Real Betis 3–1, 25 players used, no panic from Arteta
Real Betis 3–1 Arsenal in Dublin on Thursday. Your final pre-season friendly. Mikel Arteta used 25 players across the 90 minutes and was blunt afterwards: "Well, the important part is to win it, and we didn't manage to win it, so disappointed obviously for the result" (3).
The context matters. This was a fitness exercise dressed as a friendly. Riquelme, Nelson Deossa, and Pablo Fornals scored for Betis. Piero Hincapie also featured for the Spanish side (3). Christos Tzolis, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Gabriel Martinelli all got minutes for Arsenal, along with youngsters Max Dowman and Louie Copley (3).
Arteta added: "It's true we used 25 players, so you need to give a bit of context to the game" (3). Pre-season is done.
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Vinicius signs until 2032, Arsenal move is dead
Vinicius Junior has signed a new Real Madrid contract until 2032 (4) (6). The Brazilian forward put it simply: "Eight years at the Bernabéu are too few" (6). Arsenal had been linked with a sensational move, but that door is shut.
Real Madrid reinforced the message by also signing Yan Diomande for a club-record €135 million (8) (11). One reading from Spanish media: the double move was partly designed to keep stars away from Arsenal's reach (8).
Guimaraes talks advancing, Newcastle line up replacement
Arsenal and Newcastle are in advanced negotiations for Bruno Guimaraes (10). Newcastle appear close to sealing a deal for his replacement, with sources describing a "mystery deal" nearing completion (12).
Romero links, but Spurs won't sell to you
Arsenal are pushing to sign Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero (1). The interest is real. The problem: Tottenham would not sell their captain to their north London rivals (2).
Arsenal have a list of alternatives that includes Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Ezri Konsa, and John Stones (2). Liverpool may compete for Konsa (9).
Zubimendi wanted at Chelsea, Arsenal unlikely to budge
Xabi Alonso has told Chelsea he wants to work with Martin Zubimendi (5). The midfielder is an Arsenal player and the club are not expected to let him leave this summer (5).
Norgaard: I needed to play a bigger role
Christian Norgaard has explained his move to Everton. "I felt I needed a change and to play a bigger football role. When I spoke to David Moyes and others at the club involved in the transfer, I heard about the whole project and I was very intrigued" (7).
Scouts watch Brazilian talent Kaua Elias
Arsenal and Manchester United sent scouts to watch Kaua Elias (15). The Brazilian forward is also tracked by Liverpool and Juventus (15).
Fan reactions
The mood on Reddit has pivoted from Vinicius to Julian Alvarez. A post citing Gary Jacob claims Alvarez is now Arsenal's primary transfer target, with the hope that Atletico Madrid refuse to sell him to Barcelona. Fans seem ready to move on fast. Full thread here
