeo acima.

da luck： FICHA TÉCNICA
GOIÁS 2 x 0 SÃO PAULO
Local:Estádio Hailé Pinheiro (Serrinha), em Goiânia (GO)
Data e hora:18/10/2023 (quarta-feira), às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima (PE)
Assistentes:Rafael da Silva Alves (RS-Fifa) e Francisco Chaves Bezerra Junior (PE)
VAR:Rodolpho Toski Marques (PR-Fifa)
Público e renda:não divulgado
Cartões amarelos:Willian Oliveira (15’/1ºT), Allano (26’/1ºT), Sidmar (30’/2ªºT) e Matheus Babi (51’/2ºT) para o Goiás; Rafinha (24’/1ºT), Caio Paulista (26’/1ºT) e Pablo Maia (36’/1ºT) para o São Paulo
Cartões vermelhos:não houve
Gols:Hugo (10’/1ºT) (1-0), Morelli (50’/1ºT) (2-0)

GOIÁS:Tadeu;Maguinho, Sidimar, Bruno Melo e Hugo;Willian Oliveira, Morelli e Guilherme (Higor Meritão, aos 39/2ºT); Palacios (Vinícius/14’/2ºT), João Magno (Matheus Babi, aos 12’/2ºT) e Allano (Alesson, aos 12’/2ºT).Técnico:Armando Evangelista

SÃO PAULO:Rafael; Rafinha, Diego Costa, Lucas Beraldo e Caio Paulista; Pablo Maia (Gabriel Neves, 26’/2ºT), Alisson (Michel Araújo, aos 14’/2ºT), Rodrigo Nestor (David, aos 14’/2ºT) e Wellington Rato (Juan, no intervalo); Lucas e Luciano (Erison, no intervalo).Técnico:Dorival Júnior

Manchester United have now opened talks to sign an “insane” £13m+ colossus, making contact with his representatives in recent days, according to a report.

Man Utd set sights on new goalkeeper

It would be fair to say that Andre Onana has flattered to deceive ever since arriving from Inter Milan, and Ruben Amorim even dropped the goalkeeper for Altay Bayindir at times during the 2024-25 season, with the Turk playing three of the final four Premier League games.

As such, it is no surprise that United are now looking to bring in a replacement for Onana, and they have set their sights on a number of ambitious targets, many of whom are vastly experienced at Champions League level.

Target

Current club

UCL appearances

Gianluigi Donnarumma

PSG

40

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Barcelona

85

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

14

Diogo Costa

FC Porto

23

That said, it could be difficult to attract some of Europe’s top goalkeepers after the Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, and the Red Devils have now joined the race for a perhaps more attainable target.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Man United have now opened talks with the entourage of OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, although given that the two clubs are owned by INEOS, a deal may not be possible until January 2026.

United cannot do business with the French club until September, so they may wait until January before making a move for the goalkeeper, who is valued at over £13m, or failing that they could look to bring him in on a free transfer next summer.

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AC Milan and Galatasaray could provide competition for Bulka’s signature, with United yet to engage in formal club-to-club negotiations, indicating the potential move is not yet at an advanced stage.

"Insane" Bulka impressing in Ligue 1

Football scout Ben Mattinson has expressed his shock that the 25-year-old has remained at Nice for so long, given his impressive performances in France, saying: “Marcin Bułka was insane vs PSG. I’m surprised he’s still at Nice after being the best GK in Ligue 1 last season.

“The combination of his shot stopping prowess and quality both-footed distribution whilst being 6’6” makes him a great option for big teams.”

Indeed, the Polish shot-stopper put in what could be a career-best performance against former club PSG back in April, achieving a 10 SofaScore rating after making nine saves from inside the box and preventing 2.53 goals.

Nice ran out 3-1 winners against the European champions, embarrassing them in their own backyard courtesy of their colossus between the sticks, who averaged the second-highest Ligue 1 rating in the squad last season.

As such, Bulka could be an excellent signing for Man United, and he may be a more attainable target than the likes of Donnarumma and Ter Stegen, although the fact they will have to wait until January is frustrating.

Big picture: Can West Indies deepen England’s white-ball funk?

Plenty has gone on since Jos Buttler led his players off the field at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, following a comprehensive defeat to India in their World Cup semi-final. Matthew Mott vacated his post soon after, leading to Brendon McCullum’s appointment as cross-format supremo and, while Buttler was retained as captain, he has not hit a ball in anger since, due to a persistent calf injury that caused him to miss the Hundred, as well as ODI and T20I series against Australia and then the West Indies one-dayers.There will be added significance, then, to his comeback for five T20Is in the Caribbean. In the last 12 months, Buttler has overseen two doomed World Cup defences – and the window is already narrowing for England to get their white-ball show back on the road in time for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February. (Whether the schedule is helpful in that regard – England have the same split of three ODIs and five T20Is in India as part of their build-up to the tournament – is a moot point.)Buttler’s enthusiasm for England duty should have been sharpened by time spent on the sidelines – as well, perhaps, as his release by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL auction later this month. He joined up with the squad in Barbados earlier this week, with interim head coach Marcus Trescothick describing him as “progressing really nicely” ahead of the T20Is.At the very least, his return will put a stop to the revolving door of captaincy understudies, with three different men (Phil Salt, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone) in charge for the three engagements against Australia and West Indies. And while England’s squad is otherwise the same as that beaten 2-1 in the ODI leg, there is far greater T20 experience to call on – even from the tyros in the group, such as Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley.Jos Buttler speaks to the media ahead of his England comeback•Getty Images

West Indies also carry some hurt with them from the T20 World Cup, after failing to make the semi-finals despite strong form going into their home tournament. They have already begun the process of moving on, sweeping the beaten finalists, South Africa, 3-0 in August before going down 2-1 in Sri Lanka last month – albeit Daren Sammy, West Indies’ head coach, called it a “moral victory” for his side. England know all about those.Sammy and Rovman Powell, the captain, have dovetailed to good effect in managing the complex relationships between West Indies’ star players and the global franchise circuit. Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer and Akeal Hossein were all absent from the Sri Lanka tour for personal reasons but have returned to take on England. Having not qualified for the Champions Trophy, West Indies can already start to focus on the next T20 World Cup, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka in early 2026.One player who won’t be involved over the weekend, however, is Alzarri Joseph, with the fast bowler banned for two matches by Cricket West Indies after apologising for storming off the pitch during the deciding ODI in Barbados. Proof that even when you’re winning, things don’t always run smooth.

Form guide

West Indies LLWWW
England WLLWL

In the spotlight: Andre Russell and Jos Buttler

Andre Russell has not pulled on a West Indies shirt since they lost their de facto quarter-final against South Africa in Antigua in June – with many having assumed that, at 36, the T20 World Cup would be his international swansong. Russell has since confirmed a desire to play on until the 2026 edition, though his workload is likely to be carefully managed by Sammy and the West Indies hierarchy. His last international comeback, against England in Barbados less than a year ago, saw him win Player of the Match, and judging by a fiery post in the wake of Trinbago Knight Riders’s CPL exit, the passion for the game remains.England followers will not be looking past Jos Buttler, assuming he is passed fit ahead of the game (and then even if it he isn’t). There has been nothing wrong with Buttler’s T20 form in 2024, albeit he was unable to shape England’s key World Cup encounters with Australia and India – but he had cut an increasingly tetchy figure as captain, particularly in the build-up to their campaign in the Caribbean. McCullum has pinpointed cheering up a “miserable” Buttler as his first job in charge of the white-ball set-up, and an unfettered return – free from injury, ideally at the helm of a winning side – over the next nine days would be a good start.

Team news: Big names back for both sides

The T20 big guns look set to regain their places in West Indies’ XI – although there might be a temptation to include some top-order insurance in the form of Shai Hope or Roston Chase. Romario Shepherd was fit to be included in the squad after being diagnosed with cramp following his tumble in the third ODI.West Indies: (possible) 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 4 Rovman Powell (capt), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Roston Chase/Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Akeal Hosein, 9 Gudakesh Motie, 10 Matthew Forde, 11 Shamar JosephSalt has been confirmed as wicketkeeper, with Buttler looking to lighten his load on comeback. Mousley could make his T20I debut after scoring a maiden England fifty in the Barbados ODI, while the other two uncapped squad members, John Turner and Jafer Chohan, will hope to join him at some point during the series.England: (possible) 1 Phil Salt (wk), 2 Jos Buttler (capt), 3 Will Jacks, 4 Liam Livingstone, 5 Jacob Bethell, 6 Dan Mousley, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jamie Overton/Saqib Mahmood, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Reece Topley

Pitch and conditions: Something for everyone – possibly including rain

Kensington Oval was the third-highest scoring venue during the World Cup earlier in the year, and one of only two to see a total of 200 – when Australia left England trailing in their Group B encounter. The ODI surface offered a bit for seam bowling first up but became much easier to bat on under lights. The forecast in Bridgetown is for another hot day with a chance of showers.

Stats and trivia

• West Indies beat England 3-2 in both of their previous bilateral T20I series, in 2021-22 and 2023-24.
• England’s last series win over West Indies in either white-ball format came back in 2018-19, when they swept the T20Is 3-0 – although they did also beat the hosts in their World Cup Super Eights fixture in June.
• Salt needs 56 runs to reach 1000 in T20Is; Hetmyer is 67 short of the same mark.

Quotes

“It’s a definite loss for us, he’s the spearhead of our attack and one of our more experienced bowlers. But having said that we have capable replacements, when you look at the bench strength and guys that are in the wings waiting, it’s good also. It’s an opportunity for somebody to step up and be counted.”
“You walk into breakfast and you see the guys that they bring back and there’s some real superstars – Pooran and Russell. They’re a really strong team and they’ve been a strong team for a really long time and have guys who are well suited to the format. It’s a great challenge.”

تأهل 16 ناديًا، بشكل رسمي دور المجموعات في دوري أبطال إفريقيا لموسم 2025-2026، بعد نهاية مباريات دور الـ 32 من البطولة القارية.

وواصل النادي الأهلي هيمنته القارية بعدما حسم تأهله بسهولة إلى دور المجموعات، عقب فوزه على إيجل نوار البوروندي بنتيجة هدفين دون رد في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب، ليواصل بطل إفريقيا مشواره نحو اللقب القاري الجديد.

وفي المقابل، تأهل الهلال السوداني بعد تفوقه على البوليس الكيني بنتيجة أربعة أهداف مقابل هدف في مجموع اللقاءين، حيث فاز ذهابًا بهدف دون رد، وإيابًا بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وشهدت التصفيات مفاجأة مدوية بعدما نجح فريق سانت إيلوي لوبوبو من الكونغو الديمقراطية في التأهل لأول مرة في تاريخه إلى دور المجموعات، بعد إقصائه فريق أورلاندو بايرتس الجنوب إفريقي بركلات الترجيح بنتيجة 5-4، عقب التعادل في مجموع المباراتين بثلاثة أهداف لكل فريق.

وحسم فريق بيراميدز تأهله إلي دور المجموعات، بعد الفوز على التأمين الإثيوبي، بنتيجة 3-1 في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب.

ومن المقرر أن تُجرى قرعة دور المجموعات يوم الإثنين 3 نوفمبر 2025 في مدينة جوهانسبرج بجنوب إفريقيا.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير يكشف عن رد “كاف” المتوقع على شكوى الأهلي ضد حكم مباراة إيجل نوار الفرق المتأهلة إلى مجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا

1. الأهلي المصري.

2. الهلال السوداني

3. سانت إيلوي لوبوبو من الكونغو الديمقراطية

4. يانج أفريكانز من تنزانيا

5. ريفرز يونايتد من نيجيريا

6. بترو أتلتيكو من أنجولا

7. شبيبة القبائل من الجزائر

8. الجيش الملكي من المغرب

9. سيمبا من تنزانيا

10. صن داونز من جنوب إفريقيا

11. الترجي من تونس

12. باور ديناموز من زامبيا

13. الملعب المالي

14. مولودية الجزائر

15. بيراميدز.

16. نهضة بركان المغربي. تصنيف أندية المجموعات في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

التصنيف الأول: الأهلي، صنداونز الجنوب إفريقي، الترجي التونسي، نهضة بركان المغربي.

التصنيف الثاني: بيراميدز، الهلال السوداني، يانج أفريكانز التنزاني، سيمبا التنزاني.

التصنيف الثالث: الجيش الملكي المغربي، مولودية الجزائر، ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري، بترو أتلتيكو الأنجولي.

التصنيف الرابع: الملعب المالي، سانت إيلوا لوبوبو الكونغولي، باور ديناموز الزامبي، شبيبة القبائل الجزائري.

LAFC star Denis Bouanga snubbed Harry Kane when naming the best striker in the world, but didn't hesitate to pick William Saliba as the best defender.

Saliba hailed as world's best defenderBouanga puts Mbappe top of striker listOpts for De Bruyne & Modric in midfield slotFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

In an exclusive interview with GOAL, Bouanga was asked to name the best player ever and the best player in the world right now in each of the four main roles on the pitch: striker, midfielder, defender and goalkeeper. The LAFC forward went for the Brazilian Ronaldo and Mbappe in the striker category, overlooking Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane. He then chose Zinedine Zidane as the best midfielder ever and split his vote between Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric for the best midfielder in the world right now slot.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Bouanga went on to name Paolo Maldini as the best defender ever, and picked Arsenal talisman Saliba as the best defender in the world right now without any hesitation. To complete his list in the goalkeeper category, the 30-year-old Gabon international opted for Dida and Manuel Neuer.

WATCH THE CLIPGetty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Saliba will be back in action for Arsenal when they face Manchester United in their blockbuster 2025-26 Premier League season opener on August 17. Bouanga, meanwhile, is gearing up for LAFC's next MLS outing against the New England Revolution the day before.

Chelsea have now submitted a £50m proposal for a “generational” forward, who could be in line to join along with Joao Pedro, according to reporter Simon Phillips.

Pedro set for medical ahead of Stamford Bridge move

The Blues have certainly been busy in the opening stages of the summer transfer window, with a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens believed to be edging closer to completion, and the Englishman is not the only forward in line to move to Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro is edging closer to a move to west London, with a deal worth over £50m being agreed on Sunday evening.

Phillips has since taken to X to praise BlueCo for the way in which they have gone about business this summer, saying: “I applaud Chelsea for the speed of the Joao Pedro deal, no messing about there. Also, this is the club backing Enzo Maresca by the way.

“He put new attackers as the priority, and the club are getting players to match his footballing vision. More will follow, far from done here.”

With bringing in new attackers of key importance to Maresca, Chelsea have now made an approach for another forward, having submitted a £50m verbal proposal over a deal for West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, Phillips has revealed (via The Chelsea Chronicle).

The proposal, which is not classed as an official offer, was knocked back by West Ham, however, with the Blues’ London rivals seemingly holding out for a higher fee, having previously valued the forward at £85m.

Despite the rejection, the Blues remain interested in signing Kudus alongside Pedro and Gittens, indicating they could return to the negotiating table with an official offer.

"Generational" Kudus could flourish at Chelsea

The Ghanaian struggled to stand out in a poor West Ham side last season, but he has proven himself in the Premier League in the past, picking up eight goals and nine assists in 33 matches during the 2023-24 campaign.

Not only that, but the 24-year-old is regarded as a “generational” talent by journalist Gary Al-Smith, indicating he could be capable of kicking on at a top club, should the Hammers be willing to sanction a departure this summer.

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Enzo Maresca won’t be signing him.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2025

There may be some concerns the winger is not a necessary signing, given that fellow winger Gittens is already set to move to Stamford Bridge, but the Blues are in a healthy PSR situation, having effectively sold their women’s team to themselves.

As such, if Chelsea have cash to splash this summer, it could be worth bringing in Kudus, although the proposed £85m price tag is way too high, given that he is yet to prove himself at the very highest level.

Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have been blessed with an abundance of world-class players in the past.

The likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira were unreal in the early 2000s, while Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez were the shining lights of the latter Arsène Wenger years.

However, on top of the bonafide stars, the Gunners also had more than their fair share of those who fell one or two rungs below, those who were still incredibly talented but are now seen as cult heroes more than anything else.

Theo Walcott would likely fall into the category for many fans, as while he never really fulfilled the potential so many believed he had, the former England international was still more than a handful, responsible for some iconic goals and was arguably the club’s best attacker for a season or two.

So, fans should be excited about recent reports linking Arsenal to an international who could be the Mikel Arteta’s own Walcott.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other talented internationals touted for moves to Arsenal in recent weeks and months, like Rodrygo and Mohammed Kudus.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former is reportedly available for around £84m, which might be a fee worth paying, as in 51 games for Real Madrid this season, he has scored 14 goals and provided ten assists.

On the other hand, Kudus might prove even more challenging to pry away from West Ham United as, according to reports from last week, he has a release clause worth up to a staggering £120m in his current deal.

Fortunately, another attacking talent has entered the frame for Arteta and Co: Anthony Elanga.

According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in the Nottingham Forest star ahead of the transfer window reopening next week.

The report claims that, alongside the Gunners, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all been watching the Swedish international ‘closely.’

However, on top of dealing with the potential competition, the North Londoners would have to stump up a hefty fee of around £60m to get their man.

It could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Elanga’s ability and the potential for him to improve further, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he could be their new Walcott.

Why Elanga would be Walcott 2.0

Okay, while there are certainly numerous reasons why Arsenal would want to, and probably should, sign Elanga this summer, let’s first address just why he could be the club’s new Walcott.

The first is that, like with the former Southampton gem, it would be another example of the Gunners signing an exciting and dynamic right-winger who can play in other positions from a fellow Premier League side.

Moreover, while the Swede is a fair bit older than the Englishman was when he moved to North London, the fact he’s still just 23 years old means there is plenty of time for him to further develop and grow in N5.

However, there is another, even more significant similarity between the two players: their pace.

While he was playing under Wenger, the former Arsenal star wasn’t always necessarily the most technical of footballers, but he was blisteringly quick, as shown by the Castol Football Index calculating his top speed to be 22.72 mph in March 2014, which converts to about 36.56 km/h.

In comparison, the Forest star reached an even higher speed of 22.78 mph this season, which is about 36.66 km/h, but did even better and hit 22.93 mph last season, which is around 36.91kmph.

Impressively, that is currently the fourth-fastest sprint since Premier League records began and more than justifies his statement that he’s “one of the fastest players in the league.”

Finally, on top of being absurdly fast, the “special” talent, as dubbed by manager Nuno Espírito Santo, is also a potent threat, scoring six goals and providing 12 assists in just 43 appearances, totalling 2752 minutes this season.

That comes out to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.38 games, or every 152.88 minutes.

Ultimately, Arsenal need to add more attacking talent to the squad this summer, and someone who’s a genuine threat while also being incredibly fast sounds like just the player they should be signing.

He's like Mbappe: Arsenal submit offer to sign £68m "powerhouse"

The prolific international would be a sensational and game-changing signing for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 11, 2025

Bayern Munich have struck a €75 million (£65.6m/$88.1m) deal with Liverpool to sign Luis Diaz, who is reportedly set to undergo a medical within 24 hours. The Colombian winger has been granted permission to leave the Reds’ pre-season tour in Tokyo and join Harry Kane’s side as Die Rekordmeister prepare for a fresh Bundesliga title charge.

• Diaz set to leave Liverpool for Bayern in €75m transfer deal
• Set to undergo medical with Bayern over next 24 hours
• Liverpool eye Isak after signing Ekitike earlier this summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool have accepted Bayern’s €75m offer for Diaz, as per The Athletic, after having previously rejected a lower bid earlier this summer from the Bundesliga champions. The Colombian, currently in Tokyo with Liverpool’s pre-season squad, has been granted permission to leave and complete his medical with Der Rekordmeister and become Bayern’s latest high-profile signing under Kompany.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Diaz’s departure is part of a wider shake-up at Liverpool under Arne Slot this summer. The Merseyside club have already brought in Hugo Ekitike and are chasing Alexander Isak as a possible addition. With Darwin Nunez also potentially on the move, Liverpool’s attack could boast a very different look in 2025/26 as they prepare their Premier League title defence.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Diaz made a total of 148 appearances for Liverpool after arriving from Porto in the summer of 2022 before playing a key role in the Reds' domestic cup double that season. During his time with the Merseyside club, he scored 41 goals and provided 23 assists.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR DIAZ?

  The 28-year-old Colombian is expected to complete his medical and sign a long-term deal with Bayern Munich within the next 48 hours. Liverpool will turn their focus to finalising a move for Isak as they rebuild their frontline. More changes could follow as the transfer window progresses.