Less encouraging was David Horseman's first game in charge of the under-21s, who lost 5-1 away at Barnet, as detailed in Arsenal.com's report and highlights package. On the injury and form front, the BBC continues to explore whether a refreshed Martin Ødegaard could function like a new signing after a frustrating title-winning campaign, while the New York Times raises the prospect that Gabriel Martinelli, popular but increasingly surplus to requirements, may be sold as Arsenal look to upgrade further up the pecking order. Elsewhere, gossip columns continue to link Julián Álvarez with a move away from Atlético, with Arsenal mentioned as one suitor, though nothing is confirmed. Off the pitch, the club have extended their partnership with Cadbury and confirmed updated squad numbers and ticketing arrangements for the season ahead.

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Off the pitch, the club have confirmed David Horseman as the new under-21s head coach, replacing Max Porter; Horseman spent last season overseeing the under-19s in the Youth League and says he is excited to get started, with his first game away at Barnet. Winger Ismeal Kabia has joined St Mirren on loan, having already featured for his new club. The Premier League has rearranged three October fixtures for TV, with the Leeds home game and trips to Nottingham Forest and Liverpool all given new kick-off times. Arsenal have also extended their partnership with Google Pixel.

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Arteta called the performance a marker of Arsenal's "level of desire" for the season ahead, while Ødegaard, named man of the match, said the squad are hungry for more silverware as they chase back-to-back titles for the first time since the Wenger era. Coverage across the Guardian, BBC and New York Times was near-unanimous in framing Arsenal as champions elect once again, though the Athletic's writers and others noted defensive cover remains a live question even as the attack looks well stocked. Next up: the Premier League proper.

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Beyond the build-up, the Guardian's club-by-club season preview strikes a notably upbeat tone, noting Arsenal go into the campaign having "finally got the title monkey off our back" and with much of the rest of the division in flux. The piece frames Arteta's task as sustaining last season's intensity to mount a credible defence of the title, echoing the wider consensus already reported this week that Arsenal enter the new season as favourites.

With the transfer window still open, further squad business is expected to rumble on in the background before Sunday's match, though nothing concrete emerged in today's coverage beyond the Cardiff staging and the season preview.

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Squad news dominates the build-up too: Arteta gave a fitness update on Rice, Saka, Saliba and Timber and confirmed a "triple boost" for Cardiff, while admitting Ethan Nwaneri's future is uncertain, saying "certain players have to move." The New York Times reports Gabriel Martinelli has no interest in a Galatasaray move despite the Turkish club's €45m offer. In the market, Arsenal have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over Jarell Quansah, who could cost upwards of €50m, while interest in Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa persists. The Standard also reports Barcelona have added a Viktor Gyokeres replacement to their shortlist, seen as a boost for Arsenal's pursuit of Julian Alvarez, though nothing is confirmed.

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On the pitch, Arsenal Women were beaten 3-2 by AC Milan, with a full report and gallery on the club's own channels. The men's under-18s and Premier League 2 sides both begin their new seasons shortly, while Marli Salmon's promising pre-season continues to draw attention ahead of Sunday's Community Shield.

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Transfer business remains unsettled. Arteta admitted post-match that Arsenal are still working the market but conceded there is only a small pool of players capable of improving the squad, and that landing targets before deadline day is not guaranteed. Sky Sports News and the BBC both report renewed talks over Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa as Arsenal's preferred defensive option, while Tottenham are reported by the New York Times to have agreed a €40m deal with Atletico Madrid for Cristian Romero, taking him out of contention elsewhere. The New York Times also reports Galatasaray have made a €45m offer for Gabriel Martinelli, which Arsenal are said to be open to considering. Lewis-Skelly's situation continues to draw coverage from the BBC, NYT and Evening Standard, though his display against Como was widely read as a message he intends to fight for his place.

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Elsewhere in the market, Arsenal remain linked with Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, who was left out of Villa's squad for their PSG clash, while the Evening Standard reports Arsenal have been handed a "clear run" at PSG's Bradley Barcola after Liverpool were said to be ready to abandon talks. Reiss Nelson continues to be linked with a West Ham move. The New York Times notes Arsenal's Guimaraes deal has pushed "Big Six" spending on Premier League rivals' players past £1.2bn this window.

On the pitch, Arsenal host Como at the Emirates in their final pre-season friendly, while the women's squad continue their La Manga training camp.

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In the transfer market more broadly, Bruno Guimaraes' £75m arrival is set to be followed swiftly by a debut, according to the Evening Standard, while Arsenal are reported to be in talks with West Ham over Reiss Nelson, one of several players the club is said to want to move on. Julian Alvarez, who has requested to leave Atletico Madrid, has also been linked, though nothing is confirmed. Elsewhere, Arsenal missed out on Vinicius Jr, per the BBC.

On the women's side, Jenna Nighswonger has completed a move to NWSL club Bay FC for a fee of around £150,000, per ESPN, after struggling for minutes since joining last year. Arsenal Women, meanwhile, opened pre-season with a 2-1 friendly win over Crystal Palace, Lisa Baum and Chloe Kelly scoring, before travelling to La Manga for a training camp.

Sources

• Who could Arsenal sign after missing out on Vinicius Jr? — BBC News
• Jenna Nighswonger signs for Bay FC — Arseblog News
• Arsenal step up push for defensive cover with Timber and Saliba sidelined — The Guardian
• The Transfer DealSheet: Latest on Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and more — New York Times
• 'I have big plans': Mikel Arteta transfer target issues update with Arsenal in 'pole position' for £85m deal — London Evening Standard
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• Arsenal Women ramp up pre-season preparations — Arseblog News
• Chilean great Alexis Sánchez signs with CF Montréal, continues career in MLS: Sources — New York Times
• Arsenal handed fresh Julian Alvarez update after transfer request — London Evening Standard
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Elsewhere, the Guardian's Premier League preview installs Arsenal as writers' pick to finish first again, with many rivals having changed managers over the summer. The New York Times has profiled new arrival Bruno Guimaraes, who has joined for a reported £75m fee.

On the transfer front, the Evening Standard reports Viktor Gyokeres has addressed his situation at the club amid speculation linking Arsenal with Julian Alvarez, though nothing concrete is confirmed. Sky Sports News, citing Monday's newspapers, adds that Arsenal are said to be among clubs, alongside Manchester United, interested in Club Brugge full-back Seys — a rumour to be treated cautiously until firmer reporting emerges.

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• Arteta: Timber still weeks away, Saliba in “rest mode” — Arseblog News
• Premier League 2026-27 preview No 1: Arsenal — The Guardian
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• Arsenal: Viktor Gyokeres reveals major difference amid new Julian Alvarez transfer update — London Evening Standard
• Papers: Man Utd and Arsenal chase Club Brugge full-back Seys — Sky Sports News