ARSENAL fans are convinced Gabriel Magalhaes will be imminently unveiled as a Gunner after he replied to David Luiz on Instagram.
And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is edging closer to a new deal with Mikel Arteta saying he believes the captain "has been convinced to stay".
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Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…
COME BACK, MAIT!
Arsenal could reportedly do an incredible U-turn on their decision to sell Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Wolves are among the clubs that are keeping a close eye on the talented 23-year-old.
But according to The Mirror, the Gunners are considering keeping hold of him for the 2020/21 season.
The source states that: “Maitland-Niles is now purely focused on Arsenal, will ignore any transfer talk and is concentrated solely on nailing down a place at the Emirates.”
WORK OF ART
Arsenal fans have plastered this picture across social media today.
View this post on Instagram
The man. With the plan. ✊
A post shared byArsenal Official (@arsenal) on
ON YOUR MARTS…
Emiliano Martinez is close to signing a new Arsenal contract, according to The Telegraph.
The goalkeeper has two seasons remaining on his current deal – but has been an offered an extension by the club.
He has stepped up between the sticks while Bernd Leno has been out of action with an injury.
ELL FIRE
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott mocked Arsenal after their Community Shield win – calling it the McDonald's Trophy.
The Londoner and former Fulham youngster laughed off the Gunners' penalty shootout win over his Reds.
Teenager Elliott, an unused sub in the match at Wembley, posted on Instagram: “I'm not worried bro McDonald's trophy anyway.”
He then added six Champions League in reference to the Merseysiders winning Europe's top prize a record number of times.
Arsenal have only managed to get to the Champions League final once, when they lost to Barcelona in 2006.
https://twitter.com/Conal7x26/status/1299771414220861441/photo/1
AIN WORTH IT
Arsenal have told Newcastle to stump up £25million for Ainsley Maitland-Niles – after rejecting Wolves' cheeky £15m offer.
The Gunners are looking for top dollar for their young Academy star, who was man-of-the-match in yesterday's Community Shield win over Liverpool.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho also wants the versatile 23-year-old, called up for the first time by England boss Gareth Southgate this week.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reshaping his squad and believes he can use the money from Maitland-Niles to fund other recruits.
But that figure could scare off the Magpies.
'DARK HORSES'
Danny Murphy has tipped Arsenal to challenge for the top four next season – as long as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sticks around and the signings come good.
Writing for the Mail, he said: “If they can add a few more signings, I think Arsenal can be dark horses for the top four.
“As it stands, they would cause teams problems but, as much as they would go on good runs, they are still vulnerable at times.
“Willian is a terrific signing, with his experience and winning mentality. Gabriel Magalhaes, the centre-back from Lille, is nearly over the line.
“If they can get Dani Ceballos back on loan – their best player at the end of last season – and sign Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid, who would give them crucial tenacity and physicality in midfield, I think they have a squad to challenge Chelsea and Manchester United for the Champions League places.
“Then again, none of that will make much difference unless Aubameyang gets pen to paper.”
GUNNER WIN IT?
Here's how the start of the season is looking for Arsenal…
UP TO NO GOOD
Matthew Upson has claimed the likes of Emiliano Martinez, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles played against Liverpool to “create” a move away from Arsenal.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It's interesting, isn't it. Sometimes you kind of think, are they playing to create a move?
“Or to create interest in them to move the players on if the player wants to go or the club would like to move them on?
“Holding, you would say is a player that they potentially do want to move on but you might have a list of other centre-backs who you would rather move on, other than Holding, ahead of him.”
WIZARD OF OZ
Out-of-favour Mesut Ozil has congratulated his team-mates after the Community Shield win.
Yet again, the German was left out of Mikel Arteta's squad.
PIERRE PRESSURE
Darren Bent has urged the Gunners to meet Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's demands after the win over Liverpool.
I'm sure every Arsenal will agree with this tweet.
AUBA AND IN
Mikel Arteta has revealed he believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been “convinced to stay” with Arsenal.
He then added: “My job is to try to convince him he's at the right place at the right time,” Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think we got that and then we have to make the paperwork and that takes a bit of time.”
GOOD MORNING, ARSENAL FANS
It was more Wembley glory for Mikel Arteta as his side lifted the Community Shield on Saturday.
Star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stole the headlines with a sensational opener before scoring the winning penalty.
His future was called into question after the game and he hinted that he will sign a new lucrative contract.
He said: “We're going to see these coming days. Today we get the trophy and that's it.
“We are improving. There is still work to do but I'm really happy and it's an exciting time to be an Arsenal player.”
Arteta was more positive on his future as admitted he “is close” to penning a lucrative deal.
In further transfer news, keeper Emiliano Martinez is wanted by Aston Villa in a £10million move.
But Arsenal will demand at least double that if they are tempted to cash in.
Defender Rob Holding is also edging closer to the exit door and is likely to join Newcastle on a season-long loan.
One player who won't be joining anytime soon is Lyon's Houssem Aouar after he tested positive for coronavirus.
The midfielder is a key target for Arteta as he looks to bolster his squad.
BUCKLE UP
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang poked fun at his FA Cup drop blunder by tying the Community Shield down with a SEAT BELT.
The Gabon striker gave his Arsenal teammates a right laugh after helping them to a 2-1 win over Chelsea earlier this month by dropping the FA Cup trophy onto the grass.
But after scoring the decisive penalty in Saturday’s Community Shield shoot-out win against Liverpool, Aubameyang took measures to ensure there would be no repeats.
Posting a video to social media, the Gunners captain showed the famous trophy strapped into a seat on the team coach with a seat belt.
Unable to contain his laughter, Aubameyang quipped: “Very important, the seat belt. Very important. Then I can’t drop it!”
CHECK MAIT
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has hinted he is likely to leave Arsenal this summer.
The midfielder has been linked with a £20million move to both Wolves and Tottenham.
When quizzed on his future after the Community Shield win, he said: “I'm an Arsenal player until I'm told otherwise.
“My heart is in the club and while I'm here I'm going to give 100 per cent all the time. So that's that.”
AUBA THE MOON
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is very close to signing a new contract.
The striker kept fans guessing when quizzed after scoring in the Community Shield win.
But the Spaniard remained upbeat that a lucrative £250,000-a-week deal will be agreed.
He said: “Big games, big moments, big players.
“He has responded really well to that kind of pressure. He was magnificent in the FA Cup final and the same today.”
When asked about his new contract, he responded: “We are close.”
GUESSING GAME
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued to keep fans guessing when quizzed on his future but admitted his excitement to be an Arsenal player.
The Gabon star showed his importance to the team yet again by opening the scoring with a sensational strike in the Gunners' penalty win over Liverpool at Wembley.
Aubameyang, 31, has been locked in negotiations throughout the summer with just a year left on his current contract.
Arsenal are prepared to offer him a three-year deal worth £250,000-a-week to tempt him to stay at the Emirates.
He said: “We're going to see these coming days. Today we get the trophy and that's it.”
TROPHY HUNTERS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is lifting another trophy at Wembley.
The Arsenal skipper hoisted the Community Shield at his happy hunting ground this afternoon.
A great start to 2020-21 for Mikel Arteta's side.
ARSENAL WIN!!!!!
The Gunners have won the Community Shield on penalties against Liverpool.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winning spot-kick.
The skipper had earlier bagged the opener in the 1-1 draw.
Arsenal were flawless from the spot and Rhian Brewster's miss handed them the win.
DAN THE FAN
Dani Ceballos applauded his ex-team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Twitter.
Auba gave the Gunners a 1-0 lead over Liverpool in the Community Shield with a stunning strike – much to the pleasure of the Spanish midfielder.
Ceballos has returned to Real Madrid after his loan spell finished at the end of last season – but reports have linked him with a return to the Emirates.
And the 24-year-old tweeted “VAMOS” alongside a clip of the Gabon striker's wondergoal.
ARSENAL 1-0 LIVERPOOL HALF-TIME
The Gunners lead the Community Shield 1-0 at half-time.
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored yet another Wembley goal.
The Gabonese frontman surely must be signed up by Mikel Arteta.
Liverpool had a Virgil van Dijk goal chalked off but Jurgen Klopp will want more from his troops after the break in the curtain raiser.
GUNNER WIN?
Arsenal's showdown against Liverpool kicked off at 4:30pm.
Click here to keep up to date with all of the action on SunSport's LIVE match blog.
WORK OF ART
Here's how the Gunners will start today's match…
GO ON, MAIT!
Newcastle are interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles – but are put off by his £25million price-tag.
That is according to the Telegraph, who claim Steve Bruce's side are also considering Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster.
Bruce cannot warrant forking out £25m to sign Maitland-Niles when his summer budget is between £30m-£35m.
The Gunners star made 20 appearances in the Premier League last season.
LAUR AND ORDER
Arsenal legend Lauren will be cheering on the Gunners this afternoon.
Mikel Arteta's men will be up against Premier League champions Liverpool – with kick-off at 16:£0.
ON YOUR MARTS…
Gabriel Martinelli is “walking again” as he aims to return to full fitness for Arsenal.
The teenage wonderkid was last seen as an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat at Brighton in June, before a knee injury ended his debut season with the Gunners prematurely.
Although set to be missing until 2021, the Brazilian is still being backed by fans to make an impact.
And the 19-year-old himself appears to have a clear idea over the position in which he is best equipped to do so – although will happily sacrifice himself for the team.
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