Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer latest as 'disgraceful' Noni Madueke point made

Arsenal will be optimistic about the 2025/26 season as they look to finally end their Premier League title drought.

Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta admitted that his squad had a challenging season last term, considering their recent high standards. Despite securing another second-place finish in the Premier League, Arteta's team fell significantly short of champions Liverpool.

But there is still a sense of optimism at the Emirates Stadium that the summer transfer window could usher in the right players to break Arsenal's top-flight title drought. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is one of those new additions. The Basque club were powerless to keep their midfielder due to a €60million (£51m) release clause in his contract.

Brentford captain Christian Norgaard is another new addition - joining for £15m. Below are some of the latest Arsenal headlines as well as a view on each one.

Gyokeres latest

Journalist Fabrizio Romano, who specialises in transfers, has provided the latest on Arsenal-linked Viktor Gyokeres.

“Arsenal remain in conversations with Sporting for the striker and the deal is absolutely on," he said. "There is still a small gap in valuation, still a gap between the two clubs, so it’s a work in progress between Arsenal and Sporting to reach an agreement.

“What’s important to say is that Viktor Gyokeres will not show up in training anymore for Sporting. The player’s intention is very clear – it’s valid for today, tomorrow, and any other day at this stage of the summer transfer window.

“Gyokeres only wants to go to Arsenal. He believes his story with Sporting is over, he wants to leave the club to try something different. So, the agreement between Gyokeres and Arsenal remains valid – a five-year contract until 2030. It’s also important to be clear that he’s more than given his priority to the Gunners – he only wants to play for Mikel Arteta.”

Isaac Seelochan of football.london says:"It feels like only a matter of time before Gyokeres joins Arsenal. Gunners fans will be hoping he joins before their pre-season tour, but it would be a major shock not to see him in Mikel Arteta's team when they kick off against Manchester United in August."

Madueke point

Rio Ferdinand has torn into 'vulgar' Arsenal fans for their 'utterly disgraceful' protests against Noni Madueke's arrival at the club.

Taking to X, he wrote: " Noni Madueke... For a young 23-year-old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally stripped down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55million.

"Yes a young kid with a dream about to secure a £55million dream move to a club of his desire leaving a rival at that to be treated in this manner via sections of the Arsenal fan base is an utter disgrace. Just put yourself in his shoes for one minute.

"Just put yourself in his parents shoes for one minute and just think of how that feeling must be. I’ll say it again, at a time as a player, as a human, as a family you should be celebrating. I just hope the people that are closest to him are around him and supporting him in the way that he needs right now.

"It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me. I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again.

"Like I said earlier, just imagine this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, son… Then tell me how would you feel if they were on the receiving end of this vulgar behaviour??? By the way, this isn’t aimed at all Arsenal fans, it’s just a small section who have become very loud unfortunately.

"I just hope the transfer goes through and Noni Madueke rams all of this negativity back down the throats of these impostors. Whatever happens from here, good luck Noni."

Isaac Seelochan of football.london says:"Fans have every right to voice their opinions as long as they don't cross the line. In my view, Madueke is a talented player who will improve the Gunners' attack."

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