Brighton and Hove Albion ended any hopes Arsenal had of lifting their first Premier League title since 2004 last weekend.
Travelling to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Roberto De Zerbi’s high-flying Seagulls put in a performance to remember and ran out deserving 3-0 winners.
However, despite their underwhelming result, the Gunners’ season has largely been a success. Although they have failed to lift any silverware, set to finish second in the table after leading for the majority of the campaign, it is clear just how much progress the team have made under Mikel Arteta.
But if they’re to continue to close the gap on defending champions Manchester City, they must add quality to their squad in the summer. Several names have already been linked with a move to London, including West Ham’s Declan Rice, and a new name has recently emerged; Barcelona winger Ansu Fati, who is facing an uncertain future at the Nou Camp, is understood to be wanted.
That’s according to a recent report from El Nacional, who claims Arteta has asked Barcelona president Joan Laporta to help facilitate a deal to bring Fati, 20, to the Premier League in time for next season.
Barcelona, who won’t be tempted into selling the 20-year-old on Arsenal’s terms, are believed to have requested that club captain Martin Odegaard is included in any potential deal.
Although the thought of signing Fati may be a hugely exciting prospect, there is no way Arteta will allow his captain, and arguably the club’s best player, to move in the opposite direction.
Since being made Arsenal’s captain, Odegaard has shone. The Danish playmaker has not only started 35 Premier League games this season, but after scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists, it is obvious he will be expected to lead the club’s title charge again next season.
