Patino makes Deportivo movepublished at 19:04 26 August
19:04 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
Midfielder Charlie Patino has completed a permanent transfer to Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruna.
The Gunners will receive a £1m fee and there is a significant sell-on clause in the deal.
Patino, 20, came through the Arsenal academy having joined the club in 2015 and made two first-team appearances.
His senior debut came in December 2021, when he came on as a substitute to score in the Gunners' Carabao Cup quarter-final against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium.
Patino spent time on loan last season with Swansea City in the Championship, making 35 appearances, scoring four goals and providing four assists.
In a statement, Arsenal thanked the academy gradate for his contribution to the club during his time with them and wished him well for his move.
Wolves continue talks with Arsenal for goalkeeper Ramsdale published at 18:32 26 August
18:32 26 August
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Aaron Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021
Wolves remain in talks with Arsenal over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The England international could cost Wolves about £20m, with an initial loan offer being made last week.
There is a desire from parties to get the deal done but it is seen as a complicated and expensive one, especially given Wolves' financial restrictions.
The Gunners would prefer a straight sale rather than an initial loan for the 26-year-old, who has lost his place in Mikel Arteta's team to David Raya.
Ramsdale, who cost Arsenal l £24m when they signed him from Sheffield United in 2021, has two years left on his deal at Emirates Stadium but wants first-team football.
On Sunday, Wolves boss Gary O'Neil warned that the club needed to be satisfied with their transfer business having sold Pedro Neto to Chelsea and Max Kilman to West Ham for nearly £100m.
Wolves are not expected to spend heavily in the final week of the window but Sunday's 6-2 home defeat by Chelsea acted as a wake-up call.
O'Neil started just one summer signing - Jorgen Strand Larsen - in the loss.
He said: "Once the window shuts it doesn't open for a good few months. When it shuts we need to be comfortable with where we are.
"There's a lot of work for myself and I need to get more out of the group we have. Then there's an understanding the Premier League is tough and if you sell good players it makes you weaker.
"We'll see if it's a break-even window by the time it shuts next Friday. We have raised some good funds and hopefully we can use them well in the next few days."
Wolves were also keen on Burnley winger Luca Koleosho but hopes of agreeing a deal with the Clarets are fading after a £20m offer was rejected last week.
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:59 26 August
11:59 26 August
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
Villa fans
Ian: Fine margins! Any other day and Villa win by two or three goals. It was just one of them days for Ollie Watkins. It was a good, solid performance against a top side in Arsenal, who will go close to the title again. I thought Rogers was outstanding, he was the best player on the pitch. The bench didn't really do it this week, but we are only two games in and I'm encouraged for the season ahead.
Dudley: I thought we were the better team, but goals change games. There is a big week ahead in the transfer window to see if we can strengthen. Raheem Sterling would be a good asset.
David: A tale of two pre-seasons. Rogers worked hard in pre-season and looks sharp. Watkins had no pre-season whatsoever after the Euros and it showed. Early signs are good this season. The tactics were spot on but we just needed to be clinical in front of goal.
Sam: The two games this season have seen a more structured Villa. They are more confident at the back and, most notably, there are less mistakes when building from the back. Ollie Watkins is still finding his feet this season and otherwise would have scored two goals. The Onana and Tielemans mix in midfield looks solid and we look a more balanced team. There is no shame here.
Arsenal fans
Jordan: Solid statement win is what we needed right now! However, the next few games will be a true test of our mettle as title contenders. Performance wise, we were fairly resolute and solid. Raya deserved POTM for his save and for keeping us in it. We need to shore up in our forward areas but my main focus would be a right-winger rather than a striker, just so we can rotate Saka.
Kevin: Arsenal were in difficulty at times and, on a different day, could have lost this match. They lacked some fluency against a well-organised Aston Villa, but their determination and quality finally paid off in the final quarter. They finished the match strongly. Saka and Odegaard were both good, but the star of the day was David Raya.
Sani: I really enjoyed every minute from the start to finish. Villa Park will be tough for every team that visit it this season, as always. When Emiliano Martinez saved Saka's shot in first half, I thought it was going to be another day of frustration. Trossard is always reliable and I wonder how Martinez allowed Partey's shot to squeeze inside his net.
Hakeem: Not as impressive and promising as is being touted! Did Arsenal overdo the number of pre-season matches they played? They are looking tired. Arsenal need more reinforcements at centre-back plus two lethal strikers up front. I have a sneaky feeling that this year's title outcome may be decided by goal difference.
Toney 'is too good to miss out on'published at 08:43 26 August
08:43 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
"It is a massive week for Brentford and for Ivan Toney," says ESPN’s Mark Ogden.
The Bees striker has not yet agreed a deal to leave the club, but he has been linked to the Saudi Pro League and several English clubs in this transfer window.
BBC Sport understands Brentford have turned down a £35m bid for Toney from Saudi side Al-Ahli.
"I get the impression that he is not totally sold on going to Saudi Arabia," said Ogden on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "But Brentford want the money because he is out of contract next summer.
"It might not be the challenge he wants, but he is 28-years-old and the money is ridiculous. Football fans will say they are all on life-changing money as it is but this really is that. He has not had the smoothest of careers and he has had to work his way to the top.
"I think he has waited until the end of the window just in case a club like Manchester United or Arsenal decided he is too good to miss out on. And I think he is. The fee for him is not massive, but clubs are probably put off because of balancing profit and sustainability rules.
"It is a sad situation and a bit of a mess that Toney might have to leave the Premier League."
Raya proves his worth againpublished at 11:49 25 August
11:49 25 August
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The debate surrounding Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's seemingly brutal decision to ditch England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and replace him with David Raya seemed an age away at Villa Park on Saturday.
Since last season's early uncertainty, which raised questions about whether Arteta had acted in haste by bringing in the Brentford goalkeeper, Spain international Raya has proven himself to be an integral part of Arsenal's ambitions to win the Premier League.
And in one miraculous moment at Villa Park, when Raya somehow recovered his position from the foot of his post to save Ollie Watkins' diving header, he proved his worth once more.
The score was 0-0 after 54 minutes and Aston Villa were on top, but Raya's save appeared to deflate Unai Emery's side, leaving Arsenal to strike through Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey to secure a crucial win.
It was not simply that Arsenal won at Villa - who will join them in the Champions League this season - the victory also carried psychological worth, as it ended the curse put on them last season when the league double, inflicted by former manager Unai Emery, caused such damage to their title ambitions.
Arsenal were not at their best but they won - and that is exactly what those with hopes of claiming the big prizes need to do.
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 11:22 25 August
11:22 25 August
Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: What Arteta saidpublished at 20:29 24 August
20:29 24 August
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live following the win: "We had to change momentum. We had a 10-minute gap when we didn't get the rhythm and they were on top.
"They had the big chance when David [Raya] made an unbelievable save and it is was the magic moment of the game. I gave his moment to him [Leandro Trossard] to control the game."
On goalkeeper David Raya: "We conceded really little and it is a big credit to the team, as it is a difficult place to come, but when we needed him he was there and he made a terrific save."
On Bukayo Saka and his team-mates: "Not just him [Saka], but everybody played with a lot of personality. Aston Villa had a defensive approach, more than what we expected, but we adapted and the team played with a lot of courage.
"Again, when you need individuals, they stood up and they made themselves count - that is why we won the game."
On the psychological benefits of beating Aston Villa: "The two previous performances [against Aston Villa], on paper, you have to win comfortably. But we didn't, so there was something missing. Today, we did it - with a bit of luck and individual performances, we managed to win the game."
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: What Raya saidpublished at 20:09 24 August
20:09 24 August
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has been speaking to Sky Sports following the win: "Everyone is a hero because we work together. It is not just me saving the ball. It was a crucial moment in the game where it was 0-0, they had chances, and I was there to save Ollie's [Watkins] header.
"I think from what I remember it was a shot from outside the box. I'm on the floor so I try to get up and I can't reach it. I just see Ollie going in there so I react as quickly as possible, I put my hand there and there is no one there to get the ball.
"It is just a repetition of things. You do drills and you have to save one ball and get up to save another. This time it paid off. This is a reaction one, I don't think it is my best save.
"I just try to help the team as much as possible to win games."
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: Did you know?published at 19:39 24 August
19:39 24 August
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal have won their first two games in a top-flight campaign without conceding for the third time in their history, previously doing so in 1924-25 and 1971-72.
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal: Send your thoughtspublished at 19:36 24 August
Villa and Arsenal looking to make a statementpublished at 12:03 24 August
12:03 24 August
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa and Arsenal will both be looking to put down early markers in Saturday evening's meeting of the Premier League heavyweights at Villa Park.
Villa, who made a fine start with an opening weekend win at West Ham United, will want to prove they have the quality to challenge the elite on home turf as they did last season, when manager Unai Emery led a remarkable return to the Champions League.
As for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, the sight of Villa will bring back painful memories as well as a reminder that little short of perfection will be required to bridge the gap from second place to title winners in pursuit of Manchester City.
Villa took six points off Arsenal last season, their 2-0 win at Emirates Stadium in mid-April proving to be the turning point in the title race, effectively handing City control at the top of the table as they went on to secure a fourth successive crown by two points.
Arsenal's growing confidence and self-belief that this can finally be their year will increase markedly if they can come away from Villa Park - a formidable environment where Emery’s side also beat Manchester City days before overcoming the Gunners last season - with a win.
As for Villa, if they can overturn Arteta's side once more, it will offer further evidence that last season’s fourth place and break through the Premier League’s glass ceiling may not be a one-off.
Follow Saturday's Premier League fixturespublished at 11:37 24 August
11:37 24 August
There are seven games on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.
Football finance expert Rob Wilson tells The Football News Show why, if permanently introduced, it could make the top Premier League sides less competitive against their European counterparts.
Arteta confirms contract talks and says to 'be prepared' for transfer window published at 18:02 23 August
18:02 23 August
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Mikel Arteta was in a relaxed mood ahead of Arsenal's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Villa beat Arsenal in both of their games last season and those results were a key factor in why Arsenal did not win the Premier League title.
Arteta was complimentary of Villa boss Unai Emery but it was Arteta's own future which was up for discussion.
His contract expires at the end of the season but he confirmed that talks about a new deal will start once the window is closed.
Arteta said he believes that the club has an "unbelievable" future ahead of them.
The transfer window closes next week and Arsenal have been active in it, bringing in Riccardo Calafiori and selling Emile Smith Rowe.
Eddie Nketiah is in talks with Nottingham Forest about moving there, while the club have also agreed a deal in principle with Real Sociedad for midfielder Mikel Merino and Arteta says the club are prepared for a busy end to the window.
"We have to because anything can happen both ways," said the Arsenal boss. "You have to be ready and especially in the last week.
"You have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons and we are prepared."
Arteta on transfers, Timber and Aston Villapublished at 10:43 23 August
10:43 23 August
Marissa Thomas BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (17:30 BST kick-off).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He did not give much away on the potential signing of Mikel Merino and other transfers because "you know that I cannot talk about any player that is not with us".
On striker Eddie Nketiah possibly leaving the club: "I expect Eddie to train with us today, to be prepared for tomorrow and that's it. Whatever happens will happen if it is good for everybody."
Aston Villa were the only team to take six points off Arsenal last season and when asked why, Arteta said: "They scored and we didn't, very simple. In two games even though we had an enormous amount of chances to do that and that was one of the big differences."
Arteta added: "They are a really good side, really well coached. They dominate every aspect of the game, you give them space to run and they are phenomenal when they have no space and they have to find space. They are able to do that. Any set-pieces, they are at it."
Arteta spoke about Jurrien Timber's positioning and how "he can play in [midfield], he can play in various positions and his versatility is one of his greatest strengths". He added: "Obviously we missed him for 11 months, it's great to have him back and played some quality minutes. Having that capacity in the squad to turn things around and find other things that the team need in the moment is something very valuable."
On Declan Rice: "I think we will see him as a number six and as an eight and at his age it would be a mistake not to do that. Within the game he will have a different role in relation to the different opponent and what they do. Last year he showed that he has the ability to shift from one game to the other, sometimes in the same game and to have players like that with the shorter squad that we have is really important.”
Bukayo Saka is one Premier League win away from 100 at the age of 22 and Arteta said: "When you look at those numbers at his age, it is very, very special, especially in the position that he plays. A rare thing to see and big credit to him."
On last season's away form: "We have done it, now we have to show it again. We have to go there [Villa Park] with that belief, being very clear in what we want to do and what we have to do to earn the right to win the game and we will try to do that again."