Mikel Arteta Reveals Gabriel Jesus Injury Update: Arsenal Striker Ruled Out of Season Opener

 

Mikel Arteta Provides Injury Update on Gabriel Jesus, Ruling Him Out of Arsenal's Season Opener

Gabriel Jesus, the Brazilian striker, was noticeably absent from Arsenal's squad during their match against Monaco at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Jesus underwent knee surgery, which means he will miss the team's opening game against Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta shared the unfortunate news after Arsenal's victory in the Emirates Cup, stating that Jesus had experienced discomfort in his knee, leading to the necessary procedure. As a result, he will be sidelined for a few weeks.

This setback adds to a series of injury blows Jesus has faced since joining Arsenal from Manchester City last summer. Last season, he missed a total of 15 matches due to another knee problem, limiting his appearances to 33 and scoring 11 goals for the club.

The recent injury to Jesus may prompt Arsenal to consider their frontline options ahead of the upcoming season. Eddie Nketiah, who replaced Jesus in the Monaco match, scored the equalizer from a corner, showcasing his potential as a possible replacement.

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Arsenal and Emirates Extend Sponsorship Deal Until 2028: A Historic 22-Year Partnership

 

Arsenal and Emirates have announced the extension of their shirt sponsorship deal until 2028, marking a historic partnership that began in 2006. This agreement ensures that the UAE airline will remain the club's front-of-shirt sponsor for both men's, women's, and academy team shirts, as well as the stadium, until at least 2028.

Arsenal's chief commercial officer, Juliet Slot, expressed pride in this enduring relationship, emphasizing their shared values and commitment to bringing global communities together. The partnership, now spanning a minimum of 22 years, aims to celebrate more incredible moments with fans worldwide.

Emirates' president, Sir Tim Clark, also spoke about the journey shared with Arsenal, celebrating triumphs and overcoming challenges together. The partnership is built on a vision of excellence and a dedication to enriching the experiences of football fans worldwide.

Arsenal's pre-season will culminate with the Emirates Cup against Monaco before facing Manchester City in the FA Community Shield at Wembley. The Premier League campaign begins on August 12 against Nottingham Forest.

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Arsenal Defender Auston Trusty Completes £5m Move to Sheffield United

 Arsenal defender Auston Trusty has completed a permanent transfer to Sheffield United in a deal worth £5 million ($6.4 million). The 24-year-old, who has represented the USMNT twice, spent the previous season on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship.

Trusty joined Arsenal from Colorado Rapids in January 2022 but continued his loan spell with the U.S. side until July before making a move to St Andrew's. The Gunners collaborated closely with the MLS club, also owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, to identify Trusty's talent before securing his signature last January.

The defender impressed during his time at Birmingham, making 44 appearances in England's second tier and earning the title of the club's Player of the Season before joining Arsenal for pre-season this summer. Although he showcased his skills against Nuremberg and MLS All-Stars, the club believes it is the right time for Trusty to seek new opportunities.

As a left-footed centre-back, Trusty faced competition from Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes and Jakub Kiwior in the pecking order. With this move to Sheffield United, Trusty now has the chance to establish himself in the Premier League after a promising debut season in England.

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Transfer News: Arsenal Eye Brentford's David Raya as Goalkeeper Competition Heats Up

 

Arsenal has expressed their interest in signing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, aiming to compete with Aaron Ramsdale for the No. 1 spot. Talks about the potential transfer are ongoing, with the Gunners weighing their options before formalizing their bid. Arsenal previously attempted to secure Raya's services in the summer of 2020 but faced rejection on several offers.

Brentford values Raya, a Spain international, at £40m, with manager Thomas Frank believing the price is justified when compared to other transfers this summer. The 27-year-old has a year remaining on his contract with Brentford and has expressed his readiness to take the next step in his career.

The pursuit of Raya by Arsenal is partly attributed to their goalkeeping coach, Inaka Cana, who played a significant role in Raya joining Brentford from Blackburn in 2019. Both Cana and Raya were born in Barcelona, and their connection goes back to Raya's youth days at Cornella, a team based in Barca. Raya has spoken highly of Cana's coaching style and influence on his development.

The relationship between Cana and Raya remains strong, even after Cana's move to Arsenal in December 2019. It is believed that Arsenal and Cana see Raya as a fitting addition to Mikel Arteta's team, especially due to his passing ability and comfort with playing out from the back.

Bayern Munich has also shown interest in Raya, but negotiations have not met Brentford's valuation for the player. The German club proposed an initial loan deal, but both Brentford and Raya are not interested in this option, given his remaining contract duration.

Raya's outstanding performance last season stands out, as he was the most frequently used goalkeeper by both his teammates and the opposition. He faced the most shots, made the most saves, claimed the second-most crosses, had more touches, and completed the most passes among all top-flight goalkeepers.

Nottingham Forest is also reportedly in talks to sign Matt Turner, Arsenal's back-up goalkeeper, and Manchester United's Dean Henderson, with discussions centering around a loan with an obligation to buy.

Despite signing a new goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, to compete with Thomas Strakosha, Brentford is willing to retain three top goalkeepers if their valuation of Raya is not met.

As negotiations continue, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are eager to bolster their goalkeeping options, with Raya being a coveted talent in the market.

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Wenger Statue Unveiled

 Arsenal Football Club today announced the unveiling of a statue in honor of our former manager, Arsène Wenger, at Emirates Stadium, celebrating his truly remarkable contributions to our beloved football club.

From October 1996 to May 2018, Arsène led the team to three Premier League titles, including an unbeaten season, as well as seven FA Cup victories and an impressive 20-year run in the UEFA Champions League.

During his remarkable 22-year tenure, Arsène managed an astounding 1,235 matches for our men's first team, guiding us through the most successful period in our history. His visionary approach to the game transformed our identity, earning him the title of creating the 'modern Arsenal.'

In the 1997/98 season, his first full term in charge, Arsène made history by becoming the first non-British manager to win the league title, swiftly followed by leading the team to FA Cup glory.

Under his expert guidance, we secured three league championships, with notable triumphs in 2001/02 and 2003/04 - a season in which Arsène led us to the extraordinary achievement of an entire campaign unbeaten, setting a top-flight record of 49 league matches without defeat. Furthermore, he holds the record for the most FA Cup victories as a manager, having won the competition an impressive seven times (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, and 2017).

Beyond his impact on the field, Arsène played a pivotal role in the design and construction of our London Colney training center, which opened its doors in October 1999. He also contributed significantly to the design elements of our move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium in 2006.

The magnificent bronze statue, created by the acclaimed sculptor Jim Guy, stands 3.5 meters tall and portrays our former French manager triumphantly lifting the Premier League trophy. Positioned outside the North Bank stand, the statue is now accessible for all to admire at Emirates Stadium.

Tim Lewis, our Executive Vice Chair, expressed his delight in recognizing and celebrating Arsène Wenger's exceptional leadership and career at Arsenal Football Club. Arsène's contributions and achievements have solidified his status as the club's greatest manager, having bestowed us with countless trophies, cherished memories, and a transformative legacy that includes an unbeaten season and the move to Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta, our current manager, warmly commended the club's tribute to Arsène, acknowledging his well-deserved recognition that ensures his presence at our club forever. Mikel also expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity to play under Arsène's guidance, being chosen as one of his players and later entrusted as the club's captain.

Arsène Wenger, as our esteemed guest of honor, will grace the Emirates Cup match against AS Monaco on Wednesday, August 2, and take cherished moments to visit his statue in the coming days.

The commemorative statue of Arsène joins five other remarkable figures on the podium around Emirates Stadium: Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Herbert Chapman, Ken Friar, and Thierry Henry. These statues stand as enduring tributes, celebrating the invaluable contributions of these key figures in the rich history of our cherished football club.

The one and only Asene Wenger https://t.co/SodywLMqIl

— GunnersDen (@GunnersD3n) July 28, 2023

Arsene https://t.co/ycOyEHQSSv

— GunnersDen (@GunnersD3n) July 28, 2023

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Arsenal Thrills Fans with Impressive Win Over Barcelona in LA's SoFi Stadium

 

Arsenal treated fans to a sensational pre-season match at LA's SoFi Stadium, with Kai Havertz impressively finding the net to secure a 5-3 victory over Barcelona.

The action-packed encounter on the US West Coast saw Barca take the lead twice before half-time, with Robert Lewandowski scoring the opener from the rebound within the first 10 minutes. However, Bukayo Saka responded soon after with a goal, capitalizing on a heavy touch by Andreas Christensen. Saka later missed an opportunity to put Arsenal in front when his penalty shot went astray. Barcelona made them pay for it as Raphinha's deflected free-kick caught Arsenal's goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale off guard. Nevertheless, just before the break, Havertz leveled the score with a well-timed finish from Martin Odegaard's knock-down.

The goal fest continued after the break, with Leandro Trossard delivering a superbly swept finish into the bottom corner, granting Arsenal the lead for the first time. Barcelona came close to leveling the score again, but Ousmane Dembele's attempt was denied by the foot of Ramsdale's near post. Instead, Trossard scored once more with a powerful first-time finish from Kieran Tierney's deep cross, leaving Barcelona's substitute goalkeeper Inaki Pena unable to prevent the goal.

Barcelona's left-back Alejandro Balde also had his efforts thwarted by the woodwork late in the match. However, the LaLiga champions managed to find a second-half breakthrough through Ferran Torres, the former Manchester City winger, who fired in a goal across Ramsdale.

Not to be outdone, Arsenal concluded the scoring with a spectacular 25-yard strike from Fabio Vieira, adding a fitting finish to the exciting encounter in Los Angeles.

After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Declan Rice, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Folarin Balogun all missed the game due to minor injuries, with Balogun being the subject of interest from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window.

Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona's manager, questioned the unusually high level of intensity displayed by Arsenal during the friendly match, which resulted in three yellow cards being shown – a rarity in pre-season games. In response, Arteta defended his players, stating that the competitive atmosphere was a result of playing in front of 70,000 fans, with elite players eager to win.

Xavi's side played their first pre-season match after a previous game with Juventus was called off due to illness. The encounter between the two former midfield colleagues, Xavi and Arteta, brought about some touchline clashes, with Xavi acknowledging Arsenal's deserved win, attributing the result to their higher intensity compared to his team's defensive lapses.

In summary, Arsenal's impressive display and thrilling victory over Barcelona provided an entertaining show for the 70,000 fans present at LA's SoFi Stadium, despite the match being a pre-season friendly.

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Kieran Tierney's Arsenal Future Remains Positive Amid Transfer Speculation

 

Kieran Tierney, the talented left-back of Arsenal, has recently addressed the speculation surrounding his future with the club. Despite being linked with a potential exit, the 26-year-old Scotland international has asserted that his future largely lies beyond his control and expressed his contentment with the club.

Last season, Tierney experienced a significant reduction in his playing time, starting only six Premier League matches following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko as the preferred left-back. Nonetheless, he made a total of 36 appearances in all competitions, indicating his continued relevance to the squad. Although he mostly came off the bench and started in cup competitions after the arrival of Zinchenko, Tierney remained committed to contributing to the team's success.

With reports linking him to clubs such as Newcastle and his former team Celtic, Tierney has made it clear that he is in no hurry to depart from Arsenal. He understands that at a big club, regular selection for every game cannot be guaranteed, but he remains dedicated to the cause and continues to work hard to improve his game.

In regards to his future, Tierney stated, "It's not really up to me. I'm happy, I'm working hard every day and getting minutes. I'm just trying to do as well as I can." When asked if he had discussed his situation with manager Mikel Arteta, he confirmed that he had not engaged in such conversations.

Acknowledging the realities of being part of a top-tier club, Tierney remarked, "You can't play every single game, every single season, every single year. I don't expect that, and I still made a lot of appearances last year." He emphasized that regardless of his role, he always gives his utmost effort and dedication to the team. Even in matches where he came off the bench, Tierney strived to make a positive impact, whether it was to secure a victory or help the team score crucial goals.

Having signed with Arsenal from Celtic in 2019 for £25m, Tierney's current contract extends until 2026, indicating the club's trust in his abilities and potential. As he looks forward to the future, the full-back remains focused on honing his skills and contributing to Arsenal's success, demonstrating his commitment to the team and the sport.

While the transfer speculation continues, Tierney's dedication to Arsenal remains unwavering. As he strives to secure his place in the squad, fans can expect to witness more impressive performances from this talented footballer in the seasons to come

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Arsenal Suffered a Disappointing 2-0 Pre-Season Defeat Against Manchester United in New Jersey .

Arsenal experienced a disappointing 2-0 pre-season defeat against Manchester United in New Jersey on Saturday night. Despite fielding a strong starting XI, which included all three summer signings, the Gunners were outplayed by a somewhat undermanned Man United team, who capitalized on two critical errors made by Arsenal in the first half.

The match started on a challenging note for Arsenal, as Aaron Ramsdale, the goalkeeper, allowed Bruno Fernandes to score with a long-range effort. Later, a mistimed clearance by Gabriel provided Jadon Sancho with an opportunity to score, and he made no mistake in punishing the Brazilian, securing the second goal for Manchester United.

In the second half, Arsenal had a chance to halve the deficit early on, but Eddie Nketiah missed the target with his effort from a smartly executed free-kick routine. As United fielded a weakened lineup, the Gunners gained more control, but they failed to seriously test United's goalkeeper, Tom Heaton. Manager Mikel Arteta eventually made changes, but Arsenal couldn't mount a late resurgence, and Manchester United cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Here are the player ratings for Arsenal from the match:

Goalkeeper & Defenders:

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 3/10

Jurrien Timber (RB) – 6.5/10

William Saliba (CB) – 6/10

Gabriel (CB) – 4/10

Takehiro Tomiyasu (LB) – 5/10

Midfielders:

Declan Rice (DM) – 4.5/10

Kai Havertz (CM) – 3.5/10

Martin Odegaard (CM) – 4.5/10

Forwards:

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 6/10

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – 4/10

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 4.5/10

Substitutes:

Kieran Tierney – 4.5/10

Thomas Partey – 5/10

Gabriel Jesus – 4.5/10

Ben White – 5/10

Jorginho – 5/10

Fabio Vieira – 5/10

Leandro Trossard – 4.5/10

Emile Smith Rowe – 5/10

In summary, Arsenal's pre-season match in New Jersey was disappointing as they were overwhelmed by Manchester United, resulting in a 2-0 defeat. Despite a strong starting lineup, Arsenal's errors proved costly, and they couldn't stage a comeback against the Red Devils. 

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