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London calling
Arsenal's newest arrival Riccardo Calafiori was mixing with fans of the club some seven months before he sealed his transfer.
A video shared on Instagram by Calafiori and his agency World Soccer Agency, showed that the 22-year-old was heading towards the Emirates back in JANUARY.
In the clip the Italy international appears to film himself inside the Arsenal underground station while fans can be heard chanting in the background.
The unbelievable clip was filmed on January 20 of this year, the same day that the Gunners battered Crystal Palace 5-0 in the Premier League.
New video reveals Riccardo Calafiori was at Arsenal SEVEN MONTHS before Italian signed in £42m transfer -
Match report
In case you missed it, recap last night’s match against Liverpool with SunSport’s report…
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Arsenal chase attacking signing
Arsenal could sign an attacking player but are not going to break the bank, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer guru said: “Then if there are more outgoings there are some possibilities that Arsenal could add another offensive player. I don’t think it will be an expensive player like Viktor Gyokeres.
“I think this is too expensive, but maybe a new winger, a different type of player who can provide fresh energy behind Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.”
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Arteta sends warning to team
Mikel Arteta has declared his side need to punish teams after the Gunners fell to a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.
He said after the match: "We have to punish teams.
"Especially with the aggression that we played with and the amount of times that we won the ball in dangerous areas and then not enough happened. It happened basically the other way around. That's where we need to improve.
"It's an area where we can obviously improve. The first chance they had they scored and that's what makes the difference as well. When you're in those spaces in the box putting the ball in the net.
"We created the situations. We had two or three more big situations as well. We have to improve."
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Arteta's Calafiori fear
Mikel Arteta has revealed he was unsure he'd be able to lure Riccardo Calafiori to the Emirates.
The Spaniard said of the newest Gunners star: "I spoke to him one or two times and I knew the other things [teams being interested].
"I wasn't really sure if we could do it or not, but he was adamant. 'Let me know when you're ready, my bags are ready and I just want to come to Arsenal'.
"Those were his words and when you have that feeling, someone with that willingness to join us and make us better and that determination, it's something really powerful and as a club, we should be really proud of that."
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Neto message
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has revealed he's eager to keep Pedro Neto at Molineux this summer.
But he insists he the club won't stand in the Portugal international's way if Arsenal or another club table a "massive bid" for his services.
He told the E&S podcast: "I know how good he is, and I know how well he would do at a big club.
Obviously I want our team here to be unbelievably successful. So I’m hoping that he stays.
“I think so (there’s a chance he stays). There’s nothing going on at this moment from anybody.
"He’s in a good spot, I’ve spoke to him about how we’re going to play and how it suits him and what a big part he’ll play in it.
"But of course, we’re all grown-ups while you’re having them conversations.
"If a massive bid comes from a top club then no one is going to stand in Pedro’s way.
“I’m confident that he will be here. Because we haven’t had anything really, that makes the club think that he won’t be. But of course, a lot of business can be done late.”
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Team News
Arsenal's starting XI for their pre-season friendly with Liverpool early tomorrow morning has been revealed.
New boy Riccardo Calafiori is NOT part of the matchday squad.
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Isak swoop encouraged
Former Gunner Jermaine Pennant has urged Mikel Arteta to make a move for Newcastle hitman Alexander Isak
“Alexander Isak would be a perfect signing for Arsenal or Liverpool," he told Coin Poker.
"He’s got that stature of a big 9, which is great to have.
"He can finish, which we’ve seen at Newcastle.
"I think he would be an amazing signing and would take Liverpool or Arsenal to the next step by winning the Premier League.”
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Merino boost
The Gunners' pursuit of Mikel Merino could be aided by Real Sociedad's acceptance of the fact they may have to sell the midfielder.
Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay told Mundo Deportivo: "I don’t know.
"We are aware that Merino has offers, and we know them.
"The conversation with him and those around him has been very sincere and hopefully his decision is to stay. He already knows that we want him to stay.
"He has had a renewal offer for some time. And if not, we will try to negotiate the best way out for Real.
"What we think is that the club has to look to the future. Try to be stronger every year or every day.
"You don’t have to hide behind a contract when a player tells you that he wants to take advantage of an opportunity. Daily work makes us stronger."
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Nketiah snub encouragred
Eddie Nketiah has been urged to snub a potential move to Marseille and stay in the Premier League.
Former Crystal Palace, Newcastle and West Ham boss Alan Pardew told talkSPORT: "I think he does need to move.
"I’ve watched him at Arsenal and I like him – he reminds me of Ian Wright.
“A very similar style to Ian – sharp, quick around the box, gets shots off quickly – I think he will score goals and I think he will score goals in the Premier League.
"If I was his agent I’d just wait a little while and see if somebody else from the Premier League comes in.
"If I was his agent I’d just wait a little while and see if somebody else from the Premier League comes in."
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Fans react to Merino news
Gunners fans took to X to voice their views on the club's apparent bid for Mikel Merino.
One wrote: "Arsenal on fire."
Another said: "We are winning the f***ing league."
And another said: "We are winning the treble."
One remarked: "Pound-for-pound, I'm confident this will go down as one of the best signings in Premier League this season."
Another chimed in: "Mikel don't miss."
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Merino offer tabled
Arsenal are closing in on Mikel Merino, it's been claimed.
The Real Sociedad star was one of Spain's top performers in their successful Euro 2024 campaign.
And it's been reported Mikel Arteta has tabled a £25.2million offer for the midfielder, who is said to have already agreed personal terms.
On Wednesday night, Italian reporter Matteo Moretto wrote on X: "Arsenal is one step away from Mikel Merino.
"In the last few hours the English club has presented a verbal offer of 30 million euros plus bonuses and the agreement with Real Sociedad is close.
"Mikel Merino has already said yes to the Gunners."
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Arteta happy with business so far
The Gunners boss admits he's pleased with his business in the transfer window so far.
He said: "I am very happy that we’ve got Riccardo [Calafiori] done.
"As I said, it was very important to have that protection in the backline because of the issues that we had, especially last year when Jurrien was injured.
"It increases the quality and the competition and it's very good for the team."
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Zinchen-GO
William Gallas reckons Oleksandr Zinchenko could soon find himself replaced by newboy Ricardo Calafiori as he "offers" very little for the Gunners.
The former Arsenal defender said: "I think Zinchenko had similar problems when he was at Manchester City.
"If you can remember, I don’t think that he played in that many of their big games because Pep Guardiola thought that his defensive ability was limited.
"With the ball and in possession, he’s a talented player. He is good on the counter-attack, but when you ask him to defend and when you put him under pressure, he makes mistakes.
"He has made a lot of mistakes at Arsenal which is why they are looking to improve their defence.
"I think Arsenal’s football has moved on from what Zinchenko offers them."
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Jesus confident ahead of new season
Gabriel Jesus believes he's in the best shape he's been in for a long time going into the new season.
He said: "My last pre-season was not good because I was feeling my knee, so I had to have surgery and missed all of the pre-season.
"So, I was trying to force it during that pre-season, but at the end I couldn’t and had surgery.
“That was a little bit difficult after to come back, but this season is different.
"I could enjoy my holidays and then I trained a lot, and I was focused to come back well and do a good pre-season. Now I’m in different shape and can play football again.”
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Sane potentially 'keen' on Emirates move
Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen on signing Bayern Munich ace Leroy Sane, who is said to be willing to swap Bavaria for North London.
Reporter Graeme Bailey said: "He’s a player that has long been on their radar – Arteta is a big fan.
“Believe the player would be keen on a move to London.
"I know Sane is unsure about his long-term future at Bayern.”
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Smith Rowe completes medical
Emile Smith Rowe has reportedly completed his medical with Fulham.
The England star is on the verge of completing a £34million move to Craven Cottage.
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Jorginho talks up Calafiori
Jorginho has hailed the arrival of fellow Italian Riccardo Calafiori at the Emirates, saying: "It’s a really good signing.
He’s a really good young player that will give a lot to the team.
"He’s a very professional guy, he is hungry to learn and humble. He has a lot to add and grow and learn and I think it’s going to be a good connection.
“To be fair I didn’t know him that much but when I got to know him and see him up close, it’s been great. He has great qualities.
“I sent him a few messages while we were there at the tournament and I spoke with him and said if he wants to take himself to the next level and grow, this is the right place for him to go.
“It’s nice to have a fratello here! We always try to help each other here and that’s what we’re going to do with him as well to make sure he feels at home straight away.
"It’s great that he’s here, hopefully he enjoys it and we’ll achieve big things together.”
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Nelson update
Leicester City have cooled their interest in Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson.
Foxes boss Steve Cooper was keen on signing the 24-year-old, who played for him at England Under-16 and Under-17 level.
However despite opening talks with the Gunners over a potential move, Leicester have seen their initial interest spark interest in other Premier League clubs.
SunSport understands Leicester have been unable to match some of the financial packages being offered to Nelson by rival Prem clubs.
Although Cooper hasn't given up all hope of landing the talented winger, he is realistic enough to accept it has become a long shot and he is now moving on to other potential signing targets.
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Calafiori position update
Mikel Arteta insists he'll deploy Riccardo Calafiori at both centre and left-back.
The Gunners boss said of the Italian: "[He'll play in] both positions, especially the way we want to play and the way we want to evolve in our game models.
"He is a player who is going to fit into what we want."
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Arteta hints at more signings
Mikel Arteta has seemingly admitted he could be tempted to bring in more reinforcements before the transfer window closes on August 31.
He said: "We’ll have to wait and see the movements in the market.
"We’ve already identified things that we can improve - we have meetings every March or April and if we can we will try and strengthen the team.
"I believe we can get better but so far I am really happy with what we have."
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Arteta explains Calafiori signing
Mikel Arteta has revealed his reasoning for adding Riccardo Calafiori to his squad.
He said: "It was the numbers. We only had six defenders in the backline and at this level you have to be really lucky to sustain the season like this.
"We were, because William [Saliba] for example and Gabriel [Magalhaes] nearly played every minute, we played more than 50 per cent more minutes than the previous season.
"And if we are able to do that consistently over the next three or four years that’s a big question mark.
"Obviously you cannot just bet on that, that’s a big bet and we don’t want to take that bet."
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Fresh Nketiah offer
Arsenal have received a fresh bid for Eddie Nketiah, it's been claimed.
According to The Athletic, the Ligue 1 giants have tabled a £17million for the striker, who played second fiddle to Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli last season.
Nketiah, who is keen for more first-team football, was recently urged by former Gunners hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to swap north London for the south of France.
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Calafiori debut statement
Mikel Arteta admits he's unsure if newboy Riccardo Calafiori will start in tomorrow morning's pre-season clash with Liverpool.
He said: "I don’t know. He had a long flight yesterday, and a medical over the past 24 hours.
"Today he hasn’t really done anything with the team, and tomorrow he will probably train some parts.
"Let’s see how he is, we don’t want to rush anything. If he’s available and fit, great."
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Liverpool vs Arsenal preview
Arsenal and Liverpool face off tonight in a pre-season friendly in the US.
The Premier League foes will lock horns at 12:30am BST at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The game will be broadcast live on LFCTV GO and fans can also stream the entire action through Arsenal.com.
Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the whole match through our live blog.