Arsenal have been hit with a string of bad news of recent including the possibility of losing experienced defender David Luiz for up to a month as the new season begins. Luiz has found his rhythm again under Mikel Arteta. With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes coming through the ranks, Luiz would been critical to their development and gradual ease into the league.
Though there are still options in Rob Holding, Shkodran Mustafi and Papas Sokratis, if Luiz actually takes up to a month to return to full fitness, the duo will get their debut and be required to step up quickly.
Already the Brazilian would not play against Fulham on Saturday due to neck injury, hopefully he responds to treatment well and recovers quickly.
The Gunners are facing threats from Aston Villa to land Emiliano Martinez this summer. They concluded their assessment and believe Tom Heaton will not have recovered fully from his injury when the new term gets underway so they want Martinez. With the goalkeeper rejecting the new terms at the Emirates, Villa remain hopeful of luring him.
Pepe Reina, who they relied on for the second half of last season, has returned to Italy where he left AC Milan for Lazio. Martinez has done well for Arsenal especially in the absence of Bernd Leno last season. With him, Arsenal have two top goalkeepers to power their ambitions.
Martinez, who has been with the club for almost a decade, wants regular action and a contract that reflects his importance in the team. If he decides to leave, Arsenal are preparing Brentford keeper David Raya as a capable replacement in the second choice role. Raya would need to hand in a transfer request and force his club to let him go amid Arsenal interest.
Arsenal could also lose Hector Bellerin as Barcelona want the Spaniard. The La Liga side feel with 20 to 25 million euros they can land the quality addition who they believe would want to move. Barca would need to sell Nelson Semedo to fund the move but Arsenal would want more especially having passed up on previous big offers.