Arsenal 'identify three priorities for summer transfer window'

Arsenal have reportedly earmarked the three priority areas for strengthening in this summer's transfer window.

Another sustained period of progression under Mikel Arteta has seen the Gunners push Manchester City all the way in the title race, which will go down until the final day of the season.

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table by virtue of a 1-0 success over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, where Leandro Trossard struck the only goal of the game at Old Trafford.

Consequently, Arteta's troops are one point clear of Man City having played a game more, but beating Everton on the final day will not be enough if the champions win their last two matches.

However, the Gunners are guaranteed another top-two finish, and the owners are prepared to back Arteta and sporting director Edu in the transfer market ahead of another Champions League campaign.

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Arsenal 'to target defender, midfielder and forward this summer'

According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal want to bring in one new defender, one new midfielder and a fresh face in attack during the summer window, similar to last year's three marquee signings of Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.

A new left-back has been mentioned, but Timber's return to fitness will give Arsenal four options in that area alongside Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The former two and Timber can also be deployed in a central position, but a number six is expected to be a priority, in spite of Jorginho's contract extension and Thomas Partey's recent revival.

Everton's Amadou Onana, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi are among the names to have been mooted, as has Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, but the German has reverted to a right-back role this term.

Guimaraes's fellow Magpie Alexander Isak is now believed to have emerged as the number one target in the final third, after the Gunners cooled their interest in Brentford's Ivan Toney.

Arsenal 'also eyeing new goalkeeper for 2024-25'

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In addition to the three outfield positions, the report adds that a goalkeeper is lower down the priorities list, but the Gunners are still expected to be in the market for a new stopper if Aaron Ramsdale heads elsewhere.

The England international was relegated to second choice behind David Raya during the September international break, and he is expected to push for an exit in the summer transfer window in search of regular minutes, otherwise his spot in the Three Lions' squad will come under threat.

Both Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo - who spent the 2023-24 season on loan with League One-bound Wrexham - could depart as free agents this summer, and the Gunners are thought to be targeting Sunderland's Anthony Patterson as a possible replacement.

Arteta's men will spend at least 48 hours at the summit of the Premier League table before Man City head to their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, where anything other than a win for the Citizens puts the fate of the title in Arsenal's hands heading into the final weekend.