Arsenal began their US tour with a penalty shoot-out victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday, but plenty of the talk has surrounded those who weren’t involved.
The game came too early for Riccardo Calafiori, who at the time of writing is on the verge of completing a move from Bologna. Emile Smith Rowe was also absent, with Mikel Arteta admitting things have been happening behind the scenes with the number 10.
Arsenal will welcome some of their Euro 2024 and Copa America players back into the fold in the coming days and weeks, with further matches against Manchester United and Liverpool to follow in the US. Calafiori is expected to be integrated long before the season opener, against Wolves on August 17.
There’s every chance the Italian isn’t Arsenal’s last new addition, though. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around North London.
Smith Rowe deal drawing closer
Arsenal’s decision to leave Emile Smith Rowe out of the squad for the Bournemouth game comes as he nears a Fulham move. The West London side are understood to have agreed a £35million fee, having seen an earlier bid knocked back.
The England international would join former team-mates Willian, Alex Iwobi and Bernd Leno at Craven Cottage. He looks set to become Marco Silva’s first summer signing, with Fulham spending some of the money they received through the sale of Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich.
Arsenal secured a penalty shoot-out win over Bournemouth in Smith Rowe’s absence. Fabio Vieira scored during normal time in a 1-1 draw, and the Gunners won on spot-kicks after it went to sudden death.
Sesko explains Gunners snub
Benjamin Sesko explained he wanted to stay and learn more at RB Leipzig rather than making the immediate jump to Arsenal. The Slovenia striker signed a new long-term contract with the Bundesliga club despite the Gunners appearing to have the upper hand.
Speaking to Nogomania., the 21-year-old said: “I thought it through very well I believe I made the right decision. I wanted to gain more experience, learn more, and not rush things.
“Leipzig is an excellent club that can provide what I need for the next step. Leipzig’s vision is clear; everything is geared towards growth, progress, and high goals. I felt it was right to decide this way.”
Williams team-mate responds to speculation
Nico Williams’ Spain and Athletic Club team-mate Unai Simon says no one at the Bilbao club will tell the winger what to do amid transfer interest. Williams has been linked with an Arsenal move as the Gunners look for attacking reinforcements, but they’re not the only club in the hunt.
“Nico has earned the respect of the Athletic dressing room and the Spanish national team,” Simon said (via Football Espana). “No one is going to say anything to him about the decision he makes, it is impossible, we will be happy with the decision he makes.
“The only advice I can give him is that after everything he has experienced, the year he has had that has been honours, is that he enjoys the holidays with his people and then comes here with his batteries charged.”
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The new shirt has returned the Gunners to their roots placing a stripped-down, elegant-looking canon right over the heart of the new shirt. Shirt manufacturers Adidas have produced a “clean and minimal” and the design “embraces modernity, while honouring Arsenal’s rich heritage.
