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Arsenal's Premier League title challenge ended with a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday (May 20). Mikel Arteta's men are now set to end the campaign in second place, while the newly promoted club also confirmed their survival.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have maintained contact with Moises Caicedo ahead of a possible move this summer. Elsewhere, Kieran Tierney has been advised to join Manchester City.
On that note, here's a look at the key Arsenal transfer stories as on May 21, 2023:
Arsenal in touch with Moises Caicedo
Arsenal have been in touch with Moises Caicedo, according to acclaimed transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
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The Ecuadorian midfielder was a target for the Gunners in January, but Brighton & Hove Albion refused to let him leave. The 21-year-old has signed a new contract with the Seagulls since but remains linked with a move away from the Amex.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano said that the north London side will face competition for Caicedo this summer.
"It’s not going to be easy for sure because, for Caicedo, there is a lot of interest. All the top English clubs are working around Moises Caicedo, so it's not easy," said Romano.
He continued:
"This is why Arsenal tried to sign him in January. They wanted to be fast because they knew it would be complicated to attack the Moises Caicedo situation in the summer. But, for sure, there is Arsenal interest, and there has been a conversation with the player’s side.”
Arteta is keen to upgrade his midfield this summer and has eyes on Caicedo as well as Declan Rice.
Kieran Tierney advised to join Manchester City
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore reckons Kieran Tierney could be a fabulous addition to Manchester City if he can stay fit.
The Scottish left-back has struggled with injuries recently and is no longer first-choice at Arsenal. Tierney is linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer, with Oleksandr Zinchenko establishing himself as Arteta's preferred option.
Speaking to Caught Offside, Collymore said that Tierney would prefer a move to the Etihad over Newcastle United.
"Tierney has struggled with injuries during his career, but if he can get a handle on that, he is without a doubt a top-level player. If he went to the Etihad, I think he could be to Man City what Andy Robertson is to Liverpool. Tierney is definitely capable of being that under-the-radar type of signing that could go on to be one of the club’s most reliable players," said Collymore.
He continued:
"If he did end up going to Man City, it would be a big blow to Newcastle United who have been heavily linked with him for several months. The Scotsman would be great for Newcastle; he’d fit their profile perfectly, but if he has the choice of them or Man City, he is likely to pick the latter, for obvious reasons.”
Tierney has appeared 35 times across competitions for the Gunners this season, registering one goal and two assists.
Mikel Arteta opens up on failed title challenge
Mikel Arteta has admitted that mounting a quest on the Premier League has proven to be a draining affair.
Arsenal were favourites to win the league at the turn of the year, but their challenge fizzed out in recent weeks. Saturday's defeat at Nottingham Forest proved to be the final nail in the coffin as City won the title - their fifth in six years.
After the defeat, Arteta said that his team failed to hold on to the momentum in the final weeks of the season.
"After 10 and a half months fighting for it, working every single day, just trying to get to that dream that we all had, and that we all fought for so hard," said Arteta.
He continued:
“But at the end, we came up short. You need to get the team in the best moment in the last six league games; everybody healthy, everybody playing at their best, and in the key moments, take those moments, and maintain the momentum, and we haven’t been able to do that."
The North London side will end the season without any silverware but will return to the UEFA Champions League.
