Here are the Arsenal evening headlines on Wednesday, June 24.
Gunners could miss out on Silva deal
Arsenal reportedly could miss out on signing Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva, with Fiorentina expressing an interest in the 35-year-old.
Silva is set to leave PSG at the end of June, with his contract at the Ligue 1 champions expiring, and could make a return to Serie A.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Brazilian centre-back, but Fiorentina’s general director Joe Barone reportedly wants to bring him back to the Italian top-flight.
Arsenal’s defensive woes have been highlighted in the last two games after losing both matches since returning to Premier League action.
Edu breaks silence over new deals
Arsenal have now completed four new deals for current players, and technical director Edu has explained the club's decision.
David Luiz has signed a new one-year deal at the Emirates Stadium, with Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares both completing permanent switches, as well as an extension to Dani Ceballos’ loan deal.
“I am really happy that we will have these players in our squad for the future. They have been part of the long-term technical plan Mikel and I have developed. They bring the right balance to our squad,” Edu said to the club’s website.
“David (Luiz) is a really important player for us. He has played most of our matches this season and has been important for the team. His passing, communication with the team on and off the pitch. He helps everyone.”
Wonderkid trains with first-team
Young goalkeeper James Hillson was handed the opportunity to train with the Arsenal first-team on Wednesday, following Bernd Leno’s season-ending injury.
Leno was stretchered off during Saturday’s defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, and will be out for four to six weeks with minor ligament damage.
Emiliano Martinez came on in the German’s place at the Amex Stadium and the Gunners have now given Hillson the chance to train with the first-team and he could be on the bench for the trip to Southampton on Thursday.
Arsenal uploaded an “Inside Training” video to their official website, and Hillson can be caught on camera being beaten by an Alexandre Lacazette strike, around 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the video.
