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Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign highly rated centre-back Elijah Upson after the teenager rejected a professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur.

The 18-year-old will cross the north London divide after spending 11 years in Tottenham’s academy.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Upson has signed an agreement to join Arsenal on a long-term deal. An official announcement is expected shortly.

Tottenham confirmed in June that the defender would leave after turning down their contract offer. Spurs will still be entitled to training compensation because of Upson’s age.

Arsenal win major race for Tottenham talent

Upson had attracted interest from several leading clubs in England and Europe before choosing Arsenal.

The centre-back visited the Gunners’ training facilities at London Colney before making his final decision. He now joins an academy setup undergoing significant changes ahead of the new campaign.

Upson is the son of former Arsenal and England defender Matthew Upson. His father spent six years with the Gunners and represented England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Elijah has already represented England at Under-18 level. He was also part of the Tottenham squad which won the Under-17 Premier League Cup during the 2024/25 season.

Arsenal have strengthened their academy defence this summer, with Daniel McCarron also arriving from Dungannon Swifts.

Upson will initially aim to establish himself within Arsenal’s development teams. His long-term objective will be to follow the pathway into Mikel Arteta’s senior squad.

Losing a promising player to their closest rivals will frustrate Tottenham. Arsenal, meanwhile, have secured one of the most highly regarded young defenders available this summer.

Arsenal academy winger Kyran Thompson has agreed to join Newcastle United after rejecting the chance to remain in north London.

The 16-year-old reached the end of his Arsenal deal this summer and attracted several proposals, including interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Thompson has chosen Newcastle from five offers, with a medical and contract signing expected to follow.

The England Under-17 international will move as a free agent, although Arsenal should receive training compensation for his development.

Thompson departure frustrates Arsenal academy plans

Thompson progressed quickly after joining Arsenal from West Ham United’s academy.

He made 28 appearances for the Under-18s last season, alongside further involvement with Arsenal’s Under-19 and Under-21 sides.

Arsenal wanted to keep him, but the winger appears to have sought greater clarity over his position and development pathway.

Thompson featured across the front line in north London. However, his representatives view right wing as his strongest role.

His father, Karl Thompson, appeared to reference that issue on social media by saying the teenager would now be able to play in the position where he performs best.

Romano’s transfer update confirms that Newcastle have reached an agreement after Thompson selected them ahead of the other interested clubs.

The move represents a frustrating outcome for an academy which had accelerated Thompson through its age groups.

Arsenal are continuing to recruit young prospects, with Northern Ireland goalkeeper Phoenix Blayney set to join the academy.

However, Thompson’s departure shows the difficulty of retaining elite teenagers when Premier League rivals can offer a different route towards senior football.

A medical remains to be completed, but the winger has now made his decision and is expected to continue his development at Newcastle.

At a Glance:

Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday night.

Tottenham Hotspur could be relegated from the top-flight on Sunday.

Despite this, Roberto De Zerbi has made a bold claim about one of his players, compared to one of the Gunners’ key stars.

As Arsenal gear up to celebrate being crowned Premier League champions on Sunday afternoon, Tottenham Hotspur will be preparing for their final-day relegation dogfight.

The Gunners won the title on Tuesday night when Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. This ended the North Londoners’ 22-year wait for a top-flight title, and they’ll now lift the iconic Premier League trophy after their match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Meanwhile, Spurs face Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, knowing that a defeat could see them lose their top-flight status. Lose to the Toffees, and they’ll be relegated from the Premier League if West Ham are able to beat Leeds at the London Stadium.

Despite the drastic difference in fortunes this season, Roberto De Zerbi has made a wild claim about one of his players, which hasn’t gone down well amongst Gunners supporters.

Roberto De Zerbi says Micky van de Ven is better than Gabriel Magalhaes

While Tottenham have endured a dismal season, they still have a handful of excellent players who aren’t deserving of a relegation battle. One of these is centre-back Micky van de Ven, who’s been plagued by injury issues over the last few years.

The Dutchman is undoubtedly a good player who could easily be plying his trade at a much more successful club, although Spurs boss De Zerbi perhaps overrates the defender. Speaking in his press conference on Friday afternoon, the Italian described Van de Ven as the ‘best left centre-back in the Premier League’, essentially suggesting he believes him to be better than Gabriel Magalhaes.

“We took a lot of time [with Van de Ven],” he said.

“I think he suffered maybe too much for the situation of Tottenham this season. He’s a sensitive guy. He’s a good guy. In my time, I think he played amazing.

“He’s the best left centre-back in the Premier League.”

Arsenal fans react to Roberto De Zerbi’s comments

It’s fair to say Arsenal fans don’t agree with De Zerbi’s verdict on Van de Ven, and given Gabriel’s excellence over the last few seasons, they are right to find this take egregious. While the Tottenham manager may merely be attempting to boost his defender’s confidence, Gunners supporters took to social media to voice how amusing they found the claim.

One fan wrote on X: “Hahahaha. Keep him and see how you get on next season.”

Another added: “He’ll be the best left centre back in the championship too.”

Meanwhile, one fan wrote: “Has he ever watched Gabriel?”

Finally, another supporter added: “He said centre back and realised he was being ridiculous because of [William] Saliba and Gabriel, and then decided left centre back because it’s just a little less ridiculous.”

Ultimately, Van de Ven may well end this season as a Championship player, while Gabriel will end it a Premier League winner, and possibly a Champions League winner. That probably tells you everything you need to know.