Arsenal have already started their summer transfer window work as the Gunners open talks with a superstar target as Mikel Arteta's side roared back to winning ways in the North London derby
08:21, 23 Feb 2026
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 18, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal bounced back to winning ways against Tottenham(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
Arsenal have a week off to unwind following Sunday afternoon's 4-1 north London demolition derby victory against Tottenham. Mikel Arteta's side will receive a rare chance for recovery after a punishing winter spell of competing in a match every three or four days.
The Gunners, who still maintain a narrow advantage in the Premier League title race, will utilise this period to gear up for another challenging London derby against Chelsea on Sunday, March 1. The clash at the Emirates Stadium represents, naturally, a rematch of the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg encounter staged earlier this month, which Arsenal secured 1-0.
It signals a crucial moment in their campaign, with an away journey to Brighton, an FA Cup fifth-round clash at Mansfield Town, Champions League last-16 matches and a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City all looming in March. Here, the Daily Star Sport delivers the latest developments concerning the Gunners.
Meeting held for £70m target
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Rafael Leao of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images)
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AC Milan winger Rafael Leao is a target for Arsenal(Image: Giuseppe Cottini, AC Milan via Getty Images)
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Arsenal have reportedly opened preliminary discussions with Rafael Leao's representatives regarding a prospective summer move. The Gunners have been linked with the AC Milan star for numerous years, with the club eager to recruit a star left winger this summer.
Football Transfers suggests sporting director Andrea Berta has intensified his chase by conducting face-to-face discussions with the Portugal international's representatives. Leao has not yet explored a potential Arsenal switch but has directed his agents to negotiate a summer departure.
The 26-year-old will have two years remaining on his contract at AC Milan at the end of this campaign. The Serie A outfit would authorise a departure if an appropriate bid arrives, understood to be approximately £70m. Arsenal are presently the leading candidates to land Leao's services despite Manchester United's attention.
Malik Tillman clear on Arsenal
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Malik Tilman of Bayer Leverkusen during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester City and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at City of Manchester Stadium on November 25, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Malik Tilman has impressed at Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
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Bayer Leverkusen sensation Malik Tillman recently confessed he has his sights fixed on a future switch to Arsenal. The gifted attacking midfielder, 23, finalised his £35m move from PSV to the German club only last summer, though it seems he could already be tempted into a major transfer to north London.
When pressed to identify his preferred team in the Premier League, USA international Tillman revealed to Bleacher Report Football: "It's a tough one. I don't have a favourite team. But if there's one club I would love to play for, it's Arsenal."
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Outlining his reasoning, the former Bayern Munich academy prospect continued: "One thing is the way they play now. I think they have a great coach, they have a great system and I think I would fit into it."
Tillman was also questioned about the critique of Arsenal's playing style, to which he retorted: "Obviously, they score a lot of goals from set-pieces, but that's also a part of the game. If you watch them in the Champions League, it's a different style of play.
"The Premier League has also changed a little bit in the way teams play against them or play in general. So obviously, they have to adapt. But if you watch the Champions League games, it's a different Arsenal."