'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal are set to finish second in the Premier League after falling short in their title challenge at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s team lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday (May 20), confirming Manchester City as the champions.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are working an offer for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. Elsewhere, the north London side are prioritising a new contract for defender William Saliba at the moment.
On that note, here's a look at the key Arsenal transfer stories as on May 22, 2023:
Arsenal working on Declan Rice deal
Arsenal are working on an offer for Declan Rice, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The English midfielder is the numero uno target for Arteta this summer. The 24-year-old’s contract with West Ham United is set to run out at the end of next season, but he's reluctant to sign a new deal. The Hammers are willing to cash in on the player this year.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs said that Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United also have eyes on Rice.
“What Arsenal are doing is working on a proposal for Rice. He remains one of their top priorities, and we know that midfield is also a high priority position. Declan Rice has spoken glowingly about Arsenal. There are, of course, other suitors. Chelsea have looked, and there is even admiration from Manchester United and Newcastle United,” said Jacobs.
He continued:
"But I've always been told, even if it's not a deal-breaker, that Rice would, ideally, like to stay in London. That obviously gives Arsenal and Chelsea some hope, and they can use that to their advantage."
Arteta is likely to lose Granit Xhaka this summer, and Rice would be a fabulous replacement.
Gunners prioritising William Saliba renewal
Arsenal are prioritising a new deal for William Saliba, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The French defender has become a key figure in Arteta’s setup at the Emirates this season. His absence due to injury saw the team’s title challenge end in a whimper. The 22-year-old’s contract with the Gunners runs till the summer of 2024, prompting interest from potential suitors across Europe.
The North London side are eager to end speculation regarding Saliba’s future at the earliest. Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano said that the two parties are locked in talks regarding a renewal.
“The next priority for Arsenal is going to be William Saliba because they want William Saliba to sign a new deal. It's going to be an important part of the next weeks for Arsenal to continue the conversations and to extend the contract of William Saliba,” said Romano.
Saliba has helped keep 13 clean sheets in 33 games across competitions this season for Arsenal.
Arsenal have underutilised Emile Smith Rowe this season, says Tony Adams
Arsenal legend Tony Adams reckons Emile Smith Rowe should have been afforded more playing time this season.
The English midfielder struggled with injuries during the first half of the season but was available for selection in recent months. Despite the fact that many of the first-team members failed to perform at the highest level, the 22-year-old failed to break into the starting XI.
Adams told Sky Sports that a lack of rotation hurt the Gunners in the title race.
“We’ve depended on Martinelli and Saka for most of the season. To give them a rest now and again … They could have given Emile a bit more air time for me. He could have subbed Martinelli and let him play off the left-hand side. Just because we’re always going to need them. We need them to get over the line,” said Adams.
He continued:
“I’ve been waiting for the errors to come, and they weren’t coming. Everything was stable. We had it going on. But as soon as the resources, a couple of injuries, people lost their form, it just didn’t work. I think it’s been lost three months ago.”
Smith Rowe could be tempted to leave the Gunners for regular game time this summer.
