LISTEN: Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios slams the ‘disaster’ of AI line judges on the latest episode of the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast
It has been a busy summer window for Arsenal with their spending nearing £200million as they look to break their five-year trophy drought.
Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga have bolstered the ranks, while Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera are set to complete switches to the Emirates, as is Viktor Gyokeres after a seemingly never-ending saga with Sporting Lisbon. Eberechi Eze also remains a target.
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Arsenal have come agonisingly close to Premier League glory in recent seasons, recording three consecutive third place finishes, falling just two points short of Manchester City in 2023/24, before dropping ten points below Liverpool last campaign.
While they impressed in the Champions League this year, beating Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate with two famous victories in the quarter-finals, to reach the final four for the first time in 16 years, Mikel Arteta remains without major silverware since he lifted the FA Cup in his debut season.
Hampered by their lack of attackers last season, with Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli facing long spells on the sidelines, midfielder Mikel Merino was forced to occupy an emergency striker role during a crucial second half of the campaign. But the Gunners have moved quickly to add depth with Gyokeres’ impending arrival the final piece of the jigsaw.
But how might they line up next season? Will Merino will be repaid for deputising up top with a place on the bench? And what about inbound £55m star Madueke and new signings Norgaard and Zubimendi?