Arsenal are entering the final straight of the season as manager Mikel Arteta has injuries on his mind and the club have been urged to act in the summer transfer window
08:17, 30 Mar 2026
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaks to the media at Sobha Realty Training Centre on March 16, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are preparing for the final straight this season(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Following their Carabao Cup loss to Manchester City, Arsenal have been dealt another significant setback. And it's one that could jeopardise the club's ambitions of winning silverware.
The Gunners remain favourites to secure a first Premier League crown in 22 years, while they'll take on Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday (April 4). This comes alongside the forthcoming Champions League quarter-final clash with Sporting CP, which kicks off just three days afterwards.
However, Mikel Arteta is praying his players can navigate the international break without further casualties. To that end, his squad has already been dealt a devastating blow as the crucial end-of-season period approaches. Here's all the latest news from the Emirates.
Como manager Cesc Fabregas
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Como manager Cesc Fabregas(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Fabregas could assist Nico Paz deal
In the spirit of capitalising on what's been an outstanding campaign thus far, Arsenal would be wise to gain an early advantage on their summer preparations.
And Owen Hargreaves has encouraged the north London outfit to consider Como's Nico Paz, reports the Mirror. A product of Real Madrid's academy, the gem is now shining as one of the most vital cogs in Cesc Fabregas' machine.
And Arteta might be shrewd to contact his fellow Spaniard and Gunners legend in the hope he can help broker a deal, although he is valued as high as £50m.
Fabregas has guided Como on an impressive climb up the Serie A table over recent seasons and they currently occupy fourth spot, tantalizingly close to Champions League qualification.
Paz, 21, has been pivotal to Como's rise, chipping in with 10 goals and six assists across 29 league outings.
Nico Paz of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Como, Italy.
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Nico Paz is a man in demand(Image: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
"There's a young lad at Como, Nico Paz," said Hargreaves during a recent appearance on TNT Sports. "There's an option for him to go back to Real Madrid, but if I'm Arsenal...
"This kid – you'll see him at the World Cup. Mikel Arteta will already know that this boy will be a star and if you don't ask you don't get. A player like that could suit Arsenal."
Born on the Canary Islands, Paz has chosen to represent Argentina at international level and boasts seven caps under Lionel Scaloni. There's every possibility that exposure on the global stage will spark widespread attention, and Arsenal would be foolish not to stay ahead in the race.
Paz has dazzled operating as a No. 10 under Fabregas, who might prove hesitant to help engineer arguably his finest player's exit.
Madrid have a buy back clause set at just below £8m. That said, Arteta could be prepared to persuade him that a move to north London represents the ideal next step in his development.
Bleak England injury update
Noni Madueke of England in action
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Noni Madueke has handed Arsenal another injury concern (Image: Getty Images)
England's most recent medical bulletin carries potentially significant consequences for Arsenal and their campaign.
This follows Noni Madueke sustaining an injury during Friday's 1-1 friendly stalemate with Uruguay, while Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have also returned to Colney.
"I'm worried, of course, because I think he was a difference-maker today," said manager Thomas Tuchel of Madueke after Friday's result. "He started well, he was full of energy, he was ready to go.
"And I think against a team like Uruguay, who relies on one-against-ones, to isolate them there and to go in one-against-ones from every minute out there, the spaces open up and he could have been a key player for us, which he is. Very sad and upset and hopefully it's not a big injury."
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The particulars surrounding Madueke's setback, which occurred during Friday's opening period, are still emerging. Neither Rice nor Saka appeared against Uruguay but have nevertheless been dispatched home before England's second friendly with Japan on Tuesday.
This was probably a precautionary measure arranged beforehand but does spark some minor concern back in north London. Arsenal supporters will pray the duo remain fully fit and were simply recalled having fulfilled their duties, though there's arguably no other pair whose unavailability would carry the same impact.