Arsenal aim to continue their winning Premier League start against Aston Villa on Monday and more transfer moves are anticipated
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 23: Julián Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid warms up during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on August 23, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez's exit links have not gone away(Image: Angel Martinez, Getty Images)
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Arsenal could give Premier League debuts to two of their summer signings on Monday. Ezri Konsa is ready to play a part against his former club Aston Villa while Bruno Guimaraes is pushing to return after suffering a minor injury in the Community Shield.
The reigning champions kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City and will be keen to keep up their fast start. Mikel Arteta's side have learned their Champions League opponents and have chances to get more points on the board before their European campaign begins.
One man who continues to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium is Julian Alvarez. Atletico Madrid have made their own feelings clear on the World Cup winner, who could yet end up back in the Premier League after a stint at Manchester City.
There's also news on Gabriel Martinelli, whose time with the club is nearly over. Here are our latest lines from the red half of north London.
Alvarez 'being persuaded'
Julian Alvarez has been presented with a compelling case for joining Arsenal, according to The Independent. Intermediaries are reported to have made it clear to the Argentine that Mikel Arteta vows to deploy him in his favoured role, while insisting a move to last season's beaten Champions League finalists can offer him a genuine opportunity to challenge for European club football's top honour.
Arsenal remain resolute in their pursuit of the ex-City man, despite reports suggesting his heart may be set on a switch to Barcelona, and Atletico's reluctance to strengthen a La Liga competitor could work in the Gunners' favour. Speaking ahead of their match against Sevilla, manager Diego Simeone said: "From a sporting perspective, I hope to help him in the best possible way so that he continues to be the vital player he is for us."
Simeone continued: "Obviously, Julian won't be available tomorrow. Once Julian returns to train with us, we will give him everything we've always given him to make him feel, as he has felt, important, as he is to this team."
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Martinelli medical booked
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal warms up prior to the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Gabriel Martinelli looks to be Saudi-bound(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Gabriel Martinelli appears to be edging towards an Arsenal departure. CBS Sports reports that the forward's medical is scheduled for this weekend as he prepares for a switch to Al-Hilal.
The forward will set the Saudi side back around £55million. That figure matches what they splashed out on Crysencio Summerville in what's shaping up to be an active transfer window, with England striker Ollie Watkins also en route.
Arteta addressed Martinelli's "personal" circumstances following his premature departure from training earlier in the week. "I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi," he said. "Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that."