Mikel Merino has been left out of Real Sociedad's squad for their LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano, amid speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal.

Sociedad and Arsenal are reportedly in negotiations over a move for the Spain midfielder, who was part of the side that won Euro 2024 last month.

Merino has made 242 appearances for La Real since joining from Newcastle United in 2018, helping the club win the 2019-20 Copa del Rey.

And it appears he is nearing a return to the Premier League, with Sociedad head coach Imanol Alguacil confirming his absence from the 24-man matchday squad for the visit of Vallecano on Sunday.

"We worked with the idea that we would count on him, but I decided to leave him out of the squad," Alguacil told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"He told me that he was ready to help. He wanted to be on the pitch. We are the ones who are here. There are open talks with other clubs and this decision is the best for them, for the club and for me.

"I don't know if I'm optimistic about him. I know more or less what he wants, but we don't know how those talks will end. At the moment, he's with us. [On Sunday] he'll be out of the game."

Kai Havertz labelled Bukayo Saka as "unbelievable" as his team-mate was the catalyst for Arsenal starting their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolves.

England winger Saka produced a wonderful cross for Havertz to head home the opener at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Provider then turned scorer in the second half when Saka cut inside Rayan Ait-Nouri and drilled low into the near post.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Havertz said: "Saka is unbelievable. There are not a lot of players like him on the planet and he is still so young. 

"He can get better. It is very rare to see a young player like this perform every week at the highest level."

Arsenal were impressive in the first half but were thankful to David Raya for a couple of big saves and there was a noticeable shift in atmosphere during a second period in which Wolves posed a few more questions.

But manager Mikel Arteta was impressed with the way his side, who finished second to Manchester City in the league last season, were able to ultimately get the job done to start the new campaign with three points.

"I am really happy. With the first game you have some uncertainty in how you will respond," he said.

"We had our moment after 1-0 when we were not in control but after Saka's goal we were much more comfortable. The way the boys go about their job is unbelievable, so very happy.

"We knew Wolves could change the game and they did in the second half but with our changes we became a bit stronger.

"We certainly are. We had a really good pre-season. There are things to improve for sure, but overall very happy.

"The lack of control in the second half [we can improve], we gave so many simple balls away. We also had to finish situations better but overall very happy."

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil felt his side applied themselves well and thought the visitors were the more likely to score with the game at 1-0.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "I thought we were good. I was pleased. I obviously don't like losing but we gave Arsenal a tough game. We restricted them to not too many chances.

"In terms of being in the game and having a chance I felt that, at 1-0 down I felt we were more likely than them.

"I'm pleased with what we were able to produce, but I've spoken to the players about the little details, especially against teams like Arsenal.

"They found two moments of quality and we just missed a couple of ours."

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were the goalscorers as Arsenal started the new Premier League season with a routine 2-0 victory over Wolves at Emirates Stadium.

Germany international Havertz had the home fans on their feet midway through the first half thanks to a fine assist from Saka in sunny north London on Saturday.

David Raya had to make a brilliant save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen a debut Wolves goal midway through the first half.

Havertz and Thomas Partey went close for the hosts after the break before a revival from the visitors should have seen parity restored when Matheus Cunha shot straight at Raya after pouncing on a poor misplaced pass from William Saliba.

The brilliant Saka then ensured there would be no misstep to start a campaign in which Arsenal are looking to go one better than a second-place finish last term when he stepped inside Rayan Ait-Nouri on the right of the box and fired past Jose Sa at his near post.

Data Debrief: Gunners pick up where they left off

Arsenal were agonisingly pipped to the title by Manchester City last season but have now won seven straight Premier League games, having gone on a streak of eight from January 20 to March 9 earlier this year.

Moreover, they have now scored in each of those matches - their best run since netting in nine from December 31 to March 9.

Havertz is off the mark early for Arsenal and has two goals and two assists from his last three appearances in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal must break records to have any chance of dethroning Premier League champions Manchester City in 2024-25.

Arsenal have finished second to City in each of the last two seasons, leading the table for long periods in both instances, only to fall narrowly short.

The Gunners were just two points away from ending their 20-year title drought in 2023-24, with City clinching an unprecedented fourth straight crown on the final day.

Arsenal have improved their points tally in each of their four full campaigns under Arteta to date, picking up 61 in 2020-21, 69 in 2021-22, 84 in 2022-23 and 89 last term.

The Gunners scored more goals (91) last season than in any other Premier League campaign, while their 29 goals conceded were their fewest since the Invincibles were crowned champions in 2003-04. 

Asked what Arsenal must do to get over the line in 2024-25, Arteta said: "To break more of those records again and win more points, that's for sure. 

"It won't be enough [last season's levels]. With the level we are competing with and every season getting harder, we are going to have to improve again for sure."

Arteta believes his players are highly motivated to go again, adding: "On the last day. I think we had a gathering together with all the club and the players said, 'we're going to do it, we want more'.

"Everyone was saying the same thing, that we're not going to stop here and we want much more. We know how we want to evolve and how the players can evolve."

As well as making David Raya's loan move permanent, Arsenal sanctioned a €45million (£38.4m) swoop for Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori this off-season, but he is the only new face to arrive at the Emirates Stadium ahead of 2024-25.

Arteta has refused to rule out further activity, saying: "After the season we had two objectives – the main and most important one was to make sure we are still in love with our players. 

"Then, okay, if there are still opportunities in the market we will look at them. The market is open and things can happen."

Arsenal begin their 2024-25 campaign against Wolves on Saturday, having won 16 of their 18 Premier League games so far in 2024 (one draw, one loss), with their 89% win rate comfortably their best in the competition in any calendar year.

While Arsenal have started their last two Premier League campaigns with a victory, beating Crystal Palace in 2022-23 and Nottingham Forest last year, Wolves have lost their opening match in each of the last three seasons. 

David Raya believes Arsenal were "nearly perfect" in the Premier League last season but acknowledges that is not enough to beat Manchester City to the title.

Having finished second the previous year, Mikel Arteta's men improved their points return in 2023-24 but were again runners up to City.

That was a fourth consecutive title for City, an unprecedented feat in English top-flight history.

Arsenal are once more targeting top spot in the coming campaign, though, and goalkeeper Raya knows the level they must reach right from the start of the season.

The Gunners lost four times before the turn of the year last time out, meaning they could not compete with City even while dropping points in only two of the remaining 18 matches.

"Our second half of last season was nearly perfect," Raya told Sky Sports. "But you have to be perfect to win the league, especially against Man City.

"They are so good, and they are so experienced in this environment.

"We have to learn from everything, from every mistake and from the good things that we have done as well, to carry on and improve them. That is what we need to do.

"It has been a fantastic year, but we have to – and I have to – make the next one better."

Even with the slightly below bar start to the last campaign, the margins were so fine, with the title race going down to the final day as City pipped Arsenal by two points.

It is natural then that Raya and his team-mates might reflect on the games in which they slipped up, notably taking only one point from two games against midtable Fulham despite leading in both matches.

"I think we had a really good campaign, but at some stages we didn't manage the games where we dropped a few points well," the Spain international said.

"It's that balance of knowing when you have to manage games. Also, you have to go all in, especially at the start of the season."

Arsenal begin the new season at home to Wolves on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta is hoping for a fast start as Arsenal begin their quest for the Premier League title when they welcome Wolves to the Emirates on Saturday. 

Arteta's side concluded their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 2-0 win over Lyon last week, with William Saliba and Gabriel on target in the first half. 

And the Gunners head coach explained that his side must set the tone in the opening exchanges against Gary O'Neil's side in North London. 

"Look at today with the way we started, for sure. It’s about maintaining that for 95 minutes and that’s the target and objectives that we need to have," Arteta said after the win over the French side. 

"There’s a lot of positives to take from today’s performance again.

"I think overall it's been a really positive pre-season with the tour and the club and a lot of people put a lot of effort into making it work. I think it was a success again."

Wolves, meanwhile, will be hoping to improve on a dismal end to the 2023-24 season, but face a side they have failed to beat in the Premier League since February 2021.

O'Neil's side lost five of their last six league games (W1), including the last three in a row, concluding their pre-season fixtures with a 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano at Molineux last Saturday.  

“Next week is a big one for me to make sure the lads are ready for the Premier League and next week is a big one for us in the transfer market," O'Neil said.  

"We’ve made another £100m this summer, we made £100m last summer, and that does provide its challenges to keep the team staying competitive and keep the team as strong as it once was four or five years ago.

“We’re trying to get it back to that, but with a very different make-up behind the scenes that we’re working to. But I enjoy those challenges a lot.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal - Martin Odegaard

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard enjoyed his joint-most prolific season for the Gunners last year, netting 11 goals and adding 11 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions. 

Odegaard has scored more Premier League goals against Wolves (four) than he has against any other opponent, but three of those have come away from the Emirates. 

The Norwegian will hope to have an effect at the top end of the pitch, with his 102 chances that he created for the Gunners last year a total only bettered by Pascal Gross (103) and Bruno Fernandes (114). 

Wolves - Matheus Cunha

With Pedro Neto's transfer to Chelsea confirmed last week, last year's top scorer in all competitions, Matheus Cunha will pose a significant threat to Arsenal's defence. 

Cunha contributed 22 goal involvements (14 goals and eight assists) in 36 appearances last year, registering the highest expected goals (xG) total in the Wolves squad in the Premier League (9.49). 

The Brazilian scored in his last visit to North London in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and will be hoping to continue his scoring streak at the Emirates this weekend. 

MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN

Arsenal are the clear favourites to start their campaign with three points, winning 76.4% of Opta's data-led simulations, with Wolves emerging victorious in 9.5% of those. 

The Gunners have won each of their last six Premier League encounters with Wolves, their joint-longest winning run against them (also six in a row from 2003 to 2011).

Arteta has won his opening Premier League fixture in each of the last two seasons, with another victory securing three consecutive opening day triumphs for the first time since between 2007-08 and 2009-10. 

Arsenal have scored in each of their last 33 meetings with Wolves in all competitions, last failing to do so since a 1-0 home defeat in February 1979. 

It’s both the Gunners’ longest scoring streak against an opponent, and Wolves’ longest run without a clean sheet against a side in their respective histories.

But O'Neil will be hopeful of changing his side's opening day fortunes. Wolves have lost their opening Premier League game in each of the last three seasons and have never started a league season with defeat in four seasons in a row in their history.

Wolves have also won just one of their last 13 away top-flight visits to Arsenal (D4 L8), winning 2-1 at the Emirates in November 2020 under Nuno Espirito Santo.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Arsenal - 76.4%

Draw - 14%

Wolves - 9.5%

Mikel Arteta is confident new signing Riccardo Calafiori will improve Arsenal this season to end their 10-year wait for a Premier League title. 

Calafiori, who joined the Gunners from Bologna in a reported £42million move, made his Arsenal debut in their 2-0 win over Lyon at the Emirates on Sunday. 

The 22-year-old impressed on his first outing for his new club, replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko just after the hour mark for his first minutes since Euro 2024. 

Arsenal have improved defensively during Arteta's tenure, boasting the best record for goals conceded in the Premier League last season (29). 

And while Calafiori offers another solid option at the back for Arteta to call upon, the Spaniard is confident he will also improve his side going forward. 

"He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, he can occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender," Arteta said.  

"When you see his presence, his physicality, how he goes to the duels, he’s unbelievable. Obviously, he’s done a lot last year and I think he’s a player that can improve us."

"We are managing them, it’s a lot of new things for him. It’s a big step up, but he’s so willing as you could see, for the 20 minutes that he played, he’s so energetic, so passionate, a really intelligent player. He’s going to give us a lot."

Both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber were notable absentees from their Emirates Cup success, but Arteta is confident the pair are nearing a return to action. 

"It's fine," Arteta said on Timber. "He's been doing some individual work, that's clear now.

"So we expect him to be ready to train with the group in the next week, because he has no reaction. So quite positive.

"I think it will take weeks on that one unfortunately," Arteta added on Tomiyasu's fitness. "He's going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it's going to take a few weeks."

The Gunners kickstart their quest for the Premier League title next Saturday when they welcome Wolves, a side they have not lost to at the Emirates since 2020, to North London. 

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes scored first-half goals to secure a 2-0 win for Arsenal over Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.

The defenders both punished Lyon from corners, while Bukayo Saka missed a glorious chance to make it a more emphatic win. 

Mikel Arteta's side showed their intent ahead of the new Premier League season, taking an early lead as Declan Rice's corner cleared everyone at the near post, leaving Saliba with an easy header in the middle.

Lyon were caught out in the same way just before the half-hour mark as Rice sent a corner deep this time, and Gabriel flicked a header into the gap left by Lucas Perri.

Saka should have made it 3-0 in the second half after peeling off the back of the defence to reach Oleksandr Zinchenko's cross, but he could only thump his header against the foot of the post.

David Raya was made to work for his clean sheet in the final 10 minutes when Ernest Nuamah raced in behind after Jorginho scuffed a clearance, but the keeper made himself big to send the effort looping wide.

Data Debrief: Arsenal show no mercy

Arsenal are likely to be fighting for the Premier League title once again this year, and they made a statement with their performance on Sunday.

Saliba and Gabriel were both on target from corners again, just as they were so many times last season, while Rice showed off his set-piece prowess by getting two assists.

Mikel Arteta has said he has seen "something different" from striker Gabriel Jesus since last season, as the Brazilian impressed against Bayer Leverkusen. 

Jesus, who scored four goals in 27 Premier League appearances last term, was on target with a fine finish against the Bundesliga champions on Wednesday. 

The 27-year-old failed to score in his last 10 league appearances after returning from a knee injury, with Kai Havertz starring in the number nine position in his absence. 

However, Arteta has been impressed with Jesus' displays in pre-season, but has set his striker a challenge of becoming more consistent this year. 

"I said from day one, the first feeling when I saw him after talking to him at the end of the season is that he was something different," Arteta said.

"I could sense it. His energy was different, the way he looks is different, the way he’s moving is different. He really wants it.

"Now it’s about finding that consistency and doing it in any context, against any opponent, against any formation, any day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes.

"If you produce in those circumstances? It looks good."

The encounter against Xabi Alonso's side saw the return of both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka into the first-team fold after their Euro 2024 campaign with England. 

But there was no sight of Jurrien Timber and new £42m signing Riccardo Calafiori, with Arteta able to explain their omission from the squad. 

"Jurrien had a little discomfort in his foot in the last few days and obviously, after the amount of time he’s been out, we didn’t want to take any risks with him," Arteta said. 

"In regard to Riccardo, so much happened to him in one week! He’s come into a new environment with a different methodology and different training, so we are managing him, and we want to do it slowly and in the best way possible.

"Hopefully he will be available to play some minutes on Sunday."

Arsenal conclude their pre-season preparations against Lyon this weekend ahead of their Premier League opener against Wolves at the Emirates six days later.

Arsenal continued their preparations for the new Premier League season with a convincing 4-1 triumph over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus gave the Gunners a comfortable advantage at half-time, with Kai Havertz adding a fourth in the second half. 

Substitute Adam Hlozek would take the shine off an otherwise impressive performance from Mikel Arteta's side late on, but Arsenal were worthy winners at the Emirates. 

A frantic start to proceedings saw Zinchenko give the hosts the lead in the eighth minute as he rifled home Havertz's cutback from the edge of the area. 

Matej Kovar was picking the ball out of his net again less than a minute later, as Leverkusen were caught playing out from the back with Trossard remaining composed to slot home. 

Another mistake from the Bundesliga champions was punished seven minutes before half-time, this time by Jesus, who saw his long-range effort evade the grasp of Kovar. 

The result was put beyond doubt just after the hour mark when the returning Bukayo Saka saw his cross deflect kindly into the path of Havertz for an easy finish. 

Xabi Alonso's side showed a glimpse of the football that saw them win 28 of their 34 league games last year, with Hlozek rounding off a fine move with a delicate chip over David Raya. 

Arsenal face Lyon in their final pre-season fixture on Sunday before starting their quest for that elusive Premier League title against Wolves six days later. 

Data Debrief: Gunners turn on the style

Arsenal impressed in their penultimate pre-season fixture against a strong Leverkusen side, with promising signs to show they can go one better this season. 

Arteta's side out-performed their expected goals (xG) by 2.6, with six of their nine shots on target, registering double the amount of touches in the box when compared to their opponents. 

Trossard was a particular standout for the Gunners, recording the most touches in the opposition box (seven) while also making the most passes in the final third (19), a total only bettered by Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka (24) and Edmond Tapsoba (21). 

Arne Slot's winning start in charge of Liverpool continued as goals from Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho earned them a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Lincoln Financial Field.

Kai Havertz pulled one back for the Gunners before half-time, but they struggled to find an equaliser in front of the record crowd on Wednesday.

Despite Arsenal's bright start, Salah put the Reds in front, beating Karl Hein from close range as he drilled a low effort into the bottom-left corner after just 13 minutes.

Diogo Jota arguably should have doubled their lead, but instead struck the post before Carvalho latched onto Harvey Elliott's chipped cross to volley in a second.

Martin Odegaard then intercepted a loose pass in the box to set up Havertz for a sweeping finish to half the deficit five minutes before the break.

And though Mikel Arteta's side dictated the play in the second half, having seven shots to Liverpool's two, they could not find a way past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Data Debrief: Slot's Reds edge it

In some ways, it was a game of two halves, with Liverpool's dominance in the first half getting the job done.

They had eight shots in the first 45 minutes, with Elliott the difference as he got both assists and set Jota up before he hit the frame of the goal.

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £42million. 

Calafiori, who will wear the number 33 shirt for the Gunners, has penned a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old centre-half made 37 appearances for Bologna last season, helping the Serie A club qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 1964-65 campaign.

His impressive performances in the heart of defence earned a first senior international call-up earlier this year, while he subsequently represented Italy at Euro 2024.

Arsenal's Sporting Director Edu Gaspar said: "It has been a great team effort in completing this transfer, and we welcome Riccardo to the family.

"Riccardo has consistently shown his quality for his club and country. He was one of the best players in Serie A last season and gave strong performances for Italy in the Euros this summer.

"Mikel [Arteta] and our coaches are excited to start working with Riccardo, and we all look forward to seeing him in our shirt."

Calafiori is Arsenal's second major signing ahead of the 2024-25 season after Mikel Arteta made David Raya's initial loan move from Brentford permanent earlier this month.

He could make his debut when the Gunners host Wolves on August 17 in their opening match of the new Premier League campaign.

Erik ten Hag said Manchester United must wait another 24 hours to discover the extent of the injuries suffered by Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund.

The pair went off injured in the first half of United's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Hojlund opened the scoring in the 10th minute at SoFi Stadium, but Arsenal won thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.

Yoro, a £52.2million (€62m) signing from Lille, started despite having featured in only half of United's training sessions, and Ten Hag explained his staff were being cautious with the 18-year-old.

"We have to wait, in 24 hours we will hopefully know more, so we were very careful, especially with Leny," Ten Hag told MUTV.

"He did only 50% of the sessions, so it's disappointing he had to come off. But let's be positive and see what comes out."

Ten Hag was pleased with United's display overall. His team mustered only 0.56 expected goals but did have 10 shots to Arsenal's six, while the Dutchman feels Jesus' equaliser should have been called offside.

"A very intense game, a good level," he said.

"We were the better team in the first half, we scored a very good goal – a good move, a good finish. We conceded a goal, but it [should have been given] as offside."

United won a pre-arranged penalty shootout 4-3 at the end, with Andre Onana making two saves and Jadon Sancho converting the winning spot-kick.

Ten Hag added: "It's important – we know all the cup competitions we are in, so penalties can be important.

"Two good saves from Andre. It's important to have a goalkeeper that is good at penalty shootouts and he proved that again. The penalties, except one, were all very good."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, hailed the impact of matchwinner Martinelli.

"One training session and he comes in and plays at that level," he said of the Brazilian.

"That's the mentality of the team and individuals.

"Gabriel looks really sharp. He has changed a lot of things over the summer. You can see. The way he looks, his rhythm, his sharpness.

"You can see it in his eyes. There's some spark there. Now he has a point to prove and that is good."

New signing Leny Yoro trudged off injured as Manchester United lost 2-1 to Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at SoFi Stadium.

Teenage defender Yoro, signed for big money from Lille earlier this month, suffered an injury in the first half on Saturday.

So too did Rasmus Hojlund, who had put United ahead against their Premier League rivals in the 10th minute.

United's lead lasted only 15 minutes before Gabriel Jesus drew Arsenal level.

And the Gunners grabbed the winner nine minutes from time when Gabriel Martinelli got the better of youngster James Scanlon.

United did, however, win a pre-arranged penalty shootout at full-time. Jadon Sancho scored the winning spot-kick in a 4-3 victory.

Data Debrief: Close encounter

There was not much to separate the teams in Los Angeles, in all truth, with Arsenal mustering 0.95 expected goals to United's 0.56.

Arsenal had only six shots, so Erik ten Hag can at least take solace in a relatively solid defensive display, even if Martinelli's quality told in the end.

Benjamin Sesko remains certain that staying at RB Leipzig is the "right decision" to develop his career after turning down reported Premier League interest.

Slovenia international Sesko joined Leipzig from RB Salzburg in 2023, scoring 14 league goals last campaign, a tally bettered by only seven players in the German top flight.

That form was said to have attracted Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea to the 21-year-old, who instead signed a new five-year contract with the Bundesliga club last month.

Having committed his future to life at the Red Bull Arena, the striker believes Leipzig will provide a platform for his progression.

"I thought it through very well," Sesko said to Nogomania, a Slovenian media outlet. "I believe I made the right decision. I wanted to gain more experience, learn more, and not rush things.

"Leipzig are an excellent club that can provide what I need for the next step. Leipzig's vision is clear; everything is geared towards growth, progress, and high goals. I felt it was right to decide this way."

Sesko's new deal could see him stay with Leipzig until 2029, with Marco Rose boasting one of the world's most exciting prospects up top.

The Leipzig attacker scored from 14 of his 47 shots last season in the league, a conversion rate of 29.8% – the third-best ratio in the 2023-24 Bundesliga among players to have managed at least five goals. 

That deadly finishing in front of goal will have Rose excited once more, and Sesko says his boss was key to the decision to stay.

"We talked," Sesko explained. "He told me he wanted me to stay but also said I should decide based on my feelings.

"He said if I felt I needed to move on, I should go, but if not, I should stay. He's an excellent coach who has led many great players.

"I'm glad I decided this way. I did it before the Euro to keep a clear head and focus entirely on the championship."