Here is a roundup of the top Arsenal news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews featuring the likes of Marli Salmon, Stina Blackstenius and Nico Williams that you guys could have missed…
Marli Salmon has signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal, committing his future to the club and setting the stage for his first professional deal later this summer once he turns 17.
The 16-year-old defender, a product of *ARSENAL*’s renowned Hale End academy, has agreed terms that will see him officially pen full professional terms on 29 August 2026, the day of his seventeenth birthday. Arsenal confirmed the pre-contract on Tuesday, underlining the club’s commitment to securing its most promising young talents before they become eligible for professional deals.
Salmon’s emergence has been one of the stand-out stories of the 2025–26 season. Having joined the Gunners at age nine, he has progressed rapidly through the youth ranks and this season made four senior appearances, including coming off the bench in Arsenal’s 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Club Brugge in December and starting in multiple FA Cup ties
Salmon made his first start in last month’s FA Cup fifth-round win at Mansfield and Arsenal have announced he will sign a professional contract with the club when he turns 17 on August 29.
“It’s a very big moment for me, for my family as well,” said the defender, who saw fellow 16-year-old star Max Dowman sign a pre-contract deal in January.
“I’m very proud. I’ve been at the academy since I was nine and I just want to give everything to the club. I’m an Arsenal supporter and I’ve had some great memories so far.
“I’m so proud to have made my debut this season, I just want to keep pushing on still, keep my levels high and try to get as much experience as I can in the first team.”
The teenage centre-back, who can also operate at right-back, has attracted praise for his composure on the ball, tactical awareness and leadership qualities despite his youth.
His increasing involvement with the first team has coincided with Arsenal’s broader strategy of integrating academy graduates into the senior squad under manager Mikel Arteta, a policy that has also recently seen fellow 16-year-old Max Dowman agree a pre-contract ahead of his own 17th birthday.
Salmon’s progression mirrors that of other academy standouts; he travelled with the first team on pre-season tour stops in Singapore and Hong Kong, impressing coaching staff and earning matchday inclusion in Premier League squads. Although yet to make his top-flight league debut, ARSENAL view him as a long-term prospect with the potential to compete for regular first-team minutes in the coming seasons.
The pre-contract signals Arsenal’s determination to retain emerging talent and build sustainably from within, even as the club pursues success on multiple fronts this season and beyond.
Salmon’s commitment will be watched closely by supporters keen to see another homegrown defender rise through the ranks at the Emirates.
Stina Blackstenius signs up
Stina Blackstenius has committed her future to Arsenal Women by signing a new contract extension with the north London club, the Women’s Super League side confirmed on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Sweden international, whose previous deal was due to expire this summer, has put pen to paper on a new contract believed to run for two years, keeping one of *ARSENAL*’s most influential attackers at the club through the 2027–28 season.
Blackstenius has become a pivotal figure for the Gunners since joining from Swedish side BK Häcken in January 2022, scoring 64 goals in 152 appearances across all competitions. Her knack for delivering in key moments was highlighted most memorably when she scored the winning goal in Arsenal’s stunning UEFA Women’s Champions League final triumph over Barcelona in May 2025, a moment that etched her name into the club’s history.
This season has seen Blackstenius continue to play a key role under head coach Renee Slegers, often deployed alongside fellow forward Alessia Russo to great effect. Despite starting only a handful of league games, she has been among Arsenal’s most efficient scorers — netting seven goals and contributing three assists in just 15 Women’s Super League appearances.
Addressing her future during Sweden national team duty last week, Blackstenius had been characteristically reserved about her contract situation, telling reporters she preferred to “leave that unsaid for now” when asked about fresh terms. The club’s announcement on Tuesday answered that question emphatically.
“I’m really happy to sign this new contract,” Blackstenius said in reaction to the news. “I’ve been here a long time, and I love playing for Arsenal. I love the club, the team, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Blackstenius’s extension comes as Arsenal work through a long list of first-team contracts nearing expiry. The club has already secured deals for veteran captain Kim Little and Slegers earlier this year, but several other key players remain in negotiations as the summer approaches.
The forward’s commitment will be welcomed by supporters and management alike, as Arsenal face a crucial period in pursuing both domestic and European honours.
With ARSENAL currently placed in the Women’s Super League and progressing in the Champions League, retaining Blackstenius adds continuity and goal-threating experience to an ambitious squad
BERTA PUSHING TO SIGN WILLIAMS
Arsenal are ready to accelerate their pursuit of Nico Williams as they look to strengthen their attack following their recent defeat to Manchester City, according to fresh reports from TEAMtalk.
The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao forward has emerged as a priority target for manager Mikel Arteta, with sources suggesting Arsenal intend to “push hard” to secure a deal early in the summer window. Williams, who has been one of La Liga’s standout performers this season, has long been admired by Arteta and is considered the manager’s “dream” wide signing.
TEAMtalk reports that Arsenal’s recruitment team have stepped up internal discussions in recent days, with the club eager to add explosiveness and depth to their front line as they prepare another title challenge. Williams’ release clause—widely reported to be in the region of €50–60 million—is seen as attainable for a club looking to add more decisive quality in the final third.
*ARSENAL*’s interest in the Spain international has intensified as the club look to respond to their latest setback in the title race. With Manchester City maintaining pressure at the top of the table, Arteta is understood to be pushing for signings that can elevate the squad’s attacking threat, particularly in matches where breaking down compact defences has proven difficult.
What Nico Williams could bring to Arsenal
Williams is regarded as one of Europe’s most dangerous dribblers, capable of beating defenders wide and stretching backlines. His speed on the counterattack would offer Arsenal a dimension currently missing when Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli are unavailable or heavily marked.
Naturally left-sided, Williams would provide immediate balance to Arsenal’s front three. While Martinelli remains first choice, the addition of Williams would create competition and allow Arteta to rotate without sacrificing intensity or quality.
Williams’ crossing, cut-backs and ability to attack space could significantly boost Arsenal’s chance creation, especially in tight matches. His growing goal threat also suggests untapped potential in a more dominant, possession-heavy side like Arsenal.
At just 23, Williams fits Arsenal’s strategy of acquiring young, high-ceiling talents capable of impacting both the present and future.
With ARSENAL expected to be active in the coming window, the pursuit of Williams could become one of the defining transfer narratives of their summer rebuild.
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