Arsenal pre-season Q&A with TLC's editor

Thank you so much for sending in so many questions. Here are the questions that made it to the starting XI, plus one sub!

1. Will Gabriel go to Juve?

Probably not - unless silly money is offered

2. Will Jesus propel Arsenal into the top four?

Yes, there’s a chance. Look how many goals Arsenal have scored in the pre-season: 5 v Ipswich & 5 v Nurnberg, 2 v Everton and 3 v Orlando.

3. Will Tierney & Tomiyasu ever be ever-presents?

Tomiyasu had more chance, as you’d like to think muscular problems heal. Tierney must be getting the best medical help available, so maybe there’s hope. He’s determination is there, but can his body keep recovering? I’m not sure.

4. Do pre-seasons mean anything?

Yes and no. No points, of course, but if you’re getting hammered in pre-season, it probably means the tin tack for the manager eg Frank Lampard.

5. Will Saliba sign a new deal? 

Not yet. I think he’ll make Arsenal sweat. Maybe he feels that he hasn’t been treated well by the club. After all, he missed a cup final two seasons ago. Then last season, he was going to be around, but no! Off he went to Marseille. 

However, he may actually start a lot of games if he stays, so I think he’ll stay, unless a monstrous offer comes in.

6. Will Saka sign a new deal?

I’d expect so unless something terrible happens during negotiations. I can’t imagine that Arsenal will mess Saka’s deal up but, then again, you never know.

7. Who’s off then?

Torreira almost definitely, Bellerin probably, but it wouldn’t totally surprise me if stayed. Nelson probably, but it’s hard to say. I think he wants to stay and, if so, maybe he will.

8. Who’s in then?

At this stage it’s a revolving door. With Zinchenko in, it could be curtains for Tavares, some say. However, it may be that Tavares is Zin’s back-up, as Tierney is perennially crocked.

Additionally, it looks like Teilemans might come in. Not quite sure why it’s taken so long, so that makes me think it will never happen, but these days nearly all transfers are protracted sagas, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised.

If he comes in, there’s talk that Xhaka will leave. I can’t see it personally. He stayed when nearly everyone hated him, so why would he leave now that he feels the love. It doesn’t make sense, especially as Arteta rates him too. It’s taken most of us a long time to warm to him and his silly fouls and faux hard man approach, but in his old age he’s becoming slightly more reliable. Maybe he’s like a vintage wine, but I’m a bit worried he’ll turn into vinegar and leave us with a sour taste in our mouths. Even vinegar has its uses though: where would fish and chips be without it?

9. Is Thomas Partey good enough?

Yes, if he can steer clear of injuries. That’s a big if. So far, he’s not really managed it. On his day, he’s one of Arsenal’s best players, but have injuries wrecked him already? It’s hard to say, but I’m disappointed to see so many fans writing him off already. The end of the season will be the time to judge.

10. The captain: who will it be and will it be a good decision?

If it’s Odegaard, it’s a great decision. He’s not going to pick up silly yellow cards and he’ll lead by example. He’ll probably play every game as, dare I say it, he’s like Ozil for chance-creation, but he has Ray Parlour’s workrate. What’s not to love? At least, Arteta learned that Emery’s five captains idea was a dead duck. No more of that please!

11 Will the new Vieira thrive or will his match-stick frame splinter under the pressure of the Premier League. 

Well, I’m not saying he’s fragile, but arriving with a foot cast is not a good sign. I’m sure he’s got technical prowess, but we haven’t seen it yet. Stick insects can thrive in the Premier League, but if he has physical fragility, it’s going to get tested in the England, that’s for sure. No one takes prisoners: ask Eduardo! 

Anyway, let’s hope Vieira is more of a praying mantis than a stick insect!

12 Do Arsenal get enough protection from referees?

Have you got any more jokes? No! The red shirts cover the blood. If Arsenal changed to white or whiter than white or pure white, everyone would connote that with innocence. Maybe then Arsenal would get away with murder like a certain team that plays in white and not be considered a bunch of murderers, who deserve every foul they get. And Arsenal get fouled a lot, let’s face it! Even in friendlies! 

Attacking or wide midfielders - who’s in, who’s out @ Arsenal FC?

Arsenal seem extremely well-stocked in this department, but let's look at the contractual situation of each player, provided by journalist Art de Roche of The Athletic (theathletic.com).

Bukayo Saka (2024)
This mainstay of the first-team needs to be tied down to a new contract, as soon as possible. The situation isn't urgent, but will be soon, especially if he continues in the same rich vein of form he's been ever since making his debut.

The shocking thing is he's still 20-years-old and yet he still has the nerve to take penalties, despite missing a crucial one in a penalty shoot-out for England in the Euro 2020 final on 11th July 2021.
Verdict: STAY

Martin Odegaard (2025)
The Norwegian is a cool, calm and collected captain, who is still only 23-year-old, so has the best years ahead of him.

He still has a lot to prove, since arriving from Real Madrid, initially on loan, but many Arsenal fans believe in his ability to thread through final passes for team-mates and to slam in the occasional direct free kick.
Verdict: STAY

Emile Smith Rowe (2026)
'The Smith' as Nunes calls him reminds me so much of Paul Mersin in his pomp that he's always going to start or at least be used from the bench.

He's still only 21-years-old, so the best is yet to come, as long as he steers clear of injuries.
Verdict: STAY

Gabriel Martinelli (2024)
Apparently the club can extend the Brazil international's deal by one more year, so Arsenal fans can rest easily for now.

On his day, the 21-year-old is unplayable, but injuries and his inconsistency makes me wonder if he'll live up to his superstar potential.

He seems more effective as a left winger than he is as a striker, although many fans have called for him to play centrally in the past.
Verdict: STAY

Nicolas Pepe (2024)
The 27-year-old certainly seems surplus to requirements now, but quite how much of the £72m that Arsenal forked out for him can be recovered remains a moot point.

Personally, I think Pepe can offer something to the team, if he gets a run of games, but that seems unlikely under Arteta, who clearly is unimpressed by the Ivorian's work rate and tackling back.
Verdict: GO

Reiss Nelson (2023)
Apparently, this Hale Ender is about to get another chance to deliver for Arsenal's first team, but I can't see it myself.

Although the 22-year-old performed well at Feyenoord on loan by all accounts, playing in the Dutch league for one of the top sides is not as challenging as Premier League football, with all due respect.
Verdict: GO

Fabio Vieira (2027)
With a surname like that, the Portugal U21 international captain has a lot to live up to!

However, we can't expect him to deliver much in his first season abroad, so the question is will he be loaned out? My guess is: 'no'.
Verdict: STAY

Arsenal might beat Ham to Zin!

According to the Express journalist Sam Smith, express.co.uk, Arsenal might win the race for Oleksandr Zinchenko's signature.

After bringing Gabriel Jesus from Man City, Mikel Arteta must fancy his chances of plundering his old club again. It really is an exemplary case of not burning bridges, as Arteta left Man City with their blessing and, therefore, the relationship between Arsenal and Man City has become stronger since his appointment.

There may be some fans who may think that Arsenal will become a Man City dumping ground, but given the age of the latest signing Jesus, no one can seriously make that allegation.

Obviously, some fans are sensitive to plundering other Premier League clubs, as evidenced by the William signing. Of course, signing that player was an unmitigated disaster for whatever reason. The reductionists will say William was over 30 and had won everything, so had nothing to prove at Arsenal. All he could do is wind things down and treat the Emirates like a luxurious retirement home.

In the end, William did the right thing and terminated his lucrative contract. From my perspective, I think he did Arsenal a favour by doing that. He left with his head held high, despite his disappointing spell at the club.

The lesson that Arteta learned from that episode is to bring in players on an upward trajectory. That rules out the Ronaldos and Messis of this world, as they've already been there, done it and are now having to compete with aging bodies in a young person's sport.

That's why Zinchenko makes sense: he fits the preferred age profile, being just 25-years-old.

Already, Arsenal have bought Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos to the Emirates Stadium, and you would fancy the Gunners to beat off competition for the utility player, who can play at left back or in midfield.

Apparently, according The Athletic, Man City are planning to sign Brighton's Marc Cucurella, which will make Zinchenko surplus to requirements. Additionally, he has only two years left on his current deal, so if City want to cash in, now is the time to get the maximum amount for his services.

Although much seems to be dependent on City landing Cucurella, you would expect Pep Guardiola to get his man, which should mean that Arsenal can land the versatile Ukraine international.