Mikel Arteta is close to finalising a new deal. His current contract already runs to 2028, so this isn't a club scrambling to keep hold of a manager who might walk.
It's a title winner being paid like one. Seven years in December, a Premier League trophy last May, three wins from three and a win in Naples to open the league phase. Nobody's arguing about the timing.
The interesting bit is what it settles. The recruitment debate this summer was really a debate about whether Arteta gets to keep building his way after selling Martinelli, Jesus and Trossard and buying one winger. This answers that. He does.
Declan Rice says his body can handle 60-plus games again, which is the Guardian piece worth your time — he played through neural back trouble at the World Cup and took painkilling injections last season, and the club are monitoring him whether he likes it or not. He made 69 appearances last year.
He puts the improvement down to a three-week holiday. I'd take him at his word on feeling refreshed and still not play him in the EFL Cup at Ipswich.
Then there's the Zubimendi story doing the rounds in Friday's papers, that he may push to leave. In September, with the window shut, in a side top of the pile. I'm not buying a word of it.
The U19s beat Napoli 2-1 in the Youth League, their first opening-day win in the competition since 2015. David Horseman's side have made a habit of losing these in recent years. Good to see one go the other way.
Arsenal Women host Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday, off the back of Lisa Baum's winner at Brighton. First home game of the campaign.
The Premier League has confirmed the festive schedule from 26 December to 7 January, done in consultation with the Football Supporters' Association and Fan Advisory Boards. Three months' notice for away travel. That should be normal, and it isn't.
Sunderland away first.
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