Football.London rounds up the latest Arsenal news during the final week of the summer transfer window, including developments surrounding Julián Álvarez, Kenan Yıldız, and Gabriel Martinelli.

This is the penultimate transfer window round-up. Arsenal have made a strong start and currently sit ahead of Brighton due to Aston Villa's poor form. With the Gunners visiting Villa away on the eve of the transfer deadline next week, this is undoubtedly a positive sign.

However, despite Arsenal's impressive performance so far, having already won a trophy and with their title defence ongoing, fewer than eight days remain before the transfer window closes, and the club still has several matters to resolve. It's possible that not all player acquisitions and departures will be finalized before the window shuts.

The team's defensive priorities have been addressed. Konsa joined for a fixed fee of £51 million plus £4 million in add-ons, signing a four-year contract with a one-year extension option. Mikel Arteta has acquired a player who can operate as both right-back and centre-back, bringing vast experience, calm passing ability, and tackle statistics that other defenders would envy.

Remaining questions about signings and departures are interconnected, focusing notably on attacking positions—we'll begin there. Martinelli received a £38 million offer from Galatasaray, but the player himself was unwilling to accept it.

Once again, questions have been raised about Arsenal's handling of player departures. Martinelli's situation bears some similarity to Lewis-Skelly's.

Both players were determined to stay at Arsenal at the start of summer. Admittedly, Martinelli's social media post after the season carried a tone of "this could be the end." However, upon reflection, and given that the player is happy at Arsenal and not seeking to leave, the post appears more as an emotional expression of gratitude for helping the team fight for the title and working there for seven years.

Football.London understands that Andrea Berta evaluated the potential value of several squad players. For many years, Arsenal have lagged behind their competitors in player sales, and there has been internal pressure within the club to raise funds through player sales.

This also explains why Arsenal approached Chelsea and Manchester United through agents to gauge their interest in Lewis-Skelly. However, internal communication issues at the club are attracting growing attention.

Football.London understands that when the exclusive news about Lewis-Skelly's potential departure broke, the player himself was surprised. It is therefore unsurprising that his celebration after scoring against Como, Arsenal's reaction after winning the Community Shield, and the general fan reaction were so evident. He received the loudest applause of any squad player each time his name was announced at the Emirates. The same occurred last Friday against Coventry City. Before the match, Arteta explained in detail the difficulties of having tough conversations with players, including explaining why they might have limited playing time or even informing them that a departure could be a more appropriate option.

When asked about this particular challenge, Arteta responded: "That's a very good question. It's really a very, very difficult moment.

"We have to be realistic. But I think you have to approach it with real honesty and transparency, because that's what you need when you're on the receiving end. You might not like what you're told, but if it's true, if it's the reality, if it's honest, and if it helps you make better decisions and gives you a clearer picture of what the next step in your career should be, then you have to do it.

"This kind of communication is always very difficult, but it has to happen. When a player feels he doesn't belong to the team, or that he's not important, he will want to start a new chapter. I think this communication must exist, and it must be two-way.

"We all know that everything ultimately has a beginning and an end. When the end comes, I think our duty and responsibility is to handle it in the best possible way, while maintaining respect, appreciation, and the relationship with the player, but also understanding that ultimately, we have to make footballing decisions."

Football.London also directly asked Arteta whether he was confident that Lewis-Skelly would still be an Arsenal player after the transfer window closes. To this, he gave a clear answer: "One hundred per cent."

However, after the Coventry City match, former striker Ian Wright added a new layer of controversy to the subject during an interview with Sky Sports. Wright works closely with the club and maintains good relationships with many squad players.

Wright stated: "I'm troubled by the way Martinelli has been treated. He always gives 100 per cent and has scored important goals.

"Nobody has communicated with him, he didn't know what was happening. I know this."

However, Football.London learns from internal club sources that Arteta did speak to Martinelli before the match to explain why he hadn't been included in the squad. Perhaps the misunderstanding between the two parties concerned more the fact that the club was actively seeking a buyer.

The situation with Lewis-Skelly is similar, but more generally, it was widely expected that Arsenal would strengthen their left flank. However, Trossard's anticipated departure could further complicate Martinelli's situation.

The current reality is that Al-Hilal is negotiating with Arsenal, hoping to reach an agreement for the Brazilian's transfer. Football.London understands that Martinelli is now more open to a move. Arsenal are aiming to significantly exceed their club record player sale of £35 million, which has stood since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's departure in 2017.

If Martinelli leaves, it's also unclear who would replace him. So far, Arsenal's attempts to recruit a left winger have failed, although the club has shown keen interest in Morgan Rogers and Vinícius Júnior.

The reality is that there aren't many players on the transfer market who can improve a championship-winning team, and their valuations match Arsenal's own assessments. In Rogers' case, Chelsea intervened later and paid a transfer fee of £117 million. If Arsenal wanted to match that figure, they would have to abandon their principles.

Kenan Yıldız is a player Arsenal admire and would be willing to pay a premium price for. However, so far, neither Juventus nor the player himself has shown the willingness to negotiate that would be necessary to close a deal.

Therefore, Julián Álvarez appears to be Arsenal's last hope for a major new signing. Álvarez was heavily booed by supporters when he returned to Madrid and featured for Atlético Madrid in their 2-2 draw against Villarreal.

At the end of the match, some even suggested he left the pitch immediately without applauding supporters with his current teammates, perhaps fearing an even stronger reaction.

Atlético Madrid don't want to lose Álvarez. However, Football.London understands that if a club outside Spain, and more specifically outside Barcelona and Real Madrid, makes an offer significantly exceeding £100 million, Atlético would be more inclined to enter negotiations. But Arsenal's biggest challenge is securing the player's support for the transfer.

Álvarez has always wanted to move to Barcelona. As time passes and days tick away, the possibility of that deal materializing seems to be diminishing.

Arsenal may fail to find a replacement after Martinelli's departure. In that case, Eberechi Eze's role on the left side of the attacking trident would undoubtedly become even more crucial this season.

Traduit par IA.

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