Arsenal signed two Manchester City players last summer – and could be braced to add another two to their ranks once again
(Image credit: Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal are looking to two Manchester City players in a bid to catch up with the Premier League champions.
The Gunners made Gabriel Jesus their marquee signing 12 months ago when they brought the Brazilian to north London with the offer of more regular football. Mere weeks later, they added Oleksandr Zinchenko – and both have been palpable hits at the Emirates Stadium.
But Arsenal's recent 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City in the title run-in has highlighted that Mikel Arteta's men still have some way to go to reach the levels of their rivals. In the wake of that clash, Arteta has been linked with a few more City stars.
Erling Haaland celebrates scoring against Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Arsenal are extremely interested in adding Ilkay Gundogan to the squad when the City captain's deal expires this summer.
90min meanwhile claims that the Gunners could also bring Joao Cancelo to the Emirates Stadium, in another double swoop for Eastlands stars no longer wanted by Pep Guardiola.
Gundogan was Guardiola's first signing upon moving to the Premier League and has fulfilled a number of roles within the side over the years. Arteta would likely use the German as a No.8 opposite Martin Odegaard, with Granit Xhaka rumoured to be heading for an exit by The Sun.
Cancelo could well be an option on either side of the team, however, with Arteta favouring inverted full-backs. The Portuguese could be used as an alternative to Zinchenko on the left but could also be used in place of Ben White at right-back.
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Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo are both of interest to Arsenal (Image credit: Victoria Haydn/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Arteta joined Manchester City after retiring as a player to work under Guardiola as an assistant coach. The Basque's first signing upon joining Arsenal was Pablo Mari, a former City youth player.
Arsenal sit four points behind City in the Premier League.
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Arsenal are already being linked with a host of big names ahead of a season back in the Champions League.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
