Arsenal information: Gunners ‘lead switch race’ for serial winner as Mikel Arteta reunion set
Arsenal are said to be leading the race to sign a Champions League winner as Mikel Arteta plots his strategy to try and win all four major trophies available this season
Mikel Arteta could land a major signing
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is bracing for a tumultuous couple of weeks as the north London side approach a pivotal point in their season.
The upcoming challenges appear to have intensified following a crucial update ahead of the League Cup final. The Spaniard is aiming to secure his team a place in the Champions League quarter-finals while maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal are also two weeks away from their League Cup final clash with Manchester City, with an FA Cup quarter-final on the horizon in early April after narrowly defeating Mansfield in the fifth round.
Supporters and analysts alike have been speculating for months about how successful Arsenal will be this season, and the next four weeks will significantly influence those prospects. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates as Arsenal gear up for their Wednesday visit to Bayer Leverkusen.
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Pep Guardiola cleared for cup final
Arsenal supporters would have been pardoned for experiencing a wave of hope when Pep Guardiola collected his sixth booking of the campaign in a 3-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
Managers face a three-match suspension for every three yellow cards they accumulate in England, whilst the sixth typically triggers a two-match ban.
Under ordinary circumstances, this would mean Arteta’s former City boss, to whom he was once assistant manager, would be banished to the stands for both next weekend’s league fixture against West Ham (March 14) and the League Cup final (March 22).
Nevertheless, Guardiola will exploit a loophole to guarantee he can exert maximum influence at Wembley in a fortnight’s time, reports the Mirror.
FA regulations state that “play-off matches [semi-finals and finals] in the EFL and National League System, as well as finals of the Emirates FA Cup, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy are exempt from any automatic touchline ban for the accumulation of cautions by technical area occupants.”
Guardiola was brandished a sixth yellow of the campaign after berating fourth official Lewis Smith when he felt Kieran Trippier had fouled Jeremy Doku.
Arsenal ‘leading transfer race’
Arsenal are said to be leading the race to sign veteran Bayern Munich central midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer.
It’s claimed Arteta’s side moved for the 31-year-old during the January transfer window, but the six-time Bundesliga winner explained he had given his word to stay with the German giants until the summer, when his contract expires.
Serie A leaders Inter Milan, Spanish side Atletico Madrid and North London rivals Tottenham are also in the race to sign the Germany international, who has scored 48 goals for the Bavarian titans.
But German journalist Christian Falk says Champions League winner Goretzka wants a move to the Gunners. He told CFBayern: “It is true. Arsenal are currently leading the race for Leon Goretzka.
“This is indeed true from Goretzka’s point of view. The Gunners didn’t make an offer in January, but they did signal that they were aware of the fact that Goretzka was considering a move away from Bayern. There were very concrete talks with Atletico Madrid – their sporting director was in Munich.
The player’s goal is to move to the Premier League; he would love to play for Arsenal. Of course, he can’t guarantee that Arsenal will come back again in the summer with a concrete offer. In his heart, he feels this would be a perfect next club.
“I heard he loves the Premier League and his playing style suits English football. However, he’s not focused on one club and only one club this summer. If Arsenal are there, he’d be more than happy to sit at the table and listen to offers.
“Tottenham are also interested, and that could be an option, but Spurs are not as attractive an option as Arsenal right now. Arsenal are playing very well at the moment, and they’re in the Champions League.
“For Leon Goretzka, it would be a great thing to win the Champions League with another club. So, we have to wait and see if Arsenal make an offer.”
