England 3–2 Mexico at the Azteca, your Gunners delivered
England beat Mexico 3–2 at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday in a World Cup knockout game that had Arsenal fingerprints all over it (1). Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both started for England. Over in Norway's camp, Martin Odegaard captained his side to a win over Brazil, and Folarin Balogun was also involved (1).
Leandro Trossard set up Charles De Ketelaere's goal in Belgium's 2–1 win over the USA (1). Not bad for a player reportedly heading toward the exit.
Newcastle reject £55m Bruno Guimaraes bid, Arsenal are going back in
A first bid of £55m was knocked back. Arsenal are preparing a new offer for the Newcastle midfielder (2). The 28-year-old is open to the move, and Newcastle's stance on a sale has softened (2).
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Anders Limpar has already weighed in: "Guimarães is a top-class player. I feel sorry for Nørgaard. He's an absolutely incredible player, and he couldn't fight his way into the starting lineup. I'm not sure he'll stay. Arteta would love to keep him, because he'll come on in five to ten matches and do well" (8).
A deal for Guimaraes could push Christian Norgaard out of the squad (8).
Konsa: Villa digging in
Aston Villa are doing "everything they can" to block Ezri Konsa's move to Arsenal (6). Unai Emery's side do not want to sell the England international centre-back, and the resistance is real (6).
Rogers is also on the radar, though Villa have set a high asking price (12).
Merino's 90th-minute winner sends Spain through
Spain 1–0 Portugal. Mikel Merino scored in the 90th minute at the World Cup to put Spain into the quarter-finals (7) (15). Marc Cucurella played the full 90 (7).
Merino's celebration, a lap around the corner flag, has a story behind it. It is a nod to a family tradition tied to his father's own playing days (14).
Barcola leaning toward Liverpool over Arsenal
Bradley Barcola appears to have chosen Liverpool (9). The PSG forward had been on Arsenal's radar as a potential attacking reinforcement with Trossard expected to leave and Gabriel Jesus also available for transfer this summer (17).
Monga deal collapsed over £10m fee
Arsenal withdrew from the race for 16-year-old Leicester City prospect Jeremy Monga after Manchester City agreed a £10m fee (5). Your club decided the valuation was too steep and walked away (5).
Wan-Bissaka links surface
Gossip columns have floated Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a possible replacement in defence, though nothing concrete yet (16). Bournemouth and Atletico Madrid are also mentioned (16).
Selina Cerci joins Arsenal Women on a free
Germany striker Selina Cerci has completed her move from Hoffenheim (3). "I'm very excited to be here, it's a big honour to play for Arsenal and I can't wait to start," she told the club's official website (3). Head coach Renée Slegers praised her prolific record.
Odegaard to Galatasaray? Not happening
Reports linking Martin Odegaard with a move to Turkey have been confirmed as unfounded (10). Your captain is not in talks with Galatasaray (10).
Francis Coquelin signs for boyhood club Stade Lavallois
The former Arsenal midfielder has joined the Ligue 2 side on a free transfer, returning to the club where it all started (13). Coquelin, 35, spent time at Nantes and Villarreal after leaving Arsenal.
Fan-reaktioner
The mood on Reddit is split between pride and pragmatism. Trossard's World Cup assist has some fans wondering if Arsenal could squeeze a few extra million out of his expected departure, while others are just relieved the club got him instead of Mudryk back in the day. Coquelin's return to Laval brought a wave of nostalgia, and a clip of Declan Rice and John Stones pranking Tuchel has been doing the rounds. Full thread here
