Arteta spoke with Zubimendi and asked him not to move to Liverpool, promising him that we’d come back in 12 months once Partey moves on. Also helps smooth the Merino deal over the line as La Real didn’t want to lose both in one window.

Just a reminder.

If I was making the decisions at Arsenal, I would sign Ollie Watkins and go all out on a top wide forward (on the proviso Isak is definitely not for sale). Prem proven, will hit the ground running, and probably has a ‘footballing age’ closer to 26/27.

RIP Diogo Jota. Unbelievable news.

🇪🇸🇯🇵

Welcome to Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi ✍🏼

Jamie Smith might be England’s best batsman. Wonderful to watch and such a clean ball striker.

Absolutely hate to see that injury to Musiala. Superb player. Wish him the best.

The signings of Kepa, Norgaard & the soon to be announced Zubimendi is a good start to the window. Add Mosquera as Tomi’s replacement, then that’s plenty of gaps filled. That leaves the best part of 2 months to sign 2/3 forwards. Plenty of noise but the club are clearly active.

Arsenal set to announce the signing of Martin Zubimendi shortly. Club planned to announce on Friday but pushed back for obvious reasons. Plenty of noise at the moment but people shouldn’t forget the magnitude of this. Beat huge clubs like Liverpool & Real to his signature.

Zubi in 🇪🇸, Tomi out 🇯🇵. Had to let them know Uncle Camden still has it. Productive weekend for the club but still much more to do. Striker, winger and attacker + Saka, Saliba and Nwaneri contracts. Would be a top summer.

I get everyone is excited about the Gyokeres news, but don’t sleep on the signing of Zubimendi. Will take us up a level (🇳🇴 kimmoFC)

The next move is important ♟️

Madueke will be a shrewd signing if it happens. On the expensive side but bags of talent & provides proper cover for both wings. The challenge is the timing - with more pressing needs at CF & in the creative department, it doesn’t feel like the right priority. But time will tell.

Madueke & Eze deals moving forward independently of each other. Arteta has made it clear he wants both. If they manage to sign the pair and Gyok also happens, would take Arsenal’s spend well north of £200m.

Arsenal tried to slip out a here we go at 11pm thinking we were all asleep. But we sleep with one eye open during the transfer window, ready to meltdown at all times

Joe Root really is the 🐐

Nothing quite like watching a genuine fast bowler in action. Good to have Archer back - will need him + Wood for the rest of this series and down under.