Arsenal have now moved into pole position in the race for a "Rolls-Royce" defender, ahead of Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Gunners enter race to sign in-demand defender after EFL Cup final defeat
The Gunners were ultimately unable to get over the line in the EFL Cup, with Manchester City ending their hopes of winning a quadruple, but Mikel Arteta is determined to make sure the defeat doesn't derail their season.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “It’s hard because everyone as a player really wanted it today and I know the supporters wanted it. The fact that we haven’t managed to deliver it is very, very painful.
“We've had a remarkable eight months together, and now there's an international break. We all go into there with a very hard feeling and pain, and we're going to use that as fuel for the next two months.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the match
“We keep going. It's painful not to give them what they are hoping for and what they are cheering for, but we'll recover from that and go again.”
After the international break, Arteta's side will travel to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final, before they look to book their place in the semi-final of the Champions League across two legs against Sporting CP.
With Man City still just about in the race for the Premier League title, the north Londoners have plenty to play for over the next few months, but they have now started making plans for the summer, and they have identified a defender as a primary target.
Arsenal now frontrunners to sign "Rolls-Royce" defender
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are now leading the race to sign Hearts defender Alfie Osborne, alongside Man City, while the likes of Leeds United, Newcastle, Sunderland and Aston Villa are also keen on the youngster.
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Fresh from their Carabao Cup final defeat, Arsenal have commenced talks to sign a Premier League star this summer.
The interested Premier League sides are able to sign Osborne for the modest sum of less than £250k, but Hearts are determined to keep hold of the 17-year-old, who is a top target for the Gunners, and the Scottish side are trying to tie him down to a new deal.
There has been some debate about the teenager's best position, given that he is capable of playing at both centre-back and in central midfield, but Hearts boss Derek McInnes seems to believe the 6'4 colossus belongs in defence.
McInnes said: "I've not seen enough of him as a midfielder. I can see why people think that might be where he might play because he's got nice feet and all the rest of it.
"I would rather we didn't shoe-horn him in anywhere else. He's a Rolls-Royce, he's a good size and he should be able to use that size. He's a good player and we're fortunate to have him."
The Scottish ace has started to make a name for himself at youth level, appearing 47 times for the Hearts B team, but he is yet to make a senior appearance.
As such, Osborne may be some way off first-team level for a club like Arsenal, but he could be an exciting long-term addition to Arteta's squad.