After finally winning the Premier League last season, Arsenal will be desperate now to create an era-defining dynasty under Mikel Arteta. One way to do that would be to finally win the Champions League, having lost in the final to Paris Saint-Germain in May.

The most obvious way to improve their chances will be to go into the summer market and sign some big-name stars. The club have been linked with a whole host of exciting players, and if they land their biggest targets, the squad could really start to look rather frightening for their opponents.

With that in mind, here is a possible XI Arsenal could field in 2026/27, with some of their dream transfers squeezed into the starting line-up.

Goalkeeper and Defence

David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Ezri Konsa

At the back, Arsenal don’t need to do much. After all, they already have perhaps the strongest backline in world football. David Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove for the third season in a row last time out, and he was helped by key centre-back duo Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

Worryingly, Saliba could miss out on pre-season and the early stages of the new campaign with a back injury. This is where the need for Ezri Konsa comes in. The Gunners have been linked with the Aston Villa and England star, and he could be a very clever signing.

Not only could Konsa cover centre-back, but he could also fill in at right-back if needed, as shown with this potential line-up. Jurrien Timber and Ben White are brilliant full-backs, but had their own injury issues last term, meaning Cristhian Mosquera had to start on the flank in the Champions League final.

A move for Konsa would give Arteta great depth at centre-back and right-back. At left-back, he is well stocked with Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie both capable of playing key minutes, while young Myles Lewis-Skelly is a great third-choice option as well.

Midfield

Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Odegaard

via Reuters

It’s no secret that Arsenal are after a new central midfielder this summer, and the Gunners seem fairly close to landing Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes. A deal worth around £80m could see him arrive at the Emirates this summer.

The Brazilian ace would be able to form a frightening pivot alongside key man Declan Rice, but also has the adaptability to play as either the six or the eight. Should Arteta want to slightly tweak things – with Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Christian Norgaard alternative options in that part of the pitch – Guimaraes could comfortably slot alongside any of those four.

Completing the midfield three alongside Guimaraes and Rice, captain Martin Odegaard had a fine World Cup and this would be a formidable trio if he can maintain his fitness and rediscover his best form over the coming season. Arteta also has Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri as alternatives should he want more direct goal threat from his attacking midfielder.

Attack

Bukayo Saka, Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Junior

Finally, in attack, Arsenal could really supercharge things. Many felt their defence won them the Premier League last season, so this is one area which could be improved over the summer. The early rumours suggest that Arteta and his staff want to do just that.

On the left, so long as he can stay fit, Bukayo Saka will bring great quality and composure, while Noni Madueke has proven to be a capable deputy when called upon. But in the other two positions, things get really exciting.

On the opposition flank, the Gunners have been linked with a hugely ambitious move for Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid man won’t come cheap, but if a deal can be completed, it would be the most exciting transfer since Arsene Wenger plucked Mesut Ozil from the same club back in 2013.

Leandro Trossard has already departed, but Christos Tzolis has been picked up to fill that void, while Gabriel Martinelli remains at the club – although he could be sold to make way for Vinicius Jr.

In the striker position, depending on how ambitious Arsenal are, there could be room for one more key signing. Although Viktor Gyokeres scored 21 goals in his debut season, not everyone is convinced by the Swede, and Kai Havertz struggled for fitness in recent times. As such, Arteta may want a new option to really boost their chances of lifting more silverware.

Via Buildlineup.com

If given the transfer funds, it seems as though his ideal target would be Julian Alvarez. The Argentine wants Barcelona, but Atletico Madrid do not want to sell to a direct rival; this could potentially open the door for an Arsenal swoop.

Should the World Cup finalist agree to a move alongside Vini Jr, Arsenal’s attack could suddenly become one of the most frightening in world football. Add that to a bolstered midfield and their already impressive defence, and more Premier League glory could be on the cards in 2026/27.

The date and location for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua has been ‘leaked’ after both men came through their respective fights this weekend.

Fans will be relieved that the biggest fight in British boxing history is still a possibility after Joshua recovered from one of the worst rounds of his career to beat Kristian Prenga on Saturday night.

With Fury also having stopped Mariusz Wach on Friday, the super fight is still very much on. However, despite the two fighters being British and the majority of the interest in the fight coming from the country, the fight won’t take place on British shores.

Fury and Joshua Both Win ‘Warm-Up’ Bouts to Set Up Long-Awaited Showdown

Credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

This weekend gave fans of the sweet science a double dip of heavyweight action with two of the best of their generation. First up, on Friday evening, Fury took seven rounds to get past durable Polish veteran Wach but didn’t look at his best, being caught a few times himself.

However, he managed to hold up his end of the deal. On Saturday evening, it was down to Joshua. Faced with little-known Prenga, the expectation was that it would be a short night for the travelling fighter.

The 35-year-old, though, had other ideas, for the first round at least, dropping the former two-time heavyweight champion twice, and he looked to be on his way to a shocking upset victory.

The second round brought out a cautious version of the Albanian. Joshua capitalised and knocked his man out and almost out of the ring for the victory.

Despite neither fighter making an impressive statement, it looks as though the long-awaited meeting will take place, and the date and venue has now emerged.

The obvious choice would, of course, be Wembley Stadium in the capital, with 90,000 fans providing the atmosphere that befits the occasion. The biggest stadium in the UK was originally cited as the host, but due to local laws, the show would have to be totally done and dusted by 11pm local time, which would not be ideal for the US audience.

As a result, a report from The Sun has revealed that the fight will be held at a time that suits American fans.

The Planned Date and Location For Fury vs Joshua Revealed

Fury vs Joshua is apparently heading to New York, specifically the iconic Madison Square Garden with the proposed date being the 14th of November this year.

As prestigious as MSG is, it only has a maximum capacity of 20,000, the same as the O2 Arena in London. It would be expected that a bigger number of fans would be able to turn out to watch the monumental tussle in person.

On the other hand, MSG holds a stature not shared by many other arenas across the world. It has hosted fights such as the 1971 “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, the 1974 rematch, the 1951 curtain call of Joe Louis against Rocky Marciano, and the first fight for undisputed status between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield in 1999.

Perhaps this is what the powers that be had looked at when deciding on a venue if it can’t be hosted in the UK, as Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn has insisted that he, Netflix, TKO President Nick Khan, and Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, are all sold on the idea of MSG hosting the event.

Plans For Fury vs Joshua Branded A Disgrace

What British fans will take some solace in is that not every high-profile boxing figure is high on the idea, as the former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has blasted the suggestion:

“It’s disgraceful. American boxing is dead.

“They had a WBC heavyweight world champion for ten years in Deontay Wilder and no one cared.

“They want what we’ve got, the best crowds and the most passionate fans in the world. It should be with us.”

Unfortunately, for UK fans, if the key decision-makers have made their choice, there is not a lot that is going to stop the showcase heading to the Big Apple.

The 2025/26 season was pretty abject for Harvey Elliott. He was loaned out to Aston Villa from Liverpool but hardly played. Upon returning to the Reds after 12 months of little football, his body transformation has sparked a big reaction online.

The Englishman joined Villa last summer on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to buy for around £35m so long as he played enough games. Manager Unai Emery was evidently not keen on the midfielder, however, as he essentially refused to play Elliott.

The 23-year-old would play just four times in the Premier League for Villa that season, getting just 13 minutes off the bench after the turn of the year. He left Villa Park with nine appearances in total, one short of the ten he needed to trigger the obligation to join permanently.

Elliott’s future remains unclear, but for now he is back at Liverpool. The midfielder even started the recent friendly against Sunderland in Andoni Iraola’s first game in charge.

Elliott’s Return Sparks Reaction During Liverpool vs Sunderland Friendly

It was a positive return for Elliott, as he picked up an assist for Kieran Morrison after just 13 minutes. The Reds would win the game 4-2, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa and Lewis Koumas getting on the scoresheet.

Ahead of the match, though, Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele shared some footage of Elliott warming up and noted how he’d ‘bulked up’ during his 12 months away from Anfield. He posted a video with the caption:

In response to the video, many other fans agreed with the comment, adding their own thoughts. One said: “He looks awful, nothing like an athlete.” Another wrote: “You can’t have Messi’s height and frame and try to add muscles like Adama Traore. If anything, he needs to lose weight. Get more agile and quick.”

Indeed, the general consensus seemed to be concern, as another fan said: “Disappointing that he hasn’t looked after himself this summer because that’s not footballer bulk. Maybe he doesn’t think he has a future (which he should not think so, considering me manager, new chances)/maybe confidence lost due to Villa experience.”

One more claimed: “That’s not a good thing. He was to slow and laboured before bulking up.” A final supporter wrote: “Was better when he was much thinner. Already struggles to run never mind looking bigger.”

Iraola To Give Elliott a Chance To Impress This Summer

REUTERS

Despite the concerns, it seems as though Elliott will be given the chance to impress this summer under his new manager. Speaking in his first press conference, Iraola said:

“Harvey is here with us. He has come [in early] also. I’ve seen him with this eagerness to show himself, to get himself ready again. He will have a chance during the pre-season; we will need him.”

What’s more, contrary to the claims about his body, it appears as though the player has been working hard to get fir for the new season, returning to Liverpool early after his summer break. Iraola revealed

The Englishman only has one-year remaining on his Anfield contract, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds.