Arsenal's transfer activity and preparations for a major London derby are in focus after a busy summer window and ahead of a key Premier League fixture. The Gunners, who sit third in the table with six points from two wins, missed out on some targets while club legend Theo Walcott has voiced a regret about a rival's signing.
Why did Arsenal miss out on two Leicester youngsters?
Arsenal failed to sign Leicester City prospects Jeremy Monga and Louis Page this summer, according to a report from BBC Sport. The Daily Mirror Football states the club's sporting director, Andrea Berta, chose to negotiate through intermediaries rather than dealing directly with Leicester officials, a method he has used before. This lack of direct club contact was cited as a reason the moves did not materialise.
Monga instead joined Manchester City for £12 million before moving on loan to Swansea City. Page remained with Leicester despite late interest from Manchester United. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed overall satisfaction with a window where Arsenal spent close to £200 million, telling reporters he did not dwell on deals that got away. The club's current defensive options are impacted by injuries to Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera, as listed on the club's injuries page.
What does Theo Walcott say about Arsenal's transfer business?
Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott believes his old club made a mistake by not signing Chelsea's Morgan Rogers. Speaking to METRO while selecting a combined XI, Walcott said, "Tzolis, I like him, but it’s Rogers. We should have got him, oh well." Sportskeeda reported that Arsenal were keen on the 24-year-old earlier in the window, but Chelsea secured his signature from Aston Villa for a reported £117 million after the World Cup.
Rogers has started well under Xabi Alonso, contributing a goal and an assist in three appearances. Arsenal, meanwhile, strengthened with signings like Bruno Guimarães and Christos Tzolis but saw other attacking targets like Vinicius Junior stay at their clubs. The Gunners have scored four goals without conceding in their perfect league start, a record you can see in detail on the stats page.
How is Chelsea preparing Reece James for the Arsenal game?
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed he sees captain Reece James's long-term future in central midfield. The Daily Mirror Football reports that Alonso, speaking before Sunday's trip to face Arsenal, praised James's intelligence and comfort in the middle of the park. "He has the capacity to help the team-mates around him and that is very important to me," Alonso said.
This shift comes after Chelsea sold Enzo Fernandez and failed to sign a replacement, leaving them shorter in midfield options. Alonso has used a 3-4-3 formation this season, deploying both James and Malo Gusto in central roles. The tactical adjustment will be tested against an Arsenal defence that has yet to concede this season.
What happened with former Arsenal youth Krystian Bielik?
Former Arsenal academy product Krystian Bielik was involved in a confrontation with a fan during Cardiff City's Championship match at Portsmouth. According to the Daily Mail Sport, Bielik, 28, appeared to grab a young supporter by the throat after the fan threw the ball away from him as he tried to retrieve it.
The incident occurred while Cardiff were losing 2-0. The fan was ejected from Fratton Park, but Bielik avoided any punishment. Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy claimed post-match that Bielik "got slapped in the face" by the fan and praised the referee's handling of the situation, suggesting the FA would review it.
What did Alan Shearer predict for Arsenal's season?
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has backed Arsenal to beat Chelsea in their upcoming clash and to win the Premier League title this season. Speaking to METRO, Shearer highlighted Arsenal's defensive solidity and the potential impact of Bruno Guimarães. "Arsenal don’t give anything away at all defensively," he said.
Shearer predicted a home win for the Gunners, though he acknowledged Chelsea's attacking threat from players like Rogers, Cole Palmer, and João Pedro. He placed Chelsea to finish second or third. Arsenal's next assignment after the derby is an away trip to face Sunderland on September 12, a fixture you can find on the fixtures list.
