Sports
Four Players Who Can Make A Major Difference For Arsenal This Season
Arsenal may have won the Premier League title last season, but there is still ample room for improvement for Mikel Arteta’s team.
The Gunners ended a gruelling 2025/26 campaign seven points clear of Manchester City. This deficit makes the league triumph look considerably more comfortable than it was, with the last few months of the season in particular extremely difficult to watch as an under-pressure and fatigued set of players scraped over the line.
Not only do Arteta’s men have the opportunity to retain their crown in 2026/27, but they can do so in style, with some minor improvements here and there. Whilst being an elite defensive team last term, conceding just 27 league goals, they scored just 71 goals. Clearly, the North Londoners can become a significantly more threatening and lethal side offensively.
With that said, here are four players who either weren’t in the fold at all last season or were on the periphery of Arteta’s squad who could make a significant difference.
Ben White
Jurrien Timber was outstanding last season, playing a major role in Arsenal’s defensive solidity. The Dutchman was capable of nullifying the threat of any winger he faced, rendering the left-hand side of the Gunners’ opponents completely ineffective.
He started 28 of Arsenal’s first 31 league fixtures before sustaining an injury which kept him out of the final seven. Yet to fully recover from this setback, he’s set to miss the opening few weeks of the season.
Ben White, on the flip side, started just five of these league matches before Timber’s injury. However, he’s enjoyed an impressive pre-season and is raring to go ahead of the new campaign, and fans may be surprised by the impact he makes on Arteta’s team.
While he’s never going to offer the elite defensive assurances Timber does, White can add a lot to Arsenal’s game offensively. An exceptional passer from deep areas, White will set Arsenal up for more direct attacks with his distribution, while the quality of his cutbacks and crosses when played in on the overlap are vastly superior to his Dutch counterpart.
Overall, Arsenal may be somewhat more defensively fragile down their right-hand side, but they may also be significantly more threatening as an attacking team due to White’s presence.
|
Ben White’s Attacking Statistics 2023/24 (Premier League Only) |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
37 |
|
Goals |
4 |
|
Assists |
4 |
|
Key Passes per 90 |
1.17 |
|
Expected Assists per 90 |
0.11 |
|
Touches in Opposition Box per 90 |
1.95 |
|
Successful Crosses per 90 |
0.3 |
Bruno Guimaraes
Arsenal completed the audacious signing of Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle’s captain and talisman, earlier this month, and this could prove to be one of the acquisitions of the summer in the Premier League.
While the Brazilian has a reputation for being a nasty, tough-tackling midfielder who protects his back four effectively, it’s what he could add to Arsenal’s attack which will elevate the Gunners’ overall level.
Firstly, his ability to progress the ball through his punchy, line-breaking passes will get Arsenal up the pitch and into dangerous areas more frequently, but this attribute should also liberate Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian has been too inclined to drop deep to help facilitate ball progression over the last two seasons, detracting from his creative threat in and around the box.
With Guimaraes taking the ball progression mantle from Arsenal’s skipper, he can remain higher up the pitch to influence proceedings in the final third. This was already on display in Sunday’s Community Shield, with Odegaard breaking into the box on multiple occasions to make things happen.
However, Guimaraes will also provide value himself in advanced areas. He finished last season with nine goals and seven assists across all competitions, and his underlying numbers in this area were also impressive, as shown in the table below. Possessing dangerous attacking instincts and the ability to play a penetrative pass in the final third, expect Guimaraes’ arrival to make Arsenal a lot more threatening.
|
Bruno Guimaraes’ Attacking Statistics 2025/26 (Premier League Only) |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
29 |
|
Goals |
9 |
|
Assists |
5 |
|
Key Passes per 90 |
2.15 |
|
Expected Assists per 90 |
0.24 |
|
Shots per 90 |
1.72 |
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Like White, Myles Lewis-Skelly was on the periphery of Arteta’s squad for much of last season. However, after unlocking him towards the end of the campaign in midfield, the teenager could play a hugely important role in 2026/27.
Reports suggesting he could be on his way out have been rubbished, and he’s set to remain in North London to fight for his position with Guimaraes and Declan Rice.
While he’s unlikely to pop up with decisive goals and assists like Guimaraes will, even if his exquisite pass for Riccardo Calafiori’s opener in the Community Shield suggests he can, he’s still likely to make a positive impact on how effective Arsenal are as an attacking unit.
When things got stale for Arteta’s team last season, they struggled to break through the opposition’s press and subsequently spent much of the game in their own defensive third. Lewis-Skelly is outstanding at eluding the first line of pressure, with his ability to turn his man and drive up the pitch not an attribute any of the Gunners’ other midfielders really possess.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Christos Tzolis
If Arsenal can’t secure another left-winger before the transfer window is up, Christos Tzolis might end up playing a prominent role for Arteta in 2026/27. The Greek, who arrived from Club Brugge for just £34million this summer, was outstanding in pre-season, acclimating into his new team well.
Last term, Arsenal lacked players who made the right decision at the critical moment in the final third. The likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and even Leandro Trossard frustrated in this aspect of the game. Decision-making is Tzolis’ speciality.
Time and time again, the 24-year-old will play the right pass or take the right shot at the right time. This is how he has been so productive in his last three seasons, and there’s no reason why this won’t continue at a higher level.
|
Christos Tzolis’ Output (All Competitions) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Club |
Appearances |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2023/24 |
Fortuna Dusseldorf |
37 |
24 |
8 |
|
2024/25 |
Club Brugge |
56 |
21 |
14 |
|
2025/26 |
Club Brugge |
52 |
22 |
29 |
All Statistics via FotMob – correct as of 18/08/2026
Sports
Fabrizio Romano Reveals New Man City Talks to Sign Enzo Fernandez
Manchester City have held fresh talks on Tuesday over signing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, despite the deadline that the Blues set last week expiring.
Chelsea set a deadline of 5pm last Friday for clubs to make a £120m bid to prise the Argentina international away from Stamford Bridge, with Man City one of the interested clubs in the 25-year-old.
No offer arrived for the South American, and the west London outfit may have assumed that was the end of the situation at that stage.
However, City’s need for new midfielders is increasing after Rodri joined Bernardo Silva in completing a move to LaLiga with Barcelona on Tuesday, while Tijjani Reijnders is on the verge of completing his switch to Saudi club Al-Qadsiah.
Now, David Ornstein has reported that Newcastle are exploring a move for Nico Gonzalez too, with Fabrizio Romano saying that City are open to the Spaniard’s exit despite only signing him just over 18 months ago in a deal worth £50m.
While City are closing in on a deal to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, there is still a gap in their central midfield, especially if Gonzalez joins the other three in departing.
Despite last week’s deadline set by Chelsea passing, Romano says that City aren’t giving up on Fernandez and that they actually held new talks over a move for him today.
Speaking on his latest YouTube video on Tuesday night, the Italian journalist said:
Enzo Fernandez is still being discussed internally at Manchester City. Even today, from what I’m hearing at the club, there were conversations about the Enzo Fernandez situation.
“On player side, Javier Pastore, the agent of the player, had conversations on daily basis these days, even after the deadline set by Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez. I would not be surprised if Manchester City arrive again and try to open negotiations for Enzo Fernandez.
“I would not be surprised because the understanding is that this Enzo situation, yes, on Friday changed the dynamics because Chelsea can now decide whatever they want. Chelsea will be more than happy to keep Fernandez at the club.
“Chelsea are not desperate with this situation, but at the same time, Chelsea are in control. Chelsea decide about the transfer fee. This verbal exit close is no longer valid, so we have to see how the conversations will continue.”
City Need Enzo Fernandez More Than Ever
Enzo Fernandez might not be the most popular player in the Premier League after his behaviour at the 2026 World Cup and how he helped knock England out of the tournament, but there is no doubting the qualities that he brings.
And City need those qualities in their midfield more than ever. Make no mistake, losing Rodri and Bernardo Silva in the same summer is a huge blow for a club who aspires to win the Premier League and Champions League every season.
Right now, City’s central midfield options are new boy Elliot Anderson, Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic, while Nico O’Reilly can play there too.
As mentioned,
Sports
Fabrizio Romano Reveals New Man City Talks to Sign Enzo Fernandez
Manchester City have held fresh talks on Tuesday over signing Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, despite the deadline that the Blues set last week expiring.
Chelsea set a deadline of 5pm last Friday for clubs to make a £120m bid to prise the Argentina international away from Stamford Bridge, with Man City one of the interested clubs in the 25-year-old.
No offer arrived for the South American, and the west London outfit may have assumed that was the end of the situation at that stage.
However, City’s need for new midfielders is increasing after Rodri joined Bernardo Silva in completing a move to LaLiga with Barcelona on Tuesday, while Tijjani Reijnders is on the verge of completing his switch to Saudi club Al-Qadsiah.
Now, David Ornstein has reported that Newcastle are exploring a move for Nico Gonzalez too, with Fabrizio Romano saying that City are open to the Spaniard’s exit despite only signing him just over 18 months ago in a deal worth £50m.
While City are closing in on a deal to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, there is still a gap in their central midfield, especially if Gonzalez joins the other three in departing.
Despite last week’s deadline set by Chelsea passing, Romano says that City aren’t giving up on Fernandez and that they actually held new talks over a move for him today.
Speaking on his latest YouTube video on Tuesday night, the Italian journalist said:
Enzo Fernandez is still being discussed internally at Manchester City. Even today, from what I’m hearing at the club, there were conversations about the Enzo Fernandez situation.
“On player side, Javier Pastore, the agent of the player, had conversations on daily basis these days, even after the deadline set by Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez. I would not be surprised if Manchester City arrive again and try to open negotiations for Enzo Fernandez.
“I would not be surprised because the understanding is that this Enzo situation, yes, on Friday changed the dynamics because Chelsea can now decide whatever they want. Chelsea will be more than happy to keep Fernandez at the club.
“Chelsea are not desperate with this situation, but at the same time, Chelsea are in control. Chelsea decide about the transfer fee. This verbal exit close is no longer valid, so we have to see how the conversations will continue.”
City Need Enzo Fernandez More Than Ever
Enzo Fernandez might not be the most popular player in the Premier League after his behaviour at the 2026 World Cup and how he helped knock England out of the tournament, but there is no doubting the qualities that he brings.
And City need those qualities in their midfield more than ever. Make no mistake, losing Rodri and Bernardo Silva in the same summer is a huge blow for a club who aspires to win the Premier League and Champions League every season.
Right now, City’s central midfield options are new boy Elliot Anderson, Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic, while Nico O’Reilly can play there too.
As mentioned,
Sports
Tottenham Suffer New Savinho Transfer Blow After Jeremy Doku Injury
Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a fresh blow in their bid to sign Manchester City winger Savinho, with new reports on Tuesday evening suggesting Jeremy Doku has suffered an injury.
Tottenham have been trying to bring the Brazil international to north London for most of the summer, as they also did this time last year, but they have so far failed to make a breakthrough in negotiations with the eight-time Premier League champions.
The word is that Enzo Maresca’s want to land a replacement for the South American winger before they consider letting him join Spurs, which they are yet to do, with a fortnight to go until the transfer window closes.
Other reports have suggested that the 22-year-old could cost Tottenham as much as £85m, the same fee they paid for Mateus Fernandes, despite other stories earlier in the summer that he could be purchased for closer to the £60-70m mark.
Now, Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad are now reporting that Doku suffered a calf injury during his team’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, and will be out for ‘several weeks’.
While no timeframe has been given by the report from the winger’s home country, it is said that he will definitely miss them hosting Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in their Premier League opener.
Doku and Savinho both feature from the left-hand side for City, and should the former be confirmed to be out for weeks, it could increase the need for the club to keep hold of the Brazilian, especially as they are yet to sign his replacement.
Tottenham Suffer Double Winger Blow on Same Day
After a successful summer in the transfer market, frustrations will be high that Tottenham have failed to make progress on deals for Savinho or Gakpo.
Spurs will be hoping that the latest update on Doku doesn’t completely kill a deal, but with a fortnight to go until the window shuts, it certainly raises more doubts over a deal they have failed to seal despite months of negotiations.
TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook delivered more bad news for Tottenham fans on Tuesday, with his latest information about Gakpo.
All the talk has been that the Dutchman is keen on a move to north London and that the Reds would be willing to sell if they land Paris Saint-Germain duo Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola, who they are in talks to sign.
|
Cody Gakpo Record for Liverpool |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
180 |
|
Goals |
50 |
|
Assists |
23 |
However, Crook suggests that, after talking to Liverpool sources, the Reds believe that Gakpo could be a big player under Andoni Iraola this term, and that a move to Spurs is currently considered unlikely.
It won’t be long before Tottenham need to turn to alternatives if they are unlikely to land either Gakpo or Savinho, and Pedro Neto of Chelsea could be a name to look out for.
The Portugal international is one of the players linked with a move to Manchester City in recent days as they look to land a new winger, but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed previously that he is also on Spurs’ list as an alternGative option to Gakpo and Savinho.
Raiding their London neighbours would certainly be an interesting move, but Tottenham have shown already this summer they aren’t afraid to show big ambition, as they did when they prised Sandro Tonali away from Newcastle.
Former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was certainly a huge fan of the former Wolves man.
“Pedro Neto brings us so many different qualities that we need.
For me, he’s a world-class player, a world-class winger. And what I love about him, as talented as he is and as gifted as he is, what he sacrifices for the team is top.
“He’s going to be really, really important for us for where I think we can get to and what we can achieve for the rest of the season.”
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