Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta lines up trio of targets as ex-Gunner backs under-fire PSG star

Arsenal have the biggest game of their season on Tuesday night as they prepare to face PSG in the Champions League semi-finals, with Mikel Arteta hoping to move on from the disappointment of their failed title bid

Arsenal are gearing up for their pivotal Champions League semi-final clash against PSG on Tuesday night, with Mikel Arteta’s men getting the weekend off to finalise their preparations. The Gunners are dreaming of a first ever European triumph after their famous win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals and have a huge opportunity against the French side.

Arteta’s side were handed another blow in the Premier League after drawing 1-1 at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night but they will have their eye on the grander prize as they look to make history and win the Champions League, with the first step being a home leg against Luis Enrique’s team at the Emirates this week.

Their draw against Palace means Liverpool can win the Premier League by securing a point against Tottenham on Sunday, which would be a bitter pill for fans to swallow.

But Arteta will be hoping his side can banish those feelings by securing another big first leg win over PSG and put themselves in a great position to reach the final.

In the build up to the biggest game of Arsenal’s season, Mirror Football has broken down the major breaking news and gossip surrounding the Emirates.

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Arteta identifies three areas to strengthen

We know Arsenal are in for a big summer in the transfer market after being left trailing behind Liverpool in the title race and it’s clear the squad needs bolstering next season if they are to challenge the Reds again.

A huge part of Liverpool’s expected triumph has been the incredible goalscoring form of Mohamed Salah, who has 27 league goals and the Gunners are in need of a similar quality forward who can get them the goals they need to challenge the elite.

Arsenal started the season with only Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as players who could play as a No 9, and both have since been ruled out for the season.

The team’s goalscoring struggles have been laid out, with their top scorer currently Havertz on just nine strikes. To counteract this and get the team firing, Arteta now wants to bring in two forwards this summer – one striker and one wide forward – according to a report from ESPN.

Arsenal failed in a bid to sign Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins in January and they have also been linked with moves for Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres and Red Bull Leizpig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Arteta also wants to bring in a central midfielder this summer, the report adds, given that Jorginho and Thomas Partey are expected to leave the Emirates this summer, with Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi linked.

Alonso could jeopardise Arsenal move

Speaking of Zubimendi, bringing the Spanish international to the Emirates this summer might not be as simple as first thought, despite Arsenal emerging as favourites for his signature.

The Real Sociedad star is one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe right now after another impressive season for the Basque outfit that builds on his sensational year in 2024 that saw him play his part in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.

But while Arsenal initially looked like frontrunners to seal the signing of Zubimendi – who is believed to have a £52million release clause – that could all change if Xabi Alonso becomes Real Madrid boss.

The former Liverpool midfielder is currently in charge of Bayer Leverkusen but has been strongly linked with taking over at his former club if Carlo Ancelotti ends up leaving the Bernabeu amid Madrid’s difficult season.

Alonso is believed to be a huge fan of Zubimendi’s and Madrid know they will have to strengthen their midfield options this summer to built the team around Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park.

Madrid failed to replace Toni Kroos when he left the club and face the possibility that long-serving star Luka Modric will finally depart at the end of the season.

Should Madrid enter the mix, it might be hard for Zubimendi to turn them down, especially because it will mean he can stay in his home country and play for one of its biggest clubs.

Petit backs Dembele ahead of Arsenal

Arsenal will be wary about a number of PSG’s dangerous players ahead of their semi-final clash this week – none more so than forward Ousmane Dembele, who has been the club’s standout star this year.

The Gunners have already dealt with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr against Real Madrid in the quarter-final so they should be feeling fairly confident about facing Dembele.

And it may be the perfect time for Arsenal to play against the Frenchman amid criticism over his recent performances. By his lofty standards, he is going through something of a goal drought after four matches without a goal.

In Tuesday night’s draw with Nantes, he had just one shot on target and only two touches in the Nantes box before being subbed off just after the hour mark.

And former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has leapt to the defence of his countryman in the wake of criticism, hailing his performances against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals and insisting the media expects too much of him.

“There’s no let-up! In the Champions League quarter-finals, he was decisive, providing the assist in both matches. I don’t know what you’re expecting,” Petit told the Rothen s’enflamme podcast.

“What are you waiting for? For him to score, make assists, and win every match single-handedly? Not even two weeks ago, he was decisive against Aston Villa. Now, we’re only talking about the match against Nantes… I heard that on other shows, too, I fell out of bed.”

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