Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.placeholder image
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. | AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal will get the chance to freshen up their squad with some reinforcements when the next transfer window opens up.
Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead away at Wolves last time out and drew 2-2 at Molineux. The Gunners are started to feel some serious pressure from Manchester City below them. They are five points ahead but City have a game in hand.
Mikel Arteta is praying that this is the year that he can finally get his hands on the Premier League trophy after falling short over recent times. His side are back in action this weekend as they look to return to winning ways. They face rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal target Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito
Arsenal are being linked with a summer move for Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito, as per Tuttomercatoweb. The Gunners could launch a swoop for the player at the end of the season. His contract at the San Siro expires in June 2030 meaning his current club are under no immediate pressure to sell him anytime soon and they can wait for the right offer to come in for his signature.
Esposito, 20, is being tipped for a bright future in the game and is highly-rated in Italy. He joined Inter back in 2014 following a spell at Brescia. The youngster has since risen up through the academy ranks of the Serie A giants and was a regular for them at various different youth levels.
He made his first-team debut back in 2023 and was also loaned out to Spezia in the same year to get some experience under his belt. The Campania-born man scored 22 goals in 79 games during two separate spells at Stadio Alberto Picco. Since his return to Inter, he has since managed to find the net on eight occasions in 35 outings.
Could Pio Esposito replace Viktor Gyokeres at the Emirates Stadium?
Arsenal could see Esposito as someone to boost their attacking department. If he joined, he would give them more firepower at the top end of the pitch. In addition, he is young and has bags of potential to get better and develop down the line.
The Gunners bolstered their striking ranks by landing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon last year. However, he has since split opinion at the Emirates Stadium. He has fired 13 goals in 35 outings since his return to England, eight of which have come in the league.
Gyokeres hasn’t been able to be prolific for Arteta’s men though and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him move on if his valuation is matched. Esposito is seven years younger and could be identified as a more suitable option in forward areas. It remains to be seen at this stage whether there would be any takers for Gyokeres and he is likely to be expensive.
Gary Linekar said in December: "Gyokeres has come in and I look at him, and he's you know, I don't want to be rude, but he's not in the same league as Erling Haaland.”
Arsenal need to dust themselves down after their disappointing result against Wolves. Manchester City are more experienced in winning title races and they have the Gunners right where they want them now. Arteta’s players can’t afford too many more slip ups and will be desperate to respond against Spurs on Sunday.
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