Nic of time

Nicolas Pepe has reportedly seen a £4million-a-year move to Saudi Arabia collapse, leaving him in the lurch.

The winger spent last season on loan with Nice to get away from North London following his horror £72million transfer in 2019.

He has returned to the Gunners this summer but manager Mikel Arteta is ready to sell the Ivorian international.

CBS initially reported that an unnamed club in Saudi had approached Arsenal over signing Pepe but personal terms were not agreed.

Now, they say the deal is off and have moved on to other targets.

It's a work of Art

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Kai Havertz could play a number of positions for the club.

The new man got off the mark for Arsenal in the 5-0 victory over MLS All-Stars this morning from central midfield after coming on as substitute.

And with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah currently battling it out to be No9, Arteta has hinted that Havertz’s role may change over the course of the campaign.

He said: “He gives us something very different with his quality and size as well, when you have to beat the press for example and use him as a target man.

“So, we will see – for now, he’s playing in the attacking midfield position, but I’m sure throughout the season and throughout games as well, we’re going to have the options to play him in different positions.”

Sak's brilliant

Gooners have thanked "GOAT" Arsene Wenger for the advice he gave Bukayo Saka.

It has been revealed what the legendary Gunners boss told the England star during their first meeting last year.

Wenger and Saka met for the first time after Arsenal's 3-1 home win over West Ham in December 2022.

Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis has now revealed what was said during their meeting.

He told The Telegraph: "It was great to take Arsene down to the dressing room. Bukayo didn’t know him but he called him ‘boss’ immediately.

"He said, ‘Boss, how can I improve?’ Arsene very dryly said, ‘I think you could use your right foot a bit more'."

Partey in Saudi?

Thomas Partey is the latest big name being linked with a move to the Saudi Professional League.

According to The Mail, Al Ahli are considering a move for the Ghanaian midfielder that would see him join up with former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy.

The Jeddah club have also expressed their interest in bringing in Fulham boss Marco Silva as their head coach.

Partey is currently in the United States with the travelling Arsenal squad, but the Gunners are said to be open to a deal as they look to recoup some of the £105m forked out for Declan Rice.

Arsenal to hijack Chelsea striker move

Arsenal are set to battle Chelsea for the signature of Montpellier centre-forward Elye Wahi this summer, according to RMC Sport.

The Gunners have now ‘enquired’ about Wahi and could potentially hijack Chelsea’s move.

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen on the striker but plans to loan him to Strasbourg if he signs, with Wahi not so keen on that idea.

United up next on US tour

It's not long ago that a match with Manchester United was the standout fixture in the Premier League calendar for Arsenal fans.

But now, it's arguably not even the most interesting match being played on the club's pre-season schedule.

Nevertheless, the Gunners are preparing to face their old enemy, and will take them at the MetLife Stadium in New York on Saturday.

Arsenal's pre-season tour culminates with a game against Barcelona in Los Angeles before they head home to host Monaco in the Emirates Cup.

And if that's not enough of an opportunity of silverware, there's the traditional curtain-raiser to the league season: the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley.

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