A quick Viktor Gyokeres transfer update, celebrity Arsenal fan and the Martin Zubimendi surprise

Arsenal's summer tour of Asia is now under way following their arrival in Singapore on Sunday. Due to take to the training pitch on Monday morning, there was to be a bit of a delayed start for Mikel Arteta and his team due to the weather.

Arriving in the country on a baking hot day, things were slightly different less than 24 hours later with dark clouds hanging over Singapore on Monday morning. The rain duly fell from the heavens mid-morning and the downpour was described as 'biblical' by a couple of football reporters caught up in it on the way to attending Arteta's press conference at Singapore's National Stadium.

The delay to training meant that the Spaniard arrived slightly earlier for his press duties but he came into the room with a big smile on his face despite the late change to his team's schedule. In his first press conference since returning to Arsenal duty following a summer break, Arteta was quizzed on a number of subjects including the tour, Thomas Partey's exit and transfers.

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The Gunners have been very active in the market already this summer after completing deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke. All connected with Arsenal are desperate for more additions and the same very much applies to Arteta.

"There’s still a long time in the window and we are seeking still, in terms of numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad," said the 43-year-old when asked if more new signings could join the squad in Singapore. "We are constantly looking in the market. Until that happens, focus on the players we have and focus on them and I’m very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10 to 15 days."

It's fair to say that Zubimendi has already made a big impression on the Arsenal boss since linking up with the squad for the first time. Arteta waxed lyrical about his fellow man from the Basque Country and outlined that he has noted his character, personality and what he is going to bring to the team in the space of just seven to ten days.

Arteta would not give much away about Viktor Gyokeres, though, which really came as no surprise. He immediately batted away the question by stating that he "cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet". The use of the word "yet" no doubt gave everyone hope that Gyokeres will soon be pulling on an Arsenal kit for the first time very soon.

Having exited the National Stadium some time later after the press conference had drawn to a conclusion, you would not have believed it had rained earlier with Singapore bathed in glorious sunshine and an intense heat. Arsenal were to finally take to the training pitch later on Monday afternoon but that in turn meant that youngster Ethan Nwaneri could no longer attend a community event that was in the diary.

Once on the pitch at the National Stadium, the Arsenal team could finally get to work after the false start earlier in the day. During the session Arteta could be seen passing on advice to 15-year-old starlet Marli Salmon and Myles Lewis-Skelly could also be seen in conversation with new coach Gabriel Heinze.

The day was not quite over for some of Arsenal's stars as Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori all headed to Nova rooftop bar at Raffles Place for the launch of the club's latest adidas away shirt. 'Ready to reach new heights' is clearly Arsenal's new phrase heading into the 2025/26 season, which is exactly what they did on Monday evening on level 63 of the highest rooftop bar in Singapore.

It proved to be a very popular event and those in attendance could pick up their own personalised away shirt as a memento from the night. Movie star and Arsenal fan Will Poulter was in attendance, as was club legend Ray Parlour who was donning the new jersey with 'Parlour 15' on the back.

The media in attendance did get the opportunity to speak to Merino and Zubimendi for a short amount of time, with the interview set to be published later in the week. One thing noticeable about Zubimendi is his height.

The Spain international may come across as quite small in photos but that is certainly not the case when you see him close up and personal as he is only a couple of inches smaller than Merino. Arsenal's No.23 looks set to be a key figure in Zubimendi's adaptation to life in north London as they are quite clearly close friends after their time together at Real Sociedad and the Spanish national team.

Gunners fans now only have one more day to wait to finally see the 26-year-old play in an Arsenal shirt for the first time and what Arteta has already mentioned about his new player could soon become clear for all to see.