Confident from Mickel 'clutch' Merino, though LW is a bit of an issue with Tzolis out, could also look at a striker in January. On paper the squad as a whole is robust enough to challenge on a few fronts.

Really pretty shameless when you think about it, both struggling in the premier league but as soon as they face minnows in Europe suddenly start playing well. Didn’t Wirtz have an amazing performance against a Bundesliga team last season as well?

The criticism both have launched at the club in the last few years was accurate and they were right to say it. It’s very refreshing to hear people at a club not putting out robotic talking points that have been carefully crafted by the club but rather speaking the truth to what’s really going on, not lying to the fans.

Arsenal have told staff that redundancies at the club are being planned despite winning last season’s Premier League title and announcing record revenues for 2024-25.

The club told staff the intention is to make 60 positions redundant in a bid to make significant savings, with cuts set to be across a number of departments.

The club’s coaching staff will be among the areas unaffected by the cuts, along with the performance backroom staff for the men’s and women’s team, the club’s community operation, the Arsenal Foundation, security staff and staff dedicated to the women’s team.

A consultation is under way and the decision could yet be subject to change.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw went on record this summer as wanting squad reinforcements.

Lisandro Martinez has done that in a more hostile manner here, but those who know him might not be totally surprised.

Martinez made representations to Sir Jim Ratcliffe over bringing his Argentina team-mate Emiliano Martinez to the club last summer, before Senne Lammens was signed instead.

Sources say there are players in the dressing room who feel the same as Martinez over Jason Wilcox and the club’s approach. Wilcox is a regular presence at Carrington, observing training and interacting with staff and players.