David Ornstein has confirmed Arsenal are eyeing a move for PSG winger Bradley Barcola this summer as the Gunners seek to improve their attacking options.
Arsenal gearing up for title showdown
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s progression to the ChampionsLeague semi-finals can act as a massive boost for his side’s pivotal top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Arsenal made sure of their second successive last-four spot on Europe’s grandest stage for the first time in their history with a 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates, a week after Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time opening-leg winner in Portugal.
They will now face Atletico Madrid over two legs for a place in this season’s final.
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Arsenal, who lost against Bournemouth last Saturday, were not at their best – and Sporting’s Geny Catamo struck David Raya’s post in the first half.
But the goalless draw will serve Arteta’s side with renewed hope that they will not end the season empty handed ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
“One hundred per cent,” said Arteta when asked if the result can serve as springboard for their meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side.
“This is a massive push to win the semi-final of the Champions League. It’s extremely tough and we know what we’ve done. We deserve it, fully deserve it as well, and we’re going to enjoy it because we deserve it.
“My message (to the players) was gratitude to them. I know the effort and the commitment that they have put in.
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The Gunners have a huge couple of weeks coming up.
“There’s a lot of work behind it. We’ve done something that has never been done in the history of our club in 140 years, so that tells you the difficulty of that, and we had to do it in a very special way, missing a lot of important players.”
Arteta continued to be without Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber through injury. Noni Madueke will also be a doubt for the match at City after he limped off with a knee problem in the second half.
Arsenal transfer news: Bradley Barcola, Anthony Gordon, Julian Alvarez
Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic, Ornstein confirmed Arsenal may have to sell before they can spend big this summer, but do intend to strengthen their attacking ranks.
Julian Alvarez is a target, but the most important signing could be on the left wing, where neither of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard have cemented themselves as the clear first choice.
And while most of the rumours in the last few weeks have focused on Anthony Gordon - especially after it was reported the England star wants to leave Newcastle - PSG's Barcola is also an option.
"Every club will have started their work in some way or another. It’s clear Arsenal want an attacker — and, referring to your question, Gordon and Barcola have been among the players they (and most other teams at this level) have liked for a while."
Barcola, who has scored ten Ligue 1 goals this season as well as two in the Champions League, is "one of the best wingers in the world" according to Como scout Ben Mattinson.
Top wingers in the world - click for full list
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Interestingly, it was Tottenham who were most strongly linked with the 23 year-old early last summer, under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, but the Australian was then sacked and the club went a different direction under Thomas Frank.
PSG quoted Arsenal's North London rivals at £100m at the time, so one would expect a hefty price tag once again this time around.