Arsenal

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal returned to Emirates Stadium for the first time since they were crowned Premier League champions but were defeated 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup.

Samuele Inacio opened the scoring with a neat finish before Konstantino Karetsas curled in an excellent second.

Substitute Ethan Nwaneri pulled one back for Arsenal after some good work from Christos Tzolis.

Joane Gadou scored a third for Dortmund following a corner before Viktor Gyokeres scored Arsenal's second from the penalty spot after Tzolis was fouled.

Before the match, both teams had agreed to practice penalties after the match regardless of the result. Arsenal won the shootout with Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri all scoring.

Alex Howell
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There's been a bit of a buzz on the touchline for a while before the players took to the pitch for this afternoon's pre-season friendly against Borrussia Dortmund and that is because new signing Bruno Guimaraes has just been unveiled.

He gets a huge reception from the fans inside the stadium and waves to the crowd.

The midfielder is not involved today but Arsenal have another game at the Emirates against Como on Wednesday.

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Did you know? According to Opta, Bruno Guimaraes has won more duels (1,030) and fouls (410) than any other player in the Premier League since making his debut in February 2022, while the only central midfielder to cover more distance than him (1,641km) is Declan Rice (1,703km).

On joining the club, Guimaraes was asked about his battled with the Gunners and said: "Very good, very good. [Declan] Rice sent me a message: 'Come here and please no more fights, now we're friends.' I was happy he messaged me, but the midfield we have here, in my point of view, is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is an amazing player, I'm so excited to start chatting and play, and know the players very, very well, but we have an amazing midfield."

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Bruno Guimaraes will allow Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to "further develop our playing style", says the club's sporting director, Andrea Berta.

Guimaraes, 28, has completed his £75m move from Newcastle and says he will be a "warrior" for Gunners fans.

He explained: "The message for me is thank you for everything you have done. All the messages you gave me, I'm so excited to join you. I will give you my best, I promise. Like I said, I'm your warrior, I'll never give up. Hopefully we can create many, many good memories together.

"I think, after playing two World Cups, I think I'm at the point of my life, I think I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I'm in the right place to do it. I'm so excited to start. We have tough games to play this season, so the squad is going to be very, very important and I'm hopeful we can achieve our dreams."

Berta believes the deal sees Arsenal "strengthen the heart of our team".

He explained: "As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.

"Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies."

Arsenal fans, you must be elated - how do you see the style of play evolving? And where does this deal take your expectations?

Get in touch with your views here

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We asked you whether Arsenal's hunt for a left winger was used as a catalyst for Vinicius Jr to negotiate a better contract with Real Madrid, plus we wanted your suggestions on who Mikel Arteta should be targeting next.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Joyce: We were definitely used! I said from the beginning that he was trying to get the most money he could from Real Madrid. I'm glad he's not coming. We want players who want to play for the club, not money grabbers! Also, he might have upset the unity in the team.

Mark: No, we weren't used at all. He clearly took a look at Christos Tzolis and decided against having to compete with him for a spot on the left flank. That's got to be the real story.

Alexander: His agents used Arsenal's offer to force Real Madrid to increase their proposal. A part of me is glad we didn't sign him, as it would have disrupted the club's financial harmony. Now I'm hoping we sign Nico Williams or Kenan Yildiz - two very talented young players who could take the starting spot on the wing.

Frieda: We should be going for Bradley Barcola, for sure. Paris St-Germain have already started to build around his exit and he would fit in well at Arsenal.

Sam: It was great to see us willing to play with the big boys but, in this case, we were used. A defining moment for Andrea Berta coming up now - what other ceiling-raiser players can he bring to the carpet, especially now people know what he was willing to pay for Vinicius Jr?

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It has never been a straightforward journey for Myles Lewis-Skelly into the Arsenal first team.

The 19-year-old's development has been rapid since his breakthrough in the 2024-25 season - he took his chance when injury was rife in the Arsenal squad to become one of the best young full-backs in the Premier League.

However, despite such a strong finish to his first campaign, last season was much more of a test for the teenager.

It is important to note that the Gunners are moving closer to completing the signing of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes for a fee which could be up to £80m - an arrival of that quality could put a barrier in front of Lewis-Skelly's route into the first team.

But Lewis-Skelly's talent, ability and history at Arsenal will always have him as a contender for game time, and this season could present him with a clear run at starting for the Gunners in midfield.

The World Cup's late finish and the number of Arsenal players involved in the tournament mean his competitors for a starting place are going to be behind him in match fitness.

Captain Martin Odegaard, England midfielders Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze as well as Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, who won the tournament with Spain, are all yet to join up fully with the Arsenal squad.

Lewis-Skelly has started and impressed in pre-season friendlies against Girona and Real Betis, and the player is focused on working hard for his opportunities for in the upcoming campaign.

Against Betis he was at the base of the Arsenal midfield and looked assured with the responsibility he was given as the deepest-lying midfielder.

He showed his strength in bringing the ball upfield when Arsenal needed someone to progress play up the pitch. He also linked up well with Riccardo Calafiori, while Lewis-Skelly filled in at left-back when the Italian went on one of his adventurous runs forward.

The Community Shield against Manchester City is in just nine days' time and Lewis-Skelly looks as though he is going to have the chance to show why he should have been given the nod in the Arsenal midfield sooner.

• Read more from Alex on Arsenal

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Arsenal expressed interest in Real Madrid left winger Vinicius Jr in recent weeks but Los Blancos have tied him down to a long-term deal.

The 26-year-old had entered the final 12 months of his contract and attracted interest from Arsenal in recent weeks.

Arsenal have identified the Brazilian as their priority left-wing target but will have to shift focus if he stays at Real.

Have Arsenal merely been used for Vinicius Jr to negotiate a better deal with Real Madrid? Who should the Gunners target on the left wing instead?

Get in touch with your views here

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We asked for your views on Bruno Guimaraes potentially partnering Declan Rice in Arsenal's midfield next season, and whether the Brazil international could be the signing that pushes the Gunners into back-to-back title contention.

Here are some of your comments:

Seb: Bruno Guimaraes is a top midfielder and so is Declan Rice. As long as Mikel Arteta gives each of them clear jobs, and they are not trying to play the same role, I think it is perfect. It also offers rest for Rice or Martin Odegaard, if needed.

Philippe: It is incredibly good news. I've loathed playing against him and I can now enjoy being on the other side of things. The only negative is Myles Lewis-Skelly might have fewer minutes as a defensive midfielder.

Larrisa: Unfortunately, my answer is no at the moment. A lack of creativity and goals could cost us the title next season.

Nigel: I said previously that I wasn't overly keen on signing a player who is a magnet for a card, and I stand by that. However, Arteta knows best. I just hope he knows who else we need now that Vinicius Jr has signed a new deal with Real Madrid.

Vince: Guimaraes solidifies this team with proven Premier League class. If Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi etc brought us the league last season with their fresh exuberance, he will add an extra dimension of steadiness. Hopefully it allows Rice to bombard forward more often as well.

Galatasaray have added 25-year-old Arsenal and Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli to their transfer shortlist. (Gianlucadimarzio - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, the Gunners and Manchester United sent scouts to watch 20-year-old striker Kaua Elias score a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly for Shakhtar Donetsk, while AC Milan and Porto are also interested in the Brazilian. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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According to Opta, external, Bruno Guimaraes has won more duels (1,030) and fouls (410) than any other player in the Premier League since making his debut in February 2022, while the only central midfielder to cover more distance than him (1,641km) is Declan Rice (1,703km).

With these two workhorses potentially lining up next to each other for the 2026-27 season, could Guimaraes be the signing that pushes the Gunners towards back-to-back Premier League titles?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Arsenal FC

Arsenal have announced a long-term renewal of their partnership with Emirates.

The agreement means Emirates will continue as the Champion's front-of-shirt, training kit and stadium naming rights partner through to 2033, extending the Premier League's longest-running front-of-shirt partnership.

The Gunners first partnered with Emirates in 2006, spanning the entire Emirates Stadium era.

The next chapter of the partnership will begin this weekend as Arsenal welcome Borussia Dortmund to north London for the Emirates Cup, with a programme of anniversary activity celebrating more than two decades of shared history.

Richard Garlick, Arsenal Chief Executive, said: "Winning the Premier League is an incredibly proud moment in our club's history and one that belongs to everyone connected with Arsenal.

"Emirates has been an integral part of this success - standing alongside us throughout this journey and sharing in the defining moments, challenges and successes that have shaped our club over the past two decades."

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal need to sign players like Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Jr if they "want to be even better than last season".

The Gunners are moving closer to completing a deal for Newcastle captain Guimaraes and have made Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr one of their top targets during this transfer window.

And Calafiori, who was speaking after Arsenal's 3-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Real Betis, says the fact that those players are being linked to the Gunners shows the level the club is operating at.

"We are on that level now," he explained. "We are on top. We want to win the league again, we want to be even better than last season if we can. We need these kind of players I think."

Arsenal are still waiting for the rest of their squad members who featured in the World Cup for England, Spain and Norway to join up with the wider group as those players have had later returns following their involvement in the tournament.

"I think it is going to be a tricky start of the season because of that," Calafiori said.

"Other big teams are going to have this problem. Of course we are still waiting for them, I hope they are going to be in form and ready to help us."

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has written "a message of love and admiration" to departing midfielder Christian Norgaard, who has officially joined Everton on a two-year contract.

The 32-year-old made 20 appearances and lifted the Premier League trophy during his 13-month stint at Emirates Stadium.

Despite only being handed seven appearances during Arsenal's title-winning league campaign, Arteta called Norgaard a player with "unique quality".

"I am very thankful for what he brought to the club and how he helped us to win," Arteta wrote, external. "It is a message of admiration and love.

"I don't think people have seen what he has done behind the scenes. He is a player that has a unique quality to make others better and maintain a culture to the highest standards.

"Then you add in his contribution on the pitch when he has played and had his minutes.

"It was difficult to let him go, but I understand it is a stage in his career where he needs to play and fulfil all of his dreams as well.

"But we are forever thankful to him."