Nelson’s Next Column To Be Built Elsewhere Plus Álvarez Arrival?

Arsenal are approaching the transfer deadline with several pieces still moving—and the tantalising possibility that Julián Álvarez could be the final one to fall into place.

There is reportedly a growing feeling within the industry that Arsenal are now the most likely destination for the Atlético Madrid forward. That does not mean a deal is agreed, or even that an acceptable offer has been submitted, but the story is beginning to feel considerably more substantial than the usual late-window speculation.

Álvarez would be a transformative signing. He can lead the line, operate behind another striker or move into wider areas. More importantly, he possesses the intelligence, aggression and technical quality required to thrive in Mikel Arteta’s football.

This is precisely the calibre of player Arsenal should pursue. Having finally won the Premier League, the club must use that success as a springboard. The objective cannot merely be to defend the title respectably. Arsenal should be attempting to establish themselves as the dominant force in England and serious contenders in Europe.

If Álvarez is genuinely attainable, this is not the moment for excessive caution.

Arsenal still exploring attacking options

The club have also made a late enquiry about Marseille winger Igor Paixão, while reports suggest Arsenal were prepared to match Liverpool’s offer for Bradley Barcola in an attempt to hijack that transfer.

Those names point towards a clear desire for greater pace and unpredictability in the attacking positions. Paixão may represent a more achievable alternative, but Álvarez would be the signing capable of changing the entire complexion of Arsenal’s forward line.

Meanwhile, Arteta is reportedly determined to prevent Cristhian Mosquera from leaving. The centre-back has attracted strong interest from Fenerbahçe and two Saudi Pro League clubs, but allowing him to depart would make little sense unless he is actively demanding an exit.

Arsenal’s defensive depth can appear excessive until the injuries begin. Then, almost overnight, a surplus becomes a crisis. Mosquera still has an important role to play across a season containing four competitions.

There will be no such future at Arsenal for Reiss Nelson. The club have officially terminated the 26-year-old’s contract, allowing him to become a free agent.

It is a melancholy conclusion to a career that once promised so much. Nelson joined Arsenal as a child, progressed through the academy and supplied several unforgettable moments—most notably that extraordinary stoppage-time winner against Bournemouth.

Nevertheless, sentiment cannot disguise the reality. He was no longer part of Arteta’s plans and needed the opportunity to rebuild his career elsewhere.

Arsenal will be criticised for receiving nothing for another academy graduate, and with some justification. Contract termination is not clever trading. It is the final acknowledgement that the club could not find a buyer prepared to inherit Nelson’s wages and limited recent playing record.

For the player, though, freedom may prove more valuable than another wasted season.

European heavyweights are coming

Arsenal have also learned the identity of their eight Champions League league-stage opponents.

For anyone still pretending to understand UEFA’s format without occasionally checking it, the basic principle is straightforward: the top eight advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th enter a seeded play-off.

Arsenal will face two opponents from each coefficient pot, with four matches at home and four away.

The headline fixture is undoubtedly Real Madrid at the Emirates. José Mourinho returning to north London in charge of Madrid is already a considerable story. Add Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde and several familiar Premier League faces, and it becomes one of the most eagerly anticipated European nights the stadium has hosted.

Madrid have begun strongly, scoring six goals in victories over Real Sociedad and Espanyol, with Mbappé contributing four. Their summer recruitment has included Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries.

There will naturally be plenty of attention on Vinícius after Arsenal came close to becoming his new home. The reception he receives may depend upon precisely how that episode ended, but the greater concern will be preventing him and Mbappé from turning the Emirates into their playground.

It is an intimidating fixture, but it is also exactly the occasion Arsenal wanted when they returned to Europe’s elite. If Arteta’s team intend to win this competition, they cannot spend the season hoping to avoid its biggest clubs.

Another trip to Munich

Arsenal will travel to face Bayern Munich in what should be their most difficult away assignment.

Vincent Kompany’s side remain a ferocious attacking team featuring Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz. Arsenal defeated them 3–1 in last season’s league stage, but repeating that performance at the Allianz Arena will be an entirely different challenge.

Bayern’s additions of Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown may not command the attention of their established stars, but both could become important players. This is a more dynamic Bayern than some of the ageing sides Arsenal encountered during their earlier European disappointments.

The history between the clubs remains unpleasant from an Arsenal perspective, but the inferiority complex should be gone. Arsenal are no longer arriving simply hoping to survive.

Dortmund bring danger, but no excuses

Borussia Dortmund will visit the Emirates after the clubs contested a surprisingly heated pre-season meeting.

Dortmund still possess significant quality through Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Maxi Beier and Serhou Guirassy. Much will also depend upon whether young Greek playmaker Konstantinos Karetsas can provide the creativity they lost with the departures of Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi.

They are dangerous, experienced and capable of punishing a careless performance. They are also a team Arsenal should beat at home.

Finishing in the top eight will require taking maximum points from this type of fixture. Respect Dortmund, certainly, but do not turn them into something they are not.

A hostile night in Seville

Real Betis away carries a different sort of danger.

Betis scored three times against an unusually disorganised Arsenal during pre-season, although their competitive attacking form has subsequently been far less convincing. Antony, Pablo Fornals and Cucho Hernández remain their main threats, while former Tottenham prospect Troy Parrott provides another option at centre-forward.

The atmosphere in Seville will be fierce and Manuel Pellegrini is far too experienced to allow his side to approach the match naively. This has all the ingredients of one of those awkward European nights in which Arsenal dominate possession, miss opportunities and suddenly find themselves defending a one-goal lead amid deafening noise.

It is not the most glamorous game in the draw, but it may reveal more about Arsenal’s maturity than some of the headline encounters.

Giroud comes home

Olivier Giroud will return to the Emirates with Lille, providing the evening with an obvious emotional subplot.

Giroud’s Arsenal career was often underappreciated, even if his limitations also became painfully apparent during the title challenge of 2015–16. He should receive a warm welcome—before Arsenal attempt to ensure he barely touches the ball.

Lille finished third in Ligue 1 last season and reached the Europa League quarter-finals, but looked toothless when eliminated by Aston Villa. Hákon Haraldsson supplies creativity in advanced areas, while Başar Önal is an intriguing attacking addition.

The losses of experienced defenders Aïssa Mandi and Thomas Meunier may leave Lille vulnerable, particularly at the Emirates. This is another fixture from which Arsenal must collect three points if they are serious about avoiding the play-off round.

Napoli are no longer a team to fear

The trip to Napoli sounds more threatening than the recent evidence suggests.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side finished only 30th in last season’s Champions League league stage and continue to struggle for attacking fluency. They produced less than 1.0 expected goals in their league opener against Genoa and are a long way removed from the exhilarating team inspired by Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund have become central figures, while Kevin De Bruyne still offers moments of exceptional quality without being capable of dominating every game as he once did.

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona remains a difficult venue and Napoli may add another striker before Arsenal arrive. Nevertheless, this is not a vintage Napoli side. Arsenal should approach the match looking to win, not merely escape.

Sabah supply the romance

Sabah’s visit to the Emirates is the wonderful curiosity of the draw.

Founded only in 2017, the Azerbaijani champions eliminated The New Saints, KuPS, AGF and Hapoel Be’er Sheva to reach the league stage. Veljko Simić, Joy-Lance Mickels and former Plymouth full-back Tymoteusz Puchacz were instrumental in that run.

There is no need to patronise them. Reaching this stage is a magnificent achievement and their players have earned the right to walk out at the Emirates.

There is also no need to pretend Arsenal should experience serious difficulty. Anything other than a comfortable home victory would be an embarrassment.

Slavia will attack Arsenal

The final opponent is Slavia Prague, whom Arsenal must face away.

Slavia finished 34th in last season’s league stage but are not a side likely to retreat into their own penalty area. They scored 74 goals in 35 league games last season and opened the new domestic campaign with three victories by an aggregate score of 11–2.

Manager Jindřich Trpišovský generally employs an adventurous back three, with wing-backs and two attacking midfielders supporting the striker. Lukas Provod, Michal Sadílek and Tomáš Chorý bring international experience, while 22-year-old defender Ange N’Guessan has become the club’s record signing.

Their attacking approach could create an entertaining game. It should also leave spaces for Arsenal to exploit.

Arsenal should finish in the top eight

Real Madrid at home and Bayern away are formidable assignments. The other six fixtures, however, offer Arsenal a clear route into the top eight.

Dortmund and Lille should be beaten at the Emirates. Sabah absolutely must be. Arsenal should also expect to collect a healthy return from the trips to Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.

Five wins would place Arteta’s side in a strong position. Six would almost certainly be enough to advance automatically and avoid two unnecessary play-off matches during an already crowded season.

It is a draw containing glamour, nostalgia, unfamiliar opposition and a couple of genuine tests. There can be no complaints.

The next task is to complete the squad. Keep Mosquera, add another attacker and do everything possible to sign Álvarez.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will provide Arsenal with an examination of their European credentials. Landing a player of Álvarez’s quality would help ensure they arrive properly prepared.

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Martinelli’s Arsenal future looking bleak

Gabriel Martinelli is not pushing to leave Arsenal, but the evidence suggests that Arsenal are increasingly willing to leave him behind.

The Brazilian rejected the opportunity to join Galatasaray after the Turkish champions submitted an offer worth €45 million. That decision was entirely understandable. Martinelli is only 25, has just helped Arsenal win the Premier League and remains under contract until 2027.

A move to Turkey might have felt like a premature retreat from the highest level.

Interest from Al Hilal presents a different proposition, particularly if the Saudi club is prepared to make Arsenal a significantly improved offer. The money on offer to Martinelli would presumably be considerable, while Arsenal need to generate substantial funds through player sales before the transfer window closes.

This is no longer simply a question of whether Martinelli wants to leave. It is about whether Mikel Arteta still sees a meaningful place for him.

His absence from the matchday squads against Manchester City in the Community Shield and Coventry City in the Premier League opener was striking. One omission might have been dismissed as a fitness issue or tactical decision. Two consecutive omissions look much more like a message.

Arsenal have already changed the composition of their attack. Christos Tzolis has arrived from Club Brugge and made an immediate impact, while the club’s interest in Vinicius Junior showed the level of left winger they were prepared to pursue. Leandro Trossard has departed for Besiktas, but that has not necessarily created a pathway back into the side for Martinelli.

It would be a sad conclusion to what has largely been a wonderful Arsenal story.

Martinelli arrived from Ituano in 2019 as a relatively unknown teenager and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young players in English football. His pace, directness and relentless energy made him a natural favourite. Few supporters will forget his outstanding contribution during the early years of Arteta’s rebuild.

He has now made 278 appearances and scored 62 goals for Arsenal. Last season alone, he featured 53 times as the club finally reclaimed the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final.

Those numbers make his sudden disappearance from the squad appear particularly brutal. But Arsenal cannot allow sentiment to dictate their decisions.

Martinelli has not always developed with the consistency once expected of him. He can still be devastating when given space, but his influence against deep defensive lines remains unpredictable. If Tzolis is now Arteta’s preferred option and Martinelli is no longer even guaranteed a place among the substitutes, keeping him would serve nobody.

Arsenal entered the summer knowing that player trading would be essential. The sales of Trossard and Christian Norgaard have raised useful money, but they will not be enough on their own. Martinelli is one of the few potentially available players capable of commanding a genuinely substantial fee.

That does not mean Arsenal should accept the first offer that arrives. Galatasaray’s €45 million bid was not compelling enough for a player of Martinelli’s age, experience and contractual position. Al Hilal would need to pay a premium, especially because Arsenal hold the option to extend his contract until 2028.

If that premium is offered, Arsenal should take it.

Martinelli has been a fine servant to the club and deserves to be remembered warmly. But two major matches have now passed without him making the squad. Unless that situation changes quickly, the direction of travel is obvious.

The boy from Ituano helped Arsenal complete their journey back to the summit. He may now have reached the end of his own journey in north London.

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Singing A New Tune: 3-0 to the Arsenal

Arsenal 3-0 City (sound familiar?)

There were no opening-day nerves against newly promoted Coventry, no hangover from last season’s celebrations and, mercifully, none of the late anxiety that became so familiar during the title run-in.

Champions Arsenal began the defence of their Premier League crown with a thoroughly convincing 3-0 victory over Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.

Coventry started confidently enough, but Arsenal required only 15 minutes to puncture that optimism. The visitors surrendered possession high up the pitch, Riccardo Calafiori moved the ball inside and Kai Havertz calmly supplied the finish.

Eight minutes later, Christos Tzolis crossed low towards the back post and Bukayo Saka arrived to double the lead. Any lingering hope Coventry carried into the interval disappeared three minutes after the restart when Martin Odegaard’s scuffed effort somehow found its way beyond Carl Rushworth.

It was not Arsenal’s most difficult assignment of the season. Coventry are adapting to an entirely different level and far greater challenges lie ahead. Nevertheless, this was exactly how champions should deal with newly promoted opposition: establish control, score early and remove any possibility of an upset.

Have Arsenal finally been released from the pressure?

The most interesting aspect of Arsenal’s opening two performances has not merely been the results. It has been the apparent freedom with which they have played.

Manchester City and Coventry have been beaten by an aggregate score of 6-0 in the Community Shield and Premier League respectively. More importantly, Arsenal have looked assured, fluid and considerably less burdened than they did during the final weeks of last season.

That title race became almost unbearably tense. Arsenal won six of their final 10 league matches by a single goal and recorded just one victory by a three-goal margin. Every narrow lead seemed to produce another examination of the supporters’ nerves.

Perhaps that was inevitable. A club trying to end a 22-year wait for the title was always going to feel the weight of history as the finishing line approached.

Now the wait is over.

Arsenal are no longer a talented team trying to prove they can become champions. They are the champions. That subtle psychological change may prove enormously important.

There is an alternative and rather more practical explanation for the improvement: Arsenal have their best attacking players available again. Havertz, Odegaard and Saka started together against Coventry for only the second time since December 2024.

Any team would be transformed by the return of three such influential players. Their movement, intelligence and familiarity immediately give Arsenal greater variety in the final third.

So perhaps the change is not entirely psychological. It may simply be what happens when Arsenal can select something close to their strongest attack.

Either way, the early signs are extremely encouraging.

Havertz has reclaimed the No 9 position

There can now be little doubt about Mikel Arteta’s preferred centre-forward.

Havertz was eased back carefully after his injury last season, but the manager selected him for the Champions League final. The German then started the Community Shield and retained his place against Coventry.

He scored in all three matches.

Havertz has now found the net in four successive Arsenal starts and appears to have re-established himself as Arteta’s first-choice No 9.

That is no criticism of Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede scored 21 goals during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and performed admirably while Havertz was unavailable. Indeed, it was slightly surprising that he did not come off the bench against his former club. With Coventry tiring and Arsenal in complete control, it appeared an ideal opportunity for him to open his account for the season.

However, Havertz offers qualities Arteta clearly values. His movement creates space for others, his pressing helps Arsenal establish control and his ability to drift into midfield allows Saka, Odegaard and the left-sided forward to attack beyond him.

Most importantly, he is scoring.

Arsenal spent years being told they required a proper centre-forward. They may now possess two of them, albeit with contrasting styles. Havertz currently has the shirt, but Gyokeres gives Arteta an alternative capable of changing the entire nature of Arsenal’s attack.

That is an enviable position rather than a problem.

Tzolis already looks like inspired business

Christos Tzolis could hardly have made a more impressive start to his Arsenal career.

The Greek international’s pressing contributed to the opening goal before his low cross presented Saka with the second. He worked relentlessly, carried a threat and looked entirely comfortable within Arsenal’s attacking structure.

It is dangerously early to make definitive judgements, but the £34million arrival from Club Brugge is already beginning to look like an excellent piece of recruitment.

Tzolis produced an extraordinary 22 goals and 29 assists across 52 appearances last season. Arsenal were therefore not signing an unknown quantity. They were recruiting a player whose productivity demanded attention.

Nevertheless, €40million represents relatively modest expenditure in the modern Premier League market.

Tzolis has been chosen to replace Leandro Trossard and the similarities are obvious. Both possess a low centre of gravity, excellent composure and an ability to contribute goals without dominating the ball. Tzolis also appears to have the defensive appetite Arteta requires from his wide players.

Brighton signed Trossard from Genk at 24, developed him for three and a half years and then sold him to Arsenal for a substantial profit.

With Tzolis, Arsenal may simply have removed Brighton from the transaction.

Konsa is expensive—but Arsenal cannot gamble with Saliba’s absence

Arsenal’s decision to spend up to £55million on Ezri Konsa will inevitably attract criticism.

The fee is substantial for a defender who turns 29 in October, particularly when Arsenal already possess Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie and Ben White.

Once William Saliba returns, Arteta will have an almost absurd collection of players capable of operating at centre-back.

However, Saliba is expected to be unavailable for several months with a back injury, while Timber is still recovering from groin surgery. Arsenal needed somebody with Premier League experience who could enter the team immediately and cover more than one defensive position.

Konsa satisfies every requirement.

He is homegrown, comfortable at centre-back or right-back and already has strong relationships with Arsenal’s England internationals. His friendship with Saka will undoubtedly help him settle, while positive conversations with Arteta convinced him that this was the right move.

Arsenal initially valued Konsa at around £40million, while Aston Villa wanted closer to £60million. The eventual agreement—£51million plus a possible £4million in add-ons—represents an expensive compromise.

The price is undeniably high. But Arsenal are defending the Premier League title and competing to win the Champions League. They cannot afford to spend several months hoping Saliba’s absence does not become decisive.

Konsa has not been signed to transform Arsenal. He has been signed to ensure that one injury does not destabilise the strongest part of the team.

Arteta has always built from the back. This transfer is entirely consistent with that philosophy.

Tyjon represents another investment in the future

Arsenal have also agreed a deal to sign Blackburn Rovers forward Igor Tyjon.

The 18-year-old has been on the club’s radar for several transfer windows and arrives with experience across the front line. He has played as a striker, attacking midfielder and winger, while representing England at under-16, under-17 and under-18 level. He has also appeared for Poland’s under-16 side.

Tyjon scored 13 goals in 33 matches for Blackburn’s under-21 team and has already made three senior appearances.

This is clearly a signing for the future rather than an immediate addition to Arteta’s first team. Nevertheless, Arsenal’s sustained pursuit suggests they believe Tyjon possesses considerable potential.

The challenge will be creating a genuine pathway for him. Arsenal have invested heavily in young talent, but collecting promising players is not enough. They must be given the coaching and competitive opportunities required to develop.

Champions—but still ambitious

Arsenal’s summer spending is now approaching £200million following the additions of Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Konsa, as well as the permanent signing of Hincapie.

That is not the behaviour of a club satisfied by one title.

There may yet be another attacking addition before the transfer deadline. Arsenal explored the possibility of signing Morgan Rogers and continue to assess players capable of bringing a different dimension to Arteta’s forward line.

For now, however, the champions look stronger, deeper and—perhaps most significantly—more relaxed.

Coventry will not provide the benchmark by which Arsenal’s season is judged. Nobody should become carried away by a comfortable home victory against newly promoted opposition.

But Arsenal have started the campaign with six goals, two clean sheets and two commanding performances. Havertz is scoring, Saka looks sharp, Odegaard is fit and Tzolis already appears perfectly suited to the team.

Winning the title may have removed the final psychological barrier from this Arsenal side.

The wait is over. The pressure has changed. And the champions have begun as though they intend to remain champions.