MIKEL ARTETA has made signing a defensive midfielder a priority this summer in order to get the best out of Mesut Ozil.
SunSport revealed the Gunners boss is on the hunt for a new anchorman to bolster his struggling back line and to help unleash his £350,000-a-week playmaker.
Mikel Arteta is planning on signing a defensive midfielder to unleash Mesut OzilCredit: Reuters
World Cup winner Ozil has featured in every game under Arteta so far, whose current options have failed to impress.
Matteo Guendouzi seems to be fighting for a future with the north London club while Lucas Torreira is currently sidelined through injury.
Here, SunSport looks at five potential stars that can give Ozil more freedom this summer.
DECLAN RICE
The West Ham midfielder has been in scintillating form this campaign and has attracted admirers from across the Premier League.
Chelsea are reportedly keen on bringing Rice back to Stamford Bridge after he spent eight years coming up through their academy and remains best pals with Mason Mount.
But Arsenal legend Paul Merson claimed that his old club must beat their London counterparts to the England ace.
He wrote in his Sky Sports column: “Chelsea have been linked with him, but I don’t know why Arsenal aren’t looking at Declan Rice.
“Arsenal are crying out for a holding midfield player.
“Arsenal haven’t really had a disciplined defensive midfielder since Gilberto Silva. Everyone talks about the club never really replacing Patrick Vieira, and of course, but they never replaced Gilberto either.
“There are players in the current team that are meant to do that job but they don’t have the discipline to do it, and that needs addressing.”
Arsenal have been urged to rival Chelsea for West Ham star Declan RiceCredit: Getty – Contributor
MATTY LONGSTAFF
The north London side are reportedly hoping to land the Newcastle teen on a free transfer in the summer – which would suit Arsenal’s potentially tight purse strings.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder’s contract is set to expire in June and he has failed to agree new terms with the Toon.
Longstaff has caught Arteta’s attention after scoring two goals in seven Premier League appearances this season, including a long-range stunner on his debut in a 1-0 win over Manchester United.
TeamTalk claim Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Club Brugge, Inter Milan and Atalanta have made contact with Longstaff, while Everton and West Ham are also said to be interested in the England Under-20 star.
Matty Longstaff is out of contract with Newcastle this summerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
PAPE GUEYE
In February the Gunners were reportedly closing in on a £5million move for the Le Havre midfielder.
The Frenchman is available on the cheap given his contract expires next year and the 21-year-old also dropped a subtle hint on Instagram that he would be moving to the Emirates after replying to a photo of Guendouzi.
Le Havre currently play in France’s Ligue 2 but their star midfielder has been likened to compatriots N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba.
But the Gunners could face competition from Sevilla, Udinese and Fiorentina who are also said to be interested in the highly-rated youngster.
Le Havre starlet Pape Gueye has been likened to French compatriots N’Golo Kante and Paul PogbaCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
EDUARDO CAMAVINGA
The 17-year-old wonderkid became the first player born after January 1, 2002, to start a match in any of Europe’s top five leagues last season.
His rise to the Rennes first team has been compared to French compatriot Kylian Mbappe and he has already made after becoming the youngest player to record an assist in France’s top-flight.
The Gunners made an offer to sign him in the summer alongside north London rivals Spurs but were rejected.
And they face a fight to secure his services again following reports Real Madrid were prepared to stump up £50m for Camavinga, who Zinedine Zidane views as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.
Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga has been linked with a summer switch to Real MadridCredit: AFP or licensors
THOMAS PARTEY
The Atletico Madrid star would be a marquee signing and it’s worth noting that any attempts to secure his signature would be impossible without Champions League qualification.
The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the best central-midfielders in Europe and Arteta reportedly made the Ghana international his No1 summer target.
Partey currently has a £45million release clause in his contract with his deal expiring in 2023.
But Atletico have reportedly offered him a new contract worth around £79k-a-week until 2025 to ward off Premier League suitors.
The new deal is said to include a whopping £91m release clause which has deterred the North Londoners – and Manchester United who are also keen.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey impressed in the Champions League clash against LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to keep striker Aubameyang and is keen to extend contract
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
