Mikel Arteta said Arsenal will “minimise the risk” with Gabriel ’s recovery from injury after he and Jurrien Timber were left out of the pre-season win over AC Milan. Gabriel has not played since undergoing hamstring surgery at the start of April, which ruled him out of the final weeks of the season.

One of Arsenal's new star players has credited Mikel Arteta for convincing him to make the switch to North London.

The two sides are in a different moment historically, as AC Milan are starting a new chapter under Allegri and Arsenal are hoping to consolidate their status ahead of the new season, possibly trying to win a trophy this year. Pick: Arsenal 3, AC Milan 1.

The reshaping of the Arsenal squad is just one of the adaptations Arteta is making in his quest to end Arsenal’s wait for silverware. “The only thing that (the players) were talking about at the end of last season and the first day through the door is, ‘OK, how are we going to be better? How are we going to do more?’,” he said.

Liverpool reportedly triggered Zubimendi’s affordable £60 million ($81.3 million) release clause in 2024 only to be rejected by the player. That same summer, Arsenal bought his Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino and, as has now been revealed, greased the wheels for Zubimendi’s arrival.

Mikel Arteta is still hoping to add Viktor Gyokeres, although negotiations for the Sporting star have given Arsenal a headache. Arteta has given his verdict on the state of the current squad and what it could mean for the remainder of the transfer window.

The two former Real Sociedad team-mates – reunited at Arsenal – discuss plans for this season and settling into London life

Mikel Arteta has vowed Arsenal will make further signings in the transfer market and hinted at more new arrivals joining their preseason tour to Asia.