Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Arsenal and their transfer plans for the summer, with a decision seemingly already made on one squad member’s future.
Arsenal draw 0-0 with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League
Mikel Arteta’s side were arguably out of the Premier League title race before their goalless draw with Nottingham Forest, but Arteta was very frustrated by the disappointing result on Wednesday evening, which leaves them even more adrift of Liverpool.
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“Very disappointing not to win it,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Forest.
“Today, the standards were very different to the previous game; the energy, the willingness to make things happened. We certainly tried many different ways, we dominated the game apart from one spell in the second half after one or two direct free-kicks where they had something in the box and one or two giveaways that allowed them to run, apart from that nothing. With the amount of situations we generated, with the moments we opened them up, we lacked the final pass, the quality on that delivery and certainly more shots on target to actually win it and be more efficient.
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Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Man Utd (away) |
March 9th |
|
Chelsea (home) |
March 16th |
|
Fulham (home) |
April 1st |
|
Everton (away) |
April 5th |
|
Brentford (home) |
April 12th |
“We tried and adapting the quality that we have, how we can help the team to create different things, to have threats from different qualities, probably they are not about arriving in the box and creating some magic moments, they are other kinds of players. Try to adapt to that and do the best that we can.”
The Gunners are still in with a shot of clinching this year’s Champions League crown, but it will be a tall order considering their lack of an out-and-out striker, so minds are already on how they can best prepare for next campaign.
Arsenal are targeting a new striker this summer, amid claims that Gabriel Jesus could be out injured until 2026, while the lack of a quality alternative to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli has seriously hamstrung Arsenal going forward.
Arsenal set to let Raheem Sterling return to Chelsea
There have been concerns surrounding summer arrival Raheem Sterling as an option, with the £163,000-per-week Englishman proving ineffective overall following his loan move from Chelsea last year.
According to Romano, speaking to GiveMeSport, Arteta and co have already made a firm decision in regard to Sterling’s future.
It is believed that the Gunners are set to let him return to Chelsea and won’t be negotiating a permanent deal for the 30-year-old, so he won’t be an Arsenal player this time next season.
“Expecting the player to deliver more for the final months of the season,” said Romano. “Then the expectation is for Sterling to return to Chelsea and not staying at Arsenal next season. That’s the clear feeling internally.”
The winger has bagged just one goal and two assists in 21 appearances across all competitions throughout 24/25, so it is clear why Arsenal aren’t inclined to negotiate his stay beyond this season.