On Saturday afternoon’s evidence, Arsenal will enjoy a solid Premier League campaign under Mikel Arteta.
The Community Shield winners defeated Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Emirates, with Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka finding the net. Taiwo Awoniyi pulled a goal back late on, but Arsenal held on to secure their first Premier League win of the campaign.
Summer signings Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber all started for the Gunners, although the latter suffered a worrying injury. The trio could be joined by a fourth new player in the coming days, with David Raya close to joining from Brentford.
Tottenham after Balogun
Tottenham are considering a sensational move for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport. Spurs are on the hunt for a striker after selling England captain Harry Kane to Bayern Munich for an initial €100million (£86.2m).
It’s claimed Tottenham are interested in Balogun. The United States international, 22, is currently behind Havertz, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus in the pecking order at the Emirates (although the latter is nursing a knee injury).
Arsenal reportedly want €55m (£47.4m) for Balogun, who scored 22 goals during a loan spell with Reims last season. The Gunners are reluctant to let him leave on loan again because he only has two years remaining on his existing contract.
Now is probably the best time for Arsenal to sell Balogun if they want to cash in on the prolific striker, but it’s unclear whether they would be willing to sell him to their fiercest rivals. Balogun was not part of Arsenal’s 20-man squad for the Forest game.
Ex-Arsenal star joining Ajax
Former Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom is on the verge of joining Ajax, according to The Athletic. It’s believed the Dutch giants have agreed a €14m (£12.1m) deal with the 27-year-old’s current club, Middlesbrough, with the player signing a five-year contract.
Akpom, 27, spent 16 years at Arsenal and made 12 appearances for the first team – winning two FA Cups – before joining Greek side PAOK in August 2018. He enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Middlesbrough last season, scoring 29 goals.
Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a three-year contract with Turkish side Besiktas. The England international, 29, was a free agent after his six-year spell with Liverpool came to an end earlier this summer.
Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal from Southampton 12 years ago and spent six years at the Emirates, where he won three FA Cups and three Community Shields. He played 198 times for the Gunners before joining Liverpool in a £35m deal in August 2017.
