What impact could Saliba injury have on defending champions?published at 09:17 BST
09:17 BST
Josef Rindl BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
As defending champions and with an experienced manager, Arsenal are favourites for the Premier League title.
But a lengthy injury to a key starter could affect their title chances.
The club have said defender William Saliba is set to miss an "extended period" after suffering a back injury while at the World Cup with France.
Saliba, 25, made 50 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal last season and his formidable partnership with team-mate Gabriel was a big factor in them conceding fewer goals than anyone else in the division.
Arsenal have a tricky start to the season, facing Aston Villa and Chelsea in two of their first three matches.
Since Saliba's debut in 2022, Arsenal have won 68.7% of their Premier League matches when he has been in the team (131 games).
When he has been sidelined, that win percentage drops to 47.6% (21 games).
Gossip: Gunners not in Guimaraes talkspublished at 07:27 BST 29 July
07:27 BST 29 July
Newcastle United sources insist the club are not in talks with Arsenal over a deal to sell Magpies skipper Bruno Guimaraes, 28, to the Gunners and the Tyneside club expect the Brazil international to return to training on Friday. (Northern Echo), external
Real Madrid do not intend to sell 26-year-old Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, whose contract with the Spanish club runs out next summer, and are confident he will agree a new deal with the club. (Sky Sports), external
Referees call for VAR tweakpublished at 07:23 BST 29 July
07:23 BST 29 July
Image source, Getty Images
Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.
Chief refereeing officers from all 55 European national football associations met last week with Uefa refereeing officials and a representative from the International Football Association Board (Ifab) to address recent changes to the game's laws.
Attendees said "lengthy, microscoping reviews" indicate VAR has gone beyond its original scope.
When VAR was added to the laws of the game in 2018 by football's rulemakers Ifab, its "philosophy" was "minimum interference - maximum benefit", with the intention of reducing "unfairness caused by clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents" relating to goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.
Uefa said that at its recent meeting that refereeing bosses agreed a return to those original aims is needed.
"It was reiterated that, in accordance with protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, ie. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident," Uefa said in a statement.
"VAR is not meant to re-referee the game, it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making.
"Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited."
'Make North London Brazilian'published at 12:59 BST 28 July
12:59 BST 28 July
Scarlet Katz Roberts Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Just when I was starting to get disillusioned with Andrea Berta's transfer barbecue, he reveals a Wagyu steak was sizzling away all along, hidden from view.
I'm not bitter about Morgan Rogers I promise, despite Chelsea's attempts to rub it in. I had doubts about him as our marquee addition. I like to think of myself as more of a purist: holding out for Alvarez or a miraculous Vini Jr.
Spurs have just spent £100m apiece on two midfielders who are half as good as Declan Rice. Which begs the question, is the Premier League now rich enough as to be immune from consequences? Is, 'good enough to be better than last year' worth £100m now? If Spurs think so, and Chelsea, why should Arsenal hold themselves to a different standard?
Because we are better than everyone else: A fact that is currently completely and incontrovertibly true.
This logic was sustaining me until the news of our interest in Vinicius Jr broke a few days ago.
Do we need to dream big to win big? In Budapest, it felt like our ceiling was simply the sum of whatever a collective heave could muster. It was nearly enough. PSG's stars didn't sparkle all that brightly, but you always felt they could get out of jail if they needed to. In fact, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was marshalled really well by Christhian Mosquera, until he wasn't.
Admittedly, Liverpool had a summer we all thought was setting them up for domination last time out, and look what happened to them. Ambition in the transfer market isn't always rewarded. But you don't often get the bargaining position being champions affords. Surely now is the time to go for it.
Vini Jr is one of the best in the world. He is also very much the antithesis of Arsenal up to this point: unflinching, determined, perhaps a little unglamorous.
Maybe that give, that room to dream, is what will take us from very good to great. And the idea of him and Bruno Guimaraes is a fantasy in itself: Let them join the ranks of the dancing Gabis, make North London Brazilian.
'Classic manipulative behaviour' or 'the last step' for Arsenal?published at 08:00 BST 28 July
08:00 BST 28 July
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Like everyone else, I am transfixed by the transfers happening every day in the Premier League. There is always the temptation to make a snap judgement of what has happened in the market so far, but this is unfair.
There is so much business still to be done and so many difficulties to overcome. Clubs often have to be sure that money is coming in from sales before they can spend on new players.
The gold standard is those who know what they want and move early because they have had a plan in place all along. It helps to have a lot of money and a brand name that attracts the top players.
Manchester City come to mind right away. With Rodri injured and Bernardo Silva gone, the move for Elliot Anderson, even at £116m, seems obvious and sensible in hindsight. Even without Pep Guardiola they are still title favourites alongside Arsenal because of that methodology.
But the Gunners have moved sensibly over the summer so far. Piero Hincapie was a no-brainer, particularly as William Saliba is injured, but I'd expect one more cover player in that position. What I didn't expect was a story suggesting that Vinicius Junior might be tempted to north London.
I hate being 'played' in these circumstances. Is Vini Jr, his agent or indeed Real Madrid just using Arsenal as a bargaining chip in contract talks?
This would be classic manipulative behaviour but if the chips are cashed in, it'd be an incredible win for Mikel Arteta. The Brazilian's wages feel wrong for Arsenal, but his addition would make that last step to becoming European champions far more likely.
You have to feel a little sorry for Christos Tzolis, just signed from Club Brugge for £34m, who might find that left flank suddenly a little crowded.
If Arsenal's use of physicality at corners is curtailed with changes to the rules, they'll need to find goals from another avenue. Maybe that is why Arteta feels the need to add more to an already impressive frontline.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
English football set for key goalkeeper trialpublished at 06:59 BST 28 July
06:59 BST 28 July
Image source, Getty Images
English football is set to implement a trial to try to eradicate the goalkeeper tactical timeout this season, BBC Sport can reveal.
The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League have agreed on the measure, pending permission from the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
Earlier this year, Ifab decided against changing the law and invited leagues to volunteer for trials.
Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, has been in discussions with the leagues to determine how to tackle the issue. It settled on a team having to remove an outfield player from the field.
If a referee signals that the physio can come on to treat a goalkeeper, the coach will have 10 seconds to nominate another player to leave the pitch for one minute, telling the fourth official of their choice.
If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave the field.
Is Vinicius Jr prepared to leave Real Madrid?published at 16:47 BST 27 July
16:47 BST 27 July
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
There may be no more intriguing situation in the transfer landscape right now than Vinicius Jr's future.
The nature of free transfers means that Vinicius, whose current Real Madrid contract runs until 2027, could conceivably double his money next year.
With that scenario now within reach, it is safe to assume the forward will almost certainly request a significant pay increase on his current wages if he moves this summer.
Having to find what is likely to be a minimum £130m plus wages will be a hard push for any club, no matter how rich, in the era of financial regulation.
Arsenal, nevertheless, have analysed the numbers and believe they have the financial means to fund a move for Vinicius. It is understood the signing has widespread backing across the club.
In the past, Arsenal have offered players very generous image rights deals. This would be a key component of any agreement that would see Vinicius moving to the Premier League.
The winger's advisors at agency Roc Nation will be fully across the aforementioned factors.
The fact Roc Nation also represent Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli - whose chances would be left severely limited by Vinicius' arrival - also makes for an intriguing sub-plot.
It is understood that Martinelli, who has up to two years left on his contract, is happy at Arsenal and will only consider leaving for an opportunity that suits him.
Effectively, the leverage is almost entirely with Vinicius.
Arsenal are unquestionably one of the most attractive projects in European football. They will be one of the favourites to lift the Champions League next season, having lost on penalties in last season's final. They are in a very strong financial position, too.
But a move to north London would require Vinicius to relinquish the sort of leverage that most players of his standing do not have during their career.
Perhaps most importantly of all, it would mean him giving up on being a Real Madrid footballer.
Is he prepared to do that? We should have the answer soon.
What is Vinicius Jr's future amid Arsenal interest?published at 12:06 BST 27 July
12:06 BST 27 July
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Real Madrid have tried to renew Vinicius Jr's contract and opened further talks with him on Monday - but, as of yet, it has been to no avail.
His potential availability has alerted Arsenal, who are among the clubs to have internally explored exploiting the contractual impasse. Teams in Saudi Arabia are also monitoring his situation closely.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants to sign proven talent - and Vinicius fits the bill.
Sources close to Arsenal insist he is just one of a number of options the club are exploring in their search for a left-sided attacker after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea.
However, BBC Sport understands Arteta has become so smitten with the notion of signing Vinicius that he is viewed internally as the club's number one target.
As Arsenal discovered with Rogers, there are no guarantees clubs attract their priority targets.
Indeed, Arsenal are realistic about their chances of landing Vinicius Jr. They know it is a long shot.
Similarly, there is an sense emerging from those close to Vinicius Jr that any move to Arsenal is difficult at best.
For most South American footballers, playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is a lifelong ambition. Leaving the Spanish capital - even for a club as illustrious at Arsenal - would be viewed as, at best, a sidewards step.
With Real being arguably the biggest club on the planet, there is a sense that leaving the Bernabeu would also impact the player's commercial brand.
Gossip: No Vinicius talks yet but Gunners ready to offer record contractpublished at 07:12 BST 27 July
07:12 BST 27 July
Arsenal have not opened talks over signing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, but Real Madrid have set a price of 160m euros (£137m) to sell the 26-year-old this summer. (Sport - in Spanish), external
The Gunners would be willing to offer Vinicius the biggest contract in the club's history. (Mirror), external
Finally, Brazil midfielder and Arsenal target Bruno Guimaraes, 28, has told his representatives he wants his future resolved in the next week, before he reports back for Newcastle's pre-season training camp. (TeamTalk), external
A set-piece specialist with an eye for goalpublished at 11:51 BST 24 July
11:51 BST 24 July
Image source, Getty Images
Christos Tzolis arrives in north London off the back of the best season of his career, but it has taken him time to show his quality.
The Greek forward struggled to make an impact during a three-year spell at Norwich City, scoring three times in 30 appearances, but rebuilt his career away from Carrow Road.
After impressing on loan in the 2023-24 season at German second-tier side Fortuna Dusseldorf, where he scored 24 goals in 35 games, he left Norwich for Club Brugge and quickly established himself as one of Belgium's most productive attacking players.
Last season, the 24-year-old was directly involved in a league-high 40 goals, scoring 17 times and providing 23 assists as Club Brugge were crowned league champions.
His influence extended beyond goals and assists. He created more chances (135) than any other player in Belgium's top flight, and also recorded the most progressive carries (359) and successful dribbles (40).
He also proved he could deliver against Europe's leading clubs, scoring against Atalanta and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, while registering an assist against Barcelona.
Predominantly a right-footed left winger, Tzolis is comfortable across the frontline and possesses quality from set-pieces.
Of the 135 chances he created in the Belgian Pro League across the 2025-26 campaign, 52 came from dead-ball situations (38.5%).
Although Leandro Trossard recorded more goal involvements in last season's Champions League for Arsenal, the Greece international produced almost twice as many chances (13 compared to seven) and completed more passes in the final third (138 compared to 80).
Arsenal unveil 'bruised banana'-inspired away kitpublished at 10:32 BST 24 July
10:32 BST 24 July
Image source, ARSENAL
Arsenal have released an away strip inspired by the "iconic bruised banana design", originally worn between 1991 and 1993, for the 2026-27 season.
The navy jersey is brought to life with an accent red and yellow crew-neck collar plus a yellow Arsenal crest.
It will be worn with matching navy shorts and socks, complete with red and yellow details, for a cohesive look.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori said: "We are all looking forward to playing in this kit. We know the impact that the bruised banana has had on our supporters. You only have to see how many still wear it to understand how much it means.
"We are proud to wear something with such history attached to it. We will use that as inspiration as we continue to push ourselves forward.
"It is our turn to create our own legacy at the club."
Arsenal also have a major interest in Villa's England defender Ezri Konsa and have enquired about the 28-year-old's availability. Konsa is the first-choice defensive target.
The Gunners also have Como's Jacobo Ramon on a list of defenders they would like to bring in, but it is understood clauses in the Spaniard's contract make a deal difficult.
Having missed out on Rogers, Arsenal remain in the market for attacking reinforcements.
Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is the dream target, but the player's current desire to join Barcelona and the cost - which could exceed the British record fee of £125m set when Alexander Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool - pose obvious difficulties.
Arsenal have also explored a move for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
Gossip: Arsenal weigh up Stones and Diomande movespublished at 07:11 BST 24 July
07:11 BST 24 July
Former Manchester City defender John Stones, 32, and 28-year-old Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa are among the targets as Arsenal look to cover for the injury to William Saliba. (Sky Sports), external
Meanwhile, the Gunners and Manchester City are among clubs in a race for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, who previously rejected a £69m bid from Liverpool for the 19-year-old. (Bild - in German), external
Tom: We have seen in the past that defenders, when give the opportunity, can step up in big moments - like Jakub Kiwior and Cristhian Mosquera. I would give Mosquera a chance to cover Saliba but maybe dip into the market for a replacement for him as there isn't anyone obvious after him. Maybe another young defender or a older experienced player to help in that area!
Ken: He missed games last season. No cover is needed as that would be unnecessary stockpiling. Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Christian Norgard can all play there next to Gabriel.
Paul: Surely the ideal solution would be to sign John Stones on a free? Seasoned Premier League centre-back, bags of experience and can provide cover in midfield too. Great support for younger players as well - instant credibility and respect.
MK: We have cover in the centre like Mosquera. Also think that this is a good chance for Marli Salmon to have a shot. Still, I am quite worried because Gabriel and Saliba are the rocks of our defence.
Max: Stones is a free agent, starts for England and has experience in winning titles - including the Champions League, no less. Seems perfect as a back-up and is miles better than Mosquera.
Chris: We have more than enough talent in the backline to cover with Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, White, Calafiori and Hincapie all more than capable in that centre-back role. I think we should focus more on bringing in a true full-back who can play both sides, such as Djed Spence, Lewis Hall or Livramento (if he's fit).
'I'm always hungry to score' - Tzolis 'ready' for next chapterpublished at 15:20 BST 23 July
15:20 BST 23 July
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal's newest signing, Christos Tzolis, says he wasn't "fully on holiday" this summer after hearing a move to the Gunners was on the cards.
The 24-year-old forward, who actually made his Premier League debut at Emirates Stadium with Norwich City, has signed a long-term contract.
He joins from Club Brugge, where he scored 22 goals and registered 29 assists in 52 appearances last season, having helped the side retain the Belgian Pro League title.
In the league alone, the Greece international created a total of 135 chances - 52 of which came from set-pieces.
"I need some time to realise [what has happened], I think!" Tzolis said. "It is absolutely amazing to sign for such a big club - the champions of England.
"When my agent said it was maybe a possibility, I was already excited. After that, it got more serious and now I'm here.
"I've already had a nice conversation with Mikel Arteta. We talked about everything - about the club, myself, his plans and the team. It was only positive things.
"I'm a direct player - I go for goals and assists. That's my point of view as an attacker and as a winger. I'm always hungry to score or to give the final pass to my team-mates. I can also say I work hard for the team in defensive moments."
Tzolis featured 13 times in the Champions League last season - including 90 minutes against Arsenal in the league phase - scoring three goals and contributing five assists in total.
"It is a very competitive team to be a part of, but I just have to enjoy it," Tzolis added. "I will need to work hard in every training session and show it on the pitch. I'm really looking forward to it.
"I had a good summer. I had 27 days of holidays, but they weren't full holidays. I worked to be ready because I heard the rumours. I said: 'I need to be in good shape and be fit.' So I worked hard during the summer."
The 25-year-old had carried the problem into this summer's World Cup, having made 50 appearances for Arsenal last season.
"I've had some minor niggles for several months," Saliba said in the early stages of the tournament. "I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League [to focus on].
"The World Cup also only comes around once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth."
After returning to London and being seen by a specialist, it was decided the centre-back needed to start a managed recovery programme rather than have surgery on the issue.
How are you feeling about the injury update? Do Arsenal need dip into the transfer market for centre-back cover or can they cope comfortably in Saliba's absence?
Gossip: Gunners leading Scott race and prepared to listen to Odegaard offerspublished at 08:00 BST 23 July
08:00 BST 23 July
Arsenal are edging the battle with Manchester United for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 22 - but the England Under-21 international has concerns around how much game time he would get at the Emirates. (Mirror), external
Meanwhile, the Gunners are not ruling out the sale of Martin Odegaard and will listen to offers for their captain. (Teamtalk), external
Image source, Getty Images
