• Mikel Arteta is set to renew his contract with Arsenal and spearhead the title defence of The English Champions. The club approached our Basque native earlier this year, and it was agreed Mikel wanted to focus on delivering us major silverware & to earn his position within the home of the champions. Total accountability. My understanding is that Enrique Riquleme explored a secret plot to bring Arteta to Madrid if he had won his presidential election. Mikel is currently on 'holiday', yet actively involved in our transfer operations. While everyone at the club are behaving like it’s a done deal, the club hope to finalise the inner details of the most important contract at the club. Minimum 3 years - the wheels are firmly on. Viva La Mikel. • Andrea Berta's current contract runs until 2028. As I understand it, senior officials from Saudi explored a possibility of luring the Italian to the Middle East, while Bayern also covertly did the same thing. Andrea promised Mikel last summer he would deliver him a squad worthy of major silverware… mission completed, with the UCL now in their sights. Another thing I wanted to mention is Micheli Maurizio, the man responsible for scouting Hamšík, Kvaratskhelia, Kim Min-Jae and now Christos Tzolis. While Arsenal aim to add atleast 2 attackers, do not underestimate the authority and respect this man has within the club and wider football. Two weeks ago, I was speaking to the representatives of a player who told me Micheli was the one holding court without the presence of Berta. This duo act are conducting business seamlessly, as you can see with the revamp of the Arsenal youth set up, for which I am told the club have ring fenced a special transfer budget. • The contract of Declan Rice is also a major focus for Arsenal this summer, with initial talks starting early this year. As I understand it, Declan is very happy at Arsenal despite interest from the likes of Real Madrid and others. Talks are going smoothly and expect this to get done in due course. • Jurrien Timber's contract is very close to completion. Minor details remain. • David Raya has a 1 year optional extension on his current contract, which has 2 years left. All parties are very relaxed about his long term future, as a pay rise was agreed last summer. As for all the rumours circulating, as of today, Arsenal are yet to make direct contact with ANY club for a MIDFIELDER. I am happy to provide a 'state of play' post on the midfielder situation if that would be helpful? HandofArsenal roundtable.io/sports/soccer/…

Nuno Mendes and Gonçalo Ramos both were genuinely stunned that Lewis-Skelly didn’t make the World Cup squad 💔

🚨 @RobDorsettSky: “For Bukayo Saka, this achilles problem he’s been managing, it means he CANNOT start & finish matches right now. We know Declan Rice has been struggling with a back problem, he’s been nursing that with injections.” ❌🦁

Adidas are set to re-release a remake of Arsenal’s iconic 1990-92 home shirt. The collection, expected to launch in early 2027, will also feature a ‘blackout’ version of the legendary design. 🤝 @Footy_Headlines

𝐊𝐀𝐈 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐙 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒 😍🇩🇪 Kai Havertz: 🏟️ 4 World Cup games ⚽ 4 World Cup goals And let's not forget he has also scored in both Champions League finals he has played 😎 𝘽𝙄𝙂 𝙏𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙉𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍.

🚨🚨🎙️| Eberechi Eze on taking World Cup penalties: "I'll take a World Cup penalty for England and I WON’T change my run up."

Maxi Araujo of Sporting is one name I was given as a possible Marc Cucurella replacement a couple weeks back, but there will be other names too. Lewis Hall is who they would really want but I see little chance of that.

🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Real Madrid reach verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea, HERE WE GO! Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho. Details to follow. Cucurella leaves #CFC and joins Madrid after World Cup. ⚪️🇪🇸

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has already made inroads with Ayyoub Bouaddi's representatives...don't be surprised if they motor into pole position swiftly | @RyanTaylorSport mirror.co.uk/sport/football/…

Spurs won’t be back

"I don't know what I'm feeling." Jalen Brunson is in disbelief after leading the Knicks to the mountaintop 👏

DE’AARON FOX