Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners to step up interest in £56m Sesko, Arteta in ‘new contract talks’, Guimaraes latest

Arsenal squad plans

Mikel Arteta wants a squad of 20 outfield players next season, according to The Times.

The Arsenal manager's desired squad size is in addition to goalkeepers.

Younger players are said to be Arteta's preference in the transfer window this summer.

His shopping list includes a defender, central midfielder, forward and right-wing cover for Bukayo Saka.

Aubameyang opens up about mental health struggles

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he suffered from depression before he left Arsenal.

He said: "I'm sure I was depressed. There are attitudes that are seriously different from your daily life.

"For example, I started drinking a lot. It was a difficult passage. It started a little before I was fired from Arsenal.

"So yes, it was depression, I think that personally it was related to the state of health of my parents. It affects a man, it was difficult.

"How to get out? Often we say that we have to talk about it, there's no shame in that."

Arsenal missed out on Man Utd's Martinez

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fought Manchester United for Lisandro Martinez in 2022 when the Argentine defender moved from Ajax to Old Trafford in a £48.5million deal.

What is lesser known is that the Arsenal head coach was also offered him for a tiny fee 12 months earlier but he turned the chance down.

Arsenal's loss has been the gain of the Red Devils as Martinez finally looks to have settled into the demands of the Premier League.

The 26-year-old initially seemed undersized and ill-equipped to deal with the rigours of the most physical league in the world.

But his incredible performance in United's FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City last weekend proved his worth.

Vieira's time up at Arsenal?

Fabio Viera, who turns 24 today, could call time on his spell in North London this summer.

The Portuguese playmaker has struggled for game time this season and, according to Caught Offside, could leave in search of more minutes.

They claim that the 23-year-old is not pushing for an exit and Arsenal are not desperate to get him out of the door, but if a "good proposal" was to come in then the Gunners would be willing to sell.

Arteta's goals for Arsenal

Before he became Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta was a midfielder and captain of the club.

Here is all 16 goals scored by the Spaniard during his five years at the Emirates.

Arsenal's FA Cup triumph... nine years on

Arsenal won the 2015 FA Cup nine years ago today.

The Gunners cantered to the trophy with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Wembley.

Arsenal still open to Partey departure

Thomas Partey is hoping to stay at Arsenal this summer.

However, journalist Charles Watts has claimed that the Gunners are willing to listen to offers for the midfielder.

Partey, 30, is heading into the final year of his contract in North London and it is understood there has been no movement on a contract extension from the club.

Ex-Arsenal man Pepe searching for new club

Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe has voiced his hope for a "new adventure" after being dumped by Turkish also-rans Trabzonspor, writes Steve Goodman.

He declared: "It's the end of this intense season.  Thank you all for your support.

"A special thanks to Trabzonsport [sic] Club for its trust, to its President and Vice President Ibrahim who brought me here.

"A big thank you to the club's sports management, coach Abdullah Avci, the technical and medical staff, and of course my teammates.

"We secured a beautiful third place and reached a cup final, which leaves me with many regrets...

"Thanks also to the supporters; I've rarely seen such loud and passionate fans.  Thank you for your warm welcome.

"I am soon leaving to join the national team, and a new adventure awaits..."

Gunners reunion?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are being lined up for an incredible reunion, according to reports.

The pair previously spent three years together at Arsenal between 2018 and 2021.

During that time, Aubameyang and Lacazette made 106 appearances alongside each other.

They were also part of the Gunners' FA Cup-winning side in 2020, the club's last major trophy.

According to L'Equipe, the duo could line up as team-mates once again next season amid summer transfer interest from Saudi Arabia.

Al-Shabab are said to be interested in both players following their impressive seasons in France.

Sporting lower Diomande asking price

Long-term Arsenal target Ousmane Diomande has become available for a cut-price.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Sporting Lisbon have ditched their hopes of receiving the full £68m release clause for Diomande.

The centre-back will instead be available for £51m this summer with Sporting needing to re-balance their books.

Wilshere opens up about daughter's heart condition

Jack Wilshere has revealed that he "100 per cent" feared losing his daughter to a heart condition.

The former Arsenal star, 32, has become an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation following his brave daughter Siena's battle.

SunSport columnist Wilshere married partner Andriani in 2017, with the pair subsequently welcoming Siena in May 2018.

During a trip to Cyprus doctors urged Wilshere to take his daughter, five, to see a cardiologist after detecting a heart murmur.

Siena was subsequently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect - as Wilshere himself describes - "a hole in her heart".

Reflecting on the terrifying ordeal, Wilshere told BBC Breakfast: "I was preparing to travel with the team, my team, for a game, like we normally do and my phone rang."

Andriani then choked back tears as she added: "I remember just falling to the floor and crying, I just couldn't believe the news. It was shocking."

Asked if he thought he "might lose" his daughter, Wilshere continued: "Yeah, 100 per cent."

Brave Siena had to undergo five hours of heart surgery in March.

Arsenal monitoring young Hajduk Split midfielder

Arsenal are among a trio of Premier League clubs tracking 19-year-old Rokas Pukstas.

The American has caught the eye of the Gunners, according to the Daily Mail.

Aston Villa and West Ham are also keeping an eye on the teenage midfielder, who plays for Croatian side Hajduk Split.

Already a USA under-20 international, Pukstas previously had a trial with Manchester United and spent time in Barcelona’s US-based academy.

Nketiah celebrated 25th birthday

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah turns 25 today.

The Gunners forward, who has been with the club for nine years, has scored 38 goals in 168 games for the first team.

Arsenal eye "top target" Sesko

Benjamin Sesko is top of Arsenal’s list for a new striker this summer, according to The Mirror.

The Gunners are looking to sign a new striker this summer, with Sesko currently their main priority.

Arsenal would face competition for the Slovenian, but have already made inroads with the forward’s camp, the report adds.

Sesko scored 18 goals across all competitions for RB Leipzig last season.

Arteta relaxes on yacht with wife

Mikel Arteta and his wife Lorena Bernal have been soaking up the sun on holiday.

The Arsenal boss is unwinding after a gruelling season which saw his side miss out on the Premier League title on the final day of the season to Manchester City.

Arteta has escaped to the region of Porto Cevo in Sardinia, Italy.

He is there with his ex-Miss World contestant wife Lorena, who enjoyed a trip on a yacht with Arteta and two of their two children - Daniel, 11, and Oliver, nine.

Arteta, 42, appeared relaxed in a stylish pair of sunglasses as he sat next to Lorena, before the pair decided to work on their tans.

The Spaniard helped out his wife by rubbing sunscreen into her back after the model stripped off to a bikini.

Arteta set for Arsenal pay rise

Mikel Arteta could be in line for a huge pay rise with Arsenal looking to offer him a new contract.

The Gunners boss has just one year left on his current deal and Emirates chiefs are looking to tie him down long term.

And Arsenal appear ready to offer their biggest managerial contract ever to leave Arteta as one of the Premier League's highest-paid coaches.

Pep Guardiola earns a huge £20million a season at Manchester City.

And according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are ready to bump Arteta’s salary closer to that figure.

It would over DOUBLE the £9m-a-season wage the Spaniard is already on.