Here is a round-up of what the papers are saying about Arsenal this morning along with other bits and pieces I’ve found that I think you might be interested in.
Think of it as your one-stop shop for Arsenal news and gossip and the most important issues elsewhere.
1. Fixture change
Arsenal will now face Lazio in Stockholm on August 4 instead of Sevilla after the Spaniards ran into a scheduling issue.
2. Another secret friendly
Arsenal faced Brentford in their second behind-closed-doors friendly this week. Arsenal will not be posting any details about the game online however Football.London believe an Arsenal squad featuring a number of youngsters lost 2-1. They even suggest the game did not last the full 90 minutes.
3. Cech in
Petr Cech’s agent has confirmed the player will remain at Arsenal for the 18/19 season.
4. Ozil defence
Mesut Ozil’s German teammate, Kerem Demirbay, has defended the playmaker who is still receiving criticism for Germany’s World Cup woes. He told Kicker, “If all is well, then everything is fine. If it is not, I find it wrong to single out individuals. There is no need to question anything. Mesut wears the national jersey with pride, just like me and everyone else.”
5. Jack
Jack Wilshere has revealed that Arsene Wenger was the first person he told he was leaving Arsenal, even though the Frenchman was no longer at the club. “I spoke to Arsene first because he was the biggest factor in my life at Arsenal.” [Evening Standard]
6. Wenger
Japan want Arsene Wenger to take over as their national team manager.
7. Ospina
Besiktas have agreed to sell goalkeeper Fabri,30, for £5.4m. They are expected to use some of that money to buy David Ospina.
8. Grenfell Foundation
An ex-England AllStars team, managed by Vic Akers that will feature Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankey, Marieanne Spacey, Jodie Handley, Rachel Unitt and Casey Stoney will take on an FA WNL Select Team on Sunday 12 August at The Hive in order to raise money for the Grenfell Foundation.
Tickets go on sale on 25 July here.
9. Alexis
Alexis Sanchez has been cleared to join Manchester United’s tour of America after resolving a visa issue.
10. Sterling
Despite the media in the UK gloating about how well England did in Russia (aren’t they all heroes?) a few today are talking about how Raheem Sterling’s gamble with his contract negotiations failed because he was so poor at the World Cup.
11. MPS
On Thursday, MPs voted to grant themselves anonymity if accused of sexual harassment or expenses fraud. Minutes after the decision, a list of politicians under investigation vanished from Parliament’s website. [Daily Mail]