Arsenal Update: Gunners Battle for Kenan Yildiz as Police Investigate Break-In and Academy Star Undergoes Surgery for Serious Injury

ARSENAL face a fight if they try to pull off a late and audacious swoop for Juventus star Kenan Yildiz.

The Gunners remain in the market for a new attacker this summer after failing with moves for and Vinicius Junior.

Yildiz, 21, is a player that admires and have been linked with a move for him before the transfer window shuts.

But are determined to hold onto their prized forward and have insisted all summer he is not for sale.

The club’s former CEO, Damien Comolli, made that clear in May when he said: “Yildiz at risk? Don’t be silly…Kenan isn’t moving.”

Comolli has since moved on after resigning in June, but Juve’s stance around Yildiz has not changed.

The club are in a strong position after tying the Turkey star down to a new contract – which runs until 2030 – earlier this year.

Arsenal have been specifically looking for a new left winger and if they fail to sign one, then may stay.

The Brazilian is into the final 12 months of his current contract, but there is the option to extend it by a year.

Martinelli has already rejected the chance to join after they made a bid of around £38million.

Fixtures Results Table

Friday 21 August

Arsenal

20:00

Regular Season

Coventry

Saturday 22 August

Hull

12:30

Regular Season

Man Utd

Everton

15:00

Regular Season

Palace

Ipswich

15:00

Regular Season

Sunderland

Forest

15:00

Regular Season

Leeds

Brentford

17:30

Regular Season

Spurs

No results yet

English Premier League P W D L GD Pts

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

0

0

0

0

0

0

SLICE, SLICE, BABY

DECLAN RICE marked Arsenal winning the Premier League by getting a bespoke pizza oven.

The custom bit of kit, which was supplied by the Slow Dough Pizza Co, is covered with significant words and numbers to Rice.

“Rice 41” is embossed on it, while it also contains the numbers “1241” – which represent how the midfielder was the 1241th man to play for England.

The pizza rocker, used to cut the food into slices, has the slogan “slice, slice, baby” on it.

The pizza peel has a nod to Arsenal’s defeat at in April during last season’s title race, as it has the words “it’s done” on it.

Finally, there is a plaque on the side of the oven that lists Rice’s trophy haul in club game – including West Ham’s win three years ago.

PRIZE FUND

ARSENAL rewarded their academy players with a bonus after they helped the club end their 22-year wait to win the Prem title.

A number of youngsters trained with the first team throughout last season, but did not play in competitive matches.

Often, their work would revolve around acting as opponents for Arteta’s side as they prepared for a match.

The club were aware of the work put in by those called up to training and rewarded them with a gesture of goodwill.

Those involved in training, even if they did not play for the first team, were understood to be given £20,000 as a thank you for the part they played.

BRU BEGINNINGS

GUNNERS fans that attended an Arsenal Supporters’ Trust event on Wednesday night were treated to a special guest.

New signing Bruno Guimaraes came down to Emirates Stadium to meet fans and answered their questions on stage.

A lucky few from the club’s Junior Gunners got to quiz the Brazilian, who opened up on a number of topics.

The midfielder revealed his new celebration could be a nod to his father – who was a taxi driver in Rio de Janeiro.

Guimaraes already wears the No39, the number his dad’s cabbie carried, but admitted he could now mimic driving a car after he scores to further honour him.

The Brazilian confessed his preferred post-match meal is burger, lasagne or pizzas.

And, unsurprisingly, he revealed that his favourite Arsenal player of all time is fellow Samba star Gilberto Silva.

POLICE PROBE

POLICE are continuing to investigate a break in at Arsenal’s club store near the Emirates.

, with pictures on social media showing the damage.

The front door to the building was photographed hanging off its hinges and police have called for witnesses.

SunSport understands that, as of Thursday morning, no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “The Met is investigating a theft at the Emirates Stadium shop, Drayton Park, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, 14 August.

“We understand the concern such incidents cause to retail workers and local communities. Although no arrests have been made at this stage, officers are working at pace to conduct forensic examinations and gather CCTV to identify and locate those responsible.

“Anyone with information – particularly those with dashcam or doorbell footage from the surrounding areas between 03:30hrs and 04:30hrs – is asked to contact the Met via 101, quoting 1035/14AUG. Anonymous reports can be submitted through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

UNDER THE KNIFE

LOUIE COPLEY has undergone surgery after suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season.

The midfielder, 19,

Copley went under the knife earlier this week and confirmed on Instagram that it went well.

Alongside a photo of him in a hospital bed, the teenager wrote: “Successful surgery, work starts now.”

The injury was a cruel blow for Copley – who had been part of the first-team squad during the start of pre-season.

He spent part of last season on loan at League Two side Crawley and would have been in line for another stint with an EFL club this term.