Arsenal files: Gunners star asks for transfer to former European champions as Gyokeres gets new role

ARSENAL flop Fabio Vieira has his heart set on a move to Hamburg this summer. The midfielder, 26, spent last season on loan with the German club and wants to join them permanently. Fabio Vieira is hoping to return to Hamburg this summer Credit: Getty Vieira is currently in pre-season training with Arsenal Credit: Getty Vieira scored seven goals in 31 appearances for Hamburg last term and they are pushing to bring him back. Talks are underway with Arsenal, but so far there has been no agreement over a fee. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Last summer’s loan deal included the option for the move to be made permanent this summer for €20million (£17m). Hamburg want to pay less than that and Vieira is into the final 12 months of his contract with Arsenal. The Gunners splashed out £34m to sign the Portuguese playmaker from Porto in 2022 – but he has struggled to perform. During his tenure in North London, he managed just three goals in 49 appearances. Hamburg was Vieira’s second loan spell in as many years after he went back to Porto for the 2024-25 season. The midfielder is currently training with Arsenal at their pre-season camp in Spain and they will face Girona this weekend. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK TZO GOOD ARSENAL new boy Christos Tzolis has been smashing his team-mates in pre-season testing. The winger, 24, joined the Gunners last week from Club Brugge as part of a deal that is worth £34m. The Greek star has gone straight into training and was with the squad at London Colney last week before they flew to Spain at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s players have been put through their paces by the club’s new fitness coaches – and Tzolis has been the man to beat. Gunners defender Ben White said: “Christos has been amazing. “He came in, did all the testing, and beat everyone. So he is fitting in really well and everyone is really happy for him to be here.” Tzolis featured for Arsenal in a secret behind-closed-doors friendly last week against MK Dons. The Gunners ran out 3-0 winners against the League One club and Tzolis grabbed an assist. Christos Tzolis has been smashing it in pre-season training Credit: Getty Tzolis arrived from Club Brugge in a £34m deal this month Credit: Getty FEEL THE BERN TEEN star Mylo Bernard is closing in on a move to Arsenal. The striker, 16, had been on the books of Crystal Palace but is now making the move across London. Bernard is a talented prospect and he made his debut for England’s Under-16s earlier this year. The Gunners have been pushing hard to make signings at academy level to boost the performances of their young teams. Cardiff City teenager Axel Donczew, 16, is also joining and the attacking midfielder has already played senior football. Bernard will come in and play for Arsenal’s Under-18 side – but will be encouraged to push for the Under-21s, too. PITCH PERFECT VIKTOR GYOKERES has a new role at Arsenal after taking up the task of being dressing room DJ. William Saliba is usually in charge of the music before matches – but the defender is set for a spell on the sidelines. The France star aggravated a back injury at the World Cup and is likely to miss the first few months of the season. It leaves the Arsenal squad needing an interim resident DJ. And, during a Q&A on Reddit, the new man was revealed. In a video reply to a fan question, defender White said: “When Willy isn’t here, the DJ is one of the kitmen or Viktor, maybe.” Viktor Gyokeres has adopted the role of dressing room DJ Credit: Reuters HOWE ABOUT THAT MIKEL ARTETA will have to face a host of unknown quantities during Arsenal’s title defence this season. Following Eddie Howe’s Newcastle exit, only nine of the current Premier League bosses were in place at their club at the start of last season. Of those nine, just six of them are from the 17 teams that remained in the division last term. Most of Arsenal’s direct rivals have changed bosses in the last few months, including Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City. It leaves Arteta with plenty of homework to do on his opposite numbers ahead of the season kicking off next month. Arteta is known for his incredible attention to detail and pre-match preparation, but even this will be a huge undertaking for the Spaniard. The 44-year-old is now English football’s longest-serving manager and urged his team to reach a “different dimension” this term. But making sure his squad is prepared for the unfamiliar opponents will be a massive part of securing even more success. Arsenal ticket and hospitality deals GET tickets to see Arsenal home games with these official deals. The packages include optional upgrades to VIP hospitality. 21 Aug v Coventry City — BOOK HERE 6 Sep v Chelsea — BOOK HERE 10 Oct v Leeds United — BOOK HERE 24 Oct v Everton — BOOK HERE 7 Nov v Hull City — BOOK HERE More games available here. *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Mikel Arteta is English football’s longest-serving manager Credit: Getty Eddie Howe became the latest Premier League manager to leave their post today Credit: PA GRAN DESIGNS GRANIT XHAKA is still influencing the future of Arsenal, three years on from his Emirates exit. Academy ace Callan Hamill claimed Xhaka is his role model upon signing his first professional contract with the Gunners. Hamill, 17, penned a pro deal last week and has credited the Sunderland captain with being his inspiration on and off the pitch. He said: “I think it is his mentality and his attitude. “He’s just a good role model to look up to and I think that’s some type of player that I also base my game off is a player like that and his qualities.” Full-back Hamill is highly-rated within the Hale End ranks and can be deployed anywhere across the back line if needed. The Scot, who joined the Gunners in 2025 from St Johnstone, has represented his nation at Under-15s, U17 and U19 level. Comment now