SETTABLOID

Arsenal’s Premier League title dreams are in tatters for another season.

Barring an extraordinary collapse from Liverpool, who hold a 13-point lead at the summit, Arsenal’s title drought will extend to at least 22 years. Mikel Arteta’s side have come close to being crowned champions in recent years, but in truth, the Gunners have been nowhere near Arne Slot’s team all season long.

Injuries in key attacking areas have played a major role in Arsenal’s drop-off with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz all currently unavailable to Arteta. Winning the Champions League is still a possibility, but the draw has not been kind to Arsenal, with a potential quarter-final against Real Madrid and a semi-final against Liverpool if they find a way past PSV Eindhoven in the last 16.

So what should Arteta’s side look to do this summer? Below are the steps Arsenal should take to try and lift a first Premier League title since 2004 as football.london steps into the manager’s shoes…

Kimmich signs

Recent reports from Sky Germany have claimed that the Gunners are interested in signing Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The German is available as a free agent this summer and having won eight Bundesliga titles; he could bring the winning mentality so badly needed to get Arsenal over the line.

Kimmich would be a significant upgrade on Jorginho and with Declan Rice in midfield, the Gunners would have a formidable partnership. Arsenal would be an extremely attractive option for the Germany international and one that makes sense for all parties.

The summer transfer window promises to be extremely busy for Arsenal. Injuries have severely impacted the Gunners’ 2024/25 campaign and it’s clear that further quality in depth is needed going forward.

Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have all had prolonged spells on the sidelines and the players who have played in their place simply have not been good enough. This has left Arsenal 13 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, with the north Londoners also no longer in the Carabao Cup or FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta’s side are still in the Champions League, though, and face a round of 16 tie against PSV next week. With the search for a new sporting director continuing, plans are underway for the 2025/26 season and targets have already been identified.

One area Arsenal are expected to strengthen is central midfield as both Thomas Partey and Jorginho see their deals expire this summer. It’s possible both midfielders depart Emirates Stadium and football.london understands progress has been made in the deal to sign Martin Zubimendi.

It’s believed that work is in place to help bring the Real Sociedad midfielder to the club in the summer. There is a €60million (£51million) release clause in the Spain international’s contract that has existed for some time but even then, the likes of Liverpool have failed to entice the player away from the club he has developed and grown at in San Sebastian. Zubimendi, if signed, would be a great addition to the Gunners squad and would most likely join Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in Arsenal’s starting midfield.

Arsenal are also expected to strengthen their forward line in the summer transfer window and one player who continues to be linked is Nico Williams. The 22-year-old, who has six goals and seven assists in 32 appearances for Athletic Club this season, has been on Arsenal’s radar for a couple of years and would be an upgrade on Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. The Spaniard is said to have a €58million (£48million) release clause in his deal which, considering the market, is pretty decent value.

Dusan Vlahovic is increasingly likely to leave Juventus this summer and Aston Villa have joined Arsenal in the race for his signature, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal.

The Serbian international’s contract with Juventus expires in 2026, negotiations over an extension are currently at a standstill and clubs are keeping a close eye on his situation.

Juventus are open to offering Vlahovic a new deal but only on lower terms than his current salary of around £215,000 per week. As a result, he looks set to leave the Bianconeri this summer.

As we have previously reported, Arsenal were the club most interested in signing Vlahovic in the January transfer window, but ultimately decided against a move.

We understand that Vlahovic remains on Arsenal’s shortlist and sources state he is ‘one of Mikel Arteta’s favourites’, alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

However, in a major development, Aston Villa, who are on the hunt for a new n0. 9 to replace Jhon Duran, have identified Vlahovic as a target for the summer.

Villa are yet to make any formal enquiries, but sources state that the interest in Vlahovic is ‘concrete’ and Unai Emery’s side are seriously considering an approach in the summer.

Arsenal have ramped up their interest in Belgian star Maxim De Cuyper and are in discussions over a potential summer deal, as per a report.

Sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that Arsenal are ready for a transformative summer window in which they will bolster numerous positions. There could be new arrivals at centre-forward, left wing, central midfield, left-back and goalkeeper.

Mikel Arteta will have plenty of money to spend too, as Arsenal did not sign anyone in January. That is despite strong links with several strikers including Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.

It seems left-back is one area Arteta wants the Arsenal board to strengthen quickly, as the Gunners have been credited with firm interest in Club Brugge’s De Cuyper.

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Arsenal have entered negotiations with De Cuyper’s agent as they attempt to strike a contract agreement with the player. This comes after they were named as potential suitors for him back in August.

Arsenal are racing to try and forge a deal with the six-cap Belgium international before any other big club.

The report adds that AC Milan have also made contact with De Cuyper’s representative, while West Ham United and Juventus have scouted him on several occasions this term.

Arsenal want to get De Cuyper’s guarantee that he is open to joining them this summer. Once this has been sorted, they will enter official talks with Brugge to try and thrash out a deal.

The Belgian outfit are looking for €25million (£20.6m / $25.9m) to sell De Cuyper, a fee well within Arsenal’s reach.

De Cuyper established himself as an assist machine during the 2023-24 campaign. Indeed, he registered five goals and 15 assists for Brugge in all competitions.

Arsenal could be set for a busy summer in their quest to make it to the next level under manager Mikel Arteta. The quest for a new sporting director continues with a host of names touted over replacing Edu following the Brazilian’s exit.

The Gunners’ Premier League efforts are fading after dropped points in each of their last two has allowed for Liverpool to move 13 points clear. Injury troubles have plagued selection opportunities for the Spaniard this term with Bukayo Saka forced to undergo surgery while further attacking options in Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were ruled out with season-ending injuries.

In recent weeks, the failure to sign a striker during the winter transfer window has been highlighted after Mikel Merino was deployed as a striker, following his match-winning double against Leicester City, against West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

The Mirror are reporting that there could be movement in North London in order to provide Arsenal with extra funds to enjoy a successful spell during the transfer window.

In their report, they claim that Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli could be used to balance the books to steer the Gunners clear of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules red line. A major shake-up has been dubbed with Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko linked with exits from the Emirates Stadium.

Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney are among the players who are out of contract with Raheem Sterling and Neto set to return to their respective clubs at the conclusion of their loans.

Arsenal have long-standing suitors with Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak after their respective rises to prominence. Sesko turned down an RB Leipzig exit last summer after attracting interest from a host of top European clubs, including the Gunners, while they face the task of breaking Newcastle United’s resolve for Isak, who has netted 19 Premier League goals this term.

Nico Williams, the Athletic Bilbao attacker who starred for Spain at last summer’s European Championships, has been suggested as nearing the top of their transfer targets as well as Bournemouth key-man Antonoine Semenyo. Anfield Watch reported earlier this month that Arsenal are interested in Diogo Jota.

Arsenal will reportedly have to offload one of their star players to fund any big-money deals this summer.

The Gunners are short of attacking options, with injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz leaving them toothless up front.

Arsenal have failed to score in their previous two Premier League matches, a 1-0 defeat to West Ham and a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest, leaving their title challenge in tatters.

Mikel Arteta’s side are now 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool, with their decision not to bring in a striker last summer or in Janaury appearing to have cost them.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak to fix their No.9 woes.

But our colleagues at The Mirror report that Arsenal may have to sell either Trossard or Martinelli, who have both been targets for Saudi Pro League clubs.

Trossard, 30, has another year left on his deal and has reportedly had extensive contract talks, having been a huge hit since joining for £27million from Brighton in January 2023.

Martinell, meanwhile, has been out injured but the 23-year-old has struggled to recapture his best form this season. However, it is said that his performances have not put off potential suitors.

football.london understands that several candidates are being considered for the Gunners sporting director position, which will play a key role in transfers at the Emirates Stadium.

Current interim Jason Ayto is one name being consider having been in charge of the January transfer window. The Athletic reports that Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe, and Thiago Scuro are also potential options.

Whoever is chosen to permanently replace Edu will need to work closely with Arteta. The two former players have helped to transform Arsenal over several years with three successive title challengers under the Spaniard.

Arsenal have made contact with Victor Osimhen’s camp, with a journalist in Nigeria revealing that the Gunners are ready to trigger his release clause as an alternative to Martin Zubimendi emerges for the Gunners.

Osimhen is one of the best strikers in the world and is on the radar of a number of top clubs in Europe. TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent Rudy Galetti has reported that Manchester United and Chelsea are among the teams interested in the Nigeria international, who is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli for this season.

There has been speculation that Man Utd are so keen on Osimhen that they are willing to include Rasmus Hojlund in a deal with Napoli to bring the striker to Old Trafford instead of paying his release clause of €75million (£62m, $78m).

Man Utd desperately need to sign a new striker in the summer transfer window, with neither Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee showing that they can be prolific goalscorers.

Arsenal also need to sign a top-quality number 9, with Gabriel Jesus struggling to score frequently when fit and Kai Havertz not very clinical in front of goal.

Despite Man Utd’s strong interest, it seems that it is Arsenal who have taken a massive step towards signing Osimhen, who has scored 20 goals and given five assists in 27 appearances this season and has been described as a “world-class striker” by Fenerbache head coach Jose Mourinho.

According to Nigerian journalist Buchi Laba, Arsenal have made official contact with the striker’s camp and are ready to trigger his release clause.

While this is potentially huge news for Arsenal, one has to treat this with caution. No other reputable sources are claiming that the Gunners have been in contact with Osimhen, so one must wait for major outlets to back this claim before drawing a full conclusion.

Mikel Arteta needs to be backed in the summer transfer market if he is to make waves in the Premier League next season. Barring a catastrophic turn of events from Liverpool, the Gunners will once again finish the season in second place.

After back-to-back runners-up finishes behind Manchester City in the last two campaigns, much was expected of Arsenal this season. Particularly with City struggling for form after four Premier League title wins in a row.

However, Liverpool are the ones who have stepped up in the absence of Pep Guardiola’s side at the top of the table, somewhat unexpectedly in Arne Slot’s first season at the club.

Arteta has struggled to find consistency from his players throughout the season and it will once again be runners-up spot for the Gunners – or worse if the chasing pack can take advantage of inconsistent form – for the third year in a row. Has Arteta taken the club as far as they can go, or is there another gear to be found?

The manager called for reinforcements, particularly up front in the January transfer window, but no signings were made, despite concerted efforts from those behind the scenes. The Spaniard needs to be backed in the summer transfer window, or Arsenal run the risk of either the manager leaving for pastures new, or players deciding they have more chance of winning silverware elsewhere.

Arteta must clear the decks at the Emirates Stadium too, however with a number of players surplus to requirements to open up wages and squad spots for new signings. Here football.london takes a look at the players who need to leave.

Gabriel Jesus has offered a glimpse into his injury recovery as the Arsenal striker continues his rehabilitation after undergoing knee surgery.

The Brazilian suffered an ACL injury during the FA Cup clash against Manchester United on January 12 and is expected to miss the majority of 2025. The 27-year-old had scored seven goals in 27 appearances before then and his absence has been a huge blow to Mikel Arteta, who is also without Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

“Further to being substituted during our match with Manchester United on Sunday, Gabriel Jesus has received extensive assessments, scans and specialist reviews which have confirmed that he has sustained an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee,” Arsenal said in a statement on January 14.

“Gabby will undergo surgery in the coming days and will soon begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme. We will continue to keep everyone updated with Gabby’s recovery, with everyone at the club fully focused on supporting Gabby to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Jesus posted a picture of himself leaving hospital, with two crutches in the air, days later on social media. “There will always be answers to everything, which we will only know later on. I believe and trust in God,” he said at the time.

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were among those who commented on the picture, with the striker clearly a popular member of the Gunners dressing room. As the former Man City man continues his long and gruelling recovery, he issued another update on his Instagram Stories on Thursday.

Jesus posted a video of himself laying down on his sofa watching TV, with the striker zooming into his left knee at the start of the clip. The Brazil international accompanied the video with a love heart, praying and massage emoji.

While Jesus’ 2024/25 season is over, the striker will be intent on getting himself back fit for next campaign. The Gunners are also expected to buy a new striker in the summer and it remains to be seen whether that will impact Jesus’ future in north London.

Much like the work carried out under former sporting director Edu Gaspar, Arsenal are being just as considered in appointing his replacement. The wait for that figure to be named is coming to an end, though.

football.london understands that there are numerous candidates being considered for the highly important role. Current interim Jason Ayto is among them.

He oversaw the January transfer window – which has now frustrated many as it left Mikel Arteta without additional attacking support and no backup for Kai Havertz. Whoever is picked to replace Edu on a full-time basis will have to work closely with Arteta.

Between them, the two ex-players helped to transform Arsenal over a number of years. It is reported by The Athletic that Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe, and Thiago Scuro are also options.

A final decision is set to be made in March with interviews being held next month. Here, football.london writers give their thoughts on the names listed and decide who should be called to the post.

Tom Coley

Sporting directors are very hard to judge. There are so many different factors at play and reasons for success or failure. It is rarely transferable to other clubs.