7am Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gabriel medical COMPLETE, Soumare wanted, Coutinho wants Prem move, Saliba debut – The Sun
GABRIEL MAGALHAES is in London to finalise his transfer to Arsenal, according to reports.
And the Gunners are also reported to have taken a keen interest in his Lille team-mate Boubakary Soumare.
Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…
MORNING ARSENAL FANS
The Gunners won the FA Cup 24 days ago – but were already back in action last night.
Mikel Arteta took his players up the M1 to Milton Keynes, and amid the youngsters on show were some of his biggest names.
Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took part, despite having not yet put pen to paper on a new deal.
But it was forgotten man Mohamed Elneny that opened the scoring, latching onto a mistake to belt the ball home from range.
Eddie Nketiah then swept home a Bukayo Saka cut-back to make it two – before a comical Rob Holding own goal gave MK hope.
But this was then dashed in the second-half by more academy graduates, as Mark McGuiness and Reiss Nelson capped off the 4-1 win.
And after coming through unscathed on his return, Bernd Leno could now be in line to return to competitive action in Saturday’s Community Shield against Liverpool, having missed the end of last season through injury.
Fans were also treated to a first glimpse of William Saliba in red, as he donned the Arsenal shirt from the start at Stadium:MK.
Meanwhile, new signing Jonathan Dinzeyi revealed that he is a boyhood Gunner, despite having come through the system of local rivals Spurs.
He said: “It's a great feeling (to become an Arsenal player).
“Arsenal is a massive club and they were actually the first club I supported as a child.
“They have a great history and with the new manager coming in who likes to play a lot of young players.
“I think it's a great opportunity for me to show the fans and the coaching staff what I'm about. I'm really excited to get started now.”
ICYMI – GUNNER BE FUN
Jonathan Dinzeyi has revealed he has ALWAYS been a Gooner, even when coming through the ranks with rivals Tottenham.
After signing on a free, he told Arsenal.com: “It's a great feeling (to become an Arsenal player).
“Arsenal is a massive club and they were actually the first club I supported as a child.
“They have a great history and with the new manager coming in who likes to play a lot of young players.
“I think it's a great opportunity for me to show the fans and the coaching staff what I'm about. I'm really excited to get started now.”
NEW BOU
Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing Lille midfielder Boubacary Soumare, according to reports.
Both are hoping to bolster their squads in the coming weeks, with the Gunners already set to raid Lille for Gabriel Magalhaes.
And according to Foot Mercato, the Premier League pair will duke it out for the signature of Soumare, 21.
SAL MAN
Arsenal fans were treated to a first glimpse of William Saliba in action as the Frenchman started their 4-1 victory over MK Dons.
The Frenchman started at the heart of defence alongside Rob Holding, and had Gunners fans purring already.
LEN-DING A HAND
Gunners fans will be delighted to see Bernd Leno back in action!
The fit-again German stopper pulledthe gloves on for today's 4-1 friendly victory over MK Dons.
FULL TIME: MK DONS 1 ARSENAL 4
That'll do it from Stadium:MK!
A useful exercise for Mikel Arteta and Co comes to an end with a resounding Gunners victory.
Forgotten man Mohamed Elneny got them off to a flyer from range, before Eddie Nketiah swept home to make it 2-0.
Rob Holding's comical own goal gave the Dons cause for optimism before the break – but goals by academy products Mark McGuiness and Reiss Nelson out paid to any hopes of a comeback for the home side.
MK DONS 1 ARSENAL 4
85' Reiss Nelson makes it four from the penalty spot for the Gunners and that should be the result secured for his Mikel Arteta's side.
MK DONS 1 ARSENAL 3
76' Arsenal have extended their lead!
Teenager Mark McGuiness is on hand to nod home a corner to put the Gunners into a commanding lead.
HALF TIME: MK DONS 1 ARSENAL 2
The Gunners lead at half time thanks to goals from Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah at Stadium: MK.
Rob Holding's own goal has given them a bit of work to do in the second 45, however, after he bulleted a header past the returning Bernd Leno.
Mikel Arteta is likely to make wholesale changes.
MK DONS 1 ARSENAL 2
32' MK Dons have scored!
Rob Holding bullets a header past his own goalkeeper and suddenly Milton Keynes are back in the game.
FOR GOODNESS SAK
30' Bukayo Saka is moving gingerly after taking a heavy challenge at Stadium: MK.
He should be okay, however, and appears to be carrying on.
MK DONS 0 ARSENAL 2
10' It's another for the Gunners!
Eddie Nketiah is on hand to tuck the ball home after a nice pull-back by Bukayo Saka.
Could be any number, this!
MK DONS 0 ARSENAL 1
5' Forgotten man Mohamed Elneny is on the scoresheet early!
The Egyptian pounced on a poor pass to net from at least 40 yards with the goalkeeper helpless!
Great start for the Gunners.
KICK-OFF!
The Gunners are underway at Stadium: MK!
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/129830465929212723
WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DON
The stage is set, Stadium: MK is ready – kick off is approaching in Arsenal's first match of 2020-21!
TEAM NEWS
Mikel Arteta's starting XI for this evening's clash with MK Dons has finally been released!
The headline news is the inclusion of skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang amid his contract talk.
Elsewhere Bernd Leno returns from injury, while forgotten man Mohamed Elneny is in from the start – and new-boy William Saliba appears in Arsenal colours for the first time.
ARSENAL XI
There's still no word on the Gunners' starting XI for this evening's clash with MK Dons.
We'll have you covered as soon as it drops.
MK TODAY
MK Dons are looking forward to this evening's match!
Here is the XI that the Gunners will face in their first pre-season match of the 2020-21 campaign.
ROWE BACK
AS Monaco have been rebuffed in a bid for Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe, according to reports.
The attacking midfielder spent time on loan at Huddersfield last year before a fresh crack at the Gunners' first-team.
Mikel Arteta began to cast his eye over Smith Rowe when pre-season training began on Monday.
The Mail report on Monaco's early approach being rejected with Arsenal rating the 20-year-old at between £10million and £15m.
Leeds and Fulham are also named as interested parties in a loan deal for Smith Rowe.
While his hometown club Crystal Palace have made their interest in a permanent deal known.
NICE LITTLE EARNER
Here are how Premier League stars' salaries stack up per minute played at the 'Big Six' clubs.
GUNNER BE FUN
Jonathan Dinzeyi has revealed he has ALWAYS been a Gooner, even when coming through the ranks with rivals Tottenham.
After signing on a free, he told Arsenal.com: “It's a great feeling (to become an Arsenal player).
“Arsenal is a massive club and they were actually the first club I supported as a child.
“They have a great history and with the new manager coming in who likes to play a lot of young players.
“I think it's a great opportunity for me to show the fans and the coaching staff what I'm about. I'm really excited to get started now.”
TUTU'S A TAFFY
Cardiff have signed Jordi Osei-Tutu on loan for the season from Arsenal.
The right-winger, 21, will get game-time under Neil Harris after spending last season on loan at Bundesliga 2 side VFL Bochum.
The Ghanian-Englishman said: “I thank the manager for having the belief to bring me to such a wonderful club.
“I like to get up and down the pitch, attack and defend. I can't wait to get started.”
ENGLAND SQUAD
Arsenal have no representation in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Who's going to play left back, Surely Saka should be there?
HOMESICK
Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac has his heart set on a return to his former club Schalke, according to reports.
The 27-year-old hasn't exactly settled into like in London, and even experienced some of the darker sides to living in the capital when he and his pal Mesut Ozil were attacked by knife-wielding thugs.
Kolasinac fought off the attackers with his bare hands before fleeing and finding refuge in a Turkish restaurant.
Due to “private reasons” the Arsenal man wants a move back to Germany, but the two clubs will have to work a deal out due to his wages being too high for the German club to pay.
RELEGATION STRUGGLERS
Arsenal fans responded to a tweet claiming that the signing of Gabriel might just help them avoid relegation.
The Arsenal faithful didn't find the joke funny in the slightest.
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