Arsenal news: Morgan Rogers remark rubs salt in wounds as target speaks out after blocked move

Arsenal have made a flying start to the Premier League season but face a big early test on Sunday. Chelsea will head to the Emirates Stadium in a battle between two of the four clubs still boasting a 100 per cent record in the league.

The Gunners have gone more than five years without losing to the Blues, with Romelu Lukaku and Reece James scoring in a 2-0 Chelsea win in August 2021. The most recent meeting between the clubs saw William Saliba and Jurrien Timber find the net in a 2-1 Arsenal victory.

Timber is in contention to return to action as he continues to make his way back from injury. Saliba is further from a return but manager Mikel Arteta said there have been positive signs when it comes to the French defender's recovery.

With the transfer window now shut, Arteta can focus on on-field matters, though there has still been some fall-out from the summer. That has some of our attention as we bring you the latest from around the Emirates Stadium.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Arsenal were in the mix for Morgan Rogers before the England international ultimately ended up at Chelsea. Rogers has already impressed in west London, and Blues' boss Xabi Alonso has made comments which may leave Arsenal wondering if they might live to rue their failure to land the former Aston Villa star.

“For sure, Morgan was a big, big one to get a player of his stature - in the present and future. He will be a key player for the next six, seven years. He's had a great impact," Alonso said.

Arsenal signed Christos Tzolis early in the window but didn't add another left winger despite losing Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. They explored a move for Vinicius Junior, but the Brazilian ended up staying at Real Madrid.

Essential 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle

Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season, with more than 1,500 games from the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.

This introductory offer saves £384 compared to the standard price, with every package also providing 100 regular channels alongside free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.

Malick Fofana was another winger to be linked with Arsenal. Instead, though, he ended up at Sunderland after deadline day uncertainty when it briefly looked as though Crystal Palace would gazump their rivals.

Belgian international Fofana was reportedly offered to Arsenal at the end of the transfer window, only for the Gunners to pass up on a permanent move. However, he expressed his happiness at moving to the Stadium of Light.

"I spoke with a lot of people before coming here, and they gave me the feeling they really wanted me," the 21-year-old said. "It’s been a busy 48 hours, but I can’t wait to get going. I’ve already played in the Europa League, and I hope I can bring that experience here.”

Join our WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.