Here are the Arsenal morning headlines for Thursday, August 27.
Edu key to Gabriel transfer
Arsenal look set to complete their second transfer of the summer this week with the capture of the highly-rated Gabriel Magalhaes.
The 22-year-old centre-back should shortly put pen to paper to complete a move from Lille. Yet according to Duncan Castles, the fee Arsenal have agreed - £22million rising to £27m with add-ons – is not the biggest offer the French club received.
Castles claimed the Gunners’ technical director Edu was key to Arsenal’s bid being accepted, as he explained on the Transfer Window podcast.
"I'm told that part of the factor in that going through at less money for Arsenal than Napoli were prepared to pay on Monday was because Edu had done such a good job in convincing Gabriel that Arsenal was a better destination for him to move to,” he said.
Ian Wright hits back at trolls
Sky Sports have taken the decision to change the panel for their popular Soccer Saturday show, but it has not gone down well with everyone.
Veteran pundits Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson will not be returning to the programme for the 2020/21 season. This led to some on social media to make it a racial issue by bringing the likes of Micah Richards and Alex Scott – who could be potential replacements on the show – into the debate.
This did not sit well with Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who posted a video on his Twitter account.
"Why are people upset? Alex Scott, for me, is easily one of the best-prepared pundits out there,” he said. "Micah Richards is one of the most exciting pundits to hit the scene in years. Keep their names out of your stinking, unbrushed mouths, unbrushed teeth mouths.”
Kolasinac off to Italy?
While Mikel Arteta will be looking to bring in players who suit his vision for his Arsenal team, this inevitably means that some of the existing squad will be moving on.
One player who could be heading for an Emirates Stadium exit is Sead Kolasinac. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 27-year-old is of interest to Roma.
Arsenal’s number 31 made 26 Premier League appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring no goals but providing two assists.
