Saka playing through achilles pain
Bukayo Saka is not fully fit heading into the World Cup. England boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed the Arsenal winger is being managed with a "little bit of care" and admitted: "Bukayo is just not there yet. Some things are missing." (1) (2)
The 24-year-old has been playing through discomfort in his achilles and is now a doubt for England's opener against Croatia on June 17. Tuchel says Saka is still recovering and "not ready" after carrying the injury through the end of the club season. (4)
For Arsenal, the priority is clear, get him through the tournament without aggravating it further.
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Timber out of the World Cup
Jurrien Timber has aggravated an injury and is set to miss the World Cup entirely. Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman now faces reshuffling his defense without the Arsenal man. (3)
A tough blow for Timber personally, but for Arsenal it means a summer of rehab rather than tournament mileage.
Juventus reject Arsenal approach for Yildiz
Arsenal made an approach for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz and were told in no uncertain terms he is not for sale. The club is now pursuing other targets. (5)
That Yildiz inquiry confirms Arsenal are actively in the market for a left-sided attacker.
Two teenage signings close
Arsenal are accelerating to finalise their first two summer signings, both teenagers, including a major target from PSG. (6) The club wants the deals wrapped up soon, which would kick off the window with an eye firmly on the future.
Gibbs-White alternative, Brown competition
Nottingham Forest believe Morgan Gibbs-White will stay for at least one more season, complicating Arsenal's interest. (7)
Meanwhile, Arsenal are among the clubs tracking Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, but Bayern Munich are also keen and Frankfurt's asking price sits around €65m. (8)
Madrid watching Calafiori
Real Madrid are scouting Riccardo Calafiori ahead of the summer window. (9) The Italian defender was a key signing for Arsenal and any serious Madrid interest would test the club's resolve.
Fan reactions
The mood among supporters is anxious over Saka. One fan summed it up bluntly: can he just come home and be wrapped in cotton wool all summer? On a brighter note, Tuchel's glowing praise of Declan Rice as his vice-captain, calling him "one of the very best midfielders in Europe", has gone down well. And the news of Arnaldo Abrantes, a former Olympic sprinter, joining as the new club doctor has fans intrigued about what he brings to the medical setup. Read the full discussion
