Arsenal

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Arsenal have made a pre-contract offer to sign Georgia Under-21 international Andria Bartishvili - who has been compared with compatriot and Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The Gunners have accelerated their interest in the 17-year-old attacker with a view to him arriving in London towards the end of the year when his contract with parent club FC Kolkheti expires.

According to sources close to the player, Bartishvili, who is currently on loan at Iberia 1999, is believed to have other options and is still to decide on his next move.

Liverpool and Juventus are among the clubs credited with an interest in Bartishvili.

The Gunners' move for Bartishvili has been led by sporting director Andrea Berta's assistant Maurizio Micheli, who is credited with unearthing Kvaratskhelia during his time with Napoli, where he was chief scout.

The youngster has been likened to Kvaratskhelia in Georgia given their similar attacking attributes.

Bartishvili would require the necessary international clearance to complete a move to Arsenal or any other Premier League club.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Mikel Arteta has said that Myles Lewis-Skelly will 100% be an Arsenal player once the transfer window closes.

Lewis-Skelly's future has been the subject of much debate, with reported interest from clubs in the Premier League.

Arsenal are also trying to maintain their self-sustainable model and have been looking to raise funds through player sales.

However, when asked whether Lewis-Skelly will be at the club after the deadline on 1 September, Arteta's answer was: "100%."

The Gunners boss was then asked about the importance of players from the academy succeeding at the club because of their bond with supporters.

"Certainly. The players that have been raised in our system - and they feel generally that love and that connection with the club - bring something else," Arteta said. "There's no question about that.

"We need to look after them in a really special way because they bring value that is very difficult to find.

"That's why, when we can, we want to protect those assets as much as possible, develop them and make them extremely important for the club."

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League opener against newly promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Forward Bukayo Saka and midfielder Declan Rice are "ready to be involved" but defender Jurrien Timber has not trained with the squad. Arteta said the Dutchman may be ready "in the next few weeks".

• Arteta said "let's see how it is" when asked about Bruno Guimaraes' injury. He added that the summer signing brings "new energy" but also competition for team-mates to prove themselves.

• Myles Lewis-Skelly will "100%" remain an Arsenal player at the end of the transfer window. Arteta added that academy players that "feel the love and connection with the club bring something else".

• Arteta said he feels he does not have a target on his back because "we start from scratch and we're going to have to prove we have the level to go back to that position again". He added: "If you give me the choice, I want to be first, I want to be hunted and I want to be in control of our future rather than depending on somebody else."

• On how hard it will be to defend their title: "We will find out. We haven't done it before so I can't really tell you. The desire and ambition is to be better than what we were last season, a month ago or last week when we played Manchester City. We have the ability to improve, to evolve. That is what I sense and feel around the club - and especially around the players."

• Arteta said it is "really tough" to have discussions with players about leaving the club, adding: "We need to face that reality, but I think you need to face it with real honesty and transparency because when you are on the other side, that is exactly what you need."

• On coming up against Coventry boss Frank Lampard: "What a player he was. He was one of my favourite midfielders by far. Why? He could produce - he could do absolutely everything." He added that what has made both managers so successful in the past 12 months is that they "share the passion and love for the game".

• On the Sky Blues: "What they've done as a club is remarkable. What Frank has done is incredible. After so many years without being in the Premier League, they earned the right to do that and they've earned it in a really special way. Not only that, they absolutely deserve to be where they are. I love the way they play and the courage that they show in every game."

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Some of you have been sending in questions on Arsenal, with Junaied asking me if it is a wise move for Ezri Konsa and whether he will play enough under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal are planning to compete in multiple competitions this coming season and will need to utilise their squad.

They played 63 games in total last season as they won the Premier League and lost in the Champions League final.

Injuries also plagued them last season so the Gunners are using this campaign, after their title win, to kick on and bring in quality players that can challenge the first team.

Yes, Konsa will find regular game time hard when Saliba and Timber are fit but he could also push to start if one of those two players suffer a drop in form.

Arsenal are doing the same in midfield with the signing of Bruno Guimaraes. His arrival means that one of Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly or Mikel Merino will always have to start on the bench as the first choice three will likely be Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Guimaraes.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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There is a bit of movement within the academy ranks at Manchester United, with a number of their older players set for moves to rival clubs.

Winger James Scanlon and full-back Habeeb Ogunneye, who spent time on loan in League Two with Swindon and Newport respectively last season, are both in talks with Arsenal.

Although the pair only made a handful of appearances in senior football, it is felt, at 19 and 20, they have further development in them.

Neither were involved in United's pre-season campaign under Michael Carrick, even though 15 academy players were picked in the 25-man squad for the opening game against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July.

Ogunneye started for United's Under-21 side in a pre-season match against Altrincham on 31 July. Scanlon, who has 24 caps for Gibraltar and featured in the Premier League 2 play-off final defeat at Brighton in May, missed the game with a minor injury.

It is understood other players with significant experience at Under-21 level, who have also had periods away from United on loan, could move before the transfer deadline on 1 September.

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We asked for your views on Ezri Konsa potentially joining Arsenal from Aston Villa after a fee of more than £50m was agreed between the clubs.

Here are some of your comments:

Will: It could be good business. I have qualms about the price tag for a player who is only coming in as a Saliba and Timber back-up. We will just have to wait and see. But what I think is more important to the club is signing a world-class attacker, whether that is a left-winger or a striker.

Mike: Ezri Konsa is a good player who will improve at Arsenal, covering a vital area for the Gunners at the moment in view of the fitness doubts around William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Fair price.

Napoleon: The transfer fee is too high. Ezri Konsa is worth between £30-35m.

Izzy: I mean Ezri Konsa is a good defender, but he's not worth £50m. When Saliba's back, he will basically just be a sub. He's a good defender and when Saliba's out, he will be useful alongside Gabriel.

Jonathan: Definitely some good sensible business. It's not going to set imaginations racing, but he's an out-of-the-box signing to fill in for Saliba and a solid rotation option for when he's back. And, like signing Guimaraes from Newcastle, it deprives another rival club of one of their best players!

Sam: I have enjoyed the transfer dealings so far, but I'm really struggling to get behind this one. Ezri Konsa's a decent player, but this deal comes with so many drawbacks. A big fee with no sell-on value, which will no doubt affect any efforts to sign a left-winger. If we were going to sign a right-sided cover, which arguably we could do without, I would prefer us to sign a prospective attacking full-back like Ivan Fresneda to at least give us different options. Still, if he joins, I wish him all the best at the club as none of this is his fault.

Last season: Champions.

This season: Winners.

Having finally crossed the line to their first Premier League title in 22 years, Arsenal are in perfect shape to retain the crown - and I believe they will.

Mikel Arteta's side have quality everywhere and will have the confidence of being champions. Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis showed they are additions of the highest quality as Arsenal dismantled Manchester City in the Community Shield.

The easiest prediction of them all.

• Read more of Phil's predictions

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

However, competition has come at a cost.

One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus is not looking to move to Napoli despite their interest in the Brazil forward. (Mirror), external

Aston Villa are interested in signing Chelsea's English defender Tosin Adarabioyo as a potential replacement for Ezri Konsa following Arsenal's deal for the England international. (Sky Sports), external

Meanwhile, the Gunners are working on deals to sign Gibraltar winger James Scanlon, 19, and English right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, 20, from Manchester United. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Arsenal have agreed a deal worth more than £50m to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

The England international is set to have a medical before completing his move to Emirates Stadium.

BBC Sport revealed last week that Arsenal had reopened talks with Villa over a deal for Konsa but still fell short of reaching an agreement.

The Gunners then appeared to pivot to Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah.

However, Arsenal refocused their efforts on Konsa and have now struck a deal for the player with Villa.

Is this good business?

Get in touch with your views here

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We asked for your views on Arsenal's biggest issue to fix after pre-season and what might happen before the end of the transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Des: Getting rid of Ethan Nwaneri will be a big mistake. Noni Madueke will slowly play himself out of contention unless he realises passing the ball quicker may help the team. Nwaneri could slot in and is a far better player than Madueke. Lewis-Skelly shouldn't be going anywhere either.

Felix: First of all, you have to try to get these players to sign for your club for the price you're willing to pay. Trying to get the most talented players is a tough thing when they already are in a top club. So you try to continue the players of your project. That's the only reason why they could change their mind. Atletico Madrid and Juventus want the same thing as Arsenal, to become a super club for the next 10 years with the strong holders in their teams.

James: Without a new striker, Arsenal will win nothing of consequence.

Reuben: Overall, I don't think any other transfers are necessary because of a lack of depth. In pre-season, Marli Salmon has shown his potential and has become more reliable. He plays centre-back and right-back which are arguably the positions we lack depth in. Cristhian Mosquera can also play right-back as well as centre-back so we are in a good position currently. People will say we needed another attacking midfielder but Martin Odegaard has looked in fine form as proven against Manchester City and in the World Cup.

Makhapila: Keeping Gabriel Martinelli for the whole pre-season while the intention was to sell him in the first place does not make a lot of sense. There is no obvious left winger available unless we overpay for Bradley Barcola. Julian Alvarez seems out of reach. Maybe we keep him and look to upgrade that position in January? Selling now and leaving ourselves without any real pace in attack would certainly not be the smartest move.

Chief Executive Officer Richard Garlick says Arsenal are not actively seeking to sell homegrown talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly or Ethan Nwaneri but that the Premier League champions would "consider" the "right opportunity" for both the players and the club.

Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri - both 19 years old - have been linked with summer moves away, including to rival clubs in the Premier League.

Their 'homegrown' status having progressed through the ranks at Arsenal means any sale would allow the club to book pure profit in its accounts, helping balance the financials in a year when the Premier League moves to a new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rule.

The new rules mean clubs can spend 85% of their revenues on fees, wages and contracts but the number drops to 70% for club's competing in Europe.

Speaking to the BBC's sports editor Dan Roan, Garlick explained his belief that all clubs are now operating a player-trading model in order to balance the books.

"There's been a lot of speculation around players," said Garlick.

"I can't stop other clubs being interested. I think Myles has had a fantastic end to last season and has started this one really well - we're very, very happy with him.

"Ethan has had a great pre-season as well and I think it's just a case of looking at what opportunities there are that will help both of those in terms of their career moving forward. We are not actively looking at selling those homegrown players but if the right opportunity came up - right for them and the club - we'd obviously consider that."

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On Friday, BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel reported Arsenal are prioritising a loan move for Nwaneri rather than a full sale.

Garlick also called for calm around the contract status of manager Mikel Arteta, with the title-winning manager into the final 12 months of his current deal.

"Mikel wants to be at Arsenal, we want Mikel at Arsenal," said Garlick.

"It's only a matter of time before we put that into a new contract. Everyone is very confident and calm. We're just navigating a transfer window and I'm sure Mikel's contract will be resolved very shortly."

BBC Sport's Arsenal reporter Alex Howell joined the latest episode of the BBC's Football Daily podcast to discuss the Gunners' reported transfer targets, including England defenders Ezri Konsa and Jarell Quansah.

"Arsenal have looked at both of those players, they're looking to bring in a defender that can play at centre and right-back and both players fit that profile," said Howell.

"Konsa is more senior, more experienced and he proved that at the World Cup with England, but [there is] a difference in valuation where Arsenal see it. Aston Villa value him closer to the £60m mark, which is a high figure for a 28-year-old.

"The same for Quansah, talks there with his camp rather than club to club at the moment but he's definitely on the list."

What about attacking targets?

Howell contined: "Looking for that player that can level them up, if you're looking for a player that's going to improve the Premier League champions and a side that reached the Champions League final, there's a small group of players that can do that.

"Bradley Barcola is on the list, but again with those players, Arsenal aren't the only interested club. Liverpool are also looking at him. There's been a longstanding interest in Julian Alvarez. I wouldn't rule out a left-winger or a striker, those are both options, but you're looking at a very small group of players that could come in and give Arsenal what they're looking for."