SETTABLOID

Arsenal are once again attempting to overturn Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. For the past two seasons, Mikel Arteta’s men have fallen agonisingly short of winning a first title in 20 years, and the task to overthrow them doesn’t get any easier.

City managed to make it four in a row when they pipped the Gunners to the post in May but after some big summer deals and yet more improvement on the pitch, Arteta was able to push Pep Guardiola even further. They now have the challenge of going one step more and reaching the summit themselves.

It promises to be a big summer in this sense for both camps. Arsenal are aiming to make the most of their positive momentum while City yet again look to go where nobody has ever been before. It makes for another transfer window of key decisions.

Here, football.london has taken a look at what City have been up to so far and the impact it might have on Arsenal.

De Bruyne exit

Kevin De Bruyne has admitted that it could soon be time for him to leave Manchester City. Speaking to Dutch publication HLN, he said, “I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen.

“My eldest is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play for City. Once the moment comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way.”

An exit for the Belgian would be a significant blow to City after he managed four goals and ten assists from just 18 appearances last season. He has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

“At my age you have to be open to everything,” he continued. “You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.

“Then you have to think about what that could mean next. But at the moment I haven’t had to think about that yet.” He finished: “If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money. Before that I had to play football for 15 years. I may not even reach that amount yet.”

Alvarez also out?

De Bruyne isn’t the only one who has been linked with a move away though. Julian Alvarez is also said to be attracting attention, this time from Spain.

The Argentine is reportedly a top target for Atletico Madrid after they moved on from Girona’s Artem Dovbyk. It is suggested in Marca that even though Diego Simeone’s side cannot compete financially with City, they are looking to try and take advantage of any possible opportunity and have started their attempts to bring Alvarez.

Madrid, it is written, will try and sway Alvarez not with finances but game time and the chance to make himself the main man. It is also theorised that Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid could force Rodrygo out of the door and toward City, therefore adding yet more competition for Alvarez.

Michael Olise is being linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window. Chelsea are also reportedly interested in the Crystal Palace winger.

The Eagles ended the 2023/24 Premier League campaign in fine style, winning six of their last seven matches with Olise scoring four goals and providing three assists in those games.

Oliver Glasner really turned things around at Selhurst Park and he has a wealth of talent at his disposal next season. That is, if they all stay put, with rumours surrounding a number of his players, not just Olise.

And that begs the question, is Olise the right player that Arsenal are targeting from Palace this summer? Could they go for someone different? Our football.london writers had their say…

The most interest this summer will likely be in Michael Olise, but if I were Arsenal I think it could be a waste of time targeting him. While the Gunners could certainly use him in attack, they face a similar problem to Spurs a few years ago – convincing someone to play second fiddle to the first name on the team sheet.

With Tottenham it was Harry Kane; with Arsenal it’s Bukayo Saka. Would Olise agree to join Arsenal to be a back-up? With so many clubs interested in him, it’s doubtful.

Personally, I’m a sucker for watching Ebere Eze play football – he’s perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing footballer when in full flow. I’d move for him and have a midfield of Eze, Rice and Odegaard.

Don’t say it to their faces, but Crystal Palace are the Brighton of 12 months ago. Everyone wants to snatch up their impressive young talent, and isn’t there an array of options?

Adam Wharton would be quite the signing in Arsenal’s midfield as an alternative to Thomas Partey or potential replacements Amadou Onana, Martin Zubimendi, and Bruno Guimaraes.

Eberechi Eze could be the new and improved Emile Smith Rowe, making more of a play for a starting role than the Hale End graduate has in recent years. Marc Guehi would provide depth at centre-back as well as a genuine challenge for a minutes.

The real standout is Michael Olise though. He is truly a cut above not only these Palace players but frankly most in the world. It could take Bukayo Saka to a new level if Olise joins because he wouldn’t settle for a backup spot. Olise really is good enough to push the Englishman as well, he’s that good.

Olise is simply the sort of player that you don’t turn down. Sign him and fit him in somewhere. Transfer first, think second.

Don’t say it to their faces, but Crystal Palace are the Brighton of 12 months ago. Everyone wants to snatch up their impressive young talent, and isn’t there an array of options?

Adam Wharton would be quite the signing in Arsenal’s midfield as an alternative to Thomas Partey or potential replacements Amadou Onana, Martin Zubimendi, and Bruno Guimaraes.

Eberechi Eze could be the new and improved Emile Smith Rowe, making more of a play for a starting role than the Hale End graduate has in recent years. Marc Guehi would provide depth at centre-back as well as a genuine challenge for a minutes.

The real standout is Michael Olise though. He is truly a cut above not only these Palace players but frankly most in the world. It could take Bukayo Saka to a new level if Olise joins because he wouldn’t settle for a backup spot. Olise really is good enough to push the Englishman as well, he’s that good.

Olise is simply the sort of player that you don’t turn down. Sign him and fit him in somewhere. Transfer first, think second.

Mikel Arteta has been handed a huge update on two of Arsenal’s midfield transfer targets. Thomas Partey is still expected to be sold this summer, and thus the Gunners are in the market to sign a replacement with one spot in Arteta’s midfield very much open.

While the aim of the upcoming trading period is tailored to raising the floor of the squad rather than the ceiling, as football.london understands, the Gunners have an obvious gap to fill. Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice performed superbly in the 2023/24 season, with Partey joining them for the final few games of the season.

During his injury absence, it was often Jorginho who filled the deep-lying role, however he is not quite capable of playing twice a week on a regular basis. As such, Arteta and sporting director Edu will both likely know a new marquee midfielder is needed.

In terms of options, Arsenal have been linked to Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana, Youssouf Fofana and Martin Zubimendi. With varying asking prices for all six, it is seen as likely that the latter name, given the €60million (£51million release clause in his contract, is acquired, especially following Arteta’s hint that the Gunners will not be spending big.

“[We] look again,” the Arsenal boss told CNN when asked about transfers. “All the margins, squad-wise, the process that we have at the football club, our methodology, especially on how we can make our players better, more competitive, more consistent and cause them to raise the level and be better than the previous season

“I think our focus has to be with what we have already in house. How can we be better? There are margins and there are players that can still develop and be better and that’s the objective that we have.”

Even with Arteta’s admission, a too-good-to-turn-down opportunity could be on the horizon with someone like Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, because of his contract situation, available for potentially as little as €35million (£29.7million), as per Mundo Deportivo.

The Germany international, alongside Zubimendi, has been linked to a Barcelona transfer however club president Joan Laporta has now confirmed neither are in the plans. Speaking to ‘The Presidential Podcast’ on Barca One, he said: “I don’t think we will go for big names, as well as we don’t plan to sell our stars. We’re looking for new winger and new midfielder. We also have our own talents who could cover those position.”

Barcelona leaving the race for both players could open the door for Arsenal to strike with Zubimendi, still considered a target despite claims he is happy in Spain, and Kimmich signings that would greatly improve Arsenal.

Alexander Isak insists he is happy at Newcastle United and is not looking to leave the club this summer as he continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal. The 24-year-old moved to St James’ Park for a club-record fee of £63m in August 2022 and has since scored 37 goals in 65 games for the Magpies, who he helped fire back into the Champions League for the first time since 2004.

Earlier this year, Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales admitted that the club could be forced to sell some of their biggest names to comply with the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play Rules, and, as a result, the futures of Isak and Bruno Guimaraes have been speculated.

However, Isak has insisted he has not thought about leaving St James’ Park this summer nor had any indication that the club would be willing to sell him to rumoured suitors Arsenal or Barcelona.

“I’m really, really happy at Newcastle,” Isak told Fotbollskanale. “I had the best season of my career. You can’t underestimate that. I love everything about the club, the fans, the city.

“I don’t really have any thoughts of moving or anything like that. I’m having a great time and I’m very happy with my life.

“It’s not something I speculate about. Within the team or the club, there has been no talk or drama around it. I have not received any information from the club that they would have to sell me.”

The forward, who finished third in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot with 21 goals, also admitted he was pleased with his form in the closing months of the campaign as Newcastle secured a seventh-place finish.

“It’s been good, especially the second part of the season,” added Isak. “I had some hiccups and injuries in the first part. It was a bit difficult to find the flow, but in the last few months, I’ve been playing regularly and getting continuity. It has shown in the performances too.”

Arsenal star winger Bukayo Saka is “not far off” the level of Champions League luminaries and Ballon d’Or hopefuls such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane, according to former England international Gary Neville.

Bellingham, Foden, and Kane were all honoured in the Champions League Team of the Season following standout performances for their respective clubs—Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich.

Bellingham’s remarkable debut season at Real Madrid saw him help secure the club’s record 15th Champions League title, with a victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Wembley final. His exploits also included winning La Liga and the Super Cup, along with scoring 23 goals, which earned him the La Liga Player of the Season award.

Phil Foden shone brightly as Manchester City reached the Champions League quarter-finals and clinched the Premier League title for the sixth time, with Foden named Premier League Player of the Season. Meanwhile, despite Bayern Munich falling short of silverware, Harry Kane’s first season in Germany was marked by an impressive 44 goals in 45 matches, showcasing his exceptional individual talent.

In his Overlap newsletter, Neville praised the trio’s contributions and forecasted their nominations for the Ballon d’Or, while also highlighting Saka’s proximity to their level. Saka, who had a stellar season with Arsenal, recorded 20 goals and 14 assists, playing a crucial role in the Gunners’ title challenge and their progression to the Champions League knockout stages.

Reflecting on Bellingham’s achievements, Neville wrote, “Watching Jude Bellingham lift the Champions League at Wembley on Saturday night in his first season at Real Madrid, to add to La Liga, the Super Cup, his 23 goals and his La Liga Player of the Season trophy, was a reminder of the fantastic talent Gareth Southgate has available to him this summer.”

Neville continued, “The UEFA team of the season was released on Monday made up of the best players in the Champions League in 2023-24 and Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane were all in it. All three of those will be Ballon d’Or contenders at the end of the year. Only France, with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, have comparable attacking talent to England right now. But the depth England have is astonishing. Bukayo Saka isn’t far off the status of that trio.”

Saka is expected to be a key player for England at Euro 2024, as Gareth Southgate’s team aims to break their long-standing trophy drought. The Three Lions secured a 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in a recent warm-up match and are set to face Iceland at Wembley before heading to Germany for the tournament.

Arsenal are prepared to entertain offers for Eddie Nketiah this summer, and a bidding war seems imminent, with four Premier League clubs vying for his signature.

Despite featuring regularly last season with 37 appearances across all competitions and scoring six goals, Nketiah often found himself coming off the bench. While he enjoyed a stint in the Gunners’ starting lineup early in the season, earning his first England cap in the process, his opportunities dwindled, with his last Premier League start dating back to December.

With Arsenal heavily linked to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Nketiah’s prospects for playing time at the Emirates look increasingly bleak. The 25-year-old forward is eager for more regular first-team action elsewhere, and Arsenal reluctantly acknowledges the need to part ways with their academy graduate to bolster their transfer budget.

According to reports from The Sun, Fulham lead the race to secure Nketiah’s services, with Crystal Palace, Everton, and Wolves also expressing interest. Fulham are reportedly willing to offer up to £30 million for the striker, although Arsenal hope that competition for his signature will drive up the price.

Everton, facing financial constraints, are considering a season-long loan deal for Nketiah, an option not dismissed by Arsenal. However, a permanent transfer appears more probable, as the Gunners seek funds to reinforce their striking options.

Mohamed Elneny has opened on his emotional departure from Arsenal, revealing he was too ‘heartbroken’ to join in the traditional post-season lap of honour at the Emirates.

After a stint spanning seven-and-a-half years with the Gunners, during which he clocked up over 150 appearances and clinched an FA Cup and two Community Shields, the Egyptian midfielder is set to leave North London. His exit comes after he wasn’t offered a new contract by the club.

Despite having the opportunity to say goodbye on the last day of the season when Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Everton, Elneny opted out of the lap of honour, later explaining the depth of his emotions made it too difficult to participate.

In a heartfelt conversation with Arsenal’s official website, Elneny expressed his profound connection to the club: “It’s meant a lot to me being here for so long, it was the best eight years of my life. I love this club so much, I love the fans, I love everything about Arsenal.

“It breaks my heart that’s why I refused to take to the field [on the lap of honour] because I was so full of emotion. But that’s life, my time here has come to an end and I’m very proud of what I’ve done for this club.

“I love these fans and I gave everything that I had. I appreciate everything they did for me, in the good moments and the bad, and they’re always going to be in my heart forever.”

Mohamed Elneny has expressed his deep appreciation for Mikel Arteta, both as a former teammate and as his coach at Arsenal. The Egyptian midfielder, who recently bid farewell to the Emirates, reflected on his time playing alongside Arteta and under his management.

“I played with Mikel for six months before he retired and became a coach,” Elneny shared. “I enjoyed playing with him and him coaching me because I learned so much from him. I appreciate everything he has done for me and this football club.

“When he was playing he was clever, and then he’s had so many good coaches he got to work with. You could see his leadership and that he could be something special.”

The bond within the squad also received special mention from Elneny. “I’ve never seen a group of players like this. Everyone supports each other and loves each other, and works as a family. I’m going to miss them, they’ve been my friends for so long.

“We’re going to be friends forever. I’m going to be supporting them now in front of the TV and sometimes I’m going to come to the stadium to watch them. I’m sure they’ll have an amazing year next year as well because they deserve it.”

While Elneny’s next destination remains undisclosed, he leaves behind a legacy of camaraderie and respect at Arsenal, having been linked with various clubs after a successful loan stint at Besiktas.