Mikel Arteta has been handed something of a transfer blow beyond his own side as Arsenal prepare for their first Premier League match of the new season. Having already completed almost all of what the club wanted to do, the Gunners are now looking to offload some key players ahead of a late potential signing.
However, while they wait, other clubs are moving on with their business including title rivals Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s new summer additions could not prevent them being eliminated from the Club World Cup by Al Hilal, however, they might be looking to make a transformative addition to their team.
Latest reports suggest City are in the race for Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Ederson set for the exit door. Despite having already re-signed James Trafford this summer, City could yet make a move for PSG’s superstar goalkeeper, who is believed to be seeking a new challenge this summer.
If he does make the move to the north west then Mikel Arteta would be guaranteed to face something of a nemesis of his. Following Arsenal’s elimination to PSG in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Arteta spoke about the Italian’s performances in the two ties.
He stated that Donnarumma was the deciding factor in both games. He even claimed that Arsenal arguably could have won the tie were it not for him.
“When you analyse both games, who has been the best player, the MVP, has been the same player, the goalkeeper,” he said. “And the Champions League is decided in the boxes, and it’s won the game for them because obviously today after 20 minutes, and what happened in London as well, the result should have been very different.”
Quite the claim, and one which caused quite the debate in the fallout of the match. Known for his world-class level shot-stopping, Arsenal could face Donnarumma early in the campaign with the season about to start.
Arsenal have matches away to Manchester United and Liverpool, and at home to Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, before they host Manchester City. Should Donnarumma be confirmed, this would then be the earliest that the Gunners could be matched up against the Italian.
