Arsenal transfer news: Two in for Eddie Nketiah as Mikel Merino situation becomes clear

Arsenal might have begun their Premier League campaign with a win, but they're not resting on their laurels.
Mikel Arteta's side were pipped to the title by Manchester City last season, and got up and running this term with a victory over Wolves. Kai Haverrz and Bukayo Saka were on target in North London on Saturday before City followed the Gunners' lead with a 2-0 win of their own the next day.

David Raya completed a permanent move over the summer after impressing on loan last season, and the £30m man showed his worth again in the opener. New defender Riccardo Calafiori was made to wait for his debut, though, with Arteta leaving the Italian on the bench.

A third new signing could be imminent, with Mikel Merino's move from Real Sociedad drawing closer. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.

Real Sociedad lose without Merino
A Mikel Merino-less Real Sociedad were beaten at home in their La Liga opener on Sunday. Merino was left out of the squad to face Rayo Vallecano at Anoeta with La Real and Arsenal sorting out the finer details ahead of the midfielder's move.

The fixtures ended goalless last season, and it looked as though we could be in for a repeat when it was still 0-0 after an hour. Goals from Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello put Rayo in control, though, before Martin Zubimendi scored a late consolation.

“There are no two players like Merino and [Robin] Le Normand, but they are not here,” Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil said, as translated by Football Espana. It appears he is already resigned to losing the midfielder after already seeing Le Normand depart for Atletico Madrid.

Two keen on Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah was left on the bench by Arsenal on Saturday as speculation over a move continues. The England international failed to secure a move to Marseille earlier in the summer, but could yet depart.

Eddie Nketiah could yet leave Arsenal this summer (
Image:
Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest remain keen on the striker, who has seen his first team chances limited at Arsenal. However, neither has met Arsenal's asking price.

Marseille, meanwhile, appeared to have plenty of firewpower without Nketiah in their league opener. They won 5-1 away at Brest, with Elye Wahi - signed as an alternative to Nketiah - scoring the fifth.

Summer departure on the move again
Amario Cozier-Duberry left Arsenal for Brighton in the summer after failing to agree new terms at his boyhood club. It appears he'll have to wait for this first-team chance under Fabian Hurzeler, though.

The Athleitc reports that Brighton are ready to send the winger out on loan. There has reportedly been interest fromt he Championship, though nothing has been agreed at the time of writing.

Brighton have a wealth of options out wide, with Kaoru Mitoma back after an injury-interrupted 2023-24 season and Yankuba Minteh joining from Newcastle. The pair combined for the opening goal ion Saturday as Brighton began the season with a 3-0 win at Everton.

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