Ivan Toney aims dig at Bukayo Saka after Carlos Alcaraz link-up
Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber were in esteemed company on Tuesday ahead of Arsenal’s return to pre-season training.
Arsenal head into next season off the back of three second-placed Premier League finishes in a row, with Mikel Arteta under pressure to finally get over the line after an early surrender in last term’s title race.
Liverpool coasted to their 20th league title and finished 10 points clear despite a late-season slump in form, but Arsenal have taken steps to close the gap with the £55.8million signing of Martin Zubimendi.
Viktor Gyokeres also looks set to be on his way to North London this summer as Arteta finally closes in on the striker he lacked last season, taking the pressure off Saka to supply Arsenal’s goals next season.
Saka and Timber represent Arsenal at Wimbledon
Although two of their Premier League rivals have extended their own campaigns by playing at the Club World Cup, Arsenal have joined the other 17 in their off-season breaks ahead of a return to training.
Arsenal begin their schedule of pre-season matches against AC Milan in Singapore on 23 July, but the off-season period has allowed Arteta’s players some time off as Saka and Timber attended Wimbledon.
Saka posted on Instagram (8 July) after he and Timber attended Carlos Alcaraz’s quarter-final win over Cameron Norrie on Centre Court, and met up with the two-time defending champion after his victory.
Timber commented “top” beneath Saka’s post, while his England team-mate Ivan Toney took aim at the Arsenal winger’s outfit and said: “We talk about you trousers another time”.
Saka at centre of Arsenal rebuild as Gyokeres transfer close
Football Insider Verdict
The burden on Saka’s shoulders has been heavily felt across recent seasons and Arsenal’s attack was thrown into turmoil when their number seven required surgery on a hamstring injury in December 2024.
Gyokeres’ arrival at the Emirates is imminent and the Swede is set to become the immediate spearhead of Arteta’s front three, but Arsenal aren’t done yet with a new left winger also on the transfer shortlist.
A deal for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke is already in the pipeline as Arteta looks to bolster his left flank, and if those reinforcements go straight into the starting XI, Saka will soon be the only familiar face in a brand-new combination.