Arsenal

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Viktor Gyokeres, who is set to complete his move to Arsenal over the next 48 hours, averaged more than a goal a game in the season just gone at Sporting, notching 54 in 52 appearances, with 39 of those coming in the Portuguese top flight.

He was the division's top scorer by a distance, bagging more than double the number of Porto's highly rated Spain Under-21 striker Samu and Benfica's Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored twice against England at Wembley in October.

It is perhaps worth noting, though, that 35% of his goals in 2024-25 were penalties, with Gyokeres converting all 19 of his spot-kicks.

He is also productive at international level and finished top of the 2024-25 Nations League scoring charts with nine goals for Sweden, one more than Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo. However, five of those were scored in matches against Azerbaijan.

Prior to his spell in Portugal, Gyokeres notched 43 goals in 116 league and cup appearances for Championship side Coventry City and his former employers are set to land 10% of any profit Sporting receive above the price they paid for the marksman.

• Find and follow your Premier League club on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Christian Norgaard says making the move to Arsenal is an "amazing step" at this stage of his career but he is "realistic" in terms his opportunities for game time.

The 31-year-old made the move from Brentford - where he was captain - this summer after six years and 196 appearances for the Bees.

He started all 34 Premier League games he was available for last season, but when asked on Arsenal's pre-season tour about a potential change of role Norgaard said: "I'm realistic of course. I know this is a step up in terms of quality and size of club, but I'm also here to contribute - otherwise I wouldn't have made the move.

"I know there are some of the best players in the world in my position here. It will be competitive. There are the things you see in the weekend on the pitch, but there are a lot of things going on around the football team. I really hope I can help this team on and off the pitch.

"It's about being available. It's about being fit. I'm used to playing 38 games plus a couple of cup games, but here it will be close to 60 games maybe. You need a full squad and, for me, it is about being available. I know my chances will come and it's just about taking them when they're there.

"t was a chance to represent Arsenal at the age of 31. I was coming to a later stage of my career and I signed a new deal with Brentford, but when the interest came from Arsenal and I first talked with Mikel Arteta, it was very clear to me that I would do everything to be able to play here.

"To get this adventure, to be part of a team that has such big ambitions is for me an amazing step to take at this stage of my career."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he "always wants better" from his players but is "very happy" with forward Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer after an injury-hit campaign in which he started 25 Premier League games and managed eight goals.

The Gunners have strengthened in wide areas with the addition of Noni Madueke from Chelsea.

"With all our front players, I think they are very dependent on the environment we create around them," Arteta said before Sunday's pre-season friendly against Newcastle in Singapore.

"We always want better and more from every single player. I think Gabi has performed very well and very consistently in the past three or four seasons.

"Last year, he had the bad injury that he picked up and he missed a lot of games - but I'm very happy with what he is doing with us."

The Gunners are close to confirming the signing of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and Arteta says he will be flexible in choosing his starting forwards next season.

"It is about impact and performance," he added. "How they are feeling, how their emotional state is, how their confidence is.

"Then as well, the connections you can generate in the team - who links better with who in what we want to achieve in that game and against the opponent that behaves in a particular way.

"That decision relates to that. Once someone is in the right moment and pushing the door full of confidence, for sure the manager is not going to stop them playing."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have secured the signing of Cristhian Mosquera and have added what they feel is a young defender with quality to add options to their backline.

He has played senior football for two seasons and in 2024-25, he not only played the most minutes of anyone in the Valencia squad, but also the second most of any outfield player in the whole of La Liga.

That type of availability is important to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who will be hopeful to avoid the injuries which caused so many issues for him last season.

Alongside the availability, Mosquera can play across every position in defence, adding versatility to a strong Gunners squad.

The 21-year-old may take time to adapt to the league and country but with a large contingent of Spanish speakers at Arsenal, the process of settling in should be a lot easier.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether new signing Cristhian Mosquera is the defensive back-up needed for William Saliba and who Arsenal should be targeting next.

Here are some of your comments:

Alan: Mosquera is a strong addition to our defensive line-up, but we have to get a striker through the door to have any chance of silverware next season.

Dave: Anything that adds depth and quality to the first-team squad is welcome. Two strikers minimum are needed over the course of a season - we shouldn't have capability gaps when we are the most profitable club in the Premier League. I hope the club have that all in hand at this stage.

Colin: He sounds as though he is in the mould of Saliba, which gives great cover and Saliba can get the occasional rest. This is happening all around the squad, giving us options now and for the future.

Hammy: Mosquera is a well-thought-of signing in terms of age, cover for Saliba - and as a prodigy for the position in the future. His stats from Valencia are amazing given his age. He is a promising player who has a point to prove in the Premier League. He will challenge Saliba and contribute to Arsenal's success. Arsenal should target Eberechi Eze as the final signing this summer to give balance to the midfield of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. His versatility would be key to keeping the Arsenal attack ticking when injuries happen.

Okumu: Arsenal must target back-up for Bukayo Saka and another powerful and skilful striker is needed to support Viktor Gyokeres when required. Get rid of Kai Havertz. Arsenal have no time any more to teach the unteachable, and no silverware will come with the likes of Harvertz, who failed to produce even a shot on target in the friendly against AC Milan.

Clive: They seem to have the defence covered with some quality players. Now it is time to concentrate on attacking players now who can hopefully get us some goals.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's latest signing Cristhian Mosquera says he is "fully motivated and excited" to get going at such a "historic, massive club".

The 21-year-old defender, who will link up with the Gunners in Asia, made 90 appearances for Valencia after progressing through their academy.

"It means a lot to me," Mosquera said. "There's been a lot of hard work behind all of this.

"It's an opportunity that came up and I couldn't let it pass me by. I'm joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place.

"It's true my career has moved faster than expected and I've had to mature fast. Coming here is a chance to keep learning and improving.

"I'll be working with great players and a top-class coaching staff, so that will help me develop personally.

"I'm a player with a lot of energy. I'm young, so I still have plenty to give. I'm fully motivated and excited.

"Above all, I want to improve, which will create competition within the squad. I'm really happy."

Mosquera follows Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke in being added to Mikel Arteta's squad this summer.

Arsenal have previously been credited with an interest in Newcastle's Alexander Isak, who wants to explore a move away from St James' Park this summer. The Gunners have the budget for the Sweden striker, but they turned their attention to Viktor Gyokeres and are close to finalising a deal.

What do you think? Is Mosquera the back-up needed for William Saliba? And who should Arsenal be targeting next?

Let us know your thoughts here

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice says having a month's break followed by a full pre-season will make a "massive" difference to the way he starts the new campaign.

Rice, along with several other Premier League players, had a quick turnaround from Euro 2024 and had just 16 days off to recover before returning to training.

He expects the much-needed downtime will boost his physical and mental performance.

"I'm putting really big demands on myself this year" said Rice. "I'm really trying to push myself because the back end of the season I finished really, really strong.

"At the start of the season last year, I was nowhere near the level I require of myself.

"I put it down to a few things. The back of the Euros final was mentally really tough.

"Having 16 days off and going straight back into a Premier League season was really, really hard. It took me a few months to get going again.

"But now I'm getting a full pre-season, I feel really fit, really strong and I'm going to try to kick off the new season really, really strong."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta has said that centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes missed the pre-season win over AC Milan with a "niggle" he picked up in training.

The 27-year-old underwent surgery and missed the final two months of the 2024-25 season with a hamstring injury and for that reason, Arteta does not want to take any risks with the defender.

"Gabby had a little niggle the other day in training," he explained. "Because of the fact that he has been out so long as well, we have to manage him.

"We have been in Spain - a different pitch, different conditions. We go to the UK, different ones - come here, again a lot of changes. We have to minimise the risk with him."

Arsenal have an open training session on Friday in Singapore before they play Newcastle United on Sunday before going to Hong Kong to play Tottenham Hotspur next Thursday.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are advancing with their interest in RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons.

Talks over personal terms for the 22-year-old are under way, with Simons understood to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge and the Bundesliga club aware of the Blues' interest.

Sources have indicated Bayern Munich also hold a level of interest in Netherlands international Simons, but the German champions are currently focused on Liverpool forward Luis Diaz.

Arsenal have also been made aware of Simons' situation.

• Find and follow your Premier League club on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

New Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi says it "wasn't an easy time" for him last summer, as he tried to decide what was best for his future during a spell of intense transfer speculation.

The Spain midfielder finally completed a £60m move to Emirates Stadium from Real Sociedad earlier this month but acknowledged rumours about his future have been rumbling for 12 months.

"The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to leave Real, and it wasn't the right time," he explained.

"I felt that Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn, so staying at Real was the best decision for me."

Zubimendi and Arteta hit it off after speaking on the phone and the Spain international says the Arsenal manager's "obsession" with "details" is one of the reasons he wanted to join the club.

"I don't know what he saw in me, but I saw him as one of the top coaches in Europe. he explained. "At the end of the day, I wanted a quality coach when I left Real Sociedad.

"I think I've found him. In the few days I've been here, I've seen how meticulous he is about every aspect of the game, so I think he's the one."

Zubimendi also says he is learning "a lot" from his new boss.

"I think I'm going to try to do things I didn't do before," he said. "Playing in that position, I'll try to bring balance and provide that passing outlet that I'm known for.

"Beyond that, I'm sure he'll ask me to do new things."

The midfielder is a statement signing for the Gunners and it is hoped he can be the catalyst to help the club to begin a new era of winning trophies after coming so close in recent seasons.

"I hope so," said Zubimendi. "The most important thing about this club is that they learn from previous seasons.

"I think the lessons they've learned from how last season ended will be key to getting even closer to this year's targets.

"Ultimately, I believe that football comes down to details, especially in the Champions League.

"In that semi-final, Arsenal were the only team in that semi-final who truly stood up to PSG [Paris St-Germain], and they let it slip because of minor details."

Read more from Zubimendi here

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter in Singapore

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal are in the process of building a squad that they think can help them get to the next level - winning trophies regularly.

Mikel Arteta has brought Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke to the club, two of what have been described as "tier one signings".

The idea is that those players have the capacity and ability to be starters and perform at a high level for a team like Arsenal - but Arteta thinks the tier system is changing because of the fixture schedule.

Arteta said: "I don't believe in the tier one, two, three system that much now because of the way the game is evolving and the demands we put in with 70, 75 games per season.

"We want to build a team - like other clubs already have - where you look at the squad and you cannot really identify who is going to play tomorrow.

"If we get to that point - and that competitiveness has the right level of co-operation between the players as well - that's what we want."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter in Singapore

Mikel Arteta has said he wants to continue developing players from the Arsenal academy into first-team regulars - adding that youngsters now develop quicker than during his playing days.

Last season, both Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly had their breakthrough campaigns in senior football, with Lewis-Skelly going on to sign a new long-term contract with the club and also make his England debut.

Arteta has included two 15-year-olds, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, in his 30-man squad that is touring Singapore and Hong Kong during pre-season.

Dowman has been around the first team for a long time and travelled with the senior squad for their training camp in Dubai in January.

"We want to get as much talent as we possibly can from the academy and bring it up to the first team," said the Arsenal boss.

"This is a beautiful context for them to get involved. We have already a few of them in Murcia, in Spain and it is a joy.

"The way they adapt at that age, I could not do - but I think this generation goes faster. They are ready a little bit earlier.

"We don't have to rush. Make sure we manage the right steps and the right expectations for all of them, and then let's see what they demand."

Image source, Getty Images

Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera is flying to Singapore to join up with Arsenal on their pre-season tour, with the Gunners hoping to finalise a deal for the defender in the coming days.

The 21-year-old has been given permission by the Spanish club to join up with Arsenal, having already agreed personal terms.

So, what do we know about Mosquera?

He joined Valencia in 2016 as a 12-year-old, before making his first-team debut in 2022 when he became the youngest centre-back to play for the club.

Over the past two seasons, he has become a regular fixture in the Valencia defence, playing in all but three La Liga matches in the past two seasons. In 2024-25, he not only played the most minutes of anyone in the Valencia squad, but also the second-most of any outfield player in the whole Spanish top flight.

Even at his young age, Mosquera boasts impressive defensive stats. The 21-year-old won 70.7% of his ground duels in the league last season, comfortably the highest success rate of any La Liga defender to contest more than 100. He also won possession an average of 5.15 times per match, the third-highest figure in the division for players in his position.

Unsurprisingly for an Arsenal target, Mosquera also has strong passing numbers. Last season, the Alicante-born defender completed the most passes per match in the Valencia squad and also had the highest passing accuracy. His 90.5% passing accuracy is most comparable to Gabriel's in the existing Arsenal defence (90.2%).

Perhaps the biggest area for improvement is his aerial ability. Despite standing at 6ft 2in, he won 45% of his aerial duels in La Liga last season and had a worse success rate than those of every Arsenal defender in 2024-25.

The hope is that Mosquera has plenty of time to be coached into improving his ability in the air. Learning from dominant forces such as Gabriel and William Saliba should only make that process easier.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter in Singapore

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says up to nine teams have the ability to win the Premier League this season.

The Gunners have finished second in the league for the past three seasons but have spent over £120m so far this transfer window on Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke - and are currently working to complete deals for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.

However, the Gunners' likely title rivals have been busy, with Liverpool spending more than £250m, Chelsea - who won the Club World Cup - forking out about £200m and Manchester City also spending over £100m after starting the rebuild of their squad in January.

The messaging from the Arsenal camp on their pre-season tour where they play AC Milan and Newcastle in the Singapore Festival of Football is that they are ready to take the next step and win their first trophy since 2020.

When asked, despite the challenges, if he thinks Arsenal can win the title this season, Arteta was quick to answer: "Yes I do. It is getting more and more competitive each year. The level is increasing.

"We know that so our demands have to increase as well. But we have also been very active in the market.

"We have to improve the players we already have, which is a massive objective after that. And then, set the right fundamentals and the right principles in pre-season to get the team ready with the best possible shape and availability to start the season."

In Zubimendi, Arsenal have signed one of the most highly rated midfielders in Europe and a player who had other options to choose from before signing for the Gunners.

It is hoped that Zubimendi's quality and football intelligence is the missing piece for an Arsenal side that have missed out on trophies in recent seasons.

"Every year we have to see how things develop, but I see the right balance in terms of maturity, experience, youth, hunger - all these ingredients are there," Arteta said.

"The thing is there are another six, seven, eight clubs in the league that have the right ingredients to win and there is only going to be one winner.

"So we have to focus a lot on the things that we can control, that we can do, to achieve what we want at the end of the season."

• Find and follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

"It's a big season for him."

Speaking during Arsenal's pre-season tour of Singapore, Mikel Arteta bigged up the importance of a strong second season for Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italy defender joined from Bologna last summer after a strong campaign at club level and an impressive personal showing at Euro 2024.

When he signed, Arteta said Calafiori possessed "specific skills which will make us stronger".

However, the 23-year-old managed just 29 appearances in all competitions and only 11 Premier League starts during an injury-hit campaign.

The Gunners felt his absence at a critical time, Calafiori missing six league matches from April to May - a period in which the Gunners won just twice - and the Champions League semi-final first leg defeat by Paris St-Germain.

When he was available, he made an impact.

In the Premier League, Calafiori's 1.74 tackles per 90 minutes was the most in the Arsenal squad, while his 0.55 shots blocked per 90 was the fourth-highest.

At 6ft 2in, his physical presence was also notable. Only William Saliba and Ben White won a higher percentage of Arsenal's top-flight aerial duels than Calafiori, and only Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz and Oleksandr Zinchenko won more aerial duels per 90 than his 2.02.

An imposing left-back, Calafiori also showed glimpses of his attacking credentials.

Among Arsenal defenders, discounting Kieran Tierney who barely played, only Myles Lewis-Skelly made more carries into the final third per 90 in the league than Calafiori's 1.38.

Similarly, Calafiori's 0.83 successful take-ons per 90 was only bettered by Jurrien Timber 0.89.

Clearly his callenge now is to stay fit.

"Now we want a player that is consistently available, and performing at the level he can do," said Arteta. "He was certainly missed for a big part of last season."

As Arsenal prepare for a season in which many believe they must secure silverware, a fully-fit Calafiori could be key to that objective.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Louis Zecevic-John has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.

The 17-year-old right winger, who can also fill in as a right wing-back, is viewed as one of the brightest prospects in the Gunners academy and chipped in with seven goals and seven assists last season for the under-18s side.

At international youth level, he has represented England and Serbia.

Zecevic-John has already trained with the Arsenal first team.