Arsenal transfer decided as new goalkeeper stance emerges ahead of deadline day

Arsenal have made an impressive start to the new Premier League campaign as they chase a first top-flight title since 2004.

The Gunners have earned comfortable wins over Wolves and Aston Villa with their victory over Unai Emery’s team underlying their title credentials. Arsenal are next in action on Saturday with a tough test against Brighton who have also won both of their opening fixtures impressively.

Mikel Arteta‘s side have just a few days left to strengthen their squad this summer with the transfer window closing on Friday at 11pm. Below is a look at some of the latest media reports from around the Emirates Stadium…

Transfer decision

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that Nico Williams will remain at Athletic Bilbao. The Spain international was linked with a move to the Gunners and Chelsea among others but he now looks set to stay put in Spain.

Nico Williams, he will stay at Bilbao,” Di Marzio told apuestas-deportivas.es. “Barcelona, this summer they had to decide if they get Dani Olmo or Nico Williams.

“Nico Williams was supposed to leave, Chelsea wanted him a lot and Maresca put him at the head of his list of wingers but then he got Pedro Neto.

“Nico Williams, he decided to stay for another year minimum at Athletic Club. So there’s no chance that he’ll leave Athletic Club in the coming five days.”

Football.london’s Isaac Seelochan says: This is no surprise with the Spaniard and Bilbao bosses continuing to say he won’t leave. Wiliams seems happy at Bilbao and looks to be in no rush to leave.

It would be good to see him in the Premier League one day and he would no doubt strengthen Arsenal’s attacking options. But it’s also refreshing to see someone wanting to stay at their boyhood club despite transfer interest from bigger clubs.

New goalkeeper stance

Espanyol boss Manolo Gonzalez has insisted that he doesn’t want to lose Joan Garcia after reports suggested the goalkeeper has agreed personal terms with Arsenal.

“He is a very good goalkeeper, I am calm when he plays,” Gonzalez said about Garcia. “I don’t know about the transfer market, although I hope he doesn’t leave.

“What the club tells me is that he should not leave unless a club comes and nothing can be done. He is a great goalkeeper, but the level of the goalkeepers I have is very high.”