Arteta is staying, and so is everyone around him
Arsenal have agreed a long-term contract extension with Mikel Arteta (2) (6) (7). The deal keeps him at the Emirates well beyond his current terms, with reports pointing to a commitment running to 2030 (7). Arsenal have also secured new deals for all of his assistants, so the whole backroom stays intact (2) (6).
This is the biggest piece of business Arsenal do this season. Not a signing. The man who ended the 22-year wait for a title, and the staff who built it with him, locked in together (2) (7).
What Arteta has to do next
Winning the league was the easy question. Keeping it is the hard one (1). Arsenal go again from a position of champions, and the only manager to dominate English football for a decade did it by backing up one title with another, then another (1). Arteta's record now gets measured against Ferguson, Wenger, Mourinho and Guardiola (1) (6).
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Timber misses Netherlands training
Jurrien Timber sat out the early part of Netherlands training with a separate programme, worked out in agreement with Arsenal (12). He was not considered fit enough for the first sessions, but he joined the group session a day before the Germany match (3) (12). Injuries have followed him: a fitness problem cost him the World Cup with the Netherlands, and he only recently returned to action for Arsenal (3).
Dowman, 17 in December, set for a big new deal
Max Dowman signs his first professional Arsenal contract when he turns 17 in December (4). His wages jump from £350 a week to £40,000 a week (4). Bukayo Saka is already a fan: "His talent is completely unbelievable," the teammate said of the 16-year-old (14).
Twelve clubs want Dowman on loan, and Arsenal are open to it in the second half of the season (11) (14). He would be available from late December (11).
Casseb explains the Martinelli exit
Gabriel Martinelli's agent Marcos Casseb says both sides knew it was over. "We think his cycle at Arsenal had ended. It was seven years, he arrived there at 18, and Arsenal went through a huge rebuild. Last year they were Premier League champions" (8). Martinelli left for Al-Hilal in a €70m move (6) (8). Casseb added there were offers from Italian clubs, German clubs and other Premier League clubs, and that it was "a moment when he needed a change of scenery" (8).
Galatasaray want Gyökeres
Galatasaray are working on a move for Viktor Gyökeres in the mid-season transfer window (5). No agreement, no fee, just interest.
Arsenal women edge HB Køge 1–0
Arsenal won their Women's Champions League opener 1–0 against HB Køge at Meadow Park on Tuesday (9) (10). Mariona Caldentey scored a late penalty after a foul by Yukina Sakabe (1) (9). HB Køge coach Kristian Mørch said he felt Arsenal were relieved to win (10). Renée Slegers put it down to mentality (9). Steph Catley picked out Kyra Cooney-Cross afterwards, calling her performance "amazing" and saying she was proud of it (13).
Fan reactions
Arsenal fans are in full celebration mode over Arteta, with one thread belting out "he's going nowhere, Super Mik Arteta" and another digging into how his record stacks up against the legendary Premier League managers (4). Martinelli's exit is still being picked apart, and the agent's own words on the move are doing the rounds in the comments. The loudest mood is simple relief that the man who ended the wait is staying put.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/1woanjd/hes_going_nowhere_hes_going_nowhere_super_mik
