MARTIN ZUBIMENDI, BRUNO GUIMARAES, DOUGLAS LUIZ AND ARSENAL'S MIDFIELD SUMMER TRANSFER DILEMMA

The next few weeks are going to be huge for Arsenal. The Gunners season looked to be falling off the tracks with defeats to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, but back-to-back wins against Wolves and Chelsea have ensured that their final four games of the season - against Tottenham, Bournemouth, Manchester United and Everton - will carry a considerable weight.

Regardless of whether they do or do not win the Premier League for the first time in 20 years across these next few weeks, this summer is arguably going to be even bigger.

There are so many things that Arsenal will need to do just to keep pace with Manchester City in years to come. The club's decision-makers have acknowledged that they need a forward capable of converting the considerable chances they create every game into goals.

There are other deals that could also be necessities this summer. A replacement for Aaron Ramsdale will be needed if the England keeper moves on for example.

There's a strong argument to suggest there's nowhere more important than the midfield though. This is an area of the pitch where Arsenal are looking to the future.

Thomas Partey has shown himself to be unreliable in terms of injuries again this season and is the wrong side of 30. It would not be a surprise to see Arsenal actively trying to sell him just as they did last summer. Mohamed Elneny, meanwhile is also set to leave when his contract expires as it stands and Albert Sambi Lokonga does not seem to have a future at the club despite an impressive loan spell with Luton. The Gunners are looking to offer a contract extension to Jorginho, but they are aware that a long-term solution will need to be looked at when it comes to competition for Declan Rice.

Names like Douglas Luiz and Bruno Guimaraes have been looked at. The Brazilian duo have had strong admirers within the Arsenal hierarchy, but it is thought that the Gunners are looking at other targets more intensely right now.

Martin Zubimendi is a player on that list. In the past the player has shown a reluctance to leave Real Sociedad even if his boyhood club would be willing to sell. With Sociedad facing a battle to even qualify for the Europa League this season though, it remains to be seen if he could be lured away.

Further forward a key decision looms in the future of Emile Smith Rowe. The 23-year-old has done well when given opportunities for the most part this season, but those have been few and far between. He has started just three Premier League games this season and with just two years remaining on his contract he is certain to have a lengthy list of admirers.

2024-04-24T18:14:46Z dg43tfdfdgfd