Arsene Wenger named a 76-man squad, 56 of them under the age of 21, to prepare for the long season ahead. However, the Gunners were unable to improve their situation between the posts after a deal for Mark Schwarzer of Fulham failed to come to fruition and they were unable to add a goalkeeper before the transfer window closed. Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone remain the only keepers in the squad. One player who may join the ranks at the Emirates is Ryo Miyaichi, the 17-year-old Japanese forward, who impressed on a recent trial.
Randy Lerner, the club's owner, went some way in appeasing unhappy fans by retaining the services of the key winger Ashley Young. The Englishman, who had been linked with a move away, was named in the club's 22-man squad. Villa's failure to name the maximum 25 players over the age of 21 displays the club's lack of depth. Whoever is announced as the new manager, and it appears Alan Curbishley is first in line after Bob Bradley, the American, extended his contract with the US national team, will need to wait until January to strengthen the squad.
Alex McLeish, the manager, may have completed some of the best transfer business on the window's final day, bringing in Alexander Hleb, Martin Jiranek and Jean Beausejour, but it has done little to help him iron out the specifics of his long-awaited new contract. Peter Pannu, the wonderfully named Birmingham vice-chairman, said of McLeish and a possible deal: "To suggest that he is in the top class like [Jose] Mourinho ? well, he is no Mourinho. The ball is in his court." The Scotsman refuses to reveal details but rumours are growing that leave his future in doubt.
Ali Syed, the Bahraini businessman at the centre of a proposed takeover at Ewood Park, was forced to release a statement earlier this week denying his company has been forcibly closed. Syed said the confusion hinges on his company, Western Gulf Advisor, has two separate entities: one in Bahrain and one in Europe. The Manama-based business is being investigated by local government while the European entity is unaffected by the inquiry. Sam Allardyce, the manager, signed the free-agent Benjani Mwaruwari, the former Manchester City forward, on Tuesday, ending his summer-long search for a front man.
* Compiled by Paul Radley and Gary Meenaghan
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is a robo-adviser?
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
