Arsenal transfer news live - Raya imminent, Barella swap deal, Balogun decision

Arteta explains Arsenal tactics

Mikel Arteta has explained why he decided to alter his formation and tweak his style as Arsenal ran out 2-1 winners over Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured

Arteta said: "That’s my job, to create bigger problems for the opponents and the ones that they are creating us, and to play the best possible way to earn right the to win the game and have the highest probability to win the game.

"In order to do that we have to pick the right players every week, not to start only but as well to finish and the players that come in the final part of the game, they really help us as well to earn the right to win."

Rodgers on Tierney

Brendan Rodgers refused to confirm whether Celtic are interested in Kieran Tierney after the left-back was left out for Arsenal's game against Nottingham Forest.

"I don't speak on what ifs," he said. "There's speculation around many players, naturally there's an association with Kieran and his past here and our past together but there's nothing to add to it. I want to add to the squad and if we can strengthen that I would be happy with that."

Havertz slammed

Gabriel Agbonlahor has slammed Kai Havertz and admitted he doesn't know what the German adds to the Arsenal side following their 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: "I'm not having him. What does he do? He doesn't suit that role. I'd rather have Trossard play."

Arteta's Arsenal apology

Mikel Arteta has apologised to supporters after Arsenal's game against Nottingham Forest was delayed due to ticketing issues.

The Gunners' Premier League opener, which was scheduled to kick off at 12:30pm on Saturday afternoon, was held up for 30 minutes after widespread reports of turnstiles not working. Thousands of fans were left stranded in long queues and waiting outside the Emirates Stadium - before finally being allowed in.

And after the match, Arteta thanked the officials and Forest who sanctioned the delay. The Arsenal boss said: "Apologise to all of them. We will look at it. Thankyou to the refs and Forest to allow the kick off to be delayed and have the atmosphere that we did."

Read more here.

Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes

Arteta's response to ticket chaos

Mikel Arteta has apologised for the ticketing issues which forced Arsenal's clash with Nottingham Forest to be delayed by 30 minutes.

"We apologise to all of them," Artet told reporters after the 2-1 win. "We will look at it.

"Thank you to the refs and Forest to allow the kick off to be delayed and have the atmosphere that we did."

Mikel Arteta has apologised to supporters after Arsenal's game against Nottingham Forest was delayed (Getty Images)

Nantes confirm Marquinhos loan

Marquinhos has headed out on loan for season, joining French side Nantes.

The Brazilian winger, 20, spent the second half of last term with Norwich, having previously made six appearances for Arsenal.

Arteta responds to Timber criticism

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists that the Gunners medical team were happy for Jurrien Timber to stay on the pitch shortly before he picked up his injury.

The Dutchman was handed his Premier League debut in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. He initially looked as though he picked up a problem following a first-half collision with Brennan Johnson.

Timber continued after that incident and remained in the side as the Gunners re-emerged after the half-time break. It only took a couple of minutes for a problem to surface again however. As he received the ball, he clutched his calf and fell to the floor. Timber was then helped from the pitch by medical staff and replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.

More HERE.

Mikel Arteta speaks after the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest (TNT Sports)

FULL-TIME: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest

A nervy finish but Arsenal take maximum points from their Premier League opener thanks to first-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.

We'll have reaction throughout the afternoon.

GOAL: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest (Awoniyi)

And Taiwo Awoniyi has pulled one back!

Great pace by substitute Anthony Elanga down the left for Nottingham Forest, as the ex-Manchester United winger squared it to Awoniyi for a simple finish on the counter.

Timber suffers worrying injury

Jurrien Timber was forced off the pitch with an injury less than an hour into his Arsenal debut.

The Dutchman appeared to pick up a problem after a first-half collision with Brennan Johnson. He re-emerged after the half-time break but it took just two minutes before he was spotted grabbing his calf in an off-the-ball incident.

Read the full story HERE.

HALF-TIME: Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest

An impressive first half from the Gunners in attack, although they weren't entirely comfortable defensively.

After Brennan Johnson missed an early guilt-edged chance for Nottingham Forest, Arsenal woke up took a commanding lead through Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka.

(HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

GOAL: Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Saka)

Oh what a goal!

Bukayo Saka comes in from the right flank and unleashes a left-footed pearler which beats Matt Turner.

2-0 to the Gunners.

GOAL: Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Nketiah)

The Gunners lead and it's Eddie Nketiah!

A superb pirouette and back heel from Gabriel Martinelli sets him up on the left of the box, and Nketiah finishes emphatically.

Kick-off: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

And we're off! 30 minutes later than expected...

Arsenal's Premier League campaign starts here.

No Tierney in the squad

Kieran Tierney's absence from the squad has sparked discussion at the Emirates regarding his future.

Real Sociedad, Newcastle and former club Celtic have all been linked with a move for the out-of-favour left-back, 26.

Jurrien Timber starts there today, with Thomas Partey filling in on the right-hand side.

Kieran Tierney has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer (Getty Images)

Kick-off delayed

Arsenal's clash with Nottingham Forest will now kick-off at 1pm.

Turner back already

United States international goalkeeper Matt Turner is back at the Emirates just a few days after completing his move to Nottingham Forest.

Turner, 27, joined Arsenal last summer but headed to the City Ground on a permanent basis for around £7million, and he starts today after lifting Community Shield last week.

(Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Confirmed team news vs Nottingham Forest

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Partey, Saliba, White, Timber; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

Nottingham Forest: Turner; Aurier, McKenna Worrall, Boly, Aina; Mangala, Yates, Danilo; Gibbs-White, Johnson

Arsenal handed Kudus boost

Brighton's 48-hour deadline for rumoured Arsenal target Mohammed Kudus to make a decision on joining them has now expired, according to Voetbal International. The Seagulls reached a £40million agreement in principle with Kudus' current club, Ajax, but it appears that the Ghanian attacker would prefer a move elsehwere.

That opens the door for Arteta and co, although they may be forced to pay a higher fee than the one which Ajax previously accepted. Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with a move for 23-year-old Kudus, who can play in a variety of roles and offers Arteta the unpredictability which the Gunners boss has been craving.

More Arsenal transfer news HERE.

Arsenal are still interested in a move for Mohammed Kudus (Getty Images)

Raya deadline passes

Arsenal have missed the deadline to register David Raya for their opening Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest. New signings needed to be registered by 12pm on Friday in order to feature in this weekend's round matches and the Gunners are still getting his move over the line.

It's been reported that Raya, 27, has completed the first stage of his medical and already agreed personal terms. The deadline passing means that Aaron Ramsdale will have at least one more opportunity to impress Mikel Arteta.

More Arsenal transfer news HERE.

(Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Ex-defender makes Havertz and Timber claim

Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has claimed new summer signings Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber do not get in Mikel Arteta's strongest XI.

Arsenal have spent more than £200m this summer to strengthen their squad ahead of their first Champions League campaign in six years and a renewed Premier League title bid. It took a record £105m fee to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, while a further £65m was spent on Havertz and £38.5m on Timber.

And Djourou, who spent ten years at Arsenal, believes only Rice is an upgrade on the team which challenged Manchester City for the title last season. "Mikel Arteta isn't going to change things in terms of his formation; his strongest XI will come in a 4-3-3, that's for sure," Djourou exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone.

More from Djourou HERE.

Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Lineker and Shearer disagree on title prediction

Gary Lineker has backed Arsenal to end Manchester City's reign of dominance and win the Premier League title - but Alan Shearer isn't so convinced of the Gunners' chances.

City may be fresh off winning their third successive English crown, as well as becoming champions of Europe for the first time in their history, but Lineker reckons Arsenal's new signings will be enough to turn the tide. The Gunners have splashed more than £200million on Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz in a bid to go better than finishing second last season.

That's where Shearer predicts they'll end up again, though, especially after striker Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee injury which is set to rule him out for the first few weeks of the campaign, having also missed three months last term. "They already have a problem with Jesus. I would have them have in second," Newcastle and Blackburn legend Shearer declared on The Rest Is Football podcast, as the Premier League predictions rolled in for the 2023-24 season.

Read the full story HERE.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Less than four hours until the season begins

Arsenal are involved in today's early game as they kick off their Premier League season.

Nottingham Forest are the visitors to the Emirates Stadium, having dealt the final blow to the Gunners' title challenge late last season.

Reigning champions Manchester City were victorious in last night's curtain-raiser, winning 3-0 at Burnley.

Former Gunner Akpom close to Lens move

Former Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom is set to join Lens from Middlesbrough, according to L'Equipe (via Get French Football News).

The striker is expected to move for an initial €11m as a replacement for Lois Openda, who joined RB Leipzig earlier in the summer.

Akpom, 27, was the top scorer in the Championship last season.

Good morning!

Welcome back to Mirror Football's one-stop shop for everything Arsenal.

We'll have all the latest throughout the day, with transfer updates and the latest from the Gunners' Premier League opener.

Stay with us.

That's all for tonight

And that's all on a quiet Friday evening folks.

We'll see you tomorrow.

And we'll keep you up to date with all the action from the Emirates too!

See you then.

Declan Rice on life at Arsenal

Declan Rice says he's tried to take the "complete opposite" approach to how new players usually act at a new club during his first few weeks at Arsenal.

The midfielder became the most expensive British footballer ever when he completed his £105m switch from West Ham to the Gunners this summer, and he is seen by many as the key ingredient in an Arsenal side who are looking to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League crown this season.

Rice made his competitive Gunners debut in last weekend's Community Shield victory over Manchester City at Wembley, and will make his league bow for his new club when Nottingham Forest come to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Continued here

Meanwhile at Old Trafford

Some news from Manchester United tonight.

Fred is on his way out.

United have agreed a £13m deal with Fenerbahce for the Brazilian to move.

(Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Rice approach

Declan Rice says he's tried to take the "complete opposite" approach to how new players usually act at a new club during his first few weeks at Arsenal.

The midfielder became the most expensive British footballer ever when he completed his £105m switch from West Ham to the Gunners this summer, and he is seen by many as the key ingredient in an Arsenal side who are looking to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League crown this season.

"You know when a new player comes to a club, they can be quiet, reserved," Rice told TNT Sports ahead of tomorrow's league opener against Nottingham Forest.

"I tried to do the complete opposite and go speak to anyone in my first couple of days, I was just trying to show everyone how I am as a character. I've got to speak to new people, speak to the kitchen staff, speak to staff, speak to other players... just to show my character and show that I'm not shy."

Declan Rice, a £105m signing by Arsenal this summer, takes on Julian Alvarez during last weekend's Community Shield.

Jesus update

No timeframe has been set for Gabriel Jesus' return to the team following surgery on his knee but Arteta said that the club hope to see the Brazilian return to some very light training next week. It's hoped he would return after the September international break.

"It’s a bit early still," Arteta said of predicting a return date. "He’s doing really well since his operation. Hopefully he can start to do some activities next week. It’s something that we want to be cautious about and make sure he comes back the right way."