Mikel Arteta will need to be on his A-game this summer transfer window as he aims to guide Arsenal to their first Premier League title since 2004. The north London side have had to settle for second place three seasons in a row, watching Liverpool march to a record-equalling 21st top-flight title last season.
To avoid another year without the ultimate prize in English football, the Gunners are reportedly prioritising the signing of a striker. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres have been linked with a move to the Emirates for some time, but no deal has been finalised yet.
With the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Christian Norgaard almost in the bag, Arteta is reportedly eyeing Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera to bolster his defensive options.
Wingers are also said to be on Arteta's shopping list, with Real Madrid's Rodrygo and West Ham's Mohammed Kudus reportedly attracting interest. However, the Gunners have a history of missing out on big names, with football.london highlighting some of their failed transfers over the years, reports the Mirror.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez with his hands on his hips while playing for Liverpool
Luis Suarez admitted Steven Gerrard convinced him to reject Arsenal (Image: Matthew Ashton/AMA/AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
Perhaps the most unforgettable transfer saga of Arsene Wenger's tenure was Luis Suarez's future. After netting 30 goals in the 2012/13 season and helping Liverpool to a seventh-place finish, the Uruguayan expressed his desire to leave Anfield.
Arsenal's audacious attempt to trigger Luis Suarez's supposed £40million release clause saw them adding just £1 in the hope it would suffice, but Liverpool rebuffed their club-record bid, as it turned out that the clause merely necessitated negotiations rather than an automatic transfer.
Suarez's appetite for a departure from Liverpool was influenced by a candid conversation with then-skipper Steven Gerrard. In a previous chat with streamer Davoo Xeneiz, the Inter Miami talisman recounted: "In 2013 I wanted to join Arsenal, because Arsenal played every year in the Champions League.
"They were willing to pay a lot for me, but in England, it wouldn't have looked good to swap Liverpool for Arsenal. One day Gerrard came to me and said, 'Listen to me, I could have gone to Madrid or another team, but the best decision is for you to stay and not go to Arsenal, it won't do you any good.
"'Stay and next year you will get offers from bigger clubs like Barcelona, Madrid and Bayern. And then you can decide. But don't join Arsenal. Stay for another season.'" His faith in Gerrard's advice proved fruitful as Suarez netted 31 goals in his last season at Anfield, eventually securing a £65m move to Barcelona in 2014.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard of Chelsea poses with the Premier League trophy after defeating Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the 2016/17 season.
Eden Hazard became one of Chelsea's greatest ever players
Eden Hazard truly made his mark at Lille, rapidly becoming one of the brightest talents in world football and the crown jewel of Ligue 1. After leading his team to league triumph in the 2010/11 season and bagging the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award two years in a row, the Belgian ace caught the eye of top-tier clubs across Europe.
Arsenal was one of those captivated by his skill, with Hazard himself expressing an affinity for the Gunners during his time at Lille. "It's always more fun when [the football is] beautiful," he said. "In addition, at Arsenal, there is a coach and French players. And Thomas Vermaelen."
Despite the allure of Arsenal, it was Chelsea who ultimately clinched Hazard's signature, leaving the north London side to grapple with the loss of not only a footballing maestro but also the departure of Robin van Persie to Manchester United that very summer.
Mykhailo Mudryk
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk in action for Chelsea
Mykhailo Mudryk could be facing up to a four-year ban after a banned substance was found in his random urine test (Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Turning to a more recent transfer episode, Arsenal’s failure to sign Mykhailo Mudryk might be described as a blessing in disguise. The Ukrainian sensation was wreaking havoc with Shakhtar Donetsk when Arsenal seemed poised to lead the chase, as Arteta sought to fortify his attack.
But just as the Gunners neared an agreement for Mudryk, Chelsea swooped in and matched their bid of £88.5m including add-ons, which convinced Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin to sign off on the deal. Although Arsenal missed out on Mudryk, Arteta's subsequent acquisition of Leandro Trossard from Brighton has proved to be a cunning piece of business.
However, Mudryk's tenure at Stamford Bridge has been underwhelming, with a meagre return of 10 goals in 73 appearances and a potential four-year ban looming following an FA charge for Anti-Doping Rule Violations.
Thomas Lemar
Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Lemar with a subs bib
Thomas Lemar would have been the Premier League's most expensive signing in 2017 (Image: Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
The French winger was on the cusp of becoming England's priciest player ever if his proposed £92m transfer to Arsenal had materialised. After a stellar 2016/17 season that saw Lemar help Monaco snatch the Ligue 1 title from Paris Saint-Germain, he became hot property.
Arsenal were leading the chase for his signature, having agreed on the hefty fee with Monaco, and were ready to bid farewell to Alexis Sanchez, who was nearing a move to Manchester City on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2017.
However, the deal fell through as Lemar, already in France for international duty, wasn't given sufficient notice by Monaco about the imminent transfer. The failed move resulted in Sanchez staying put at the Emirates, while Lemar remained at Monaco for another year before securing a £62m switch to Atletico Madrid the next summer.
Yaya Toure
aya Toure of Manchester City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON semi final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium
Yaya Toure would have been an Arsenal player if it wasn't for work permit issues (Image: Getty Images)
The Ivorian midfielder, revered as a Manchester City legend, could have ended up at Arsenal in 2003 if not for work permit issues. With his elder brother Kolo already at Highbury, Toure seemed destined to join him under Arsene Wenger's tutelage after trialling with the Premier League heavyweights.
Wenger had his sights set on signing Toure, who was then playing for Belgian outfit Beveren, following an impressive display in a pre-season friendly against Barnet. However, issues with obtaining a work permit scuppered the move.
Toure went on to join Metalurh Donetsk in Ukraine that year, before returning to English football in 2010 with Manchester City, where he was reunited with his brother Kolo, who had joined the club the previous year.
Reflecting on the failed transfer in a later interview, Wenger explained: "We needed to wait for his passport in Belgium. We have made mistakes but he is not a mistake, it's just the fact that he preferred to go to Metalurh Donetsk. He could go there without any passport."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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