ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has hailed the club-record signing of Declan Rice.
The Spaniard said: "He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now."
Elsewhere, the forgotten trio of Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Cedric Soares have not travelled to the United States for Arsenal's pre-season tour.
Meanwhile, Italian giants Inter Milan want to sign Gunners youngster Folarin Balogun.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates Stadium…
The Wright stuff
Gunners legend Ian Wright reckons Arsenal fans will be "surprised" by what newboy Kai Havertz will bring to the team.
He said on his podcast: "I feel very, very confident about that midfield and what that midfield can produce. Especially with Havertz.
"Havertz in that role, I think we are going to be very surprised by his quality as well. Arsenal fans are going to love him.
"We haven’t seen nothing from him at Chelsea. Yes, he’s scored the winning goal in a Champions League final and stuff like that.
"But he’s not a [number] nine, he’s not a false nine. He’s either a ten drifting in like he did for [Bayer] Leverkusen, scoring lots of goals in his first couple of seasons.
"But I can see him as an eight, arriving in the box when Gabriel Jesus drifts out, leaving those spaces. I cannot help but get excited."
Target speaks
Gremio ace Biletto – who has been linked with a move to Arsenal -has poured cold water on talk of him leaving Brazil.
He said: “It seems that a proposal has arrived, but I have not yet talked to my manager.
“It looks like it came from Monaco, but I haven’t talked to my manager yet. I have a contract here.
“If I had my head out there, I would have fallen out.
"But I’m happy and my head is at Gremio. We are doing a beautiful championship.”
Arteta lauds Rice
Mikel Arteta has hailed the signing the Declan Rice.
The Spaniard said of Arsenal's club-record signing: "We're really happy that Declan is joining us.
"He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now.
"Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.
"Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy.
"The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us."
Exit imminent
Arthur Okonkwo is on the verge of leaving the Emirates, it's been claimed.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper – who spent last season on loan with Strum Graz – is on the radar of several clubs.
And Fabrizio Romano claims the Arsenal brass have opted to allow him to leave North London this summer.
"It has been agreed that talented goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo (21) can leave Arsenal on a permanent deal this summer.
"His contract expires next summer – after Sturm Graz loan last season Okonkwo is now subject of interest from clubs in England and across Europe."
Credit: Getty Edu hails Rice
Former Arsenal midfielder Edu has hailed the signing of Declan Rice and reckons his arrival at the Emirates will take the team to the next level.
The Gunners' sporting director said:"Declan is a player with fantastic ability and a proven record at both club and international levels.
"The process of this transfer has been a big team effort with a clear plan, and we are so happy that Declan is joining us.
"Declan is a high-quality, young international player who will add great strength to our squad, fitting so well into our strategy of competing with young talented players at the centre of our club.
"It's great that Declan will be joining up with Mikel, our coaches and his new teammates in good time ahead of the new season."
Timber confident
Arsenal newboy Jurrien Timber is confident he can adjust to the rigours of the Premier League following his arrival from Ajax.
The Dutch defender said:“I can see a lot of similarities, especially in the way Arsenal and Ajax want to play.
“Of course, this is a bigger league and everything is bigger here, I can see that immediately.
"This is the way they teach you in the youth already, and I'm happy I got to learn that at Ajax.
“I think also that's the reason they bought me and they want me, because they know I can play this style.
"And now it's for me to show everyone and also in the Premier League that I can do the same things.”
Rice recalls Nketiah bust-up
Declan Rice has recalled his on-the-pitch spat with Eddie Nketiah during Arsenal's 2-1 win over West Ham in May 2022.
He told the Gunners' official website: "I played with Eddie from under-nines to under-14s.
"We were both released on the same day and it's crazy where football takes you, your journey.
"He's made it through the ranks at Arsenal, I made it through the ranks at West Ham. Now we get to link back up again.
"I've always loved Eddie, even though we had that little altercation on the pitch before! I’ve always loved him and been close to his family.
" His dad is a top, top guy who used to come on all the tours with us as kids, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Eddie again and of course the other boys."
Credit: The Times Havertz signed slammed
Former Tottenham ace Jamie O'Hara has predicted Gunners newboy Kai Havertz will be a "flop" at Arsenal.
The talkSPORT pundit said: "Kai Havertz? He can’t hit a barn door.
He added: "So Havertz is a centre-mid now? I’m telling you now, Havertz will be a flop at Arsenal.”
Credit: GETTY Title tilt
Arsene Wenger has tipped his old side to win the Premier League following the arrivals on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.
He told Eurosport: "I believe we [Arsenal] will win the championship, it is as simple as that.
"I have less doubts for Arsenal than the cycling today."
Credit: Getty
Bitello claim
Gremio have yet to receive an offer for midfielder Bitello, who is said to be on the radar of Arsenal.
Club president Alberto Guerra said: “There are a lot of people watching Bitello.
"But there is no proposal, even to reassure our fans, at the moment."
Tierney open to Celtic return
Gunners defender Kieran Tierney would be interested in returning to Celtic if the opportunity presented itself, according to former Scotland coach Peter Grant.
During an appearance on The Go Radio Football Show, he said: "I look at Kieran Tierney and I think it will be a football decision and not a financial decision.
"That is the hope that you have. He's the type of player that would want to come back to Celtic."
Lavia latest
Liverpool are in pole position to sign Romeo Lavia, it's been claimed.
The 19-year-old caught the eye of several teams with a string of impressive displays for relegated Southampton.
Arsenal are understood to be admirers of the Belgium international, but The Mirror claim their Prem rivals Liverpool are "leading the race" to sign the £50million-rated midfielder.
Tchouameni blow
Arsenal's reported pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni has suffered a blow as Real Madrid have no intention of selling the Frenchman.
That's according to Fabrizio Romano, who said: “Let me say that, from Real Madrid, the message is very clear – they want to keep the player.
“They trust Tchouameni for the present and future of the club, so it’s not going to be easy to bring Tchouameni to English football.
"At the moment it looks very complicated.
“Also, Carlo Ancelotti was very clear with the player. He told him that he wants Tchouameni to stay at Real Madrid and to be an important player for Real Madrid.
"Let’s see what happens but from Madrid, they still consider Tchouameni a crucial part of their project.”
Credit: Getty Bayern break silence on failed Rice approach
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed his disappointment at being pipped to Declan Rice's signature by Arsenal.
The former Chelsea manager said: "It could have been an interesting addition to have a player with his character in the squad.
"He’s a good player and he went to a good club.
"He has a profile that I don’t think we have in the squad. It could be interesting to have it."
Rice and Havertz the Wright stuff
Ian Wright reckons the additions of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz can help Arsenal go a step further in their bid to win the Premier League title.
During the latest episode of his Wrighty's House podcast, he said:
“I feel very, very confident about that midfield and what that midfield can produce.
“Especially with Havertz. Havertz in that role, I think we are going to be very surprised in his quality as well.
“Arsenal fans are going to love him, we haven’t seen nothing from him at Chelsea. Yes, he’s scored the winning goal in a Champions League final and stuff like that.
“But, he’s not a [number] nine, he’s not a false nine. He’s either a ten drifting in like he did for [Bayer] Leverkusen, scoring lots of goals in his first couple of seasons.
But I can see him as an eight, arriving with Jesus coming out, leaving those spaces. I cannot help but get excited.”
Credit: GETTY
West Ham eye Declan Rice replacement
West Ham are plotting a move for Fulham's Joao Palhinha following Declan Rice's blockbuster move to Arsenal.
That's according to talkSPORT, who claim The Hammers are hoping to lure the Portugal international to the London Stadium in the coming weeks
It's claimed the East Londoners will fork out close to £40million to try and land the defensive midfielder.
- By Kealan Hughes
Balogun heading for transfer exit?
Inter Milan are interested in signing Florian Balogun, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Serie A giants have turned to the youngster after missing out on Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku.
Balogun has hinted at a transfer if he cannot tie down a regular first-team place by refusing to go out on loan once again.
- By Jon Boon
Youngster lined up for Birmingham loan
Arsenal kid Omar Rekik is reportedly set to sign for Birmingham City on loan.
The Tunisian defender is a target for the Blues, claims AfricaFoot – with Valencia also an interested party.
Rekik spent the later part of last season on loan at Wigan, although he couldn't help the club avoid relegation.
Birmingham City proved to be a good club to send Gunners youngsters to after Auston Trusty excelled there last season.
- By Jon Boon
Timber reveals why Gunners bought him
Jurrien Timber has revealed why he believes Arsenal splashed £40million on signing him from Ajax.
He told the club's website: “I can see a lot of similarities, especially in the way Arsenal and Ajax want to play.
“Of course, this is a bigger league and everything is bigger here, I can see that immediately. This is the way they teach you in the youth already, and I'm happy I got to learn that at Ajax.
“I think also that's the reason they bought me and they want me, because they know I can play this style. And now it's for me to show everyone and also in the Premier League that I can do the same things.”
- By Jon Boon
Tierney update
Brendan Rodgers has refused to rule out a move for Arsenal's Kieran Tierney.
“There have been lots of players linked with here with me coming back. All I know is Kieran is like myself – we loved our time here," he said.
When I spoke to him down the road in the Premier League, every time we met up all we talked about was Celtic. He’s a Celtic man but he’s at a fantastic club in Arsenal. You can just never say never in football. Who knows what might happen?
“We wouldn’t be able to buy Kieran for £25m-£30m, that’s for sure, or the figures I see bandied about. I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be able to pay the huge salary he’s on. However, one can never tell.”
- By Jon Boon
No Bitello offer yet
Arsenal were linked with a move for Brazilian midfielder Bitello last week.
However, Gremio club president Alberto Guerra has played down the rumours.
Speaking to Zona Mista, he said: "There are a lot of people watching Bitello, but there is no proposal, even to reassure our fans, at the moment."
- By Jon Boon
Stelling's new gig
Jeff Stelling is reportedly the “frontrunner” to succeed Laura Woods as the new host of talkSPORT’s breakfast show.
Stelling called time on his position as host of Soccer Saturday after 30 years in May.
Reports then emerged suggesting that he had been in talks with Amazon and the BBC over a return to broadcasting.
The 68-year-old has no plans to retire but he has been placed on gardening leave until December.
Stelling did, however, make a one-off Countdown comeback in June as the dictionary corner's special guest while Rachel Riley put on a leggy display for his return.
Now the Daily Mail claims he is “close to agreeing a deal that would take him onto the nation’s airwaves”.
- By Jon Boon
Rice talks Nketiah 'altercation'
Declan Rice is reunited with former Chelsea youth star Eddie Nketiah, with the pair now playing for the Gunners.
However, the England international revealed they had a 'little altercation' on the pitch before, which they have now ironed out.
"I played with Eddie from under-nines to under-14s. We were both released on the same day and it's crazy where football takes you, your journey. He's made it through the ranks at Arsenal, I made it through the ranks at West Ham. Now we get to link back up again.
"I've always loved Eddie, even though we had that little altercation on the pitch before! I’ve always loved him and been close to his family. His dad is a top, top guy who used to come on all the tours with us as kids, so I’m really looking forward to seeing Eddie again and of course the other boys."
- By Jon Boon
Wenger tips Arsenal for title
Arsene Wenger has tipped Arsenal to land the Premier League title next season.
Wenger told Eurosport: "I believe we [Arsenal] will win the championship, it is as simple as that.
"I have less doubts for Arsenal than the cycling today."
Who knew Wenger was a Tour de France fan.
- By Jon Boon
Dean's amazing new job
Mike Dean has landed himself a new job less than 24 hours after his top-level football career finished.
The iconic former Premier League referee has quit football after 28 years in the game.
The 55-year-old is leaving his role as a video assistant referee.
We reported how he had reached an agreement with Howard Webb, the head of the Professional Game Match Officials, to leave his role following a number of VAR controversies last season.
That was after Dean was found to be unsuited to VAR duties.
However, Sky Sports have now announced that he joining the new-look Soccer Saturday show to offer insight from the perspective of the match official.
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