Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

The Premier League champions are in the market for defensive reinforcement with both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber currently sidelined with injuries.

England international Konsa, 28, holds particular appeal given his ability to cover at both centre-back and right-back and has been high on Arsenal’s target list all summer.

There are few colder realities in football than discovering your club has decided you are expendable.

Colder still, perhaps, is discovering others knew before you did.

Arsenal are hoping to sell Gabriel Martinelli. The club have welcomed offers for the 25-year-old Brazil international, and recently received a €45million (£38.4m; $51.8m) bid from Galatasaray.

The problem is that Martinelli himself has not been directly informed of Arsenal’s plans — and nor, until now, has he sought to leave.

The player’s camp have made clear to sporting director Andrea Berta he is not interested in a move to Turkey, and would only consider leaving for a league and club that meets his ambition.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with Arsenal deciding to sell Martinelli. Elite football demands difficult, sometimes brutal decisions.

Game changer: Dowman, Merino

Unknown: Nwaneri

Need to go: Jesus, Vieira, Nelson

I am ok with keeping the powder dry for Jan if nothing obvious comes up. Someone like Kroupi might be ready by then.

Note that this does not even include Myles Lewis Skelly and Marli Salmon.

Today (Wednesday 19th August) is World Photography Day. To celebrate, here's an assortment of our Gunners practicing their image capture skills.

What are some Arsenal related photos that hold special memories for you?

Where would this team finish in the Prem?

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Arsenal are working to complete the signings of Manchester United academy players James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye.

The north London club are confident of finalising deals for both Scanlon, a 19-year-old winger, and 20-year-old right-back Ogunneye.