Morgan Rogers is a summer target for Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Mikel Arteta is eager to launch a summer rebuild to build upon this season’s achievements – and has set his sights firmly on Morgan Rogers. Gunners boss Arteta delivered a pointed message to the Arsenal hierarchy following the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta declared that the club needed to make “important decisions” to demonstrate “ambition” and take the club to “another level” after clinching their first Premier League crown in 22 years. The remarks carried real weight, as Arteta is pushing for significant reinforcements, with Aston Villa‘s England star Rogers firmly on Arsenal‘s radar as a potential signing. Rogers is also attracting attention from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain following yet another impressive campaign for Unai Emery’s side, amid growing speculation that Villa could be willing to sell in order to balance the books.
Whether Villa will ultimately part ways with Rogers remains to be seen, but the midfielder is drawing admiring looks from Arsenal given his ability to operate as a No10 and also out wide on the left – a position Arteta is particularly keen to bolster.
Arteta is also known to favour players capable of filling multiple roles and is seeking greater attacking firepower and quality, with a potential squad shake-up on the cards this summer.
What sets this window apart is that Arsenal splashed £250million last summer in an ambitious spending spree that brought in Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and they will finalise a permanent deal for Piero Hincapie.
This summer, however, Arsenal are keen to bolster their squad while simultaneously trimming the ranks to accommodate new arrivals.
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Morgan Rogers and Gabriel could be team-mates next season (Image: Getty)
Gabriel Martinelli has been identified as a potential departure, while there is growing interest in Gabriel Jesus, despite the Brazilian international showing little desire to leave with 12 months remaining on his contract.
The Gunners will look to strengthen in the transfer market this summer, with attack once again the primary focus – though any incoming striker would likely hinge on a departure first.
Arteta clearly believes deals can be struck, and his comments immediately after the final were telling – the Spaniard is determined to bring in top-quality additions.
This may also indicate that, having pushed hard for the title, he is considering a shift in approach as the club targets further silverware.
It is now five consecutive defeats in European finals, stretching back to 1995, including the 2006 Champions League final, the 2019 Europa League final, and now the loss in Budapest against PSG.
Arsenal carry enormous weight in European football, yet their continental record remains underwhelming – just two trophies, the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup and the 1970 Fairs Cup – a stark contrast to their distinguished domestic achievements.
This is something Arteta is acutely aware of and determined to rectify, as he looks to build upon a campaign that will nonetheless be remembered as one of the finest in the club’s history and undoubtedly the standout season of his tenure to date.
Arsenal’s England contingent – Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke – will be afforded an additional week before being required to link up with the national side at their training base in Miami ahead of the World Cup. The bulk of the squad are due to fly out on Monday.