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Arteta is excited for the new season | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Arsenal as they prepare for their opener.
The Gunners have title-winning ambitions this season, and the pressure is on Mikel Arteta to deliver after another season of big spending. But it is a long season, and for now it will be interesting to see what we can learn from this upgraded Arsenal side against a United side that has also received plenty of investment this summer. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.
Zinchenko ‘agreed’
Arsenal are said to have agreed a deal with Fenerbahce to offload Oleksandr Zinchenko. The full-back finds himself a long way down the pecking order heading into this season, and a departure was always likely this summer.
According to Sporx, the Gunners have reached an agreement with the Turkish side for the sale of the defender, and it’s added that Zinchenko has been one of Jose Mourinho’s top targets for this summer.
Trossard talks
Another player who could find himself on his way out of the Emirates Stadium this summer is Leandro Trossard. The Belgian is a bigger part of Arteta’s plans than Zinchenko, but with the arrival of Noni Madueke, Trossard could see his play time significantly reduced this term.
That could lead him to consider a move, and according to Football Transfers, Aston Villa have held talks with Arsenal over the possible signing of Trossard. Meanwhile, Arsenal are said to have struggled to make any progress in contract talks, which could play a central role in any move.
Arteta on tough start and title bid
Speaking ahead of his side’s opening game, Arteta spoke about the challenge facing his side as they look to battle for the title again this season. On the club’s tough run of fixtures to start the season, he said: “We need to play each other, we need to play at some point, and we'll start at an incredible stadium with so much history and a beautiful way to start the season. We will go game-by-game and make the best preparations and then perform to earn the right to win the game.”
The Spaniard added when asked about whether this team is capable of a title run: “Yes, especially the consistency that we've shown in the last three years. The margins, we know how small they are, we know the competition as well has increased the level, with recruitment, with another year together and we're going to have to win.”
Asked how many teams have the potential to win the league, the Spaniard added: “A lot, too many! And it's getting stronger and stronger. There are teams that maybe you don't put them on a piece of paper right now, but suddenly they will surprise everybody. The squads, the quality of the managers, the structure they have in the clubs, they are so strong. It's going to be very difficult.”
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