Arsenal maintain preliminary talks to signal record-breaking starlet who Brighton really need

Arsenal return to Premier League obligation with one in every of their hardest checks of the younger season after they journey to Brighton on Saturday, and either side may be about to do battle off the pitch.

Mikel Arteta’s facet have opened their title defence with 4 straight league victories, amassing 12 factors and shifting to the highest of the desk.

The champions have rapidly rediscovered the management and defensive energy which carried them over the road final time period.

Their newest league success got here at Sunderland, the place Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory with out ever needing to seek out their highest rhythm.

They then made modifications for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup journey to Ipswich and nonetheless progressed with a energetic 4-2 win.

Arteta will now convey his main names again into the crew on the Amex Stadium, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and several other different common starters refreshed, however Arsenal can’t count on a cushty afternoon on the south coast.

Brighton have taken seven factors from their 4 league video games and produced a press release efficiency by thrashing Coventry Metropolis 5-0 final weekend.

Their confidence climbed even larger on Wednesday evening.

Fabian Hurzeler’s males recovered from two objectives all the way down to beat Man United 3-2 at Previous Trafford within the Carabao Cup, with three unanswered objectives finishing a exceptional turnaround.

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

That consequence confirmed precisely why Brighton stay harmful, and their tempo and urgent will demand Arsenal’s full focus from the opening whistle.

There may be additionally an intriguing switch battle growing between the golf equipment away from Saturday’s match.

Arsenal battle Brighton for Luca Weinhandl with talks held and favorite revealed

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

A report from Austrian outlet 4-4-2 claims Arsenal have held preliminary talks over a doable transfer for Sturm Graz midfielder Luca Weinhandl.

The 17-year-old has attracted consideration from England after establishing himself round Sturm’s senior facet, and Brighton are described as probably the most critical contender at this stage, whereas Aston Villa are additionally monitoring him.

Scouts representing all three Premier League golf equipment have reportedly watched Weinhandl in motion just lately.

Arsenal are believed to have gone one step additional by opening early strains of communication, though negotiations haven’t reached a sophisticated level.

Weinhandl is a tall 6 foot 3 central midfielder who has risen by way of Sturm’s youth system and made his first-team debut in 2026.

He additionally helped Austria attain the ultimate of the Beneath-17 World Cup final yr, giving him worthwhile expertise on a significant worldwide stage, and just lately broke a document by changing into the youngest Austrian to attain within the Europa League.

4-4-2 suggests a suggestion value round £17 million might be sufficient to seal a deal.

Nonetheless, Sturm usually are not beneath stress to money in and {the teenager} is outwardly snug persevering with his improvement in Austria.

A January transfer is feasible reasonably than assured in consequence, and whereas Arsenal might have made contact, Brighton’s sturdy curiosity means they can’t assume Weinhandl will watch for them.

The Gunners have positioned a transparent emphasis on securing excellent younger gamers earlier than their costs explode, and Weinhandl seems to suit that coverage.

Saturday will settle the factors between Arsenal and Brighton, however the contest for one in every of Austria’s brightest prospects may take significantly longer.