Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has, after arguably the darkest season of his managerial career, put pen to paper on a two year deal at The Emirates, the club have confirmed this afternoon.

The Frenchman has faced unprecedented critcism and abuse from fans in north London this season, having fallen out of the Champions League at the round of 16 for the seventh consecutive time and finished outside the top four for the first time in his tenure.

However, a record breaking 13th FA Cup win for the club, and a seventh for himself, after a strong end to the season has given many the hope that they can carry their high into the new season.

Of course to succeed on that front there needs to be money spent well over the summer. With that in mind, reports from the London Evening Standard are claiming that the Gunners boss will be handed £100m to splash out on new additions over the coming months.

The Gunners’ midfield has taken criticism over the past season, which has lead to reports that Wenger is looking into deals for both Ross Barkley and and Monaco’s Thomas Lemar.

Barkley, who has also been linked with north London rivals Tottenham, looks as if he will be on his way out of Goodison Park this summer whilst £17m-rated Lemar has just won the Ligue 1 title with Monaco.

With that in mind, Arsenal fans, who would you like to see arrive in north London this summer? Have your say below…

According to the Newcastle Chronicle, Newcastle are keen to bring Tom Lawrence to the club, to help strengthen their attacking options ahead of the Premier League season.

What’s the Word?

After an impressive season in a struggling Ipswich Town side, Newcastle are reportedly ready to make an offer for Tom Lawrence, who has just returned to parent club Leicester City.

The Foxes are happy to listen to offers for the 23-year-old and it is thought that Rafael Benitez will want the Welshman as cover for a number of offensive positions next season, especially with Yoan Gouffran and Vernon Anita set to leave St James’ Park in the coming days.

While Newcastle are yet to make an official bid, Transfermarkt suggests that Lawrence’s market value is around £1.3million.

How good has Tom Lawrence been this season?

Arguably the standout player in an underwhelming season for Ipswich Town, Lawrence contributed nine goals in 34 appearances for the club.

However, the Welshman has impressed with his versatility offensively. Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy used Lawrence as a winger on the left and right, and was also frequently used as a striker. In each of these positions, the 23-year-old looked more than comfortable.

Rafael Benitez was ready to bring Lawrence to Newcastle in January, after watching a man of the match display when his side were beaten 3-1 by Ipswich at Portman Road. However, Ipswich were keen to keep hold of their man until the season’s end.

With the player now back at Leicester, Benitez is set to reignite his interest in the former Manchester United youngster.

Marco Silva has been manager of Watford for just over two weeks and he has already been linked with several players from last season’s Hull City squad, including Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic.

The 23-year old has played for six clubs in the past five seasons and looks set for seven in six as he is nowhere near Jurgen Klopp’s first team plans.

When he arrived in England ahead of the 2014/15 season, Markovic was expected to become a key man after starring with domestic treble winners Benfica. The Serbian international didn’t impress Brendan Rogers in his debut English campaign and was promptly sent on loan to Turkish side Fenerbache, where he continued to struggle.

He spent the first half of last season with Sporting CP before joining Marco Silva’s Hull on loan in January. Markovic scored two league goals, once against Watford, as Hull’s valiant relegation battle came up short.

The Serbian missed the final two games of Hull’s campaign with an ankle injury but apparently did enough in his loan spell to impress Marco Silva. Liverpool are trying to recoup most of the £20million they paid for the winger in 2014, and the 23-year old could provide what Watford were lacking last season.

The Hornets’ similar players — Isaac Success, Nordin Amrabat and M’Baye Niang — scored only three goals in a combined 56 appearances as Watford finished just above the relegation zone. The on-loan Niang will not be returning to the squad, so there is a space for Markovic.

However, Watford also have several other options to consider that are already at the club. Mauro Zarate will return from a cruciate ligament injury, while Dutch international Steven Berghuis and Venezuelan Adalberto Penaranda have returned from loans.

Marco Silva is more familiar with Markovic, however, and the club certainly needs a kick in the rear after the last campaign.

The Hornets scored only 40 goals as they lacked consistency going forward last season. Markovic still has the skill to become a solid Premier League player and has a high work rate. While he was substituted in seven of his 12 premier league starts, all but one, when he was injured, came in the 75th minute or later.

The winger said in March that he has unfinished business in the Premier League and isn’t going to throw away his second chance very easily. A move to Watford makes a lot of sense for all parties involved, as Markovic isn’t going to play for Liverpool and Marco Silva needs to bring in a couple players he is familiar with.

Perhaps the Serbian is the right player to help make Watford Premier League mainstays.

According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is considering making a move for £35m-rated Sevilla winger Vitolo this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Blues boss is keen to significantly strengthen his squad before the start of next season to ensure that it has the depth to deal with trying to retain their Premier League title as well as having a real crack at the Champions League, and the Daily Mirror say he is a big fan of the 27-year-old.

The Spaniard, who has a releasu clause of £35m, can play on either flank or as a forward and his arrival would certainly take some of the pressure off of the likes of Eden Hazard and Pedro, who featured heavily for the Blues last term, next season.

How well did Vitolo do last season?

The wide-man scored six goals – all in La Liga – and provided a further 10 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga outfit, and he has also previously helped them win three Europa League titles.

While he is known for being comfortable in possession – he had a passing accuracy of 84% in 30 La Liga appearances last term – he is also good at winning fouls because of his ability to run at defenders.

The 27-year-old won 79 fouls in the Spanish top flight last season and successfully completed 70 take-ons.

Would he be a good signing for Chelsea?

As we mentioned previously, the Blues have little depth in the forward positions if the likes of Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian pick up injuries or suspensions, and it is something that they must put right this summer.

Being as versatile as he is, adding Vitolo to the squad would certainly provide competition all across the frontline, and the £35m price tag for a player that should be entering his prime can’t be seen as a bad deal in the current market.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, Chelsea need more strength in depth in attacking areas and owner Roman Abramovich knows that he needs to back Conte in the transfer market this summer, especially with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United already showing their ambitions.

If the Italian boss feels Vitolo could make a big impact at Stamford Bridge, they have to get the deal over the line.

Liverpool fans had a close eye on their new signing Dominic Solanke when he took to the pitch last night in a pre-season friendly.

The 19-year-old, who played a pivotal role in England’s Under-20 World Cup win, completed his move from Chelsea earlier this week.

Solanke played the entire second half of Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park, and he showed glimpses of quality.

The youngster played a part in the Reds’ third goal when his shot from close range was pushed away by goalkeeper Scott Davies and into the path of Pedro Chirivella, who found the back of the net.

It was the first time that Liverpool fans got to see their new boy in action, and they will be hoping that he can force his way into the first team this season.

Judging by the reaction on Twitter, the supporters were very happy with his contribution.

Solanke is one of two signings that have arrived at Anfield so far this summer; the other being Mohamed Salah from Roma.

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According to reports in The Mirror, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will allow midfielder Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United this summer, but they must pay £50m to do so.

Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho is keen to sign a new defensive midfielder this summer and he has already had a bid of £35m for the 28-year-old rejected, according to The Mirror.

The Blues wouldn’t normally allow one of their players to join a direct rival, but The Mirror adds that Abramovich is willing to sanction a move as part of a goodwill gesture to the player for his service, but that it will cost £50m to get the Serbia international.

United supporters were quick to have their say on the rumour via social media, with the majority unable to believe the “bonkers” and “ludicrous” fee they could end up paying for Matic, while others said they would prefer to offer £60m for Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier considering he is five years younger.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

According to reports from The Liverpool Echo, Everton are eyeing Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt as a potential summer addition.

The Toffees are keen to add ‘left-sided’ defensive cover and the four-cap Netherlands international is a left-footed centre-half, suggesting he can fill the injury void of Ramiro Funes Mori and potentially even line up at No.3 if required.

The 6 foot 3 defender enjoyed a relatively solid season last time out, making 23 top flight appearances as Lazio finished fifth in Serie A whilst averaging 1.3 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 2.3 successful aerial duels and 4.5 clearances per match.

Yet, at 23 years of age, Hoedt still represents a bit of a gamble for the Merseysiders – especially considering he’s never plied his trade in the Premier League before.

So, Everton fans, should your club swoop for the former AZ man or should Ronald Koeman be looking to spend the club’s funds on someone else?

Let us know if you’d back a transfer deal for Hoedt by voting below…

As reported by The Sun, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Fenerbahce wonderkid Oguz Kagan Guctekin this summer.

What’s the story?

While the focus in the transfer window is often put on clubs signing first-team talent, just as important in today’s inflated market is landing the top talent around Europe that have the potential to be the big-money signings of the future.

For clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur that’s especially important considering they rarely compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea in terms of raw spending power.

It’ll be positive news for fans of both clubs then that they’re competing with Man City for the signature of Fenerbahce prospect Oguz Kagan Guctekin.

That’s according to The Sun, who say that both clubs are tracking his progress despite Pep Guardiola’s side already having a bid rejected.

Who is he?

Guctekin is obviously not a household name and has yet to make a senior appearance for Fenerbahce yet. However, he is in and around the first-team squad, making the bench in their last three fixtures in the Super Lig and UEFA Europa League.

At just 18 years of age, he is not yet the complete package but his rise at the Turkish club certainly points to a player with potential. As does the defensive midfielder’s appearances for the Turkish U18s side.

Can one of these English Premier League clubs bring him to England before he makes a name for himself in his homeland?

West Ham United are facing big decisions in the days and weeks ahead after another demoralising defeat in the English Premier League. This time it was Newcastle United who piled the pressure on Slaven Bilic, picking apart his side in a 3-0 victory at St James’ Park.

It’s the first time the Hammers have started a Premier League season with three defeats since 2010/11, the year they finished bottom of the league and were relegated to the Championship.

The warning signs are there that they could have a tough season ahead and for some fans the situation is becoming untenable for Bilic, many now believing that he should leave the club.

With lots of soul searching to do over the international break, West Ham are next in action at home to Huddersfield Town and the jury is out on whether the Croatian will be in charge of that one or not.

Fans took to Twitter to share their dismay at the current situation, calling for the decision makers at the London Stadium to cut ties with the manager…

Having come onto the pitch against FC Cologne on Sunday with his side already 4-0 up, it’s no surprise that Christian Pulisic had little impact on Borussia Dortmund’s result this weekend.

The American teenager has been one of the revelations of European football in the last few seasons, having burst onto the scene and played a starring role for one of the most exciting young sides on the continent, even if his stats at the weekend were nothing to write home about: in 25 minutes of football he had just 14 touches of the ball, failing to even attempt any dribbles.

But that shouldn’t be taken as criticism – not in a game which was already wrapped up long before he was even told to warm up. Instead, this season, the American’s continued form should still be considered a kick in the teeth to a Liverpool side who have shown interest in the winger over the last few years, and who struggled to score against Burnley this weekend, succumbing to a 1-1 draw.

The Reds launched an £11million bid in summer 2016 and Pulisic even discussed reports of their interest in him during the last transfer window, with German publication Bild.

There seems to be something of an imbalance present on Merseyside. At Anfield on Saturday, Mohamed Salah showed why he was bought by Jurgen Klopp this summer, but also why the Reds could be doing with another player in the pacey winger mould. Last season, they struggled most in the absence of Sadio Mane, and the signing of Salah was obviously an attempt to redress the balance of the side by adding a similar player to the other side of the attack. But it was also a ploy to allow the team to continue to function without Mane.

This weekend, we saw that in action: the Senegalese star’s red card in the 5-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend meant he was out of action for the Anfield game. And Salah did step up to the mark, scoring the equalising goal, taking six shots, and completing 100% of his dribbles. It’s clear that, despite the fact that Liverpool will be disappointed not to have won the game, Salah has helped a side who seemed so lost without Mane last season.

Even so, it’s hard to look past the fact that Liverpool – and this probably applies all over the pitch – lack a certain depth. With Mane out of the team, Liverpool may well have lost this game last season. But without the same creative threat on both sides, perhaps that’s also why they didn’t win. It’s because of this that Liverpool’s desire to get a player like Pulisic in their team shouldn’t be extinguished.

Highlighting the Dortmund player this weekend may seem strange and slightly out of place, but it’s got nothing to do with any thoughts that he had a good weekend or was crucial to his team’s victory. Rather it was the mere fact that he was given a rest after the midweek defeat to Tottenham at Wembley that stood out. Here is a player who, at just 19 years of age, is already of such importance to his team that his side have to think about keeping him fresh for the biggest games.

It’s clear that Liverpool are still a work in progress under Jurgen Klopp. And whilst the front three of Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino will probably bear fruit in the long term, whenever one of the wingers are missing, replacing him with a player like Philippe Coutinho, who is more comfortable with players ahead of him, changes the dynamic up front.

Liverpool need more depth. Failing to sign a centre back is one area of concern, but only managing to bring in one pacey attacking player this summer, excluding youngster Dominic Solanke, is perhaps another. Yes there are players like Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho who can come into the side in similar roles, and maybe even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is an option if needs must, though the England international didn’t sign on deadline day to play as a winger.

But you get the feeling that resting important players after a big European game, just like his former side Dortmund did this weekend, isn’t really an option for Jurgen Klopp. You wonder if that will be an issue for the club as the season wears on.