Squad update...

Two weeks until we kick off at home to Wolves. Still a lot of work to do, with 2 home friendlies next week and the need to push forward with transfers both in and out.


DONE DEALS
In:
David Raya - Loan made permanent - €30m
Riccardo Calafiori - €42m from Bologna
Tommy Setford - u18 keeper signed from Ajax
Lucas Nygaard - u21 keeper free agent.

Out:
Emile Smith Rowe - Fulham - £27m + £7m in add-ons
Sambi Lokonga - Loan to Sevilla with option
Nuno Tavares - Loan to Lazio with obligatiom
Arthur Okonkwo, Cedric Soares and Mohammed Elneny left at end of contracts along with a few youth players.


RUMOURS
In:
Mikel Merino still looks the closest to being signed. Now he is back from holiday after the Euro24 success it could move quickly now. Fabian Ruiz is still an alternative but it seems unlikely we would sign both.
Strikers is still a hot topic in the rumour mill, and if we are to be victors we may need a Victor/Viktor. Gyokeres and Osimhen remain the most linked, although nothing concrete on either.
Still expect a 'keeper or two and maybe a couple more outfield players if opportunities arise.

Out:
Eddie Nketiah seems closest to the exit. Marseille are close to an acceptable bid, and it seems as if it is minor details holding this up.
Reiss Nelson is less clear, with a loan/obligation to Leicester seeming unlikely now.
Aaron Ramsdale's potential move should gather pace now his holiday is over. Long term links to Newcastle haven't gone away, while Forest and Southampton have also shown interest. The stumbling point is the fee, with all 3 favouring a loan/option deal.
No news on Kieran Tierney, while Jakub Kiwior to Italy hasn't really progressed. Inter remain linked but others have bought in alternatives.
Youngsters Charlie Patino and Brooke Norton Cuffy should be among the departures but nothing on them.


SQUAD (without expected departures):
Goalkeepers - 1 (1HG)
Raya
Defenders - 7 (2HG, 1CT)
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Timber, Zinchenko, Tomiyasu
Midfield - 7 (3HG, 2CT)
Rice, Jorginho, Partey, Odegaard, Vieira, Trossard, Martinelli, Saka,
Strikers - 2
Jesus, Havertz


17 players, 6 HG (3 club trained, 3 association trained)

Karl Hein (HG and CT) played all 270 minutes in US but is expected to go on loan.
U21s Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis Skelly impressed on tour and could be given minutes this season.

We have room to add 6 non-HG to the squad, and 8 in total - which may include players already here. However, unless Hein stays, the CL squad will be one short (24) due to the lack of club trained players. Arteta likes to keep his squad small so he probably won't fill that anyway.