Arsenal

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After our fan writer suggested that Declan Rice has had a slow start to the season -and some stats seem to suggest this is the case - we asked for your thoughts.

Here are some of your comments:

Lara: Yes, I agree. I think it is all down to the changes in style for the team. It is affecting a few players and will take time to settle. But ultimately it had to happen, and in the long term, the team will benefit from having different tactics available for different opponents. The changes are bold, but if Mikel Arteta delivers, it will be great. It's a big if though. I am not sure he has the charisma to lead and guide such a strong squad to glory.

Daniel: Respectfully disagree. Three games in and he has been OK, which is not a crime. He typically starts the season slow but I think it is nothing to worry about.

Sakeb: I agree, but I think it stems from Arteta's desire to control and be controlled. Martin Zubimendi came with the reputation of being someone that is quick between the lines, always looking to play forward, but we've not seen that yet. I'm still hoping it's because he's still settling in and we've had a few challenging away games, but I fear Arteta has got his paws into him.

Kate: It's three games in.... way too early to tell if anyone's having a good or bad start. Those Real Madrid free-kicks were amazing, but not something that Rice does every single week. He's fine, or will be in a couple of games time, once things fully get going again.

Rachel: I think Rice's performance has been different to last season but it is due to the new dynamic in midfield with Zubimendi. We had to expect this settling-in period - Arsenal could not suddenly become a fantasy team just because we bought some of the best players. Personally, I was more disappointed in Zubimendi than Rice. But it looks like there's some tricky times to come. Frustrating!

Terry: Rice is not alone. He is not the only one who has to show the manager a different approach is needed in terms of tactics. The new signings will be very disappointed if things among the old regime do not improve. Gabriel Martinelli is a prime example - he is showing no signs of being a first-choice player.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Opta

The standout performer in Mikel Arteta's side last season, Declan Rice looked every inch the £105m-man they had signed from West Ham in the summer of 2023.

But fast forward just a few months and the midfielder looks to be struggling to reach the same heights in the early part of this campaign.

This "quiet" and "difficult" start for Rice is not going unnoticed by fans, with our Gunners fan writer highlighting his underwhelming beginning to 2025-26.

But is this the case?

When looking into the statistics for the 26-year-old per 90 minutes last season in the Premier League compared to the opening three games of this term, there does appear to be a drop off in a number of metrics.

Sitting as part of a central midfield three, scoring goals is not he main requirement for Rice and, after scoring seven last time out, he has yet to find the back of the net this time.

However, he has still contributed in attack, providing two assists in the first three games and therefore tracking slightly ahead per game to what he did last season in this area.

Where his contribution has dropped off is when it comes to open play. Rice's four chances created so far have all come from set-plays. He is contributing less per game in terms of passes played into the box (5.1 compared to 6.3) and successful passes into the final third (6.5 compared to 16).

While he is still averaging similar numbers per game when it comes to passes overall and the accuracy of these, what might be more concerning for Arteta and supporters is the fall in numbers for defensive metrics.

The England international is tracking significantly lower in number of duels and in the success of those duels, while he is yet to even register a tackle made this campaign.

With the arrival of Martin Zubimendi in the summer, Rice is having to adapt to a new partner in midfield and may be still figuring out what his role is alongside the Spain international.

Comparing his heatmap against Manchester United in the opening game this season and the same match at Old Trafford last term, Rice covered much more ground across the pitch in March, and spent more time back in his starting position this time.

It is still too early to be drawing conclusions, but fans will be hoping that Rice is just warming up and this is not a longer term drop-off.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Opta

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As Declan Rice stood over the ball in the 29th minute on Sunday, many fans will have been dreaming of a repeat of his two brilliant free-kicks against Real Madrid last season. Instead, a few seconds later the ball was flying high over the crossbar, much to the glee of the Liverpool fans behind the goal.

Having been named Arsenal's player of the season last year, the midfielder has endured a difficult start to the season.

In the 1-0 win at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, he struggled to impose himself on a Manchester United midfield that looked ready to be exploited. Instead, the decisive passing and ball-carrying for which he is known were limited, and more worryingly Arsenal's midfield were regularly by-passed as United countered.

Sunday's defeat was another quiet afternoon for the England midfielder, whose wayward free-kick in the first half summed up an underwhelming performance.

Usually so reliable from corners, he also struggled from set-pieces, failing to put the ball into the key areas where Arsenal could hurt Liverpool.

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Before the new season, fans were excited to see a partnership between Rice and new signing Martin Zubimendi, but so far the chemistry between the two is only developing. After all, it was also the Spaniard who gave away the free-kick from which Dominik Szoboszlai scored the winner.

Rice's struggles this season do not suggest his ability is in decline, but rather they reflect growing pains in his new partnership with Zubimendi. However, given how reliant Arsenal were on him last year to progress the ball into the final third, fans will be anxious that he returns to his previous levels immediately once the international break is over.

Do you agree with Laura?

Has Rice been less effective so far this season?

If so, what's the reason - and what's the solution?

Tell us here

Image source, Getty Images

The dust has just about settled on a busy transfer window for Arsenal.

In total, the Gunners brought in eight players for a total of about £251.3m based on reported initial fees.

Those incomings were:

• Kepa Arrizabalaga - Chelsea (permanent)

• Eberechi Eze - Crystal Palace (permanent)

• Viktor Gyokeres - Sporting (permanent)

• Piero Hincapie - Bayer Leverkusen (loan)

• Noni Madueke - Chelsea (permanent)

• Cristhian Mosquera - Valencia (permanent)

• Christian Norgaard - Brentford (permanent)

• Martin Zubimendi - Real Sociedad (permanent)

Heading the other way, Arsenal had 12 notable outgoings.

These included loans for Jakub Kiwior to Porto, Reiss Nelson to Brentford and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Nottingham Forest, while there was also the permanent exit of Albert Sambi Lokonga and the free transfers of Jorginho and Keiran Tierney.

Of all the summer incomings at the Emirates, who do you think will have the biggest impact?

Rank them here

Arsenal were open to selling Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli, 24, at the start of the summer but their £60m asking price put off clubs who valued him closer to £40m. (Mail - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, the Gunners and Barcelona are both showing strong interest in Nottingham Forest's 23-year-old Brazilian defender Murillo. (Caughtoffside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Arsenal's 15-year-old Max Dowman looks set to play Champions League football this season after being named in Mikel Arteta's squad for the competition.

There is no age restriction to play in the Champions League so teenager Dowman could play for the Gunners in the competition as long as he was registered on squad list A.

Uefa have released the Arsenal squad list and Dowman is among the 23 players included, external.

Supporters may be alarmed to see the names of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly missing, but the pair can be named on squad list B as they are under 21 years old and have been eligible for the Arsenal first team for two years.

The Gunners kick off their Champions League campaign with an away game against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, 16 September - a team they beat 3-0 in their final pre-season match before this campaign kicked off.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

This has been an impressive debut transfer window from Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta, who joined the club in March.

Top of the list for all fans was a striker, and although there was plenty of speculation regarding the right profile for the individual in question, Viktor Gyokeres arrived in July. He has made a promising start amid a tough run of fixtures.

In defence, Arsenal have reinforced quietly and sensibly. Injury to William Saliba in the fourth minute of Sunday's defeat at Anfield meant that new signing Cristhian Mosquera was immediately called into action.

The 21-year old did well at the home of the team likely to be one of Arsenal's toughest opponents all season.

The arrival of Piero Hincapie from Bayern Leverkusen is another smart signing. Fans have often joked about manager Mikel Arteta's obsession with signing left-backs, but if Arsenal are to challenge in both the league and cup competitions then depth in this position and across the back four is essential.

The signing of Eberechi Eze is likely to be the main highlight of the window, but Noni Madueke has made the best start to life in north London, along with midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

If I were to be picky, Arsenal have continued to rely on loans to reduce the size of the squad, including a last-minute temporary move for out-of-favour Oleksandr Zinchenko to Nottingham Forest, and Fabio Vieira to Hamburg.

Selling these types of player could have perhaps unlocked additional cash for the club, but it is hard to find fault with eight excellent signings, including a highly experienced goalkeeper in Kepa Arrizabalaga and former Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.

At the start of the transfer window, there were probably two must-haves for Arsenal: a striker, and significant depth at every position.

The club have delivered both, and more.

Transfer window rating: 9/10

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on how loan-signing Piero Hincapie will fit in at Arsenal this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: Absolutely delighted! He reminds me of Ashley Cole. Speed, crosses and tackles. This guy will make the left back position his.

Matt: I don't think any amount of quality signings will help us win the Premier League or Champions League. Our negative style of play will be our undoing.

Chris: Arsenal now have a very strong and balanced squad capable of pushing them one further. Liverpool's massive firepower is the only possible obstacle.

Jordan: Definitely another great signing. With Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera it is definitely an improved squad. I expect Arsenal to kick on this season and do extremely well!

Brentford have completed the signing of Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson on a season-long loan.

The 25-year-old Gunners youth product made 90 appearances for his boyhood club and played 11 times on loan for Fulham last season.

This will be the fourth loan move of Nelson's career, after previously having spells with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim and Dutch club Feyenoord.

"Reiss has a skillset that will complement the rest of the attacking players we have," said Bees boss Keith Andrews. "He's a dribbler and he's very comfortable with the ball at his feet.

"I really like his Premier League experience and know-how of the league, as well as his age profile.

"He's coming into the optimum years of his career, and he's shown a real desire to come here when there's been a lot of interest elsewhere."

Image source, Brentford Fc

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berto says the club are "delighted" after completing the loan signing of "intelligent" defender Piero Hincapie.

The 23-year-old joins on a season-long loan from Bayer Leverkusen and the Gunners have agreed a fee of £45m (52m euros) for the Ecuador international should they wish to make the deal permanent next summer.

Sporting director Andrea Berta said: "We are delighted to have completed the loan signing for the season of Piero Hincapie.

"At only 23, Piero already has significant experience, both in the Bundesliga and at international level. He is an intelligent defender with real strength and versatility.

"His performances in recent years for both club and country have been of a consistent high quality, and we are confident Piero will continue to grow this season and be an important player for us."

Hincapie is Arsenal's eighth signing of the summer, after Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera and Eberechi Eze.

The Arsenal boss added: "Piero has a real physical presence, with his versatility and tactical flexibility giving us strong added defensive options.

"He is a big character, with a very good combination of both youth and maturity. He will make our squad stronger and more competitive as we continue into this season."

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie on a season-long loan.

The Ecuador international made 166 appearances for the German side and was part of the team that went unbeaten to win the Bundesliga in 2024, also winning the German Cup in the same season.

On Arsenal's social media, they describe the centre-back as "the final piece of the puzzle, external".

Do you agree with their assessment?

Will he make the difference this season?

Tell us here

Fabio Vieira has completed a season-long loan move to Bundesliga side Hamburg, reuniting with Arsenal team-mate Sambi Lokonga who switched permanently earlier on Monday.

Defender Jakub Kiwior has also left for the 2025-26 season, heading to Portugal champions Porto.

The Poland centre-back has made 68 appearances for Arsenal and became a key player towards the end of last season.

However, summer arrivals of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have pushed him further down the pecking order.

As for Vieira, the 25-year-old joined the Gunners from Porto in the summer of 2022 for an initial £29.9m and has made 49 appearances for Mikel Arteta's side.

He played 42 times on loan back in Portugal last season.

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Midfielder Sambi Lokonga has completed a permanent move to Hamburg.

The 25-year-old joined Arsenal in July 2021 from Anderlecht and went on to make 39 appearances for the Gunners in total - 24 of which came in his debut season.

Following loans spells at Crystal Palace and Luton Town, Lokonga spent a season with Sevilla in 2024-25, making 23 appearances in all competitions and helping the side secure La Liga safety.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Lucas Martin Nygaard has joined Danish side Braband IF on a season-long loan.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is joining Brentford on loan.

The attacker has had interest from Fulham and Villarreal, among other domestic and European options.

But the Bees have won the race for the Gunners academy graduate.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have been busy and aggressive in this market and have completed seven signings with an eighth, in Piero Hincapie, getting closer after the Gunners reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal have always said that they are actively looking at the market but today seems to be a focus on outgoings.

There is interest in Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Gunners would also let Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard go if there were suitable offers.