Ex-Gunner in advanced talks for vacant managerial position

Oxford are looking for a new head coach after sacking Matt Bloomfield, while Aaron Ramsey is also believed to have interest from Wales if Craig Bellamy moves on.

Aaron Ramsey is in advanced talks to become the new head coach of Oxford United, with the former Arsenal midfielder ready to take the first significant step in his managerial career.

Oxford are looking for a new head coach after sacking Matt Bloomfield at the weekend. Bloomfield was appointed in January 2026 and oversaw a second half of a season that ended in relegation to League One, leaving the club to reset quickly before the new campaign.

Ramsey’s name has also been discussed in relation to the Wales job should Craig Bellamy leave to take over at Burnley, but the 35-year-old is believed to prefer beginning his managerial career in club football rather than stepping straight into a national-team role.

That would fit with what Ramsey said only a few months ago, when he confirmed that coaching was now his intended path after announcing his retirement from playing in April. His brief spell as interim head coach at Cardiff City only focussed that ambition, rather than making him hesitate after three games without a win.

“That [managing Arsenal or Wales] would be the dream,” Ramsey admitted (via The S*n). “I know there is a long way to go before then. It’s time to go into coaching now. 100 per cent.

“I managed Cardiff for a few games but that just made me realise it’s definitely the next step for me. That will be on the cards next.

“I’m really excited. I’ve had some coaching exposure around the Wales set-up, working with some unbelievable staff there and I’ve done some work with Cardiff’s u18s so I’ve been keeping myself busy.”

Oxford may now offer the route into that future.

Ramsey played 369 times for Arsenal, but the wider arc of his career was altered on 27 February 2010, when Ryan Shawcross went through the teenager at the Britannia and caused a double fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

The injury was horrific, players were visibly distressed, and Ramsey required immediate surgery before beginning a recovery that was both physically and psychologically gruelling. He was out for almost a year.

Ramsey made it back, and returned to the elite level, but his career was irreparably damaged. Successive loan spells were needed to rebuild him, and although he became a hugely important player for Arsenal, the injury pattern of his career had already started to form.

Now Ramsey is preparing for the next part of his football life.

Oxford, newly relegated and in need of direction, may offer that platform. For Arsenal supporters, it would be the start of a coaching journey that Ramsey has already admitted he hopes might one day bring him back to the Emirates.

• Arsenal legend criticises treatment of Gabriel Martinelli

  Ian Wright is unhappy with how Gabriel Martinelli is being treated at the moment, claiming the winger hasn’t even been spoken to about his situation.

  

  There were plenty of reasons to be happy after Arsenal’s opening Premier League win over Coventry City, with Mikel Arteta’s side putting in an excellent team display and earning a convincing 3-0 result.

  A big driver of that result was the performance of new signing Christos Tzolis on the left wing, but Tzolis’ impressive early form at Arsenal has come at a cost.

  Fellow left-winger Gabriel Martinelli has suddenly found himself on the fringes of the squad, unable to even make the bench for the last two games. Transfer speculation is growing, but nothing has been agreed at this stage.

  

  Amid that uncertainty, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has claimed that Martinelli isn’t being kept up to date on his own transfer situation.

  “I spoke to Martinelli and the way Martinelli’s being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” Wright told Sky Sports.

  “He always gives 100 per cent. We’re not saying that he’s the greatest, but he’s come up with some big moments for Arsenal in big games. He’s scored some very important goals.

  “And the way he’s being treated at the end here, I know they might want him out and there’s a lot of guys saying ‘yeah maybe it’s time for him to move on’, but there’s ways of doing that.

  “And it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave. [He’s] not being spoken to. Doesn’t know what’s going on.

  “Yes, I do know this, I know this. Not being involved in the Community Shield squad, not being involved tonight. He doesn’t know what’s happening, he’s got a year left (on his contract).”

  

  There have been suggestions throughout the summer that Arsenal would consider offers for Martinelli, and the player is certainly aware of at least that much.

  Martinelli’s camp recently informed Arsenal that they weren’t interested in a move to Galatasaray, so they’ve been involved in the transfer saga to some extent.

  But that doesn’t mean the winger knows why he’s not currently in the squad on matchdays, or that he’s aware of the club’s transfer stance for him in the final 10 days of the transfer window.

  It certainly would be better if Arsenal were transparent with him, especially given his positive association with the club over such a long period.

  Even if the end result is the same, Martinelli has earned a certain level of respect in the way that end comes about.

  

• Former Arsenal youngster helps Hull shock Man United

  Semi Ajayi scored against Manchester United as Hull claimed a famous opening-day victory, completing another remarkable chapter in the former Gunner’s career.

  

  Semi Ajayi enjoyed a memorable Premier League return as the former Arsenal youngster helped Hull City stun Manchester United with a 2-0 victory, scoring the opening goal in what is sure to be the weekend’s biggest upset.

  It is the first time they have beaten United in the league in 52 years.

  Hull, given little chance before kick-off against a Manchester United side tipped by many to challenge comfortably for the top four, made the perfect start at the MKM Stadium.

  Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with what is only his third goal for Hull, turning the ball home from close range after a corner caused confusion inside the United penalty area.

  Hull City [1] – 0 Manchester United – Semi Ajayi 17′ Fucking top save right before this gets put in; it’s a shame this goal didn’t come later.
  
  [image or embed]

  — Man Incognito (@sjbrewer.bsky.social) 22 August 2026 at 12:54

  It was Hull’s first Premier League goal since May 2017 and set the tone for an impressive afternoon.

  Nobel Mendy doubled the hosts’ lead before half-time, leaving Hull in complete control.

  

  The result capped a remarkable journey for the 32-year-old, who spent two seasons in Arsenal’s academy after joining from Charlton Athletic in 2013.

  Ajayi became a regular for Arsenal’s youth and reserve teams and even scored on his Under-21 debut against Blackburn Rovers, having initially impressed while on trial.

  Although he never made a competitive first-team appearance, he was named among Arsene Wenger‘s substitutes on several occasions during the 2014/15 campaign.

  Ajayi later recalled being the first defensive understudy behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny before Arsenal signed Gabriel Paulista in January 2015.

  A loan move to Cardiff City followed in March 2015 before he joined the Welsh club permanently after his Arsenal contract expired later that year.

  His route back to the Premier League has been anything but straightforward, taking him through spells with AFC Wimbledon, Crewe Alexandra, Rotherham United and West Bromwich Albion before helping Hull earn promotion.

  Now, more than a decade after leaving Arsenal without a senior appearance, Ajayi has helped Hull begin their return to the top flight with a famous victory.

  

• Arsenal captain gives latest on his fitness situation

  Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard believes he’s now back to 100% after his injury-disrupted 2025/26 campaign.

  

  Martin Odegaard has made a strong start to 2026/27, scoring in the Community Shield against Manchester City before adding another goal in Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City.

  More than the goals, the midfielder’s individual displays have helped Arsenal to put in a couple of flowing team performances.

  The combinations between Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Ben White on the right-hand-side against Coventry were a reminder of the kind of football the trio can produce at their best.

  

  This early-season form is a continuation of Odegaard’s strong displays for Norway at the summer World Cup, and he’s starting to show the consistency he never managed to achieve last season – thanks to injuries.

  “I think last season was a big struggle for me,” Odegaard admitted to Sky Sports. “I had too many injuries and a lot of weird situations, a lot of bad luck, could really never find the rhythm.

  “It’s hard when you always go in and out, and sometimes you play maybe not 100% fit. It was hard.

  “I feel good now, my body’s good. I’ve had a good summer, good World Cup, good pre-season. Now I’m feeling 100%, so that always helps. So I feel great.”

  

  Whilst the addition of Bruno Guimaraes and the growing influence of Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield will help Arsenal in the middle, there’s no doubt Odegaard offers something different to any of the alternatives in his role.

  Eberechi Eze is the only player who comes close in an attack-minded sense, but as a right-footed player, Eze is really more of an option for the other side.

  Odegaard being fit and ‘100%’ for the majority of this season would be huge for the Gunners, and would surely result in the team captain lifting further trophies in 2027.

  

• Atletico Madrid fans protest against Arsenal transfer target

  Atletico Madrid fans are protesting against Julian Alvarez amid the player’s desire to join Barcelona, with Arsenal still currently unable to convince him to pick them instead.

  

  Julian Alvarez’s relationship with Atletico Madrid has soured, with fans turning up to the clubs training ground to protest against the striker.

  Mundo Deportivo report that fans held up signs at the training ground reading “Julian out” or containing an image of the number 19 (Alvarez’s squad number) crossed out.

  Fans also chanted insults at the player during Atletico’s opening La Liga clash against Malaga, which Alvarez missed as it was felt he wasn’t in the right condition for it.

  

  Mundo Deportivo claim Atletico’s ‘not-for-sale’ stance on Alvarez only applies to Barcelona, and they would be willing to sell to Arsenal.

  But according to the same outlet, Atletico’s willingness to negotiate only with the Gunners and not Barcelona has upset Alvarez further, leading him to turn down the option and make himself untransferable again.

  Elsewhere, fellow outlet AS claim the situation is simpler, and that Alvarez isn’t for sale and never has been. AS deny that Atletico director Mateu Alemany has been holding talks with Arsenal, despite the director’s recent trip to London.

  

  Fabrizio Romano claims otherwise, reporting that Arsenal did make contact with Atletico to discuss the conditions of a potential deal during a meeting in London.

  But even Romano appears pessimistic about a potential Arsenal move, suggesting the price is currently too high for the Gunners, and that Alvarez still hasn’t opened the door to a move to England.

  With the window closing in just 10 days, there really needs to be some progress on this potential deal imminently. If there isn’t, it’s unlikely to go through.

  

• Arsenal make pre-contract offer to young midfielder

  Arsenal have firmed up their interest in Andria Bartishvili with a pre-contract offer to the young midfielder, but the player still has other options to consider.

  

  Sami Mokbel reports for the BBC that Arsenal have made a pre-contract offer to sign Andria Bartishvili, hoping to sign him towards the end of 2026 when his contract expires.

  Mokbel adds that Bartishvili is believed to have other options and is still to decide on his next move, with Liverpool and Juventus credited with an interest.

  But Arsenal’s Maurizio Micheli is driving the club’s move for the youngster, and it seems they’re now formalising their interest.

  

  Mokbel had previously reported that Micheli was in attendance to watch Bartishvili playing for loan club Iberia 1999 against Flora in a Champions League qualifier.

  The player’s parent club are FC Kolkheti, with both clubs playing in the Georgian football league system.

  As football in Georgia operates on a calendar-year basis, Bartishvili’s loan spell won’t end until December. He also may not be eligible to formally sign for Arsenal until March 2027, when he turns 18.

  

  The Georgia u21 international has two goals and three assists in his 24 games for Iberia, with all of those goal contributions coming since he broke into the starting lineup at the start of May.

  Bartishvili has also played for the Georgia u16s, u17s, u19s, and u21s in his young career, scoring two goals in two games for the u19s in June.