A lot of people seem a lot higher on Zinchenko than I am - both Arsenal fans, and more importantly City fans. Lots of praise for his attitude and professionalism, we seem to put a lot of focus on the right characters for our rebuild.

Many people believe he can hit another level if played in midfield, I really hope they're right.

DHDs comment earlier had me thinking. They have sold 128million quids worth of players if they sell us zinchenko. Only signed Haaland. They definitely have enough scope for another seriously big signing, dunno just would feel surprising if they only made that one signing. Until he signs that contract there’s always a possibility

Hutchinson looked very good in the youth teams but there are others who play in those attacking midfield positions who are very good as well. Kido Taylor-Hart and Marcelo Flores to name two. We've also just bought Marquinos who is only a year older than Hutchinson and seems to be a lot closer to being ready for the first team if we read in to the tour party etc.

Always frustrating to lose a highly rated youngster to a rival but it happens to most teams. Man City lost Sancho for peanuts.

Also the reality is that any of our young players being good enough for our first team is rare, thats not to say the academy isn't pulling its weight its more that the level you need to be to play for Arsenal's first team is very high. I always think if we managed to bring through just a single academy player each year (or even 1 every two years) who is good enough for the first team (Saka, Emile Smith Rowe level) then we're doing absolutely exceptionally well

Saw hutchinson on the bench but didn’t know much about him so can’t join in with the teeth nashing everyone is indulging in. He maybe the second coming of Robert pires but I’ll reserve judgement as I know fans get carried away with young prospects

I’d try not to get worked up with young players you never know. Reiss nelson was supposed onto be the next big thing and really he’s never looked the finished article.

Look at what we did with Florin Balogun as an example. Makes 2 subs appearances against absolute farmers like Dundalk in europa and scores 2 goals against teams already beaten but then his agent starts playing games and our fans start gnashing teeth so we panic and offer him a contract worth 43k a week which is more than we’re paying Fabio vieira. He disappoints and looks out of his depth v Brentford so we loan him to Boro where he only scores 3 in 18 matches. He should be owning that division on 43 grand a week. I’m not saying he’s a finished article but there are no guarantees here

Zinchenko fee verbally agreed with City for £30m, personal terms being discussed. Looks certain to be our next signing.

Probably means Tavares goes on loan

Zinchenko fee verbally agreed with City for £30m, personal terms being discussed. Looks certain to be our next signing.

Probably means Tavares goes on loan

Hi Rich,

That's a good fee. Let's hope it doesn't alert some latecomers.

Quite a few links starting to emerge, such as with Topsoba, a CB at Leverusen who we were linked with last season.

Probably just journos and twitterites trying desperately to create some Arsenal news.

So where are the weaknesses in the squad if Zinchenko goes through

1st 11
Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Ødegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
2nd 11
Turner, Cédric, Saliba, Holding, Zinchenko, Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira, Pépé, Emile Smith Rowe, Nketiah

For now I’ve ignored the likes of Leno, Mari, Bellerin, AMN, Nelson, Torreira as I think the club would happily move all of them on if they got a suitable offer

For me it’s clear we need another central midfielder and right winger, a good back up right back would be useful too

Seen a few links to Calvin Bassey a CB from Rangers, also linked with a host of Prem clubs.
Tapsoba is a giant, very tall and muscular. Right footed though and most of the links to us are left sided CBs

Anyway, sorry to hear of your physical woes Pete, glad to hear you're better now.

If you're stopping drinking the sump oil, beware of constipation. Especially at your age.

They signed Alvarez too. So they have sold Jesus and Sterling and replaced them with Haaland and Alvarez. Alvarez is coming from Argentina so might take time to settle, but it looks like they have strengthened.

Squad still misses creativity and power in the centre of midfield.

I would actually go further and say one every three years would be doing exceptionally well. Saka and Smith Rowe so close together could possibly be a one off.

You can find as many Sancho at City examples as you like. However, the Hutchison case is here and now, and it affects Arsenal. That’s why I find it disturbing especially as, if he doesn’t renew his contract, I’m suspicious this coming season could well be Saka’s last as an Arsenal player.

The reason I say that is that his transfer value is such that Arsenal cannot afford to lose him on a free transfer in two years. They could allow Nketiah to get into the last year of his contract as by comparison the club would lose relative peanuts had he left for nothing. That is not the case with Saka who I expect to be sold if and only if, he doesn’t renew his contract with City and Liverpool sniffing around.

Okay, these days I only watch Arsenal’s first team so I’ve never seen Hutchinson let alone Marquinhos, Taylor-Hart and Flores. Are they better than Hutchinson? Who can say? Those who have in my humble opinion. But is Marquinhos’ inclusion in the tour squad explained by him being a year or two older? That’s feasible in my opinion.

All I can say is that people who have seen them were getting more excited about Hutchinson than the others. Also Chelsea, who know a thing or two about getting high quality youngsters, are allegedly signing Hutchinson but not the others.

So yes I still find losing him disturbing. It may all turn out fine and his Chelsea career may progress along the lines you outline. But with the possibility that this season could be Saka’s last at Arsenal, it’s disappointing to lose a youngster seen as a possible successor, as Darren mentioned.

All this on Zinchenko being signed even though he's traveled to Houston with City for pre-season tour. Supposing he'll be announced at some point obviously.

So you are going to spend 30 million on a back up left back but not a midfield player. You have to assume the club have identified a midfield player to bring in. Maybe the Tielemans deal is done and we are waiting for Leicester to sign a replacement first to complete it.

Just seems inconceivable we would overlook this. Aside from up front this was priority 1.

Well done Dec ... the Irish fully deserved their victory ; played an almost flawless game , varied the game , plenty of invention , excellent solid defence .

We got within a sniff with that Jordan runaway try but overall you completely shut us out .

Only consolation I can take is I think I pretty well predicted as much a few days back .

and just read an article you guys move to Number 1 ranking in the world ....... we are NUMBER 4 !!!!!!

Hi Zed. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Apart from being a statement of the blindingly obvious, in my view that’s the best way to look at transfers.

Jesus’ agent said that Chelsea tried to hijack our deal for Jesus at the last minute, and they tried hard….but they’d already made their mind up.

Any thoughts from anyone who watched the match last night? 2-0 win, looked like a strong starting 11.

I saw Arteta said there were injury niggles with Tierney, Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe and Vieira…..and a very minor one for White.
Slightly worrying to still not have a fully fit squad, and even if they’re fit for the first game being injured through pre season means you’re playing catch up on fitness and match sharpness from day 1

Tierney and Tomiyasu are a big worry for me regarding fitness. Tierney has looked like an injury waiting to happen since before his time with us. What exactly has kept Tomiyasu out for so long now I'm not sure, but it's certainly taking it's time to shake.
Jesus has started impressively. I'm sure we're all hoping he can have a big season.

My thoughts too.

Hi Zed. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Apart from being a statement of the blindingly obvious, in my view that’s the best way to look at transfers.

Any thoughts from anyone who watched the match last night? 2-0 win, looked like a strong starting 11.