Arsenal are now eyeing two AC Milan players with a concrete approach made already, according to reports this week.
Arsenal endure tough run before Christmas
The Gunners have endured a testing December period that has highlighted both their resilience and mounting injury concerns as they prepare for Saturday's challenging trip to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Their recent form began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on December 6th, trimming their lead at the Premier League summit and exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
Mikel Arteta's side responded positively four days later with a commanding 3-0 Champions League victory over Club Brugge, maintaining their perfect European record with goals from Noni Madueke (2) and Gabriel Martinelli.
Saturday's dramatic 2-1 home win against bottom-side Wolves proved far tougher than anticipated.
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Arsenal failed to register a shot on target throughout the opening period before two very lucky own goals secured three points in dramatic fashion.
Sam Johnstone mistakenly diverted Bukayo Saka's 70th-minute corner into his own net before Tolu Arokodare equalised in the 90th minute, only for Yerson Mosquera to head past his own goalkeeper four minutes into stoppage time.
The last-gasp victory allowed Arsenal to maintain their slender advantage over Man City atop the table, though Ben White's hamstring injury compounds their defensive crisis.
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The England international joins Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman on the sidelines, with Kai Havertz also still absent as he continues his comeback.
Similar to last season, Arsenal are having to navigate a major absentee crisis this term, with The Telegraph reporting that 17 of their 25-man squad have missed at least one game through illness or injury so far.
Even though sporting director Andrea Berta orchestrated a near-£270 million summer spend on eight major signings, the Italian and his recruitment team are always planning for future windows in an effort to reinforce Arteta's squad.
Now, as per Calciomercato.it, two Milan starlets are believed to be attracting their attention.
Arsenal eye AC Milan duo Bartesaghi and Torriani
The players in question are Davide Bartesaghi and Lorenzo Torriani.
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The former has burst on to the scene this campaign, effectively replacing Theo Hernandez as the Rossoneri's star left-back, with Bartesaghi, 19, turning Arsenal's head as a result.
The latter, meanwhile, has already been subject to a 'serious enquiry' from N5 as Arsenal make their interest known in Torriani too.
Unlike his defensive teammate, the young back-up keeper has made just two senior appearances for Milan, but Arsenal do hold an admiration for Torriani.
Calciomercato.it reports Arsenal have 'set their sights' on Bartesaghi and Torriani, with a possible offer for either of the pair more likely to happen next summer rather than next month.
Andrea Berta
Bartesaghi has emerged as one of Serie A's latest rising stars, with former England and Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello lavishing praise on the Italian youngster.
“One player who has earned Allegri’s trust thanks to solid performances is Bartesaghi," Capello said in an opinion column for La Gazetta. dello Sport.
"He’s not Theo, okay, but he’s a homegrown asset who’s becoming increasingly valuable. He’s physically strong, courageous, and communicates confidently with his teammates."
Arsenal scouts will likely continue monitoring the defender's progress ahead of a potential swoop in 2026, but don't discount Milan's young keeper either.
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