Arsenal

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Chelsea's Reece James missed training with England on Thursday which has thrown his fitness into doubt for the Three Lions' final World Cup Group L game against Panama.

The 26-year-old right-back suffered a hamstring issue in the goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday and did not train with his team-mates in England's penultimate session before Saturday's game (22:00 BST).

It now remains to be seen if James is fit enough to start or be an option from the bench in the final group game at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's Declan Rice, who left Boston Stadium after the Ghana draw with strapping on his left calf, was also absent from Thursday's session at England's training base in Kansas City.

Sources indicate the 27-year-old midfielder's fitness is less of a concern. However, it remains to be seen if Thomas Tuchel is willing to start Rice - particularly given he is at risk of suspension for the last 32 after being booked against Ghana.

Arsenal are interested in signing Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 28, from Newcastle this summer. (Mail), external

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

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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England will assess the fitness of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea defender Reece James before their final World Cup group game against Panama.

Rice limped out of the Boston Stadium after England's goalless draw against Ghana on Tuesday with heavy strapping on his left calf.

Sources have indicated there is no major concern the injury could impact his involvement on a longer-term basis in the United States.

But it is understood the issue requires assessment and rest before a decision can be made on the 27-year-old's availability for Panama on Saturday, with England manager Thomas Tuchel and his staff needing to weigh up the risks of playing him.

Rice was also taken off in the game against Croatia with nerve pain in a sore hamstring he has been managing.

James will also require assessment as England approach Saturday's match in New Jersey.

The 26-year-old completed the full game against Ghana but will be checked by medics over the next 24 hours.

The Chelsea captain has a history of injury and his load will be monitored closely.

Arsenal have lowered their asking price to between £20m and £25m for Gabriel Jesus, with Everton having had a long-standing interest in the forward. (Caughtoffside), external

Arsenal and Manchester City could consider a move for 26-year-old Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who scored for Denmark against England at Euro 2024. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

Meanwhile, the Gunners will continue to pursue a deal for Morgan Rogers despite Aston Villa being unwilling to sell the England midfielder, 23. (Sun), external

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

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit for Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Julian: Kylian Mbappe[France] is an obvious choice for everyone, but I'd say Ayyoub Bouaddi [Morocco] would be great for Arsenal. I also think that Folarin Balogun [US] would be a great backup for Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyokeres as he's been great at the World Cup.

Trev: I would want Morgan Rogers [England] as he is a good attacking player who would give the team something a bit different.

Mitchell: Bradley Barcola [France] is the future and a very good player.

Felix: The players that stand out for me are Felix Nmecha [Germany], Crysencio Summerville [Netherlands]and Ayyoub Bouaddi [Morocco] because they play in a natural way breaking lines. As a fan I would love to see both Kenan Yildiz [Turkey] and Arda Guler [Turkey] in our team.

Ababacar: Arsenal should get Ibrahima Mbaye [Senegal]. The Paris St-Germain forward is young, fast and direct. He's also a goal scorer.

Tell us the players you have scouted and would welcome from the World Cup

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Despite still feeling "massively optimistic" about Thomas Tuchel's chances of being successful as England manager, former Three Lions defender Stephen Warnock has been left "surprised" with some of his selection decisions.

England were held to a goalless draw by Ghana at Boston Stadium on Tuesday night, knowing that victory would have confirmed a place in the World Cup's last 32.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily, Warnock said: "More than anything, I was surprised Nico O'Reilly didn't start in the left-back position because when you have a right-footed left-back, you lose that little bit of balance on the pitch.

"You can see the difference when O'Reilly comes on, England get more bodies into the box and it causes chaos.

"I've seen a clip of Declan Rice getting onto the team bus with a heavily strapped calf, so it might be that Thomas Tuchel rests one of his two central midfielders and goes for more attacking-minded players next time out.

"I wouldn't mind seeing Harry Kane through the middle with Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers either side of him, as either two number eights or two number 10s.

"It also wouldn't surprise me if he starts Marcus Rashford on the left-hand side as his cameos so far have been hugely impressive. When you're looking for a player to get in behind or get in 1-v-1 situations, he has been key.

"Noni Madueke did very well in the first half, but I was surprised Tuchel didn't bring Rashford on a little bit earlier. Giving a player 10 minutes in a game like that just isn't enough.

"Djed Spence, who is playing with the wrong foot constantly, was also playing very predictable balls to Anthony Gordon, which was making it very difficult for him to find the space or get in behind.

"I understood why Tuchel picked Spence initially, but I thought he was taking him as a right-back not a left-back. Right now, I can't understand how Lewis Hall isn't in this squad. It is nothing against Spence, I just don't think left-back suits him.

"That being said, I am still massively optimistic with this manager."

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Manchester United are tracking 22-year-old Bournemouth and England midfielder Alex Scott, but any successful move could cost about £60m. (Mail), external

The Gunners are also in contact with Leicester City over a deal for England Under-19 winger Jeremy Monga, with the club planning to pay a fair fee for the 16-year-old and avoid a tribunal. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Arsenal are continuing talks over a potential deal for 26-year-old Atletico Madrid and Argentina striker Julian Alvarez. (Teamtalk), external

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

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Alex Howell
Football reporter

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Noni Madueke was one of England's standout players in the 4-2 win over Croatia and won the penalty which Harry Kane scored to give the Three Lions the lead.

Madueke's Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka had been expected to be England's starting right winger at the World Cup but the 24-year-old is dealing with an Achilles issue he has been carrying since March.

Saka and Madueke find themselves in the unusual situation of competing for game time at both club and country.

Saka, who made his 50th appearance for England in the victory over Croatia, called the situation "unique", before adding "I don't really know how it works, but it works" when describing his relationship with Madueke.

When Tuchel named his England squad for the World Cup the German was full of praise for Madueke.

The forward has put in consistently good performances for the Three Lions since Tuchel took charge and the manager said Madueke can be a "difference-maker" before highlighting his "one-on-one ability".

Tuchel has made it clear he wants his England team to play in a style that replicates the physicality of the Premier League.

Despite fighting for game time, Madueke and Saka are close away from the pitch too with Saka calling his team-mate his "brother".

Arsenal boss Arteta found ways to get both wingers on the pitch at the same time in 2025-26, which may be something Tuchel opts to do as the World Cup goes on.

Madueke was utilised on the left wing by Arteta, while Saka also featured in the number 10 role as the Gunners lifted the title.

Madueke made 43 appearances last season - scoring eight goals and registering four assists in all competitions - as Arsenal ended their trophy drought.

Read more of Alex's piece here

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

England manager Thomas Tuchel has provided an update on winger Bukayo Saka's fitness before England's second match at the World Cup against Ghana.

Saka has been dealing with an Achilles issue since March and has been following an individual training programme alongside joining full sessions with the rest of the squad.

The 24-year-old came off the bench in England's 4-2 win over Croatia, assisting Marcus Rashford, in the Three Lions opening game of the World Cup.

Tuchel said: "Bukayo is getting better and better. He is more and more free in his movements. He feels no more pain.

"He was able to do both our training sessions on the last two days on the highest levels.

"He is ready to go."

Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke started the first match of the tournament and won the penalty for England's opening goal.

Tuchel called the battle between the pair for the for the starting spot on the right wing a "big competition".

"The beautiful thing is that they do it at Arsenal as well. And they do it at Arsenal and compete at Arsenal and they do it with a lot of respect for each other.

"They way they do it in training, sometimes competing on opposite teams, sometimes they train on the same position, If we go through patterns defensively or offensively, it is just a pleasure to see," Tuchel said.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Declan Rice has said that last season's title win with Arsenal was "mentally tough", but he is in a "very good space" before England's World Cup match against Ghana.

Rice has made 63 appearances for Arsenal and England this season, and was withdrawn as a precaution in England's 4-2 win over Croatia last week.

The midfielder revealed to ITV Sport that he has been playing with "neural pain" in his hamstring since the turn of the year, but insists he is well-equipped to deal with the number of games he has had to play.

And Rice is set to win earn his 75th cap for the Three Lions in the match against Ghana on Tuesday.

"I have been lucky enough to play in Europe for the last six years," said the 27-year-old.

"My last three years with West Ham, my first three with Arsenal.

"My body has been conditioned and built for this moment for playing long seasons. I would probably say this season has been more mentally tough than physically.

"The emotions of a football player is crazy. The feelings and emotions you go through in a season are up and down, you need to find that balance.

"This moment in time I am mentally in a very good space, and physically I feel really good as well. I want to keep taking this into the end of the tournament."

Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers is keen on a move to Premier League champions Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners making the 23-year-old a top target. (Talksport), external

Tottenham are confident of signing Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali for a fee close to £85m, but the Italy international, 26, would rather join rivals Arsenal. (Daily Mail - subscription required), external

Arsenal are yet to agree a deal to sign Kolkheti and Georgia Under-21 midfielder Andria Bartishvili, with Liverpool and Paris FC are also working on a move for the 17-year-old. (Talksport), external

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

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Declan Rice feels like he will get an assist "every time" he takes a corner - and says England supporters should be "excited" for what is to come at the World Cup.

England looked threatening from set-pieces during their 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening match of the tournament on Wednesday.

Harry Kane's opening goal from the penalty spot came after Noni Madueke was fouled following a Rice cross - and the England captain headed home his second from a Rice corner.

The 27-year-old was part of an Arsenal side that scored from a record 19 corners last season as they won their first Premier League title in 22 years.

However, the Gunners faced criticism for a pragmatic style of play and reliance on set-pieces (scoring 25 goals from set-plays overall).

"Everyone's enjoying [set-pieces] now, aren't they?" Rice said, speaking to BBC Sport at England's base in Kansas City. "Everyone's enjoying them now."

Rice became Arsenal's designated set-piece taker in January 2024 after a mid-season training camp in Dubai - and the Gunners are now renowned for their prowess from such situations.

"I wouldn't ever take corners or set-pieces, but [set-piece coach] Nico [Jover] and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn't," Rice said.

"They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no-one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo [Saka]. From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.

"As time has gone on, every time I put down a ball for a set-piece - whether it's a corner or a wide free-kick - I feel like I'm going to get an assist or make something happen that's dangerous.

"That's a good mentality to have over set-pieces... and England fans can be excited."

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has trained with the England squad to provide a fitness boost to manager Thomas Tuchel before their second World Cup match against Ghana.

The 24-year-old did not fully train with the rest of the squad on Saturday, instead doing some individual work for part of the session.

However, it is understood that Saka did take part in normal training for England's penultimate session on Sunday before Tuesday's game in Boston (21:00 BST kick-off).

Saka is nursing an Achilles tendinitis issue and started Wednesday's 4-2 win over Croatia on the bench.

Tuchel has since said Saka is unlikely to be in contention to start until the third group game against Panama.

The attacker has been carrying the issue for a while, and though there was concern behind the scenes at Arsenal about the niggle, they deemed him fit enough to start regularly during their 2025-26 run-in.

It is understood that Saka's ongoing Achilles issue has not deteriorated since the climax of the domestic campaign, when his side won their first Premier League title in 22 years.

Arsenal are hopeful Declan Rice can help persuade fellow England midfielder Morgan Rogers, 23, to join them from Aston Villa this summer. (Mirror), external

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

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Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

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Now Arsenal's fixtures are out, Mikel Arteta can start to plot how he intends to begin the defence of their Premier League title.

The champions kick-off the season at home to newly promoted Coventry City on the first Friday night match of the season.

And it will be the first time that the Emirates Stadium will be able to welcome the squad who ended their 22-year wait for a league title.

The period which has caught the eye for the Gunners is the festive fixtures, which can be a gruelling time of year.

Arsenal have eight games in a row from December to January 16th, at which point they are scheduled to play Hull City, where they won't leave London.

By the time the Gunners get to the end-of-season run-in they will be hoping to be in a commanding position in the league.

They will start the month of May against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, before taking on Nottingham Forest, Everton and Brighton, which are matches Arsenal will be favourites in and could be the games that decide whether they are able to defend their Premier League crown.

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We asked for your views on Arsenal's 2026-27 fixtures and what sort of start you can expect Mikel Arteta's men to have.

Here are some of your comments:

Gilbert: Brilliant first fixture for the Arsenal. I look forward to playing promoted Coventry, will be a cracking game!

Martin: I reckon 26 points should be achievable in the first 10 games. Aston Villa and Liverpool away are the difficult ones in that run, with Chelsea the toughest team at home.

Croix: Great. If we successfully retain the Premier League trophy then we would lift it at the Emirates stadium, not at an away ground, yippee! Good luck to the team. COYG.

Vince: It's a favourable list for the second-straight season. Games against non-big teams at the start and end mean we have the chance to set an early pace and finish strongly. That's a massive advantage that we need to take. The slippery period starts 31 October against Liverpool and continues across November and December with games against Manchester City and Manchester United, among other bigger boys. But if we start strong in the prior months, we'd have hopefully built up a good buffer for those danger months.

Fikre: I expect Arsenal to accumulate 26 points from their first 10 games - drawing to Aston Villa and Liverpool, and winning the other eight games. Hence, this will give them the biggest advantage towards defending the Premier League title.

• Read more on the matches and rule changes for 2026-27

Arsenal will begin their title defence with a home game against newly promoted Coventry City on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

The match will take place on Friday, 21 August at 20:00 BST, with the Gunners' first away fixture against Aston Villa on the weekend of 29-30 August.

Mikel Arteta's side face Crystal Palace (A), Fulham (A), Ipswich Town (H) and Brentford (H) over the Christmas and New Year period.

And they end their league season against Brighton at Emirates stadium on Sunday, 30 May, when all games will kick off at the same time.

See Arsenal's Premier League fixtures in full here

Now you have seen the fixtures, what kind of start do you think the Gunners will have? How many points do you expect after the first 10 games?

Send us your thoughts here

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With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most.

Here are some of your replies:

David: The most memorable opening day has to be the 2006-07 season - our first at the Emirates. All the hope and then Aston Villa scored the first goal. Luckily, Gilberto Silva scored a penalty to save our blushes. Memorable but maybe not for the best reason.

Kevin: 1998 - Wimbledon 1-5 Arsenal. A great day and a sign of things to come that season, with a new-look Arsenal side with several new signings outplaying Wimbledon from the start.

Mike: At the time, having recently moved to Coventry, losing 3-0 to them at Highbury in 1993. A summer of hope and expectation, having won both domestic cups that year, dashed in an afternoon!

Les: Arsenal 0-3 Coventry in 1993. Micky Quinn hat-trick. A sad day and went missing for a week.

Jude: The loss to newly promoted Brentford in 2021 left me in utter despair.

Phil: Worst opening day - I was taking my girlfriend at the time to the Emirates for her first Arsenal game. She came from a family of Manchester City supporters. I was giving it the big one of 'we didn't buy our success' and 'get ready for real fans and football'. We lost 3-1 to Aston Villa. I was broken by the performance more than the result and the embarrassment was horrific. Best was the game away to Manchester United last season. I knew we would do big things because of it.

Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how the Gunners' 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.