Here are your Arsenal morning headlines for Sunday, 16 August.
Arteta sanctions Guendouzi exit
Matteo Guendouzi’s Arsenal career appears to be over after Mikel Arteta reportedly gave the green light for his sale this summer.
That is according to Football Insider, via the Express, who say the Frenchman is unlikely to feature for the club again.
Villarreal - now managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery - are said to have made a £30million loan-to-buy offer for the midfielder, who has not featured for the Gunners since June’s loss at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Emery was the man who brought Guendouzi to north London and he could be reunited with him in Spain next term.
Sanllehi impact on Coutinho deal
Head of football Raul Sanllehi has left Arsenal and there are suggestions that his departure could have a profound impact on the club’s pursuit of Philippe Coutinho.
Catalan journalist Francesc Aguilar claims Sanllehi’s exit could negatively affect the chances of a deal, as cited by football.london. That’s because Sanllehi enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Barcelona board.
The Brazilian scored twice and assisted another during a cameo appearance in Friday’s 8-2 win for Bayern Munich over his parent club Barcelona.
Arsenal are said to be leading the race for his signature this summer, with the Blaugrana keen to get him off the books.
Sanllehi statement to fans
Sanllehi has released a statement to Gunners fans following his surprise exit from the club.
The former Barcelona director of football initially joined Arsenal as head of football relations in February 2018, before his promotion later that year after Ivan Gazidis joined AC Milan.
Managing director Vinai Venkatesham will now replace Sanllehi in that role as the club continue to alter their personnel off the pitch.
"I’m proud and pleased with the contribution I’ve made at Arsenal over the past three years, and look forward to enjoying the club’s future success. Arsenal is a true footballing institution," he told Arsenal's official website, via football.london.
"I am proud to have been part of its history and I thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity. Working with Vinai, we have built a top team for the future. Mikel has made an extremely positive impact since his arrival and has formed a strong team with our technical director, Edu.”
