Arsenal are gearing up for their Premier League game against Brighton this weekend, but thoughts are already turning to the off-season.
The Gunners’ campaign is no longer in their own hands, with Mikel Arteta’s side requiring a slip-up from Manchester City if they are to win their first Premier League title since 2004. Arsenal now only have three games left in the campaign, against Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves before the summer.
Whether they win the title or not, it has been a hugely successful season for Arteta and his players. But having got a taste of the title race, they will want to be back in the mix next season. To do so, they will need to come out of the transfer window stronger.
Here we take a look at their latest headlines, including updates on the club’s transfer plans.
Saka breakthrough
Arsenal have been trying to agree a new contract with Bukayo Saka – and it seems they might finally have made a breakthrough in negotiations.
Arteta is desperate to tie down his best young players to long-term deals and Saka is now set to follow in Gabriel Martinelli’s footsteps. He is reportedly ‘committed’ to penning a new deal, and it could even be announced before the end of the season.
Aaron Ramsdale is also in line for a new contract to reward his recent performances.
Summer clear out incoming
The transfer window is not just about new contracts and new signings – it is also about selling the unwanted fringe players.
Arteta and sporting director Edu are already in the process of doing that, with five players earmarked for transfers.
The departures of Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares are hardly surprising, given they are all away on loan currently, but Folarin Balogun and Reiss Nelson could follow them out of the door this summer.
Balogun has been in great form, on loan at Reims this season, but he and Nelson could fall victim to the competition for places.
Henry hails De Bruyne
Thierry Henry has heaped praise on Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne after he scored in the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Henry coached De Bruyne during his time as a coach with Belgium and he thinks he’s even better than some of the legends he played alongside at Arsenal.
“I’ve come across a lot of players, played with a lot of players, saw a lot of players, played against some of the greatest,” he said on CBS Sports. “I think Kevin, his brain is the best I’ve ever seen, the way he sees the game.”
