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Arsenal already close to signing two key summer transfer targets

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that preparations for the upcoming summer transfer window are already well underway as the club looks to bounce back from another trophyless campaign.

After a disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the Gunners are again left searching for answers, particularly as Premier League rivals such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, and even Newcastle have all tasted some form of success this season.

Arsenal’s shortcomings have been magnified by costly errors in previous transfer windows, but Arteta insists that behind-the-scenes planning has begun in earnest to reshape the squad. According to the Independent, a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is close to completion.

The Spanish midfielder is seen as a key addition to bolster the central midfield and bring balance following the departure of Granit Xhaka nearly two years ago.

Additionally, young Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is reportedly nearing a move to North London and is expected to provide serious competition to David Raya for the No.1 spot.

When asked about Arsenal’s transfer progress, Arteta emphasized that these discussions are far from new and that the club cannot afford to wait until the window opens to act.

He highlighted the importance of attacking efficiency, particularly in light of Arsenal’s recent goal-scoring struggles against PSG, where despite creating the highest expected goals (xG) among all semi-finalists, they only managed one goal across two legs—scored late by Bukayo Saka.

Arteta noted that scoring over 90 goals in a Premier League season significantly increases the chances of winning the title. However, he added that success also hinges on a reliable defense and the quality of those goals—when and against whom they are scored.

The manager reiterated his desire to bring in proven finishers and did not shy away from stating that if Arsenal can sign three players who each consistently score over 25 goals a season, the team will be dramatically improved.

There is also a pressing need to strengthen the forward line, where overreliance on Saka has become a concern. Injuries and fatigue have taken a toll, and Arteta is targeting reinforcements on both flanks.

Athletic Club’s Nico Williams remains on the radar, while Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres is being considered a viable option to address the team’s ongoing issues at the No.9 position.

Defensively, Arsenal could lose multiple players this summer, including Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Jakub Kiwior, which would leave the club light on left-sided options.

With injuries plaguing Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori, a new signing in that area has become essential. Meanwhile, in goal, the likelihood of Neto’s loan being made permanent appears slim, so Arteta is expected to bring in a more experienced deputy for Raya, with Garcia now the frontrunner.

Arteta also made a broader point about the difficulty of identifying elite strikers, noting that only a few can deliver the required numbers in the Premier League. Nonetheless, he stressed the importance of improving the current squad while also appreciating the players already at the club.

As Arsenal fans look ahead to the summer window, the club’s recruitment strategy appears to be rooted in fixing long-standing gaps with targeted, quality signings.

With the groundwork already laid, supporters will be eager to see whether this upcoming window finally provides the tools needed to turn promise into silverware.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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