Vinícius Júnior has reportedly refused to return to Real Madrid training while talks over a contract extension remain unresolved, a development that has naturally caught the attention of Arsenal observers. The Brazil international had been expected back at preseason training under José Mourinho this week after receiving a post-World Cup break, but the Daily Mail claim he is “staying away” until discussions can be “revived.”

The situation is not yet a straightforward push for one outcome. Vinícius Júnior may be pressing for improved terms, but it is also being suggested that the uncertainty could be tied to the possibility of a future move, with Arsenal loosely linked by circumstance rather than by any active negotiation.

Reports indicate the forward is prepared to lower his salary demands so that he sits alongside Real Madrid’s top earner, Kylian Mbappé, rather than chasing a figure once associated with Cristiano Ronaldo. The issue is not limited to wages, however. A possible signing bonus remains unresolved, and Vinícius Júnior’s image rights are now said to be a major point of contention.

According to AS, his contract contains a clause that gives Real Madrid around 50% of what he earns through commercial and marketing activity. That arrangement matters because the winger is highly marketable. During the 2026 World Cup, 16 different sponsors used his likeness, with brands ranging from sportswear to sandals benefiting from his profile.

It is therefore understandable that he would want a larger share of his own image rights in his next deal.

Even so, Arsenal should not read too much into the stand-off at this stage. Club-to-club talks have not started, and it is still unclear whether the 26-year-old would want to join Arsenal at all.

Professional football in England could be on the brink of a major law change aimed at reducing time-wasting by goalkeepers. According to the draft, the sport is moving towards a trial in which a manager must temporarily lose one outfield player after a goalkeeper receives medical attention.

The measure comes after existing regulations were introduced to stop players using treatment as a way to slow the game down. Under those rules, any player treated on the pitch must wait 60 seconds on the touchline once play restarts. Goalkeepers, however, were still able to continue without a similar punishment. That gap is now set to be closed.

The new procedure would start once the referee has signaled for medical staff to treat a goalkeeper. From that point, the team manager would have 10 seconds to inform the fourth official which outfield player will leave the field for one minute after the restart. If no player is nominated in time, the captain is withdrawn instead. If the goalkeeper is also the captain, the nominated outfield player who was chosen to speak to the referee before the match would be removed.

The idea has been pushed forward amid concerns about goalkeepers using treatment breaks to allow managers to pass on instructions. BBC Sport reported that professional English football has volunteered to trial the measure, and the change still requires approval from IFAB, which oversees the laws of the game.

The first scheduled fixture to use it would be Tranmere Rovers vs. Rochdale in the Carabao Cup preliminary round on Saturday, Aug. 1, if permission arrives in time. The first Premier League match affected would be Arsenal’s opener against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday, Aug. 21, pending approval.

The rule would also extend beyond the Premier League to the Women’s Super League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the EFL Championship, League One, League Two and the National League. The draft also says the Australian top flight is expected to act as a global test case, although its version would automatically remove the captain. No similar trial has been taken up by La Liga, the Bundesliga, Serie A or Ligue 1, and it would not apply in the Champions League.

Arsenal’s academy continues to produce players who believe there is a route into Mikel Arteta’s senior squad, and next season could present another opening for several of them.

Arteta has already shown that he is prepared to trust young talent, with Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri standing as recent examples of graduates who have been given a platform to develop at first-team level.

Max Dowman may already have completed his first breakthrough year. He made 13 first-team appearances in 2025/26, broke records and became a regular talking point, although his minutes were handled carefully because of his age. At 16, he was eased into the side rather than overexposed, but 2026/27 could be the season when he moves from useful substitute to genuine star.

Arsenal’s commitments across four competitions should create room for him. The domestic cups look likely to offer him starts, while he has already shown that he can contribute in the Premier League and the Champions League. Dowman’s ability to operate on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder is another advantage, especially with competition for places expected to remain high.

Marli Salmon also took early steps in senior football last season, making four appearances across the Champions League and FA Cup. The 16-year-old centre back did not attract the same level of attention as Dowman, but his rise into the senior group remains notable. Arsenal, though, are well stocked in central defence, with Gabriel, Piero Hincapié, Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera all options, while Ben White and Jurriën Timber can also play there. That makes regular opportunities difficult to secure.

Andre Harriman-Annous offers a different profile. The 18-year-old has impressed as both a centre forward and wide player in the academy, and his record of 10 goals and two assists for the Under-21s underlines his productivity. He has pace, direct running and a finishing touch, though he may still need added muscle before stepping up fully. Arteta used him twice last season in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Louie Copley, meanwhile, is yet to debut for Arsenal but already has senior experience after nine appearances on loan with Crawley Town in League Two, where he started eight games and set up one goal. Evan Mooney has only recently arrived, having joined from St Mirren after 23 appearances and a Scottish League Cup win in Scotland, and he has settled quickly south of the border.