Arsenal set to raid two London rivals in summer midfield revamp

With Champions League football returning to the Emirates Stadium next season, Mikel Arteta is looking to add to his table-topping squad.

Champions League football is returning to the red half of North London for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s departure from the club.

Mikel Arteta’s youthful side are currently sitting atop of the Premier League, and despite only competing on the one front since their Round of 16 Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting Lisbon, are still stretched thin in the squad depth department.

Looking to rectify these issues and allow Arsenal to compete on multiple fronts next season, the Gunners’ boss already has one eye set on this summer’s transfer window.

Given the age of the regular midfield pairing of Granit Xhaka (30) and Thomas Partey (29), alongside a dearth of backup options, central areas appear to be top of Arteta’s agenda.

As per reports from Goal’s Charles Watts on Friday, the table-toppers have now set their sights on Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount (24).

Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium is a well-travelled path, with Jorginho having swapped allegiances in January and the likes of David Luiz and Willian also making the switch in recent seasons.

Now, it would appear that Mikel Arteta is looking to capitalise on a contract talk stalemate between Mount and Chelsea, and bring the versatile midfielder across London.

The other London-based midfielder reportedly in the sights of the Gunners is West Ham and England player Declan Rice (24).

West Ham’s talismanic captain has long been tipped to return to boyhood club Chelsea, but it now seems that the midfielder’s impressive performances in an uninspiring Hammers team have convinced the Arsenal hierarchy to make an approach.

Having already expressed his desire earlier on this season to go in search of Champions League football and test himself at the highest level of club football, Arsenal’s regained status in Europe’s top tier has seen them edge past Chelsea in the race for Rice’s signature.

“I see my friends here (England) who are playing Champions League and for big trophies. You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in”, the 24-year-old said back in December.

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